6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
Oct 6th 2010 | 4:01 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 53
6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
Some 6 weeks ago, me and the hubby moved to Perth and although I haven’t been an active member of British Expats, I thought I might share our experiences with you and hopefully help somebody who is also taking the plunge. Of course, this is all subjective and you might have different experiences.
We’d been here a couple of times to visit family and decided that perhaps this was a place for us. When we first came in 2004, living here was certainly a lot cheaper and we thought our money would go further than it does now.
We started the visa application process in 2007 via the skilled family sponsored route. We waited for the email requesting police and medical checks as we thought front loading them was a little risky with dates for entry and what not and boy was that a good move. Just as we were expecting to be told we’d got the visa, all skilled family sponsor visa applications came to a halt, with a chance of a grant of visa being 2012. On DIAC updates, it wasn’t looking good, so we plucked for a State Sponsored application (for my teaching), which was granted and in December we were granted the permanent residency Visa. Our medicals and Police clearances were out of date, but they extended them by 2 months so long as we could validate the visas. At Christmas we came out and began making plans. The hubby works for himself doing internet stuff (which has been brilliant as its put the pressure of money at bay) and was eager to get himself established with TFN etc. Why didn’t I get mine at the same time? Being naive, I just didn’t think and that has proven to bite me right on my bum.
29th August, we touched down on a Qantas flight and boy has it been non-stop since then? In the first week we got medicare, driving licences, bank detail updates, ABN done and stuff that seem to take ages. We’re lucky as we had the offer of staying with family in the hills so at least we didn’t have that issue to deal with straight away.
During the second week, Hubby saw accountant whilst I sent out my CV and covering letter to lots of schools offering my services. Within 24 hours I received a call from a school asking me what my WA Employee ID number was. What Employee ID number? I’d gotten my WACOT teacher registration sorted before we came out thinking I was being organised but no – there was more. I then thought about asking for my TFN for purposes of the WA employee ID number, two weeks later I got that and walked into the Education Dept with my application and two weeks later I’m still waiting... WA in some cases certainly does mean Wait A while! ïŠ
We decided that we should find a more permanent home and thought about the Mindarie, Quinns Rocks area. It soon became apparent that driving up and down the Kwinana/Mitchell Freeway everyday was going to be a right pain, so we decided to relocate up at Club Capricorn for a week then at Burns Beach Holiday Village for another 11 nights.
So the rental hunt began. We’d managed to sell our house and was just waiting for completion with very little by way of capital out of it with the property crash in the UK and thought that renting would give us a bit of freedom and time to find exactly where we wanted to live. Renting would be the perfect solution wouldn’t it? Looking for a rental was like hell. Never having rented before, we hadn’t got a rental history and that proved a headache. But the home opens for us were the real downer. We felt like we were in a meat market. All people vying for the same thing and only one winner. Not what we hoped it would be. We thought it might be fun, exciting even but we just didn’t get the vibe. We’d plonk ourselves down at The Boat (Mindarie Marina) for a welcome beer after the home opens had taken place – some we’d have to split up to do as they all tend to be at about the same time.
If you own your own home and plan to rent, make sure you have lots of personal references from friends ready as having done a mass email to friends, we managed to get a rental we liked in Currambine. Some rental companies are better than others. I wont say which we liked/disliked as you may have different experiences but we were told by some people that Aus was a classless society, not if you rent it isn’t from the attitude of some of the companies approached and their distaste in talking to mere rental peasants. That said, we did meet some very nice property managers and even a larger company director who was only too happy to chat about life during a home open.
So we’ve now been in the house for 1 week and what do we think so far?
Shopping for food is definitely more expensive here than the Uk, but specials can be found and we decided to stick to Aussie brands for most things (Kelloggs Cornflakes and Sarsons vinegar being the exceptions ïŠ) and that has helped. We did our first big shop last week and this week spent a lot less because we bulk bought lots of things. Meat we think is good value if bought in bulk (bought at Drovers, Joondalup) and so we have enough meat to keep us going for a while. There isn’t the wide variety of free range meat that can be found in the UK, but it is there. We’re also trying the fresh fruit and veg market type places on the side of the road and although not everything is cheaper, there are bargains to be found. Woolworths, Coles and IGA are much of a muchness and I suppose you could shop around each of them to seek out the offers. We love the junk mail that comes almost on a daily basis and yes, we will tire of it soon but it’s giving us a good idea of prices.
The electrical shops and the like can offer good value especially if you ask for the best prices. We bought a HDMI cable priced at $89.99 for $10 today and yes, it was probably over priced in the first place, but if you don’t ask for the best price they can offer, we wouldn’t have got the bargain that it was. They do swoop on you to help you, but they are friendly enough if you say you’re only browsing. Once we’re earning Aussie dollars, I think we’ll stop converting prices and being shocked by what things cost, but as the British pound is so poor, it will all seem highly priced.
The weather is good, a little chilly in the evenings and it’s a travesty if there is a cloud in the sky ïŠ. And from what friends and family are saying, they’re having a bit of a wet time at the moment, so we wouldn’t complain whatever the weather!
We’re still waiting for our container to arrive with our stuff but we’ve gone and bought stuff that we could do with and the odd impulse buy but you can get by on a saucepan and a family banquet frying pan effort which fries, bakes, roasts, boils so we can eat well enough without all of our cooking things. I’m desperately missing the washing machine but most things I’m hand-washing and will go to the launderette for towels and bed sheets. Kmart is good in that most of the stuff we bought was cheaper when we took them to the counter. Big W is great for stationery stuff but in my opinion a little more expensive than Target and Kmart. We’re yet to have our bags checked when we leave any of the shops but we’ve seen it happen loads. We don’t push stuff round the shops in a trolley – don’t know if this makes a difference.
The only stumbling block we think we’ve come across apart from the constant need to provide ID (get Aus drivers licence ASAP as British ones aren’t accepted), is how do we make friends without children? Houses aren’t designed for chatting over the fence whilst hanging the washing out with high fences and the front of houses making it seem as though no-one is at home. We wanted more of a community spirited life and it doesn’t seem as though the area we’ve gone for is going to offer that. We’re planning on putting notes in letter boxes introducing ourselves to the neighbours – is that likely to work? Who knows but we’re willing to give anything a go. We’re sociable people who like to talk to others and so we’re beginning to feel a little isolated. Any suggestions of what we could do would be gratefully accepted. This hasn’t changed our optimism of what life in Aus can bring us, it just sometimes makes you homesick.
I hope my ramblings help somebody in some way and we’re always more than happy to offer advise based on our experiences.
We’d been here a couple of times to visit family and decided that perhaps this was a place for us. When we first came in 2004, living here was certainly a lot cheaper and we thought our money would go further than it does now.
We started the visa application process in 2007 via the skilled family sponsored route. We waited for the email requesting police and medical checks as we thought front loading them was a little risky with dates for entry and what not and boy was that a good move. Just as we were expecting to be told we’d got the visa, all skilled family sponsor visa applications came to a halt, with a chance of a grant of visa being 2012. On DIAC updates, it wasn’t looking good, so we plucked for a State Sponsored application (for my teaching), which was granted and in December we were granted the permanent residency Visa. Our medicals and Police clearances were out of date, but they extended them by 2 months so long as we could validate the visas. At Christmas we came out and began making plans. The hubby works for himself doing internet stuff (which has been brilliant as its put the pressure of money at bay) and was eager to get himself established with TFN etc. Why didn’t I get mine at the same time? Being naive, I just didn’t think and that has proven to bite me right on my bum.
29th August, we touched down on a Qantas flight and boy has it been non-stop since then? In the first week we got medicare, driving licences, bank detail updates, ABN done and stuff that seem to take ages. We’re lucky as we had the offer of staying with family in the hills so at least we didn’t have that issue to deal with straight away.
During the second week, Hubby saw accountant whilst I sent out my CV and covering letter to lots of schools offering my services. Within 24 hours I received a call from a school asking me what my WA Employee ID number was. What Employee ID number? I’d gotten my WACOT teacher registration sorted before we came out thinking I was being organised but no – there was more. I then thought about asking for my TFN for purposes of the WA employee ID number, two weeks later I got that and walked into the Education Dept with my application and two weeks later I’m still waiting... WA in some cases certainly does mean Wait A while! ïŠ
We decided that we should find a more permanent home and thought about the Mindarie, Quinns Rocks area. It soon became apparent that driving up and down the Kwinana/Mitchell Freeway everyday was going to be a right pain, so we decided to relocate up at Club Capricorn for a week then at Burns Beach Holiday Village for another 11 nights.
So the rental hunt began. We’d managed to sell our house and was just waiting for completion with very little by way of capital out of it with the property crash in the UK and thought that renting would give us a bit of freedom and time to find exactly where we wanted to live. Renting would be the perfect solution wouldn’t it? Looking for a rental was like hell. Never having rented before, we hadn’t got a rental history and that proved a headache. But the home opens for us were the real downer. We felt like we were in a meat market. All people vying for the same thing and only one winner. Not what we hoped it would be. We thought it might be fun, exciting even but we just didn’t get the vibe. We’d plonk ourselves down at The Boat (Mindarie Marina) for a welcome beer after the home opens had taken place – some we’d have to split up to do as they all tend to be at about the same time.
If you own your own home and plan to rent, make sure you have lots of personal references from friends ready as having done a mass email to friends, we managed to get a rental we liked in Currambine. Some rental companies are better than others. I wont say which we liked/disliked as you may have different experiences but we were told by some people that Aus was a classless society, not if you rent it isn’t from the attitude of some of the companies approached and their distaste in talking to mere rental peasants. That said, we did meet some very nice property managers and even a larger company director who was only too happy to chat about life during a home open.
So we’ve now been in the house for 1 week and what do we think so far?
Shopping for food is definitely more expensive here than the Uk, but specials can be found and we decided to stick to Aussie brands for most things (Kelloggs Cornflakes and Sarsons vinegar being the exceptions ïŠ) and that has helped. We did our first big shop last week and this week spent a lot less because we bulk bought lots of things. Meat we think is good value if bought in bulk (bought at Drovers, Joondalup) and so we have enough meat to keep us going for a while. There isn’t the wide variety of free range meat that can be found in the UK, but it is there. We’re also trying the fresh fruit and veg market type places on the side of the road and although not everything is cheaper, there are bargains to be found. Woolworths, Coles and IGA are much of a muchness and I suppose you could shop around each of them to seek out the offers. We love the junk mail that comes almost on a daily basis and yes, we will tire of it soon but it’s giving us a good idea of prices.
The electrical shops and the like can offer good value especially if you ask for the best prices. We bought a HDMI cable priced at $89.99 for $10 today and yes, it was probably over priced in the first place, but if you don’t ask for the best price they can offer, we wouldn’t have got the bargain that it was. They do swoop on you to help you, but they are friendly enough if you say you’re only browsing. Once we’re earning Aussie dollars, I think we’ll stop converting prices and being shocked by what things cost, but as the British pound is so poor, it will all seem highly priced.
The weather is good, a little chilly in the evenings and it’s a travesty if there is a cloud in the sky ïŠ. And from what friends and family are saying, they’re having a bit of a wet time at the moment, so we wouldn’t complain whatever the weather!
We’re still waiting for our container to arrive with our stuff but we’ve gone and bought stuff that we could do with and the odd impulse buy but you can get by on a saucepan and a family banquet frying pan effort which fries, bakes, roasts, boils so we can eat well enough without all of our cooking things. I’m desperately missing the washing machine but most things I’m hand-washing and will go to the launderette for towels and bed sheets. Kmart is good in that most of the stuff we bought was cheaper when we took them to the counter. Big W is great for stationery stuff but in my opinion a little more expensive than Target and Kmart. We’re yet to have our bags checked when we leave any of the shops but we’ve seen it happen loads. We don’t push stuff round the shops in a trolley – don’t know if this makes a difference.
The only stumbling block we think we’ve come across apart from the constant need to provide ID (get Aus drivers licence ASAP as British ones aren’t accepted), is how do we make friends without children? Houses aren’t designed for chatting over the fence whilst hanging the washing out with high fences and the front of houses making it seem as though no-one is at home. We wanted more of a community spirited life and it doesn’t seem as though the area we’ve gone for is going to offer that. We’re planning on putting notes in letter boxes introducing ourselves to the neighbours – is that likely to work? Who knows but we’re willing to give anything a go. We’re sociable people who like to talk to others and so we’re beginning to feel a little isolated. Any suggestions of what we could do would be gratefully accepted. This hasn’t changed our optimism of what life in Aus can bring us, it just sometimes makes you homesick.
I hope my ramblings help somebody in some way and we’re always more than happy to offer advise based on our experiences.
Oct 7th 2010 | 1:34 am
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21,434
From: Tropical North QLD
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
Good update & hope you get settled very soon
Oct 7th 2010 | 3:45 am
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 253
From: Darwin australia
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
great to read as we are flying out in 3 weeks- shippers coming monday - are going to airfreight a few things for house as a I resent buying things you know you have already got. Any advice for shippers?
Good luck with the friends thing it tends to come through work or a club- footy, nightclass etc. I have a sociable daughter to I hope she'll help us!!!
Good luck with the friends thing it tends to come through work or a club- footy, nightclass etc. I have a sociable daughter to I hope she'll help us!!!
Oct 7th 2010 | 12:35 pm
#4
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 53
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
great to read as we are flying out in 3 weeks- shippers coming monday - are going to airfreight a few things for house as a I resent buying things you know you have already got. Any advice for shippers?
Good luck with the friends thing it tends to come through work or a club- footy, nightclass etc. I have a sociable daughter to I hope she'll help us!!!
Good luck with the friends thing it tends to come through work or a club- footy, nightclass etc. I have a sociable daughter to I hope she'll help us!!!
Where are you moving off to? :-)
Oct 7th 2010 | 6:48 pm
#5
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 53
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
Also Thanks Sally!
Oct 8th 2010 | 4:59 pm
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 402
From: NSW
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
Good update, glad it's all coming together.
Friends will come along, we went for a totally Aussie area as didn't want to be surrounded by Brits. Clubs/hobbies etc are the way to go when you don't have children. Hubby joined rural fire service as a volunteer and now knows so many people, we've both joined whatever clubs/hobbies we had in UK and have met lots of people this way. Friendships will come just don't expect them overnight, keep smiling
Friends will come along, we went for a totally Aussie area as didn't want to be surrounded by Brits. Clubs/hobbies etc are the way to go when you don't have children. Hubby joined rural fire service as a volunteer and now knows so many people, we've both joined whatever clubs/hobbies we had in UK and have met lots of people this way. Friendships will come just don't expect them overnight, keep smiling
Oct 8th 2010 | 5:06 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 253
From: Darwin australia
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
We are off to brisbane.... On 30th...
What did you have to do for teaching??? I dont plan to work for a year so hqvent done anything yet but wondered what the process is???
What did you have to do for teaching??? I dont plan to work for a year so hqvent done anything yet but wondered what the process is???
Oct 9th 2010 | 12:26 am
#8
'Made in Ulster' Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,578
From: Brisbane, QLD. (Though an Ulster girl through and through!)
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
Oct 9th 2010 | 8:27 pm
#9
Handsome Internet Guy
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,116
From: WA
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
Nice update , welcome to Perth .
Theres a meet up at Kings Park soon (Nov) & we have various other meet ups throughout the year , CBD drinks ect . Feel free to message me if you wish to attend any time .
Theres a meet up at Kings Park soon (Nov) & we have various other meet ups throughout the year , CBD drinks ect . Feel free to message me if you wish to attend any time .
Oct 11th 2010 | 2:52 am
#10
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 53
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
Many thanks, will do. Not sure if we're chatting with you on facebook? But we're up for nights out. and socialising :-)
Oct 14th 2010 | 7:59 pm
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 926
From: Perth
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
That made interesting reading as we also arrived here 6 weeks ago. We're not far up the road from you at Merriwa. I've been to Drovers this morning to buy all my fruit & veg & me & little guy enjoyed tasting all the samples, well most of them as we won't be buying mash fruit...yuck. I've only bought chicken so far as a bit fussy about it being free range & am therefore happy that I can get quorn in Coles.
Still desperately awaiting our container. It arrived at Fremantle last Friday so waiting for clearance now. It's amazing what you can manage to live with or even without for over 3 months!
Sorry have no advice on how to meet people here. We already had some friends here & our daughter is at school so I'm managing to chat to people & make friends that way although I do miss being able to ring my best mate in the middle of the day for a chat.
I guess I'll wave at you in Coles
Alison x
Still desperately awaiting our container. It arrived at Fremantle last Friday so waiting for clearance now. It's amazing what you can manage to live with or even without for over 3 months!
Sorry have no advice on how to meet people here. We already had some friends here & our daughter is at school so I'm managing to chat to people & make friends that way although I do miss being able to ring my best mate in the middle of the day for a chat.
I guess I'll wave at you in Coles
Alison x
Oct 16th 2010 | 12:41 am
#12
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 53
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
That made interesting reading as we also arrived here 6 weeks ago. We're not far up the road from you at Merriwa. I've been to Drovers this morning to buy all my fruit & veg & me & little guy enjoyed tasting all the samples, well most of them as we won't be buying mash fruit...yuck. I've only bought chicken so far as a bit fussy about it being free range & am therefore happy that I can get quorn in Coles.
Still desperately awaiting our container. It arrived at Fremantle last Friday so waiting for clearance now. It's amazing what you can manage to live with or even without for over 3 months!
Sorry have no advice on how to meet people here. We already had some friends here & our daughter is at school so I'm managing to chat to people & make friends that way although I do miss being able to ring my best mate in the middle of the day for a chat.
I guess I'll wave at you in Coles
Alison x
Still desperately awaiting our container. It arrived at Fremantle last Friday so waiting for clearance now. It's amazing what you can manage to live with or even without for over 3 months!
Sorry have no advice on how to meet people here. We already had some friends here & our daughter is at school so I'm managing to chat to people & make friends that way although I do miss being able to ring my best mate in the middle of the day for a chat.
I guess I'll wave at you in Coles
Alison x
We're the same as you for the container, it's getting boring hand washing now and one pot cooking, but at least it means we can make do. We had email from removal company to say there's been a delay as it arrived two weeks ago today and it hasn't been seen yet. We're looking at another week or so (so in WA that prob means three weeks!
)We feel when we get to the house that we've arrived 'home' so that's a positive but missing friends and family is hard - facebook certainly helps! The friend things will come - we just need to be positive and keep trying!
You're certainly not far from us, what do you think so far?
Oct 18th 2010 | 6:24 pm
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 926
From: Perth
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
Thanks Alison! Wonder if you arrived the same day as us? :-) They sell free range chicken in Drovers (not sure if you noticed) but we'd agree that the range of free range is limiting. Tried Farmer Jacks this week and some of their prices were good for fresh fruit/veg. Go to Wanneroo markets this week - I'll go anywhere in a bid for a bargain!
We're the same as you for the container, it's getting boring hand washing now and one pot cooking, but at least it means we can make do. We had email from removal company to say there's been a delay as it arrived two weeks ago today and it hasn't been seen yet. We're looking at another week or so (so in WA that prob means three weeks!)
We feel when we get to the house that we've arrived 'home' so that's a positive but missing friends and family is hard - facebook certainly helps! The friend things will come - we just need to be positive and keep trying!
You're certainly not far from us, what do you think so far?
We're the same as you for the container, it's getting boring hand washing now and one pot cooking, but at least it means we can make do. We had email from removal company to say there's been a delay as it arrived two weeks ago today and it hasn't been seen yet. We're looking at another week or so (so in WA that prob means three weeks!
)We feel when we get to the house that we've arrived 'home' so that's a positive but missing friends and family is hard - facebook certainly helps! The friend things will come - we just need to be positive and keep trying!
You're certainly not far from us, what do you think so far?
I'm loving it so far. Still can't get use to being so close to the sea & the kids get excited whenever they spot it out of the car window. Slowly adjusting to hubby being back at work, daughter at school & it just being me & the little fella at home all day. Have had a bit of a wobbler today & a few tears, think I need to change the photos on my screen saver so they're not of the last month in the UK. Facebook is a god send as is skype & our voip phone
especially as I've left 3 teenagers behind 
And yes it is amazing what you can manage without but enough is enough, I want my breadmaker, ironing board & hoover back now & it would be good not to be sleeping on a mattress on the floor. Oh & a few more clothes than just the suitcase full I've been living with for nearly 4 months.
How are you settling in? Are you working?
Alison x
Jul 14th 2011 | 7:22 am
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 868
From: In a big country, dreams stay with you ...
Re: 6 Weeks on in Perth, what do we think?
Sounds like things are coming along nicely for you SammyT. Are either of you into sports (or maybe walking group - is there a walking club near you)? It's a brililant way to get to meet people. Wouldn't have anythnig to do with a good excuse to have a catch up drink/bbq now and again of course 
All you'll need is to meet and be friendly with one or two and it might open up a whole social scene for you.
Might be nice to pop a note in people's letterboxes - ask them round for a sausage sizzle - but remember you might get to meet some who aren't your normal taste!
It's obviously been months now since you've settled - are you settled? Have you managed to make some good friends?
Wish you all the best!
All you'll need is to meet and be friendly with one or two and it might open up a whole social scene for you.
Might be nice to pop a note in people's letterboxes - ask them round for a sausage sizzle - but remember you might get to meet some who aren't your normal taste!
It's obviously been months now since you've settled - are you settled? Have you managed to make some good friends?
Wish you all the best!
