melbourne

I'm in Cape Town .. which is around 33 South. Melbourne is 37 South.

I'm coming from South Africa

We all know that Melbourne is famous for having four seasons in one day. But I've read quite a bit about the wind chill factor, and looked at where they are on the map (4 degrees further south than Sydney), and have heard from others that unless you're permanently dressed in fleece from head to toe, it gets cold enough to freeze your privates off So how cold is cold? I've looked at climate comparisons with Sydney, for example, and while Sydney gets more rain, it seems that Melbourne is definitely on the cooler side. But climate graphs don't take wind chill into account, which means the only way to really tell is to ask you fine people what it's like to live in the city. Over to you!

Check out my first post - you'll see that I am single, but am thinking about bringing my mom over in 5 years (UK) or immediately (if moving to Aus, as we both have PR visas): http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/news-chat-dilemmas/237533-single-guy-london-melbourne-would-let-me-save-more.html#post1936801684 Where are you from / where have you lived / where do you live now?

I'm working on it, SC It's not all about money, but at this point it's at the top of the list. The reason this move is based on financials first is because we just aren't coming out on my salary, which is a senior management salary in SA and far higher than most people earn. And we aren't extravagant. And we can either go deeper and deeper into debt, or I need to earn more. There is a ceiling here for me, because jobs that pay more here are few and far between, and when they do crop up (2-3 a month that I could apply for), I've been told that they're looking for non-white candidates only (a process called Black Economic Empowerment here, or affirmative action). I don't have a problem with the concept, but it does practically mean that I can't earn more as an individual. The only way for me to earn more is to change the currency I'm earning in and move to an environment where I have many more opportunities (and future growth opportunities) based on experience and expertise. So ... the adventure begins!

Thanks for the lively chatter going on here, guys I'm in digital marketing, so London central has loads of jobs, but haven't specifically looked at areas outside - and now have a new set of things to think about!

Hi LR! Thanks for your reply. Wow, a studio apartment in London is going to cost me 1500 per month? That's a huge eye-opener - I didn't think it would be anywhere near this. Will definitely consider looking at living costs outside of London to see what's possible. Your last line is what keeps drawing me to the UK. And I think you're absolutely right. That's very, very helpful. Thanks for the link! Thanks so much Stacey

Hi guys This is the best place I could think to ask this question. I live in South Africa and am looking to make a new career move that until recently I thought would take me to Aus, but I've now seriously started to think about looking at the UK as a prospect. All the cultural/experience considerations aside, from a financial point of view, and all things being equal (single guy renting a bachelor/studio flat not far from work, with no pets) which of these would allow me to save more of my monthly salary: - GBP 70k living in London city - AUD 150k living in Melbourne CBD I'd be looking to send a good portion of savings back to SA every month, so: The Pound is currently R20.23. The Australia Dollar is currently R9.45 After tax, I've worked out that I'd have: - GBP 3900 per month - AUD 8000 per month Depending on how far I can stretch this income, I'd like to be saving a minimum of: - GBP 2000 per month - Or, to have the same value in Aus terms, AUD 4000 per month The questions then are: - Is GBP 1900 going to do more/less for me in living costs than AUD 4000 (covering rent, basics, tel/electricity/bus, groceries etc) - Which would allow me the better opportunity to save even more. In other words, if unexpected things crop up like a burst geyser or doctor's visit, would I be in a better position to cover it with GBP 1900 or AUD 4000? P.S. There are some extra benefits to choosing the UK over and above the 20:1 exchange rate, starting with timezone similar to South Africa, the quick(er) trips to SA and family to visit me, and the fact that I love the UK more with every return visit. On the other hand, my mom has a PR Aus visa with me, so would be able to join me in Aus and we wouldn't have to send any money back home (but would still need to take care of some debt), however she doesn't really want to move at all, but would if it meant us being better off financially, though it would cost us about R250k to make the move to include belongings, travel and pets. On the UK side of things, I'd want to work towards citizenship in the next 5 years and then evaluate whether it makes sense to move back to SA or bring mom over to Ireland so that she could get EU citizenship and then move back to UK -- if the UK ends up relaxing parental visa requirements by then, I'd be thrilled to just have her join me in the UK, of course. So there are swings and roundabouts to consider, but I'm trying to evaluate this from a financial perspective first and take things from there. P.P.S. Thanks to whoever gets this far down in the post and decides to respond. I really appreciate it.

Yeah, the grant letter states clearly the date by which you must make your first entry - the validation date. We've been given until Feb 2016, even though we only received our visas in July. Happy days

Thanks Charlie! The celebrations are starting RIGHT NOW ... the weekend kicks off this very second

Thanks Kim! Yes, tiring is one of the endless emotions I've felt during this period. Tonight could be YOUR night

After sending my poor CO 5 emails in the last two days to check in on my visa app, I received our visa grant letters this morning!!! )))))))))))))))))))) This includes my mom, who is a dependent and who lives with me, who now shares PR status in one of the world's strongest economies. Now to start looking at jobs and planning the road ahead. EXCITING times Good luck to everyone else still waiting. It shouldn't be long now!

CONGRATS guys!

Congrats to all the Sunday night / Monday morning winners!

Nothing yet, Kim! You and I are in the same boat still! Thumbs. Holding. Still.