sinob

I am so disappointed with what PIA has become. I posted above sharing my experience trying to help those new to Adelaide to understand how it works here. PIA helped us liads before we arrived 3 years ago. It was a friendly helpful forum with great advice. Now I see my post has been copied and pasted to start another thread and belittle my good intentions. It has left a bad taste in my mouth and after this I won't be posting again. PIA seems to have been taken over by bitter angry trolls who want to make everyone else unhappy.

Brilliant thread Tamara! Bunnings are opening their new Seaford store in Sept, website has list of vacancies. Adelaide is big on the "hidden jobs market" where jobs are not advertised but are available. It's so frustrating when you're on the outside trying to get in but you have to keep talking to people, keep asking around. My first job here was a maternity leave position that wasn't advertised (got the interview by asking everyone if they knew of any jobs going). Then the company next door asked me to join them when that role ended and created a position for me. So my advice is to take the opportunities you can get even if it's not what you really want. Get a good name for yourself. It's so small here in Adelaide and everyone knows everyone else it seems. Getting Aussie qualifications really helped my case too. And finally tell everyone here how much you love it here! Everyone likes to hear and be part of an optimistic success story not home sick grumblings.

Agree 100%. It's very easy to get cynical and hardened by the experience and forget all the hopes and dreams that got us here in the first place.

Hi there! I agree with what everyone else has said - life is too short. With regards to the anxiety, you don't have to suffer alone. I'm not suggesting medication at all, but maybe counselling? You've been through a lot. Also counselling can give you coping strategies for the anxiety. From personal experience, sometimes the fear of anxiety is worse than the anxiety itself!

Form 80 was the last piece of paperwork we were asked for - if memory serves correctly about a week after sending it we got our visa approval. Our case officer was very very efficient though. I would send them a polite email asking if they have received the form (they should have given you an email address to use to contact your case officer). Good luck!

Hi there. For Wayville, Adelaide Showground rail station may be an option. Opens up a lot more options along the train line?

Oooh very jealous!! Let us know if you'd recommend it!! Enjoy your weekend!

Hi there. I would definitely research IT jobs for your husband before going any further. The IT market in Adelaide is small. My husband works in IT and his employer is laying people off right now. (Yes very worried!). I totally agree with the suggestion to make small changes where you are, changing schools etc. You've put in a lot of work and money to get where you are now so don't throw all that away. I hope everything improves for you.

Congrats Blossom! I can't help with how it works with maternity care here but I couldn't not congratulate you! As LazyC said, it is the best thing ever!!! When I was pregnant in Ireland I too felt like I wasn't getting what I wanted from the hospital so I went private. Maybe this is an option for you? Anyway I worried continuously throughout both pregnancies (and ever since!) so I do empathise with you. I hope you get everything sorted out. Congrats again!!!

Hi Lee & Talia! Welcome to PIA! South Australia is a wonderful place to live but it's a tough task getting here. If you're serious about moving here then forget about houses, areas to live etc for the moment and get acquainted with the immi.gov.au website. The only way to get a visa is to have the skills they're looking for and a lot of paperwork to back it up. The visa process is long and frustrating. Once visa is sorted you can look forward to the nicer decision making! Sorry to rain on your parade somewhat! I can't help with advise re visa types etc as it's all changed since we applied. Wishing you the best of luck with the whole process!

Well done you!!! You should treat yourself today to celebrate!

Hi there I get McCauls Olive Oil from Willunga/McLaren Vale, best olive oil I've ever tried (but I never tasted Tyke's!!). A big plus for me is they're in the process of being certified organic. They have a Facebook page iirc.

Welcome! I hope you'll be very happy here! Time has flown since we arrived 17 months ago but I remember very clearly that first night in the short term rental. So many emotions! All the very best over the next few months, hope you will be very happy! Sinead

I had the same Elder Park experience as NicF with my little ones last year, much better than expected and going again this year. Really nice family atmosphere.

Bunnings or any of the diy/hardware stores will have adaptors. I got ours in Bunnings, as a short term measure til I got round to changing the plugs....still haven't changed the plugs : )

He's in IT. Think you'll be doing much better in your field, IT not exactly being a core industry in SA! However he's still working in the same job 18 months later so it's worked out ok so far! I know what you mean about time to settle in - if you knew for sure you'd have a job within 6 weeks or whatever you could relax and be a tourist for the 6 weeks! But the not knowing is what makes it so stressful. I think you'll be absolutely fine, you seem to have it covered.

Hi Gus Reading this thread brought me right back to before we moved over, all the Skype interviews etc. Not wanting at all to bring you down but we found my husband had loads of interest and interviews, then everything went dead til we landed. Then the agents/companies wanted to meet him in person ( I think just to make sure he was the same person they were skyping!) And he had an offer week 2 if I remember correctly. So don't worry if it all quietens down, they will probably wait to meet you in person before making an offer. Of course I could be 100% wrong and you'll get an offer before moving - which would be lovely. Best of luck with it all Sinead

Hi there, We have some large boxes which we no longer need. Available free! Collect from Seaford Meadows. Please PM for details.

Hi there We sent a LOT by Excess Baggage. It arrived before us, got delivered to our address, no extra charge. Would def recommend. In our case it was because we weren't organised enough but turned out to be the best option. You can get quotes per kg from the excess baggage companies at the airport prior to your trip.

Thanks Tean!

Thanks Vikkiann!

Hi all Can anyone recommend a carpet cleaner for an end of lease clean? Thanks

Hi there. I found this on the Australian Customs website: "Can I bring my pet's ashes back to Australia? Cremated pet remains may be hand carried as part of personal baggage or may be sea or air freighted or sent via the post to Australia. Anybody wishing to hand carry these items are advised to carry a letter from the pet or animal cemetary. There are no duties or taxes levied on animal remains. However, if the remains have arrived as part of an air, sea or mail consignment they must be reported via the Integrated Cargo System (ICS). This cane be done via a Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) or Import Declaration. The remains should be presented to DAFF Biosecurity for inspection. For more information regarding DAFF requirements please contact DAFF Biosecurity. DAFF Biosecurity Tel: +61 2 6272 3933 Free call from within Australia - 1800 020 504 Email: pr@daff.gov.au Human and Animal Remains" Hope this helps. Best of luck with it all!

Hi Simon & Claire, My advice would be, go to all the rental open inspections you can in the areas you're interested in, see what you get for your money and get a good idea of the standard of rentals in the area. The realestate.com.au app lets you filter by open times. Our eyes were opened when we arrived! You don't have to tell the agent you're on a validation trip, lie ; )

For the outdoor stuff - bleach all the way! We found it brilliant. We had the same dilemma with boxes of books etc. Left the boxes open for the shippers to transfer the contents to their own boxes. They simply sealed our own dirty boxes back up!! Didn't find out til it arrived here. So maybe check with the shippers what the official policy is then keep an eye on the guys on the day! Best of luck with it all.