Well, after 2 years of planning, paperwork, visa application, references, medicals, police checks, assessments, lots of expense, emotional rollercoasters, waiting, waiting and more waiting we finally arrived on 2nd December to a very nice 25degrees from a very cold snowy Manchester.
As we left the airport they had to de-ice the wings as they had frozen, would highly recommend Emirates, flown with them before but each time they have been very good with the children, we have 3 boys - 3, 4 and 11. I am not the best at flying, ended up doing contraction breathing excersises as we took off to try and take my mind off my fear. I know don't ask but it did help me.
Would not, however, recommend the new terminal at Dubai - chaos!!! We arrived late and had 1 hour to catch the next flight to Perth and had at least 15 mins on the shuttle bus from the plane, 20 mins in customs which was a free for all and then our 2 youngest suddenly needed the toilet and couldn't wait, guess what - most of the toilets were out of order. Luckily the flight from Birmingham was late so the Captain waited. Excellent plane, very big with lots of leg room and very posh business class (got a glance as we walked though to cattle class). Staff very friendly and again great with the kids giving them lots of toys, crayons, books etc. Only took 9 hours 55 as well!
My 4 year old loved flying and asked "when were we blasting off mum?" but as we came into land at Perth he also asked me "which cloud does Jesus live on?" at which point I turned around and asked my mother in law and husband if they could answer that one!!
Very strange feeling actually being here, feels like we are on holiday at the moment. Not homesick at all but I know it will hit me like a ton of bricks as I didn't cry when I said goodbye to anyone just bottled it all up so it is in there somewhere waiting to come out. Feel very guilty though on my parents, it has broke their hearts us taking their grandkids away but watching them playing on the beach together today and being so happy Im sure it has to be the right decision.
So much to sort out in first few weeks, medicare, schools, rental, Jobs, ABN no, TFN no, Blue card, banks, car, furniture. Shouldn' have to buy any furniture but we had a call the week before we left UK to say our container hadn't left Liverpool yet ever though they assured us 6 weeks earlier it had a slot and we had to get it all packaged and sent straight away. Kids had slept on mattresses for 6 weeks and no playstation! Very mad with John Masons.
Our other problem is work, husband called some numbers today in the Western Australian but they didn't answer and the ones he called yesterday the jobs had already gone - he is a bricklayer and we knew it was going to be hard as we had heard a lot of work had dried up, may have to move south of the river as he has a few offers down there but we like Jindalee/Butler area so would love to stay up here.
Anyway that's enough rambling, I have always read other peoples updates and thought I must do one when we get here, will try to do another one in a while about rentals, schools, container arrival (hopefully) etc.
Debbie

Glad your enjoying Perth, hope your hubby gets some work very soon,thats the hardest bit I reckon - getting a job with decent pay that you like!

Good luck
Bluekipper

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Best of luck to yas.

Dave

Great post Debbie, can't wait for the update as we move to Perth on 7th Feb, any advice would be priceless !!

Donna.
x

Hi Debbie,
My Visa just started being processed yesterday and should hopefully be getting my medical done start of next week. So, hopefully will be out by mid-feb, or fingers crossed, the start of feb.
Just one question for you though... What was your first impression on landing in perth and seeing it all for the first time?

Really cant wait to get there. Woohoooo..

Regards,
Jock.

Quick question about John Mason, were you using a shared container?

Hi Debbie, Glad you arrived OK, we expect to be coming over to Perth in Jan, we also love the Butler area, Our kids are 11 and 13, so we have just been looking at schools in the area. My OH is a welder so hopefully will find work. Can I ask which shipping company you used, as we are getting quotes, and also if anyones knows of a reputable pet carrier for our dog.

Best wishes to you in your new life

Sara

HI, Congrats on choosing a great City - I have been here for almost 6 months now and absolutly love it! It was hard settling in at frirst but now everything has come together nicely. I was Luck as OH is Aussie so had his family and friends here already, but I now have my own life and my own friends.

Just wanted to mention that we shipped our stuff in July and it didn't arrive until late oct!! it sat in quarentine for a month in freemantle!!!! so please don't be disheartened if your stuff takes ages to get to you!

It takes a while to get used to the different way of life over here, the fact that normally ( the xmas season is different) no shops are open on Sunday and close at 5.30, and even the late shops are only open till 8pm, chip shops etc close about 8.30 too! This is something i took a while to accept - i said that there should be a sign at the airport ' welcome to Western Australia - closed on sundays! '
Some restaurants don't have a license to sell booze, so you can bring your own! Spiders can bite and make you very sick! The sun is so strong you will burn in 10 minutes!
You can't get PG Tips in the shop - although i was told you could get it in Coles - i still havn't found it!
When you send a parcel at the Post office you have to show your ID and you only get post delivered mon - fri.

I am still very happy to be here!!!!

Enjoy!

Hi Bec, we're coming over in march, just returned from validation trip , we've got 2 dogs to bring, can you give me some advice on carrier & paper work etc.
Cheers
Tim

Hello all, we finally arrived in Perth on the 29th Dec, 08 after few year of trying. V. pleased, however the journey was tough as i had flu from london and only a 2hour stopover in Bangkok, then off to Perth. Also had the few days of jetlag, plus getting over the flu period. We are a bit settled, however finding it hard getting used to the scorching Aussie heat, esp. my OH. he's also starting his work on 15/1/09...

I needed some advice on choosing our suburb to live in. We've seen properties in Morley, Dianella and Nollamara. We have our 9 year old whom we will need to get a good primary school. So a family orientated, decent area would be good.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as we need to get a place asap.

Glad you are enjoying Perth...............How are you finding our weather??

We find the weather scorching hot especially around midday to 4.00pm. My OH wanted to go back the next day!!! He is settling in slowly.......

well done in makin the move. reading your post makes me more determined to do it 4 my family. hope everything works out great 4 u. enjoy!!

Have you thought of Duncraig? Nice suburb, very family orientated, good mix of housing, not too far from the city and close to the beach. Good public primary and secondary schools.

Thanks to all for your support. Yes Aussietobe, would you believe
that we actually going there today to check it out and also to hand in application for a property in Karrinyup we viewed yesterday. We looked around at the area eg, Karrinyup shopping centre , school as well, i was quite impressed! The agent was very helpful and like you told us its a lovely area.

Will keep u posted.... Thanks once again