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Living overseas

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Original poster

Moving to Perth WA - any mumsnetters already there?

64 replies

XBenedict · 16/12/2012 12:55

We have applied to move to Perth probably just south of the city but we're waiting for the firm job offer. We have visited before for a holiday but just wondering if you had any advice ref schooling private v public? Any other tips would be greatly received Smile

OP posts:
ravenousbugblatterbeast · 17/12/2012 06:57

There are a few of us here, do an advanced search for Perth in the Living Overseas category. I'm north of the river though. What job are you waiting to be offered? Exciting times ahead!

Original poster
XBenedict · 17/12/2012 18:15

DH is a GP. I will do a search and find you all Smile

OP posts:
glastocat · 17/12/2012 18:16

I am moving out in Feb with my husband and son. We have a three month rental in Rockingham, are there any mumsnetters around? I'm starting to get wry excited!

Original poster
XBenedict · 17/12/2012 18:19

We stayed very near Rockingham last year. Have you been before? It's just lovely. DD and I went swimming with the wild dolphins there. You never know I might be able to meet up with you later in the year Smile, good luck with your move.

OP posts:
glastocat · 17/12/2012 18:26

No I've never been before, I picked it off the Internet with the help of apieceofperth website. We are on Shoalwater bay, and I am very excited about visiting penguin island etc. Once we get there we will be able to get more of an idea where to settle. Do you have your visas all sorted yet? My husband was born in Oz so it was easy for him to get a passport and our son got one by descent, but my Spouse visa is taking ages! We have decided to go over anyway, with me on a tourist visa, which will mean I will have to take a trip to Bali to validate my visa, oh the humanity on my won, yippee!. Yes we will have to have a mumsnet meet up, definitely, I don't know anyone over there at all.

glastocat · 17/12/2012 18:27

on my own

Original poster
XBenedict · 17/12/2012 18:31

No we have all the visas to go through yet, I know it can take some time.

OP posts:
glastocat · 17/12/2012 18:35

I think the working visas are quicker, but do get your application in ASAP. I took ages getting my stuff together, and as I dithered, the waiting time for my visa went up from 5/6 months, to 8/9 months! Apparently Australia house is inundated with applicants at the minute rats leaving a sinking ship.

Original poster
XBenedict · 17/12/2012 18:36

Hmmmm I not surprised! Hoping for an email this week that will set the ball rolling.

OP posts:
Mosman · 23/12/2012 05:05

We are stuck in the state system waiting for places in private schools Iona or st Mary's I think. I've been spectacularly unimpressed with the state system in the 6 months we've been here, thank god the girls are at least 12 months ahead - not intellectually - the kids here are just as smart and at the same level but the curriculum is so hit and miss, no continuity and the shit teachers don't get weeded out, the heads don't interview for teachers they get sent who's available.
People in my DDs year six class have moved to Victoria for education. I'd honestly have a good think about Perth unless you are in mining/resources. We are earning $200,000 and have never been so broke in our lives, not even at uni

glastocat · 23/12/2012 10:47

Wow mosman, i know it's very expensive,but I have friends out there earning far less than that and they are very happy with their standard of living. They speak highly of the education system too!

Mosman · 23/12/2012 10:59

It's going to depend on area and of course your expectations but we've been quite shocked. People warned us about the cost of good etc and of course having four kids doesn't help but my food bill is around $600 a week and DH and I rarely have dinner, the kids mainly eat chicken salad. Fruit is expensive, cereal, meat. My eight year old has done no Maths whatsoever since July, nothing and is supposidly at the best school in WA. Of course there's going to be massive variations because as I said the curriculum is so hit and miss but god if we are at the best god help the worst.

Original poster
XBenedict · 23/12/2012 17:39

Wow Mosman wasn't expecting to hear that!

OP posts:
migrant · 24/12/2012 11:15

Xbendict, please feel free to inbox me. I've lived close to the area you're moving to for 17 years very, very happily and I'd be very willing to help you. It's a wonderful place

glastocat · 24/12/2012 12:09

Migrant, whereabouts are you living?

SparkleSoiree · 03/01/2013 22:24

Mosman have to agree with you. Similar salary category and myself and the children have returned to the UK whilst DH is still working in Perth/Pilbara. He is home at the moment and returns out there on Tuesday. Its the first time in 6 months we have seen each other. We are unsure how to proceed in the future but we were really unhappy about the education out there and lack of support/resources for our youngest who has ASD. They are really happy and settled after returning back to the UK...anyway I just wanted to say I agree about the food shopping costs and schooling. We were in The Vines near Ellenbrook but in trying to maintain the same standard of living we had in the UK was really difficult financially whilst still owning our property in the UK. However we have just decided to sell our UK property and DH may not resign from his job JUST yet in Perth so who knows what's round the corner for us...

Mosman · 04/01/2013 05:45

Thank you soirée I feel like I'm going mad sometimes talking to people online and in real life who cannot believe I'm not on my knees thanking g The Lord for the chance to live in Perth.
We are in nedlands but are literally about to go and look at a house in Aveley to see if saving $600 a month in rent will make much difference to our standard of living. If it doesn't I genuinely don't know what the next step is, to try Sydney or go back with PR and maybe try again when we don't have so many mouths to feed.
How did you like living out in Ellenbrook ?

trappedInYorkshire · 04/01/2013 06:57

Mosman, you're panicking me! My DP arrived in Perth on Wednesday and I'm due to fly out with kids at end of this month. Neither of us have jobs lined up as yet, not sure how long are savings will last either if it's as bad as you're saying. We've a house to move into in Kinross (thanks to another lovely mumsnetter), and still trying to wangle a redundancy package out of work which will help, but nothing certain yet.

I've sent you a pm as I'd seen on another thread you're a recruiter, is the job market still looking good at least?

ben5 · 04/01/2013 07:32

I'm in Port Kennedy just 10km out of Rockingham

MoaneyMcmoanmoan · 04/01/2013 07:46

But Mosman without being rude, Nedlands is one of the best areas.
The Premier lives there!
You can get rentals in other areas for at least half the price.

Fear not TrappedInYorkshire Kinross is lovely Smile

Are you able to say where you will be living XBenedict? I have school age children and they are in private school.
A lot will depend on the area you are living in... If it's Mandurah or Rockingham I would advise sending them to a private school. But that's just my personal opinion.

Mosman · 04/01/2013 07:50

And that's what worries me the most Nedlands is the best - and it ain't all that. What's the rest like :-(
We are on our way to avely to view a huge 5 bedroom place that will add two hours to my working day but will save us $600 a month sp fingers crossed.

Mosman · 04/01/2013 07:51

Private school is all very well if you can get a place

MoaneyMcmoanmoan · 04/01/2013 08:05

Most private schools south of Perth have spaces I think.
Frederick Irwin in Mandurah is the only one I can think of that you might have issues with... a lot of it is performance based.

Sorry you are having a rough time Mosman and I hope the new rental is better. Are you planning on staying?

trappedInYorkshire · 04/01/2013 08:22

I am happy with Kinross, my dp's had a look round and the house and area seem lovely, it's just the small matter of finding jobs to pay for it all that's worrying me now!

I'm hoping as we're coming from a distinctly average area in Sheffield then we're not going to be any worse off at any rate.

mumvswild · 04/01/2013 08:36

I'm in Port Kennedy too. Shoalwater is beautiful and a good place to live.

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