Lettik

Anyone try the immigration depts arrival accommodation? I know you can get it for up to 3 months for about 250 per week, all bills included. Thought it might be a good base to start with while looking for area/private rent.

Anyone try it? if so, how did you find it? what kind of areas are they placed? I know a few of you took out short term rents priately, which we may well do, but checking all options at mo

Dorothy

You have to apply for the OAA. There are very few vacancies for many applicants. We got lucky and managed to get a 3 bed house for 12 weeks when we arrived in 2006. While certainly not luxury, it was clean, and provided us with a place to call home until our container arrived. Everything was provided with the exception of sheets & blankets, but we simply brought our sleeping bags over with us to use. There were dishes and pots/pans.

We arrived in the middle of Aussie winter, and believe me when I say it was COLD in there. Thankfully our neighbours loaned us a heater. We would turn it on during the day in the lounge room so it was toasty when we got home and then we'd put in the hall outside the bedrooms for night.

Even if you don't get accepted for OAA, make sure you apply for the free Meet & Greet. Volunteers pick you up at the airport and take you to your short term accomodations. The couple who picked us up brought us a nice hamper with coffee, tea, a loaf of bread and a few other essentials to get us through the first few days. We landed on a Sunday, so they came back the next day to take us shopping for a car and show us around a bit, too. Bear in mind that you will be very tired after a long flight, so don't be shy and if you're too tired to socialise with them just let them know. Ours picked us up at 10 am and finally left around 5 pm. After we hinted a few times how tired we were after a 30 hour flight.

chippie74

We had arrival accommodation in glenelg last september for 6 weeks and at the time if i had a rope i would have hung myself!!! joking. the room was basic and clean.the area was great but we had the neigbours from hell ,typical aussie council scrotes,they had music blasting out 4am cars revving all the time,police around every other night it was like being back in manchester!!!the OAA are goverment houses which means no diffrent that uk council flats/estates.dont let me put you off because ive spoke to some people who had really good OAA

Reading fan

We used the OAA and were allocated a simple 2 bed semi near the Marion shopping centre - very convenient. We arrived in winter also and had to use the gas cooker at times to thaw out ! It was an invaluable opportunity to find our feet. Other new arrivals had less desirable accommodation (more like less desirable areas) but all agreed that the properties are clean and somewhere to put your head.Friends of ours are now meet and greeters - returning the favour ! Good luck - I would definitely put your name down.

Babsw

we were lucky enough to get it but turned it down when we saw it but we were just unlucky, other people have had good accomodation in good areas so I'd definately give it a shot coz it is such a good start if you get a reasonable place.

Dorothy

Our place was in Surrey Downs, up by Tea Tree Plaza. It was a great neighbourhood. Lots of SA Housing, but that didn't bother us at all. The neighbours were really friendly and helpful. We're still in touch with one of them 2 years and one interstate move later.

Lettik

Thanks guys, not sure what to think now! it'll be ok if we are one of the lucky ones, but if not......think moving having not experienced Adelaide before, and moving into "non deisrable" accommodation might be very off putting! mmmmm! will have to give it serious thought. Can cope with basic, anti social neighbours erm! no thanks! sounds too much like my husbands work!!