asher

When we first moved to Sydney I felt the same as you but you soon learn to shop around and buy in the sales or online. I suppose you get used to it a d stop converting to pounds

spouse of scouse

I'm the other way around asher, I'm Australian and hadn't travelled to the UK until I met my husband from Liverpool. When I'm over there I'm constantly converting stuff into dollars and being amazed how cheap it is

carolinephillips

My husband gets his business shirts from Lewins online - even with postage they are still half the price they are here.
We stock up when we go to the UK- seems to be once every 2 years, so go with empty cases and come back bulging. We go to the retail outlet place in Brigend as it is on the way from Wiltshire to Pembrokeshire. Good quality bargains!!

Loathe Primark- the stuff is tatty, poorly finished and thrown into confused heaps so is not at all attractive to browse though.I feel dirty and in need of a wash if I ever venture in there. Yet here, I use SES and big W- $3 t-shirts, as I'm trying to save money, and that is nearly as bad.

Chortlepuss

When I'm in the UK, I try to buy quality stuff, especially shoes that are 4* the price here.
Got some Primark stuff when we went over in winter, just for wearing there.

No point in getting cheap tatt - can get that here in target and Big W. Quality items see the biggest differential (e.g. fully lined black work jacket - Myer $400, NEXT 70 quid or so) To be honest, I don't shop in Brisbane as I can't bring myself to pay prices even when earning Aus $

the troubadour

Same here.Although include Germany in the equation and buy directly from the warehouse. Top quality gear.Shoes included. I wouldn't go clothes shopping in Perth for anything above shorts,singlets sort of stuff.
Same for books ....another gigantic rip off here. Buy from Uk.

lesleys

We buy shoes and some clothes in Harbour Town (outlet shopping - Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth). I've had some real bargains.

For cheapo stuff I use La Redoute mail order from France. Their sale prices are very low and stuff gets delivered in just over a week. They charge for shipping, but they deduct the VAT which just about cancels it out. I bought 3 pairs of leather ballerina shoes and a beautiful suede tote bag for just over a $100 earlier this month.

spouse of scouse

Have been to quite a few countries in Europe but haven't made it to Germany yet - very keen after reading that troubadour! My sisters and I fly over to Melbourne once a year to check out the DFOs - even they're heaven compared to Perth shopping.

Grayling

All cities in Australia are damn expensive

commonwealth

that's old as news.

Grayling

Just replying to the original post

the troubadour

Germany is perhaps one of the truely underratted countries in Europe. Down South there is an area full of brand names sold cheaply directly from warehouses. Rather famous in the South and folk from all over the country visit there.

Melbourne is indeed head and shoulders above Perth when it comes to shopping. Perth is a big let down these days having way over shot its worth as a city.
I can see a bid exodos from here come the mining boom downturn. I'd holg off buying property that's for sure.

the troubadour

Old news for some but as relevant as ever. Rip off Perth should be clearly labeled for what it is.

commonwealth

Berlin is one of the cheapest destinations.

Amazulu

I've been banging on about Germany for years on here - a very impressive country. It's relatively cheap, clean, efficient, nice people etc. I could very easily live there - especially down near the Austrian border. In fact, we've looked into it and given the strength of the AUD I could afford to semi-retire - and have a 911.

I still love Perth though. Shopping is not important to me, especially when we have the internet and Singapore and KL are close by.

Amazulu

Berlin is great and very cheap. Property is very good value there.

Weather is grim though.