Moving to Perth WA - any mumsnetters already there?

[XBenedict]

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

[Mosman]

I don't think we can afford the airfare home do we are kind of stuck lol
It's all relative isn't it, we didn't expect to come over and be living in a 5 bed detached with a pool 30 mins from the CBD and just as well.
The tread was about schools not me being a whining Pom anyway so my advice is budget for private as a lot of the Aussies do and play the "oh we've just arrived" card and hope you get lucky.

[SparkleSoiree]

Mosman Ellenbrook is an expanding area and its just square upon square of houses! The town centre feels quite toytown like although it has the essentials so met our daily needs. There are some sports facilities too and it generally has a family feel about it all. It was a 25min drive from our house to the Domestic airport which was fab compared to other routes so it was not too bad.. We were originally looking at Burns Beach area but there were no properties available that met our criteria which is why we started looking further afield. With only a three week window after arriving to find a home it became apparent quickly that we had to start looking further afield in order to get somewhere in time!

Nonetheless I know people who have returned from Perth (around 10-12 families) in the last 12 months who have said it was too expensive for them to have the same lifestyle they had in the UK with good salaries and career prospects. Must be something in that somewhere...you are not going barmy!

[Mosman]

I think we are going to try and buy in Ellenbrook or aveley and just get ourselves onto the property ladder. We arrived for the viewing and there were 40 other couples there to see the house, we stand no chance so I think we'll buy and try and see it as an investment. That's today's plan anyway Monday could be something else altogether lol

[Oscarandelliesmum]

Hello!
We are planning a move out to Perth this year too.....getting v worried about the cost of living though! Like you, Yorkshire, we live in a particularly uninspiring bit of scotland. I'm a primary teacher (sahm) at the minute and dh is an accountant but until I am back at work (when dc are older) we are only looking at half the Mosman family budget. Now I am wondering if the move is even feasible? Anyone reassure me??? Please??

[Mosman]

Do you have 4 children ? If you have two then you'll manage on half our budget if you have four then it'll be tough tbh.
The visa makes a big difference too, if you have permanent residency and earn up to $150,000 you'll receive some tax credits and that for me says it all. In the UK you can live on £40,000 ish and not need government assistance, here you need $150,000 to be independent.

[Oscarandelliesmum]

Thanks for getting back to me Mosman! My husband is a kiwi, so we can move there but no recourse to public funds etc. We have three kids so it's looking like it might be tight! Is the financial situation spoiling the whole experience, or is there still a lifestyle benefit??? Scottish winters are brutal but not perhaps bad enough to bankrupt the family over........

[Mosman]

Do they mean family assist though ? We couldn't claim unemployment benefit for two years after we get PR but we can claim part A family assist. That would be the deal breaker for me.
We are really struggling, we came out with £10,000 and that wasn't enough. I now have $9000 on the credit card and its constantly a worry.

[Mosman]

The lifestyle everyone talks of means different things to different people, you get to go to the beach and that's nice but do you want to do it all the time ?

[newbiefrugalgal]

A lot of families live and survive on a lot less than 150k.

[Mosman]

Yes, plus not insignificant government assistance.

[ravenousbugblatterbeast]

No, we're on a lot less than that, 457 visa so no benefits, and it's fine at the moment. If you research costs eg shopping as mosman says (but you'll hopefully be able to shop on specials, at farmers markets etc which cuts cost a lot) and be realistic, and approach the move positively, at worst it would be a fantastic adventure, at best the start of a whole new life!

[lisianthus]

Wow. I'm sorry to hear you are having a hard time, Mosman, but I am racking my brain to think what you are spending all that on. We are on less than half that, admittedly not in one of the most expensive suburbs, but a very nice cafe-strip "trendy" one, and are doing fine, with a much nicer place than we had in London, with a good sized garden. The kids both do weekly swimming lessons and other activities, and we spend max $500 a month on groceries, cleaning items etc, including lunches for DH. We don't receive any govt assistance or payments, although I am looking into whether we can get something similar to the UK Child Benefit.

There are some lovely leafy old suburbs like Mount Lawley, Wembley, inglewood, Mount Hawthorn, East Fremantle, (just off the top of my head) which would all be cheaper than Nedlands, have good schools and not involve a two hour commute. You know the private schools you mention are also the most expensive in Perth and not necessarily the best?

Sorry OP, don't mean to ignore you- don't feel that you need tonecessarily go for private schooling. Our local govt school is lovely and in fact one of the reasons we moved from London

[migrant]

My friend is renting a stunning five bed house, walking distance to the ocean in a very nice suburb mentioned by the OP, easy commute to Perth. She's paying $400 a week.
Our local private school is amongst the top schools in WA. It's fees are less than $6000 a year.
A little positivity goes a very long way, as many very, very happy UK migrants will agree. There are a great many of us doing very well here and we are extremely happy. However, you can choose to see the negative in just about anything......
Happy to accept inboxes if anyone wants a positive spin on Perth!

[Mosman]

I think i've got a bit more of a handle on it now, sorry if I was dragging the mood down, it's been a bit of traumatic journey tbh what with one thing and another.
Anyway, we are moving from Nedlands, I have DC1 starting at what seems to be an excellent and not the most expensive school, although the uniform was daylight robbery so onwards and upwards. We're stuck here so might as well make the most of it.

[migrant]

I think you will find a more positive attitude will reap huge rewards. Anyway, your post on larger families heavily hints that you're not staying here anyway and will soon be able to leave.
Lots of people do have wonderful lives here, I'm one of them, but if it's not for you, then maybe a return trip is the answer.
I have found Perth to be a great place to live, but I didn't come here expecting to live in opulence on $200 a week. I did come here determined to succeed.

[Mosman]

I had rather hoped $2700 a week might cover the basics though, silly me.

[ajandjjmum]

Sorry you're not finding things easier Mosman - hopefully it'll pick up with your move and schools getting sorted etc.

I remember reading threads before you emigrated, as we had friends moving to Perth at the same time. They have four girls - two who are now working - and they have settled in very well, although they are finding the summer heat a little overwhelming. They went from a pretty horrible area of the UK, and are now happy with their lifestyle, although missing family, as you would expect. So it can work out well OP.

[Mosman]

It's been a funny time, had to work full time to give us the cash flow to relocate and settle but then couldn't spend the time required to establish routines, find the right areas/houses, schools etc to make it all work.
Anyway I've given up work now and fingers crossed it all run more smoothly then I can reconsider my career, or not

[ajandjjmum]

Take it DH has found work then? I know our friend has changed jobs since he arrived in Perth, so there must be work around. With four DC and a new home, I shouldn't think you've got much time to spare!

[newbiefrugalgal]

Not a lot of people live and rely on benefits in Australia. The system is VERY different to the UK. It does exist but not to the same level.

Glad things are looking a little brighter Mosman.

Secondary state schools in Australia can be excellent, you don't need to only consider private.

[Oscarandelliesmum]

Hi all, things are sounding slightly more reassuring - thanks for the info! Am about to start busily noting down the suggested suburbs mentioned for affordable family life and decent schools!
Are there things like second hand furniture shops, budget supermarkets etc?
Thanks again (exciting times!)

[Mosman]

Pretty much everyone I've spoken to relies on some sort of family assistance and of course you get 50% of your childcare costs back if you earn under $170,000 in our case, then it'll all fall into place i hope.

[Mutley77]

lisianthus where do you live, it sounds great..? Would you mind if i pm you to ask.

We are being relocated to perth in 3 weeks and i am really anxious about finding a decent rental in a decent area with a decent school. Cost of living does seem v high.

Ask me in 3 months and im hoping i will love it :)

[LIttleMissTickles]

Hi Mutley77, we're in Perth too (northern suburbs). Moved here a year ago from London, and loving it. I'm lying on my outdoor sofa right now, fan blasting. We went to the beach as a family at 8am, back for brunch at 10. I really do feel like we are living a fairy tale life. Margaret river area has beautiful scenery, good wine tasting and excellent food, so when you need to get away, that's an easy first stop.

Our income is similar to Mosman's, we have one international holiday per year budgeted in, and we have more than we need really. I think $150k would have been plenty tbh, we have friends living very happily on much less. But of course it's all relative, as ever! Good luck, and feel free to message me if I can help at all.

We have moved countries before, and although this sounds flippant, determinedly focussing on the positives is what you need to make it work, anywhere.

[LIttleMissTickles]

I forgot to answer your OP about schools - our DC are in the local state primary, and it's fine. They are on waiting list at an fairly inexpensive private school, and likely to move there next year.