UK Shopping- Cheap?

**The Ropey HOFF** · 08-05-2012, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by GOTTY

Everything is cheaper in the uk, I get all my clothes and shoes sent over, even including postage they are about half price. Oh yes I miss Asda too - oh you're making me all homesick again now! I agree with the other poster, my car insurance is certainly no cheaper here either.

Everything is cheaper if you are paying with Australian dollars, i think i would do the same as you.

**Perthbum** · 08-05-2012, 06:58 PM

I find things far cheaper in the uk even after taking wages into account, cloths are better quality and last longer.
i really could not understand the price of goods in oz when they are next door to Asia.

**rachaelm0** · 08-05-2012, 07:24 PM

What kinds of things would you stock up on to bring with you to oz?

**scary canary** · 08-05-2012, 07:35 PM

Not much after watching Border Security last night

**Perthbum** · 08-05-2012, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by rachaelm0

What kinds of things would you stock up on to bring with you to oz?

T shirts, jeans, wool jumpers, good quality scarves,

**Six it** · 08-05-2012, 08:10 PM

well, OZ may be more expensive than the UK... but its a damn site cheaper than NZ...!

I find that we spend a hell of a lot less than we ever did in NZ.

And yes.. for me.. wages are much more than in NZ and now that i am in resources.. well... haha.. the money is very good. I suspect i would never be on the sort of money in the UK as i am on now.. no matter if i go back to an exchange rate of 2.2 etc

So in that regard OZ has a lot going for it. Yes it's a boom and all booms must end, but its fun making a ton of cash now and looking to retire when i'm 50. Which again, i could not see happening back in the Uk

**Perthbum** · 08-05-2012, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Six it

well, OZ may be more expensive than the UK... but its a damn site cheaper than NZ...!

I find that we spend a hell of a lot less than we ever did in NZ.

And yes.. for me.. wages are much more than in NZ and now that i am in resources.. well... haha.. the money is very good. I suspect i would never be on the sort of money in the UK as i am on now.. no matter if i go back to an exchange rate of 2.2 etc

So in that regard OZ has a lot going for it. Yes it's a boom and all booms must end, but its fun making a ton of cash now and looking to retire when i'm 50. Which again, i could not see happening back in the Uk

I keep banging on about this but you can only retir early if you have a very good index linked pension.

**fizzybangs** · 08-05-2012, 10:28 PM

Check out food prices on line for Asda and Tesco's - especially the price of milk, bread, potatoes - staple foods. Don't just put 'cheese' though - put 'cheddar cheese' or you'll be offered well over 1000 products! Yes, food is much cheaper in UK and there is a lot more choice. I know this but just to support my knowledge, I met the manager of our local Coles store not long ago and he had only arrived from UK 2 months prior with wife and two teenagers. He used to be a manager of Morrisons. He told me that his wife and him nearly fainted wshen they did their first shop and thought there had been a mistake with the grocvery bill in Coles. He finds the prices here and lack of choice in products horrendous - and he gets a staff discount! However, 14 years ago when we lived their we added up ALL living costs - purchase by purchase and found that overall there was not much difference in the total cost of living. This took into account 3 bed rental, insurances, petrol, car purchase, council tax, telephone and all other costs. Last year I bought a mobile phone here in Oz for $99 but when I went to UK it only cost 5 quid and that was with a free month's credit. Electrical goods and cars are cheaper. Guess it depends on how much public transport you need to pay for and how much petrol you need and also where you work in UK (the wages in Devon were incredibly low). Living in SE Qld we hardly ever use heating, nor air conditioning but over there I'd have to wear central heating costs. I reckon we should ask Tesco's or the like to allow us to do on-line shopping as a group!

**Johndoe** · 08-05-2012, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by fiona1975

I like the comment about its as expensive as you make it. Agree 100%. You have to buy things when they're on special, just like in the UK. I suppose if you're not used to doing so you will find it more expensive, grocery, toiletry wise etc. This is my experience and I live here....is that Ok?

No! you didn't come for a better lifestyle just to waste your time shopping around!

It takes far less time writing posts on ex pats forums about how expensive it is in Oz.....................the time saved can be better utilised on that better lifestyle that you came for..........................Oh!.................. ......Wait a mo?????????............ You can't afford that lifestyle now 'cause you didn't shop around??????????

**Johndoe** · 08-05-2012, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by scrumpy

Oz is way more expensive, in UK I would have to work one hour and 20mins to get the duvet and in OZ I had to work nearly 3 hours doing the same job, althought utility bills fuel etc do offset this overall. Look at the price of peppers if you wat a real shock!!!

Yeah.................I buy peppers every day..................in fact my swimming pool is made of 'em...................can't afford bugger all else but the pool is a poser's dream