TheWildHaggis

My husband has just been offered a job in Perth meaning we will be leaving here mid Feb. Really looking forward to this new adventure for all of us. We have 3 children aged 8, 6 and 3.5.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to live when we first arrive. looking for somewhere for a few weeks until we find a property to rent.

Been searching the various rental sites and seen a few places that sound good.

How does pre-school work in Perth? My son is use to going to school 5 mornings a week to mix with other kids and don't want him to miss out by not being able to start school.

We also have a cocker spaniel and struggling to decide whether or not to bring him with us or to rehome him before we move. We want to do whats best for him and if that means finding him a new home then thats what we'll do. We would prefer to keep him if we can but most rentals we looked at also don't allow pets.

Any info you think will help will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Bermudashorts

I will just comment on the pet situation.

Most rentals wil not say "pets welcome", only a few will say that. However it does not mean that the majority of places will not accept pets. Accordingly you cannot judge this from looking on the internet. We were under the impression it would be very hard to rent with two cats before we moved here but in the event it was not trouble whatsoever.

If you want to bring the dog and think he is up to the journey then bring him. I honestly think having the family pet with you helps with the settling in.

TheWildHaggis

Thanks for the advice.

DML

If you're coming in Feb and want to bring your dog then you'll need to get onto it pretty quick as its a lengthy and involved process. We brought two olde english sheepdogs to the outback from the scottish highlands (so it can be done!!) and can highly recommend http://petairuk.com/

spouse of scouse

Hi there I agree that if you want to bring your furry friend then it's worth trying to make this work. It's true that a lot of agents specify 'no pets' and there's no getting around the fact that it does make it more difficult, but there seem to be quite a few success stories on BE about people securing rentals with pets.

Your more immediate problem might be finding temporary accommodation that will accept pets. That pretty much leaves out hotels, I don't know any in Perth that would consider a dog. I'd try sites like airbnb, Stayz etc - you can communicate with the owners prior to your move and find out if they'll accept your dog.

Re areas - where will your husband be working? Will he need to rely on public transport to get to/from work, or are you planning to buy a car on arrival? What's your rental budget? This will help any advice to be more targeted to your needs.

Very exciting time for you and your family!

TheWildHaggis

My husband will be working in the CBD. We aren't planning on getting a car so going to try public transport. We are use to commuting at home so anything up to a 45 minute commute is acceptable.

DML

Check out http://www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au/ and http://www.takeabreak.com.au/holidayingwithpets.htm for initial accommodation options if you can bring your dog with you. There are other sites too - Google is your friend.

Also be aware that the Perth quarantine station is closing permanently early next year so you would have to bring your pet in via Sydney or Melbourne. If he's not too big then you can fly him across to Perth once he's completed his quarantine period. Ours were too big to do that, we had to drive down to Melbourne to collect them in person.

It was a hassle and expensive but worth every cent/penny to us.

bitzenpces

I think that the only way to survive in Perth without a car would be to live in the very expensive inner suburbs. I don't know a single family without a car and I would not be able to do all the family stuff without one. The public transport system here is just not good enough, unless you want to go to the CBD.

verystormy

I would rethink that. Your husband will probably go into the CBD by train and the trains are excellent (though VERY crowded). But for every thing else you will probably need a car. Perth is not like UK cities where there are shops and everything on your doorstep in a short walk. Unless, most of the suburbs need a car to go to the shops. Also, everything is very spread out and using public transport to get to places can be a pain. For example, i live south. Freo is between me and Perth. But, to get to Freo by public transport means a bus to the train station - which on a sunday only runs every 2 hours - then a train into Perth, going past freo, then a train back south to Freo. A pain in the kneck.

We managed without a car for the first 2 years, but would not want to be without one again!

Bermudashorts

It was not my experience that most landlords say no pets. My experience is that most don't specify and some say no pets.

And I am sure nobody tries to bring their pet into temporary accommodation.

The sensible thing to do is to use quarantine time to locate the permanent rental. And with shorter quarantine times, a bit of time in the kennels before the pets fly and perhaps afterwards will usually allow enough time for most people to secure the long term rental.

spouse of scouse

People coming from the UK may have no idea about what is and isn't common practice in Oz. It doesn't hurt to give them as much information as possible - they'll only use what they personally need.

aussietobe

Keep your dog - there are pet friendly rentals and a website - google pet friendly rentals Perth

kips

Totally agree. I can't imagine living here without a car. I commute to work in Perth 5 days a week by train.

I leave my car at Warnbro station.On the way home I have to pick up my son from child care. Even though I only live 6km from the station it would be a nightmare doing this journey by bus to and from the station, child care centre and my home.

bitzenpces

A few months ago I looked up travelling by public transport from home to work via childcare. Basically, it wasn't possible to get to work by 8 am, there were no buses early enough, that would connect with other buses, then on to a train line, etc.

paulandcelia

Firstly congratulations on your new adventure.....

You don't say what visa you are on but if its an employer sponsored(457) then it can have an impact on costs, getting finance and medicare..its not impossible but you will get asked.

My children were a similar age, you will probably find the youngest will not get a place in a Kindy as they get full very quickly and the schools will be shut for the summer hols so be prepared to spend quality time with him unless you pay for a daycare centre.

How old is your dog? We brought ours over which cost as much as all five of us to fly but well worth it. We kenneled him near Heathrow for a week after we flew and by the time he had done his time in quarantine we had our rental. But start the pet passport process asap and get advice before any vaccinations, they affect blood tests before they can travel.

YOU WILL NEED A CAR in Perth, public transport is great to the city if you are next to a train line, patchy at best anywhere else but getting around, shopping etc will be a nightmare without one........mine will be for sale early next year, going cheap!!!

I deliberately haven't said any area's where to live because everyone's taste is so different and most places will have good and bad neighbours. The advantage of renting is you can always find somewhere else 6mths/1yr down the line. google holiday accommodation for when you first arrive, it can be cheaper than hotels.

It will seem very daunting to sort out so much in such a short space of time, but it can be done. Best decision we ever made.

Good luck