The low-Down on the move....
Discussion
Hi all,
It looks like I may be down under fairly soon: My Wife has gained employment in WA and I'll be following to provide child care!
Honestly, I can't wait. Company are sorting a 457 Visa and shipping us out. I get a Career break and a chance to do something different for a bit. I have a Geology degree...
We're confident that although things will be tight for a few months, we'll be able to live decently down under on her wage. Anything I can earn will be a bonus.
So, anything I should know or you wish you'd known before you took the plunge? We're not treating it as emigration, just moving to live and work abroad with an option of staying if it all works out, or coming back to the UK if it's not what it cracked up to be. We'll be shipping as much of our possessions as possible, furniture, TV, clothes etc to prevent buying twice.
I only bought my car in Jan, and whilst I love it, it's only an Impreza and so I'll be selling it and not bothering trying to import. It looks too expensive and complex for a car that's not that special.
It looks like I may be down under fairly soon: My Wife has gained employment in WA and I'll be following to provide child care!
Honestly, I can't wait. Company are sorting a 457 Visa and shipping us out. I get a Career break and a chance to do something different for a bit. I have a Geology degree...
We're confident that although things will be tight for a few months, we'll be able to live decently down under on her wage. Anything I can earn will be a bonus.
So, anything I should know or you wish you'd known before you took the plunge? We're not treating it as emigration, just moving to live and work abroad with an option of staying if it all works out, or coming back to the UK if it's not what it cracked up to be. We'll be shipping as much of our possessions as possible, furniture, TV, clothes etc to prevent buying twice.
I only bought my car in Jan, and whilst I love it, it's only an Impreza and so I'll be selling it and not bothering trying to import. It looks too expensive and complex for a car that's not that special.
WeirdNeville said:
So, anything I should know or you wish you'd known before you took the plunge? We're not treating it as emigration, just moving to live and work abroad with an option of staying if it all works out, or coming back to the UK if it's not what it cracked up to be. We'll be shipping as much of our possessions as possible, furniture, TV, clothes etc to prevent buying twice.
I only bought my car in Jan, and whilst I love it, it's only an Impreza and so I'll be selling it and not bothering trying to import. It looks too expensive and complex for a car that's not that special.
Did the same as you a few months back. Here are some random thoughts :I only bought my car in Jan, and whilst I love it, it's only an Impreza and so I'll be selling it and not bothering trying to import. It looks too expensive and complex for a car that's not that special.
Your TV won't immediately work, but change the settings to Spain or Portugal and it's very likely it will.
Everything appears more expensive if you covert from GBP to AUD in your head, but once you start getting paid in AUD and spending it, it's about the same.
You couldn't have brought your car anyway - you would have needed to own it for 12 months.
It's cold here at the moment.
Coffee everywhere is excellent
Public transport is poor, and expensive.
People drive like nutters on the road. The answer is to do as the locals do, fit in and it's less stressful
Buses try and kill you. I think they have a bonus scheme
The government tax you in ways you didn't think were possible.
Skype doesn't work very well.
Politicians act like schoolboys. Use of words cock, w
ker, dhead and tt can be heard by them making statements on TV/Radio. One of them even rapped in answer to a serious question.Car ownership is expensive
Washing machines tear your clothes to bits
It can be difficult to find accommodation on a reasonable budget
The police are extremely polite when they stop you
Most of the TV is from the BBC or ITV
I've not met anyone called Bruce, Shelia and none has said g'day mate.
said: Public transport is poor, and expensive.
People drive like nutters on the road. The answer is to do as the locals do, fit in and it's less stressful
The government tax you in ways you didn't think were possible.
Car ownership is expensive
Agree with most .. but :-People drive like nutters on the road. The answer is to do as the locals do, fit in and it's less stressful
The government tax you in ways you didn't think were possible.
Car ownership is expensive
In Perth the transport is good. Trains every 15mins, they are clean (eletric) and airconditioned. Busses are airconditioned and run on LPG (no diesal fumes). There are free bus services in the CBD. My daily commute is $4.
Perth drivers are not agressive, just sh*t. No observation. At all. Ever.
Taxes on a tax, with a tax are comon. But IncomeTax is simpler than the UK.
Stamp duty on cars (which the dealer will 'forget' to tell you about) can be an expensive, unexpected bill.
Neville,
I have been here for 6 weeks now at can honestly say it is great. I am importing my car but as already said you have to have owned it for 12 months (and prove it).
I get the bus to the CBD every week day for about $6 per day and so far I have not been let down by it and it is actually faster than driving as the Buses get there own lanes some of the time.
It is a little brisk here at the moment but everyone keeps telling me how brutal the summer heat gets, so we will see. I have come over on a 457 Visa and may stay longer than the 4 years, we brought with us ALL of our furniture and our TV's worked when the signal came through Foxtel (like SKY) box.
Good luck mate and if you need any Q's answering then feel free to ask and I will give you my take on it, may not be the best advice but like I say we (family of 4) have done this recently.
Cheers
I have been here for 6 weeks now at can honestly say it is great. I am importing my car but as already said you have to have owned it for 12 months (and prove it).
I get the bus to the CBD every week day for about $6 per day and so far I have not been let down by it and it is actually faster than driving as the Buses get there own lanes some of the time.
It is a little brisk here at the moment but everyone keeps telling me how brutal the summer heat gets, so we will see. I have come over on a 457 Visa and may stay longer than the 4 years, we brought with us ALL of our furniture and our TV's worked when the signal came through Foxtel (like SKY) box.
Good luck mate and if you need any Q's answering then feel free to ask and I will give you my take on it, may not be the best advice but like I say we (family of 4) have done this recently.
Cheers
Thanks mate!
The company is starting the 457 process. Looking forwards to it so much now, we've been looking at real estate porn (and trying to keep our expectations in check!)
We'll get a quote from John Mason.
Need to sort out renting out our UK home, Sell car, and get all our stuff in order for the move!
We'll be tight on cash for a bit but I'm sure it'll be worth it.
The company is starting the 457 process. Looking forwards to it so much now, we've been looking at real estate porn (and trying to keep our expectations in check!)
We'll get a quote from John Mason.
Need to sort out renting out our UK home, Sell car, and get all our stuff in order for the move!
We'll be tight on cash for a bit but I'm sure it'll be worth it.
Bibbs said:
said: Public transport is poor, and expensive.
People drive like nutters on the road. The answer is to do as the locals do, fit in and it's less stressful
The government tax you in ways you didn't think were possible.
Car ownership is expensive
Agree with most .. but :-People drive like nutters on the road. The answer is to do as the locals do, fit in and it's less stressful
The government tax you in ways you didn't think were possible.
Car ownership is expensive
In Perth the transport is good. Trains every 15mins, they are clean (eletric) and airconditioned. Busses are airconditioned and run on LPG (no diesal fumes). There are free bus services in the CBD. My daily commute is $4.
Perth drivers are not agressive, just sh*t. No observation. At all. Ever.
Taxes on a tax, with a tax are comon. But IncomeTax is simpler than the UK.
Stamp duty on cars (which the dealer will 'forget' to tell you about) can be an expensive, unexpected bill.
You'll meet Bogans! (having studied them I think I might be one lol!)
Price of beer..I have come to simply accept $50 for a crate of 12 pint bottles..in a normal pub you'll pay $12 a pint, more of you want a view ($18 for Hoegaarden @ breakwater on the Ocean) just nothing you can do about it..
Plan ahead to buy things from supermarkets, as opening hours are tight and you have to go to separate shops for your beer - thinking of buying full strength beer for an impromptu BBQ on Sunday? Think again, you'll have to wait till the clock has struck 2pm! Well, that's what they do at my local in Altone..
Petrol is cheaper mid week..can vary by 10c a litre..
Housing reasonable to buy, less so to rent..
Lots and lots of bureaucracy but a lovely place to live nonetheless!
Edited by minimax on Sunday 5th August 16:29
My advice after being here 3 years (not Perth)
Keep every receipt - you can claim most things back at tax time if you have a good enough imagination.
Avoid the beef sausages
be prepared to wait for a property- it took us a month to get one
Take every invite to a bbq/ night out you can. When you get involved you will find it much easier to settle in.
Don't be a whinging Pom
book a return flight, I prefer singapore air as they let you change dates once for free. Then extend it as long as you can, when you go back for a holiday book another return. Flights cost 2x more from Aus - UK than the other way around.
Coles stock more UK stuff than Woolworths (branston Pickle, PG tips, biscuits etc)
be prepared for very bad and very expensive internet. around $80 a month for an awful connection)
Dont get a contract phone, get yours unlocked in UK and put in a pay as you go.
I have a new iphone and I pay only $30 every 5 weeks. My friend on a contract for almost same usage pays over $500 a month!!! Last month his bill was $1200!!!!!
Beers are extortionate - about $55 a slab of 24 (375mls)
Keep every receipt - you can claim most things back at tax time if you have a good enough imagination.
Avoid the beef sausages
be prepared to wait for a property- it took us a month to get one
Take every invite to a bbq/ night out you can. When you get involved you will find it much easier to settle in.
Don't be a whinging Pom
book a return flight, I prefer singapore air as they let you change dates once for free. Then extend it as long as you can, when you go back for a holiday book another return. Flights cost 2x more from Aus - UK than the other way around.
Coles stock more UK stuff than Woolworths (branston Pickle, PG tips, biscuits etc)
be prepared for very bad and very expensive internet. around $80 a month for an awful connection)
Dont get a contract phone, get yours unlocked in UK and put in a pay as you go.
I have a new iphone and I pay only $30 every 5 weeks. My friend on a contract for almost same usage pays over $500 a month!!! Last month his bill was $1200!!!!!
Beers are extortionate - about $55 a slab of 24 (375mls)
Thanks guys, useful advice there, I'm taking it all on board.
We've got estae agents coming round on Friday. We need to work out if we can rent out the UK house of if it's got to go.
Ideally we want to keep it.
We'll be geting quotes from the shippers mentioned.
Visa is in action - submitted all the docs last night for our 457. Mrs needs a medical but hopefully that'll be a hurdle not a barrier.
Got quotes to fly emairates via Dubai. Seems to be the only sensible route from london, and came out at about £2k return for the family. I wanted to see if we could sneak business class flights but they're £7k!
We've got estae agents coming round on Friday. We need to work out if we can rent out the UK house of if it's got to go.
Ideally we want to keep it.We'll be geting quotes from the shippers mentioned.
Visa is in action - submitted all the docs last night for our 457. Mrs needs a medical but hopefully that'll be a hurdle not a barrier.
Got quotes to fly emairates via Dubai. Seems to be the only sensible route from london, and came out at about £2k return for the family. I wanted to see if we could sneak business class flights but they're £7k!
Bibbs said:
I'd recomend Singapore to .. Singapore.
Heard many bad things about Emerates.
Good luck!
We've flown across quite a few times over the past 5 years and found Etihad to be a bit random whether it's good or not and Emirates always good (but often more £££).Heard many bad things about Emerates.
Good luck!
Our last experience of Etihad was this year when they booked business tickets for myself, wife and 18 month old, all sitting together but when it came to repeated requests for booking confirmation, we were apart. After a few hours of phone calls, they advised they couldn't fix it, agreed they had made a mistake and would refund the tickets. It took 4 months to get the refund processed - which included weekly calls, emails and letters. Our experience of their customer service when things go wrong convinces me not to use them again.
Having said that, the only flights left when we wanted to leave (from the airport we needed to use) were First, which strangely weren't much more than business.. and that was "nice". Went via an A380, which even has showers in the toilets! Despite the huge seat, incredible food and wine, the service was beyond expectations - they would even babysit for us! It was an extremely pleasant way to travel a long distance
Bibbs said:
I'd recomend Singapore to .. Singapore.
Heard many bad things about Emerates.
Good luck!
Not from me, I fly emirates about twice a year as usually the cheapest by far but........... lately Singapore air have been coming up cheaper and they are second to none. Also Qatar are pretty good. Heard many bad things about Emerates.
Good luck!
Via Singapore for us, the first leg is a bit of a killer but the second leg of about 5 hours was very welcome, can't comment on flight costs as the company I work for flew all four of us Bisiness class including by 2 1/2 yo and 8 yo, it was funny watching the faces on Economy class passangers walking past our fully flat beds
The flights are not a major concern - we'll get there and it's only a day. We may do a stopover for a night just for the comfort of Mininev who'll be one year old ish. I'll try and sort out going via singapore if I can. No desire to go to Dubai.
I'd love to go business class but I don't want to be seen to be taking the piss so early with a new company. They've given us a generous relocation budget but we have shipping and the export of our mutt to pay for too!
Things are moving on. Just hoping a minor medical condition is no bar to my Wifes 457 visa. Fingers crossed!
I'd love to go business class but I don't want to be seen to be taking the piss so early with a new company. They've given us a generous relocation budget but we have shipping and the export of our mutt to pay for too!
Things are moving on. Just hoping a minor medical condition is no bar to my Wifes 457 visa. Fingers crossed!
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