Moving to Australia

[Milo]

Slightly off topic... but hey

Thinking of move me and my young family to Australia, from what I've seen I like Sydney, and Perth (mainly for the weather).

I work in IT (.net c# developer) and my points are way over the minimal for a visa.

Can you guy/gals offer any advice about renting, or buying. Houses, and locations for work and living.

Thanks
P.S. I love Subarus and Holdens, so I think its a good omen.

[Milo]

Also...


Worth me importing my 10 year old Subaru? I hear the A/C in Australian cars are really beefed up?

Thanks again.

[Milo]

Sorry just searched the forum, found the 4 page topic on exactly this...

I'll read that, unless anyone has anything to offer.

[Milo]

deviant said:

Be warned though cars (the sort we all like anyway) are very expensive here and dont depreciate much in the first 10 years. Have a hunt around www.carsales.com.au for an idea of what cars cost here.

If you can afford it buy your dream car now, make sure you have 12months continuous use with it and bring it with you as a personal import.

yeah, I checked with ebay.com.au, and your right, holy moly the prices are high. I know a car in the UK with a 12 month MOT is £350 ($800). I also heard buying new is often the best return as second hand prices yield so well.

deviant said:

Despite the gripes I have with living in Perth it IS nicer than living in the UK. Quality of life and health is greatly improved and I can afford to do things I would struggle to pay for in the UK.
There are things I dearly miss about the UK....but I am settled here now.

Thats good to hear, I read the other thread and I haven't hear so much whiging since watching an episode of Alf Garnet. I was out in Cardiff last night, and it was chuffing freezing, I swear I have a cold and soar throat for half a year. Nearly summer, then the floods can start again.

Things I'm sure you won't miss...

London congestion charge, floods, M4 tolls, M4 surface maintenance, TV licence, crap DVB reception (I can't receive any ITV stations, for which my licence pays for, and no-one to complain to), friendly faces on the tube, Heating bills (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=516588&in_page_id=1770), British TV (the stuff they show now is terrible, many channels are US format, so different to yours, + you can download most from torrent sites, so you can still the best stuff) Petrol prices (filled my tank with £60 last night), and lastly see the underside of a cloud 8 momths of the year.

[Milo]

Yeah, I think I'm talking myself out of Perth. Apparently Canberra is screaming for my skills, but it looks a little remote compared to Sydney.

[Milo]

Anyone tell me what Geelong, Leopold and Ocean View are like. They're all near Melbourne.

Thanks.