Two Weeks In - Melbourne

[3 Piccos]

We arrived in Melbourne on 6 December after a good journey, stopping in Dubai and Singapore for two nights at each. We are staying with our daughter in Warrandyte, in the north eastern suburbs. It's a bit crowded but we are managing. I didn't want to pay $750 a week for holiday accommodation. We had a bit of a struggle getting our Medicare card, because we were not able to produce documents to prove we were staying in Australia. We have not sold our property in UK, no shipping document as household goods/furniture not being sent until February. Haven't closed our UK bank account as money from rent from our home is going in to it, so it was a bit tricky. Gave our Australian passports and letter from ex-employer, and statutory declaration done at the police station, which satisfied them eventually. I was really worried before coming over about the cost of living but I am finding it much better than I feared. A friend of my daughter who knows where to shop has been taking us around to the factory outlets and clothes are on a par with UK. Meat is cheaper, with fruit and veg more expensive in the supermarkets but cheaper at the markets. The really expensive thing here though is real estate. Rents are ridiculously high. We are now seriously looking for a rental property, and went to view a house today. When I arrived I thought I was in a queque for the cinema, there were that many people at the open inspection. The queque went up the driveway and down the road! We are going to another two viewings tomorrow, and then I think I will just go to the ones that are by appointment only.

I have found the Melbournians to be extremely friendly, and they go out of their way to help. The shop assistants are noticeably friendly, and greet you with a big smile. Even the doctors receptionists smile at you!! We managed to get a lovely doctor who bulk bills so no cost there for us. Just walk in and see him, no appointment system. The shopping centres are fantastic, so well presented with a wonderful array of goods on offer. Much better than the shopping centres where I lived in the UK. The food courts are also great and the food is delicious and much cheaper. The public transport is a fraction of the cost to the UK which was a surprise. I travelled on four buses and two trains today with a ticket that cost the equivalent of 1.40p. I also had a surprise finding out that I am not an aged pensioner in Australia, I have to wait another 2 1/2 years for my pension here. I now have to start looking for a car, and they are a lot more expensive than the UK, as is the road tax. But all in all, I don't think it is as bad as I had read. I think some places in Australia, like Tasmania and Western Australia are a lot more expensive.

 

I wasn't sleeping well before I left the UK, as I was worrying if we were doing the right thing. Well I am pleased to say that I now know we have done the right thing for our particular situation. I am not happy at having to rent property as I have always lived in a house I own, but that's just how it is at the moment. You have to live for the day and get on with it. Look at what you have and not what you haven't got. We came over here for the warmer climate for my husband and waking up in the morning to blue skies, makes us both feel much better. I am happy to say that we both feel at home here, as we did previously. After a while you stop comparing and analyzing things and everything just becomes the norm! I am looking forward to joining a few clubs to make new friends when we have a permanent address, and just getting on with life. I wish all of you who have just arrived in Oz and those who are soon to leave the UK to embark on their new adventure, the very best for your life Down Under. :biggrin:

[Guest The Pom Queen]

What a great update thank you for sharing. It sounds like you got a real fussy person at Medicare, they usually ask for you to wait 10 days but a lot of them will still sign you up. I know you are sorted now but it's always worth trying a different office.

Rentals, ahh yes, it can be a nightmare, just be warned that for the properties where they give you the key and tell you to go and look around them yourself 99.9% of the time they wouldn't even be suitable for your dog.:elvis:

Private viewings are ok but this will limit your chances. What I do suggest is that if you really like the look of a property from the internet then get the application form (usually found on the agents website) complete it along with a covering letter saying you have just arrived and if you can afford to pay an extra $10 a week on the rent put this down or offer to pay ex amount of rent up front.

Enjoy your new life and I am sure you will be settled soon.

Kate

[Petals]

Glad you arrived safely, sorry about the weather, cannot believe its so cool today. I usually do not mind if its cool but someone up there is having a joke with this cool in summer I think.

 

If you are sixty you can get a seniors card just google seniors card Victoria and it will come up with a form. This will get you into the cinemas, transport, shops who give seniors discount. Great thing to have, even pub meals are cheaper.

 

Also see if you qualify for a low income medical card as this will reduce any amounts you have to pay for prescriptions.

[Skani]

But all in all, I don't think it is as bad as I had read. I think some places in Australia, like Tasmania and Western Australia are a lot more expensive.

 

 

I can't comment on Western Australia but not so for Tasmania.

[3 Piccos]

Thanks for that Petals. I didn't know about cards for transport etc. I was told I was not an aged pensioner over here so didn't seek any further information. I will see in to it now.

[Guest siamsusie]

Having affiliations both in Tasmania and northern WA I have to say the north of WA is more expensive, residentially and petrol wise.... with a lesser choice in supermarket shopping. Certainly Perth I find is no different than Melbourne or Tasmania, in some cases it could be cents but nothing major. This is par for the course in WA when transportation costs are a major factor in rural areas.

 

Tasmania for me on the whole offers exceptionally good value for money particularly as far as property is concerned.

[Guest flip]

Hi

 

We started off in Warrandyte too, live about ten minutes away in Donvale now. Send me a pm sometime if you fancy a coffee.

 

Cal

[Guest juliemtaylor]

Brill post, glad you are making the best of your new lives down under.

 

Julie x

[LYNDAMUMFORD]

thank you for sharing so much. Mu hubby & I are awaiting a CO, and the conversations in our house are very emotional, do we go, do we risk it, will we find work, etc etc. All along my gut feeling is that we must make the move (Hubby is only young but has Psoriatic Arthritis) so I often think of our years ahead & know that the weather here in the UK will make his life tough and it will be myself & the children looking after him. Its so good to hear such a positive post, as I too often hear such negative ones regarding prices of things, etc, thank you & continue to update us

[yomvard]

I agree, that is what we all need the encouragement to make the jump. When we started out on this journey, the exchange rate made it seem easily possible, but now !! When in Australia it all seems possible, but coming back it is very scary.