Anyone recently emigrated from UK to Melbourne?

[forzaminardi]

Hi Aussie PHers, I'm currently considering the offer of a rather excellent job based in Melbourne. I wondered if any of you had any recent experiences of moving from the UK to Melbourne (or Oz generally, I guess) to share?

[forzaminardi]

Just looking for general advice in terms of living, property, cars, etc. in Melbourne in particular, thanks.

[Rensko]

Pretty open ended question - Melbourne is a big city with a population which will overtake Sydney!

https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/census...

Depends on which part of the city you have earmarked or where you may be working. I like the City, people don't. Have you been there before?

[hman]

Yes, I moved here in November 2017! What would you like to know?

[hman]

If you want to pm me I’ll give you my Aus mobile number and you can call me to discuss

I haven’t regretted it at all, love it here - it’s about 30% more expensive cost of living wise and the tradies are shockingly bad so’s the standard of driving but aside from that there’s awesome beaches, weather, outdoor lifestyle, easy going people and cheap petrol - so far so good

[forzaminardi]

hman said:

If you want to pm me I’ll give you my Aus mobile number and you can call me to discuss

I haven’t regretted it at all, love it here - it’s about 30% more expensive cost of living wise and the tradies are shockingly bad so’s the standard of driving but aside from that there’s awesome beaches, weather, outdoor lifestyle, easy going people and cheap petrol - so far so good

Thanks for that, sorry for my slow reply to my own post. I'm looking for some general insight, really, I don't know what to ask until it occurs to me...!

In summary, I've been offered a job with a salary of about 145000AUD plus 17% Superannuation. In general terms would this provide for a decent lifestyle for a family of three? ie nice-but-modest home in a decent area, sensible car, comfortable lifestyle.

The job is located in Brunswick, north Melbourne. An important factor is commutablity, I'd prefer to not drive if we have one car, don't mind trains or walking/cycling but ideally not spend longer than 30 mins traveling to and from work. Any suggestions for areas worth looking at for property? I have seen a few decent-looking homes in Fawkner and Reservoir areas - are these OK for families?

We will have a fairly young baby - any insights to life for new mums in Oz? Being so far from friends and family is obviously especially concerning for mum.

I have been offered a relocation budget of 20,000AUD, I guess this covers basically flights and removals. What was your experience of moving costs?

Thanks

[motomk]

Probably want to live North, Northwest or West of Brunswick or Brunswick itself. A few of the people I work with live in apartments in Brunswick. North would allow you to get the train (Upfield line) or tram (Starts up in Fawkner- not fast as it has to go down Sydney road) to Brunswick. Maybe Maribyrnong, lots of apartments there but you would have to drive along Brunswick/Maribyrnong road to get to work. Likewise with Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Pascoe Vale but possibly not cheap. I know people who live in Docklands but they are in not very big apartments and it is also not cheap.
As long as you don't buy a Ferrari and live in a Mc-Mansion on the Beach!! $145k is plenty to live on I reckon. I am sure it will only go up as well, not down. Cars are expensive here compared to the UK., I would get a good go anywhere car for a few years until you have settled in, then lash out on something more desirable.
You probably need to visit and drive around and have a look for yourself.

[NBTBRV8]

forzaminardi said:

Thanks for that, sorry for my slow reply to my own post. I'm looking for some general insight, really, I don't know what to ask until it occurs to me...!

In summary, I've been offered a job with a salary of about 145000AUD plus 17% Superannuation. In general terms would this provide for a decent lifestyle for a family of three? ie nice-but-modest home in a decent area, sensible car, comfortable lifestyle.

The job is located in Brunswick, north Melbourne. An important factor is commutablity, I'd prefer to not drive if we have one car, don't mind trains or walking/cycling but ideally not spend longer than 30 mins traveling to and from work. Any suggestions for areas worth looking at for property? I have seen a few decent-looking homes in Fawkner and Reservoir areas - are these OK for families?

We will have a fairly young baby - any insights to life for new mums in Oz? Being so far from friends and family is obviously especially concerning for mum.

I have been offered a relocation budget of 20,000AUD, I guess this covers basically flights and removals. What was your experience of moving costs?

Thanks

I wouldn't want less than 145k with that number of heads to feed, but 17% super is a very good offer, what industry are you in?

[forzaminardi]

Higher education - I understand 17% superannuation is very good compared to other sector.

For clarity, family of three means me, Mrs Forzaminardi, and baby. Not three kids!

[Rensko]

145k is a good wage, but it depends on the role/age/experience - 17% super is well above standard, considering the mandated requirement is 9.5%...!

Have a look at www.domain.com.au and www.realestate.com.au for rentals if you are in that market along with buying - will give a general idea regarding suburbs and proximity to trains/trams. Brunswick is a cool area, but can be a bit hit and miss in parts. Nice and close to the city and has plenty going on!

[SaulGoodman]

We mulled over a move to Monash Uni a few years ago, but ultimately decided against it mainly because of distance from family. The wife loved Melbourne though, it's a great place to live. [url]www.britishexpats.com[/url ]is a good resource if you haven't yet come across it.

[hman]

So OP what’s the latest?

Theres plenty of good info here and in the email I pm’d you....

(Assuming you got the email - no reply to that or the responses on here?????)

[forzaminardi]

hman said:

So OP what’s the latest?

Theres plenty of good info here and in the email I pm’d you....

(Assuming you got the email - no reply to that or the responses on here?????)

Not got an email!

As for the replies here, thanks to all - good points made. Latest is I'm still thinking about the pros and cons and have a few weeks to come to a decision.

[unzippy]

hman said:

so’s the standard of driving

Holy crap they are bad, I've seen better driving in Egypt! I arrived in Jan 2018, first thing I did was fit a dash cam!

[vindaloo79]

Is it true that its worth it to import your UK car if its anything over £20k as cars are so crazily expensive in oz? I worked with a girl years back who was from Melbourne and when she planned to move back she had bought a top end merc, as she claimed it would sell for double back in Oz if she had owned it prior to the move - for at least 2-3 years to qualify ...?

[Bibbs]

vindaloo79 said:

Is it true that its worth it to import your UK car if its anything over £20k as cars are so crazily expensive in oz? I worked with a girl years back who was from Melbourne and when she planned to move back she had bought a top end merc, as she claimed it would sell for double back in Oz if she had owned it prior to the move - for at least 2-3 years to qualify ...?

Rules are changing right now.

Generally, own it a year, unmodified, and you can bring it and pay taxes. Check out Carsales.com.au.

I've started a new thread with the info I'd seen.

Edited by Bibbs on Wednesday 12th December 04:10

[ooid]

Topic revival for the OP

Have you made the move finally ? I'm currently considering subclass 189 visa, seems like I've got enough points. It is a long process too.

I'm also in HE sector by the way, wanted to hear your thoughts comparing to U.K. ?

[forzaminardi]

ooid said:

Topic revival for the OP

Have you made the move finally ? I'm currently considering subclass 189 visa, seems like I've got enough points. It is a long process too.

I'm also in HE sector by the way, wanted to hear your thoughts comparing to U.K. ?

Hi ooid, yes, we made the move and arrived last January. We have a now 14 month old baby (6 months old at time of travel) so finding and settling in a family-friendly, accessible, and affordable home took some time, but all good. Expensive place to live, but quality of life is better; friendlier, more open-minded, better weather, more laid back lifestyle - the cliches are pretty much true. Pretty boring on the car front though - Honda Accord Euro (aka simply an Accord in UK terms). Hoping to get something tastier when finances allow...

HE environment here is better than the UK, or my experience of each anyway. Less stress, less bureaucracy, less bullsh*t, more support, and better students, better salaries like for like. I guess that's all institution-specific but certainly a good move in terms of job satisfaction. PM me if you like!