For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
#31
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
Credit Card stuff,
forgot to point out in my earlier post in this thread that we applied for the credit cards as part mortgage application process. My wife also reminded me we arranged Debit Cards whilst in the bank activating the account. Lots of important jobs can be achieved during a recce.
Kev
forgot to point out in my earlier post in this thread that we applied for the credit cards as part mortgage application process. My wife also reminded me we arranged Debit Cards whilst in the bank activating the account. Lots of important jobs can be achieved during a recce.
Kev
#32
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
hello
great post and some good reading.just makes me want to go NOW
all the best
Dave
great post and some good reading.just makes me want to go NOW
all the best
Dave
#33
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
Hey great post really helpful and informative, long but no where near boring, thanks!!
Matt
Matt
#34
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
Very informative!! Like many of us , you have done your homework and it seems to have paid off. No matter how much we research we can't always get it right. There are so many things to think about and "to do" both before the departure and upon arrival, it's very scarey!
We are hoping to be in Brissy by mid June '07 and your thread is very useful as both a comparison to what we are doing and also a checklist.
To everyone out there, what really makes me frustrted/angry/mad/etc are the people in the UK that comment on "How they couldn't leave family and freinds" and comment "Oh I couldn't do that etc" just at a time when you are booking flights and telling everyone when you will be leaving...
For god sake we have been talking about it for 2 years, got PR and now all of a sudden we are "the bad guys".
Sorry for that, but get a bit fed up of the old "guilt trip" beind dissed out all the time.
Any way, the thread is MINT so I am sure I will add some other "to do's" to my list..
Good Night
Janex
#35
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
Fantastic tips in this top post.
With reference to the bit about Oz credit cards we have a bit of extra info; We were lucky enough to go on our recce to Qld recently and activated our Westpac accounts (everyday and high interest) while in Brisbane. While in the bank we asked for both ATM and credit cards to be created and for them and the PIN numbers to be sent to our UK address. The bank had a minor admin faff but we got the cards ok. Additionally we also managed to start the Mortgage application process off and now have a "pre-approval" figure that we can use as a base for house hunting. If you would like the Migrant Mortgages manager contact details please pm me.
Hope this might be helpful
Kev.
With reference to the bit about Oz credit cards we have a bit of extra info; We were lucky enough to go on our recce to Qld recently and activated our Westpac accounts (everyday and high interest) while in Brisbane. While in the bank we asked for both ATM and credit cards to be created and for them and the PIN numbers to be sent to our UK address. The bank had a minor admin faff but we got the cards ok. Additionally we also managed to start the Mortgage application process off and now have a "pre-approval" figure that we can use as a base for house hunting. If you would like the Migrant Mortgages manager contact details please pm me.
Hope this might be helpful
Kev.
Johnnyyt
#36
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
Johnnyyt,
We organised an "everyday" and "savings account" with the Westpac well in advance of our recce. We then transferred money from the UK into both accounts for a number of reasons. The first was to develop a credit score in Oz as we intend to rent on our arrival and hope this credit score will help our application. We also got a much better exchange rate through HIFX than using the tourist rate, when we transferred our investment, so we used the Westpac account to fund our expenses while in Oz. It was always our intention to get Oz credit cards and when applying for our mortgage there was a part in the application form that offered a credit card. In fact the application process allowed to choose Master card or Visa and a whole suite of products dependant on personal circumstances/needs. If I can be of more help please ask.
Kev
We organised an "everyday" and "savings account" with the Westpac well in advance of our recce. We then transferred money from the UK into both accounts for a number of reasons. The first was to develop a credit score in Oz as we intend to rent on our arrival and hope this credit score will help our application. We also got a much better exchange rate through HIFX than using the tourist rate, when we transferred our investment, so we used the Westpac account to fund our expenses while in Oz. It was always our intention to get Oz credit cards and when applying for our mortgage there was a part in the application form that offered a credit card. In fact the application process allowed to choose Master card or Visa and a whole suite of products dependant on personal circumstances/needs. If I can be of more help please ask.
Kev
#37
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
Kev,
thanks for the help, hope all is going well for you.
Johnnyyt
thanks for the help, hope all is going well for you.
Johnnyyt
#38
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 0
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
Fantastic tips and information. Thank you for putting the time in to write it and help the rest of us.
Pete
Pete
#39
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,905
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
Very good post!
I agree with this point:
All Aussies, so don’t huddle under the expat thing too much…..go for it.
We are not in UK or Aus yet. But we decided to mix with the locals from the off. They have been very friendly and have more helpful tips than you could ever use.
So agree with 'dont huddle under the expat thing too much'
Yes, its great mixing with other expats but you need to get to know the locals too.
GEMS
I agree with this point:
All Aussies, so don’t huddle under the expat thing too much…..go for it.
We are not in UK or Aus yet. But we decided to mix with the locals from the off. They have been very friendly and have more helpful tips than you could ever use.
So agree with 'dont huddle under the expat thing too much'
Yes, its great mixing with other expats but you need to get to know the locals too.
GEMS
#40
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 98
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
Great post Mike,
We will not be coming over for 15-18 months but have started the process. I note from your post that you took your dog; any advice? who did you ship with? Was your pooch used to kennells etc? We move around Europe quite a bit so he is all jabbed and passported up.
Thanks John M
We will not be coming over for 15-18 months but have started the process. I note from your post that you took your dog; any advice? who did you ship with? Was your pooch used to kennells etc? We move around Europe quite a bit so he is all jabbed and passported up.
Thanks John M
#41
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
We are using Golden Arrow in Shropshire, they have a very good reputation - search though the threads!
#42
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 423
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
For those about to leave Pt 2
is there a
For those about to leave Pt 1 ???
anyone got a link?
is there a
For those about to leave Pt 1 ???
anyone got a link?
#45
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,991
Re: For those about to leave Pt 2 (Top tips)
Excellent post thank you