dabb Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 Pretoria to WA - Hallo almalI have been a member for a while, and am totally addicted. Thanks for the great forum and to everyone who helps and answers questions.Think it is time to introduce our family; we are in our early 40s and have two kids (girl 8 gr 2, son 7 gr 1). We are Afrikaans but the kids go to an English school, which I suppose might help in OZ. We live in eastern Pretoria and have all our wonderful family and friends close by, but with the big 45 yrs deadline looming we decided its now or never....We have visited OZ many times, but did a final LSD and job hunting trip during Apr/May 08, we visited Perth, South West WA (incl Bunbury), Sydney and Brisbane. The two best offers my husband received are from Perth and Bunbury. The employers will help with the visas and we have all our docs ready, IELTS booked for 30 August. We hope to go over in Dec 2008/early Jan 2009.We know we are lucky to be this far BUT... some questions, please help!1. How do we decide where to go? We know absolutely no-one in Perth or Bunbury. Is it easier to adapt and make friends in smaller towns? (I won't be working)2. Where/how do you start to make friends (kids and us) when you know nobody? 3. How do we find a school? Do you find the school and look for a house in the area, or do you find a house in an OK area and then send them to the school in the area?Will save the other questions for later....I am also more than willing to help if I can answer questions about where we have been in OZ or the rest of the process. We would also love to hear from others going over to WA; would be great to see or talk to a familiar face or voice when we're on the other side. (Unfortunately we can't go to the Pretoria coffee club 9 Aug)Thanks again!D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newcomer Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) Hi en welkom al is jy al lankal hier. Ja, ons ken almal die addiction. Ek kan nie eintlik jou vrae antwoord nie, aangesien ons nog nie eens so ver is soos julle nie. Maar ek sien julle is in oostelike Pretoria, waar ons ook is, daarom wou ek spesiaal hi sê. Hoop julle kan 'n volgende geleentheid na die 'gathering' by Irene Dairy gaan - dis baie lekker om so baie ander-in-dieselfde-bootjie te ontmoet en te kuier.PM my as jy dalk lus het vir koffie... Edited July 30, 2008 by Newcomer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ready2go Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 Just wanted to say welcome to the forum dabb !We also have the problem of the "45" coming up soon and decided now or never. Im not in AUS yet, but judging by the wonderful people on this forum, you wont be alone. There always seems to be someone offerring a helping hand and a cuppa (also some very good fudge makers I believe)Youve definately come to the rite place. All the best with your plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cara Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 Pretoria to WA - Hallo almalI have been a member for a while, and am totally addicted. Thanks for the great forum and to everyone who helps and answers questions.Think it is time to introduce our family; we are in our early 40s and have two kids (girl 8 gr 2, son 7 gr 1). We are Afrikaans but the kids go to an English school, which I suppose might help in OZ. We live in eastern Pretoria and have all our wonderful family and friends close by, but with the big 45 yrs deadline looming we decided its now or never....We have visited OZ many times, but did a final LSD and job hunting trip during Apr/May 08, we visited Perth, South West WA (incl Bunbury), Sydney and Brisbane. The two best offers my husband received are from Perth and Bunbury. The employers will help with the visas and we have all our docs ready, IELTS booked for 30 August. We hope to go over in Dec 2008/early Jan 2009.We know we are lucky to be this far BUT... some questions, please help!1. How do we decide where to go? We know absolutely no-one in Perth or Bunbury. Is it easier to adapt and make friends in smaller towns? (I won't be working)2. Where/how do you start to make friends (kids and us) when you know nobody? 3. How do we find a school? Do you find the school and look for a house in the area, or do you find a house in an OK area and then send them to the school in the area?Will save the other questions for later....I am also more than willing to help if I can answer questions about where we have been in OZ or the rest of the process. We would also love to hear from others going over to WA; would be great to see or talk to a familiar face or voice when we're on the other side. (Unfortunately we can't go to the Pretoria coffee club 9 Aug)Thanks again!DHi DWe are also going to Bunbury WA flying 1st of Jan 2009.Initially we were going to Perth,but my brother has a regional visa so decided on Bunbury.We are a group of 5 couples(friends and Fam) going to Bunbury,our childrens ages range between 2-18!Why don't you PM me and we can 'chat' RegardsCara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enrica Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 Hi DabbFirstly welcome to the forum. Good luck with the jobs and applciations and the whole process.Dont worry to much about not know anyone in Perth, let me introduce myself then you will knwo someone WE have been in Perth for going on 9 years, my home is open to any new arrivals, so dont be shy, you are welcome vir n koppie Java of n glassie wyn anytime you are in Perth. I to have 2 kids and understand the emotions you are all going thru.See now that was easy, you now know some one in Perth....even if we have never met....Good luck and and ask as many question as you need to.RegardsEnrica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyW Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 Hi Dabb and Family,Okay now you know 2 people in Perth.I have 2 kids as well daughter 12 son 19. Age doesn't matter anyway. What does matter if you are close enough to where we stay (North of the River) you have babysitters already. How's that!!We have only been here sonce April, and love it.Friends........... they are everywhere. Supermarkets, shopping Malls, Schools and most of all the wonderful people on the Forum.Yes I can voutch for the Fudge all the way from Brisbane, the best you have ever tasted.Good Luck with all the arrangements.CheersKathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted August 1, 2008 Report Share Posted August 1, 2008 Welcome Dabb,We are leaving for Perth end of December, so are in the same boat as you - where to live, what schools? Lots of research to keep us busy! I hope all your plans work out nicely. I know how overwhelming it feels.Have only visited once, but very impressed. We went down the coast to Margaret River, but didn't stop in Bunbury, but wish we had as it sounds very nice. The south coast is really beautiful - which is quite something for a 'regte' Capetonian to admit!All the bestChez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blinkers-Off Posted August 1, 2008 Report Share Posted August 1, 2008 On our way to Bunbury in November...Would love to hear your thoughts on the place, as I see you included it in your LSD.We bypassed it on our way to Margaret River and did not know we would eventually get an offer from there.Please let me know what you thought of the place... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeniseF Posted August 1, 2008 Report Share Posted August 1, 2008 Hi DabbWe're also in the same boat. Early 40's, two boys aged 8 and 11. We hope to be in Perth by the end of the year. I've done quite a bit of research etc. We decided that we want to live north of the river, but approx half hour travel from the CBD by train because that't where hubby's going to work.We first found a school, because a good school was important to us. This school must take children from their zoning area so we decided to stay in Joondalup. We have however sent through school registration forms so that they can put us on a waiting list just incase we don't get a house in the zoned area.Don't worry about making friends. We moved to Botswana for 3 years and made some of our best friends there. It was amazing. You can live in a neighbourhood in SA for years and not even know the people next door, but once out of the country we'd meet people while grocery shopping or at school etc and before you know you've got a fully booked social calendar. Remember there are lots of parks etc in the residential areas in Perth, you and your kids will make friends easily. And whether we're there before or after you, pm me for details if you wish and we can get together. Which school do your children go to - we also live in Pretoria East.Hope to hear from you.Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queensland Girl Posted August 1, 2008 Report Share Posted August 1, 2008 hey guys-what happening in Bunbury????Natalie on Channel 7 Sunrise(our morning tv for the uninitiated) comes from Bunbury and she is always teased by the rest of the team- so we kind of thought Bunbury was a little "dorp".Would love to know more about the place-so please tell.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabb Posted August 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 HiThank you to everyone who replied, it's really helped us to feel like whe can make this thing work!For the people who asked: Bunbury is a pretty port and industrial town about two hours south of Perth. They have a dolphin centre, some nice beaches and have developed the waterfront during the last few years, with some nice shops and restaurants. It is the regional capital of the area, so there is a big new hospital, sports facilities and Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School is one of the best schools in WA. There are also many other smaller state and private schools that are very good. The wineries of the Margaret River area is within an hour''s drive. We have heard that there are many South Africans in the area. So you can see why it is hard to decide where to go!D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGrahams Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Hello Dabb,Firstly welcome to the forum!!!If making frinds in Perth is as easy as making friends on this forum - then there is no need to worry about landing there and not knowing anyone.We are a family of 5 (me, hubby Alwyn, and kids aged 8, 5 and 10 months). We also stayed in the East of Pretoria - Donovan went to Monument Park School. We are leaving for Perth TOMORROW!!!!! and will be arriving there on Tuesday 07h30 Aus time Keep in touch and know that if you land you are welcome to come for some coffee in our new home. We will definitely try and send you updates on our experiences on the move.Keep well and good luck with all the arrangements.RegardsDebbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie en Urs Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Hello Dabb.Welkom op die forum hoop jul gaan al die hulp kry wat jul benodig.Ons is amper 2 jaar in Perth en baie gelukkig hier veral ons dogtertjie van 4.Ek dink jul doen die regte besluit en sal nie n dag terug kyk as jul Oz toe kom nie.Sterkte met jul planne.Urs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Fine Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Dear D,We are going to Bunbury to! Our kids are Son 9 yr, daughter 4.5 & another son 15 months.... We are hoping to be there by the end of this month if the 457 visa will just go through now (been 3 weeks). Reason we're going to Bunbury is because we'll run a new business (branch) starting there from Perth. Our kids will be going to Grace Christian School - my cousin lives there & her son 7 goes there and she's very happy , she also sent us a dvd to watch of the school, so happy there. We are lucky enough to be staying in a house on the property of the new factory. So all we need now is a visa. Will be happy to stay in contact with you and help where we can. Chat soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blinkers-Off Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 also starting to feel better about our decision now. When I first started asking about Bunbury on this forum there wasnt much response but I see more and more Saffers are opting for it now which is great!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niens Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 goeie moreOns is nou 3maande in Perth. Al is Perth 'n groot stad voel dit vir my soos 'n klein dorpie :-) hier is 'n groep elke 2de woensdag wat ontmoed by Hillarys - "welcome to Perth" en so leer ken jy baie mense - dit het my al baie gehelp in my af dae.Ons het gekyk in watter skool ons die kids (7, 5 en 11mde) wou he - en toe vir 'n huis gesoek. Ons woon in Mindarie - by die see en redelik naby aan alles. Ons geniet dit verskriklik en al het ek my af dae, glo ek nie dat ons sommer sal terug trek SA toe nie.Ek sou se kies 'n plek waar julle weet dat julle 'n goeie support netwerk sal he, en dan ook natuurlik 'n goeie kerk help altyd as dit vir jou belangrik is.Sterkte met julle besluit.Niens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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