djianb Posted May 3, 2019 Share Posted May 3, 2019 (edited) I know this question will have been asked a lot however... me and my girlfriend are moving out to Melbourne and will have $150,000 per annum as basic salaries split into 90 / 60 plus we both work in recruitment so have the opportunity to earn commission. ive worked the following out; $600 food shopping $800 per week rent $400/500 utilities $250 Health insurance $320 Train a month - both Mobile phones are paid through work including personal calls so won’t need mobiles. Leaving around $5000 a month to live off etc.. does that seem reasonable? Edited May 3, 2019 by djianb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djianb Posted May 3, 2019 Author Share Posted May 3, 2019 Also we will have circa $14000 in savings aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbh Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 It really depends on your lifestyle and existing debt you have. your income should be plenty for most couples, but if you fancy a nice place to rent and eat out each week, then your savings will be less indeed. Also leave some for entertainment, like movies, hanging out with friends, buying clothes etc. never dig into savings to live, it should be increasing over time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djianb Posted May 4, 2019 Author Share Posted May 4, 2019 We have no debt as have cleared it all so the $5.5k is for essentially entertainment purposes on a monthly basis. Didn’t Know whether the $5.5k sounded like a reasonable amount of disposable income we work in recruitment so will be adding to the savings with commission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 No broadband? No car? No other insurances (contents)? No holidays? No clothes? No medical expenses? Food is probably a bit on the low side given what we spent on food this past month whilst on holiday. You'll probably be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWMOY04 Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 (edited) On 04/05/2019 at 01:33, djianb said: Leaving around $5000 a month to live off etc.. does that seem reasonable? Have a look at Numbeo as you can compare your present city and its cost of loving and get a breakdown of where you want to live... Its hard to determine whats "ok" for another individual... We used to struggle on £55k combined annually in the UK... We are more than ok on just my $110k basic here (Melbourne)... all the additinal income from OH is going into a mortgage savings pot... we have more luxuries than we've ever had with two kids under 6. But that doesnt mean I can speak to your needs Edited May 5, 2019 by SWMOY04 Grammar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djianb Posted May 5, 2019 Author Share Posted May 5, 2019 appreciate that and it is very much how long is a piece of string. It was more to see if everyone was going to be replying that’s no where near enough etc etc but none so far so feel better about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 Also have a look at Expatistan for a guide to prices: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/melbourne I can't vouch for its accuracy but it's claimed to be based on current costs provided by many people living in Melbourne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beffers Posted May 9, 2019 Share Posted May 9, 2019 On 04/05/2019 at 01:33, djianb said: I know this question will have been asked a lot however... me and my girlfriend are moving out to Melbourne and will have $150,000 per annum as basic salaries split into 90 / 60 plus we both work in recruitment so have the opportunity to earn commission. ive worked the following out; $600 food shopping $800 per week rent $400/500 utilities $250 Health insurance $320 Train a month - both Mobile phones are paid through work including personal calls so won’t need mobiles. Leaving around $5000 a month to live off etc.. does that seem reasonable? Depends on your lifestyle. You won't need that much for train as weekly train passes that cover Zones 1 and 2 are around $45 a month, unless you're travelling in from regional Vic. You shoudn't be touching your savings for living expenses. Will you not have a car (and associated costs)? Need to factor in contents insurance on your rental place as well, as landlords will only cover buildings and it's normally part of a tenancy agreement to have insurance. Food estimate seems a little low, particularly if that $600/month is covering eating out and takeaways as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djianb Posted May 9, 2019 Author Share Posted May 9, 2019 Thought for a monthly Myki it was about $150 and it’s got 2 ppl so c$300? no car or associated costs that’s just for groceries not eating out that’ll come from the surplus money. realistically looking at 50% of our wages is available to spend on entertainment and towards savings 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted May 9, 2019 Share Posted May 9, 2019 That's a fair bit above the average salary for Melbourne and if there's just the 2 of you I reckon you'll have a ball. You can do an awful lot free in Aus 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 On 09/05/2019 at 15:18, djianb said: Thought for a monthly Myki it was about $150 and it’s got 2 ppl so c$300? no car or associated costs that’s just for groceries not eating out that’ll come from the surplus money. realistically looking at 50% of our wages is available to spend on entertainment and towards savings Yes you are right. I wish it was $45 a month for trains fares but it actually about that per week. Allow about $150 per month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerstalker36 Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 im on $154knot including the mrs wages. we pay $320/ fortnight for a 4 bed house. what sort of mansion are you thinking of living in? $200/week for food, $130/ week fuel cost, 2 loans, booze etc and still able to save. you should have loads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemesis Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 9 minutes ago, deerstalker36 said: im on $154knot including the mrs wages. we pay $320/ fortnight for a 4 bed house. what sort of mansion are you thinking of living in? $200/week for food, $130/ week fuel cost, 2 loans, booze etc and still able to save. you should have loads Are you living in Melbourne too? Expenses can vary hugely depending n where you live Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerstalker36 Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 9 minutes ago, Nemesis said: Are you living in Melbourne too? Expenses can vary hugely depending n where you live living in drouin, so a bit out from town. i have a mate who's moving to Melbs shortly and he's been quoted $500 . week for an apartment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 7 minutes ago, deerstalker36 said: living in drouin, so a bit out from town. i have a mate who's moving to Melbs shortly and he's been quoted $500 . week for an apartment "A bit out from town"? That's like saying Dundee is a bit outside Edinburgh (same distance). A rent of $500 a week is cheap for an apartment within 20km of Melbourne city centre, but it gets more reasonable the further out you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djianb Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 We Managed to get a Brand new 2 bed apartment in prahran just off chapel and all our bills plus spending whatever we want we can still save over $2k so we are more then comfortable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerstalker36 Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 true, but Druoin and warragul are becoming commute distance from Melbs. you cant really compare this with uk distances though. WA i commuted an hour and 15 to work every day, here, pakenham is 30 mins away. Leeds was an hour away in the uk but not commutable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 (edited) 33 minutes ago, deerstalker36 said: true, but Druoin and warragul are becoming commute distance from Melbs. you cant really compare this with uk distances though. WA i commuted an hour and 15 to work every day, here, pakenham is 30 mins away. Leeds was an hour away in the uk but not commutable I think it's a bit of a myth that people judge distances differently in Australia. It depends WHERE in Australia you are (because Australians in every state are different), what the traffic conditions are like, and why they're travelling. Sydneysiders will drive from Sydney to Noosa to go on holidays, for instance, and yet they won't drive from Neutral Bay to Sutherland for a party because it's "too far". I do find Melburnites are a bit more willing to cross suburbs, though. However those with really long commutes are usually doing it because they've been forced out of the city by high prices, not by choice, unless they go rural. You say Pakenham is only 30 minutes away as if that makes it commutable to Melbourne, but to me (as an inner-city Melbourne dweller), Pakenham is out in the wilds itself. From Pakenham into the city is 1.5 hours by train. Edited July 9, 2019 by Marisawright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerstalker36 Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 5 minutes ago, Marisawright said: You say Pakenham is only 30 minutes away as if that makes it commutable to Melbourne, but to me (as an inner-city Melbourne dweller), Pakenham is out in the wilds itself. From Pakenham into the city is 1.5 hours by train. which train are you getting? its only an hour and 15 into southern cross from Drouin and thats stopping everywhere on the way, did it this weekend. People in Oz do treat distances differently. a trip to Perth from Bunbury was the same from Hull to wolverhampton, yet one is a day out the other a weekend trip. Over this side its a bit different as the traffic is higher, but a weekender in the uk is still a day out here 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 (edited) 13 minutes ago, deerstalker36 said: which train are you getting? its only an hour and 15 into southern cross from Drouin and thats stopping everywhere on the way, did it this weekend. People in Oz do treat distances differently. a trip to Perth from Bunbury was the same from Hull to wolverhampton, yet one is a day out the other a weekend trip. Over this side its a bit different as the traffic is higher, but a weekender in the uk is still a day out here I looked it up on the PTV site (which is the metro trains). You would be on the country trains. I find country people in Australia treat distances differently but I notice it much less in the cities - but then I have only lived in Melbourne and Sydney. Like I said, it's important to remember that Australians aren't all alike, any more than a Londoner is like a Glaswegian. When we were living in Southampton after 30 years in Sydney, I was stunned to find English people driving 1.5 hours to go to ballroom dancing in the evening. People in Sydney wouldn't even contemplate such a thing. Edited July 9, 2019 by Marisawright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy M Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 On 09/07/2019 at 21:32, djianb said: We Managed to get a Brand new 2 bed apartment in prahran just off chapel and all our bills plus spending whatever we want we can still save over $2k so we are more then comfortable You'll be laughing with $5k a month spare if you're a couple with no kids, even if you eat out a few nights a week and go out boozing on the weekends. You'll only start burning cash if you're going up and down to Sydney etc on a regular basis, flights and hotels will soon add up. Public transport is very cheap compared to the UK and getting about is easy, once you're in the CBD trams are free and cost next to nothing if you use them outside of the free zone, and it's just a few bucks to travel a few stops out on a train Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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