Popular Post AFreshStart Posted December 8, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 (edited) Hi Guys,I've been here just over a month now. As you might recall from our journal I spent the first week with my sister-in-law, then another week moving into our rental and running around doing heaps of admin before the family arrived. We spent a week together, saw a few of the sites and my wife had her first week of work last week and I had mine with the kids.We couldn't be happier, we've been so blessed and I honestly don't even know where to start.Yesterday we received out Medicare cards, a certificate of enrollment from our son's school and a polite letter saying I've been earmarked to partake in local and national elections, so unless I opt out I will be registered. How organized!We've put down down a deposit on a new car, but it will only arrive in late December, a new Honda Jazz. Honda are having a great sale at the moment: upgraded 5-year warranty, Free REGO (to the uniformed it's pronounced REG-O), Free road side assist and CTP, I also managed to get them to drop $1000 off the price and throw in some detailing extras, bargain if you can.The public transport is great, so easy to get around from our suburb with buses passing every 15-20 minutes whisking you off all over the place. The other night I had dinner with new friends over at Bondi Junction and found myself catching the bus home at 11pm, alone, and feeling safe, it's amazing the subconscious 'load shedding' you do when you get here.I've also bought a bike and trailer and been cycling around the neighbourhood, to the park and taking the kids out for strolls and playtime.Our local library is beautiful and they have craft days on Mondays and playtime on Wednesdays, all provided free of charge and the community centre has FREE classes like sewing, dancing, IT training and Chinese and Japanese language lessons. The library also has a toy library so the kids check out new toys every couple days, DVD's, books etc, you're allowed up to 30 items at a time for 3-weeks and if you didn't already know, they provide FREE WiFi.Our new Church is lovely, many of the members live in the area and we've been spoiled rotten. The minster's wife arrived with a bag of single origin coffee beans, pastries from the local bakery and lovely book on Australia for the kids and they've also offered babysitter help and much more.Our neighbours are also great. I got to meet them this weekend by hosting a 'working bee' as we all share a community garden and all got stuck in by planting it up. I then cooked a meal for all of us, about 20 people and we got to meet even more of our neighbours, a couple hosting a garage sale whom I made food as well and took it over since they couldn't join us and another neighbour who arrived with an orange and lemon tree to donate to the garden.I think Aus is going to give you what you give it. We chose to move out of our comfort zone, out of the suburbs into the city, into an area where there are few or no South Africans (we haven't met one yet, though a couple from the USA, Canada & UK) and to get to work meeting people and by volunteering, it's been so rewarding.We came with an open mind, decided to live as Australian's do and have embraced their way of life and couldn't be happier, we came on a 2-year 'probation' period, but after a month can share that we have no intention of going back to SA. This is home.CheersMatt Edited December 9, 2014 by AFreshStart 25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Matt, it is wonderful that you have settled so well, congratulations.."Don't you love it when a plan comes together?" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zamunda Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 That's an awesome attitude mate!You will not go wrong. As you rightly said, put in as much as you want to get out.When in Rome become a Roman. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhyss Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Sounds great Matt, you certainly have the right attitude. What do you do for work, when do you start? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Matt,Youre kicking Ass baby! Yeah! nice one bro, see, told ya it rocks the Kasbah out here! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alida Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Great !! You're in OZ now, mate - and you're making something great of it. I do agree, no going back. Never. For no reason at all if we ever can avoid it ... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazzn Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Awesome post Matt.. so great to hear when all things fall into place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigvan07 Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Thanks for the update Matt,Been following your progress closely. Sounds like you guys have it all figured out, good for you.PS: You just HAD to throw in that little 'loadshedding' hey, salt in the wounds for us still here in SA, salt I tell ya! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theunis Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 I have been wainting for the next post from you and man it just reaffirms our planned move 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFreshStart Posted December 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Sounds great Matt, you certainly have the right attitude. What do you do for work, when do you start?Hi Rhyss,I don't have a typical 9-5 as I'm the primary caregiver to our 2 children. Our eldest will start Kindergarten next year, but our youngest is only 2 and we have her name down at 4 of the local pre-schools but it's doubtful we'll get her in, though even a day a week would help. So I'm in it for the long haul, but by 2016 we hope to have her in play school 2-3 days a week, which would allow me to freelance or work a temp half day job. We have budgeted living off of a single salary and have come in better than expected all round thus far.My wife was offered a job before we arrived and her company paid all our relocation costs, which was a big help. She's very happy there, granted it's only been a week, but the systems and processes are comparable to what she was doing in Cape Town and actually still works for the same firm, though the offices run independently.She's enjoyed the freedom, the work/life balance is better, the hours are more 9-5 and she chooses to walk into the city every morning and night, takes about 20 mins each way, a far side better than the hour to 2 hour commute she used to make in CPT! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soon2BOz Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Sound like you guys are living the dream!!! Awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandioJNR Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 The Chinese lessons excites me hahaha, hope they have that in the area we move to. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcbren Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Matt, sharing about how your new start in Australia has been such a blessing is inspirational, as my departure date is closing in to just mere weeks. It sounds like a positive attitude and guts to stick yourself out there goes a long way .... I probably have lots in common with your spouse since I also landed a transfer with another business unit of my current company - and I will be the single earner for a while. I hope that things go smoothly for myself workwise and for the rest of my family settling-wise. We are going to be in Brisbane (and our financial situation will be harder after the move than before). Definitely will be checking out the public library - and other tricks to help my girls integrate without feeling that their new reality is missing something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Matt, most things are winding down this week, but from the last week of Jan there will be lots for you and the 2 year old to do. Ask at your library what their term time program is. Then ask your church, or any local parents ( in parks, etc) where the local playgroups are. Or google Playgroups NSW. They are a great find at $25 a term. Mine has up to 4 dads that turn up. Also, check out Little Nicholson Street play centre. Its in East Balmain, first visit free, too complicated to explain. Basically like a daycare centre without staff, run on a honesty system. Mindblowing if you are from RSA. They have a facebook group. I had an anual pass when we lived in the Inner West. Do check it out at least once. Scour your local billboards for leads too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossedover Posted December 20, 2014 Report Share Posted December 20, 2014 AFreshStart... Well it certainly sounds like you are doing that well! Starting over is hard so having a great approach to it is fantastic...All the best, hope everything else continues to go smoothly x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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