AaronS

If you are coming on a work visa things will be a bit more expensive for you as well. If your kiddo is in school you'll have to pay $4500 a year here. You'll have to cough up funds for medical cover as well. Just be sure to factor it all in to your decision.

Hmmmm...Vegemite not so much in the area I'm from. Meat pies probably but not nearly as good as here I'm sure. I'll definitely try to hunt down Vegemite though...I hope you are correct on the "readily" statement.

For me there were two very basic things ya'll take for granted that we just don't have in the US. 1. Vegemite 2. Meat pies I love them both! I'll dearly miss vegemite when we leave and will have to make my own meat pies (if I can't find anything)

If you only knew how GM says they are in the clear now over in the US...they say they are back in the black and doing fine. Not sure why they need a handout for Holden...except they are greedy phucks.

PS - GM owns Holden, correct? They got a "bailout" from the US and have yet to pay it back. Sounds like they have their hand out for more from the good people of Australia.

We went through this in the US....handouts to the big auto manufactures. I don't agree with it personally...but mostly due to the circumstances I saw in the US.

The friend thing is weird. Especially for me I think. While most stereotypes of Texas aren't true (we don't all ride horses or wear cowboy hats....although I do), we are all very friendly and like to talk each others ears off. Walk into a little bar alone, order a beer and have a seat....within a few minutes you'll be talking away with someone and getting into the details of each others lives. I love that....and miss that.

Sorry, you boys don't know good sausage..UK or here.....I'll forgive you now for disagreeing ahead of time. :biggrin: Texas style smoked sausage is where it's at.

I can say honestly that's why I wanted to come here....but now I'm stuck is a massive city. I'm not a city boy by any means and it doesn't do me any good.

Kind of funny that there are a bunch of countries crammed into WA and then Texas....which is bigger than all of them.

I tend to vent a little in the appropriate sub forums, but in all honesty I love the country. The land is beautiful and suites me fine. Wish I had the opportunity to head into the outback and get to know what the country is really about.

Ticking boxes...seems that's all that matters here. Personal/individual worth is completely ignored.

WOW! Glad I don't smoke! That's expensive. Nothing like over pricing vices to get people to quit....I've all but quit drinking beer thanks to the prices here.

We just looked at realestate.com.au and search FF. You are right, not many are in the area so we felt lucky getting this one....even though it does leave some things to be desired. I completely agree that the area is undervalued and that it is being discovered at the same time. 3/1/1 look to be selling at around $800K or so (which I frankly find utterly ridiculous) compare to the 1 million range closer into the beaches (even more ridiculous). I can say after touring around the areas here that FF, Forestville and Belrose are about the only places I would care to live.....St. Ives is nice as well but a bit out of the way.

Not to sound really harsh (not to you), but I'm convinced they don't want "the best"....they want "the consistent". Meaning the status quo...they want whats expected. You'll have to tick off everything on the list of what they expect regardless of how well you have done.

10 girl, 5 girl and 3 boy for us. Older two love school here. Me and the younger hang out all day and do guy stuff because I'm Mr. Mom. They have certainly adjusted and do love it here....wish I could do the same.

We rent in Frenchs Forest....$800pw for a modest 3 bedroom house with a pool and nice size yard. The area is great and the primary school is very good (albeit freaking expensive on a 457 at $4500 a child). Bus runs straight to the CBD and back from here (no transfers), it's got great greenbelt areas and 20 min from Dee Why and Manly if you have a lead foot. Plenty of shops in the area as well and Warringah Mall is close for bigger shopping trips.

Isn't that the worst....knowing you've made the decision but feeling its so far from happening. I'm in the same position. Having ups and downs as I wait for the plane ride home.

Wow! That's crazy! If you don't mind me asking, how did you get out of your leases and did you get your bond back? Not overly thrilled with our rental and would like to move...but don't want to lose the bond.

EXACTLY! I thought this was the hot and dry continent.......I still say it's just a scam to keep people out....oh no, it's sooooo hot and there's no water, dont' come here!

Glad to hear your happy! Can't wait to get home myself.

Some things are higher here just for the sake of being higher. Coca cola for example. In the US you can get a case (24 cans) for less that $10usd. It's like $30 here when it's not on sale. I see generic brand drinks for much, much lower. So basically they are jack slapping everybody in Australia in the wallet simply because of the brand name.

Might look at gum tree. I've seen more than a few kitted out 4X4s for sale there cheap. Looks like folks that came over, did their adventure and are off loading the vehicle and gear to head home.

You are a lucky man...I envy your lifestyle!

I had a huge fight with my wife over moving back today...does that count? She told me to go back now for a 2 month visit. I told her no way because I know I wouldn't come back....one thing lead to another and we were fighting. Blah! Not a good Sunday evening for us. Anyway, I've been grooming my work network for the fact that I'll be back in about a year. Basically getting back into contact. Also, I've been looking at houses in two particular areas and watching the market there. Then there's the album me and the boys are working on as well. Anytime I feel down or like I"m not doing anything I work on that to keep me going.