Newbie possible move to Australia q.
Discussion
Hi there,
An opportunity seems to have opened up for a future move to oz if all goes to plan.
Never having really considered it before seriously I know little about the country but having spoken to people who live out there (but non car people) it sounds like it would suit us.
One big concern is what is the car scene like out there?
I do like big V8s so that's good, is fuel cheap?
Also my real love is Porsches and classic british cars, is there much of a scene for either out there? Are they hellishly expensive?
Speed limits are they similar to the UK? Any derestricted areas?
Also what are gun laws and shooting scene like? I shoot clays competitively in this country and don't really want to stop shooting in some form although I'm flexible, I'm hoping there isn't some sort of draconian ban on any kind of firearm the way the UK is going.
An opportunity seems to have opened up for a future move to oz if all goes to plan.
Never having really considered it before seriously I know little about the country but having spoken to people who live out there (but non car people) it sounds like it would suit us.
One big concern is what is the car scene like out there?
I do like big V8s so that's good, is fuel cheap?
Also my real love is Porsches and classic british cars, is there much of a scene for either out there? Are they hellishly expensive?
Speed limits are they similar to the UK? Any derestricted areas?
Also what are gun laws and shooting scene like? I shoot clays competitively in this country and don't really want to stop shooting in some form although I'm flexible, I'm hoping there isn't some sort of draconian ban on any kind of firearm the way the UK is going.
Fuel is cheaper about $1.40/litre which when you convert its about 91p, so quite a bit cheaper, however cars are much more expensive, can be around almost double the price of UK cars. The police presence is much more prevalent, you can lose your licence very easily in Australia. I live in UK now and would have to say the UK is a much better place for the car enthusiast although I do miss the open spaces and empty roads of Oz.
custardtart said:
Don't know about clays but in Bankstown I'm pretty sure it's legal to shoot people.
There's been a bit of that going on out Bankstown way recently I see. What with the sharks, crocodiles, snakes and spiders we have downunder scaring potential immigrants away, the last thing they need to worry about should be getting shot at. Tip, drop South Western Sydney area as a place to consider moving to. I grew up there before it became the 'wild west'.Thanks for that, it all helps.
Generally as a country is it much the same all over in terms of lifestyle/laws etc. Or is it like America with different states with their own laws and totally different lifestyles?
We would like to live in a fairly rural area but not a million miles from civilisation.
Generally as a country is it much the same all over in terms of lifestyle/laws etc. Or is it like America with different states with their own laws and totally different lifestyles?
We would like to live in a fairly rural area but not a million miles from civilisation.
There are 3 layers of government in Australia, Federal Govt, State GOvt and Local Govt (thats like local council responsible for garbarge, local roads, planning etc).
The various states do have some different laws for example some of the road rules are different, and in some places like the Northern Territory there are no speed limits, it is cheaper to register (ie tax) a car in Queensland and South Australia compared to NSW. Stamp duty on property transfers varies between the states too, and petrol tax varies too, but mostly all minor things.
The various states do have some different laws for example some of the road rules are different, and in some places like the Northern Territory there are no speed limits, it is cheaper to register (ie tax) a car in Queensland and South Australia compared to NSW. Stamp duty on property transfers varies between the states too, and petrol tax varies too, but mostly all minor things.
randomwalk said:
There are 3 layers of government in Australia, Federal Govt, State GOvt and Local Govt (thats like local council responsible for garbarge, local roads, planning etc).
The various states do have some different laws for example some of the road rules are different, and in some places like the Northern Territory there are no speed limits, it is cheaper to register (ie tax) a car in Queensland and South Australia compared to NSW. Stamp duty on property transfers varies between the states too, and petrol tax varies too, but mostly all minor things.
How have I been planning a move to Oz for so long and not found this out!?!?The various states do have some different laws for example some of the road rules are different, and in some places like the Northern Territory there are no speed limits, it is cheaper to register (ie tax) a car in Queensland and South Australia compared to NSW. Stamp duty on property transfers varies between the states too, and petrol tax varies too, but mostly all minor things.
randomwalk said:
Fuel is cheaper about $1.40/litre which when you convert its about 91p, so quite a bit cheaper, however cars are much more expensive, can be around almost double the price of UK cars. The police presence is much more prevalent, you can lose your licence very easily in Australia. I live in UK now and would have to say the UK is a much better place for the car enthusiast although I do miss the open spaces and empty roads of Oz.
You have to be a bit careful just doing exchange rate comparisons. Comparing with UK earnings does not really work as..well..you are not earning the pound 
Certainly you can earn an average wage here and have a better lifestyle than on an average wage in the UK.
wildoliver said:
Thanks for that, it all helps.
Generally as a country is it much the same all over in terms of lifestyle/laws etc. Or is it like America with different states with their own laws and totally different lifestyles?
We would like to live in a fairly rural area but not a million miles from civilisation.
What do you want from rural and how big a civilisation do you want? Rural here is not really like the UK.Generally as a country is it much the same all over in terms of lifestyle/laws etc. Or is it like America with different states with their own laws and totally different lifestyles?
We would like to live in a fairly rural area but not a million miles from civilisation.
Laws are fairly similar to the UK, some stuff is heavily enforced while other stuff slips by. There are some draconian laws on the roads that can be enforced by a Police officer on the side of the road acting as judge, jury and executioner...but just dont get caught being silly and it wont affect you (look up hoon laws and yellow stickers). Australia can be a bit of a nanny state, the man loves inventing rules, laws, fines and taxes to try and protect people from themselves and appease the 'something must be done' crowds of which there are many.
State laws do vary as do infrastructure things. Say you buy a car in SA and drive it in to WA it becomes unregistered when you cross the border so you need to get permits in place to drive it home. Drivers licences and getting one varies from state to state as do fines, demerits etc.
Lifestyle is entirely different. The best advice to give here is to move here and aim for an entirely new start. Forget the UK...this is not the UK, it is a foreign country with its own way of doing things. The people that end up being miserable and moving back to the UK are the ones that expect Australia to be like the UK and do all they can to try and make it like things were in the UK. It just doesnt work, Australia is not going to change (quickly anyway). Chuck yourself in to the new life, you get out what you put in.
200bhp said:
How have I been planning a move to Oz for so long and not found this out!?!?
It's not that exciting I am sure. There might be a corner out there somewhere 
....Isle of Man it aint!
Wildeoliver I live about 65Km south of the centre of Brisbane, capital of Queensland, population around 2 million. It is a similar distance to the Gold Coast tourist area. It is semi rural, with many lifestyle 2 to 5 acre properties. It is about 45 minutes by expressway to the city.
I own 19 acres, with a large, but average 5 bedroom air conditioned house, a 2 bedroom granny flat, & a small swimming pool. It is on a fresh river with irrigation rights, with an underground irrigation main running the full length of the place. I have a range of fruit trees, & had a veggie patch for a while.
I have lock up sheds for 5 cars, [it could be 7 if wanted], 3 car ports, 2 stables, a feed & tack shed, & other shedding for things like the ride on mower, portable pumps, generators etc. It is fenced into 10 paddocks, with jumps in most fences forming a 2.5Km cross country course, including water jumps into & out of one of the dams.
It is about 25Km from each of 5 different small to medium townships by pleasant country main roads.
We get the occasional frost, & it does get quite hot for a month or 3 most years.
This is worth about the same money as a nice 4/5 bedroom house in nice, but not special suburb in the city.
We have some nice, near new 3/4/5 bedroom homes, on 1.5 to 2.5 acres, with some on 5 & 10 acres, in the area with prices from A$399,000 to A$700,000.
Schools both private & state are quite good, with much less problems than most city schools & there are school only buses to a number of them, otherwise there is no public transport. The local tavern is pretty good.
See you soon.
I own 19 acres, with a large, but average 5 bedroom air conditioned house, a 2 bedroom granny flat, & a small swimming pool. It is on a fresh river with irrigation rights, with an underground irrigation main running the full length of the place. I have a range of fruit trees, & had a veggie patch for a while.
I have lock up sheds for 5 cars, [it could be 7 if wanted], 3 car ports, 2 stables, a feed & tack shed, & other shedding for things like the ride on mower, portable pumps, generators etc. It is fenced into 10 paddocks, with jumps in most fences forming a 2.5Km cross country course, including water jumps into & out of one of the dams.
It is about 25Km from each of 5 different small to medium townships by pleasant country main roads.
We get the occasional frost, & it does get quite hot for a month or 3 most years.
This is worth about the same money as a nice 4/5 bedroom house in nice, but not special suburb in the city.
We have some nice, near new 3/4/5 bedroom homes, on 1.5 to 2.5 acres, with some on 5 & 10 acres, in the area with prices from A$399,000 to A$700,000.
Schools both private & state are quite good, with much less problems than most city schools & there are school only buses to a number of them, otherwise there is no public transport. The local tavern is pretty good.
See you soon.
Edited by Hasbeen on Saturday 28th January 03:38
Worst ‘I own 19 acres, with a large, but average 5 bedroom air conditioned house, a 2 bedroom granny flat, & a small swimming pool. It is on a fresh river with irrigation rights, with an underground irrigation main running the full length of the place. I have a range of fruit trees, & had a veggie patch for a while. I have lock up sheds for 5 cars, [it could be 7 if wanted], 3 car ports, 2 stables, a feed & tack shed, & other shedding for things like the ride on mower, portable pumps, generators etc. It is fenced into 10 paddocks, with jumps in most fences forming a 2.5Km cross country course, including water jumps into & out of one of the dams.’ post ever.
Google [bot] said:
Worst ‘I own 19 acres, with a large, but average 5 bedroom air conditioned house, a 2 bedroom granny flat, & a small swimming pool. It is on a fresh river with irrigation rights, with an underground irrigation main running the full length of the place. I have a range of fruit trees, & had a veggie patch for a while. I have lock up sheds for 5 cars, [it could be 7 if wanted], 3 car ports, 2 stables, a feed & tack shed, & other shedding for things like the ride on mower, portable pumps, generators etc. It is fenced into 10 paddocks, with jumps in most fences forming a 2.5Km cross country course, including water jumps into & out of one of the dams.’ post ever.
Got a problem little fellow?I thought our poster wanted to know what it was like in Oz, so I told him what an average bloke in Qld could afford. Did you notice I mentioned this was of similar value to a nice home in a reasonably good suburb, nothing like millionaires row.
I didn't bother tell him I'm a multi millionaire, ex astronaut, married to a couple of miss world winners, & winner of the worlds most hansom bloke. May be I will next time.
Hasbeen said:
Got a problem little fellow?
I thought our poster wanted to know what it was like in Oz, so I told him what an average bloke in Qld could afford. Did you notice I mentioned this was of similar value to a nice home in a reasonably good suburb, nothing like millionaires row.
I didn't bother tell him I'm a multi millionaire, ex astronaut, married to a couple of miss world winners, & winner of the worlds most hansom bloke. May be I will next time.
Feisty... I thought our poster wanted to know what it was like in Oz, so I told him what an average bloke in Qld could afford. Did you notice I mentioned this was of similar value to a nice home in a reasonably good suburb, nothing like millionaires row.
I didn't bother tell him I'm a multi millionaire, ex astronaut, married to a couple of miss world winners, & winner of the worlds most hansom bloke. May be I will next time.
Hardly an average for most people to be honest. Especially if you are working in a city and don't want to spend hours commuting. Most people would not have that lifestyle.
Me and my partner live in Sydney. Earn very good money and rent a 1 bed room apartment. Just for a different opinion.
Google [bot] said:
No problem Sir and no need for that. There's a history of 'worst *insert quote/misrepresentation of quote* post/thread ever posts. It's funny, it's tongue-in-cheek, not a personal attack. I assume you've missed them so won't take offence.
Youthful insolence 
Signed, Andrew. Company director. Golf r remapped. Powerfully built.
Edited by Colonial on Wednesday 1st February 09:22
Colonial said:
Feisty...
Hardly an average for most people to be honest. Especially if you are working in a city and don't want to spend hours commuting. Most people would not have that lifestyle.
Me and my partner live in Sydney. Earn very good money and rent a 1 bed room apartment. Just for a different opinion.
Hi Colonial, I have lived that way too. Coogee when I was into surfing, Cammeray when I was sailing, & Padstow , close to Warwick Farm & Oran Park, when I was racing. They all suited me at the time. I even tried Newport living on my boat once but that didn't work. At that time the last thing I wanted was grass to mow. Hardly an average for most people to be honest. Especially if you are working in a city and don't want to spend hours commuting. Most people would not have that lifestyle.
Me and my partner live in Sydney. Earn very good money and rent a 1 bed room apartment. Just for a different opinion.
However when I started running a little group of manufacturing companies in the Gold Coast industrial area, I had 2 kids in primary school, & I didn't like what I saw of the schools there. I had to drive 52Km to live here, & have a country school with good discipline for the kids, but it was a very easy traffic free drive. Besides 2 of the kids were into horses.
There is now quite a bit of industry in the outer southern suburbs of Brisbane, & a lot of people are moving into the area. For some the dream doesn't work, & they have moved back to civilisation in no more than a couple of years, but we have 1200 homes in the area now, all on acreage & mostly less than 5 years old, so it is a growing option.
Edited by Hasbeen on Wednesday 1st February 14:37
I was one of you "opportunity to move to Aus etc" people about a year ago. I moved... my experience has been positive so far though I have not got a car yet. In fact I have taken to other pursuits as well...the lifestyle is such that you can do that... easily.
I joined a sailing club and am getting lessons in Laser sailing, to start, prob move bigger later..or maybe just a bit of laser racing for fun... some weekends I have just gone to the beach...for a swim, which was pleasant. My dad went swimming in east sussex on Xmas day too....its not the same.
Other things I have had the opportunity to do....fly a RV-6 plane...ok so this is a family friend but space and stuff makes it easier. I did a loop the loop....it was fun!
(despite an accidental negative G moment! ooops!)
Just to chasten the doom mongers of speed....I drove up to Port Macquarie (where I flew) in a little convertible Alfa I hired (seems cheap over here?!) and I have to say.... I saw about 2 cop cars with speed guns in about 5 hours of driving there and the same back. they were all on open bits of highway.
Generally it seems to me that yes there is a greater police presence but as long as you are not totally thick then its not so bad. If you do 100mph for 1hr on a highway you will get nicked. If you pick the spot where you can see there is no cheeky copper ahead of you and blast up to "a" speed and back down, you'll be alright. Also on the little twisties you get around small places like Port Macquarie there are no police, the roads are too small. Just like the small roads around East Sussex. These are the fun ones to me.
Basically act like a mug and you'll get pulled. Act a bit smarter and you'll be alright.
Additionally I was told that often if you join a club of your chosen marque you will find that people do run outs where someone scouts ahead and clears a path....then its free game! (Apparently).
Cars are expensive though. I am currently looking at getting an S2000, 350Z, Monaro CV8 or something similar and they are all about $30k for reasonably used examples. Worth about £10k in the uk! Do the math. I don't earn 3 x as much as I did before.
I joined a sailing club and am getting lessons in Laser sailing, to start, prob move bigger later..or maybe just a bit of laser racing for fun... some weekends I have just gone to the beach...for a swim, which was pleasant. My dad went swimming in east sussex on Xmas day too....its not the same.
Other things I have had the opportunity to do....fly a RV-6 plane...ok so this is a family friend but space and stuff makes it easier. I did a loop the loop....it was fun!
(despite an accidental negative G moment! ooops!)Just to chasten the doom mongers of speed....I drove up to Port Macquarie (where I flew) in a little convertible Alfa I hired (seems cheap over here?!) and I have to say.... I saw about 2 cop cars with speed guns in about 5 hours of driving there and the same back. they were all on open bits of highway.
Generally it seems to me that yes there is a greater police presence but as long as you are not totally thick then its not so bad. If you do 100mph for 1hr on a highway you will get nicked. If you pick the spot where you can see there is no cheeky copper ahead of you and blast up to "a" speed and back down, you'll be alright. Also on the little twisties you get around small places like Port Macquarie there are no police, the roads are too small. Just like the small roads around East Sussex. These are the fun ones to me.
Basically act like a mug and you'll get pulled. Act a bit smarter and you'll be alright.
Additionally I was told that often if you join a club of your chosen marque you will find that people do run outs where someone scouts ahead and clears a path....then its free game! (Apparently).
Cars are expensive though. I am currently looking at getting an S2000, 350Z, Monaro CV8 or something similar and they are all about $30k for reasonably used examples. Worth about £10k in the uk! Do the math. I don't earn 3 x as much as I did before.
TAS1981 said:
Cars are expensive though. I am currently looking at getting an S2000, 350Z, Monaro CV8 or something similar and they are all about $30k for reasonably used examples. Worth about £10k in the uk! Do the math. I don't earn 3 x as much as I did before.
I would say dont do that maths. What happens in the UK is totally irrelevant to what happens here as you are earning the AU$ and paying the bills in the AU$.Very interesting stuff.
The natural suggestion is to live in Sydney as that's where the family are, but honestly something is putting me off.
I know what I want from somewhere to live and I just don't think Sydney is it. The killer is not knowing the country it isn't easy to work out where I do want to be.
The natural suggestion is to live in Sydney as that's where the family are, but honestly something is putting me off.
I know what I want from somewhere to live and I just don't think Sydney is it. The killer is not knowing the country it isn't easy to work out where I do want to be.
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