Is oz as attractive as it was?
Mar 20th 2010, 5:39 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 51
Is oz as attractive as it was?
Hi All
We moved to Australia 5 years ago and moved back home after a year. Have been thinking of moving back but are beginning to think other countries might be better option (NZ, Canada or staying put).
Our original reasons for moving to Oz were cheaper houses, slower lifestyle, more time for family etc. When we first went there all of these were part of oz life as well as a reasonable expectation of the same being available for our kids in the future which is important to us. I never wanted to leave and have been the main driving force for going back but even I am beginning to doubt the attractiveness of OZ now.
The main reasons are the cost of living and mainly house prices. House prices are simply crazy in OZ. If u can afford one you will have to work your nuts off to maintain your lifestyle now (bang goes quality of life), every housing market that saw a boom as in Oz has seen dramatic fall even though there were reasons why this wouldnt happen so I think Oz wll go the same way. Even if it doesnt, how will our kids buy a house. High house prices will drive up the cost of living, the need to earn more money, the reduction in family time etc.
I guess what I am saying is apart from the weather whats the difference now. The advantages before seem to be eroding fast. Last time we were there we did miss the culture,family etc of home but the slower lifestyle, quality of life and more family time made up for it. However now I dont think those advantages are there from listening to people on sites such as this one and from looking at the crazy house prices and cost of living.
Anybody thinking of moving out or recently moved outfeel the same or am I wrong. I know anybody there several years may feel different as they bought houses much cheaper etc, but I am really interested in the thoughts of those who have not emigrated yet or have recently emigrated.
We moved to Australia 5 years ago and moved back home after a year. Have been thinking of moving back but are beginning to think other countries might be better option (NZ, Canada or staying put).
Our original reasons for moving to Oz were cheaper houses, slower lifestyle, more time for family etc. When we first went there all of these were part of oz life as well as a reasonable expectation of the same being available for our kids in the future which is important to us. I never wanted to leave and have been the main driving force for going back but even I am beginning to doubt the attractiveness of OZ now.
The main reasons are the cost of living and mainly house prices. House prices are simply crazy in OZ. If u can afford one you will have to work your nuts off to maintain your lifestyle now (bang goes quality of life), every housing market that saw a boom as in Oz has seen dramatic fall even though there were reasons why this wouldnt happen so I think Oz wll go the same way. Even if it doesnt, how will our kids buy a house. High house prices will drive up the cost of living, the need to earn more money, the reduction in family time etc.
I guess what I am saying is apart from the weather whats the difference now. The advantages before seem to be eroding fast. Last time we were there we did miss the culture,family etc of home but the slower lifestyle, quality of life and more family time made up for it. However now I dont think those advantages are there from listening to people on sites such as this one and from looking at the crazy house prices and cost of living.
Anybody thinking of moving out or recently moved outfeel the same or am I wrong. I know anybody there several years may feel different as they bought houses much cheaper etc, but I am really interested in the thoughts of those who have not emigrated yet or have recently emigrated.
Mar 20th 2010, 6:03 pm
#2
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,784
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
No longer cheap to live here. My life is better here but is mainly due to changes I made on a personal level when I moved.
I'd look at a possible real change in your life where you are just now, because really that is what it is about. Change.
All that said, Australia is a great place to live. I love the outdoor life I have here and don't think I would ever go back. The weather is lovely up here in Brisbane and I certainly enjoy that.
It does sound like your main reason for thinking of a move is for a better life and standard of living. No guarantees that is on the cards I'm afraid, overall cost of living is very roughly the same as the UK and outdoor life or not, you still have to work and pay the bills.
Good luck!
I'd look at a possible real change in your life where you are just now, because really that is what it is about. Change.
All that said, Australia is a great place to live. I love the outdoor life I have here and don't think I would ever go back. The weather is lovely up here in Brisbane and I certainly enjoy that.
It does sound like your main reason for thinking of a move is for a better life and standard of living. No guarantees that is on the cards I'm afraid, overall cost of living is very roughly the same as the UK and outdoor life or not, you still have to work and pay the bills.
Good luck!
Mar 20th 2010, 9:43 pm
#3
Retired
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
Hi All
We moved to Australia 5 years ago and moved back home after a year. Have been thinking of moving back but are beginning to think other countries might be better option (NZ, Canada or staying put).
Our original reasons for moving to Oz were cheaper houses, slower lifestyle, more time for family etc.
We moved to Australia 5 years ago and moved back home after a year. Have been thinking of moving back but are beginning to think other countries might be better option (NZ, Canada or staying put).
Our original reasons for moving to Oz were cheaper houses, slower lifestyle, more time for family etc.
When we first went there all of these were part of oz life as well as a reasonable expectation of the same being available for our kids in the future which is important to us.
The main reasons are the cost of living and mainly house prices. House prices are simply crazy in OZ.
If u can afford one you will have to work your nuts off to maintain your lifestyle now (bang goes quality of life), every housing market that saw a boom as in Oz has seen dramatic fall even though there were reasons why this wouldnt happen so I think Oz wll go the same way. Even if it doesnt, how will our kids buy a house. High house prices will drive up the cost of living, the need to earn more money, the reduction in family time etc.
I guess what I am saying is apart from the weather whats the difference now. The advantages before seem to be eroding fast. Last time we were there we did miss the culture,family etc of home but the slower lifestyle, quality of life and more family time made up for it.
Mar 21st 2010, 1:32 am
#4
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,157
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
Hi All
We moved to Australia 5 years ago and moved back home after a year. Have been thinking of moving back but are beginning to think other countries might be better option (NZ, Canada or staying put).
Our original reasons for moving to Oz were cheaper houses, slower lifestyle, more time for family etc. When we first went there all of these were part of oz life as well as a reasonable expectation of the same being available for our kids in the future which is important to us. I never wanted to leave and have been the main driving force for going back but even I am beginning to doubt the attractiveness of OZ now.
The main reasons are the cost of living and mainly house prices. House prices are simply crazy in OZ. If u can afford one you will have to work your nuts off to maintain your lifestyle now (bang goes quality of life), every housing market that saw a boom as in Oz has seen dramatic fall even though there were reasons why this wouldnt happen so I think Oz wll go the same way. Even if it doesnt, how will our kids buy a house. High house prices will drive up the cost of living, the need to earn more money, the reduction in family time etc.
I guess what I am saying is apart from the weather whats the difference now. The advantages before seem to be eroding fast. Last time we were there we did miss the culture,family etc of home but the slower lifestyle, quality of life and more family time made up for it. However now I dont think those advantages are there from listening to people on sites such as this one and from looking at the crazy house prices and cost of living.
Anybody thinking of moving out or recently moved outfeel the same or am I wrong. I know anybody there several years may feel different as they bought houses much cheaper etc, but I am really interested in the thoughts of those who have not emigrated yet or have recently emigrated.
We moved to Australia 5 years ago and moved back home after a year. Have been thinking of moving back but are beginning to think other countries might be better option (NZ, Canada or staying put).
Our original reasons for moving to Oz were cheaper houses, slower lifestyle, more time for family etc. When we first went there all of these were part of oz life as well as a reasonable expectation of the same being available for our kids in the future which is important to us. I never wanted to leave and have been the main driving force for going back but even I am beginning to doubt the attractiveness of OZ now.
The main reasons are the cost of living and mainly house prices. House prices are simply crazy in OZ. If u can afford one you will have to work your nuts off to maintain your lifestyle now (bang goes quality of life), every housing market that saw a boom as in Oz has seen dramatic fall even though there were reasons why this wouldnt happen so I think Oz wll go the same way. Even if it doesnt, how will our kids buy a house. High house prices will drive up the cost of living, the need to earn more money, the reduction in family time etc.
I guess what I am saying is apart from the weather whats the difference now. The advantages before seem to be eroding fast. Last time we were there we did miss the culture,family etc of home but the slower lifestyle, quality of life and more family time made up for it. However now I dont think those advantages are there from listening to people on sites such as this one and from looking at the crazy house prices and cost of living.
Anybody thinking of moving out or recently moved outfeel the same or am I wrong. I know anybody there several years may feel different as they bought houses much cheaper etc, but I am really interested in the thoughts of those who have not emigrated yet or have recently emigrated.
Mar 21st 2010, 1:57 am
#5
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,039
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
Australia is probably at the peak of a house price cycle but it has been there before in decades past even if this one is bigger. So that obviously does not help.
I think the fact that British house prices have dropped compounded severely by the value of Stirling dropping so dramatically that has made it harder. If we are comparing 2005 to now I think the change might be more to do with the UK falling than Australia rising. A big percentage of the house price boom in oz was already done by 2005.
I think the fact that British house prices have dropped compounded severely by the value of Stirling dropping so dramatically that has made it harder. If we are comparing 2005 to now I think the change might be more to do with the UK falling than Australia rising. A big percentage of the house price boom in oz was already done by 2005.
Mar 21st 2010, 2:00 am
#6
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 948
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
costs of living, housing, lifetyle are all relative to what work yo do regardless of country.
its impossible to say what type of life you would have and what you could afford without you knowing what job you would have here and what your life is like on a day to day, month by month for expenses.
its impossible to say what type of life you would have and what you could afford without you knowing what job you would have here and what your life is like on a day to day, month by month for expenses.
Mar 21st 2010, 2:00 am
#7
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Location: Dullsville
Posts: 672
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
We came here 8 years ago and it was a UK blue collar workers paradise in Perth. We traded up our small UK home for a massive home with pool near the ocean for a relative pittance and much smaller mortgage than we had in UK. We could live a relative life of luxury on one wage.
Sadly, things have changed here, it is no longer a working man's paradise and you have to be fairly well off to afford something half decent in a half decent area.
We've sold up since and are now renting. We noticed that the new Poms are no longer affording the housing they used to buy in Perth as unsold stock is building up in the £800K + in the Northern Suburbs. My hunch is that these homes will become cheaper with time but there will still be demand in the sub $600K market.
Cost of living has exploded here over the last couple of years and if we migrated now we would be struggling.
Sadly, things have changed here, it is no longer a working man's paradise and you have to be fairly well off to afford something half decent in a half decent area.
We've sold up since and are now renting. We noticed that the new Poms are no longer affording the housing they used to buy in Perth as unsold stock is building up in the £800K + in the Northern Suburbs. My hunch is that these homes will become cheaper with time but there will still be demand in the sub $600K market.
Cost of living has exploded here over the last couple of years and if we migrated now we would be struggling.
Mar 21st 2010, 2:34 am
#8
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Perth
Posts: 3,453
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
We came here 8 years ago and it was a UK blue collar workers paradise in Perth. We traded up our small UK home for a massive home with pool near the ocean for a relative pittance and much smaller mortgage than we had in UK. We could live a relative life of luxury on one wage.
Sadly, things have changed here, it is no longer a working man's paradise and you have to be fairly well off to afford something half decent in a half decent area.
We've sold up since and are now renting. We noticed that the new Poms are no longer affording the housing they used to buy in Perth as unsold stock is building up in the £800K + in the Northern Suburbs. My hunch is that these homes will become cheaper with time but there will still be demand in the sub $600K market.
Cost of living has exploded here over the last couple of years and if we migrated now we would be struggling.
Sadly, things have changed here, it is no longer a working man's paradise and you have to be fairly well off to afford something half decent in a half decent area.
We've sold up since and are now renting. We noticed that the new Poms are no longer affording the housing they used to buy in Perth as unsold stock is building up in the £800K + in the Northern Suburbs. My hunch is that these homes will become cheaper with time but there will still be demand in the sub $600K market.
Cost of living has exploded here over the last couple of years and if we migrated now we would be struggling.
Mar 21st 2010, 2:40 am
#9
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
No.
It takes a niche migrant to do well now.
Say a London family in Clapham with a GBP1M house, bought for 200k in the early 90s.
The best part of AUS2M will get you a great house in even Melbourne Inner East, plus loads of cash for a car or two, and establishment/school fees. Well paid job, slightly slower pace of life, maybe a bit more family-oriented.
It takes a niche migrant to do well now.
Say a London family in Clapham with a GBP1M house, bought for 200k in the early 90s.
The best part of AUS2M will get you a great house in even Melbourne Inner East, plus loads of cash for a car or two, and establishment/school fees. Well paid job, slightly slower pace of life, maybe a bit more family-oriented.
Mar 21st 2010, 2:53 am
#10
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
Isnt it more ' is the oz echange rate as attractive as it was'?
If the X was suddenly 2.8 to one again migrants would suddenly be gushing about moving for the lifestyle
Oz hasnt changed that much in the last 10 years, except the cost of living and the exchange rate.
People could still come here, rent and go to the beach/park every sunday, take their chances with the sometimes overrated climate
, crime, politics, health and education etc. The deal breaker seems to be the financial gain many got a few years back, with that gone the 'lifestyle' seems to hardly get a mention any more.
If the X was suddenly 2.8 to one again migrants would suddenly be gushing about moving for the lifestyle
Oz hasnt changed that much in the last 10 years, except the cost of living and the exchange rate.
People could still come here, rent and go to the beach/park every sunday, take their chances with the sometimes overrated climate
, crime, politics, health and education etc. The deal breaker seems to be the financial gain many got a few years back, with that gone the 'lifestyle' seems to hardly get a mention any more.
Mar 21st 2010, 2:54 am
#11
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,855
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
Australia is probably at the peak of a house price cycle but it has been there before in decades past even if this one is bigger. So that obviously does not help.
I think the fact that British house prices have dropped compounded severely by the value of Stirling dropping so dramatically that has made it harder. If we are comparing 2005 to now I think the change might be more to do with the UK falling than Australia rising. A big percentage of the house price boom in oz was already done by 2005.
I think the fact that British house prices have dropped compounded severely by the value of Stirling dropping so dramatically that has made it harder. If we are comparing 2005 to now I think the change might be more to do with the UK falling than Australia rising. A big percentage of the house price boom in oz was already done by 2005.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/mon...-1225843254040
Nice gig if you can get it
Mar 21st 2010, 2:58 am
#13
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
Bris courier mail also has a entire liftout on predictions of prices to double/treble in 10 years.
Mar 21st 2010, 3:27 am
#14
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Location: Kawana, Sunshine Coast
Posts: 325
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
Depends how materialistic you are I guess. I wouldn't move back permanently to the UK even if you paid me 10 million sterling.
Mar 21st 2010, 3:41 am
#15
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Posts: 672
Re: Is oz as attractive as it was?
these articles come out every so often, especially now as First home buyers and mortgage approvals have plunged in Jan and Feb.http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/...179204746.html
