Ask an Aussie

[puthyjip43]

Here to help with any q's about life down under for anyone thinking of emigrating

I get where you are coming from with the milk. I'm sick of sugar substitutes that are actually just sugar eg dehydrated cane juice.

Thanks ladies for the advice. We've defo decided to go for South Australia & were thinking of going for the 489 visa & it means my husband wouldn't need to sit the English test which with being dyslexic he's a bit anxious about. I've downloaded the forms & going to start going through it .....just need to get my head round it all

South Australia is lovely. If you are not compelled to be in Adelaide
(which is a great place anyway) look at Mount Gambier for a nice small town.

Just wanting to say that life in NT would be a really different experience to life anywhere else in OZ. Year round heat and humidity, great cultural mix, full on drinking culture, huge distances to drive, great scenery and crocodiles. If you are more of a bookshop/theatre goer/latte drinking type you would feel more at home in Sydney or Melbourne.

Thanks ladies. Defo have a look at Mount Gambier x

I have a random mundane question as we are moving to WA later this year.

Is Aus the same voltage as the UK? I'm just wondering if I should sell my electrical items here or bring in the container. Most items I would be happy to part with but I'm quite attached to my kitchenaid mixer!

Ipanema I bought all my electrical items. Just changed the plugs. Actually I don't know what the voltage is here but all my uk stuff works. I'm sure it's the same. Hope that helps.

Hi OP (and other Perth residents)

DH and I are planning a move from Grand Cayman to Perth in the next year/18 months I think.

The cost of living here in Cayman is extortionate and it seems Perth is very similiar so I don't think cost of living will come as a shock to us - we'll be taking home less due to taxes and probably slightly lower salaries in our professions but can anyone tell me if a household salary of $150,000 is enough to live comfortably? (comfortable = not living in ridiculously expensive neighbourhood, driving ferraris etc.)

Not really knowing what suburbs to look at, we'd like somewhere relatively close to the CBD but good for families - I heard Ferndale was pretty good and homes in the decent range - we'd be looking for a family home between $400 - $700k after about a year or so (once settled and earning). We have a 2 1/2 year old and newborn baby so somewhere great for families would be good, not worried about being near the beach but enough so a commute wouldn't kill me. I guess anything up to half an hour on public transport would be ok, but don't really want to move too far out and have a bitch of a commute, especially with small children in childcare.

Does anyone know if there are rental properties that allow dogs or rental agencies that would allow pets? We have 2 dogs that we'd be shipping over (after we've arrived, settled and can send for them) and would love somewhere they can stay after they are released from quarantine if we haven't bought a house by that point.

Sorry, I realise I'm totally rambling but I have too many questions in my head - to sum up:

1. Is $150,000 a doable household salary (not living extravagantly)
2. Which suburbs are good for young families, looking at family homes in the $400-$700k region but not too far out. Don't need a beach or river view.
3. Any rental agencies that can assist with finding pet friendly rentals?

Chances are DH will have a job before we fly over and I will start looking once we're on the ground and the kids are settled.

Any information anyone has would be very gratefully received!!! Thanks in advance!

Christ that was epic... sorry!

Don't know Perth well but in a tight rental market most landlords say no pets.

We are in perth. The rental market is getting a lot better there are alot more properties then even 6 months ago. The rents are dropping too. You can get rentals that take dogs. It can be a little harder but they are there. We have just negotiated with our landlord so we could gwt a puppy. The closer you are to the city the more expensive it is. $150000 is a good wage what sort of visa are you on as you get no rebate for childcare if you are on a 457 visa. Don't know Ferndale so can't advise.

stroke Be aware that importing pets takes ages and they need to be held in quarantine in either sydney or melbourne for a some time. www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/cat-dogs

We are on about a third of that income and surviving it's not amazing but we fine although in a much cheaper city rent wise then perth.

Thanks Hazchem - yes, my main concern is importing my dogs, not really because of the amount of time it takes but the logistics of importing from Grand Cayman via USA instead of from London. At least here, they will be less stressed and we can take our time and do it properly.

We always knew they would have to be quarantined for a month before release and from that point of view I don't mind but it's more the stress of travel. One of our dogs loves people but hates crates, the other loves crates but is fearful of people so I'm more concerned for their emotional well-being than anything. I plan on having our dog trainer work with both of them before travelling to try and alleviate any nervousness with the crate.

Friends of ours moved back to Melbourne from here with their dog and although a lengthy process, it went well but they sent him ahead of themselves - we don't have the luxury of having a rental property in advance so it may mean that I have to travel back to Cayman to make sure they get on the flight ok, and then meet them in Sydney/Melbourne to make sure they settle at the quarantine centre.

It's amazing that I'm more concerned about getting my dogs over there instead of my family! Definitely going to be logistically harder for sure!

Can i ask please what do kids do during the school holidays if both parents work? Are there sports clubs that are run that kind of thing? I had a look online but all i could find were camps that had accomodation. I read somewhere that the banks have a lot of charges is that right? Can anyone give me an average weekly shop bill for 2 adults and a child? when i done an online shop with Coles it came up at just over $650 for a week is this normal? I even missed the cats food off that and other stuff

Unless it's changed you don't get to meet your pets are the arrival airports . We sent our dog out here. It wasn't too bad , just very very expensive ?? but she was collected from the airport and taken directly to Eastern creek. I don't think visits are encouraged as if stresses the dogs out. However our dog did escape .. Just as far as an outer run ?? she was a great bolt opener ?? but by the time she came home 3 weeks? Was in great shape!
Why Perth?not that there's anything wrong with Perth but behind Sydney it's the most expensive place. 150k post tax? Is good. Pre tax as two wages is ok. Depending on what you want for it

You will struggle to get a nice family home in a nice area for less than $600 a week here in Perth. We spend around $300 a week on food which includes free range chicken that's for 2 adults and 2 kids not including alcohol. Public transport is dire in Perth, the trains are full from 6.30 am onwards so be prepared for a squash!

Also if you are not near a bus stop, most of which have no sun shade it can be a very hot walk to one! also the parking at the train stations are usually full very early7.30 am.

If you do not have your heart set on Perth I would look elsewhere.
I am heartbroken that I ended up here was supposed to be in Brisbane.

Thanks giggly. Im also looking at Houston in the US. Public transport was a selling point for me for Perth as in the US you have to drive everywhere.

$650 a week on shopping ... No way! I spend about $1000 a month for three adults and 4 kids ?? I could spend far more.. But I do limit myself.

Not sure why my posts have odd signs symbols and numbers in them!

Chloe i did think it was high but i done it on Coles website. I wrote a shopping list based on 7 meals i would make on a regular basis here also had alcohol. I do know shopping here can very cheap as we have Lidls for sth sruff and meat, I go to home bargains for toilertries and then a deli to splash out on specialist stuff. I really like the look of the asian food shops they look amazing and the variety of food is right up my street. Are the butchers and fishmongers there more expensive than the super markets or cheaper?

sorry typos on my phone and bloody hate the keyboard.

I am a fruit barn and butchers shopper. I go to places like clarks or SAMs warehouse for toiletries. It's often import stuff but just as good! But cheap as chips. SAMs warehouse has a website for examples. our fruit barn is far cheaper and fresher than Coles etc. Asian stores are great. Love them too! Our fruit barn has loads of deli stuff too!
I do buy far less "produced" stuff here than the UK. Anything manufactured costs more. Chocolate crisps.. $$$ wine however is good value! Yesterday my dh bought me two bottles of black label at $10 each.
I use mcn's not disposable nappies now. Cheaper too! Lots of home brand stuff. Coles and woollies now both have ex uk bosses. Which is providing a revolution! Coles now sells bulk stuff ... 4 kids an au pair that makes me happy!
Costco... I can't wait!

It is more expensive than the uk but lately with a wage cut for dh and my desire to spend more time at home .. Plus renovations.. Car loans.. Etc.. We have belt tightened! I remember when I had our second christmas here i spent $900 on Christmas shopping! Just food and drink ... Now it's about $400!

What's Perth like? Are you enjoying it?

We are Aussies (from Brisbane & Melbs) looking at heading back with our three DC. The recruiters keep trying to sell us on Perth (DH is a lawyer).

It just seems so remote. And seems a backward step for us. We'd be moving back to Oz to be near family (all on East Coast) but still wouldn't see them very often.

Is there a good vibe in Perth? Like, an exciting, the future is bright, vibe, given how well, economically, the city is doing??

Thanks Chloe thats a great help Im also concerned about how remote perth is. I love to travel i know Asia is close which is where i would love to holiday. Will have a go at costing flights from Perth to places i would liks to travel to to get an idea.

cranky from an East coast perspective I have never wanted to live in Perth. IMO it always feels far away and is a 4 hour and expensive flight. Whenever I go there for work or inlaws I always leave with a sense of relief. I know people have a great lifestyle there but I always feel a bit trapped.
Google Senator Scott Ludlam's recent speech for a non mining based perspective on WA.