Guest Pasty Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Hi all We've been here for a month in Sunny Sydney and so far we are loving it. Flew with Malaysia Airlines and would recommend them. Nice clean plane and airport, Heathrow was a nightmare thru customs! We checked 120 kg of luggage and didn't have to pay any extra (thank god) we got an allowance of 30kg per person for a one way flight. Kids (5 and 3) were really good but didn't have a lot of sleep but still didn't act up so was really pleased! All the family were at the airport to meet us and that was a great surprise, great to see them all. In the last month we have bought a house, a second hand car, got our drivers licences, signed up for medicare and centrelink and are now job hunting, got a bank account and all our associated cards with it. Hubbie is working in the US on a english contract, travelling from Oz so the sooner he gets a job here the better! He's gone for a month at a time, however, I am currently staying with family so have the support network. Got my son into a new school near where we will be living and can't wait for him to start as he's been off since the end of July and he's going mad with boredem. Have noticed that food is more expensive, but that's cos initially you have to spend out to get all new food in the house, if you shop around you can get meat and veg/salad stuff cheaply. Just don't buy it in the first shop you see. Furniture is cheaper here so garden stuff and BBQ stuff is good value. Bunnings is the equivalent of B&Q. Petrol is about $1.15 a litre and it goes down on a Monday and back up again for the weekend, tip is buy on a Monday/Tuesday! Cars are not bad value and they are all big!! Small cars are not as popular here but are still available. We got some great bargains at IKEA over here, massive store!! Woolworths is where you can do your weekly shop (no tesco's or asda here) they also don't sell booze in the supermarkets, you have to go to a special shop and it is a lot cheaper here, just bought a nice chardonnay for $1.90 per bottle cos it's not a named brand. Clothes shopping, not really done any but the fashion is about a season behind the UK and you don't really have bargain shops like Next, TK Maxx, etc which is disappointing. However there is always ebay! Not much more to tell, will keep updating as things progress further. Good luck to all those of you still going thru the process and keep smiling, it will soon be you!! Jackie, Andy, Rhys and Evie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wardy Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Really glad everything is going well for you and that you are loving it. Its good when we can get first hand information about the things that hopefully we will all be doing shortly you have done so much. Keep having a great time and hope your OH is with you soon Kaye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fraser Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Have noticed that food is more expensive, but that's cos initially you have to spend out to get all new food in the house, if you shop around you can get meat and veg/salad stuff cheaply. Just don't buy it in the first shop you see. Very true. look for the the markets (sometimes Sat/Sun only). Usually very good value compared to the shopping malls and supermarkets... and the small shopping strip shops are sometimes good too. Don't get too used to a "one stop shop" you can do it...but it is neither cheapest nor always best quality Woolworths is where you can do your weekly shop (no tesco's or asda here) ...Woolworths/Safeway are the same firm, and between them and Coles hold about 75%+ of the Aussie retail food market. Means that they can be expensive if they want.... but do give 4c/litre discount dockets off petrol prices if you spend about $35. Look for IGA (Independent Grocers of Australia) and Aldi... ...usually better value... and if there is a Woolworths or Coles nearby they will be cheaper because of the competition. Try the small local bakeries for bread and muffins (not necessariliy the franchise chains, but rather the italian / greek / turkish / vietnamese owner-operator places)... blew me away when I came.. the quality and variety is stunning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fraser Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Have noticed that food is more expensive, but that's cos initially you have to spend out to get all new food in the house, if you shop around you can get meat and veg/salad stuff cheaply. Just don't buy it in the first shop you see. Very true. look for the the markets (sometimes Sat/Sun only). Usually very good value compared to the shopping malls and supermarkets... and the small shopping strip shops are sometimes good too. Don't get too used to a "one stop shop" you can do it...but it is neither cheapest nor always best quality Woolworths is where you can do your weekly shop (no tesco's or asda here) ...Woolworths/Safeway are the same firm, and between them and Coles hold about 75%+ of the Aussie retail food market. Means that they can be expensive if they want.... but do give 4c/litre discount dockets off petrol prices if you spend about $35. Look for IGA (Independent Grocers of Australia) and Aldi... ...usually better value... and if there is a Woolworths or Coles nearby they will be cheaper because of the competition. Try the small local bakeries for bread and muffins (not necessariliy the franchise chains, but rather the italian / greek / turkish / vietnamese owner-operator places)... blew me away when I came.. the quality and variety is stunning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fraser Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Double Post!!!! Hmmm Must have been on the beer again :oops: On the subject of which... The Tasmanian beers (Cascade and Boags) are lovely... if you are drinking for pleasure... Drinking for effect = VB (Victoria Bitter) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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