AFreshStart Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 This marks my 100th post.The journey thus far has been a roller coaster, but we've been beyond blessed and are thankfully daily how The Lord has directed and guided our path. 8 months ago the thought of immigration hadn't even crossed our minds.In that time our VISA's were granted in just over two months from application, my wife was offered a job and starts Dec 1st and add to that that her company has offered to pick-up our relocation costs!As Christians finding a Church was at the top of our list, which we did, and have settled on Vine Church in Surry Hills, Sydney. We introduced our selves to the Pastor who has been super helpful in letting us know about the suburb, schools etc.At the time of of us deciding to make the move my brother announced that after 15 years they'd be moving from the UK to Sydney, breaking the news to my mother the same day we did!They've been there since January and been super helpful in looking at schools and helping us decide with on the ground investigation and offered to secure a rental for us ahead of our arrival, which has been a blessing and reduced our stress tenfold.We've also just sold our property to friends in a private sale and they're willing to take transfer the month before we leave, which is a further blessing and family have asked to buy one of our 2 cars.So here we stand, with just under 5 months to go, lots still to do, but at peace about what lies before us and trusting in the Lord for his continued provision.CheersMatt 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistermoose Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 Great to hear things are going so well Matt!I'd be interested to know what prompted your brother to move from the UK to Sydney in the first place, and how he's found life there in the last six months comopared to his life in the UK. Any highlights/lowlights that you could share on his behalf would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted June 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 Great to hear things are going so well Matt!I'd be interested to know what prompted your brother to move from the UK to Sydney in the first place, and how he's found life there in the last six months comopared to his life in the UK. Any highlights/lowlights that you could share on his behalf would be greatly appreciated.Hi Mistermoose,The move was prompted because they wanted a better quality of life for their kids and themselves. Winter and even Fall in the UK are terrible! They lived in Wimbledon, a stones throw from the common, took walks, spent time outdoors in summer, but winter is dreadful, the sun goes down at 3pm, wet, cold etc. They did an LSD to Sydney over 5 years ago and fell in love with it, got PR, activated and lived out a few more years in London while he established an investment firm with a few of his partners.One of their biggest clients is Sydney based, so it was a no brainer and they have loved every minute of it, no lowlights, other than it being expensive, they are loving the climate, the freedom to explore their surroundings, daily visits to the beach etc.We all grew up in Durban, so have grown accustomed to beach life, them more than me, but it's also why Sydney excites me.CheersMatt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted July 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2014 Whew! Feels like yesterday since I wrote my last update, but it's been over a month, time is FLYING by!The shipping company (Crown Relocations) arrive in 4-6 weeks to pack up our belongings, I depart in just over 3 months, followed my wife and kids 2-weeks later. I've just signed up for the Qantas Frequent Flyer program and bought my first ever cross continental 1-way ticket, makes it very real!We didn't want to be stuck running around at the last minute with cleaning and packing and so I've been chipping away at it every free minute I get. It's AMAZING how much junk one acquires over the years, I've made several trips to our recycling depot, dump and local charity shops to donate old items, given away bags of clothes, blankets etc. Honestly I think these 'Winter Cleans' are far more effective that Spring ones, esp. when immigration is one the cards!I've been having great success with using social media to sell our belongings, starter and Instagram account and have had over 60 people follow it and am snapping pics of things for sale everyday and we've sold over 90% of it already, amazing how when you add up all those small items how much money can be made!We are all on track now, just enjoying the time we have together with family and friends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bretty2 Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 (edited) Hi MattGlad to hear all is on track and going well. The excitement must be growing daily...enjoy.We are lodging on thursday at VFS in town, finally got the girls birth certificates after an 18 week battle, some 40 phone calls and 6 visits to home affairs. Hopefully all is in order with our paperwork as we want to book the medicals the second we get the HAP ID (which I am not sure when we get, is it given to you when you lodge?). Praying that we get a case officer ASAP and a positive result. I want to fly out end of September due to a course that I need to do before I can get licensed and am able apply for work. Lou and the girls will follow when school closes.CheersPaul.P.S. Thanks again for the advice you gave me a few months ago. Edited July 21, 2014 by Bretty2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eitai2001 Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Hi Matt.Take a look at signing up for the British Airways Miles system. If you fly Qantas, you can earn BA miles, and I find BA miles to be the most useable miles. I.e. Less miles for a ticket and low taxes (provide it's within a local zone which could be local flights, or flights to countries in the local territory). For example, 10,000 miles will get you a return flight from Melbourne to Cairns for $150, which is $150 than a low cost airline. Or you can pay 20,000 miles at $50. Likewise, a return flight from Melbourne to Sydney is 9,000 miles for $50.The best part is that they can also be used in SA (Comair) and America (American Airlines). I literally travelled all around the States with just 60,000 miles (San Diego to Dallas, Dallas to New Orleans, New York to Chicago, Chicago to LA, Las Vegas to LA, LA to Las Vegas), but only paid R150 in taxes total as US has no airport taxes as far as I know.My point is, if you can get BA miles, always opt for them ... they are the cheapest RegardsItai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted August 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Thanks for all the tips Itai!I've already signed up for the Quantas FFP, and they've credited the miles it seems, but maybe my wife should sign up for BA then as she still has to buy her and the kids tickets. I'm guessing you can't easily exchange miles between the 2 programs?CheersMatt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eitai2001 Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Thanks for all the tips Itai!I've already signed up for the Quantas FFP, and they've credited the miles it seems, but maybe my wife should sign up for BA then as she still has to buy her and the kids tickets. I'm guessing you can't easily exchange miles between the 2 programs?CheersMattMatt, before they do that ... seeing as you already have Qantas miles, test out the Qantas redemption site ... perhaps they have deals as good as BA.As some tests, check the following flights and prices (You can just search 1 way as it's the same price each way, and then you don't have to find availability in both directions to check the prices):- Mel to Syd 1 way - 4,500 Miles - $14 (I searched 4th Nov as a random date) (Flying Qantas)- Mel to Cairns 1 way - 10.000 Miles $24 (I searched 4th Nov as a random date) - Or 5,000 miles $70 (Flying Qantas)- Jhb to Mauritius 1 way - 10,000 Miles $35 (I searched 1st Nov as they only fly Saturdays) - Or 5,000 miles $80 (Flying BA operated by Comair)- Los Angeles to Las Vegas 1 way - 4,500 Miles $6 (I searched 4th Nov as a random date) (Flying American Airlines)If the Qantas points can give you the same value in miles redemptions, then they're probably the same and worth using them. If not, definitely make sure your wife uses BA Also ... find out if she will get the same amount of points for her BA miles as she would get for her Qantas miles.RegardsItai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted September 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 As I type this Crown Relocation's are packing the contents of our home.We've been vigilant about weeding out our belongings, having spent the past 2 months cleaning, donating, selling and tossing things we aren't taking with us. It's been quite a process, but amazed at how much money we have pocketed from our unwanted belongings, it all adds up, and my advice is to give yourself the time to sell it before you go before dumping it at the last minute.It's been cathartic, saying goodbye to many of the things we have clung to over the years, things with little or no value in our lives, hoarded 'in case'. We probably could have filled a 40' container, but are taking half a 20', the essentials, the things that we feel are necessary to life and bring us enjoyment. This outside of the practical things like our beds, mattresses, linen and the odd piece of furniture.I'm done with stuff, it's been a gradual progression for us, letting go of things, freeing up our time, money and resources, it's a huge weight off our shoulders and helps us appreciate what we have.We'll be camping out in our house here for the next 2-months before I leave, but will appreciate having our belongings when we arrive and will help us all settle quicker with a few familiar bits.CheersMatt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyTimeNow Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 Hey MattI'm nearing the container-being-packed day myself, and it's a comfort knowing others out there are doing and feeling the same! Cathartic is definitely it, but coupled with pangs of memories of things you don't want to let go of But OLX will be hearing from me soon Wishing you blessings on your journey!Candice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted September 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Just got word the vessel sailed on Saturday, so the container is on the way and we should expect weekly updates from Crown Relocations and they anticipate we are all on schedule for an early November arrival date.We've been keeping our eyes on Real Estate and Domain but find that unlike here the rentals literally open up weekly and not very far in advance, so we'll probably only be able to seriously start looking at locking in a place in October.I have just under a month and a half to go, my wife and kids will follow a couple weeks later, they hit their 2 month mark yesterday. It's flying by now.We've been camping out in our home on the basics, transfer is set for last week of October, filling all the paperwork, certificates and what not and using the time to catch up with friends and family.CheersMatt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neels Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Good going Matt. You are a couple weeks ahead of us, but going through the same and it helps to know we are not alone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted October 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Well this time next month I'll be in Sydney!Still much to do. I've started putting together a 'press pack' for rental agents, simple things like a cover letter, copies of passports, wife's employment letter etc. We have the fortune this month of having an 8-page spread in the latest issue of Real Estate Magazine on the house we just sold, so that should help!Now doing things like cancelling TV license, transferring Telkom lines to new owners, cancelling Internet and letting our cell contracts run out (worked out it would be cheaper to let them run out than incur the early cancellation fees!).Sent my car into the panel beaters to fix a scratch, then onto trying to sell the cars.We are keeping our eyes fixed daily on Real Estate and Domain to find a rental out in Surry Hills/Redfern, know the school we want our son to go to so need to look within the zone, though shot a mail off to the headmaster today to see if there is any way we can look outside of the zone and to see if they enroll us for 2015 if we did, we can only try.Back to admin, listing things on Gumtree and arranging a garage sale for the last remaining bits.CheersMatt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyTimeNow Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 Boy, the last weeks have flown by, Matt!! Feels like just the other day you were waiting for the movers!!Sounds like you have the last bits under control, and before you know it you'll be heading to the airport! Keep us posted as you go ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted October 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2014 This time in 2-weeks I'll be on a plane from CPT to JHB and then onto Sydney.We've been thoroughly blessed and as I shared in another post have already secured a lease on a rental for 14-months, with an option to renew. We have occupation from the 1st of November, but only touching down on the 6th.In the meantime I've already started setting up services. Signed up with Optus for a great deal on mobile, home phone, broadband and FetchTV. Bundle services if you want a discount! Optus are giving me 10% of my monthly entertainment bundle (home phone, unlimited calls, broadband and FetchTV) saving $12,50 a month, and added a $45 a month cell contract with unlimited minutes, SMS's and 2GB data, for $45 a month and they threw in the first month FREE.Next is to sign up for gas and electricity, we've shopped around and settled on Origin for both, they have no locked in fees and paying on-line on or before the due date will give us 10% off our quarterly bill.Reached out to a car dealer on getting a car. I'm very surprised that there is so little difference in buying new vs second hand. We are looking at a Honda Jazz and new the latest model manual VTi is $17,500, but I've seen several 2010/2011 models with 50,000 - 100,000kms on the clock for only $2,000+ less, which is pretty remarkable and they seem to hold their value.On this side we are winding down, transfer of the house should go through next Tuesday, tomorrow night we are having a farewell and a 'help yourself to our stuff' party, raising funds/donations for charity with what is left and formally moving out of our home on Friday and in with my in-laws for the last 10+ days.Had our cars on the market, even dropped the prices, but no bites, calls, but no sale, so we may have to bite the bullet and accept the dealer trade in, giving it till next week to make that call.Still much to do, but keeping on top of the admin as best we can.CheersMatt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alida Posted October 22, 2014 Report Share Posted October 22, 2014 AFS - it seems as if you have everything nicely under control, good on you !! Thanks for all the tips on cell contracts etc., we'll be up in the air in three weeks' time, then it's our turn to chase all those rabbits ! Enjoy the final days' lull before the settling in rocks your boat again ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted October 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 9 more sleeps till I depart, feel a bit like the kids who count down to Christmas.Honestly it still hasn't hit me, and I suspect that it will only once I'm on the plane. There has been a ton of admin to do: sorting Tax, getting clearance with SARS etc. The good news is that both the cars are now sold, delivering the last on Thursday morning, which is a relief, one less admin task.We hand the keys to the house to the new owners tomorrow and I've spent 2-3 days clearing it all out, still have a few more things to sort, but largely on top of things.My wife and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary in Aus the week she arrives, but are celebrating early while we still have family support and booked ourselves into a hotel for a night, Spa, meals, the works over the weekend and nice way to wind this all down ahead of my flight next Wednesday.CheersMatt 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted November 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 As our kids say, "2 more sleeps!.We had a great weekend at The Vineyard Hotel, were upgraded to the honeymoon suite and celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary in style with a 5-course meal. My wife and I sat there for 2-hours in almost silence just catching our breath and enjoying the peace, not running around doing admin etc.We signed the affidavit for our TV and sent it to the SABC, also signed an affidavit to allow the kids to travel with my wife in my absence and been up since 4am setting up my gas/electricity supplier that side, but that's the last of it till I touch down on Thurs.Optus has sent my SIM card to my sister-in-law and in 9-10 days the new connection will be in place with phone/broadband at our new rental.We've been set-up with on-line banking and already transferred cash from SA to AUS with FX Capital, Tanya has been great and we've even made our first on-line payment!Going to start packing my bags later today and do a few more bits of admin, but not long now!CheersMatt 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alida Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 Wow, you're organized !! Enjoy the ride ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neels Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 Matt, reading your journal makes me realize how much I still got to do... And I don't know if it's good or bad?... Less than 4 weeks, maybe I should start getting stressed.. Best of travels mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyTimeNow Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 Wow, AFS, sounds like you're all set!! Fantastic!! Safe travels, and let us know when you've settled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted November 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Well it's D-day!As I type this I'm sitting in the BidVest Airport Lounge in JHB having survived the trip up from CPT, which was, um, less than ideal. I was 8kgs overweight between my 2 bags, largely because the one bag weighed 4.7kgs (TIP: weigh the empty bag FIRST), so after refusing to pay R6,000+ in overweight luggage my wife took the bag home with her and we'll have to pair down further.The rest of the trip up was easy, hard to believe that as I type this, this time tomorrow I'll be in Aus. It seems like yesterday that we started this journey, which was of course over a year ago, where does the time go? I'll be boarding in 2 hours!So the next time you hear from me will be on the other side of the pond, down under.CheersMatt 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theunis Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Wow. Good luck. Enjoy every moment. I cannot wait to have your updates and hopefully soon it will be our turn. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neels Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Awesome Matt. Keep the stubby's cold, I'll be joining you in a couple of weeks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted November 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) I made it!I had a great flight over, the Qantas staff were amazing. Got to the Sydney airport, cleared immigration and customs without a hitch, super friendly and helpful guys as well, they welcomed me to Aus and chatted about yesterday's storm (which thankfully I missed) etc.Caught a Taxi over to my brother's place, drove through the city passing all the suburbs I'd read about, including the outskirts of the one we'll be living in. Got here, let myself in, took a shower and helped myself to a coffee.Within an hour I already had my cell phone connected and signed up for gas & electricity at our rental, which I thought I'd already done but apparently botched the application form, but not a problem, they corrected it all over the phone and will be sending out a meter reader on Mon for Elec. and Wed for Gas.Called my bank to activate by credit card and have already used it to make several payments and set-up monthly debit orders.Ordered Opal cards for myself, wife and eldest child and gathered all my docs I'm going to need in the morning to register my driver license.Tomorrow morning I'm heading out to the letting agent to collect the keys and will make my way over to the house.Our belongings have cleared customs, we've paid the applicable fees and they should release the goods by Monday and we'll arrange delivery for next week.I had an early dinner with my family and enjoyed a drink listening to the rainbow lorikeets and kookaburras calling, and it dawned on me, "This is our home".CheersMatt Edited November 6, 2014 by AFreshStart 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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