Mums in Oz - I need some advice please

[Flumpleton]

OK, off to Aus in June for year plus and I just wondered what things that you take for granted over here are either not available over there or much more expensive. For example some one told me to stock up on painkillers etc as they are pricey over there. Please help!! (btw we will be in Perth)

[katyjo]

Hi Flumpton! Lucky you, we were in Aus for 2 years, been back in the UK for about 18months now. We were in Melbourne, but we did go to Perth for a visit, beautiful place - lovely people ( I am so jealous).

Painkillers aren't that expensive, I worked in a pharmacy so I did buy everything for cost and they tend to sell brands not generics ie nurofen but not the cheaper brand, if you ask you can usually get the cheaper alternative, I wouldn't worry too much about stocking up.
There are a few things we missed when in Aus, dairy milk choclate tastes different, but you get used to it! I really missed greasy take away food, but now we are back I miss the healthier oz version, so you can't win.
I knew a girl that lived in Perth complained about the lack of clothes shops, but you can always take a plane trip to Melbourne or Sydney if you need. It took me a while to get into Aussie fashion, but now I'm back I really miss the shops, the clothes here seem a bit drab in comparision.
Generally housing, rent, gas, petrol etc are all cheaper. Things from China are a bit cheaper too, clothes, crockery, furniture etc but anything imported costs quite a lot, so p[eople tend to buy Australian goods, also helps the economy!
Sorry to ramble on, not been much help.
So many things I miss, Sushi, gold class cinema, noodle box, sunshine, beaches....any room for me in your suitcase!
Katy

[Flumpleton]

thnaks Katyjo. I have heard rumours about clothes shopping etc but not too worried about that. I am actually really excited about the change in food although can't say same about kids - so long as you can buy fish fingers I'll be safe!

[katyjo]

I think the choice of food is probably better than in the uk, although supermarkets are smaller and people tend to buy smaller shops more regularly. I can't say I am a big fishfinger eater but I'm sure you'll be able to get them.
People tend to eat out alot because its quite cheap, in Perth we stayed with friends in Cottosloe(?) and we got fish and chips took our on bottle of plonk and watched the sun set on the beach - fantastic!!

[Flumpleton]

Wow, Cottesloe is where we are planning to rent!!

[mogwai]

Hi

I'm currently living in Sydney for a year. We've been here for about 10 weeks. The things I might consider bringing are Bisto (if you want a roast dinner. The Aussie stuff is terrible) and as many clothes as you can buy. The aussie fashions are dodgy.

Stock up on kids sale stock at the end of the winter in the UK.

Are you renting unfurnished? This takes lots of planning. Cat me if you want any help.

[Flumpleton]

uhoh we were planning on getting a holiday rental in cottesloe for a few weeks and get house sorted then, most prob unfurnished and I haven't planned anything!! Mogwai you must think me a few sandwiches short!!

[mogwai]

Hi Flump

Our experience of finding a rental property in Sydney was horrific. However, we arrived in the middle of the summer, just before the new school term began. Also, I have no idea whether Perth has the same problems, which included:

1. Not enough rental properties to meet the demand - lots of competition

1. Mostly unfurnished - you have to buy absolutely everything, down to your bed

1. Lots of seriously grotty properties that made me want to cry.

I don't want to worry you - it might be very different in Perth - but you need to be very prepared for the rental system here in Australia. You will need lots of money to set yourself up unless your job is providing this. You also need to devote yourself to the search, full-time, for a couple of weeks at least.

We had a rental property for three weeks. On the last day we found the flat we are now living in, but we couldn't move in because the existing tenants hadn't moved out. Fortunately we were able to stay in the holiday flat for a further two weeks.

This shouldn't be a problem if you are arriving mid-june.

Another thought - it's worth renting a holiday property with a garage. Where will you put all that furniture in preparation for moving into the new house?

As I said, CAT me.

[israel]

painkillers aren't that expensive here...I'm in Perth....and should know...just this good friday eve fractured the back of my knee...running backwards on the beach... night fishing...stupid me.

[mogwai]

BTW, I don't agree that lots of things are cheaper. Rental in sydney is expensive, maybe Perth is better. Also, I think it costs the same to do a weeks shopping, yet the salaries are lower.

Gas, electricity, petrol are all lots cheaper. Internet connection is very expensive in comparison.

The toiletries and food are not the same, even the same brands. Dairy Milk has already been mentioned. Lots of cereals taste different. Dove soap doesn't smell of anything. I could go on forever.

The two things I really miss are a decent washing machine (they don't get the stains out - and kids get very dirty playing in the great outdoors - you need to soak everything in napisan) and decent telly.

Another tip - don't bring any white clothes for your kids. They will get stained by suncream. Also, strappy tops for kids are useless in the summer. They need their arms covered. My daughter's nursery will not allow her to attend unless I cover her shoulders.

[Flumpleton]

so will definitely be stocking up in Gap sale for boys clothes before we go!! Friends coming over for Xmas will have to clear a little room in their luggage for me!
Fortunately my two boys are alredy grubby monkeys so have no white clothes anyway.
Sorry to hear about your knee Israel, btw where do you live in Perth and how do you find it??
Thx for all tips so far

[katyjo]

Mogwai is right sydney is much more on a par with the uk prices, but we found Melbourne cheaper for most things and from what I remember Perth was even cheaper. Things aren't dirt cheap, but if you convert things back to £ you realise that they are cheaper, I remember thinking bread and fruit were quite expensive but since being back in the Uk I realise that they weren't, Bananas are but that's probably because the supermarkets buy them for peanuts, most Aussie food tends to come from Oz.
We rented unfurnished, we stayed in a furnished apartment for 2 weeks and moved straight into a house. You can buy furniture quite cheaply, alot of people go to Aus for a few years so you get really good house clearance sales or fantastic furniture who sell quite cheap tacky furniture but it you can buy packages(sofas, beds, dining sets etc) the don't seem to have stores in Perth but I'm sure they'll have something similar. The also have IKEA in Aus, which is fab. The don't have Gap, which I really missed, and we didn't have ds at the time so not sure about kids clothes.

[Flumpleton]

Bloody laptop playing up apologies if repetetive posting.
Any ideas if John Frieda Frizz ease products are available in Aus. don't know how I will cope otherwise!!

[hitchcock]

flumpeton you lucky thing!!! we are off on 27th april for a month to see if we want to move out there permently we are also looking at perth we are renting a house in quinns which is north of perth 4bed 2bathrm all for the bargin price of 175pw

we ae going to be looking at all the costs ie price of soafs etc compared to how much it would cost to trasfer all our stuff out £3000 we have been quoted

[Flumpleton]

wow £175/week. thats fab, how far north is that of Perth

[hitchcock]

30mins drive north how much is yr house costing

[Flumpleton]

well we are flying out with my mum and are getting holiday rental on beach at cottesloe for a couple of weeks while we house hunt properly. haven't finalised yet but looking at at least $700 per week

[Flumpleton]

should add that we wanted something nice enough for it to qualify as a holiday for my mum!!

[SweetyDarling]

John Freida is avaialable and so is Gap in Sydney anyway. Prob not in Perth.

[mogwai]

Gap? Where in Sydney?????

[suzywong]

DEFINITELY not in Perth, let me tell ya

Painkillers aren't expensive, who on earth told you that?


Good drivers and decent bacon are what I really miss

[SweetyDarling]

There was a store in The Rocks, but I'm not sure if it's still there?

[hitchcock]

when is the sales in perth?????

[SweetyDarling]

Pre and Post Christmas. Also end of season, mid-season etc same as UK.

[hitchcock]

will ther be any sales in may??????

[SweetyDarling]

Maybe. Shops don't tend to advertise sales in advance as it would be rather counter-productive!