Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
#766
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 6,765
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
And the price of a house in Perth was around $150,000......
#767
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 6,765
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
china & india will continue buying aussie resources for decades to come. they have a long way to go in terms of per-capita income and if they are to achieve higher per-capita incomes they will continue growing at high speeds and will continue buying aussie products.
the current exchange rate in my opinion will become the "normal" one for decades to come.
the current exchange rate in my opinion will become the "normal" one for decades to come.
Not forgetting the Chinese housing market is above the means of most.
#768
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 823
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
I've just been trolling this thread and here's my two pen'north.
Many of the older people on here rely on UK funds coming out, so at least for them the exchange rate is extremely relevant: their income has gone down by around 40% over the last eighteen months or so.
More to the general point, the mafia-like importer cartel mindset does make many things EXTREMELY expensive in whatever terms you care to use. I'm not talking 10 or 20 percent - but multiples.
Two examples of things I have bought recently: a replacement irrigation sprinkler cost $62.70 in my local irrigation shop (that's the recommended manufacturer's price) and it is recommended at US$11.95 in the US, available online for US$9.95. Australian price, even allowing for US sales tax, six times the US price for the same part no.
Another item: I bought velcro at IIRC about $6.95 per metre: the identical product on a US site was US$0.65 plus tax. The Australian cost: ten times the US price.
One can quibble about transport costs, taxes, etc etc but the fact remains that the Australian prices are big multiples of the prices abroad - and the bovine population here doesn't know or doesn't care that they are being ripped off big time on an hourly basis.
Don't get me started on the cost of fruit and veg
Many of the older people on here rely on UK funds coming out, so at least for them the exchange rate is extremely relevant: their income has gone down by around 40% over the last eighteen months or so.
More to the general point, the mafia-like importer cartel mindset does make many things EXTREMELY expensive in whatever terms you care to use. I'm not talking 10 or 20 percent - but multiples.
Two examples of things I have bought recently: a replacement irrigation sprinkler cost $62.70 in my local irrigation shop (that's the recommended manufacturer's price) and it is recommended at US$11.95 in the US, available online for US$9.95. Australian price, even allowing for US sales tax, six times the US price for the same part no.
Another item: I bought velcro at IIRC about $6.95 per metre: the identical product on a US site was US$0.65 plus tax. The Australian cost: ten times the US price.
One can quibble about transport costs, taxes, etc etc but the fact remains that the Australian prices are big multiples of the prices abroad - and the bovine population here doesn't know or doesn't care that they are being ripped off big time on an hourly basis.
Don't get me started on the cost of fruit and veg
Everyone knows prices in the US are way cheaper than most countries, I remember all the newspaper comparisons of goods priced in GBP and USD having the same number.
#769
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
You've got to be a bit of a plonker if you haven't had the foresight of converting at least some of your income stream into local currency when moving abroad?
Everyone knows prices in the US are way cheaper than most countries, I remember all the newspaper comparisons of goods priced in GBP and USD having the same number.
Everyone knows prices in the US are way cheaper than most countries, I remember all the newspaper comparisons of goods priced in GBP and USD having the same number.
And of course it's general knowledge that US prices are cheaper than most countries. But six, ten, times cheaper?
(Signed, plonker )
#770
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
I think we get shafted for everything wherever we are, pretty much..
#771
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: London - but only until I can afford to move back to Sydney
Posts: 938
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
I've lived in both over the last 12 months and London is in my experience much cheaper than Sydney, shockingly so in face. I wouldn't have moved back if it wasn't. 6 months here has just confirmed my impression of this. God help those moving to Sydney if they didn't come from London first, the prices must be a real shock for them.
#772
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,157
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
Sydney is one if not the most popular migrant destination in the world. Prices are going to reflect that demand.
#773
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,412
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
That argument might have some merit with regard to housing (a relatively illiquid commodity), but I can't see it's application to other goods and services were economies of scale should apply. All of those immigrants need to work.
#774
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 823
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
You are obviously a financial wizard - tell me how I could have arranged my monthly pension to be converted six years ago at that exchange rate? I and many others would dearly like to know!
And of course it's general knowledge that US prices are cheaper than most countries. But six, ten, times cheaper?
(Signed, plonker )
And of course it's general knowledge that US prices are cheaper than most countries. But six, ten, times cheaper?
(Signed, plonker )
#775
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 823
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
I've lived in both over the last 12 months and London is in my experience much cheaper than Sydney, shockingly so in face. I wouldn't have moved back if it wasn't. 6 months here has just confirmed my impression of this. God help those moving to Sydney if they didn't come from London first, the prices must be a real shock for them.
#776
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
Looks to me like people in the UK are coming to the horrible realisation that the shift in financial power is flowing down to the general populace. The fact seems to be that Asians that are approved for migration to Australia are finding it easier to afford than people from Europe..
Australias ties are rapidly shifting from Europe to Asia in all aspects. This region is starting to develop a strong financial gap between it and the rest of the world.
Australias ties are rapidly shifting from Europe to Asia in all aspects. This region is starting to develop a strong financial gap between it and the rest of the world.
#777
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: London - but only until I can afford to move back to Sydney
Posts: 938
#779
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 823
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
Looks to me like people in the UK are coming to the horrible realisation that the shift in financial power is flowing down to the general populace. The fact seems to be that Asians that are approved for migration to Australia are finding it easier to afford than people from Europe..
Australias ties are rapidly shifting from Europe to Asia in all aspects. This region is starting to develop a strong financial gap between it and the rest of the world.
Australias ties are rapidly shifting from Europe to Asia in all aspects. This region is starting to develop a strong financial gap between it and the rest of the world.
#780
Re: Anyone Quitting Aus due to High Cost of Living
True, but the UK has relatively high inflation for a major western economy (4%+ and climbing). If it continues this will cause huge problems without interest rate rises.