Soldato
- Joined
- 16 Feb 2010
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Should you move to OZ where you will live off your wife’s wage and bum about all day. Oh, tough one.
Should we move to Oz?
- Thread starter martin363
- Start date
I've been there a couple of times and never seen a spider!
Thanks all, any recommendations as to good districts to live in both? we are more 'city people'. the idea of living outside the main urban areas will be a bit of a non-starter. once the wife says yes, then apparently they have a relo department who will handle everything, but obviously knowledge is better than just going with the recommendations.
final discussions are still to take place re. the package so we will see what is available.
final discussions are still to take place re. the package so we will see what is available.
Can't speak for Melbourne as I've never been there, but did spend a little time in Brisbane (and out west of) back in 2003. Would move there in a heartbeat.*
*above opinion based on the fact I was young, it was nearly 20 years ago, I didn't, and still haven't a clue about the local economy/property prices/cost of living/etc, but it looked nice (reminded me of Glasgow, but clean
) the people were friendly, there are river boat taxis, the weather was nice, I had a great time and the British taxpayer paid for me to be there 
*above opinion based on the fact I was young, it was nearly 20 years ago, I didn't, and still haven't a clue about the local economy/property prices/cost of living/etc, but it looked nice (reminded me of Glasgow, but clean
) the people were friendly, there are river boat taxis, the weather was nice, I had a great time and the British taxpayer paid for me to be there
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Soldato
- Joined
- 13 Apr 2013
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- La France
Melbourne is more expensive than London? I thought you had to go to Zurich or Tokyo to manage that.
If I could give you any advice it would be to check the housing market before you go. Can’t speak for Brisbane and Melbourne but here in Perth it is mental. Very difficult to get a rental here. Seen people saying when there is a home open there are 40 people waiting and they are then offering 50/100+ dollars over the asking price to secure a rental. From what you have said I am guessing you are going to be on a 482 TSS visa? If so you can buy a house but there are some caveats. Not every bank will lend to temp visa holders but there are some that will. Bear in mind you have to get an approval from the FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) before you can buy and that cost around $13K (buggers doubled it in last couple of years). You will also have to pay an extra 7% tax to the FIRB as well so that bumps up the initial cost of purchasing. We went through all this 2yrs ago here in Perth and also were not entitled to any 1st time buyer benefits (not sure what the are in QLD and VIC)
Not been to Melbs yet but spent a few days in Brisbane earlier in the year and loved it. Really nice place in and around the CBD by the river. Can imagine it would be extremely expensive to live around there though as it would be in Melbs.
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Spent time in both while travelling around Australia for a year. Bear in mind this was in 2007, from the viewpoint of a backpacker and I can't give any relevant advice on rental/housing costs etc. However I did work for around 5 months (Sydney and Cairns) too.
Firstly, I would have moved there permanently without question if the opportunity arose. The lifestyle is a significant improvement in general, and I found the attitude to both work and life to be much more relaxed. Given your past experiences, I doubt you'd have any difficulty settling in.
Melbourne: Very European, ultra-modern, great transport links, large CBD and great choice of conveniences and amenities that you would expect of a large city. I stayed in St Kilda for a week, near to Albert Park and the MCG, very 'shabby chic' at the time. It seems to still be a well-regarded suburb in online searches. Weather-wise, more tolerable. For recreation, there are some excellent opportunities within the region. Chief of those is the Great Ocean Road, which is spectacular.
Brisbane: Spent a week here too. Slower paced than Melbourne, has less than half the population. It's a wide open city, great for day-to-day recreation, whether that is just strolling around or something more active. It doesn't have the personality of Melbourne though. On average, Queensland is much warmer across the year, although you get used to it. In my opinion, the best thing about Brisbane is its location and all the places you can access from it; beautiful coastline, Noosa, Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island (fantastic) to the north; Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay to the south - among others.
Whichever you choose, you can't go far wrong.
Firstly, I would have moved there permanently without question if the opportunity arose. The lifestyle is a significant improvement in general, and I found the attitude to both work and life to be much more relaxed. Given your past experiences, I doubt you'd have any difficulty settling in.
Melbourne: Very European, ultra-modern, great transport links, large CBD and great choice of conveniences and amenities that you would expect of a large city. I stayed in St Kilda for a week, near to Albert Park and the MCG, very 'shabby chic' at the time. It seems to still be a well-regarded suburb in online searches. Weather-wise, more tolerable. For recreation, there are some excellent opportunities within the region. Chief of those is the Great Ocean Road, which is spectacular.
Brisbane: Spent a week here too. Slower paced than Melbourne, has less than half the population. It's a wide open city, great for day-to-day recreation, whether that is just strolling around or something more active. It doesn't have the personality of Melbourne though. On average, Queensland is much warmer across the year, although you get used to it. In my opinion, the best thing about Brisbane is its location and all the places you can access from it; beautiful coastline, Noosa, Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island (fantastic) to the north; Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay to the south - among others.
Whichever you choose, you can't go far wrong.
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martin363, I would highly recommend posting a thread with any specific questions you have (visa or otherwise) in the British Expats Australia forum. The fine folks on British Expats helped me massively when I emigrated to the USA, and they'll no doubt be able to help you as well.
I imagine swimming is a bit more demanding than the mill-pond Med, Cote'd'azur you can live within a 10minutes drive;
many residences have large shared pools, for when you get in from work.
If I had no family, friends or anything holding me back I'd go for it. I lived and worked there, sponsored by my company between 2010 and 2011 and it was a great experience. Unfortunately whilst I was there my father died so I came back, so in that aspect I kind of regretted it.
If you are city people then Melbourne every time. Brisbane nice to visit but that's bout it, I think I'd rather move back to the UK than live in Brisbane for a long period of time. Mind you I think I'd hate outer Melbourne too.
I've been here 16 years. As said above life is expensive but wages are higher so it balances. Housing market is mental, rentals are seemingly very difficult to come by. Location wise then inner east is the best place to be. East Melbourne, Richmond, South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor the best imho but not cheap.
Collingwood, Fitzroy, Clifton Hill or Carlton to still have good access to city but a bit cheaper and very bohemian. St Kilda, Albert Park, Middle Park, Port Melbourne if you want to be by the beach.
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If you want a small house with a couple of bedrooms expect $600+ per week in these areas, a proper "family home" will be double that. Apartments, which there are many of, will be much cheaper.
All these places have a good social vibe, lots of bars and restaurants in walking distance, good public transport and links to the city. Easy access to the bay too.
By the way there are no venomous spiders or box jellyfish in Melbourne. I haven't seen a snake in the inner city suburbs and we haven't had a great white in the bay for probably 10 years or more. We don't get snow however the very short winters do get cold but you only need a coat a few weeks per year and that's only on a night time ( I am a Geordie though
). Had to de-ice the car once this year. Some of country Victoria has flooded but no where near as bad as the rest of the country. Melbourne itself hasn't flooded in all the time I have been here.
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I moved to Melbourne 7 years go.. great place.. I wouldn't bother with Brisbane, Melbourne is where it's at. More laid back than Sydney, mode entertainment and sports.
Australia is expensive though, keep that in mind. and rental prices are crazy here, depending on where you want to live you'll be looking at $2500 a month on rent. As others have said, rentals are in demand and will usually go in a few days with 10+ people all fighting to get them. You need to put in an application and the landlord/agent will pick the best option for them. You will find it hard being new migrants without any rental history or job security so may have too go out of the city to outer suburbs initially (unless you have the money for inner prices). It's not unusual for people to offer more than the requested rental price to secure a place they like.
Buying a house is even worse. expect to pa 25-50% MORE than the advertised price, and expect to have a fight at auction to get one if it's in a nice area.
Spiders are not a problem inner city, just avoid them if you see them. The really bad ones are usually in more rural areas (You can can white tips and red backs, just stay clear of them. They won't kill you but will hurt like a B*tch if you're bitten and can easily get infected).
Huntsman spiders scare people the most, they have a body the size of your fist!! but totally harmless.
Cost of living is expensive, especially in the big citys like Melbourne and Sydney, but wages are equally better so really you'll be a lot better off.
Culture is totally different here than the UK. A lot more emphasis on work life balance than in the UK or Europe. That can actually be frustrating if you're not used to it, people finishing early all the time if the weather is nice and going on 2 month holidays.
Get used to High Viz EVERYWHERE!! Tradies are all over the place
Australia is expensive though, keep that in mind. and rental prices are crazy here, depending on where you want to live you'll be looking at $2500 a month on rent. As others have said, rentals are in demand and will usually go in a few days with 10+ people all fighting to get them. You need to put in an application and the landlord/agent will pick the best option for them. You will find it hard being new migrants without any rental history or job security so may have too go out of the city to outer suburbs initially (unless you have the money for inner prices). It's not unusual for people to offer more than the requested rental price to secure a place they like.
Buying a house is even worse. expect to pa 25-50% MORE than the advertised price, and expect to have a fight at auction to get one if it's in a nice area.
Spiders are not a problem inner city, just avoid them if you see them. The really bad ones are usually in more rural areas (You can can white tips and red backs, just stay clear of them. They won't kill you but will hurt like a B*tch if you're bitten and can easily get infected).
Huntsman spiders scare people the most, they have a body the size of your fist!! but totally harmless.
Cost of living is expensive, especially in the big citys like Melbourne and Sydney, but wages are equally better so really you'll be a lot better off.
Culture is totally different here than the UK. A lot more emphasis on work life balance than in the UK or Europe. That can actually be frustrating if you're not used to it, people finishing early all the time if the weather is nice and going on 2 month holidays.
Get used to High Viz EVERYWHERE!! Tradies are all over the place
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Droughts, flooding and Fires are mainly in the rural areas, you won't see any of that in the city. It's all part of being in Australia, you have to remember the size of the place, that's what get you the most when you come from the UK.
For example Sydney to Melbourne (the closest 2 east coast capitals if you ignore the ACT) is a 10 hour drive. Melbourne to Perth is 3400km.
For some reason I am thinking snus snus is from a Carry On film, please enlighten me.
They’re harmless apparently, just like chilling out on the wallsI like Australia. But damn those huntsman spiders!.. and they can jump