Blue Flu

Here in Perth we pay around $230 every two months from memory. A substantial increase over recent years.

A shame that the OP has pulled the rug on further comments. We truely need posts that reflect the reality, regardless of the swell of gas lighters and others that eventuate out of the wood work. I got a shot across the bows for simply pointing out Mandurah was and quite possibly still is the meth capital of Western Australia. Not my opinion. Stated fact. But these days there would be considerable competition. Obviously all this contributes towards declining livability , with rentals hard to come by, crime far worse than may look on the surface. A lack lusture state and federal government, unwilling to tackle the real issues. The sweeping under the carpet of less than desirable activities. The over loading the country with turbo immigration. A rather self absorbed population, consumed by greed in many instances , with little care about the future. I speak on WA , obviously and leave others to critique elsewhere. My view is if do not change, and preferably sooner than later, we will arrive in a place we deserve to be. Longer term, as I noted elsewhere, UK, though far from perfect, will more likely be a better option. Australia in big danger of slipping down the scale with a low dollar value, as China declines, growing inequalities, corruption and crime. The attempt to disguise problems with massive population growth bound to end in failure. Hope not to a positive note for the dissenters, or indeed too negative one for the lovers .

There is little doubt that Australia can indeed be more rewarding . A lot gets down to if principled or not. There is a whole 'underground culture' going on subsidisng the mainstream economy. I don't recall which state strikes your interest , but will confine myself to commenting on my own. Hence we have a very fake economy . Some doing very well with cash in hand' endeavors', while others are victims of it or indeed attempting to deal with hugely increased rents and a housing shortage, pretty much across the nation. We increasingly are experiencing very similar issues to The UK. High prices and increases in everything. Eggs for example will rise by 300% over the medium term. Insurance premiums recently had a hefty rise . Anything related to a trade usually very expensive. I really don't see a lot of difference. Crime is bad and increasingly in many locations. Drugs are out of control and will get far worse, due to our geographic location and ease. There is the same disharmony with wages among nurses, our hospitals are struggling, with the turbo population increase due to immigration. UK has a more complaining culture and a media that exposes far more than here in Australia. Here so much is swept under the carpet and too many fail to note what is going on, either by intent or apathy. Probably not exactly the most switched on off people. But I've said a lot of this before to you. In the end you will believe . Just don't be hood winked into believing this country is something more than it is. My view is great problems ahead and would rate UK better over the longer term. ,

Just the beginning. Not hard to ascertain a whole reset is taking place . What is hard to take though is how it is being done with not much more than a murmur. Another thing the quality of the builds needs to be examined. The fall in living standards is something that should be called to account from the roof tops.

If real estate experiences a decline of any substantial extent you will know we have real problems. Every and anything will be thrown at the housing market to ensure that case scenario does not occur. If Australia does have any religion it is the worship and belief in the housing market. Not only worship but a means to salvation. From throwing grants , to probable tax payer funded bailouts, to over generous allowances of foreign investment, to turbo population growth as well as a few other things which I won't elaborate should ensure only the minimal of housing declines. This is not good new all round. The one third not owing or on the ladder will increasing be either unable or unwilling to get into a life time of debt and ever increasing cost around housing. Living standards will increasingly be on the decline. Most people will be if lucky, only afford apartment living. The high strata costs around them likely to further ensure debate around the value of this. Costs in traditional break way localities like Sunshine Coast and similar will escalate due to demand . This should make people at one point reflect more on the value of entering the Australian real estate market. But who knows? The insanity may have a considerable distance to run.

My understanding is that prices should come down next year with far more availability of flights. Time will of course confirm that.

Only thing with Bangkok being the terrible traffic. You would need possibly more than one night to make it worth while. But depends on time of arrival and departure as well. Nothing wrong with KL. Not as 'sterile' as Singapore , but the latter could serve better for the ease and plenty to do if on a first visit. Both KL and Singapore have great bird parks. Singapore is not cheap anymore though with prices matching Australia. I agree with another poster, flying into Brunei and visiting Sarawak or Sabah for the national parks is a great way to cut the trip and pass a few days.

About as much sense as Mandurah being termed the top destination in WA. Not sure just why residents from Melbourne and Sydney would be passing commentary in an American travel magazine.

Nope. Never heard commentary from visitors there suggested of giving any ticks to any of the above, with the exception of the first. (Sights and landmarks) One does 'wonder' about some of these survey's.

A lot to express displeasure about. What would pass as normal commentary in most other places, tends to always ruffle feathers when Australia is mentioned . But never the less. Upwards and onwards. Not seeking Utopia, but a least a few more ticks that what Hobart would allow. Better in my view to question the validity of such a report than accept an outcome without comment. I've never heard anything beyond the waterfront in Hobart being described as anything of note. I have heard it described as expensive, lacking much vibe, poor weather and limited public transport.

Where isn't the best at something in Australia? Melbourne worlds most livable???? Never been to Hobart but surely an exaggeration? I'd have thought comparable with Dunedin in NZ? Perfectly okay. Nice vista. But limited in most ways.

Not exactly. In fact rather the reverse. It was due to almost 'free' money that the inflated housing market arrived at the diabolical state it has. Interest rates are normally around 7% or thereabouts if looking at the historical rate. In fact rates were left low for far too long. It is true that this present crisis is compounded by other factors, than the reasons of the seventies inflation levels, but none the less it had to be tackled. One just needs to look at countries were inflation decimated the value of their currency and feeling of wealth within the population. There remains factors that will impact on RBA attempts that I have already suggested, outside of the mainstream reasons. But the fact is Australia will need to continue to raise rates, (too low at present) for additional purposes like not experiencing a considerable dollar decline. (among others) which will impact our trade , paid in US dollars.

It is not that the UK is doing a better job, I mean there are serious issues there, but are being addressed more than in Australia. The recent 0.5% indicative of this. (taking UK rates to 5%) Another 0.5% is on the cards and interest rates in UK expected to rise to 6% or more. That is not indicative of much besides being aware they have a serious inflation problem, that needs to be tackled. Australia on the other hand , as usual in denial of the situation , has kept rates on hold. This is partly due to the Govenor of the RBA role up for re election in a couple of months , as well as massive pressure from the housing industry, which holds undue influence over policy in Australia , where any rise, is a rise too much. All it does is prolong the situation. But what is true is property is very over inflated in both countries, as well as others, and a correction of magnitude would be healthy all round. As for UK things will become more apparent later this year, with many hundreds of thousands finishing their present low mortgage payments and looking at payment interest rates of 6 or 7% . A hefty call for many, already struggling with cost of living increases. The UK government have rightly in my opinion, said they will not use tax payers money to shore up defaulters. Still interest only loans along with increased duration in years will help some. But whatever people are in for a tough time in UK. AS mentioned, I am watching the UK market closely , as find seeking an alternative Australian location to buy extremely hard work.

We have been considering similar outcomes when moving abroad. One thing for sure, if unable to keep an eye on your property, there is no guarantee others will. Same as finding a suitable tenant. A Mercedes driving, professional educated, well turned out rent seeker, is not a guarantee that your property will not be used for illegal purposes. In fact where I live, I expect the likelihood more that it would be than not. The tax implications are something to consider as well outside of costs like council tax, water and agency fees. It's a hard one, as no one knows the future of Australian property which seems immune to date from interest rate increases , but the future is very debatable. One thing though, UK forecasts is suggestive of considerable increase in interest rates, with ever more experiencing difficulty. It may well be worth holding off purchasing in UK for now . Some forecasts are pointing at a 35% decline in house prices. If that bears fruit, I would seriously be looking to buy in that market. I'm looking now, but clearly not the time. As the NZ Wellington market has fallen considerably , it is very feasible the UK will dop so as well. I would have at one time thought the Australian would be the same, but this is clearly a market with a 'difference'. What should be and reality are at opposite polls. The question may be, is Australia of the future, a country one would want to live in?

10 days is rather normal in the Australian context. Unpaid leave after that, if all annual leave used up.

I think it has changed. It was a right of passage in the eighties and fully expected to be used. These times, more agencies, at least are demanding accountability. Two days or more requires a doctors cert or at least a statutory dec. If workers are felt to be taking excessive leave due to ill health, the company can insist on that worker seeing a doctor appointed by the company.

Or try NHS employing agency nurses at vastly highly rates for starters.

Definitely not better on any front. sadly is a multi billion dollar industry just in WA. You are fortunate if have choices though. .

You would need to check out the towns rather well , just to what extent they would meet requirements. Certain small towns, probably more in the north are sadly impacted badly by violence. Most small towns in WA have severe drug problems. Perhaps not immediately visible to a casual observer but very impacting never the less.

It is desperate and for a reason. Many teachers as I believe is the case in UK, have resigned, some 70-% across Australia have thoughts of leaving the profession. 55% of West Australia teachers reported being subjected to threats, cyber bullying or physical acts of violence. That amounts to one teacher every 40 minutes experiencing some degree of violence. Not so different from UK after all? Pay may well be better, but cost of living, especially around housing is insane.

Probably a bit 20 th century.

Well I do know what is if that helps.

Certainly can be . You are well informed.

While you are quite correct in saying Australia is a very expensive country, there are ways increasingly becoming knowledge of back packers to earn money not so readily available in UK.

Right about what exactly. ?... You sound for all intents and purposes the Mrs.? (or wanna be perhaps? ) How odd though to bother to scrawl such a thing.