cava83

I was on okaish money in London, could have been on more (everyone says that don't they .....) but liked it where I was. Been offered a few as stated before in Melbourne, but travelling from Geelong to Richmond is not something I want to do (most are there) Nevertheless, possibly looking at a low end IT job here where I have been just informed the pay is $40,000, which is less than when I started in IT after leaving Uni over 10 years ago! I think it just really depends where you are to be honest and an element of luck too.

Really depends where you are in Australia and what IT sector you're in. For instance, where we are based in Geelong, shocking. But there is a bit of movement in Melbourne. Nevertheless, if you're looking into it, wishing you all the best

Dear all, Need some external thoughts, apart from the obvious that you never own a lease car. Other half has a lease car, which was managed by her company but done through custom fleet. Money is deducted from her salary. She is currently paying $1450 a month, for a Rav4 GL, new. This includes maintenance, insurance, petrol on an operators lease. This to me is a ridiculous amount of money. We have just done our first tax return, and were informed we could not claim for anything on an operators lease. We have been here for 7 months and now I am thinking that we would be best buying a car. As it just seems to be throwing money away. We are unsure how long we are going to be here, one more year or another 4, so that makes this a bit harder. However, taking into consideration the purchase of a new car and possible depreciation, it still seems cheaper than what we are currently paying for now. (Jeep compass 27k) Additionally, on the tax return, we can claim up to 5,000 kms without a log book, depreciation and god knows what else. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks, C

It depends where you are and what skill set you have and experience. Neither which you have stated Sydney - I could get a job no problem. Melbourne - I could get a job no problem. Where I am in a smallish area, no luck and I am not wanting to commute everyday, done it for many years in the past. Therefore, the next logical question from the others and I is, what job roles have you been offered? Nevertheless, good luck and enjoy.

I think it can be mainly down to one's perception. I have lived in several places and I have to say, that even though the weather in the UK can be frustrating, it is a good place to live (depending on area) I was privileged to live in Surrey for most of my UK time, but did live in Portsmouth for a while and some other locations down there. I was always warned how rubbish Portsmouth was, but I had a great time and Southsea was brilliant. Spain is a beautiful place as a whole, I come from the Islands, there are no jobs, it's really shocking how it is and how the government are managing people with pensions, far worse than the UK. But it is still a great place if you have work/money. I've also had the pleasure of living in Cancun, it was a splendid place, but as soon as you go out of the "norm" poverty really strikes you. However, one of the happiest places I have been to. It just all depends on people's perceptions and circumstances and who you are with. Where would I live? No idea. Like I say, England in my view, if you are in an ok area and family/friends around you, it's a great place. Yes TAX sucks, a lot of 1 d 1 0 t s and so on, but generally it is good. Make of this what you will, but really does depend on the individual. Whatever route you choose, good luck. Try to be positive, if it doesn't work, move onto the next thing. Good luck

Bloody hell, thought I had finalised it with Southern Eastern, but the reviews are abysmal. It's around $600 per person cheaper, which is a considerable amount of money. This is a tad frustrating, will see how we get on, will update on here.

From Melbourne to London Heathrow, got her brothers wedding to go to and unfortunately missing my younger brothers 30th by 3 days, really frustrating. China Eatern I think it's going to have to be. Read there are many issues with the entertainment system, so will need to load up with movies on the iPad/Laptop.

Thanks very much. We flew back with Etihad in March and I thought they were descent. Hope you have a brilliant time back. Don't forget to return

Too early unfortunately, wife's job is being somewhat restrictive, so 16th is the earliest we can go sadly. Out of interest, who did you book with and who are you flying with?

I am looking too and some are rather expensive. Looking from the 16th to the 2nd of Jan. Normally fly BA or Virgin, but prices are shocking, so looking at the cheaper companies.

Think we are both on the same boat. Agencies here somehow don't feel me with confidence. Most don't get back to you. Which I find rude. My CV is fine, my experience is fine, I could do with some more certs but we all know that is not true knowledge. If push comes to shove, I will start up as something small and knock on people's doors. There are some technical roles going around here, own car, no petrol paid for and so on, thought I would ask and see what the rate was, $24 inc SUPER per hour! Get the same money working in Burger king, no stress and food included !!!

Well done and thanks for the update. No job is always as stated I've been for 4 interviews, but nothing either in 5 months. Which is frustrating. And I refuse to be an on the road engineer for $22 an hour, providing my own vehicle, rather work in a shop What kind of IT are you doing? In all seriousness, well done and congrats. I am sure you will be fine on your next job

Ah, apologies, for sure

Thanks for the reply. More than that price? Most deposits here as far as I have read on average is 5%, can increase to 10%, if a new build can be 20% to 40%. I really want to buy, but just isn't feasible. Even if we released a large amount of equity from our property in the UK, it would still be a lot here sadly.

Good evening all, I have gone through the search quickly but cannot find anything too descriptive on this, if there is, please point me in the right direction. I was reading a website the other day about prices in victoria, stating that buying is a lot cheaper than renting, I see quite the opposite. They were talking about $1200 pcm rentals in victoria vs 880 pcm mortgages, however in semi descent prices, there is no way those are the prices. Seems that mortgages are a lot more than the rentals. We are currently paying $2500 pcm for a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house with a garage, house is ok, but not built very well. This house is valued at around $750,000 if I were to take a mortgage out at 4.89 it would be $4336 a month (25 years), that is nearly 2k more per month. Am I missing something? I have a house in the UK which I own, mortgage stuff there is easy. I understand there is negative gearing here on investment properties but not sure on main residence. I know the numbers are rough, no stamp duty, no fees or nothing have been included but what are your thoughts? If we are going to be here say 5 years and properties go up at the standard rate they have been over the last 3 years, on average, I will probably still be better off renting than buying. Thanks, C.