an update after 4 weeks

[dave]

hola.
I found a lot of great info on here when I was goin through the visa process.
Stopped postin for a while because people were fallin' out all the time but have been visiting the site again recently.
If anyone's interested here's our 4 week update.
175 Visa granted 1/8/08. Sold house and landed on 16/1/09. Got OAA in Seacliff, looked beatiful. Got to house all on me own while Meet and Greet guy ferried Mrs and kids to house. I'm sittin on the pavement with 7 cases straight off the plane, knackered etc.
Lady walks past "are you moving in here?"
me "yes"
lady " well you want to be careful if you've got kids because the nextdoor neighbours a paedophile"
me "PARDON!"
lady "oh yeah, currently being investigated blah blah blah"
WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA eh!
Meet & Greet turns up with mrs and bambinos. I politely asked him to find us a hotel immediately. Sacked the OAA obviously and ended up in a hotel in brighton for our first night.
The meet and greet volunteer was absolutely fantastic. Didnt know hardly anywhere in Adelaide as he lived in Victor Harbour but was a true gentleman.
Luckily had bought a phone card at Melbourne airport, so managed to telephone the OAA and inform them. Didnt expect any further accom. I know how lucky we were to get the Seacliff one. Everyone upset, jetlagged and in a complete mess. Oaa lady then informed us that they had a sudden spare house in Paradise if we wanted it. Get there for 5:00 and you can have the keys! What a great country.
Realise its a long post, and only covers the firs 10 hours! but things quitened down after that. will post further if anyones interested. Cheers, Dave and family.

[ozzieclare2be]

hola.
I found a lot of great info on here when I was goin through the visa process.
Stopped postin for a while because people were fallin' out all the time but have been visiting the site again recently.
If anyone's interested here's our 4 week update.
175 Visa granted 1/8/08. Sold house and landed on 16/1/09. Got OAA in Seacliff, looked beatiful. Got to house all on me own while Meet and Greet guy ferried Mrs and kids to house. I'm sittin on the pavement with 7 cases straight off the plane, knackered etc.
Lady walks past "are you moving in here?"
me "yes"
lady " well you want to be careful if you've got kids because the nextdoor neighbours a paedophile"
me "PARDON!"
lady "oh yeah, currently being investigated blah blah blah"
WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA eh!
Meet & Greet turns up with mrs and bambinos. I politely asked him to find us a hotel immediately. Sacked the OAA obviously and ended up in a hotel in brighton for our first night.
The meet and greet volunteer was absolutely fantastic. Didnt know hardly anywhere in Adelaide as he lived in Victor Harbour but was a true gentleman.
Luckily had bought a phone card at Melbourne airport, so managed to telephone the OAA and inform them. Didnt expect any further accom. I know how lucky we were to get the Seacliff one. Everyone upset, jetlagged and in a complete mess. Oaa lady then informed us that they had a sudden spare house in Paradise if we wanted it. Get there for 5:00 and you can have the keys! What a great country.
Realise its a long post, and only covers the firs 10 hours! but things quitened down after that. will post further if anyones interested. Cheers, Dave and family.

welcome to adelaide sorry to hear you had a bad start with the oaa, im sure id have done exactly the same and i believe paradise is a lovely area. Hope things have improved for you since x

[Andrew Williams]

Hey Dave.

Welcome to Adelaide.

Tell us some more, people are always interested in hearing peoples stories when first arriving, new and old. :)

Andy

[Roo1]

Hiya,

I always like to read how other people have got on with the start of their "new life", please post more!!
So sorry to hear about the OAA in Seacliff. Seacliff is such a nice area too, but I guess no where is safe from these bastards and I would have done exactly the same as you.

Judi x

[ReadyPenny]

Me too! Great to hear stories, both good and bad. I suppose its a busy time when you first arrive, trying to sort all the important stuff out and PIA is probably the last thing you want to think about. BUT for people like us, who are leaving in a week, it's good to understand some of the potential problems and pitfalls that have to be faced.

Thanks for the post, look forward to the next
Mandy

[Junie]

Penny, how come you got your visa so quick?

[cazzie]

Oh my God! What a start to life in Australia. How horrible! I think you did the right thing, but what if that person didn't tell you that? It's so scary - we just don't know what people are capable of do we? I hope you settle down nicely into the Adelaide way of life which is fab for families, but my God, I hate the thought of pedophiles being around here - I live in Seacliff! We have a three month old granddaughter who lives nearby, so thanks for the warning. We will be extra vigilant now.
Good luck.

[ReadyPenny]

Penny, how come you got your visa so quick?

I really dont know, there was no rhyme or reason we were just very very lucky indeed. We did supply evidence of a job offer, but so have many others. Sorry cant be of any more help but am still clueless myself!

Mandy

[ozzieclare2be]

I really dont know, there was no rhyme or reason we were just very very lucky indeed. We did supply evidence of a job offer, but so have many others. Sorry cant be of any more help but am still clueless myself!

Mandy

i think they are definetly speeding up applications for people who already have a job offer. I know this is the case with my brother, he only put his application in in dec, he has a case officer who requested some bits of info and once they have those he should get his visa granted (hopefully in next few weeks yey!!!). Not sure what subclass his is though i know its not 175 or temp :)

[ReadyPenny]

i think they are definetly speeding up applications for people who already have a job offer. I know this is the case with my brother, he only put his application in in dec, he has a case officer who requested some bits of info and once they have those he should get his visa granted (hopefully in next few weeks yey!!!). Not sure what subclass his is though i know its not 175 or temp :)

Claire

If my memory serves me correctly, is your brother a carpet fitter too? Just being nosey, that's all, no other reason!

Mandy