baloo

(oops - put this in the wrong forum first, sorry!! - reckon this is probably a better place for it)


Hi all - have searched through the threads for similar info, but can't find any, so hope you don't mind me asking the question here.

We're going to be making our validation trip to Oz in a couple of weeks. We're not making the proper move for a couple of years though. So any ideas if there are thigns we should be looking to do on the validation trip? (besides having a good holiday?)

I understand we can't transfer drivers licences until we're permanently living there, so no point in doing that now. Tax number? We'll not be resident for tax purposes yet. Bank account set up? Not sure it's worth the hassle of the paperwork to be sent to us while we're not living there, if we're not actually using it.

Any ideas or thoughts? Useful tips on what we could be doing would also be good.

We do have on our list to buy maps, have a look at areas, get a feel for different suburbs and house prices, job market, cost-of-living etc.

Thanks!

Phoenixuk2oz

I think you've pretty much covered it all and have obviously done your homework on what needs doing

Maybe check out appropriate recruitment agencies so you know who to contact when you do eventually get here [maybe even subscribe to their websites to keep abreast of the job markets etc?].

Check supermarket prices, food and homeware stuff and prepare yourself for things you will get/will not get here [manage your own expectations re availability, cost, quality and fashion of goods].

Check out prices of furniture/white and brown goods etc so you can make an informed decision re what is worth shipping to Aus in terms of the added expense incured.

Any pets to bring with you? Maybe check out the cost of transporting internally [from Quarantine kennel to wherever you intend to live in Aus] or maybe even check out the quarantine kennels if you can?

Speak to other Aussies whilst here and ask them about work culture [very different in some ways than UK] and find out how the job markert operates [temp or perm postions] and how the Aussies occupy themselves outside of work.

If you're interested in recreational sports, cost them up whilst here as many a Pom has been dissapointed to find the big boat they wanted is now just a pipe dream cos they didn't plan on the extra costs involved re the whole deal [again, managing your expectations-helping to plan ahead].

Find out about the housebuying process. How it works, how easy to find finance and the searches/house evaluation and termite/Building control methods[maybe understand issues realted to these e.g termites in Qld as opposed to damp probs in UK?]

Also the "pub" culture: Check out how different socialising is here and how this will fit in with your life in Aus.

Schools; Maybe check these out too?

That's about it from the top of my head. Apologies but it's Australia day tomos and as it's a bank holiday [yipee] ......so the late night and not thinking straight [BTW...check out the bank holidays too!]

Anyways.....

Most of all....enjoy your trip and chill out

baloo

Some great tips there, thanks!

We've been to Oz before, so have checked out lifestyle & things/food we can get that we can't get in UK, but will do an update check again.



Good point - thanks for the reminder, specially about furniture & appliances etc. We will need to figure out what's worth taking across & what isn't.

Good idea about the quarantine kennels.
Work culture is something we have a tiny insight into, but things change so a good idea to find out what it's like now again.

Yeah - will need to find out how much tickets are for the cricket

Yep - still can't get my head around the whole auction process, though I understand that it's not exclusively auction sales anymore. The follow on process would be good to get to grips with too, understanding how long it takes for everything to happen etc., so we have a realistic idea of how long it might take to get settled into our own place if we want. Good point about the differences in house evaluations - will need to understand that a bit better.

No - that was superb! Thanks for the ideas, it gave me more to think about, things I'd 'forgotten' need checking.

Cheers! And hope you enjoyed Aussie Day