1st 2 weeks in Oz

[Guest Unch&dougs]

Hello fellow PIA's

 

We are now 2 weeks into our Oz adventure and thought a wee update might be in order. Having used the info here so many times we thought we should share ours

 

We used Whites to ship - no complaints at all. Last time we tracked our container it was in singapore. We had a whole 20 footer to ourselves (mainly Dougs guitars) and the cost was very reasonable.

 

We flew with Air New Zealand from Glasgow to Heathrow and from Heathrow to LA spending 11 nights there before flying LA to Aukland and then on to Adelaide. I have to say Air NZ are the best I have ever flown with (been BA, virgin, Royal Air Morocco). Seat back entertainment absolutely fantastic and the meals and the wine in particular brilliant. An advantage of flying that way is that you leave LA at 9:30 pm and arrive 13 hours later in Aukland at 5:00am. If you or your kids sleep as we did (helped by copious Lindaur and Pinot Noir - us not the kids) you get a nights sleep and wake in the morning. The downside is you miss a day. We left LA on the 15th July and arrived 17th July - hmmm.

 

Used the Meet and Greet service and have to say we were completely taken aback by the warmth and friendliness of the couple we met. Absolute saints. They took OH and half the kids to the holiday accomodation while I got the hire car. Their advice and support was fantastic.

 

We had applied for OAA and were ultimately sucessful but had arranged holiday accomodation as OAA is only confirmed 3 weeks before arrival. With 4 kids we felt we couldn't wait until 3 weeks before we left just in case so got a holiday let through www.realestate.com.au in the holiday let section. It was a 4 week rent fully furnished in Seacombe Heights and is great (if a little cold just now). Would recommend it to anyone else being 5 mins drive from Marion shoppingtown and 3 mins to Seacliffe railway station.

 

We had arranged a hire car before we left with acacia hire cars (see another post for the web address) and they picked me up at the airport and took me to the office to complete the forms. they gave us 2 child seats and a streetmap as well. the car was a bit older and we called it "The Mystery Machine" due to it's resemblance to another people mover but it worked fine.

 

Spent the first few days looking at cars - no shortage of delearships in Adelaide and eventually plumped for a Kia people mover at Wayne Phillips Kia in Reynella. They were fantastic and I cannot recommmend them highly enough. If you go there and buy a car saying I recommended them I get $150. I promise to share the wealth - 6 cleanskins in it for you!

 

Spent the next few days looking for a house for a longer rent. Looked all over the southern suburbs, Flagstaff Hill, Hallett cove, Brighton, Seacliffe etc. managed to get one at Seacliffe Park today. Much relief. Don't be fooled by the number of rents on www.realestate.com.au there were many people at the viewings and we were often up agianst a large number of applications. We had no history of renting having owned in Scotland and have no jobs so was a bit tricky to get sorted. You use a lot of petrol trying to get a rent and they go quickly so be prepared. It's not just that easy to get a rent. Offer a few months up front - worked for us!

 

Marion is fantastic with a Target, 2 supermarkets and many shops. We got pay as you go mobiles with Optus (the cheapest phones) and wireless broadband with 3. The fresh produce is the best here - the celery is like a triffid and once you discover "cleanskins" at Dan Murphy's there is no going back. £2 for a bottle of Shiraz - come on!

 

We also got tax numbers using the internet. We got SA driving licences by pitching up at Marion again and filling out a form and we got Medicare again at Marion by filling out a form. We are on the SIR 495 visa so rest assured others. Ambulance cover next on the to do list.

 

We opened Commonwealth bank accounts before we left and they were great. Easy to deal with and all set up here now.

 

Kids getting enrolled in Seacombe Downs school next week which has a good rep.

 

Not seen too much of Adelaide yet. Will get a chance now got a house and car. From what I have seen it looks nice. Took the kids to the Museum of SA. Going to go to the Oval once the cricket season starts. Watching the footy on channel 9. Trying to Oz up the kids with Milo and vegemite. Cold tubes in the fridge - cleanskins in the wine rack just a job to get and we are getting there.

 

Will answer any particular questions through the forum - we took enough info from it - would be nice to put back.

 

All the best - Unch & Dougs

[ianb]

Hi and welcome guys, glad you have settled well and got alot done so far. The first couple of weeks are a blur with all the running round, but sounds like you getting it all done. Like you we are looking forward to it warming up, its a bit nippy at night, but then you guys coming from scotland should find it tropical!

Carry on settling in and hope it all goes well.

[sue2oz]

hello guys,

loved your update it was really nice and you shouldd be proud of what you's have done so far good luck with the school and finding a job let us know how it goes good luck with everything

 

suexxx

[Guest natdan]

Hi unch , doug and family , glad you have settled well, you seem to have done so much already. Keep us informed as it could be happening to us soon [ hope so !!]. Hope the children enjoy there new school and you find work soon. GOOD LUCK ,

Wayne n Louise.

[carryon]

Good on ya guys, sounds like you have found things pretty straight foward, much the same as ourselves.

Good luck in the future!

 

Simon.

[Guest Roo1]

Great update! Just reading between the lines but I get the feeling you guys like our S.A CleanSkins then? Such a fantastic discovery don't ya think.

It sounds like things are falling into place for you, thats brilliant news.

Best of luck in the future too

Judi x

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest Baldock Grays]

Unch & Dougs ,

Thanks for the update, sounds like you are really sorted.

 

We arrive on 8th Sept so are paying close attention to any post that tells us about the first few weeks.

 

Quick question if you don't mind. How much did the driving license cost, i understand we don't need to re-test just take in our UK ones.

 

We are really looking forward to getting over now. We are looking to settle initally in Seaford.

 

Speak soon

 

Andy and Teresa

[Guest Unch&dougs]

Dear Baldock Grays

 

It n

[Guest Unch&dougs]

Sorry about that - we have a very sensitive mouse on our laptop

 

It really is as simple as turning up at the Dept with your UK licence and a form. They take a photo of you when you are not ready for your licence to maximise comic effect and then give you a licence.

 

It is a sliding scale - I think $250ish for a 10 year licence. As we have a 3 year visa we took 3 years - think it was around $80 ish - it's all been a bit of a blur. Not too expensive though

 

Good luck

[ajford]

Hi Unch&dougs,

 

Thanks for the things you have done in the first couple of weeks ,Very good infomation hoping to do the move soon too,good luck with the next few weeks,all the best

 

Andrew

[Guest Becster19]

Thanks guys for taking the time to post such a great update. You made it all sound so easy which Im sure it wasnt but its so useful for all of us planning the big move to have someone lay out all the details as it feels like there is so much that needs to be done once landed.

 

We flew that way last time we went to Adelaide. We also added in a stopover in Fiji for an extra £50 each, and I agree, Air New Zealand are fab. We are both very tall and there was plenty of leg room and the food and wine are top notch.

 

Sounds like you are settling in well. Best of luck.

[Guest The Standalofts]

Thanks for the update - I really enjoy reading how folks are getting on, and your post was really informative. You certainly have hit the ground running.

 

We are planning on moving the start of the year, so may ask some futher quesions later on.

 

Good luck settling in to your new pad.

 

Lesley

[tean]

Great post! All sounds good to me :-)

What exactly is a cleanskin?

Enjoy your new adventure in Adelaide. We wll be there in September, so lots of great tips, thankyou!

[Guest Adelaide_bound]

Did I miss a post? Was there an update after the 2008 postings?

 

Have to say in the view of all things balanced and fair - I had *the* worst flight of my life with NZ going to & from NZ - based on the back of that personally would never fly with them again (although their sky couches have turned my head recently...)

[Guest jlr248]

A lovely informative post, thanks for taking the time and sharing your adventure. Its great to read (if not a bit frustrating) we have visa but need to sell house before heading out to Adelaide. Hope you leave lots more posts and good luck with the job hunting. Looking forward to trying a clearskin or two - are you on comission ? haha

[Guest gymnast11]

well ,well, well u have made me dizzy, how fab being so organised, im writing down everything in order, thanks a bunch for all the info, had meds, got a price for shipping but im scared stiff about coming to adelaide and starting all over again, this has helped alot, so much stuff going round in my head im sure i would forget something, or leave one of the kids behind ha ha, glad u av started to settle down av tons of fun u totally deserve it x x x michelle x x x

[Guest R175]

Wow...sounds like you are having fun...looking forward to following you footsteps...

[Guest Shaun O]

Hi how do you get your names under each posts? lol Sorry off topic but cant work it out

[ajford]

Hi how do you get your names under each posts? lol Sorry off topic but cant work it out

 

Hi shaun, you need to edit your signature in your account section

[mummytummy]

Go to User CP, down the left hand side you'll see settings and options, go to edit signature, add your bits and when you're done save signature, you can preview it first so you see what it'll look like when you make a post...

 

Sue