If you live in Oz (or Perth ideally), do you get things delivered from U.K. often?

[Heatherbell1978]

Looking at emigrating next year to Perth from Scotland- we thought it would be 2018 but now likely mid 2017. We'll have a 3 yr old and new baby will be around 6 months.
One thing I think I'll miss are all the lovely baby clothes shops here as well as many others.....I know some will deliver overseas like M&S and Next but just wondering if this is something people did a lot or if you genuinely find that Oz has everything you'd get at home?

[FranKatzenjammer]

When I lived in Perth, I was always ordering books, DVDs and CDs from Amazon (UK- Aus didn't have one then). I would stock up on clothes at M&S during visits home. The shops aren't very good in Perth (but it's lovely otherwise!).

[CakeRattleandRoll]

I live in Perth and both DC were born here (now 4yo and 20mo). For me, it's fine for baby/kids clothes, but it's not like I've been used to anything else. There are also beautiful handmade clothes available on etsy. I did think there were some lovely kiddies clothes available in UK during a trip last year, though.

I do order books from UK via bookdepository.com, as they do free shipping and Perth is pretty limited for book shops.

Still, playing on the beach yesterday (blue sky, bright sunshine, 29 degrees), I can't say I was missing book shops too much! Good luck with your move!

[DetMcnulty]

I'm in Perth, been here 3 years now. I order from Next (they deliver in 3 days) and sometimes House of Fraser who only charge 10 pounds, so not too bad. Having said that, there's a lot of new shops opened up, even in the short time I've been here, so there's Zara, Top shop, H & M etc. Plus there's Oz shops that I love, such as Witchery and Decjuba, so only do 1 or 2 big orders from UK per year.

Hope that helps!

[ClaudiaNaughton]

I've noticed in lots of M&S website reviews customers in Australia praising goods and fast and free? delivery.

[Aebj]

We're in Perth. We find everything that we want here. Perth is a first world City and not the back of the world that the East Coast will lead you to believe !!!
I don't miss any shops that the UK have that I would like to see here.
I enjoy the laid back lifestyle. Be prepared for it to get cold in the winter ( it's been along winter this year and I haven't totally thored out yet!!) but I do love the summers. Where abouts are you moving to? Check out Ngala website for things to do with little children. Rockingham and Kwinina ( 50km South of Perth) have great playgroups for kids. Send us a message if you want more details

[Vagabond]

My daughter (14) is an avid online shopper and often shops online from the US and always gets free shipping. I honestly have to admire her online shopping skills! Apparently you can find vouchers online for free shipping.

I am also in Perth, btw. Lovely boutique baby clothes in Freemantle too. I really love it here.

[caramelgirl]

We live in Singapore and I stock up in Perth (and also if anyone is coming out from the UK, obvs).
So I rate Perth shops. Cotton On kids is lovely for children's clothes. In fact all of Perth is lovely!!

[Glastokitty]

I'm also in Perth, I get the odd delivery from M&S and Debenhams, but mostly shop here. You don't need so many clothes when its hot of course (next weekend its to be 35 degrees, bring it on!)

[MumofWombat]

Another Perth dwelling person here!
I admit that I do stock up on clothes when we visit the UK or my parents fly out to visit us - but mainly because I quite my daughter to have some 'different' clothes. Similarly, my Mum and Dad quite like stocking up on clothes over here so they have different clothes from everyone back in the UK.
But we have plenty of stores selling lovely things here! I don't find clothes to be an issue. Now, supermarkets - that's a whole over thing. I still miss the prices and range of things in UK supermarkets.

[user1477282676]

I am in South Australia....originally from the UK and I'm not going to lie, the clothing here is TERRIBLE!

I don't order much in from UK as it's too much when you do the conversion.

I shop at Country Road, Pumpkin Patch and sometimes Myer when there's a sale on. It's awful though because I miss my UK faves a lot.

[Glastokitty]

I agree about the supermarkets. What I wouldn't give for an our in Waitrose or M &S food hall!

[user1477282676]

Oh and the Supermarkets at Christmas! I love all the extras they sell...you don't find so many here. I suppose the lack of consumerism is good but I like a bit of tat!

I went to our local Foodland about a week before Christmas on a Friday night...might have been Coles...and it was dead!

I expressed surprise to the cashier and she said "Oh it'll be busy in the run up to Christmas" and my English brain thought...It IS the run up to Christmas!

I couldn't believe my leisurely shop!

[Glastokitty]

I actually prefer the more low key xmas here, and I definitely prefer having two weeks off work to enjoy the beautiful weather. For me it beats the hell out of logs fires and shitty rainy weather.

[JC23]

We've been in Australia for three years. There's not so much choice in the shops here and online shopping still hasn't really kicked off. I order from ASOS and Next a lot. And books off eBay from the UK. Things ordered from the UK will usually arrive faster than things ordered from within Australia and the postage is usually free!

[Heatherbell1978]

Thanks everyone! Next and H&M are my go to for baby and kids clothes and looks like I can get them in Perth. I do love JojoMamanBebe too but looks like it's £50 delivery charge.
Agree with supermarkets. Here they sell everything which makes life easy. We were in Perth in March and left our only toddler cutlery in a restaurant. The hassle to replace it! It's the kind of thing of thing I'd chuck in the trolley at Tesco without thinking!

I'm sure I'll spend less in Oz though. Sometimes it's just too easy here to shop

[RockyBird]

I used a site that has links to all US and UK shops that deliver to Aus.

[JC23]

What site is that RockyBird?

[RockyBird]

I wish I could remember.

I found it through google and they had a massive amount of shops on it.

[Ohthepressure]

They'll start levying GST on overseas purchases from July 17,which might affect prices. Next and M&S have Aus sites already, but Amazon is currently bargainous, they deduct VAT and then add shipping costs, so for a dvd you can sometimes pay the same as getting one delivered in the UK. The exchange rate affects affordability too. But in the whole Perth is a nice, low key, easy access to the beach place. Just be careful that you'll get jobs ok, the economy is in decline at the moment.

[GrinAndTonic]

I'm on the other side of the country and the M&S order I placed last Tuesday arrived yesterday. That is quicker then my online ordering that is Australian based.
I still do a lot of shopping from the UK as I found that when I was fatter then I am now the plus size clothing options were better and cheaper then here.

[JC23]

I ordered a couple of bits from ASOS on Monday and they're due to be delivered today (Wednesday)! I'm always staring at my tracking info in disbelief. I'm sure ASOS have invented some sort of secret international teleport device. I suppose the time difference does work in their favour...

[user1477282676]

JC23 do ASOS have an Australian warehouse or something?

[JC23]

According to the tracking everything comes from Leeds via Heathrow!

[Pisssssedofff]

How's Perth doing ? Everyone I worked with has left 😩

[Heatherbell1978]

Looks like Amazon arriving next year in Perth though!!