Help me decide...AKA Someone tell me what to do please!!

Ok... Let me lay it out for you
Moving from Perth to Melbourne is EXPENSIVE. Anyway you look at it. It sucks. BUT, there are a few options I have. Well, 3 really.
1 - Drive across - removalist for moving.
2 - Drive across - hire a trailer and move myself
3 - Ship car - removalist for moving - fly across.

Should be noted that all of these options involve me travelling alone with a 14 month old and a 4 year old.

Option 1: Approx $1000 to drive over (excluding service/prep the car for the drive, say $600) + approx $1600 for the removalist = $3200.
Allowing about 5 days to do the drive, having to stop every few hours, drive and amuse the girls, deal with grumpiness and extreme prices across the desert.

Option 2: Approx $1300 to drive over (extra petrol money for having massive trailer hooked up) + $600 to prep car + $900 for the trailer = $2800
Allowing about 5 days to do the drive, having to stop every few hours, drive and amuse the girls, deal with grumpiness and extreme prices across the desert. Plus I have NEVER driven a car with a trailer , let alone a 10x6 metre furniture trailer with 1000kg of stuff in it, across a desert. Alone.
Probably by far the cheapest option $ wise, but not sure if I can do it.

Option 3: $600 to ship car + $700 for flights + $1600 for removalist = $2900


The variable being of course the cost of petrol across the Nullabor, the cost of preparing the car and the cost of food/accom on the road.

I am really lost. I don't want to commit to driving a trailer etc across with the girls and get stuck whoopwhoop wth a screwed car or hitting a kangaroo or something like that, which I cannot afford and will totally leave us stranded. Although these things are all unlikely, I am a worrier about this sort of thing. Plus, seriously lacking faith in myself at the moment.

The EASIEST is of course option 3. I have to do basically nothing but survive a 4 hour flight with the girls, BTDT.

Of course, I have about half the amount of money I really need, NO idea how I am going to afford to do anything, but where there is a will there is a way (right...RIGHT???)

Secret option 4, in case of severe money fail, is sell car (about $7000) use money to pay for removalist and buy $5000 when we get to Melbourne. Really don't want to do that, but if push comes to shove, that is the go. Car goes up for sale May 25 unless I have the money to move it.

Anyway...what would you do? Advice, experiences, anyone? Help me please.

Given the cost of driving is close to the same as flying, I say fly. And don't hesitate to sell the car if that's what it takes. I know buying a car can be a real pain but that injection of cash to help you move would be a great stress reliever.

We rented an old bomby car off a little family company in Eltham once and they had weekly rates. Could be an option if you arrive carless and need to be able to get around for a while... like, to buy a car!

maybe PM clover and get some more info about the drive - she has recently done it - so you can be comparing apples with apples, IYKWIM?

but if the difference is only around $100 between flying and driving, fly fly fly!! (although I guess you could sell the trailer when you get over there, and recoup some of the money...?)

I would go with 3 unless you want the experience.

You can get cheap accommodation sure. But how quickly do you want to get here?

I wouldn't do the trailer thing. BTDT and it was a constant worry that it would get stolen. Not fun.

i would definitely go with option 3. and i agree re-the car, if you have to sell it, sell it. it'll save you the hassle of changing the plates over anyway

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#3 fly over.

I would do #3 as you don't need the stress of finding accommodation, potential breakdowns and petrol prices on top of everything else. Don't make it harder for yourself. I would also sell the car if you have to.

I'd be selling up and flying over.

Sell the car, but what about furniture? It might be worth your while to sell that too and buy other stuff when u get to melbourne. That will cut removalist cost and also storage costs while waiting to get a place in melbourne. Plus it's nice to start afresh!

Hi,
we did this move about 3 years ago now and I know how hard it is to decided. I weighed it all up and in the end we flew over here. The stress of driving ontop of moving just was a bit to much. It worked out more expensive to drive for us aswell.
Good luck

Hun, do the easy option, you have been through so much stress lately, give yourself an easy path for a while. With #3 you also know exact costs and there will be no hidden surprises ie, blown tyre, car troubles.

Do three. Seriously. Much better option. 4 isn't to bad either.

Or option 5 - screw melbourne and just come to Brissy ;-)


Cat xox

What if you have car trouble along the way. you would need to have a bit of cash for that. overheating, getting a flat, hitting a kangaroo.....Id fly for sure. its cheaper and someone else said sell the car to help you move, then you save yourself $1600 and make some cash too. im sure the busses are ok in melb untill you can afford to get a new car!!
Dont be ashamed to take the 'easiest' option....none are really easy! good luck with the move!

Fly. Definitely.

Fly. Make it easy for yourself. It's been hard enough getting this far.


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Fly. If you can, sell everything and take the cash. You can pick up furniture on freecycle or gumtree. You can get a cheap car. If you do need to ship furniture, get it down to the bare minimum and see if you can get it on the back of someone elses's delivery to save money.

This is one of the most stressful things you can do. Make it as easy for yourself & the kids as you can.

Fly!! No way I'd drive that far with my kids!!

yep, number 3.

Option 3, and sell the car if you need to in order to raise the funds. Moving a long distance is not fun, make it a little easier on yourself by avoiding unnecessary stress and boredom