Anyone here emigrating to Perth, Australia?

[NottsMum]

I just wondered whether there were any MNetters in the process of applying to live in Perth? DH and I are at the beginning of the application process (we've calculated that it'll take 9 months to get our visas) and it would be great to chat to other MNetters looking to do the same thing.

I keep having doubts about it, mainly because it seems such a long time ago that we made our decision to go for it. We've kind of lost steam a bit as completing the application has taken us 6 months.

We've made a decision to go for it because of the quality of life, particularly because we believe it has much more to offer our 2 daughters. Of course lots of sun also helps .

DH has wanted to live there for years as his parents first moved there when he was just 17 (I have of course pointed out that perhaps he should take the hint that they were trying to get away from him ) so we've had lots of holidays out there.

Anyway, I'll stop waffling or I'll never get this posted!

I'm not emigrating sorry, but my sister did and has lived there for 15 years since. I moved there and lived there with my parents for 6 years, moving back when I was 19/20.

I can't really advise on the process sorry as hers was so long ago it's not relevant, and I never emigrated, but it is lovely there. Have you got any suburbs in mind?

Hi Lunavix

No, we don't really have any suburbs in mind. My preference is to live nearer the river than the ocean and be no more than 30 mins away from DHs parents. Good schools and community activities are pretty essential too but I'm hoping that'll be the case in most areas.

ATM we're thinking of renting short-term when we arrive and immediately begin our hunt for somewhere suitable.

So how comes you moved back to the UK? Do you miss Australia?

Oh I miss it terribly!

I moved back as a teenager as to be honest it's rather quiet when you get to that age... I remembered the music scene I loved back here and felt like I wanted to live somewhere more upbeat.

So I move back get married and have babies

In all honesty it was a daft move, just the grass is greener. My dh is very close to his family so won't entertain the notion of moving there else I'd be back in a jiffy!

Living close to the river will be more expensive as it's fairly central, I can't remember all the suburbs names (I think maylands etc is around there... there's a few like that which aren't the nicest, however it does seem only these sort that do good rentals, esp. short term.) Which suburb are your parents in?

Outside the nucleus of perth (the metro area stretching from joondalup way to fremantle) they're building pretty much in every direction. I don't know how far they've got now, my sister moved to currambine, then when I was going through the process of buying a house I think it was a suburb north of currambine.. I remember it was going to be the next train stop but they'd built currambine station in front of a housing estate so had to spend millions moving it 50 yards! The cheapest way to buy your own house is to buy a plot of land and build, on one of what would be currently the outskirts of the metro area. Like I said, a few years ago this was a suburb north of currambine but I'd imagine they've gone a lot further now. 2002-ish, a 4/5 bedroom house plus land was only $98,000....

I'd say pretty much anywhere has good schools etc, I wouldn't go down any further south than freo though as iirc rockingham way isn't reputed for community/school spirit! To the best of my knowledge the newer areas are the best, there can occasionally be 'gangs' south of the river.

Sorry trying to think of any relevant info!

Feel free to ask any questions!

Hi NottsMum I moved out to Perth in January this year. My DH is from here and had been away from home for about 7 years. We also believed Perth has alot more to offer our DD and it was my main reason for wanting to make the move.

I know what you mean about dragging your heels filling in the forms, I think it took me about 6 months to do them. It made it all feel real when they were completed. They were really quick giving me an answer but I did apply on a spouses visa (think it was only a couple of weeks). Also I have found it fairly easy to settle here as my DH has his family here which is a great help.

Lunavix is right, there are houses going up all over the place here as there is high demand at the moment. It's boom town here. Prices have risen alot recently but I think they are starting to slow down again but who knows with the housing market. I liked the idea of a house and land package but they are taking a huge amount of time to build because of the demand (i think atleast a minimum of 18mths but don't quote me on that). We ended up buying a house but in one of the fairly newer areas.

Everywhere is fairly easy to get to and funnily enough I find everywhere takes roughly 30mins to get there.

I am still getting to know the area but if you have any questions just ask and I will try to find out for you.

Thanks HumpyDumpy and Lunavix. I've been away for 5 days and not been able to check back.

Um, we read a report the other week which said that the average house price in Perth has increased by 34%! Argh! We're hoping that this massive growth really slows down as it's worrying me. DH had dreams of going mortgage free until we went to visit a few properties whilst visiting his parents last year. That's gone out the window now....

I'm quite concerned about how it'll work out when we first arrive. DH's mum has a form of alzheimers so we really don't want to move in with them while we sort out a property (although they've offered)as it'll send her stress levels sky high (and probably mine too). So, we were thinking of renting a fully furnished property for a few weeks whilst we hunt round the suburbs. I s'pose it's almost going to be a case of sticking my finger on the map and going to have a look!

HD - do you work at all? I do at the moment but am planning on staying at home whilst the kids get settled. I'm thinking having a job will be a good way to meet other people as I am a bit worried about being home alone Billy No Mates but hey ho, that's a long way off for us at the moment.

Lunavix, his parents live in South Perth. A fab area but way out of our price range! Plus we don't fancy living on their doorstep!

Right, I feel like I'm waffling again. My brain is frazzled due to my lovely 5 year old waking me up at 5.30am this morning.

Thanks for your messages, I'm sure I'll be posting up a load of questions once we have more definite plans....

Hi Nottsmum. I know what you mean about the dream of living mortgage free, we too thought we would be laughing when we arrived here with our english pounds and if we had got here when we first thought about moving we would have been. Oh well. The great weather, life etc definitley makes up for the fairly scary mortgage we now have. When we did move over we spoke with our bank and a few other companys which specialise in transfering money abroad and found the most cost effective way of sending our money over here. We also sent a small amount of money to live on when we first got here and then watched the exchange rate for a while waiting for the best time to transfer the rest, which ended up being about a month after we came out here. That way it didn't eat into our house deposit too much. Anyhow probably alittle too early to be thinking about that stuff.

A good website for real estate is reiwa.com.au it seems to have a few different agents on there. With regards to renting, maybe you could get in contact with an agent and see what they think. They are all very helpfull.

I do work two days a week. We own our own business so it is very flexible. DD is in day care for those two set days and grandparents mind her any extra days if needed. Unfortunatly our business is small and only dh and me work there so don't get to make friends with any work mates (our christmas party is going to be a riot). Getting a job is probably a great way to meet people and everyone is very friendly. If you have younger children when you get here go onto playgroupaustralia.com.au and that will tell you where your local playgroup is. I have had a few people invite me to join their netball teams so there are definitley ways of getting out there and meeting people I guess it's just what you make of it. I make a point of trying to accept every invitation I get.

You are probably right in wanting to spend some time at home with your dd's at first as it is a pretty huge thing for them to adjust to. My dd was nearly 2 when we moved and she was a bit shaken by it all and needed some reasurance and lots of cuddles.

Hi Nottsmum

haven't seen you around for ages
you've got my email addy haven't you, but it seems that there are plenty of us Sandgropers here now to answer yourquestions

It'a glorious sunny day today, we've been down to the foreshore at Bicton, just like the Mediterranean coast.
However, the supermarkets and mall-based shopping expreineces make me want to go mental and shout, especially when they pipe Phil Collins over the PA, but apart from that it's fab. Isn't it everyone?

Hi Suzy. I'm glad someone is getting to enjoy the great weather today, I am sat watching it from my office window

I agree about the place being fab. I know we made the right decision to move here. I have had a touch of homesickness lately but am still glad I am here.

hello humpy, is your office in the city?

I have been very homesick lately, but I 'm going back for 2 weeks alone and I'm sure it will reaffirm we made the right decision

But it's.........awfully quiet here.......fancy a good oldfashioned English night of pubcrawling and binge drinking? I do.

If only it were that glamourous. I work in the very hip and happening Belmont with the mechanics next door and welders accross the road and don't even get me started on Belmont forum up the road.

Are you excited about going home for a visit. My mums is pushing for us to visit soon but I think we all need to get used to the idea of us living here and let the land lie for abit. She has only just started to ease up on the emotional blackmail everytime I phone home about how she doesn't get to see you grandaughter.

Have got my sister coming out for new year and a couple of friends in feb, can't wait. Have made a few good friends here but they drink in moderation (i know I don't get it either)so will be great to have some drinking buddies. Mind you not really any pubs out our way - does 2 pubs count as a pub crawl?

Hi SuzyWong

Yup, long time no speak. I still have your email address. It seems such a long time ago that I was sitting on the balcony in Perth, watching a fantastic electric storm, drinking some dam fine wine and talking to you on MN!

Thanks for the website adresses humpydumpy, have made a note of those.

Have a good trip back to the UK Suzy.

My sister has just emigrated to Perth , she will be staying at Clarkson? She arrives on the 28th and has two children 6 and 2. They have to moved for the better weather and way of life, but have been shocked at the rise in house prices. Are any of you near Clarkson as she probably could do with meeting some people?

Spring has sprung now, it's glorious

Oh 3LM your sister will be very near to one of our irregular Mumsnetters - Israel. She has a daughter a bit older but a boy about 4 IIRC, she doesn't post much. Why not CAT her and see if she's in the mood for a new mate

I live 55ks away or I'd put my hand up to meet and greet your sis

27 degrees tomorrow and it's still officially winter

warmer in Perth than Brissy today (Tues) but it is raining - thank goodness