Charne Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 And so I start recording my thoughts and feelings regarding the big move. Please excuse the partial paranoia in my journal- in real life hide these concerns quite well. We were granted our 489 visa on the 12th of October 2015 and booked our flights shortly after. D-Day is 4 April 2015. 84 Sleepies. At this point my biggest concern is our initial accommodation. A fellow Facebook forumite PMed my partner to offer us accommodation after hearing that we were in need of accommodation. She sent us pictures, described the layout of her house and provided us with her address. Everything seems legit. After months of perusing the internet for medium term accommodation we couldn't find an offer that beats hers and we've decided to take her up on her offer. Now, after letting her know our arrival date, my brain starts playing tricks on me. How reliable is a forumite on Facebook? What if forumite decides not to pitch up at airport to collect us? What if furumite is a murderer? What if forumite is mentally unstable? (If this said FB forumite is on this forum, i mean no disrespect) I think this thought pattern partly stems from my intense need to be self sufficient and my incapability to believe that others have my interests at heart. I have tried to reach out forumite on FB but have had no response to my message (I fear she does not check her "other" inbox or is she avoiding me??) In my heart i truly want to believe that her offer came at the perfect time as we are meant to move to Australia and the universe wants to make it easy for us. Another concern, money, eish... What the hell happened to the rand. At the start of our application we were paying around R9 per AUS and now its around R11? I always thought of our immigration as reaching for better opportunities and not as "fleeing" from Africa. With rand what it is I feel a sense of urgency to jump ship before we sink with it. We have a good lump sum saved up for Straya and we have chosen to adopt a frugal life style on the other side but I fear "struggle". I would like to work 38 hours a week, I would like to work one job, I would like to get my hair done and not have to resort to cutting it myself. Ah, that felt good, just getting it all out there... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Charne, where are you heading to? As for someome reaching out, I could not tell you how many complete strangers we have had to stay in our home over the years, I have lost count. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charne Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Hi Mara, We are heading to Adelaide. I do realise I could truly just be over analyzing this kind offer the lady made as I've seen many people receive good hearted support. With that said in the back of my mind I feel like I need to look out for my partner and I and have a plan B in case we get left to our demise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrendanH Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Hi Charne, have you rented a car from the airport so that you have transport at the very least? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charne Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Hi Brendan, The lady that offered us a place to has agreed to fetch us. I figured that there is 24 hour rental companies should we need a plan B... Another question to consider is if they let you rent without a credit card or is it advisable to take our South African cards with and cancel them at a later stage? Up to now we have been aiming to get by on public transport mostly so the rental car option has been given much thought, i must admit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrendanH Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 19 minutes ago, Charne said: Hi Brendan, The lady that offered us a place to has agreed to fetch us. I figured that there is 24 hour rental companies should we need a plan B... Another question to consider is if they let you rent without a credit card or is it advisable to take our South African cards with and cancel them at a later stage? Up to now we have been aiming to get by on public transport mostly so the rental car option has been given much thought, i must admit. Our plan is to rent a car from South Africa for the first week we are there. I think it is always good to be able to get around independently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RYLC Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 11 hours ago, Charne said: Hi Mara, We are heading to Adelaide. I do realise I could truly just be over analyzing this kind offer the lady made as I've seen many people receive good hearted support. With that said in the back of my mind I feel like I need to look out for my partner and I and have a plan B in case we get left to our demise. Google the lady's name + reviews and see what you get. Is this person in the business of hiring out furnished accommodation or is she having you stay in her own home? Personally I would be careful. Being gifted furniture and the like would be okay with me but I wouldn't put my eggs in one basket re being fetched and staying with somebody - mainly due to your statement that you have not been able to contact her via Facebook. Surely you should have the personal email address, phone number and address of somebody you would be staying with? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Hello Charne and welcome to the forum. I know on the Perth facebook page there is a fellow saffa that on a regular basis rents out his house and also pucks people up from the airport. As RYLC has mentioned though, if if was me I would feel alot better if I had email and phone numbers. I would have called the lady to at least have a chat and allay any doubts about who she is. We used to buy the world call cards from postnet which are fairly cheap to call overseas. If everything doesn't go to plan then have a back up just incase as RYLC suggests. I also feel your pain regarding the Rand we have transfered some money but we still have to transfer a large sum and pension payout. I think we lost around R40k and we are hoping that the Rand will improve by end of Jan. If not then we will cut our losses. Nothing much we can do. All the best for your move to Adelaide and please keep us posted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPanda Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 @Charne We've booked accommodation through Airbnb, and our hostess has also offered to pick us up from the airport, and we also thought it was peculiar (very welcome, obviously, but we feel a little bit odd to rely on a stranger for something that we regard as essential). Perhaps this is due to our mindset coming from RSA. Remember that you are going to a country where almost all of the systems and infrastructure work, and it is safe. So, should you run into any problems with missing a pick-up, I'm quite sure that you will be able to sort it out in the airport, and that you will arrive safely at your destination. Perhaps a little later than you thought, perhaps it will cost you a little more than you planned. But you will get it sorted, and you will not get mugged or killed. I hope this helps? Oh, and regarding reaching her on Facebook, is there any chance that she has gone away on summer holiday? I just read one of Mara's replies on another post, and it reminded me that apparently the whole of Australia goes summer holiday nuts. (I could get into that....) That being said, perhaps an email or phone number would come in handy, if you could get that from her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charne Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 @RYLC We will be staying in her home. I do have an email address, now that you mentioned it... And I know where she stays, so I can always pop in for a visit if we get left at the airport. (Who would be the crazy one then?). I might be a little paranoid for no reason but i'm with you on the being careful part. @RedPanda You always say the nicest things. I feel like internally know what you're talking about but hearing it out loud really helps. As I told my partner, if we have a plan B, even if it entails bringing a pillow and blanky to sleep in the airport the first night I'm okay with that. My partner dealt with her in the past and he said she is on holiday overseas (so yes she might not be on FB often). AAAND i know when i checked my "other" inbox the other day I had 15 messages waiting, some dated as far back as 2007. So I can't blame her for not seeing my message. I'll pop her an email later this week to get to know her better. Thank you for the all responses and advice. Who knows, maybe I can have a Skype chat with her before we arrive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPanda Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 thanks, Charne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charne Posted January 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2016 So at this point I'm telling anyone will listen... "I said yes" We went to a lodge close to Brits called Thaba Khaya for the weekend. The place paid excellent attention to detail. I felt like royalty. For breakfast, lunch and supper the tables were done up immaculately with tablecloths and runners and centerpieces, too many sets of forks and knives to count and three glasses per person. The room was splendid, and our en suite bathroom was the same size as our bedroom and had a double shower and two basins. Every morning after breakfast the room was bright, windows and curtains opened and the bed made. In the evenings the staff would enter room during dinner and open the bed for you, dim the lights and close the curtains so when you walk in after the dinner it's so serene. The first night after dinner my partner asked me wait outside the room. I thought he might just be fetching a jersey or something so I didn't ask any questions. He then held his hand over my eyes and asked me walk in. When I opened my eyes the whole room had been transformed with candles and rose petals. The most noticeable being the bright red letters made of rose petals spelling the words "will you marry me?" and the love of my life on one knee in front of me. It was the most romantic and most perfect proposal. My partner and I got engaged this weekend 2016 is turning out to be a good one. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDTCPT Posted January 18, 2016 Report Share Posted January 18, 2016 Congratulations! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FingersCrossed Posted January 18, 2016 Report Share Posted January 18, 2016 awesome - congrats 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chips Posted January 18, 2016 Report Share Posted January 18, 2016 Congratulations Charne 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charne Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 Just a quick update on our situation. We had a bit of madness going on the last couple of weeks. My partner is a Biokineticist in South Africa and has a positive skill assessment as an Exercise Psysiologist. In order for him to be able to work as an EP he has to be credited with ESSA. He can complete the first two steps of the accreditation process from South Africa but has to write the practical test in Melbourne on 14 April. So the mad rush to get the first two steps done and dusted is fun The timing of the practical test works out perfectly though because it's coincedently (or should i say devinely) sheduled for 10 days after our arrival in Aus. This means he should get his accreditation shortly thereafter which will improve his chances of being employed in his field. With regards to my job prospects, i've very lightly been looking around on seek and have applied to 3 administration jobs (very light looking indeed). I believe once the time for departure gets closer I can seek work more vigorously because at the moment i'm expecting prospective employers to hold off for 7 weeks before they get to interview me face to face and I know that's not favourable. I've managed to reach out and get to know the lady that offered us initial accomodation in Woodcroft and i'm no longer paranoid about her very kind offer. (I just had an epic battle to the death with a mother of a cockroach! He had the wingspan of a fully grown eagle... Okay i'm egagerating for effect but it was HUGE and i'm convinced it can teleport) I'm getting so excited about the prospect of our new life in Aus. My partner's car was picked up today, he sold it to WeBuyCars. They paid the money into his account on Friday and collected today. My car is sold but I get to use it till we leave. The next few weeks is going to be filled with contract cancellation requests, dentist check ups, getting new glasses, final packing of our seven seas boxes, buying luggage and more handovers at work. At least it will feel like i'm doing something and not just waiting for time to lapse. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soon2BOz Posted February 19, 2016 Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 All the best for the last few tasks! We are newbies in Adelaide, but if you want to meet up for coffee when you arrive, just let me know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charne Posted February 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 @Soon2BOz Thank you, I'll definitely keep your offer in mind. I'm going to pop over to your profile to catch some updates. Hope your initial settling in has been good to you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charne Posted March 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2016 Oh the joys of waiting out the last month and bit before we get to leave. We're praying that the ticking time bomb we call a president refrains from doing anything rash in the next month so that the rand strengthens a bit. Maybe with the announcing of the new interest rates on the 17th the rand will strengthen a bit just in time for us to do our transfers. We've applied for our NAB accounts from this side, we're just waiting for them to be opened now. I decided to do a street view on Google of one of the NAB bank branches the other day and had a bit shock. The branch was there out in the open, just there, not in a mall...Just there in the open for all to see. This partly put me in a panic as I thought that was indicative that the town is a "tussen erens en nerens" type of place. I recalled our weekends at the Vaal river where I felt so removed from civilization because all they had there was a casino. Is Adelaide going to be like that? My partner asked me to list the things we have in JHB that I fear that Adelaide won't have, and I couldn't come up with anything. I'm sure the increased freedom that comes with living in a place that allows you to be outdoors will keep us plenty busy. Come to think of it, we rarely do anything in JHB anyway because we do work and keep house anyway. I'm experiencing the strangest changes and thoughts lately and I'm sure they are directly related to move story: I'm no longer a morning person, in fact, in the morning just pretend I don't exist. I'm pretty moody all day round now that I think about it. I find myself not snapping at things that make me angry or annoy me, I just ignore them completely. That includes people... It seems extremely rude but it's been done, I cannot muster up the politeness and understanding it takes to interact with people who in no way want to add value to anything. Cooperate or ship out. I'm concerned that the hardness that comes with being South African and the whole learnt "look out for yourself and don't trust anyone" attitude is going to have me shunned in Australia. Don't get me wrong, i'm perfectly pleasant by South African standards but i'm not the friendliest, most patient or tolerant person out there. So far everything is still on track, my partner passed phase 2 of the ESSA accreditation and now it's on to phase 3, the practical in Melbourne. That means we'll be visiting Melbourne for a holiday soon after arriving in Australia! Anyone keen for guests for a week? Hehehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 Ha ha, once in Aus you will realize that a Mall does not equal civilization, like it did in RSA. Yes, there are plenty of malls in Aus, but there are "old style" rows of shops on high streets, all over the country, that offer safe and fabulous shopping. I do find it a bit weird now, when I go back to RSA and people only gravitate to the mall. My mom was telling me how the oldies go walking in the malls for exercise! All because its safer, air-conditioned and have flat flooring. Thats until they have a armed robbery.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPanda Posted March 3, 2016 Report Share Posted March 3, 2016 Ever since we got our visa grants I've ignored taxis, ignored inefficient staff, not been bothered by the news(apart from the exchange rate, but that just hurts)...frankly, it's liberating. As Pinterest loves to quote:"Not my circus, not my monkeys!" It might take a bit of time for you to relax in your new city and new country. And you are probably set up perfectly to collect a few 'friendly misunderstanding stories', but I'm sure the atmosphere of carefreeness will just blow you away! We've had a few chats with total strangers on public transport, and initially your South African reflex reactions kick in, and your first thought is: "What does this person want? What is the angle, what's the scheme?". But then you realise that there is no angle other than a chat with a stranger, and there is no scheme, and all they want is some company to while away the transit time. I'm curious to see, once we've been settled that side for a while, if I'd be able to spot new South Africans by their scared/wary looks and body language. I'm betting that if someone wants to integrate then their first friends will help them do so. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charne Posted March 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 @RedPanda I'm so glad i'm not alone with my ignorance of all the things I just don't have the energy for. Oh my goodness, this nature of distrust is rooted so deep into our South African souls. Hopefully that just makes us less likely to get conned. I've even wondered what happens if I'm too carefree in Australia and make myself an easy target because I don't know how to live safely and freely at the same time. I have no doubt that i'll adjust, at least the stuff i'm thinking about is small stuff, not earth shattering stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charne Posted March 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2016 So here is my reflection on our application process: (it's like a gratuity thing, so if you don't like soppy thankfullnessess look away now) We initially wanted to apply for permanent residency to stay in Adelaide. After having no way in (no states had Exercise Physiologist on their lists) my partner and I decided to set a deadline. If we didn't have a way in with the new lists being released in July 2015 we'll look to rent a new place in JHB and basically put this whole application process behind us. Keeping in mind we had started going to immigration seminars in May 2014 already and had a positive skills assessment by October 2014 this deadline was completely reasonable. So July 2015 came about and miraculously we got a way in. South Australia decided to open applications for state sponsorship to anyone who had more than a certain amount of points regardless of whether your skill was on their lists. We weighed up the options (we would have to give up PR and go on a provisional visa) and decided that any way into Aus was better than waiting around for one that might never come. So we jumped at the opportunity and applied for state sponsorship that same week. Shortly after our state sponsorship application my long awaited Unabridged Birth Certificate Application was finalised (It took exactly a year from the application date)!! From here our application went smoothly. Every now and again I realise how perfectly everything was working out for us. First the way in. The birth certificate. Then a super speedy grant, we were still settling in for the long wait but not even one business day had passed and we had our grant letters! Then we found super cheap flights (R13311 for the both of us including taxes) on the exact dates that we were planning on making the move. We were approached by a forumite who saw our questions regarding initial accommodation in Adelaide who offered us space in her home for as long as we need for a very reasonable price. Additionally, when my partners practical exam (for accreditation) dates were released online it happens to be 10 days after our planned arrival in Adelaide, which is perfect because his chances of finding a job in his field without the accreditation is slim. This exam is in Melbourne and we were looking at flights over the weekend and when we had another look on Monday, the exact flights we were looking at (times and everything) was marked down $6 a flight. Yay for saving!! It's like everything has just started to fall into place perfectly. Looking back if we went over in December 2014 as we initially wanted to, we wouldn't have half the savings we had now and we would've been in an uncomfortable position financially on that side. Thank the Universe for all our blessings! Everything in it's own time (the right time). Only 27 sleepies then we are on our way 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charne Posted March 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Let me borrow from Harry Potter to explain what i'm going through at this point. It's a bit like running toward the wall between platform 9 and 10 for the first time... My bags are all packed... My proverbial owl in its cage... Pushing our trolley with our prized possessions full speed ahead, straight at the wall... And you're not sure what you're in for. So at this point i'm not sure how to feel... We're 4 days from leaving ZA. My body decided it's a good idea to burst out in eczema aaand my hair is falling out. But here I am trying to stay positive and not to have this change get me down on break me. Our packing is done and I'm probably one of very few women who can now legitimately say : "I have nothing to wear". All my bags and boxes are packed. I have a few key items set aside to wear for the last couple of days (these will be given away when we leave). I find the simplicity of my new wardrobe very refreshing though. Ai and saying the goodbyes isn't as hard on me as I thought it would be. I don't think the of our reality has set in yet. Oh and we paid R12.05 per dollar when we got our Travel wallet. Compare this to the ZAR AUD exchange rate when we got our visas which was around R9 to the dollar and it's quite a dip for the rand in around 6 months. As you can see i'm scatter brained... All the nonsensical thoughts. Haha. Okay Bye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chips Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Good luck with your flight Charne, you will love it here and all the best with your new life and new country. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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