Georgiajoemillie Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 One other thing , $ 70000 converts into £45k and $125000 converts into £81k on money converter which is a very good wage!! when we recently submitted our WA SS form on expenditure we put $ 5000 / month, which they ( WA) obviously thought a plumber could support as they woudnt want families coming over unable to support themselves You've got me thinking now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmacl Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 One other thing , $ 70000 converts into £45k and $125000 converts into £81k on money converter which is a very good wage!!when we recently submitted our WA SS form on expenditure we put $ 5000 / month, which they ( WA) obviously thought a plumber could support as they woudnt want families coming over unable to support themselves You've got me thinking now I wouldnt worry too much tbh. I am an electrician heading to perth very soon and i read a lot of threads about how expensive it is etc etc. But ask yourself this, if its so expensive how do low paid Australians live? I think some people expect to move from a 2 up 2 down ex council house in grimsby for example to a 4x2 with a pool! I think a lot of it comes down to peoples expectations. I currently live in Edinburgh where house prices are extortionate not far behind the likes of London TBH unless you want to live in a slum. But the wages aren't as high as London yet we survive. people complain about $1500 a month rent, If you use the $2 to £1 rate(because you will earn more) thats £750pm rent. Where i live thats a 2 bed flat! so not so expensive really is it.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Legal Angel Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 You might have come from a 2x2 council flat in Grimsby, but I didn't. I own a 4 x 2 bungalow in Ireland and I've lived in Australia over 20 years (and 16 years in Ireland) so I know exactly what I'm talking about. When I first bought my house in Melbourne, it was $105k, and my wages were in around $40k. Now houses in Perth are $350k plus and my wages are around $65k. Low paid australians manage because they have a history here. They have established parents with houses that they can live in whilst they save for their own houses - they aren't furnishing a house from scratch - they have picked up bits and pieces not come 12,000 miles to start again. If you are single and have no children, its a great place. Nightlife, mines with big money, you can buy the grown up toys they are all so mad for (quad bikes, boats, jet skis etc) and you can afford the big rent. But then you are probably not worried about the costs of schools, books, creche costs, vacation/after school care, food, family home in a good suburb. Its horses for courses. 40% of my wages goes on rent, then I have food at $130 per week for two of us, vacation care/after school care, and utilities - wait till you get a water bill for hundreds like some people have (not me personally) and then tell me its a great place. Its much more expensive than Ireland, and it doesn't have the choice and because I am established in Ireland, and its where my heart is, I'm heading back. You see the figures for wages/food/etc and you try and imagine how it would all fit into your life, but until you are actually here it is very hard to get a realistic view. All that said, it works for some, doesn't for others, only you know if it will work for you. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 I wouldnt worry too much tbh. I am an electrician heading to perth very soon and i read a lot of threads about how expensive it is etc etc. But ask yourself this, if its so expensive how do low paid Australians live? I think some people expect to move from a 2 up 2 down ex council house in grimsby for example to a 4x2 with a pool! I think a lot of it comes down to peoples expectations. I currently live in Edinburgh where house prices are extortionate not far behind the likes of London TBH unless you want to live in a slum. But the wages aren't as high as London yet we survive. people complain about $1500 a month rent, If you use the $2 to £1 rate(because you will earn more) thats £750pm rent. Where i live thats a 2 bed flat! so not so expensive really is it.............. If you want to live inPerth itself in a 4x2 with pool in a decent suburb you will pay £750 a week rent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 One other thing , $ 70000 converts into £45k and $125000 converts into £81k on money converter which is a very good wage!!when we recently submitted our WA SS form on expenditure we put $ 5000 / month, which they ( WA) obviously thought a plumber could support as they woudnt want families coming over unable to support themselves You've got me thinking now You can not use a converter as the cost of living here is a lot higher. Most people find the conversion of 2.5 to 1 works better. That means a salary of $75k here would be the same as about £30k in the uk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiajoemillie Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 You can not use a converter as the cost of living here is a lot higher. Most people find the conversion of 2.5 to 1 works better. That means a salary of $75k here would be the same as about £30k in the uk. I didn't want to hear that !!!!!! if I was on say $ 70000 with 3 kids would we get child allownce ( before anyone jumps at me, I'm not going over to sponge) , been out of work for about 2 weeks in early 1990's in uk in a 24 year span. were hopefully getting a 176 visa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmacl Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 (edited) So it costs $350K plus for a house in a decent suburb. I couldn't buy much in Edinburgh for £250k other than a flat or an ex council house so i still don't see that as being expensive. Perth is a capital city in a way so as most capitals or city's that have high earnings it has high house prices. High house prices are wrong i agree but depending on where you choose to live in the UK or Australia it may or may not be a factor. Im pretty sure you could find a small town to live in Western Australia that is cheap. Just as you could live in somewhere less desireable in the UK where houses are cheap. Can you give me an example of a major first world city where house prices are cheap. As for saying Australians have roots here so that makes it easier to live on less money....Not everybody's parents can help their kids buy property or still give them money in their 20s or 30s. We have had the same problem here during the boom years! Edited June 23, 2012 by Cerberus1 Edit by admin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 I didn't want to hear that !!!!!!if I was on say $ 70000 with 3 kids would we get child allownce ( before anyone jumps at me, I'm not going over to sponge) , been out of work for about 2 weeks in early 1990's in uk in a 24 year span. were hopefully getting a 176 visa Sorry, wouldn't have a clue as we don't have children. But I believe there are certain allowances given to families with children. The big cost is housing here. Particularly buying a place. Even the $350k that colinmacl mentions above won't get you much. 8 of the suburbs in Perth itself now have a average house price over $1 million. Hence why we live in Mandurah. Of course there are exceptions, but then you have to ask why a place is cheap. For Mandurah it is that it is 50 mins by train to the city. You can survive on $70k, but do think about the lifestyle it will give you. You certainly won't be living near the ocean, or in Perth itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmacl Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 You can claim family assistance up to earning 150k, I couldnt tell you the exact amount. The point i am making re house prices is that you live where you can afford. Would you expect to move to London and buy a city centre townhouse? I am guessing no so why should you expect to be able to buy a large house overlooking the sea for less than a flat in London or any other major city? I am not old enough to have had the opportunity to buy property cheaply, yes i have made profits from the boom but i had to sink them into the next property i bought, its a sad fact of life whatever side of the world you are on that housing is such a major cost but that's another argument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Legal Angel Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 (edited) ...Parents have to help their kids here, I have a niece and nephew whose parents had to go guarantor and they pay $2,500 monthly repayments. I live here and its expensive, or you can take the word of someone whose never been here. Good luck Edited June 23, 2012 by Cerberus1 Forum rules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiajoemillie Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 Sorry, wouldn't have a clue as we don't have children. But I believe there are certain allowances given to families with children. The big cost is housing here. Particularly buying a place. Even the $350k that colinmacl mentions above won't get you much. 8 of the suburbs in Perth itself now have a average house price over $1 million. Hence why we live in Mandurah. Of course there are exceptions, but then you have to ask why a place is cheap. For Mandurah it is that it is 50 mins by train to the city. You can survive on $70k, but do think about the lifestyle it will give you. You certainly won't be living near the ocean, or in Perth itself. Hi thanks for the reply, We were looking at mandurah , whats your personal opionion about that area???? do you know what it's like regarding plumbing work around mandurah, secret harbour as that 2 suburbs that we have short listed . Listed some nor as well but work and schools would have to take preference Thanks agin Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scot01 Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 If you don't need schools around Mandurah you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 We live in Mandurah and like it a lot. It is a city in it's own right and has it's own suburbs. Secret Harbour is very close to Mandurah, personally I am not such a fan of SH, though a lot of Brits seem to like it. Mandurah has some great affordable areas to live and you get a lot more property for your money. Hi thanks for the reply,We were looking at mandurah , whats your personal opionion about that area???? do you know what it's like regarding plumbing work around mandurah, secret harbour as that 2 suburbs that we have short listed . Listed some nor as well but work and schools would have to take preference Thanks agin Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiajoemillie Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 Thank you We live in Mandurah and like it a lot. It is a city in it's own right and has it's own suburbs. Secret Harbour is very close to Mandurah, personally I am not such a fan of SH, though a lot of Brits seem to like it. Mandurah has some great affordable areas to live and you get a lot more property for your money.[/quote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Langy Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 Perth is very expensive. I'm a nurse, my wife a teacher. In the UK we were always skint and lived in a 3 bed semi. We dreamed of being bale to have a spare room for visitors. We were very fortunate to move to Perth in 2003 when we got $2.70 to a pound. Houses were cheap and we made some good financial decisions. Now we are sitting very comfortably indeed. The kids go to private school we have our perfect 5 bed house in Hillarys. I meet many nurses who come over and if I was in their situation I would be absolutely crapping myself. House prices and the cost of living in general are crazy when you only get $1.55 for a pound. I totally agree with one of the previous comments about the realistic exchange rate being nearer $2.50 for a pound. I'm lucky enough to have done remarkably well in my career and make what I think is a ridiculous wage. If I moved back to the UK (which I do consider from time to time) I would be fortunate to make about 40% of what I get here! I think anyone who moves over without doing any research is an idiot. You can surf the net and find out the cost of groceries/eating out/houses/rent/cars etc etc. You will have a reasonable idea of what you will earn. You do the maths! You can live well for $70k pa, you can live really well for $125k pa, you can also live live a pauper for $125k pa if you have car loans, school fees, a flash house in an expensive suburb and a high-maintenance wife who loves to shop. If you make $70k a year you'll get great enjoyment having a free BBQ and a family walk in Kings Park. If you make $125k a year you can have a nice meal in Frasers in Kings Park and head up to Hillarys Marina for a pint of Hoegaarden for $18.50 a throw to wash it down. On balance Perth lifestyle is much much better than the UK and the weather allows you to do so much more outdoors. So do your research and prepare to live within your means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pat and mike Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 if you don't want to come, tell us which job will then be offering $125k......it's bloody good money. the majority live on far less than that and there aren't many starving gaunt drawn people around !!! quite the opposite in fact !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest garwboy Posted July 1, 2012 Report Share Posted July 1, 2012 This thread is starting to worry me. I thought myself and my wife and 9 month old son could have a decent life living in the suburbs ( Baldivis possibly ) and me working FIFO on a salary of $116,000. Not sure now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pat and mike Posted July 1, 2012 Report Share Posted July 1, 2012 you will. don't fret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest garwboy Posted July 1, 2012 Report Share Posted July 1, 2012 you will. don't fret. Thanks, it is just that it is a big step to put my family through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philpom Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 Thanks, it is just that it is a big step to put my family through. There's a lot of people here in WA that have to survive on less than 100k due to the fact they are not involved in the resources sector. You will probably find that once you move into a position doing FIFO, other options will present themselves that offer more money and opportunity, but I guess it depends on who you're working for. You'll be able to survive nicely on 116k with only 3 of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest theandersonfamily Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 We understand that Perth is expensive but are moving to Perth because it has a good economy, the people sound friendly, the positive attitude to life and the weather sounds fabulous. We are an outdoorsy family and whilst we still go out cycling in the drizzle - it's not something that we enjoy. Cycling/going for walks/going to the beach/watching the kids play sport all sounds much nicer in the sun than in the rain! We are however a bit worried about the cost of living so we have been doing a bit of research. I have heard that there are lots of nice parks and beaches in and around Perth. I might be wrong and would appreciate feedback from those living in Perth. Whilst it is nice to be able to eat out - we will go for picnics and with the gorgeous weather enjoy eating alfresco, bbq style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 We understand that Perth is expensive but are moving to Perth because it has a good economy, the people sound friendly, the positive attitude to life and the weather sounds fabulous. We are an outdoorsy family and whilst we still go out cycling in the drizzle - it's not something that we enjoy. Cycling/going for walks/going to the beach/watching the kids play sport all sounds much nicer in the sun than in the rain! We are however a bit worried about the cost of living so we have been doing a bit of research. I have heard that there are lots of nice parks and beaches in and around Perth. I might be wrong and would appreciate feedback from those living in Perth. Whilst it is nice to be able to eat out - we will go for picnics and with the gorgeous weather enjoy eating alfresco, bbq style. We personally find it a great place, lots of places to cycle, loads of parks and places like Point Walter were you can take a picnic or use one of the BBQ's, jump off the jetty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pat and mike Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 one of the beauties of living here is that you can go to the beach/park/hills etc and take a picnic and enjoy "cheap" days out. many of the parks have public bbq's. there isn't a 20mile tailback to beaches on public holidays - some get busier than others, but there's so much beach to choose from overcrowding isn't an issue....and i think Sydney is still officially more expensive !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kips Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 This thread is starting to worry me. I thought myself and my wife and 9 month old son could have a decent life living in the suburbs ( Baldivis possibly ) and me working FIFO on a salary of $116,000. Not sure now! On that salary in Baldivis you will be fine and will have a very good lifestyle even if your wife chooses not to work. There are thousands of families in Perth with 3-4 kids surviving on a gross combined family income of less than $100,000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest garwboy Posted July 2, 2012 Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 Thanks for all your comments guys, I am looking forward to getting out there. I have my final job interview tomorrow ( quietly confident ) and if I am accepted they have told me I could be in Perth in 3 months with the family joining me 3 months later. I can't remember being this nervous and excited about an interview in a hell of a long time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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