moving to perth, australia with 3 young girls - any advice??

[bethansmun]

am moving to perth australia in january with 3 girls age 3, 2 and 7 months. husbands job will be in fremantle. would be grateful of any advice/tips. have too many question to mention. need advice on anthing from who to fly with, to what preschool (or aus equivalent) swimming lessons etc..

I am sorry I don't have any advice and I hope somebody responds to your post, but how lucky are you? We would love to move to Australia but not so easy jobwise. Good luck and have a fab time.

Oooh lucky, lucky you! We love WA.

I'd recommend renting for a good wee while when you first get there and explore as much as you possibly can by foot and car. Talk to the locals too.

Have a look at

www.lookatwa.com.au

which is a good site.

We like Fremantle. It's not far from the city but far enough away from the hussle and bussle of city living. Fremantle is really a town in itself and has lovely bars and restaurants. Lots of tourists and an interesting prison (old one!) to visit too.

It has a fantastic fruit and veg market too which puts ASDA etc to shame!

I am so envious of you. We have family there and visit most years except this year because DS is just little but we'd love to move but can't because of visas!

We are going to Melbourne in Jan too. Flights with Singapore, very good with young children. Shipment with PSS after lots of research. Rent when you get there.

There are a few people on here in Perth, so meet them when you first get there. Get on the waiting list for nurseries in your area, then you can turn them down if you don't like them.

These are just things we did but If you find anything else let me know.

Hi, I am going to Melbourne in January too, also with Singapore airlines.

After MUCH debate, we have decided that instead of going in two weeks with my dh we are coming after christmas. That way he will have found a place to live and out shipping will be on it's way.

I think Suzywong is the person you need to speak to. She seems to be pretty clued up on WA these days.
I'm from Sydney, so can't help with specifics, but Fremantle is lovely.
Singapore are meant to be great with children, but frankly I always fly with however I get the best deal with! It is a huge cost when you have a family. Is your youngest small enough to fit in the bassinet?
Any more general Australian questions I may be able to help with until Suzy turns up.

Hi savoycabbage. We are planning on living in the bayside area, which is great for the city where dh will work. We have a 3 day stopover in Singapore on the way out. When in Jan do you arrive ?

Hi, very jealous of your move - you will love perth and Fremantle, WA is a great place to live.
I would definitely recommend Singapore Airlines for your flights. They are great with children, have lots of entertainment and I really don't think you can just go with the 'best price' airline when you have such a long journey with young children.
Definately rent for a while to get a feel for the place and decide where you want to live. There is very clean and reliable train links between Perth and Fremantle (and many of the suburbs, but not all). Bus services are ok.
sorry, can't help with pre-school advice etc.
If this is your first time to Perth and you don't have family there, I would DEFINITELY recommend meeting up with some Mumsnetters. Having a couple of friendly faces to meet up with occasionally, who may have been in the same boat (there are LOADS of expats in Perth!) and get advice from will be a Godsend in your first few months overseas.
HTH

We are leaving here on 30th December and we are also looking at the Bayside area as recommended on Mumsnet! My dh's job is in Richmond. He is going in two weeks so hopefully he will have found us somewhere to live.

Bump for Suzywong or other WAians

Have a look at www.britishexpats.com if you haven't already - you can get all your questions answered there about places to live, pre-schools etc. and lots of general info about migration. One of my closest friends here (Sydney) is from Fremantle and it sounds like a great place to live.

Another vote for Singapore Airlines here as well, they are fantastic with kids. I personally have vowed never to fly BA or Qantas again regardless of price.

thanks for all the advice so far. how do i go about getting in touch with suzywong or other WAians? i seem to be spending hours going round in circles searching the web for preschools etc. what i really need is to get the opinions/experiences of someone who is or has been in fremantle.