Re: Any advice for me?
 

Don't be sucked in to buying pokey little tumbledown hovels in the inner suburbs - a big mistake a lot of aussies make and they end up thinking all Australians are hipsters.

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Really! My son is asthmatic... Had a BE boss once, been here for years and was struggling to breathe, waiting for docs appointment that arvo. She didn't believe me, and as we were working at a shopping mall, I asked her to give me $20 and I took off. Returned with Ventolin 3 mins later and she stood there :blink::blink:. She'd been getting her script for 7yrs without knowing that little fact...:unsure:

Re: Any advice for me?
 

But at least looking around before buying, OP will get an opportunity to decide on whether they want to hang out with CUB's or Hipsters. Not to mention checking out the types of recreational and educational facilities etc available to them before they're tied down to their mortgage.

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Congratulations :thumbsup:

Off the top of me noggin and your mileage/opinion/needs may differ:

1) Don't have expectations of anything
2) Join a social club, sports club, anything to get in with the 'locals'
3) Don't search out other expats deliberately
4) Don't compare anything to what you knew before, ESPECIALLY costs :)
5) Don't miss things, find other things to replace them
6) Do enjoy, a lot of people don't get the opportunity

Safe travels.

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Yeah, actually I was being sarky because everyone's needs, desires, circumstances and limits are different. There are quite a lot of advantages to a big home in the suburbs - it all depends on what the balance of factors are for you. Anyhow, I end up going into the city for trips out, etc. anyway - so transport communications are more important than location. Not getting swayed by what sways the aussies is a distinct win AFAIC.

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Yep, each to their own. I lot of the negative stuff about Australia on here strikes me as people having chosen the wrong place for their lifestyle. Even as an Aussie, when we moved from WA to QLD, we rented for years until we knew the city really well before we bought.

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Yes take both sides of this argument onboard and do what suits you Kapri .....

Although this is a catylyst for a thread Gary :) Not here in this one.

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Not interested in going over it, again. Just in answering the original statement and showing its not necessarily so

As far as Kapri is concerned - get a short term rental for when you arrive and look around lots of places before renting for a year or so, minimum. You'll be living out a suitcase for a while, so make sure you get a ticket with someone who gives a good baggage allowance (or cheap extra luggage). I ran with a laptop with a TV dongle for quite a while, TV, phone, etc. in one. Got a UK phone number on a SIP account before I came, so people could ring a UK number to talk. Also gave sis a VPN endpoint before I left, so I could login and download UK TV. Bought a printer when here for applications, fax, etc. A sim card suitable for your phone frequency on a PAYG (prepay) is simple.

Scan everything and keep the PDFs on a USB stick, including passport, visas, CVs, docs, references, etc.

Obviously the perennial 'send out multiple 4-way extension blocks with you' holds true. Personally I'd also say buy and sent out a new lawnmower with your boxes (they are silly price here). Also don't be surprised if you get fleeced at this end for inspection of your boxes, it's a con.

Oh, and finally, remember to find the most picturesque spot to take a pic to send back to all family and friends when you get here.

Re: Any advice for me?
 

This man, he speaketh sense (on this occasion anyway)

This is THE most important bit of advice.

There's really no point going through all the stress, angst and anxiety (not to mention expense) if you can't be all smug and braggy to the poor unfortunates you left behind.

Good luck, Kapri!

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Could it be because they're about $15 over the counter and around $8.70 with a script ? (in QLD) , in NSW and The NT you have a count card that the chemist fills in each time you buy, the costs are around the same as QLD, in the rest you see the local Gadicha man and they'll fix you right up , or in other words --I dunno :)

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Best wishes!

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Thanks everyone. The last few weeks have been stressful and emotional but I am really looking forward to arriving in Aus and finding somewhere to live :thumbup:

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Generic version of Ventolin is called Asmol and is about $8 over the counter (Qld).

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Just remember it is a foreign country. Have fun xx

Re: Any advice for me?
 

Come and visit Perth soon!!