Originally Posted by sparkleauz

We just thought we would give you our update for the last four months, since we started our new lives 'down under'. We've been real slackers as it’s taken us until now to write this but things are starting to settle down a bit for us now.

Well, we arrived in Auz on 4th Jan after having a great time in Singapore, where we had a 3 night stopover. The flights were excellent, no problems at all. We had pre- booked a bassinet for our 1 year old, (well recommended - if you are travelling with a little one) which made the flight a lot easier.
We flew with Singapore Airlines and used our extra allowance, and had no problems at all with this. (We did take along a copy of the email we received from the airline Re. extra baggage allowance, but didn't need it!) We stayed for two weeks in Ocean Grove with some friends recovering from the flight and general upheaval. We were very shocked just how brown and dry we found the Melbourne area and then we were told about their Stage 4 water restrictions which we found really surprising.
In our first days we sorted out our TFN and Medicare and worked through the 'list of things to do' from the forum. (Thanks to whoever compiled this - it was a real help to us ) The only thing I would add to the 'to do' list is to join the 'Ambulance'. I’m not sure if it’s the same in every state, but in Victoria the cover costs around $100 per year so should you need the use of an ambulance, you won’t get billed for it! This is great especially for remote areas.

We finally rolled into Mildura on Saturday 20th January after a six hour drive with our friends from Ocean Grove. It was a long drive but some great scenery along the way including lots of Cockatoos. We really didn’t know what to expect when we arrived in Mildura apart from what we had seen on the webcam at www.visitmildura.com.au
We half expected it to be a ‘one horse’ town but it was far bigger than we expected with loads of shops, sports pitches, swimming pool, cinemas, things to do etc.
When we were staying in Ocean Grove, everywhere we went people were most interested in our story of coming to live out here but every time we mentioned that we would be living in Mildura came the reply ‘hope your ready for the heat!’ Just as we arrived in Mildura it started to rain and when we got out of the car we found it really quite chilly!

Our temporary accommodation was on a holiday park in was what’s called a Cabin. My god! What a shocker! It was about the size of a single garage. One small double bedroom, small bathroom, kitchen/diner/living area, and a broom cupboard, laughingly with 2 bunk beds in it! Well we were all meant to be sharing this shoe box, but luckily, our friends have friends in Mildura, and they went to stay with them.
Sunday, we had a little drive around the area, a quick look at some houses we could rent, and generally took it easy.
First thing Monday, my husband went to see his new boss, and I went house hunting. Later we checked out some more houses, and car lots. We had a house viewing at 2pm, but over here, they have a house viewing for all the people who are interested in renting the place. So we viewed a house with another family (!) which is pretty weird. We really wanted the house but knew that if we were going to be in with a chance that we needed to apply straightaway. In Australia, you apply for the house you want to rent and the landlord waits to see what other applications he gets before he decides who can rent his house! Weird huh!! We thought so, so we put in our application. We didn’t feel too hopeful as we had just arrived from a different country and my husband had not yet started work so we didn't think we would be too favourable a choice. After that we looked round a few more car yards, but didn’t find anything suitable. We ended the day a little disheartened, with little chance of a home or a car, and the thought of being stuck in the cabin.
Tuesday, well what a day, we started off looking at cars, when we got the call about the house, we were successful! We just had to pop into the office by the end of the day with a deposit, and sign some papers. The house is like a bungalow, and it has a living room then a large kitchen/diner which our daughter loves running around in and three bedrooms – one ensuite. We also have a laundry and a large grass area at the back with a covered BBQ area. Also a remote control double garage too. All for $250 per week.

After that, we went back to see the only car we had seen, that was almost suitable for us but it had been sold. As we stood there, the salesman came out and said the guy who had bought it, couldn’t sort out the finance, so it was for sale again! We couldn’t believe our luck. The salesman asked if we wanted a test drive, then just handed us the keys and off we went. Simple as that! He didn’t even come with us!! It was a fantastic car to drive (ideal for the long drives we hope to do) so we bought it straight away. We were really lucky. We even managed to get a free tank of fuel and hire one of their cars for a couple of days free of charge as we had no car which was really great of them. The car insurance over here is very different. Basically, you don’t need to have it! We have to have ‘rego’ which is the same as ‘car tax’, but that includes 3rd party insurance. Although we’ve fully comp just in case! Also, the insurance is worked out on the type of car it is, i.e. Saloon, station wagon, ute, etc., not on the engine size. There is an apprentice at work who’s driving a 5.2ltr something or other; you just couldn’t do that in the UK.

So the following week, we started getting sorted, so we could move into our home, even if our belongings hadn’t turned up from the UK. We needed to buy a new mattress, as we dumped our old one in the UK, we bought a new garden table/6 chairs set, and used that in the dining room, and two essential Aussi purchases, the bbq for the back garden, and the bar fridge, where you keep your drinks! We bought most of our stuff to set up our house from the January sales so it was quite cheap. KMart did this great kitchen set which was half price and included everything you need for the kitchen. Target also had great offers on Manchester. (Bedding!) We also did a bit of bartering at electrical stores and a bed department store and this saved us a lot of money. We moved in Friday 2nd Feb, just before my husband started his new job, the following Monday.

My husband works for a local printing company and loves it. He bikes to work now and doesn't miss the hellish commute he was used to. (Also helps to keep the beergut at bay!)

The weather quickly became hot soon after we arrived. This was one of our main concerns in our whole move here. The hottest day was 40 degrees. Surprisingly we found it to be quite bearable as the heat is quite dry and not humid. Most places here are also air conditioned and as long you stay inside for the hottest part of the day you are fine.
Our daughter has been really great with the heat and also with the whole move. We have been moving around and staying in lots of hotels/motels over the last month and it really hasn't bothered her. She has been a star. I take her to a lovely playgroup and there are a great crowd of mums there. Two of those mums are originally from England so know what it has been like for us.
We are not homesick at all at the mo and we keep in contact with our rellies back home each week really via email and phone. They are planning to come out next year too.
We have found a few things that are different. A few I’ve already mentioned but in the supermarkets there are no buy one get one free offers here which made a considerable difference to our grocery bill in the UK. We are spending a lot more than we expected here on our usual shop. But on the upside, we don't pay that much for petrol here compared to the UK and we are only running one car so this is quite a saving.

Now we have been here four months, we feel we are really settling in. We love it. We have met lots of friends who have helped us out and supported us. Fiona&Malc (we met through this forum) have been fab giving us hints and tips of things they learned when they settled and we have had a few mad nights with them and some other guys we know from Manchester.

All in all it has been a great move. We love the area, people and the relaxed lifestyle. We are glad we made that big step. We have received so much help and information from this forum, and just want to thank you all for the support in our journey to Australia. Should we be able to help anyone else, with tips, info or anything else, please do get in touch.
Good luck to all of you still on the pathway here, hang in there, its well worth it!

Jon, Jo & Emily

Originally Posted by chrissy63

Hi

New to site


Have been offered Nursing job with Mental health team in Dareton covering Gol Gol, Wentworth, dareton, pooncarie etc. Would live in Mildura obviously good to hear not a one horse town was beginning to think could be the only pom there. Hubby is health care assitant so would be looking for some casual shifts to work around my work so hope there are plenty of aged care facilities.

Have got two boys 5 and half and 15 months.


Will be nice to have some space

what are the schools like and are there are bits to avoid

Thanks

Chrissy

Originally Posted by chrissy63

Hi Fiona

Thanks for that will definitely be living in Mildura. As for job sounds like a different kind of culture but could find those areas anywhere in britain too.

Chrissy

Originally Posted by Shakmaty

Hi, I've no intention of living in Mildura in the near future, but have friends up there on both sides of the Murray and have been there a few times.

I have a question for you who live there. Do you think there is any advantage to living on the Victorian side of the river, or the NSW of the river, or do you think it's much the same?

Originally Posted by Fiona&malc

hi carl,

dont know about advantages as such, certainly Gol Gol and Buronga are nice, as they are just over the river, but as per above post, when you go further up, its not so nice.