Hi all.

This is our first post on expats, nice to read about so many like minded people. We live in Scotland at the moment, and even though the weather is wonderful??? we decided to apply for Oz. We have just been accepted for sponsorship, and are heading (hopefully later this year) for Bunbury WA.

Just wanted to ask for some advice on shipping belongings etc. We have heard different opinions from a few people about what furniture etc to take. A friend I have over there said to take the minimum as it's cheap enough to start again over there. Someone else advised us to take everything we could fit in a container! Can anybody help??

Also wanted to ask about getting your kids into school and nursery over there. Our eldest is 7 now, and I was wondering how easy it is to enroll kids when we get there, or do we have to contact a school before we leave to arrange it.

Any advice or hello's would be great and look forward to chatting to you all.

thanks, Pete.

Welcome to BE! We are not taking any furniture with us as it would cost 3k+ to ship and to be honest what we have is not even worth that. Hope to buy all new over there. Do not know anything re schools etc. All the best with the move.

Debbie

Hi Debbie.

After doing a bit of research we'll probably end up doing the same. I've been getting quotes of about £600 for just 6 average size boxes.

Thanks, Pete.

Bunbury will be a great place for you - lots of good schools, sporting facilities, restaurants, beaches, shops, etc - everything you need really, close by. Do not worry about enrolling your child in school until you get there. Check them out first and be sure to live within the catchment area of the one that appeals to you most. Try and start your child at the beginning of the term - there are four - rather than half way through. A few weeks to get settled and do some exploring would be a good thing. It is ideal to let a young child become comfortable in new surroundings first, so don't be pressured into sending him to school immediately. Australind and Eaton both have good primary schools and there are many more in Bunbury as well. I can recommend South Bunbury Primary, Cooinda and Bunbury Central in particular. You may also want to consider the Grace School which is a private school from Year 1 through to Year 12, without the price tag - a really good option.

We brought all our furniture and also bought plenty new stuff here too.

As for schools, they usually want you to be in the catchment area before letting them enroll.