Hi everyone, I'd like to introduce myself and family. I am a mother of two aged 45 with 2 daughters aged 16 and 14 from a previous marriage and my second husband John, who is 43. We live in Newport, Shropshire and have been using an agent now for the past 18 months' to secure us a Visa for Australia.My husband has a cousin in Perth who moved there from SA 14 years' ago.We visited Perth for Christmas in 2008 and really liked the place.My husband is a qualified Joiner with over 21 years' experience of running his own joinery business but due to feeling very disillusioned with Britain now, we are looking to move.They call joiners carpenters in Oz, which was confusing for a while, as in the UK the type of work a joiner carries out here is very different to that of a carpenter. My husband will be taking the Vetasses Skills Test in August and we hope that, should he pass this, we will then be successful in obtaining the working visa. I have joined this Forum in the hope of (a) making some friends who already live in Perth and (b) finding out as much information beforehand such as things to do etc.My eldest daughter now lives with her father in Melbourne, so it will just be my youngest daughter coming with us.We also felt it would be far nicer to only be a 4 hour flight away from her rather than a 21 hour flight! My youngest daughter is not happy about moving at all!She has good friendships where we live and is very unhappy about leaving close friends and family behind. Therefore we want to make the move as stress free as possible for her. Her ambition is to work in physical education as she is a very keen and able sports person.She has represented her school many times in cross country and has also until last year, represented her county in athletics.We feel Oz will be a great place for such a sport enthusiast and hopefully will give her opportunities to fulfill her career in teaching PE.My concern with Perth is that as much as I loved the place, it may be very quiet for my daughter.Having said that, she has lived in the country in the UK all her life and we live in a very small town yet only 30 minutes from Birmingham.Will Perth offer enough to do for my daughter?Are there plenty of things for teenagers to do?Each time I read comments on Forums such as these, they all seem to be comments from people with small children who are about to or who have emigrated there.We would probably be looking at living in either Ocean Reef, Connolly or Joondalup and at our daughter attending say Ocean Reef Secondary School.However, we would quite happily consider a private school if this would be more beneficial to her.I would really welcome any help, advice, suggestions from anyone.If there is someone who reads this who also emigrated from the UK with teenage children, that would be great.Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy post!!All the best, Belinda

Hiya, I grew up in Perth - its great to hear you are moving there, its a lovely city with great weather and a fantastic outdoor lifestyle. I wouldn't worry about your daughter getting plenty of sport options - us Aussies love to play sport and there's every sport type imaginable. You should like it in the areas you have mentioned - I know Joondalup has a significant UK expat community so there may always be a familiar voice around. Joondalup is a planned - new city - its unusual in that it was located to operate as a new satellite city North of the Main city of Perth - to reduce the urban sprawl of Perth suburbs northwards. It appears somewhat empty - but it is planned to cater for the future. Theres some great university and colleges there such as Edith Cowan University (Edith Cowan University Western Australia ). The public transport links are good too - the railway line - which runs down the centre of the freeway will take you to Perth City - quick smart. I can't speak for Ocean Reef Sec School as I went to a private school. But having been to a public and private school in my high school years ( years 8 to 12 - ages 13 to 17 year olds) I found both systems capable of giving a great education - provided the student wants to make the effort. Students do their TEE ( Tertiary Entrance Examination ) in year 12 to get a quantity of points to gain entrance to university. The system is a bit different to the UK - but as a student you can tune the subjects you study to suit your preferred career. For example your daughter may wish to do Human Biology. Some of my friends studied Human Movement at the University of Western Australia which caters for PE teachers, trainers, athletic coaches or such things as Biomechanical studies. It was a great course and they all have excellent careers. There are also PE courses available in local colleges - try TAFE ( Tertiary & Further Education ) ( TAFEWA - Home ).

Your husband will be ok - things are not as perfect as they once were in the building industry - but like the UK - things have slowed slightly but are picking up again. The local preferred construction type is double cavity brick, concrete slab, with timber framed roofs and tiles or custom orb roofing ( metal profile ). Theres always a market for joiners - or as you are aware carpenters - or alternatively Chippies. Just tell him to always bring a hat, sunscreen and buy an insulated water container. The term "mad dogs and Englishman" is a funny one - but in 37 degree heat its a health risk. Tell him to research working Jarrah or Karri timber its a local timber and may be a little different to what he is used to (Although we do use a lot of Pine as well). For familiarilisation he may wish to get an online copy of the "Timber Framing Manual" to get a feel for timber classifications, spans etc.

Get a house with air conditioning - and make sure its a reverse cycle air conditioners - the ones called evaporative coolers are not as effective during the humid months. Make sure you get a car with an air conditioner - preferably a medium to large type. The small UK ones just don't really suit OZ and the larger ones are far better for filling full of stuff and going places like on holiday down south to Dunsborough, Margaret River or Busselton. BTW cars are a must in Perth - its planned for the vehicle - Public Transport is there - but its a big sprawled out city and a car is far easier. Your daughter will be able to get one at 17 years and 9 months so start saving as she will need it for uni!. We have plenty of jap cars available but the local big dogs vehicle suppliers are Holden & Ford. European cars ( BMW, Audi, Mercs) are highly priced and a luxury - but certainly nice to showoff in.

Get your daughter some surfing lessons - where there's sun and surf its best to enjoy them the best you can.

Buy a house with a pool - you have the weather for it - you may as well feel like you are always on holiday.

I would personally classify Perth as a great place for Breeding, raising kids and retiring. For the years between 20 and 40, Perth can appear to be a bit dull. Its often termed as Dullsville - a bit too isolated - but to a young sharp mind thats understandable. I fled during those years and am contemplating returning to raise my family.

Don't let the locals ribbing get to you - just give them stick back and they will respect you for it. I'm sure you've heard of the term whining Poms. All I can suggest is to tell you that Perth is relaxed - its weather is hot and the last thing anyone wants to do during hot weather is rush.

Some good sites;

The local newspaper - thewest.com.au
The local for sales - Classifieds by Quokka Online


Thats all I have to say - Good Luck and best wishes.

Wow I never expected such a lengthy, informative reply. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to do that. I think you have just about covered everything there!!

I'm certain my daughter will settle well there, as she is a very sociable teenager, however she is not at all keen on the idea and this does worry me a great deal. I only hope the other children in her class and year will make her feel welcome and that she would soon have a nice circle of friends, so that this will ease the homesickness. I would very much like to join some activities to establish new friendships but not sure what I could do and what is available. Are you aware of any Expat clubs available that I could join to meet likeminded people? I would be more than happy to join local Aussie clubs too as I don't necessarily want to just mix with Brits. I feel that if I am emigrating to a new country I want to embrace it and see life through others eyes. I don't want to be insular and not prepared to try new things. How pointless that would be.

Our life in Shropshire is very dull, with very little on offer particularly due to our awful climate - I mean, it's British Summer time here and for the past week it has rained constantly. My daughter is off school for the summer and we have been unable to do anything outdoors!! Such a pain. We have stunning scenery around us but little else, so I do feel a new life in Perth would be good for us. As I said, I do question whether Perth will have enough for us as my elder daughter has recently moved to live with her father in Melbourne and informs me how lively and exciting it is there. We have now had our Visa application changed to a State Application from the original Critical Skills Application and as Perth was our first choice we would have to live their initially for two years anyway. I was just wondering whether after that time it would be worth looking at other parts of Oz for more to do and if so, how easy it would be to move around the country?

Anyway, thanks again for your info. I hope all goes well should you decide to make the decision to return there.

All the very best.

Belinda