Sustain Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Very well said! Cannot agree more! People nowadays expect to move in to a perfect house for a small amount. In reality first time buyers should be looking for affordable areas and oldish houses that they can DIY over the years cheaply to bring its value up.... Agree, what happened to living in a caravan/tent for 2 years saving deposit to get a house. Why pay $10k for "cheap" but crap furniture when 2nd hand quality stuff can be had for under $2k Small number of quality items is better than house full of junk. Is it not better to forgo those overseas holidays in first 5 years and get your mortgage down? Is it not better to live on the single income and save what the 2nd income brings in? Is it better to wear clean but 2nd hand clothes and have food on the table? Does the alcohol, cigarettes and gambling not create the monetary trouble rather than that missed payrise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
familywright Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 We are currently looking for rentals (Brisbane) after struggling along for 6 months paying NO rent! (family). Yes, rents are high and I have to say we are really depressed about the whole thing. Its all well and good to suggest living in caravan parks etc ,(which we have looked at), but a safe environment is pretty high on the list as we have a child. (And I am actually Brisbane born and bred so can say that I have a good idea about how most in these here parts actually are). We are renting a property in UK (3 bedroom semi) for £750 a month. Our budget here is $400 a week or below. I only earn $1140 per fortnight and my husband has just got a job after 6 months of looking. We actually have no idea how much he will have until the first pay packet and it is variable due to shifts. We don't have a stick of furniture. It's pretty hard. We have been here 6 months and haven't done any sight seeing at all, except for the free stuff locally of course! Neither of us smoke or drink. Im keeping on looking .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
familywright Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Oh I should mention where our money has been going initial outlay of $4K for a car, petrol, insurance, rego, food, bus fares, school fees (books, uniforms etc- minimal but still a cost), professional association fees and registrations on arrival, licences, phones, I have had a haircut this last 6 months and bought a box colour, mens haircuts, clothes for growing 9 year old (crikey the sun makes him grow). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve99 Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Of course the UK is still affluent. So because unemployment in Australia is less than 2% lower than here you consider that a major difference ? I would say that unemployment in Aus is far worse than they pretend. The fact that you can be in the 'employed' statistics by working 1hr in the last 2 weeks is a joke. A private survey which comes out every few months puts the unemployment much higher. I suspect the uk does the same but I would say to a smaller extent. The problem in Australia is that they are doing what the Americans have done for years and that is ringfence out those that dont fit the rosy picture. Like much of the discussion on this site that suggests that in the land of Oz everyone gets paid a fortune. My wife and I dont. We both worked in IT in the UK and since comming back to Oz (I was born here) we have become almost peasants due to my type of work getting outsourced to India and my wife losing her job after becoming ill for some time and is now considered unemployable (she was an IT contractor) after being out of the business for over a year, regardless of the desire to be employed again. I am now on less money than I was 15 years ago in the UK doing a menial bus driving job. Add to this the fact that much of our money is still stuck in the UK after the quick devaluation in 2008 leaving us short of housing money. (ie we cant take on a mortgage, nor can we aford decent rental property) We went back to the UK this year and found that there is little difference between the UK and Oz re wealth and employment, we spent time in London, Edinburgh, Oxoford and the North of England, where people with jobs were doing great, those without jobs doing not so well just like in Aus with all the redundant workers in the outer suburbs. All holiday flights to Europe were full and expensive, all the trains were full and the roads were full on busy, the cinemas were busy and the resturaunts were full. Yes the Uk is a wealthy country like Australia is, they both have some very rich smug people looking after themselves at the expense of the majority and both countries have had successive governments working for the wealthy and well connected vested interests rather than the mass population, hence silly property prices and a reduction of opportunity due to mass immigration and offshoring. I would say the biggest difference between Aus and the UK now re unemployment and prosperity is Aus has head in sand and is full of smug arrogance whereas in the UK people are more aware that things can and will go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 (edited) We are currently looking for rentals (Brisbane) after struggling along for 6 months paying NO rent! (family). Yes, rents are high and I have to say we are really depressed about the whole thing. Its all well and good to suggest living in caravan parks etc ,(which we have looked at), but a safe environment is pretty high on the list as we have a child. (And I am actually Brisbane born and bred so can say that I have a good idea about how most in these here parts actually are). We are renting a property in UK (3 bedroom semi) for £750 a month. Our budget here is $400 a week or below. I only earn $1140 per fortnight and my husband has just got a job after 6 months of looking. We actually have no idea how much he will have until the first pay packet and it is variable due to shifts. We don't have a stick of furniture. It's pretty hard. We have been here 6 months and haven't done any sight seeing at all, except for the free stuff locally of course! Neither of us smoke or drink. Im keeping on looking .... Must be tough on your income even with family assistance on top. Hope now that your hubby has found a job things get easier. $400/week is around the equivalent of £750 per month btw...I think you should be able to find something ok in the outer suburbs at that price. Similar to a semi, I sometimes have thought I would prefer a 3 bedroom townhouse when emigrating as they are very low maintenance which might be good when so busy setting up other things. Many have small back gardens for the children and local parks can fill in the rest. I'm not sure if you are tied to a particular area but Ferny Grove (and nearby north west suburbs) seems like an affordable family area (I haven't lived there) and it is only 30 mins to the city on the train. http://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-qld-ferny+grove-411414299 http://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-qld-mitchelton-411382227 http://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-qld-arana+hills-408824655 http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-arana+hills-410611767 ($400 house) If you can stretch to $420 there seems to be some functional houses available there (and nearby suburbs): http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-ferny+grove-404719829 http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-arana+hills-405339690 Even though a dearer area you also might consider something like this in The Gap as it has really great govt schools and a good community: http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-the+gap-411126259 Not sure if any of the above are suitable but thought I'd put them up as suggestions in case you don't know that area. For free furniture check out Freecycle. You can get some good stuff for nought to start you off. http://groups.freecycle.org/freecycle_brisbane/posts/offer?page=1&resultsperpage=10&showall=off&include_offers=off&include_wanteds=off&include_receiveds=off&include_takens=off Let me know if you need any help with anything... Edited October 1, 2013 by fish.01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Actually $400 a week is the equivalent of £1000 a month. 33% more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 (edited) Actually $400 a week is the equivalent of £1000 a month. 33% more. Yes, as an direct exchange rate comparison due to the weak pound at the moment...I was talking about it's equivalency as a percentage of average salary....ie a cost of living comparison, rather than for the purpose of transferring money between currencies. ie AUD$400/week is around the equivalent of £750 per month as a percentage of the average salary, so similar cost of living. Edited October 1, 2013 by fish.01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenon4017 Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Yes, as an direct exchange rate comparison due to the weak pound at the moment...I was talking about it's equivalency as a percentage of average salary....ie a cost of living comparison, rather than for the purpose of transferring money between currencies. ie AUD$400/week is around the equivalent of £750 per month as a percentage of the average salary, so similar cost of living. 750 GBP per month = 9000 GBP per year (x 1.72 ) = 15500 AUD 400 AUD per week = 20800 AUD per year. And the previous poster earns 1140 per fortnight = 28500 per year. That's a pretty frugal lifestyle. I'm not sure the anecdotal 2.2AUD for a pound is going to hold up much longer. Would the poster really be on 520 GBP per fortnight for the same job? I hope their second income comes on stream soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Ropey HOFF Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 750 GBP per month = 9000 GBP per year (x 1.72 ) = 15500 AUD 400 AUD per week = 20800 AUD per year. And the previous poster earns 1140 per fortnight = 28500 per year. That's a pretty frugal lifestyle. I'm not sure the anecdotal 2.2AUD for a pound is going to hold up much longer. Would the poster really be on 520 GBP per fortnight for the same job? I hope their second income comes on stream soon. Fish is talking about averages, the average wage in the UK is about £26k compared to about $70kin Oz. Using this equation means the costs are similar. Yes, some people don't earn a lot in Oz, but it's the same in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbio Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 And no amount of Pommy moaning is going to change it :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
familywright Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Must be tough on your income even with family assistance on top. Hope now that your hubby has found a job things get easier. $400/week is around the equivalent of £750 per month btw...I think you should be able to find something ok in the outer suburbs at that price. Similar to a semi, I sometimes have thought I would prefer a 3 bedroom townhouse when emigrating as they are very low maintenance which might be good when so busy setting up other things. Many have small back gardens for the children and local parks can fill in the rest. I'm not sure if you are tied to a particular area but Ferny Grove (and nearby north west suburbs) seems like an affordable family area (I haven't lived there) and it is only 30 mins to the city on the train. http://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-qld-ferny+grove-411414299 http://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-qld-mitchelton-411382227 http://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-qld-arana+hills-408824655 http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-arana+hills-410611767 ($400 house) If you can stretch to $420 there seems to be some functional houses available there (and nearby suburbs): http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-ferny+grove-404719829 http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-arana+hills-405339690 Even though a dearer area you also might consider something like this in The Gap as it has really great govt schools and a good community: http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-the+gap-411126259 Not sure if any of the above are suitable but thought I'd put them up as suggestions in case you don't know that area. For free furniture check out Freecycle. You can get some good stuff for nought to start you off. http://groups.freecycle.org/freecycle_brisbane/posts/offer?page=1&resultsperpage=10&showall=off&include_offers=off&include_wanteds=off&include_receiveds=off&include_takens=off Let me know if you need any help with anything... family assistance? we don't get that by the way, we are looking south east as we are both employed in that area and the school is in camp hill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
familywright Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 (edited) Fish is talking about averages, the average wage in the UK is about £26k compared to about $70kin Oz. Using this equation means the costs are similar. Yes, some people don't earn a lot in Oz, but it's the same in the UK. annoyingly enough I was on £45K in UK I may just go back currently it is cheaper for us to fly home than it is to rent lol Edited October 2, 2013 by familywright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 (edited) 750 GBP per month = 9000 GBP per year (x 1.72 ) = 15500 AUD 400 AUD per week = 20800 AUD per year. Hi Xenon, I probably didn't make myself very clear. I wasn't discussing what percentage the OP's UK income contributes to their rental here. I was just commenting that similar priced houses are available here as a "percentage of average income" (ie a cost of living comparison). And the previous poster earns 1140 per fortnight = 28500 per year. That's a pretty frugal lifestyle. I'm not sure the anecdotal 2.2AUD for a pound is going to hold up much longer. Would the poster really be on 520 GBP per fortnight for the same job? I hope their second income comes on stream soon. Yes, very tough. No idea whether it is the same job so couldn't comment on that. Average wages suggest the 2.2 has actually increased rather than decreased though in recent times so might be prudent for people to look for a salary 2.5+ times their UK salary depending on the size of the town/city they are moving from and to. Subject to circumstances of course. Exchange rates are obviously mathematically meaningless when comparing salaries and cost of living. My fingers are crossed too...hope the new job works out. Edited October 2, 2013 by fish.01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 family assistance? we don't get that by the way, we are looking south east as we are both employed in that area and the school is in camp hill Do you have PR or on a 457 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
familywright Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Do you have PR or on a 457 ? I am an australian citizen and my husband is on a spousal visa (permanent?) I am his sponsor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knsc Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 We are currently looking for rentals (Brisbane) after struggling along for 6 months paying NO rent! (family). Yes, rents are high and I have to say we are really depressed about the whole thing. Its all well and good to suggest living in caravan parks etc ,(which we have looked at), but a safe environment is pretty high on the list as we have a child. (And I am actually Brisbane born and bred so can say that I have a good idea about how most in these here parts actually are). We are renting a property in UK (3 bedroom semi) for £750 a month. Our budget here is $400 a week or below. I only earn $1140 per fortnight and my husband has just got a job after 6 months of looking. We actually have no idea how much he will have until the first pay packet and it is variable due to shifts. We don't have a stick of furniture. It's pretty hard. We have been here 6 months and haven't done any sight seeing at all, except for the free stuff locally of course! Neither of us smoke or drink. Im keeping on looking .... Have you seen these: http://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Rent/House/QLD/Camp-Hill/?adid=8608286 http://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Rent/House/QLD/Camp-Hill/?adid=7620534 http://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Rent/House/QLD/Norman-Park/?adid=8610783 http://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Rent/House/QLD/Carina/?adid=8597833 http://www.domain.com.au/Search/rent/State/QLD/Area/Southside/Region/Brisbane-Region/Suburb/Camp-Hill/?ssubs=1&bedrooms=3&to=400&searchterm=Camp+Hill&displmap=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I am an australian citizen and my husband is on a spousal visa (permanent?) I am his sponsor. Oops, sorry you mentioned that before. Unless I'm mistaken you should be eligible for family assistance on your income given you have a child. Have you been to centrelink to check already ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 So long as you've got plenty of money - you'll be fine. Alsp depends where you want to live. If you are looking at the CBD then it will cost you but if you go a bit further out it is cheaper- and often better quality , too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattress Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 ...not another thread making be wonder if I am doing the right thing!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Anne Pope Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 I always thought you never got your full rent paid for you on if you were on benefits was to make you find work and stop spending your money on beer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 ok, I reformulate.... the appearance of high housing prices is predominantly a compositional effect due to the high degree of metropolitan urbanization in Australia. This urbanization forces a larger number of the population to accept a different housing cost / location amenity trade-off than they would prefer. This is in contrast to countries of similar economic and social make-up with a substantially lower degree of metropolitan urbanization. Futhermore the selection and use of particular statistical measures is often biased towards the pre-existing view of the authors of these studies, implying that the impression created through their publication does not adequately reflect the underlying reality. Although it is hardly a new thing, the urbanization of metro Australia. House prices were very fair up to about 2004 or so when it took off to reach the present some will say unsustainable rates we witness today. This suggests there is far more going on than what you suggest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve99 Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Although it is hardly a new thing, the urbanization of metro Australia. House prices were very fair up to about 2004 or so when it took off to reach the present some will say unsustainable rates we witness today.This suggests there is far more going on than what you suggest. Yes like a decade and counting of magic money, ie freedom of the banks to lend and lend over the odds to jack up housing prices.. Now the government has to help keep prices high in order to keep the banks solvent. This is why they stonewall any suggestion that we are in a housing price bubble and suggest simple supply and demand but at the same time hand out massive tax concessions like negative gearing, half price cap gains tax on speculative housing purchases and occasional so called first home buyer grants when they need a special push up in prices. I wont hold my breath for any honesty from any politician of any flavour, they are all complicit and up to their necks in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Yes like a decade and counting of magic money, ie freedom of the banks to lend and lend over the odds to jack up housing prices.. Now the government has to help keep prices high in order to keep the banks solvent. This is why they stonewall any suggestion that we are in a housing price bubble and suggest simple supply and demand but at the same time hand out massive tax concessions like negative gearing, half price cap gains tax on speculative housing purchases and occasional so called first home buyer grants when they need a special push up in prices. I wont hold my breath for any honesty from any politician of any flavour, they are all complicit and up to their necks in it. All so very sad what has been allowed to happen. Real estate though probably most over inflated in Australia, is certainly at dangerous levels in many other counties as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Arhsub Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I'm doing Real Estate business and it is very profitable for me. I'm little interested in buying and selling casinos and all other properties. I'm happy with my business in Brisbane, Australia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I'm doing Real Estate business and it is very profitable for me. I'm little interested in buying and selling casinos and all other properties. I'm happy with my business in Brisbane, Australia. Wow, fancy that, there is another Brisbane in Pakistan. Please don't bother with adding your links you are wasting your time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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