Arrived in Melly
Jun 11th 2010, 1:55 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: SE suburbs,Vic
Posts: 828
Arrived in Melly
Last week we (and my wife) arrived in Melbourne from India to start a new life
Some observations
1. City is pretty well organized and most people are friendly especially Australians. Connectivity via trams, buses, trains, etc is great especially between the inner suburbs and the city.
2. Weather is very cold. Coming from a tropical/hot area, im always freezing here. But people easily walk in slacks, shorts, t-shirts, light hoods. It seems its a pleasant weather for them.
3. Govt services are very punctual, they deliver what they commit and in short time frame. Govt servants are very polite.
4. City is a paradise for walkers and bikers. Have special lanes allocated to them ( I was surprised to see this because in India walking and cycling on the roads is the most painful thing)
Cons:
1. Sometimes when you are walking on the road, people from cars shout at you and try to frighten you by showing big eyes, then driveaway. What is this practice? they might be doing it jokingingly, not sure. Has happened to me twice in a week.
2. Banks don't open on the saturday and charge you cheques, currency excahnge, etc. You even need to inform bank one day before when you plan to withdraw cash (say 5k)
3. Delivery costs and moving costs are immense here.
Some observations
1. City is pretty well organized and most people are friendly especially Australians. Connectivity via trams, buses, trains, etc is great especially between the inner suburbs and the city.
2. Weather is very cold. Coming from a tropical/hot area, im always freezing here. But people easily walk in slacks, shorts, t-shirts, light hoods. It seems its a pleasant weather for them.
3. Govt services are very punctual, they deliver what they commit and in short time frame. Govt servants are very polite.
4. City is a paradise for walkers and bikers. Have special lanes allocated to them ( I was surprised to see this because in India walking and cycling on the roads is the most painful thing)
Cons:
1. Sometimes when you are walking on the road, people from cars shout at you and try to frighten you by showing big eyes, then driveaway. What is this practice? they might be doing it jokingingly, not sure. Has happened to me twice in a week.
2. Banks don't open on the saturday and charge you cheques, currency excahnge, etc. You even need to inform bank one day before when you plan to withdraw cash (say 5k)
3. Delivery costs and moving costs are immense here.
Jun 11th 2010, 2:47 am
#2
Frequent Flyer Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 10,994
Re: Arrived in Melly
Welcome!
Yes it has been cold the last week, colder than average I'd say...but at least it prepares you for the next few months!
Unless they're saying something specific to make you think otherwise, I wouldn't take it personally - just general morons! You're right it does happen here, although I've seen it a lot less in Melbourne than in Queensland! Think yourself lucky though, I was standing at a crossing in the middle of Sydney a couple of months ago when a car sped past, incomprehensible yelling at pedestrians...they threw an egg which hit a girl I was standing beside on the head! Very unpleasant...seen the egg throwing thing quite a bit.
Yes it has been cold the last week, colder than average I'd say...but at least it prepares you for the next few months!
Unless they're saying something specific to make you think otherwise, I wouldn't take it personally - just general morons! You're right it does happen here, although I've seen it a lot less in Melbourne than in Queensland! Think yourself lucky though, I was standing at a crossing in the middle of Sydney a couple of months ago when a car sped past, incomprehensible yelling at pedestrians...they threw an egg which hit a girl I was standing beside on the head! Very unpleasant...seen the egg throwing thing quite a bit.
Jun 11th 2010, 3:01 am
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 14,284
Re: Arrived in Melly
I arrived in Sydney two weeks ago. I have been quite amused to see the Sydney siders all wrapped up in big coats and sometimes even hats and scarves whilst I am walking around in a t-shirt and flip flops.
Jun 11th 2010, 4:23 am
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,526
Re: Arrived in Melly
Welcome!
Yes it has been cold the last week, colder than average I'd say...but at least it prepares you for the next few months!
Unless they're saying something specific to make you think otherwise, I wouldn't take it personally - just general morons! You're right it does happen here, although I've seen it a lot less in Melbourne than in Queensland! Think yourself lucky though, I was standing at a crossing in the middle of Sydney a couple of months ago when a car sped past, incomprehensible yelling at pedestrians...they threw an egg which hit a girl I was standing beside on the head! Very unpleasant...seen the egg throwing thing quite a bit.
Yes it has been cold the last week, colder than average I'd say...but at least it prepares you for the next few months!
Unless they're saying something specific to make you think otherwise, I wouldn't take it personally - just general morons! You're right it does happen here, although I've seen it a lot less in Melbourne than in Queensland! Think yourself lucky though, I was standing at a crossing in the middle of Sydney a couple of months ago when a car sped past, incomprehensible yelling at pedestrians...they threw an egg which hit a girl I was standing beside on the head! Very unpleasant...seen the egg throwing thing quite a bit.
Jun 11th 2010, 6:03 am
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 6,135
Re: Arrived in Melly
Last week we (and my wife) arrived in Melbourne from India to start a new life
Some observations
1. City is pretty well organized and most people are friendly especially Australians. Connectivity via trams, buses, trains, etc is great especially between the inner suburbs and the city.
2. Weather is very cold. Coming from a tropical/hot area, im always freezing here. But people easily walk in slacks, shorts, t-shirts, light hoods. It seems its a pleasant weather for them.
3. Govt services are very punctual, they deliver what they commit and in short time frame. Govt servants are very polite.
4. City is a paradise for walkers and bikers. Have special lanes allocated to them ( I was surprised to see this because in India walking and cycling on the roads is the most painful thing)
Cons:
1. Sometimes when you are walking on the road, people from cars shout at you and try to frighten you by showing big eyes, then driveaway. What is this practice? they might be doing it jokingingly, not sure. Has happened to me twice in a week.
2. Banks don't open on the saturday and charge you cheques, currency excahnge, etc. You even need to inform bank one day before when you plan to withdraw cash (say 5k)
3. Delivery costs and moving costs are immense here.
Some observations
1. City is pretty well organized and most people are friendly especially Australians. Connectivity via trams, buses, trains, etc is great especially between the inner suburbs and the city.
2. Weather is very cold. Coming from a tropical/hot area, im always freezing here. But people easily walk in slacks, shorts, t-shirts, light hoods. It seems its a pleasant weather for them.
3. Govt services are very punctual, they deliver what they commit and in short time frame. Govt servants are very polite.
4. City is a paradise for walkers and bikers. Have special lanes allocated to them ( I was surprised to see this because in India walking and cycling on the roads is the most painful thing)
Cons:
1. Sometimes when you are walking on the road, people from cars shout at you and try to frighten you by showing big eyes, then driveaway. What is this practice? they might be doing it jokingingly, not sure. Has happened to me twice in a week.
2. Banks don't open on the saturday and charge you cheques, currency excahnge, etc. You even need to inform bank one day before when you plan to withdraw cash (say 5k)
3. Delivery costs and moving costs are immense here.
It is cold here at the moment and unlikely to warm significantly between now and October..... The winter is pretty cold but it doesn't rain much...
It is also pretty windy here too - although for some reason there seems to be more wind in the summer than the winter
When the North wind blows from the desert on a hot day it is like being followed around by a hair dryer on a high setting...Houses, delivery and moving costs are all very high!
I haven't experienced the problem with the roads but to be honest tend not to go into the City unless absolutely necessary - I tend to go out quite a bit at docklands and shop either locally or in Geelong as I am not a fan of masses of people....
Some banks now don't charge for withdrawals, cheques etc so best you shop around...
Jun 11th 2010, 6:03 am
#6
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Joined: Mar 2009
Location: SE suburbs,Vic
Posts: 828
Re: Arrived in Melly
Jun 11th 2010, 10:59 am
#9
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Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Western burbs, Melbourne
Posts: 2,260
Re: Arrived in Melly
2. Weather is very cold. Coming from a tropical/hot area, im always freezing here. But people easily walk in slacks, shorts, t-shirts, light hoods. It seems its a pleasant weather for them.
When we first arrived in May 2000, I found it amazing everyone was so wrapped up. Now I freeze below 15deg...you acclimatise over time
2. Banks don't open on the saturday and charge you cheques, currency excahnge, etc. You even need to inform bank one day before when you plan to withdraw cash (say 5k)
Not many banks open on Sats (never used to in UK). Banks charge you for everything here- so look around closely for charges. I have never had to advise my bank of wanting to withdraw my limit though.
.
When we first arrived in May 2000, I found it amazing everyone was so wrapped up. Now I freeze below 15deg...you acclimatise over time
2. Banks don't open on the saturday and charge you cheques, currency excahnge, etc. You even need to inform bank one day before when you plan to withdraw cash (say 5k)
Not many banks open on Sats (never used to in UK). Banks charge you for everything here- so look around closely for charges. I have never had to advise my bank of wanting to withdraw my limit though.
.
Jun 11th 2010, 11:03 am
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,566
Re: Arrived in Melly
Jun 12th 2010, 6:28 am
#13
Has left the building
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,079
Re: Arrived in Melly
Welcome to Melbourne.
The Winter is back to it's normal temp now, & with plenty of rain too. Those who have been here longer than 20 yrs will know this.
Cold? - layering cottons is the best answer. Don't just rely on one heavy layer. The Winter here is nothing compared to what we all experienced in UK. Maybe invest in some thermal underwear (the stuff they use for skiing??) if you find it too cold.
Westpac banks open on Saturdays, so not sure who you're banking with. Admittedly most are closed.
Good luck!
The Winter is back to it's normal temp now, & with plenty of rain too. Those who have been here longer than 20 yrs will know this.
Cold? - layering cottons is the best answer. Don't just rely on one heavy layer. The Winter here is nothing compared to what we all experienced in UK. Maybe invest in some thermal underwear (the stuff they use for skiing??) if you find it too cold.
Westpac banks open on Saturdays, so not sure who you're banking with. Admittedly most are closed.
Good luck!
Jun 12th 2010, 11:09 am
#14
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Amongst Melbourne's tall gum trees
Posts: 1,323
Re: Arrived in Melly
Jun 12th 2010, 11:28 am
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Arrived in Melly
We were the same as you during our first winter in Melbourne. I survived with one jumper and a denim jacket. It felt soo balmy compared to UK or French winters. Seven years in, I own many woolen jumpers, a heavy coat, several scarves, boots and hats... I guess we acclimatised
It has to be really cold, or an excursion, or night at the football for me to wear more.