Reality Check

We have been in Australia, for a little over a week now, and already we are feeling the pressure. Currently, we are staying with Darrell's Mum in Midland, WA, and it is rather cosy to say the least. Neither Darrell nor I truly understood just how difficult adapting to Australian life would be, but I think we have finally realised the complexity of our situation, as reality finally starts to bite.

On the surface, Western Australia is stunning and beautiful in every respect. The city of Perth is clean, modern, with an integrated public transport system that works fantastically well; more impressively, it has changed dramatically during the twenty-five years I haven't been here. The glittering capital of Western Australia does however mask struggles bubbling under the surface, we are only now beginning to see.

Let me first say, I have come to an important decision and have decided to apply for a Spouse Visa to stay in Australia, in spite of the difficulties that lay ahead; more about that later. For now, it was a bit of a culture shock discovering all the hurdles we have to overcome, just to build a life here, and remember age isn't on my side. At 51 years old, it isn't usual for someone of my advancing years to emigrate to Australia, but because I am married to an Australian, it actually isn't a stumbling block, thankfully, and on paper it should be a simple process!

There is a huge problem with housing in Perth, even bigger than the crisis in the UK, and that really is a concern. Over here you buy your house off plan from a catalogue and a builder will construct it to your own individual requirements. When COVID hit Australia, all building work stopped and those waiting for their houses to be built remained in rented accommodation, leaving rental properties in short supply. You have to remember, Australia has only just opened up after the pandemic, and construction as an industry has yet to recover fully. It will take a while for the new homes to be built and free up rental accommodation.

When I look back to 1995 and how fast Darrell and I obtained a property in Fremantle, I am gobsmacked by the circumstances today. It looks like we may have to stay with Darrell's Mother for a while, at least until my visa comes through just after Christmas. This wouldn't usually be a problem, but my Mother-in-Laws house is quite compact and was never designed to accommodate more than one person. The irony of it all, is we have the money to rent somewhere tomorrow, but there just isn't the property to rent.

The job situation in Perth is another bowl of contention, but not in the way you may think. There are actually loads of positions vacant here currently, so you would think it would be easy for Darrell to just fall into a job, but it isn't quite that simple. As I found when I was looking for work here in 1997, if you are a foreign national, it really can be a huge mountain to climb. Of course Darrell is Australian, but he has lived in Europe far more than Australia, so is consequently finding it hard to get a job. As the old saying goes, 'if your face doesn't fit....'

He has applied for lots of vacancies, but just can not seem to get past that first hurdle. Rather like when he arrived in the UK, just over a year ago, he needs someone to give him a break. In the UK, I knew people who could help, and he was given chances he isn't getting in Perth, and that is another source of angst for him and me. The alarm bells are ringing, and I am thinking, how difficult is it going to be for me, when I actually start applying for jobs too. These factors are making me cautiously anxious, but I am just hoping this is a temporary blip and both he and I will find work relatively quickly!

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Lets return to the Spouse visa; yesterday, Darrell and I had a meeting with a solicitor in South Perth to discuss my future in WA.  It is well known how difficult it is to emigrate to Australia, it's probably the main reason why I have put off doing it for so long. However, we have now both reached a cross road and with Darrell's Mum suffering from Cancer, a change of circumstances in the UK and a desire to live somewhere warmer, it has been important for us to finally bite the bullet and chose to live together in Australia, a country I am beginning to love the longer I am here.

The solicitor was positive about the chances of me getting a visa relatively quickly, due to the length of time we have been in a relationship. We have travelled with twenty-seven years worth of paperwork since we have been together, so we have as much proof as the authorities in Australia need. Despite this, I do have concerns, which I did bring to the attention of my solicitor.

I will have to undergo a medical, and I am a little concerned at what they may find. The hope is, everything is OK, but that may not be the case. The only medication I take today, is statins for high cholesterol, which although under control, is still needed to keep my cholesterol levels in check. Apart from that, I really have no other issues that I know of, but at 51 years old you just never know. On the plus side, I am probably the fittest and healthiest I have been in years. I have lost so much weight that I can feel how healthy I am, and that can only be a good thing.

The other worry is the police check I have to have done from my time living in Spain. Australia requires a one from every country I have lived, and Darrell and I have lived in quite a few. The process of obtaining a police check is pretty simple as a rule, but Spain can be a problem. Getting the Spanish police check could take quite some time, and it has to be done in the correct way. Our solicitor said he will explain just how to do this at a later stage. Having dealt with Spanish authorities in the past, I am well aware of just how much red tape you have to wade through, and I have a feeling this could be the hardest part of the whole process; of course only time will tell.

Leaving the meeting yesterday, I felt far more positive than I have been lately. I know Perth is where I want to live, and I am determined to do everything I can to stay here. Our solid relationship should see us in good stead and really is the only proof they need of our commitment together, but this can be a hard country to deal with, and I am under no illusions about the apprehension I feel today. This will be our hardest obstacle to cross yet as a couple, but for the sake of Mum and to achieve the life we want together, it is a necessary next step on our journey together.

.... And finally, it's time to get back to eating healthy. This morning I was at Woolworths early to register some steps on the pedometer, and buy some healthy options. Since I left the UK all those weeks ago, on my lifestyle break, I have put on 3-4 kg in weight. That is not acceptable in my book, and I need to get back into a healthy routine. I found some similar items, I used to eat in the UK and a few more I have never seen before, and will give them ago. I'm also back on healthy balanced microwave meals, having found the popular 'Lean Cuisine' rage in both Woolies and Coles. They normally cost about $5 a pop, which is a bit more expensive than the UK, but is an absolute must for me, especially whilst keeping fit before my medical.

It looks like we have a busy time ahead from now on, and I will of course keep you all updated on the visa process. It does feel a little daunting at the moment, but with plenty of willpower and that overriding desire to succeed, I feel sure we will achieve our goal and look forward to a new life together in Australia!

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