Bibbs

Really? I recon that'd go quite quick with a few kids, nice house, boat, and a pair of nice cars, and on a single income. It's about 8700 a month after tax. I see what my mates have to spend with theirs. I'm not at all jealous. My V8 is cheap compared.

1) Wait till it warms up a bit. 44 the other day was brutal for some. 2) Only on roads where the speed limit is under 90. But we all still do it on the freeway anyway. 3) Yes and Yes. 4) Places like Spud Shed appear to be cheaper, but I feel their stuff goes off quicker. 5) Both, get a 4x4 UTE. 6) Yup, but it's all pretty much the same. 7) You'll find the occasional jerk, but in general they are okay. 8) Move away from the coast and you'll be fine.

Electric is about 25c per kWH I think. So a big 4kW system will be $1 an hour to run. Either your system is massive and was being run at full load, or you are on an 'off peak' plan, or something else was chewing the power.

The $180k is probably because it's the top tax bracket (at 45%). I've not looked into benefits at all, but I suppose they just use the same bands to make it easier. $18,200 - 19% $37,000 - 32.5% $80,000 - 37% $180,000 - 45% So i would assume that benefit allowances are split into the same groups, with nothing being allowed in the top band.

Ban AC because it cost a few dollars? I'd rather be comfortable and get a good night sleep.

I'm about the Innaloo area quite often. You have the local shops, but 5mins up to Karinryup shopping center is better for Myer / David Jones. Scarborough beach road is generally busy at rush hour, and all weekend. Scarbs itself is a nice beach, but it's a short drive to Cott (which in my opinion is nicer). Ikea area is a nightmare for traffic too. Thursday late night shopping. The freeway at Stirling gets busy from 6:30 in the morning, and again from 4:30 in the evening. The main pub in the area is "The Saint". It's huge. Big TVs for sports, outside area for bands, has a bottle shop and restaurant area.

Even with retic, it's nothing. I had accidentally set my retic for 4 hours a go, instead of 4 minutes. Once I fixed it, it saved about $5 a month .. With rentals, it's rare you'd pay for water use at all (gas and electric bills only).

The average family take home is about $80k. So there are people that live on less. And they appear to be living. Renting is cheaper than buying (rent payments generally don't cover the loan payments). But then you are helping pay someones house off.

I couldn't. My living expenses (without going out or food) comes close to $60k a year. That's as a single man, with no kids.

To English ears I imagine Aussies to sound racist. But it's just the language. There was a cricket series, had the name "The Aussies, Pakis and Poms" in the advert. The names "Lebos", "Wogs", "Wops" are all used by the groups to describe themselves (but the terms are different to the UK versions). But they are often not derogatory. You'll find out that every word is shortened here, and ethnicity words are just the same.

The Burswood residents association (BRA) have monthly get togethers. Burswood Residents Association - burswoodresidents@iinet.net.au Speak to Shaun Westwood, and he'll add you to the mailing list.

Didn't even notice. AC in the office, AC in the car, AC on the bus, AC in the gym, AC at home. When the power went out, went to the beach and watched the sun set. I don't understand why people complain. It's like winter in the UK but reversed. "ooh, 44 degrees, I'd die" - no just put the AC on, like you'd put the heating on in the UK when it gets to -4.

Steak and a stubbie .. same as winter really. But I sit in the pool.

CarSales.com.au is like the UK AutoTrader. I'd have thought every dealer was on there. And 2nd hand car dealers have a reputation. I'd suggest going and having a look at the car (and ignoring any of the spiel that the dealer comes out with).

Saw this linked in the other thread. It's more strict than the MOT. They compare things to OEM spec. They also check things like wheel size, tyre size (if you have a UTE, it's classed as commercial and they have different rules to private cars), lift kits, mudflaps, window tints. It's a lot stricter. If you have any 'non standard' items, they will also defect you for this (superchargers, BBKs, HID lights, spotties).

There are a few in Morley. I'd not go it a specific dealer. Pick your car(s) that you want, then go find one on CarSales.com.au. If it's not something rare, there should be plenty about. Also remember, small cars are a 'new thing' here. Most old cheap cars will be a Falcon or a Commodore.

Just had a look, and it would mean a bus @ 4:46am for me to be at work on time from your (new) location. I left the UK hating long commutes by car. It ate into my "me" time, so I like to spend as little time commuting as possible.

For that kinda price you are best off heading to one of the car sales areas, and having a browse. Your choice will be fairly limited. I'd always recommend Vic Park. Start at the city end of Albany Highway, and head south (the further south, the cheaper the cars). A hatchback, manual, diesel? I wouldn't know where to start as they are the three things I'd not want in Aus. If you are near the CBD, all the stop/start traffic gets very boring in a manual. Diesel (for me) is for trucks and off roaders. It's more expensive, and again in stop/start traffic you'll not get near the MPG claimed. I'd suggest the cheaper Korean-type cars. Hyundai, Kia etc. They usually have long warranties, so the manufacturer is confident of them lasting. The newer ones are actually quite pleasant places to be.

What do you need? A small hatchback to get to the shops? A big saloon to get 5 adults and a load of luggage in? An off-road UTE to load up with beers and fishing gear to get you a couple of k's up the beach? Auto or manual? RWD, FWD or 4WD? Are you a petrol person, or do you prefer cars that run on cancer? What is your budget?

I agree. I could push to Zone 2, if you are near the freeway. Zone 1 if you are not near it. Zone 4+ for me would be a weekend house. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/portals/0/Asset/Images/Tickets%20&%20Fares/transperth_zonemap.jpg I've never really got the idea of moving to one of the most remote cities in the world .. and then living away from it. But I'm glad some people do, or Perth would be very crowded.

Get to Northbridge, go to bars, talk to people. Perth is genuinely a friendly place.

Yeah, it's units/flats in Zone 1 and tiny 1 bed stuff in Zone 2. I've already used up my 'first time buyer' stuff, so it's of little use to me now.

Are there any houses that are under $430k?

A few years back it was :- first time buyers pay no stamp duty (or something like that). But reading the fine print, it was only no duty if the house was under $500k, and then a sliding scale to 0% discount at $600k. So if you bought over $600k, you got nothing.

I've just got a new mortgage on my old house (through divorce). I no longer had the 20% so had to pay a small amount of LMI. LMI is on ANY loan where you don't have the 20%. Also it add. If you are a contractor, you'll need 12 months of invoicing. A 4x2 within 10 km of the city would be about $500k. More if you want a nice area/transport links, less if it's a bad neighborhood or a Unit. APR is under 5% at the moment, and the banks are calling for drops next year.