debio

Hi to all,
Is there anyone with info -warts an'all-about life in this area of WA.So far after lots of searching on the web,We seem to have decided that this is the region we like.BUT as with everything in life,I've probably been seeing the tourist attraction version!!
Anyone who could share their experience i'm waiting to listen.
Thanks,
Debi

The Thorpes

Hi Debi

I asked a similiar question last week on the Poms in Perth website http://www.pomsinperth.com/discussio...opic.php?t=980. I was trying to find out if there were any areas that should be avoided, but didn't have much luck, but there is a list of websites you may not have found yet. My husband came out last year and had a look aroud Rockingham and liked it, but its not always easy to know where to avoid. We are going out in three weeks time to have another look around, especially the Rockingham and Mandurah areas, so I'll let you know what we find out.

Good luck

Sam

paula m

We Live in Mandurah and absolutly love it. The kids have settled well and the school is great. We have made loads of friends and love the life. We can walk to the beach and love the drive to work every day. I could not think of any where better to live in the world.
We have a house that we rent out in Mandurh to people migrating on a short term fully furnished basis if want any more info on mandurah or Rockingham I have worked as a community nurse there and we have another rental in Port Kennedy.
Please email me on
[email protected]

debio

Thanks Guys,
I will be waiting to hear from you re: your trip to WA.I can't wait to see what you have to say now.Have a wonderful, wonderful time-you lucky thing you


I've made a note of the web address,and that's good to know that i would have a point of contact.


Anyone else with more info -let me hear it!!
Debi

Dreamaway 10

Paula great to hear how much you like Mandurah we are also looking at this area as we have second cousins that live in Halls Head just outside Mandurah I think.
You say you cannot think of a better place in the world to live.
I have to say I get quite excited when people say that.
We are still in the early stages of emmigrating just waiting on the Tra at present.
Have you anymore information on Mandurah good areas to rent/live house prices etc.
We also have children so obviously schooling important.
Regards
Gaynor

claireg3

We live around Rockingham and love it!! I can see why it might not be for everyone but we have no doubt that we are in the right place for us. It has been said time and time again that you will only know if you like a place once you have been there. I know I did a shed load of research on t'internet before we came out here and 2 of the areas that I had really thought we would like were nothing like they were portrayed on the web.
We have been very lucky in that we have found somewhere great to rent and we have bought in the same area so the upheaval will be limited when the time comes.

Have a great time when you come over.

Claire

debio

Thanks for that Claire.Where exactly are you?How long have you been there?What is your job?I'm a teacher and i wonder about my prospects.My partner is an electrician.Do you think that you need at least 2 yrs wages to make the move.I've read so many view points that you end up dizzy.
Are you near the beach?do you have kids-i have a 14 and 6 yr olds-how do you reckon they would fair?
Hope to hear from you!
Debi

Jacqui

We came to Mandurah in 2002 and just love it here! We visited in 2001 and just fell in love with the place, but like you said, things look different when you're just a tourist. The facilities here aren't as big or as numerous as in Perth, but then neither is the population! I've been up to Perth on a number of occasions and the traffic and huge busy freeway intersections always frighten the life out of me! The city is always so busy, like London I suppose. We're happy enough with what we've got here, there are all the usual things to keep the kids entertained, parks, cinema, ten-pin bowling, and there are heaps of touristy places to visit that we just don't have time for.

Some of the shops and attractions could really do with bringing into the 21st century, but all that will come eventually. Anything new that is being built is as modern as you would expect in the UK. Some specialised medical treatments might not be available in Mandurah's hospital and would require a trip to Perth, but then that's no different to the UK is it, I mean you often hear of people having to go to see a specialist in London don't you?

Our three children have settled well in the schools here, although we are a bit disappointed with the very laid back approach. They went to a very good school in England though, I guess we are always comparing their schooling to that one, some people here might find it not so different. They are definitely ahead academically compared to the other kids, although now that our eldest is at high school, she's starting to find the work more challenging. I would definitely recommend that you get the kids on the private school waiting list (if you can afford it) because there is a big difference we have found. Our eldest did go to a state high school to start with and it was just awful, moving her into private was the best thing we ever did.

Yes there are plenty of places to avoid around Rockingham and Mandurah, but there are lots of nicer areas too. They reckon the house prices will escalate rapidly once the new train system is in place here in 2006, so if you moved here anytime in the next couple of years you could do well. Rockingham is closer to Perth by about half-an-hour but it depends how important that is to you. We were always told by others to avoid Rockingham, especially around the city centre, but I think the southern suburbs are ok, like Warnbro and Port Kennedy. None of the state high schools in Rockingham get very good ratings though in the annual league tables, Mandurah's fare a little better. Many children get bussed to the private schools in Mandurah (rather than Perth where the fees are considerably higher). It costs about $30 for a private school application form and you can apply before you arrive here, the waiting lists are rather long. As to Mandurah areas, some places to avoid would be Greenfields, Coodanup, Dudley Park and the city centre. The houses will be very cheap but with good reason! These appear to be the crime trouble-spots, with large populations of aboriginals, homeswest tenants (council houses), etc. If you want to be able to walk to the beach, then look at suburbs on the coastal side of the main road, it's a busy dual carriageway that runs all through Mandurah and you would curse having to cross it every day, especially as there are no schools on that side either south of Mandurah. Halls Head is a safe option for new arrivals, further south there are new developments at Port Bouvard and Dawesville. Or you could look in between Mandurah and Rockingham at some of the newer developments happening at Singleton, Golden Bay or Secret Harbour. They all have their own primary schools, it would mean a 20-minute drive to the nearest high school but that's all on fast dual-carriageway, and you would have the choice of shopping and facilities in either city.

I know Paula personally, and some other friends of hers that are also British. Keep her details handy for when you plan to move here, as she has rentals in the nicer areas of Rockingham and Mandurah, and would make you feel very welcome. I wish we could afford to buy houses to rent out too, I'm sure this board must be a good place to advertise! If you want any more info, feel free to email or pm me.

yvsie

We left the UK September 03 , holidayed in Sydney and visited friends, finally arriving in WA early October.
We were open minded about where to live before we came. We looked around as much as possible but fell in love with here. We feel that we have made the right choice for us. The kids (aged 19, 15 and 11) have settled well into school so far....and I feel that the schools that my 2 girls are in are doing just as good a job as the ones in the Uk that they attended.
I got a job no problem (nurse).Hubby stayed at home to be with the kids during the sumer hols and has now landed himself a job fairly easy too..much to his disgust!!!!!.(joiner...but going to work in bunnings!!...like B&Q in uk).

We came from a fairly built up area in the Uk so we are enjoying the feel of space here. I have just been to a neighbours house to a jewelery party and one of the women there (and Australian woman at that!) said 'oh its all houses and shops here!' not much to do she said....well at the moment we are enjoying exploring our new surroundings. Maybe in years to come we will feel different about it here.....but right now we are so glad that we made the move.

We miss family and friends but that is the sacrifice you make eh?
I also missed familiarity and routine at first...felt like a duck out of water. The first 3 months were very hectic but life is slowly settling into a 'normal' routine...if that is what you can call it here!

My mum is out here at the moment visiting and she can see why we love it here too.....Im dreading saying goodbye again!...but maybe she will come on a contributory parent visa..she fits the criteria ..we just have to wait till we have been here 2 yrs!

sophia

hiya

well we've been here about 18 months now and enjoying ourselves still. I too can see why Rockingham isn't for everyone, but I could say that about almost any suburb that I've ever lived in!!

I come from Leeds so to me Rockingham is a haven of peace and tranquility. I know it gets a lot of bad press, but you just have to remember to stay on the beach side of Read street as the eastern suburbs are erm, less desirable shall we say!!LOL!

However, if you want to make a killing in the housing market, then anywhere between Rockingham and Mandurah would be a good investment right now. As Jacqui says, once that railway goes in the housing market is expected to skyrocket. Also, Rockingham beachfront is having a major facelift at the moment so that will increase interest too. There are a couple of major high rise apartment blocks being built with the cheapest units going for around $350,000.

As for the schools, well my little boy is only 4 so have only experience of the local primary schools. We currently have him enrolled in the Star of the Sea Catholic school. It's private but we are paying around $150 per term for kindy for him. So far we have been very happy with it, and more importantly Austin is very happy there.

We live within a few mins drive or a 10/15 minute walk to about half a dozen really beautiful unspoilt beaches (not the touristy rockingham beachfront...which is still beautiful!!) So we are pretty pleased with it all in all.

This is a good site for more local info on the Rockingham area:

www.annabella.net/rockmap.html

love sophia xx

ps, we're quite a friendly bunch down south too we often meet up.

debio

Thanks for all that guys-a great help.
Small world-i went on the star of the sea website and it looked a lovely school.The name itself is just fab!!
I've been on Annabells website about Rockingham: very useful.


Do any of you know Rhian and Peter Lewis from Singleton-emigrated from south wales 3 yrs ago.They have 4 kids?

It must be a good feeling knowing that you can be met by friendly natives on your arrival and shown the ropes.

Debi

Jacqui

I know several families living in Singleton and we're actually considering moving there ourselves. I'll ask around for you.

We lived with my sister for the first 6 weeks. She was a great help and I would definitely recommended staying near or with friends and family to start with. It's all those silly little questions they can answer, and if they're from the UK too, then they can understand your questions better, and make comparisons for you, things that Aussie wouldn't know about, like "what is the equivalent of Tesco round here?" Likewise they will talk you through the odd tv channels here, who the presenters are, get you familiar with some Aussie lingo, which newspapers to read, lots of little useful things, etc etc.

whisky

We have been here since October.

We live in Mandurah and have a Restaurant in Rockingham.

So far, we are very happy here.

Take a look under Crabtrees 1st instalment.

Whisky

debio

Cheers Whiskey

debio

Can't get on it Whiskey-could you post it here again for me.