You know what we had over a year ago alot of money to take to aus, but "bye the bye" we have paid alot out since in not only all the fee's etc but everything to do with moving over sea's and whilst supporting our teenagers (who are students) and paying for all storage\shipping etc., we now have a limit of how much we are taking.
However, our thinking is that if we stayed here then hey... we would still need a hell of a deposit and savings account to start a new mortgage, but what we get for our money here... not a lot. At the end of the day if you are wanting a new life for you and your family where would you rather save England or Australia! My idea is Australia as here in England outdoor life is no good because of the weather (which is the actually where the best family bonding is done) and the cheapest!
So I reckon you can have a really nice life and time in Australia whilst saving however not so in England as we can not even go for a picnic or bbq because of weather' so what do we do. We choose meal, bowling, pics etc which with a family all costs.
I hope you know where I am coming from. And anyone in australia at present please correct me if I am wrong. We are moving to Australia for the outdoors even if its in our own garden! And hence I sure think I would rather be saving in Australia than saving in England....... cold dark long days and nights..... don’t thing so.
Don’t you worry so much and grab it and take hold and im sure you’ll enjoy more in Australia than you even imagine…………. Xxx Liz
You know what we had over a year ago alot of money to take to aus, but "bye the bye" we have paid alot out since in not only all the fee's etc but everything to do with moving over sea's and whilst supporting our teenagers (who are students) and paying for all storage\shipping etc., we now have a limit of how much we are taking.
However, our thinking is that if we stayed here then hey... we would still need a hell of a deposit and savings account to start a new mortgage, but what we get for our money here... not a lot. At the end of the day if you are wanting a new life for you and your family where would you rather save England or Australia! My idea is Australia as here in England outdoor life is no good because of the weather (which is the actually where the best family bonding is done) and the cheapest!
So I reckon you can have a really nice life and time in Australia whilst saving however not so in England as we can not even go for a picnic or bbq because of weather' so what do we do. We choose meal, bowling, pics etc which with a family all costs.
I hope you know where I am coming from. And anyone in australia at present please correct me if I am wrong. We are moving to Australia for the outdoors even if its in our own garden! And hence I sure think I would rather be saving in Australia than saving in England....... cold dark long days and nights..... don’t thing so.
Don’t you worry so much and grab it and take hold and im sure you’ll enjoy more in Australia than you even imagine…………. Xxx Liz
Thanks for that Liz,you got it right it cost me a fortune with my teenage kids.Nothing is cheap in the UK.Me and my OH have decided why carry on struggling in the UK with the horrible weather,people who don't even speak to you anymore.You would think I was getting old I am only 39,infact the only time people pass you and say good morning and smile is when its snowing and 2inchs deep ( funny isn't it ) .We no we can get work out there and we would have to rent for a while.But like you said the beaches the weather the parks even the out back LOL and of course the good old BBQ and some good friends and a couple of bottles of wine all year round would do me and not at all expensive. Thanks again Liz and for all the other replies
I've been reading all your posts , and I'm a little worried as to your perceptions of what you are expecting to find in Australia . Now call me a spoil sport or perhaps a damp squid or something , but if you are on a low budget , just don't have an accident , illness or heaven forbid need dental treatment while you're here . My daughter recently broke her leg , she received absolutely no sick pay , was sacked from her job and had to sell her car to survive despite being supported by us . I addition we have just payed out over $6000 on dental bills !!! .. How would you pay those bills on a low budget ?? ... You can always survive on a low budget I suppose , it just depends what standard of living you expect . As I said sorry to be a spoilsport , but that's a honest picture ..
It all depends on the standard of living that you are looking for and expect. I was also brought up to make the most of what we had. I am the type of girl that "if I dont need it I dont buy it". If I want something I look at "so I really need it?" first. Like someone says - how long is a piece of string!!!!
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Joanne
"POZZIE" - HAPPY AND LOVIN` IT
I would have to agree.. I can only take the WA experience I have had.
When we thought about migrating 4 years ago, everything looked cheaper. The price of houses here in WA was about half what it is now, the cost of living was also cheaper. Mortgages are about the same on average but.. interest rates are about 8% at the moment and increase every few months, the price of insurances are about the same, car registration is about the same as it is in the UK. The council rates are about half those for Glasgow i.e. $1000 as opoosed to the 3000 in Glasgow.
You have to pay for everything medical wise and dentistry. You need medical insurance, else if you earn over $60000 AUD you get slugged with a 1% surcharge on your wages,.
Food is also about the same, perhaps the exception is red meat which is cheaper. Petrol is also cheaper at about $1.40 at the moment. When we first arrived it was $1.00. Electiricity is more expeisive and if you have a 4x2 house here with bore reticulation and a pool electicity costs more, Gas is also more experisive.
With all this in mind salaries are less and you are 'expected' to work hard and possibly do overtime for free. My standard working week is 40hrs plus. With a 30 minute commute each way.
If you were lucky enough to have landed perhaps 4 years ago or so you could be very well off as you could have sold in the Uk and probably had enought to purchase in Oz after the Uk boom in house prices at that time etc but not now.
Would I change it - not in the world. I love the country and even though getting bored of WA here would not change it for a minute, the climate, the safety, outdoorsy life and the general relaxed almosphere here make it perfect for what I want out of life. But as all the mentioned above.
I started a similar thread called Cost of Living and did a bit of moaning!!!! But like you Tim I wouldn't change it for the world, I love living here, its just not what I was expecting though. In the past I have been fortunate enough not to have to work full-time and in Scotland we had enough money to be frivilous and if I wanted something I bought it etc. etc. I could go to the supermarket and just fill my trolly, I couldn't have told you how much a pint of milk was or a loaf of bread! But here, I know the price of everything!!! I have to look out for specials and cut price meats, its very exhausting. I want to have a good life here, visit lots of places in the country, have the jet ski and eat out. As someone else said its all about personal preferences what you want out of life. I didn't come here to make do and get by, I want it all so it looks like I'll just have to make sacrifices and work full time to get them. The point I'm trying to make (and probably not doing too good a job of doing) is that unless you come out here with a whack of money and are fortunate to be able to afford something mortgage free or a very small mortgage, have no other commitments, kids etc. (especially teenage ones, they cost a small fortune!) then you will need to work pretty hard to have luxuries, if you want them that is. Oh and as Dave said for god sake dont get ill or need dental work.
Oh and someone else said something about working longer hours. That is true. In Oz you will see a job advertised as part-time and then find out its 37 hours a week. My husband works longer hours too.
Can I just also say that this is my opinion based on my lifestyle here in relation to the one I had in Scotland and observations I have made from speaking to other families who have moved here also from the UK.
BUT ITS WORTH IT!!!!!
Moan over.
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Better to have tried and failed than never tried at all
Last edited by Morven33; 19-11-2007 at 04:35 AM.
Reason: Foot in mouth disease, lack of making myself clear
Thanks again Liz and for all the other replies
