Arrived 3 years ago today.

[Andrew from Vista Financial]

Well it was 3 years ago today that we stepped off the plane to start our new lives in Adelaide.

 

I have given a brief update each year so reckon this will be the last time (coz I don't wanna bore people, lol).

 

We were very ill prepared when we first arrived due to so many other things going on before we left and not knowing exactly when we would fly out the UK.

 

We had decided that we were not going to ship everything out as thought it would be better to start afresh so sold everything before we left (big mistake on our part) apart from our bed as we had only had it for a year and had cost a far bit.

 

So the first few weeks were manic as everyone that has done it so far has experienced ie TFN's, medicare, Bank accounts, JOBS!!

 

Even more of a stress was finding accommodation, as said we were ill prepared and had the task of trying to arrange accommodation when we arrived as we had only booked a few nights in a hotel.

 

After lots and lots of phone calls and visiting Real Estate Agents, we managed to secure an apartment in the City, we did have to evidence our savings to show we could support the rent as neither of us had jobs in place (the Agents Dad was a Pom so think he took pity on us). However we weren't able to move in for a couple of weeks so had to find temporary accommodation which came in the form of serviced apartments, a very stressful start. So tip Numero Uno, secure accommodation before you arrive, short term accommodation is a great idea and something we wish we had done.

 

The next step was employment, however as a lot of people have experienced our qualifications were not recognised here so the task of having to retrain and study was ahead of us. So Stacey took on temporary work initially whilst I crammed in all the necessary study via long distance learning in the first month or so.

 

After this I secured employment with a private practice, this was through approaching companies directly. Then Stacey was able to start the task of studying in her field. Unfortunately it was not possible for her to do what I had done and instead was going to be a much longer path. However she could still work whilst doing this. So by the January we were both working in full time jobs.

 

The next thing was to start a social life, unfortunately we were not aware of this site until the March and although we got on well with the people at work it was very difficult to socialise with them outside, so we just made do with each other’s company (not that that’s a bad thing of course Stacey dear J).

 

When we did eventually stumble across PIA it changed our lives (literally). We noticed a meet had been posted for a Saturday in Glenelg and went along we have not looked back since. We met some great people and had stayed in touch and along the way that group has expanded.

 

We moved rentals about 3 times in all and stayed around the City, the last rental move was too downgrade as we had started up our own company at this time and needed to cut costs.

 

We had been monitoring the property market throughout this time and finally decided to buy last year in Happy Valley. We are very happy (no pun intended) with our lives at the moment and are trying to get our work/social life balance right after a very very hectic 3 years of trying to establish ourselves.

 

So for those who are yet to make the move good luck, give it your best shot coz it ain’t easy but with the right attitude it will probably turn out right, then you get to reap the rewards.

 

 

Andy

[Guest Guest75]

Congratulations Andrew.

A smashing report there ,thanks for taking the time to post it.

 

Here is to the rest of your lives here - Happy and successful :notworthy:

[Diane]

You never bore us, Andrew! A great post and some good tips in there. Didn't realise till Mandy mentioned it the other day that you'd moved out from a similar part of the world to us - have to say it was a bit of a culture shock to start with after being used to Essex villages and fields!

 

Well done on the three year mark anyway, and here's to plenty more

 

Diane

[Guest KP Nuts]

Hey congratulations to you and Stacey on your 3 years, it was our 2 years yesterday also, god what a lot has happened!!!!

[Guest kangomik]

Excellent read, thanks for sharing it with us all.

[Riponian]

Congratulations on such a huge mile stone...you never can fully prepare for everything can you and your positive attitude certainly seems to have paid off.

[sueoc]

A great post,thanks Andrew.Many of us have trodden similar path's.

[Guest smit]

all the best Andy and Stacey( though ive never met yer)..........hope things working out, may see ya again sometime

[Guest Brummie]

I left England 40 years ago on the 4th of November 1970, we sailed on the Fairstar as ten pound poms. Arrived in Aussie waters (Perth) on the 17th of December but didn't get off the ship until around the 20th in Melbourne. Only been back once in that time 2006. I could never go back to living in the cold winters of England. Even the winters here are too cold for me.

[Willber]

Thanks for your post Andrew

We are making the move in 2011, flights booked for 1st May. We're taking all of our furniture and have already secured a 3 month fully furnished rental, so I feel reassured after reading about your experiences. Hopefully we'll be posting in 3 years time as happy as you are

Cheers

Ali & Will

[andi]

Thanks for the post, we are 2 months in and still find it helpful to realise that after 3 years it is still not plain sailing

[HEAPS GOOD !!!]

And time just keepsn flying by hey Andrew.....a friend once saus there is not 24 hrs in a day or 7 days in a week here.....tell you waht after over 2 1/2 years he aint far wrong....

 

 

Heres to the next 20 or 30 or so......all the best.

 

 

 

HG

[scooterdan]

Nice one mate....I remember that Glenelg meet!!!

 

You've done so much in the last three years its time to reap the rewards now!!

 

Dan