Guest Claire and Brian Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew of a website that can tell me a recent cost of living figure for a family of 4 or if someone could tell me on here. The last website we looked at the cost of living was a good few years old. I'd like to know about average monthly costs of rent/mortage, utilities, car finance, shopping, kids/sports clubs, TV, phones, internet, insurances, school fees and basically anything else you can think of. How long is it before you buy a house on average? What is the advantage or disadvantage of buying an older house over having one built for you? We're looking around the jondaloop area. Many thanks Brian and Claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiajoemillie Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 Hi, this forum and poms in oz is all about the cost of living in Perth at the moment . You'll be shocked like the rest of us !!!! Search living cost , it's bound to Come up Good luck Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Claire and Brian Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 (edited) Thanks Ian I searched cost of living and found this link so thought I'd share. Edited September 13, 2012 by ali link to other forum removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 Most people work on the basis of 2.5. So the cost of living with the same standard of living, take your income in the UK and multiply by 2.5 and that tells you the average. Though if you like eating out a lot or take lots of short breaks in Europe and things then multiply by 3x. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest racheldarkesouthwood Posted August 28, 2012 Report Share Posted August 28, 2012 I was thinking earlier that the only cheaper things here are fuel (equivalent figures to UK£) and SUN (if you take a foreign holiday each year!). Oh, and public transport. I think 3x is the right equation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EKLennox Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 hmmmm my fears have been realised re the cost of living. I've been offered $75k + 9%, I am negotiating as I don't think this will be enough to flat share (possibly Leederville, Mount Lawler .......) and enjoy my usual socialising etc. I'm currenlty on £45k in the UK, so based on the 3x the offer is definiteky not enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PomPom Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 Hi Claire and Brian, I have just been onto this link. It's fantastic! Really does give you all the information you need on living costs. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted August 30, 2012 Report Share Posted August 30, 2012 As a single person in a flat share you can certainly live on $75k but it won't give the same standard of living as £45k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy1970 Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Reading through various different threads, can anyone advise of the utilty bills that require to be paid whilst renting? I have read that council tax is not required,nor is water rates? Does this depend on the landlord? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Usually gas and electric. You'll be required to ensure the garden areas are also well kempt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cup Cake Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew of a website that can tell me a recent cost of living figure for a family of 4 or if someone could tell me on here. The last website we looked at the cost of living was a good few years old. I'd like to know about average monthly costs of rent/mortage, utilities, car finance, shopping, kids/sports clubs, TV, phones, internet, insurances, school fees and basically anything else you can think of. How long is it before you buy a house on average? What is the advantage or disadvantage of buying an older house over having one built for you? We're looking around the jondaloop area. Many thanks Brian and Claire I found this website very help ful, and its fairly up to date, gives the cost of living for family of 4: hope this helps you Edited April 1, 2013 by ali Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Saffa Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) hmmmm my fears have been realised re the cost of living. I've been offered $75k + 9%, I am negotiating as I don't think this will be enough to flat share (possibly Leederville, Mount Lawler .......) and enjoy my usual socialising etc. I'm currenlty on £45k in the UK, so based on the 3x the offer is definiteky not enough. I've just moved over here after living in the Uk for a few years and to be honest I'm finding it to be more like x2. I.e If rental costs you £900 in the Uk, you would probably spend around 1800 dollars here. You can get a pretty nice 4 bedroom house about 25min from the CBD for $400,000....so that is £200,000 back home. Example: http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-wanneroo-110374357?listingType=buy If you earn £30,000 back home, I'd say aim for $60,000 here. If you earn £40,000 back home, I'd say aim for $80,000 here. I've found the formula applies more or less to food shopping as well. Eg today I Bought 2 x 2l cokes for $5 dollars ($2.50 each), so that would be £2.50 in the Uk or £1.25 each. Meat is more expensive though, but take a look at the Coles website to get the prices of their stuff. We average around $150 per week with our food shop for 2 of us (so that's around 75 pounds a week), eating pretty well. Another example is the full Sky TV package costs around £55 in the Uk....here Foxtel TV is $120 dollars....so again, more or less x2. Travel on trains and buses will cost you around $8 dollars a day (sometimes less) usually, so about £4 if you use the x2 formula which is probably cheaper than London. It's not an exact science, but I find it is close enough. Rememember as well you will be living in a city here, so compare prices to London etc, if you are from the country back home. My thoughts are, don't worry about it too much. If you survive and live a decent life in the UK, you will be fine here. Once you start earning Aussie dollars it is all relevant. Even if it's not exactly x2, you can't put a price on the lifestyle here. This is a pic I took earlier today in the CBD. It's been like this all week, and we're only in Spring.... Hope that helps you out a bit. Edited September 14, 2012 by Saffa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraighttothePoint Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Usually gas and electric. You'll be required to ensure the garden areas are also well kempt Don't forget water usage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jennahawkey Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 Heres my monthly budget. Hope it helps. We're a married couple, no kids. Both bring in an average salary so we're quite comfortable, but when we decide to have kids we'll battle on one income. Although we could make a lot of cuts. [TABLE=width: 1037] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD]Weekly[/TD] [TD]Fortnight[/TD] [TD]Monthly[/TD] [TD]Monthly[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Outgoing[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Rent[/TD] [TD]$500.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$2,166.67[/TD] [TD] 3 bed 2 bath in Balcatta[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Gas[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$50.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$50.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Water[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]$0.00 [/TD] [TD]Included in landlord rates[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Electricity[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$80.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$80.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Internet/Mobile Phones[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$115.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$115.00 [/TD] [TD]Home broadband and 2 mobile phone contracts (iiNet)[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Car Insurance[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$99.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$99.00 [/TD] [TD]$30k car[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Motorcycle Insurance[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$20.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$20.00[/TD] [TD] 50cc scooter - more fun than a train and no extra license required[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Pet Insurance[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$30.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$30.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Medical Insurance[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$82.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$177.67 [/TD] [TD]Compulsory if on a 457. [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Petrol[/TD] [TD]$60.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$260.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Car Repayments[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$556.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$556.00[/TD] [TD] $30k car[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Contents Insurance[/TD] [TD]$60.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$260.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Groceries[/TD] [TD]$200.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$866.67 [/TD] [TD]normally between $150-$200 a week. [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Weekends[/TD] [TD]$300.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$1,300.00[/TD] [TD] $10 a pint/glass of wine. $50 slab of beer (24 stubbies). [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Other[/TD] [TD]$200.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$866.67[/TD] [TD] anything not already budgeted for. [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Total Outgoing:[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$6,847.68[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riboid Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 $75k! You will not survive here on that wage. I am well more than double that wage and we are struggling. We have 2 kids, who now eat like adults. Had to buy two cars and now renting my own house and paying for that. If you are anything less than $200k here, in Perth and especially if you want a house in Mount Lawley - you will struggle - unless your a monk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levi Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Hi riboid, What do you do for a living? Is $75k and $200k on a per year basis? If I am counting right, my sister (and husband + 2 kids) are getting about $75k per year, and from what we talk about I see they are living pretty well in Perth (house, 2 cars, buying furniture and so on). Perhaps I'm missing something. Let's hear some more opinions / comments. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest farang Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 I am budgeting about 4k per month, no car phone or petrol required, single man. I think should be enough as I will only rent a small place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonleannejack Posted October 15, 2012 Report Share Posted October 15, 2012 Hi riboid, What do you do for a living? Is $75k and $200k on a per year basis? If I am counting right, my sister (and husband + 2 kids) are getting about $75k per year, and from what we talk about I see they are living pretty well in Perth (house, 2 cars, buying furniture and so on). Perhaps I'm missing something. Let's hear some more opinions / comments. Thanks! Hi Levi, wondering what you really need. There is a big difference between the quoted $200k and the $75k your sisters family get by on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cheeky rascal Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 Heres my monthly budget. Hope it helps. We're a married couple, no kids. Both bring in an average salary so we're quite comfortable, but when we decide to have kids we'll battle on one income. Although we could make a lot of cuts. [TABLE=width: 1037] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD]Weekly[/TD] [TD]Fortnight[/TD] [TD]Monthly[/TD] [TD]Monthly[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Outgoing[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Rent[/TD] [TD]$500.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$2,166.67[/TD] [TD] 3 bed 2 bath in Balcatta[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Gas[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$50.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$50.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Water[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]0[/TD] [TD=align: right]$0.00[/TD] [TD]Included in landlord rates[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Electricity[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$80.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$80.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Internet/Mobile Phones[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$115.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$115.00[/TD] [TD]Home broadband and 2 mobile phone contracts (iiNet)[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Car Insurance[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$99.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$99.00[/TD] [TD]$30k car[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Motorcycle Insurance[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$20.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$20.00[/TD] [TD] 50cc scooter - more fun than a train and no extra license required[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Pet Insurance[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$30.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$30.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Medical Insurance[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$82.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$177.67[/TD] [TD]Compulsory if on a 457.[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Petrol[/TD] [TD]$60.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$260.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Car Repayments[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]$556.00[/TD] [TD=align: right]$556.00[/TD] [TD] $30k car[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Contents Insurance[/TD] [TD]$60.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$260.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Groceries[/TD] [TD]$200.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$866.67[/TD] [TD]normally between $150-$200 a week.[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Weekends[/TD] [TD]$300.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$1,300.00[/TD] [TD] $10 a pint/glass of wine. $50 slab of beer (24 stubbies).[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Other[/TD] [TD]$200.00[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$866.67[/TD] [TD] anything not already budgeted for.[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Total Outgoing:[/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD=align: right]$6,847.68[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Thank you Jennahawkey. This was very helpful. We currently live in Mackay and thought it was expensive here. Looking to move to Perth late next year. As informative as this thread is, it's disheartening!!! General question to anyone reading, Any idea on what the job market is like for the construction industry? My OH is a crane operator with an open ticket! Thanks, CR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riboid Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 That breakdown looks about right, although, ours is a way bit higher due to some commitments back in the UK but thats a good base line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannet9845 Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Hi all me and my husband moved here 8 weeks ago and wow its been hard work from day one and trying to fine some where to live was a mightmear took us 6 weeks the house is $760 aweek and you do have to pay for water u use just not rates, phone and internet hard to get your head round and every thing cos a lot to conect phone .tv , internet bond, we bought a car and again insurance and car payment and the paper work is hard we put down $10,000 down to bring payments down, there is 5 of us in our family me my hubby 16 year old 15 year old and 7 year old r shopping is about $300 to $400 week, i think you need to be earning about $110,00 a year for a family of this size r family of 4 as that what my friends family aren and they manage ok they live just other size south of the river, we live in the north and we pay about the same for house ect, if i can help you with any thing plz ask away thank Joanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riboid Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Joanne, Welcome to Perth. At the beginning, we were spending money like that on food but now we have managed to cut it right down but probably averages, including meals out, maybe 800 a month, so I am sure you can cut that down. There is four of us in the house, kids are 16 now so basically adults, in terms of food consumption. We go to a local butcher in beaufort street, fornightly and pick up a butchers pack. Again, this lasts us two weeks. We can also go to the spud shed, ok, its a bit of a drive but we can go up there and get all of our veg for the week for 30 bucks but we usually end up buying some more stuff. then, my wife will nip out and get the necessities, shopping powder etc, that shopping will usually cost over 200 but again, you will be able to work your bills down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riboid Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Forgot to say, we were hitting spud shed there for a while. We were averaging 190 bucks per week. This average was taken over a couple of months. Again, for x4 adults. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozzachino Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 I think it all depends what lifestyle you are used to. Before we had our son, we used to eat out at least once or twice a week, go to gym, cinema, away for weekends etc. since we had our son we dont spend much going out at all as we have no family nearby to babysit, so have got used to staying in now and therefore not spending loads of excess cash, not that we have much of that anymore anyway! We aren't going to Perth to match our lifestyle financially, we know its going to be hard and what we need to earn between us to ensure we can afford the necessities plus have some leftover for some fun things too. Doing your research online and speaking to people in Oz if you know any are the best things you can do to prepare yourself for the changes you may encounter or have to face. Only you will know what you are prepared to do or to sacrifice to achieve what is important to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levi Posted March 3, 2013 Report Share Posted March 3, 2013 Any other questions regarding cost of living? Post them here. Bump on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.