Ellied71

Thanks for the good wishes. We realise that Darwin is expensive however we just dont feel comfortable with the thought of spending $5000 a month on rent. Saying that it may be subsidised for the first wee while but not to sure about that yet. Anyway in % comparisons we would likely be spending approx 50% of income just on rent if it was 5k compared to about 15% in Scotland at the moment. Was a bit gutted last night because I thought it just wont be worth it however on digging around did find the less expensive properties so feeling a bit relieved about that

Ellied71

Thank you so much for that.You certainly sound like Darwin is for you. We are happy to make the leap into the unknown too and have been very much saying that we are not going to Darwin with the sole intention of moving elsewhere. We also think it will help if we say thats where home is. Our two boys are 13 and 11 and we wont say we think they will settle perfectly and we do anticipate some problems but we would be very naive to think otherwise. We are a very open minded friendly family and are happy to go with the flow and see what life brings. Got a fright though at the thought of spending 5k a month on rent. There is no way that would benefit us as it would mean spending approx 50% of income just on rent. We are trying to compare it in %'s of what we spend at the moment. So thankful to have found out that there are some less expensive properties. We dont have or want a lavish lifestyle, just being comfortable and happy is good enough for us but the last thing we would want to do is uproot to the other side of the world and constantly be worrying about cash.

oldandbold

if its any help our rent was $625 per week for a tidy 3 bed elevated in Wagaman - northern suberbs. What sold it to me was the 10 metre pool in the back garden and quite liked the electric gate. My landlord liked me as we looked after the place so well and never put the rent up in the 3 and 1/2 years we lived there. He did however put it up to $675per week when I left - the places are out there. I think 5k per week would spook me too!
I actually took a pay cut to come here, my income sounds a bit less than your was, we don't have a lavish life style either - but I can honestly say we do have a much better quality of life.

oldandbold

Been doing a little research.
There are loads of places in the northern suberbs for between $600 and $700 per week rent.
Even found this one


62 Parer Drive, Wagaman, NT 0810 at $820 per week (see realestate.com.au) , which is higher spec than I would have rented and more expensive, however I do know this house as its opposite my sons school and I have admired it in the past. So, they are definitely out there.

The rental market is quite competitive between tenants - make sure you arrive with references, we hadn't rented for years when we arrived, but I turned up to view our house, with refs from our old neighbours, bank statements, even had the sale literature for ours that was on the market in the Uk at that time, so they could see how we looked after our home. Sometimes it can take 2 or 3 days to be approved as a tenant, its not unusual for 10-15 groups turn up for a viewing but I was approved in less than 2 hours, so be prepared, its worth it.

Further bit of advice - life is much more bearable if you accept the living, socialising outside, rather than inside watching the TV in the aircon (TV crap here anyway!). So, make sure there is plenty of outside covered area, you do not want to be out in the sun. BBQ,BBQ,BBQ - don't worry about using the cooker. Great deserted beaches - but don't get in the sea (long nose handbags and box jellyfish - so pool). I make sure we have a BBQ xmas day (did duck on a spit last year), walk on the beach and pool - but that's mostly to wind up who we left behind in the UK, while they are sat inside with their xmas dinner freezing their whatsits off! Embrace the change in lifestyle, minimise the moaning about what you miss (although I did moan on about trying to find Bisto gravy - took 2 years to find where I could get that), most people really friendly, if you get called a pommie bas***** they only say that if they like you - just give a load back. Be aware Darwin does have a large transient population, get used to some friends disappearing after a couple of years - that can get you down a bit.
Also, ensure if possible that you get a place with a pool, or at very least a spa - poor mans air con. Cools you down really nicely in the wet, well for 30-60 mins after you get out, and then you get back in again - saves on air con costs My son used to get home from school, I would hear the patter of feet as he ran towards the pool shedding his clothes and then a big splash as he literally leapt into it every day.
I wish you luck.

Capt Emz I Think

Hi folks - hope you dont mind me joining your thread - havent been on the forum for quite a while. Im just about to go to bed so I dont want to lose this thread as I will probably be moving over to Darwin in about 11 months. In a nutshell - started my PR visa over 5 years ago (Im from the North of England ie Wigan!!) - finally got it last Oct - in the mean time I got work in a British International school teaching in Malaysia. Hubby and my youngest son who's 17 next month moved over too (leaving 4 grown up step sons, 1 grown up son, 3 step-grandchildren - since then my son has suprised me with a grandchild). The only way I could hurry my visa was to have NT nominate me - which I did and as a result got my visa last year. My teaching contract finishes next summer, im likely not to renew it - hubby has recently started flying over to OZ and has been securing contract work as a Fitter in the mines - but then has been flying back to Kuala Lumpur. So im going to be looking for either a secondary teaching job or a job in ICT within NT - I had a hol in Perth over Christmas to Validate my visa (yes prices of everything is astronomical I know). I have to live in NT for at least 2 years and I have to get the job as I was the main applicant - even though hubby has better chance at getting work than me (his age went against him though). So I would like to read what you write out of interest and would like to ask a few questions in the next couple of days - no point now as my brains a bit kput!!!

heldownunder

House rental prices have escalated with impex project and decent properties get snapped up quickly. Cheaper houses are out there but you need to consider local primary schools and catchments. The top schools (result wise) are nakara, larrakeyah, parap, Stuart park, Leanyer - though the one which was best didn't feel right for me so visit them all. Find schools you like and then look from there depending on catchment. You will need aircon in all rooms and a pool/spa.... Also look carefully at streets - if your kids are playing out which areas feel safe etc. I would doubt you'll get anything for less than $1000 apart from a townhouse... Good luck :-) and enjoy researching properties on rightmoves.com

sirutherford

Hi there! I am very interested in this thread as i am going through a very similar process. It may even be for the same company as everything you have mentioned is exactly the same as me.

You seem to have been doing a lot of research, much more than me. My wife is still in two minds as to wether or not this is the right move for us as we have two young children who are 5 & 2 and have a very close family relationship here in the UK with grandparents etc. Similar to you I am worried about living costs as everything seems so expensive.

A lot of posts all ready give a good overview fom both a positive and a negative point of view.

I will keep monitoring threads for further info while continuing my own research in more detail


Sirutherford

Kojee12345

Hi Elaine

Just found your thread and think we are both going through the same process with the same company!!, just wondering how you are getting on? would love to chat.

We are looking at palmeston to live, because its more affordable. also, we are trying to research setting up a bank account, thinking of commonwealth bank, any suggestions?

Amazulu

It's f**king hot

Amazulu

It's full of bogans

Amazulu

It's a nice town

Kojee12345

What is a bogan?

Amazulu

An Australian chav/red neck/dutchie