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The Melbourne Thread

18 replies

messystressy · 28/12/2016 23:43

We are about to go...my DH has been offered a salary of AUD120k plus pension and it seems like it might work. It's school holidays and I'm stressed about school enrolments - have I missed the boat? My DD would be going into reception (prep) and DS into year 2. I am looking around Bayside, Catholic probably. Outside of Brighton and Hampton, where I want to live, where are the areas close to the CBD for more modest income earners (we would have about AUD200k combined). What do you live about Melbourne (apart from food)? What do you hate? Why should we move from London? Thanking you in advance!!

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echt · 29/12/2016 10:19

Any government school has to accept your child if you are in the catchment area. Don't know about RC.

Bayside is lovely, and both Brighton and Hampton very expensive. The ripple effect in term so house/rental prices is spreading down the coast but possibly Parkdale/Mordialloc?

I'm not up to speed with houses going in, but someone will be along soon who does.

I like Melbourne very much; a lively arts and music scene, pleasant weather, though this year has been weird; great beaches and forests nearby. Food is excellent, and easy to eat seasonally with only Au produce. I don't hate anything, though public transport is not fab. I moved from London and have no regrets. Our main criterion was that if we were leaving a world-class city, we had to live close to the sea, which we do.

Main advice: don't compare.

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user1471484795 · 29/12/2016 20:32

Hello, I am living in Melbourne but we live out west in Wyndham Vale. I know you like the idea of Hampton/Brighton way but be careful as in Melbourne rentals are cheaper than buying so although you might be able to rent near there you might not be able to buy later on which could mean your children end up moving schools.

Once you have a rental agreement you just take it to your local school who will automatically find a space for the children.

Children tend to start school when they are five rather than four over here and some people keep there kids back till they are six.

I love the transport (it's so cheap and less busy than London), there are so many brilliant parks for the kids, always something going on in Melbourne to see/do. The beaches are brilliant and very empty. There are so many opportunities for children to do things like camping with cub scouts to learning to surf.

UK mums in Melbourne and poms in Victoria are both good Facebook pages.

Good luck with your move.

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KP86 · 29/12/2016 20:45

Religious schools aren't government run like they are in the U.K., so you'd have to pay (although as non-citizens you may have to pay a fee to govt schools as well). Religious school fees are fairly modest though. Don't stress too much about getting a spot, it's much easier than here. As PP said, if you go public your local has to take you. It will most likely be a MUCH bigger school community than you are used to. Average size for primary is 5-800 students. Some public schools have up to 1500 students and 10 classes per year level.

Rent in the areas you're talking about is expensive, as that's a upper middle class area. $200k is generally a good family income but won't go far in that part of town! It's definitely a Mumsnet naice area.

I'm from Melbourne, currently living in London, and will definitely be going back. We lived in the west, which is definitely more working class. Same as here, inner south east is most desirable!

You will be facing a massive cultural adjustment, it was much bigger than I ever expected. However going into jobs for both you and your partner means you will have a ready-made social network (or the start of one) through work which helps a lot.

Budget on needing a car. Public transport is nothing like here.

I personally don't consider Victorian beaches all that, but I grew up much further north where it was actually warm enough to swim! But comparing to the UK you will probably think Melb water is like a bath.

I would definitely say go. Even writing this post has made me miss home a little.

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Scotinoz · 30/12/2016 00:05

Hampton is lovely and it's where we called home for many years. Expensive though - a 3 bed rental with a backyard is $3-4K, and add to that to find a nice one. Your husband's salary will give a take home pay of approx $5k which leaves barely enough to cover food, bills etc. Hampton has loads of lovely cafes, great coffee etc. Love it ❤️

If you fancy Bayside, give consideration to stretching further down the coast - Parkdale, Mentone, Mordiallic, Chelsea etc.

I dislike the 40degree heat, the way everyone raves about 'the food' (honestly not all its cracked up to be), the cost of holidays, not being able to buy potatoes to make good roasties...

I liked most other things though.

To be honest, it's a 'same shit, different window' situation. There's a lot of great things about Melbourne, and there are a lot of sacrifices you make to have them. I always say take the opportunity though!

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Newbrummie · 01/01/2017 11:43

In Australia I'd stick with renting, it's very odd but the mortgage we would have had if we'd bought our rental house would have been over $6,000 a month more than we paid in rent. If you stay on the ladder by buying a rental property in a cheaper area there are major tax advantages to that. A good accountant can explain it all to you and their fees are tax deductible too, it's marvellous

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messystressy · 02/01/2017 15:08

Thanks for all your replies! This is great information and need to do some quick research - we are expected to give a response tomorrow, yes or no. Eeek!

Just in terms of renting, we don't own a property in the UK, so loathe to do this. It's the main thing which makes me think we might be better off here, although would seem to be financially better off there (due to childcare costs mostly!). My DH is 43 and I'm a bit worried we might miss 30 year/25 year mortgages because of this. This has all happened so quickly!

I'm off to look at houses again - typically, because of the time of year, there is not much on there to go on...thanks again!

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Newbrummie · 02/01/2017 15:20

I would agree. I wouldn't buy property over there even if I emigrated. The capital gains are minimal compared to the outlay of deposit. The only good thing is you can pay the mortgage weekly if you get paid one fortnight and your partner gets paid the next which cuts down on a surprisingly large chunk of interest.

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Scotinoz · 02/01/2017 16:14

The rental market in Melbourne is weird. Houses go on the market when they're available, 50+ people trek to an open day, then you act fast to get in an application. If you like it, don't be afraid to add $10 or so to the weekly rent to secure it 😉

The coast side of the Nepean Highway is pricier than the other. Bentleigh might be another good place to look. Nice parks, nice main streets, and it's 10minutes to the beach

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messystressy · 02/01/2017 18:36

Oh god, ok, so I guess the question is do I want to go more than I feel obligated to buy property for retirement here in the UK. Hmmmm....I think it's going to be a long time researching.

Thanks for the tips on renting. So much to do, so little time. If we say yes, the company wants DH out there ASAP (not sure what that will mean!).

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Newbrummie · 02/01/2017 19:07

They always want you out tyere ASAP but when you rush it's you that pays the price. Check his contract because I relocated is all to the other side of the world only to discover I had one weeks notice ... And when I didn't hit the ground running due to struggling to find a house they used it so within three weeks we were homeless and job less. I found something really quick but nobody needs that stress

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messystressy · 02/01/2017 21:04

Jesus, that's so harsh, you poor thing! Yes, I am a bit worried about this too - as it is a brand new role and seems like there is a lot of expectation to perform. I will def check contract! (if I get that far...!)

Are you still out there?

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Newbrummie · 02/01/2017 21:32

No I came back, threw the towel in after being made redundant three times in three years.
Saying that I think I'm going back but with PR this time and if your hubbys job is on the SOL 1 list I'd encourage you to make the employer give you PR instead of the 457 visa. It costs the same and it's no skin off their nose but it gives you massive security. Employers like to use residency as a carrot so they can treat you like crap for two years, people have literally been got rid of the week before they qualify for residency. You hear some shocking stories

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messystressy · 02/01/2017 22:29

That sounds dreadful - it does appear that redundancy seems to be more common out there? I've heard some stories...

Luckily, visa is OK, he has permanent spouse visa as I actually have an Australian passport (but haven't lived there in a very long time) - one thing less to stress about!

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Newbrummie · 02/01/2017 22:33

It's sounds like you'll be fine then the visa was my main problem. Lesson learnt ... Everything else wasn't insurmountable

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saffronwblue · 03/01/2017 03:06

Melbourne has been in a property boom for years with massive capital gains on good property. It may crash or correct this year but returns have been very strong historically.

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MinTom · 10/01/2017 18:33

Hi. We are going out in four weeks to Melbourne to take a look around and possibly move out there also. Interesting to read the above info. We need to be near royal children's hospital for me and commutable to Glenn waverley for husbands job. Any suggestions on local nice areas to the royal children's hospital for school and to rent would be very helpful. Smile

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Scotinoz · 10/01/2017 20:05

Not familiar with that part of town, we were strict Baysiders, but there's an awesome park at the hospital 😀

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saffronwblue · 10/01/2017 20:31

Near the hospital look at north Melbourne, parkville and Carlton. Gorgeous part of town but quite a commute to glen Waverley.

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