Can you believe it........

[Guest Django]

......... was six months ago today that we stepped off the plane into Adelaide sunshine for the first time. Where has the time gone????

 

We arrived with around £4,300 in a UK bank. No aussie bank accounts and a few hundred pounds in cash. We were met at the airport by the wonderful Judi (Roo1) and the extremely helpful Brian (Aussie Car Rentals). Brian sorted us out with a car and Judi took us to where we would be staying for the first couple of weeks of our new lives.

We had no idea whether we had done the right thing dragging four children half way around the world with not a lot of money, no house or car of our own and absolutely no idea of where we were going to settle.

I remember the first week was hell with the jet lag and running around trying to get a car, a bank account, a long term rental, Medicare, etc, etc, etc.

Our rental nightmare is well documented on here. Judi had people due to arrive and we had no where to go. We were going to rental opens only to find 40 other applicants looking around the house. Then steps in Russell (Tyke). He had a just over a week free at one of his rentals and that was just enough time to secure a six month lease on a three bed rental in Morphett Vale.

We put the kids into school which they were gagging for seeing as they had been out of school for 12 weeks due to school holidays in the UK and here in Oz. We chose Woodcroft Primary for them. Within minutes of looking around the school we knew it was a good school. This has been confirmed by how well our children have come on since being there. Confidence was a big issue in the UK but not here.

We have just secured a twenty four month lease for a lovely four bedroom house in Woodcroft and is well within easy walking distance from the school.

As far as work is concerned Tracey had a job sorted from the UK. The only doubt was whether she would get on working in an Australian hospital as we had heard it was behind the times compared with the UK. As it turned out she loves it. She has gone back to actually nursing rather than doing half of the doctors job like she did in the UK.

 

The big thing for us is that we can spend more time together as a family. With only one of us working, on Tracey's days off we can go places. In the UK when Tracey had a day off I was working and we saw very little of one and other. Tracey gets a better wage here than with the NHS and I have found that if you don't do a big shop at a supermarket but buy your food at a number of specialist shops you get better quality and it costs less.

 

I would also like to thank those that have helped us out with baby sitting and lending their stuff to us and giving their advice. Many thanks guys.

 

We are proof you can succeed here without bringing loads of cash over. The only thing you need to bring is an open mind.

 

Happy days

 

Pete

[Guest sjs]

......... Confidence was a big issue in the UK but not here.

We have just secured a twenty four month lease for a lovely four bedroom house in Woodcroft and is well within easy walking distance from the school.

 

 

 

Pete

 

Pete and Tracey, I agree with that point about the confidence our eldest was the same - I feel his confidence has grown hugely. Congratulations on securing a new rental - so pleased for you

 

All the best for the next six months (new house, new jobs, new baby) and as always if you need any help just shout!

[Rachiegarlo]

that's great about the new house. More room for your new Aussie when she or he arrives.

[Guest KP Nuts]

Great post Pete,

 

Congratulations and good luck to you all in your new home....

[cormcvcr]

OMG!! time does fly doesn't it. Well done for sticking with it and proving to yourselves that it was worth the hassle x

[Guest cazzie]

Hi Pete,

A great post and fantastic that you have all managed to settle down so well. It's also good to hear that Tracey loves working in the hospitals. I guess that is one area where being 20 years behind is a good thing as the hospitals back home are riddled with MRSA, far too much bureaucracy and less hands on caring. Bill had an operation last week and I have to say from the pre-op appointment - where he had five different doctors/nurses to see and which was done and dusted within an hour -the operation itself, through to the aftercare in hospital (Flinders), the care he has received and the facilities have been fantastic.

I hope the move goes well for you all and that Tracy is blossoming with good health. Hasn't the six months gone so quickly?

[suzer]

congrats on reaching the 6 month mark, with positivity:) thought you had been here for much longer. shows how much attention i pay to things!

[Guest Lulujim]

Wow - that's gone fast. Give yourselves a big pat on the back An inspiration to others.

Looking forward to catching up - next month!!

[ianb]

good post guys, time has flown.

Just goes to show that to make the move a good move is alot to do with attitude and not $$$.

Good news about the rental, hope to catch up with you all soon

[HEAPS GOOD !!!]

......... was six months ago today that we stepped off the plane into Adelaide sunshine for the first time. Where has the time gone????

 

We arrived with around £4,300 in a UK bank. No aussie bank accounts and a few hundred pounds in cash. We were met at the airport by the wonderful Judi (Roo1) and the extremely helpful Brian (Aussie Car Rentals). Brian sorted us out with a car and Judi took us to where we would be staying for the first couple of weeks of our new lives.

We had no idea whether we had done the right thing dragging four children half way around the world with not a lot of money, no house or car of our own and absolutely no idea of where we were going to settle.

I remember the first week was hell with the jet lag and running around trying to get a car, a bank account, a long term rental, Medicare, etc, etc, etc.

Our rental nightmare is well documented on here. Judi had people due to arrive and we had no where to go. We were going to rental opens only to find 40 other applicants looking around the house. Then steps in Russell (Tyke). He had a just over a week free at one of his rentals and that was just enough time to secure a six month lease on a three bed rental in Morphett Vale.

We put the kids into school which they were gagging for seeing as they had been out of school for 12 weeks due to school holidays in the UK and here in Oz. We chose Woodcroft Primary for them. Within minutes of looking around the school we knew it was a good school. This has been confirmed by how well our children have come on since being there. Confidence was a big issue in the UK but not here.

We have just secured a twenty four month lease for a lovely four bedroom house in Woodcroft and is well within easy walking distance from the school.

As far as work is concerned Tracey had a job sorted from the UK. The only doubt was whether she would get on working in an Australian hospital as we had heard it was behind the times compared with the UK. As it turned out she loves it. She has gone back to actually nursing rather than doing half of the doctors job like she did in the UK.

 

The big thing for us is that we can spend more time together as a family. With only one of us working, on Tracey's days off we can go places. In the UK when Tracey had a day off I was working and we saw very little of one and other. Tracey gets a better wage here than with the NHS and I have found that if you don't do a big shop at a supermarket but buy your food at a number of specialist shops you get better quality and it costs less.

 

I would also like to thank those that have helped us out with baby sitting and lending their stuff to us and giving their advice. Many thanks guys.

 

We are proof you can succeed here without bringing loads of cash over. The only thing you need to bring is an open mind.

 

Happy days

 

Pete

 

We have been here 11months, and it is unreal how time goes by here we were pretty similar to you mate not alot of cash either.

 

Friend of ours said " In Australia there is not 24 hours in a day, and there is not 7 days in a week " how true time just rolls by.

 

i know what your saying bout getting stuff done when you first get here, job, TFN, drivers licence, etc etc but we did it and are still here.

 

We have been looking at show homes this last couple of weeks and boy are there some nice ones we have fallen in love with one but were not getting our hopes up too much.

 

We would never have thought that 11 months ago......but then again 3/4 years ago we never even thought of moving to this lovely land.

 

All in all 11 months in and loving it.....this time next month we will be doing our 1 year in post....omg:chatterbox:

 

Good luck to all those - waiting......enjoy to all those - loving it....and stick at it - to all those struggling with it.

 

God i haver gone off on a right tangent there lol:wideeyed:

 

HG !!!

[Guest Guest75]

Onya!!!

 

Congrats on your first six months.

 

Looks like you are stopping

[Guest Roo1]

My goodness......6 months already!!!

 

I'm so pleased that you have a lovely 4 bed rental in Woodcroft now too, thats great news.

 

Next stop citizenship!!!

 

J x

[Guest Nick11]

What a lovely post Pete.

Now you're in Woodcroft you'll be able to join our knitting circle!!!

[Guest lastboyscout]

`on ya

 

Its good to here you`ve settled well and heres to the next 6 months, and the one after that, and the one after that and so on and so forth

[sue2oz]

well done you guys, so proud of ya;)

 

sue and family xxx

[Guest BAZnDAF]

Great story Pete, glad your settled in this should give hope to many others in a similar situation.

[Guest Martin and Val]

Well done Pete, Tracey and the Clan,

We arrived a little after you and must agree that time flys when you're enjoying yourselves!

Good luck with the new home and the rest of your lives in this fantastic country.

I must also say well done on the financial side also. The problem I have is Val drinks far to much and with her having more than a carton a week it's been hard! :biglaugh:

Cheers for the great post mate

Martin

[The Flinns]

Well done on your first 6 months Pete and family. Can't wait to get out there and hop on that new life rollercoaster!

[Guest Lisado]

Congrats on the 6 months mark

ALso just want to say thanks for this post. We will be coming over with next to nowt and trying to convince my folks we can do it is impossible , so its nice ot know with the right attitude it is possible.

 

We have jus heard the viewing stats have gone up on our hosue and we have received the receipt we need from the South African police certificate (to prove to CO we have sent it in) - so hopefully, soon, we will also be celebrating our 6 months in Oz

 

Have some fizz to celebrate

 

Lisa

[Guest caoimhe]

Wow I can't believe its 6 months, but hey I bet you never thought you would make it this far let alone have a new Ozzie addition to the family

You have suceeded here because you came with NO expectations other than that anything would be better than the UK, you are reaping what you have sowed and you both deserve it more than anyone we know. We have only met once but after a year 'online' we feel we have met good friends.

Of anyone we have met on this forum you both deserve to have this work for you.

We hope you have many more '6 months' to come and hopefully we will be yor friends throughtout.

Take care

[Guest Trakki]

Thanks guys for all your comments. As Pete said we love it here, we didn't figure another baby in our plans when we came out and it does mean a considerable drop in wage as I don't qualify for mat pay and Petes job will not pay as well, but these things happen and we will deal with it as it happens, our main focus is our children who love it here and are soooo happy and settled, we know we made the right move and since landing have never doubted it. We have had our share of problems but hey ho thats life and you just get on with it.

 

Thanks again

[Guest sarahsmartiepants]

Great posts Pete and Tracy, you are the proof that will pays off. Congrats and good luck witht the rest of your journey

sarahx

[Guest kellyjamie]

it really lifts me reading this post. we will be arriving with not much money either we reckon £18,000 and we have to find work when we get there! we will be applying for state sponsor providing they dont us off the list next week! thanx again for a really positive and uplifting post x

[ozzieclare2be]

aww just seen this, congratualtions on your first 6 months, its flown by x;)

[Guest Farrows]

Just wanted to say thanks for this post and congratulations to you. Reading your post has made me feel positive again we are coming over in Sept 11th family of 4 and have the wobbles have kicked in are we doing the right thing etc I know we are and I know it will be a tough time but reading this and all the great supportive replies we have recv'd in PIA can't wait to start our new life and hopefully get to meet some of you!!!

 

Thanks

 

Becki:jiggy: