High cost of living bla bla bla....:)

[piccolo]

We are hoping to come to Perth this year all going well. The problem I have is my sister is there since September with her OH and 3 kids (9,6,and 3) and is living in Kingsley. She keeps going on about how expensive everything is and how they've no money. My Mother is just back from spending a month with them and is going on and on and on about the high cost of everything in Perth. It's like she's trying to talk me out of moving indirectly by going on about it so much. I'm starting to get annoyed because we really want to make the move.

I can't help but feel that my Mum's opinion is influenced by the fact that my sister's husband is bringing in $1000 a week and their rent is $550! He is scaffolding with his brother's company but had applied for 9 jobs in retail (this is where his experience lies) and got no replies. My sister has been for 3 interviews for a teaching job in high school and got none of them either. So they're coming home now next month (other family reasons for this, not just cost of living) after less than a year in Perth.

I don't know what to think anymore. My OH's brother is also living there with his aussie girlfriend (no kids) and says yes, things are expensive but the wages reflect that etc. We have one child, aged 1....so school fees not an issue yet. What are your opinions? Is my Mother right?!! She also said that it seems to be the way in Perth that the women don't really work, the men do. Childcare costs are high, food/wine etc also high. Would appreciate any input you may have.

[milbony]

Having 3 children myself and hoping to be living in Perth in a few month time, I am interested in what people have to say about your thread.

My husband is an electrician by trade and wages are definately better there than the UK so even though the cost of living is higher, it balances itself out through the wages. However, if you have a profession that is paid roughly the same in Perth as it does in UK, it will certainly seem very expensive. You could however, look at other positives.....great weather, outdoor lifestyle, better prospects for our children.....etc.

[piccolo]

My husband is a fitter/machinist so wages do seem to be higher in Perth but maybe longer hours there too than in Ireland. I just feel that my family are being overly negative about Perth in a bid to prevent me from taking the plunge and going! But what I'm wondering is, are they just being realistic or negative?!

[portlaunay]

http://www.perthpoms.com/forum/money...html#post22358

[Chook]

Some things in Perth are expensive, there is no denying that. This is a result of the mining boom, which is creating so many of the well paid jobs. For middle income earners who are not yet on the property ladder and who do not want to live and work in the outer suburbs, this can create financial problems as rentals are in high demand and therefore very expensive, and supermarket prices are inflated.
The best way to afford your lifestyle is to manage it. Determine what it is you want from your move to Australia. If it's a big house with two flash cars in the garage, private school and lots of toys for your children, fine dining and holidays in Yallingup, then you will need to get a 'fly in, fly out' job up north in the mines. Or be very cashed up when you arrive. If you are happy to live in the more rural areas, then you will find the cost of living a whole lot better. Housing is cheaper, local schools are very goood and you can still expect to find a well paid job, particularly in your trade as most of them have headed to the mines! Consider places like Bunbury and surrounds. Australian rural communities are generally strong and supportive. You will soon meet and make friends with the locals, opening new doors of opportunity.
Wherever you decide to live, your children will settle quickly if you get them outside, to the beaches, local sports clubs and play grounds. A healthy outdoor lifestyle is the most affordable thing in Australia. Team sports are abundant, so get your children involved from the start. They will soon have new friends, and through them you will meet many people who can offer you local advice and support.
If this is something that you really want, then do not be put off by the experiences of others. As they say here 'If you never, never go, then you never, never know'.
And if you have not yet started your application, then you will need to do so now as the rule changes in July may crush your plans altogether. Good luck.

[Arwen]

I have lived in Perth almost 7 years and I have seen prices of everything go up dramatically. Coupled with the decline in house prices in the UK and the terrible exchange rate I can, hand on heart, say that I wouldn't make the move now. Unless you are bringing a substantial amount of cash and you know you are going to get good, well paid jobs I wouldn't even consider it. Harsh, perhaps. Easy for me to say I guess as I am here but it is hard work emigrating and if you are under financial pressures this often makes it worse. Good luck with your decision.

[portlaunay]

I have lived in Perth almost 7 years and I have seen prices of everything go up dramatically. Coupled with the decline in house prices in the UK and the terrible exchange rate I can, hand on heart, say that I wouldn't make the move now. Unless you are bringing a substantial amount of cash and you know you are going to get good, well paid jobs I wouldn't even consider it. Harsh, perhaps. Easy for me to say I guess as I am here but it is hard work emigrating and if you are under financial pressures this often makes it worse. Good luck with your decision.

I have a somewhat different perspective.

We've just arrived from London. Mrs Portlaunay had a job offer with a 20% drop in salary and I had nothing.
Our house in London hasn't sold so we have no capital and all told it must have cost us £20k to get here - not just the physical move but the hidden costs too.
I settled in with the kids and took 3 months to find a job.
Our joint income is higher than the UK but, given the cost of living, in real terms we're financially worse off.

However, we felt London was no place to raise our 2 young children.
We struggled with the UK education system and lack of sport and creativity in the curriculum.
We were concerned that the cost of living in the UK was increasing but lack of investment in infrastructure, public spaces, community projects and out of school recreation for kids meant that standard of living was in rapid decline.
We were worried about the social attitudes of people - the lack of community spirit and people concerned mainly with what they can get rather than what they have to offer and people generally not taking responsibility for their own environment.
Increase in tackling social problems by use of force/laws/policing rather than address the core issues.

I could go on.
It remains to be seen whether all of the issues above have been addressed by this move but already we and our children are happier feel safer and more secure and they go to a school with a flexible and more creative curriculum.

Money isn't everything. I've said it in other threads, we are 'poorer' here but so, so much richer.
When I was a child on a council estate in Essex we were not rich but I had a great childhood with incredibly supportive and loving parents, I wouldn't swap that for any amount of money and I don't think my kids would either.

[Arwen]

I have a somewhat different perspective.

We've just arrived from London. Mrs Portlaunay had a job offer with a 20% drop in salary and I had nothing.
Our house in London hasn't sold so we have no capital and all told it must have cost us £20k to get here - not just the physical move but the hidden costs too.
I settled in with the kids and took 3 months to find a job.
Our joint income is higher than the UK but, given the cost of living, in real terms we're financially worse off.

However, we felt London was no place to raise our 2 young children.
We struggled with the UK education system and lack of sport and creativity in the curriculum.
We were concerned that the cost of living in the UK was increasing but lack of investment in infrastructure, public spaces, community projects and out of school recreation for kids meant that standard of living was in rapid decline.
We were worried about the social attitudes of people - the lack of community spirit and people concerned mainly with what they can get rather than what they have to offer and people generally not taking responsibility for their own environment.
Increase in tackling social problems by use of force/laws/policing rather than address the core issues.

I could go on.
It remains to be seen whether all of the issues above have been addressed by this move but already we and our children are happier feel safer and more secure and they go to a school with a flexible and more creative curriculum.

Money isn't everything. I've said it in other threads, we are 'poorer' here but so, so much richer.
When I was a child on a council estate in Essex we were not rich but I had a great childhood with incredibly supportive and loving parents, I wouldn't swap that for any amount of money and I don't think my kids would either.

I hope that works for you, you are correct money isn't everything but if you can't make ends meet then that makes for a pretty miserable existence. Many people come and can't make ends meet and find life without family support too hard. I think this is something realistic that needs to be highlighted to prospective migrants. I too was brought up on a council estate and we had no money, pound coins in the gas meter and ice on the inside of the windows during the winter. Thankfully we don't live in that world anymore. It is admirable that you have high expectations for your family life but for many these don't put food on the table.

Don't get me wrong, I love it here and I wouldn't go back to England for all the tea in china but a lot of people will not share your view. They want a shiny new build and 4x4 and the differences will be a bad thing rather than a good thing in your case. I just wanted to highlight that many will find it hard.

[Lucy G]

I totally agree with everything posted on this thread. We have 3 kids and just make ends meet in the UK (bit less lately due to migration cost) and we know for the first couple of years things are going to be pretty much the same in Oz. My hubby is a Welder and his wages are a lot higher than UK with less hours thankfully and the main aim of our move is the quality family life. We want to embrace all the things that come for free - the weather & fantastic scenery and as our kids get older I can return to work and financially things will improve. If reality for us is that while our children are young times will be hard then I would rather spend those times in Oz and see our boys thrive on the opportunities and lifestyle it has to offer than remain in the UK. At least in Oz they will actually get to spend their youth with their dad and he will get to see them grow up. He's missed out on far too much of that already. Our idea of fantastic perfect life is fun family time just enjoying life all together. It does frustrate me when I see these people who think they are going to go to Oz and have a large 4bed house with swimming pool & close to the beach straight away and then moan about the cost of living when they never had these things in the UK anyway! The times of UK pound going a lot further in Oz are behind us and the reality is unless you are lucky with a nice nest egg behind you - financially life is going to be pretty similar to that in the UK but what a place to be able to call your home. That to us is so much more important that the material things, they come and go through life but the memories and times shared living in such a beautiful country will far outweigh any of their value! x

[Hassan]

exquisite to say the least!!!

Regards.

Some things in Perth are expensive, there is no denying that. This is a result of the mining boom, which is creating so many of the well paid jobs. For middle income earners who are not yet on the property ladder and who do not want to live and work in the outer suburbs, this can create financial problems as rentals are in high demand and therefore very expensive, and supermarket prices are inflated.
The best way to afford your lifestyle is to manage it. Determine what it is you want from your move to Australia. If it's a big house with two flash cars in the garage, private school and lots of toys for your children, fine dining and holidays in Yallingup, then you will need to get a 'fly in, fly out' job up north in the mines. Or be very cashed up when you arrive. If you are happy to live in the more rural areas, then you will find the cost of living a whole lot better. Housing is cheaper, local schools are very goood and you can still expect to find a well paid job, particularly in your trade as most of them have headed to the mines! Consider places like Bunbury and surrounds. Australian rural communities are generally strong and supportive. You will soon meet and make friends with the locals, opening new doors of opportunity.
Wherever you decide to live, your children will settle quickly if you get them outside, to the beaches, local sports clubs and play grounds. A healthy outdoor lifestyle is the most affordable thing in Australia. Team sports are abundant, so get your children involved from the start. They will soon have new friends, and through them you will meet many people who can offer you local advice and support.
If this is something that you really want, then do not be put off by the experiences of others. As they say here 'If you never, never go, then you never, never know'.
And if you have not yet started your application, then you will need to do so now as the rule changes in July may crush your plans altogether. Good luck.