Some positive thoughts for Newbies....

[Guest ben&sharon]

Hiya,

 

There's been so much negativity on here recently, I thought I'd post our experiences so far after just over a week and a half of being here:

 

1. We rented for three weeks with Tamara (HomesDownUnder) and she and her OH Shaun could not have been more helpful. We stepped off the plane with our two year old and a bad case of dis-orientation to be met by Shaun and his trailer and taken back to our (well equipped!) accomodation. Since then, they have helped us with car hire, driving licenses and Medicare, even to the point of driving with us to the offices and waiting whilst we did all the form filling and waiting. Shaun even entertained our two year old during the boring bits.

 

2. I've got a job. Don't believe everything you read - the jobs are out there if you're prepared to be flexible. I'm a finance manager, and had to take a little less money than I was hoping for, due to the lack of exposure to the 'Aussie Way', but it's a foot in the door and a good start. Hays were, contrary to reports, just brilliant, and if there's anyone in finance out there, then Caroline Rosenthal is your girl.

 

3. Should give a mention to the ladies in the clothing stores who were so keen to help me out for my interview that they actually offered to drive to other stores to get me a business suit in my size - customer service out here far surpasses anything I've been used to in the UK. Also should mention the landlord at the Hallett Cove Tavern, who found us food for our little one despite it being outside their serving time, and then refused any payment (on our first visit!).

 

4. We've bought a house! Despite our lack of time in the country, ANZ have offered us a mortgage. (We did have a substantial deposit). But the woman we've been dealing with has been in constant contact with us and has bent over backwards to help us (see customer service above!!).

 

5. Supermarket prices are actually cheaper than the UK, although I suppose it depends on what you've been used to buying, and the choice is overwhelming - we don't have butchers half this good where we were living, and the fresh fruit and veg is fantastic.

 

6. We've found a lovely nursery for our little boy, with a lovely outside area that he cried to leave today. He can't wait to start there.

 

7. Finally, we have found nothing but helpful, smiling people everywhere we've gone, and it's made the settling in process so easy - absolutely no doubt that we've made the right choice for all of us. Just need a little down time now - it's been a bit hectic!!

 

Best wishes to all of you, wherever you are in the process - the streets are not paved with gold, but they are serviced by the nicest bunch of people we have ever had the pleasure to meet.

 

xx

 

 

 

[Guest kangomik]

You have done very well in such a short space of time.

 

Balls of steel for buying already, took us over a year!

 

The best bit is yet to come, once the warmth comes the weeks just whiz by, so much to do and see and soak up.

 

Nice to see the little one enjoying the lifestyle.

[jim and adel]

You've had a full week and a half and that's all you've done?

 

Great start guys, just think what you'll have accomplished after a month!

 

Jim

[Guest ben&sharon]

You've had a full week and a half and that's all you've done?

 

Great start guys, just think what you'll have accomplished after a month!

 

Jim

 

Hmmm - yes. Should be running the place by then.... ;)

[Guest Fancy a Beer]

4. We've bought a house! Despite our lack of time in the country, ANZ have offered us a mortgage. (We did have a substantial deposit). But the woman we've been dealing with has been in constant contact with us and has bent over backwards to help us (see customer service above!!).

 

 

We bought a house on day 3 of arriving, wasnt the planned thing to do just happened that way and in all honesty I really feel it helped us to settle into our new life very quickly, alot of my friends rented for a year or so first and they all say that when they bought their house was when they really felt "at home".

 

Sounds like you are off to a flyer!!

[Guest SA Great]

Hiya,

 

 

- customer service out here far surpasses anything I've been used to in the UK.

 

 

 

 

You are not joking. Went back to UK for a visit last year and couldn't believe how bad the customer service was. Completely unhelpful and so miserable!

[waynecaz]

what a briliant post . thank you x

[ShaunWilson]

Ben and Sharon,

Well done guys. I believe you have bought in Hallett Cove? Such a fantastic amount to have achieved in such a short space of time. Hope it continues to give you the joys it seems to bringing already. Now i'll just grab Ben on monday after i'm back from Africa and go Bike,,,,er sorry car shopping. Oh and Ben, check you PM's, possible plumber job on the horizon for you too. Now we just need to get the slightly nicer weather and head for the hills on the bikes. Oh and a track day or two also of course!!! Lol

[Guest rowy]

Thank you, Thank you!!! This has cheered me up!!! Doom and gloom too much on here lately. Glad you are enjoying yourselves so much, Penny

[Guest Eddie Sankey]

:v_SPIN:My family and i were there at easter last year. We loved it so much we have our visas and will be there soon. The people are freindly and helpfull. The pavement is not paved with gold and the grass is not greener but the pavement is clean and the grass is not covered in dog poop.

[niknjas]

What good going and fair play to you. Gives hope to the rest of us sorting stuff out to get ready to come over.

 

Jason & Niki

[Guest CHORLEY GIRL]

Well done you guys,

 

Hope we have such a positive start when we arrive, like you say makes the settling in process so much easier. Good luck with all your future plans:D

 

Jo and Tom x

[Riponian]

Ben & Sharon, Thank you so much for a wonderful, inspiring post. I was not getting cold feet but was wondering if we were going to the right place. You have landed well and truely on your feet and I hope your luck continues.

I personally can't wait to get out there and see for myself what it is like and your post fills me with a warm fuzzy feeling.

Once again thank you so much and congratulations.

Michelle

xx

[Bealesfamily]

Thanks so much for such a brilliant post. We have booked our flights today and it made it all seem so real, but also pretty scary. Reading your post has just reminded me of all the reasons we're doing this! Thanks again.

[Mel.R]

I agree with what everyone else says. We are getting sorted and ready to come at the beginning of September. I am not getting cold feet at all, but just a but apprehensive. So it's great to see such a positive thread.

 

Well done guys and enjoy the life!!

 

Mel

xx

[Guest Guest75]

You are not joking. Went back to UK for a visit last year and couldn't believe how bad the customer service was. Completely unhelpful and so miserable!

 

I'm over there very shortly - can't wait to compare !

[Guest Guest75]

Congrats guys.

 

Thanks especially for taking the time to post and share your experiences in here.

It really does help others!

 

It's a LOT to do with attitude!:notworthy:

[tean]

What a refreshing read! Great to hear about your positive experience to date. It's very encouraging to hear how friendly an accomodating people have been towards you and your family. Hope it continues as it started!! All the best.

[elainew]

Well done,what a great story. Inspiring to say the least.

[Guest The Blaxlands]

Thanks for your great post gives me and my family lots of positive things to think about and keep us going! We've recently accepted offer on our house and if all goes well could be in Adelaide before end of the year!

[mydearboy]

Thanks for a great post, good positive attitude, cant wait to to come out ourselves now next autumn

[Guest Obedoh]

Well done in such a short space of time. Gves hope to all of us who will be out there shortly or in the process.

 

ackie

[Guest graandjac]

great news guys , hit the ground running thats the trick, and just in time for the weather to turn, just wait for the hot evenings on the beach ......it just gets better;), always to meet up if you fancy a cold one.

[Guest ben&sharon]

great news guys , hit the ground running thats the trick, and just in time for the weather to turn, just wait for the hot evenings on the beach ......it just gets better;), always to meet up if you fancy a cold one.

 

That'd be great - the one thing we haven't had time for yet is socialising...........

[Guest Guest75]

That'd be great - the one thing we haven't had time for yet is socialising...........

 

Ewww!!! (sucks air in through teeth.)

Might be some you don't want to meet!!!!

Look out for me!!!

 

Kidding - great place to pic up friends easier than rashes in this forum !!!