2 weeks in Melbourne and loving it! Plus some tips!
Mar 12th 2004 | 1:20 am
#16
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8
From: St Helens off2 Melbourne
Originally posted by Bordy
Saint, the further in towards the city you go the more it will cost you. Outer suburbs are just as good if not better & plenty of entertainment & shopping etc. There are a few suburbs probably best avoided but I better not say in case someone on here is living in them
Saint, the further in towards the city you go the more it will cost you. Outer suburbs are just as good if not better & plenty of entertainment & shopping etc. There are a few suburbs probably best avoided but I better not say in case someone on here is living in them
A family member frightened the life out of us when they visited Australia and told us that there are no pubs anywhere and all the restaurants are BYO?? which is why we thought it best to head as close to the city as we could afford.
It's early days yet, but we've looked on the internet at Fitzroy, Ascot Vale and Richmond.
Mar 12th 2004 | 2:01 am
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 190
Compare Sydney and Melbourne
If you've ever been to or lived in Sydney, how does it compare to Melbourne? I recently arrived in Sydney, but, I'm thinking of relocating to Melbourne once my current work contract expires in Sydney...
Mar 12th 2004 | 2:50 am
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,389
From: New Zealand
Re: 2 weeks in Melbourne and loving it! Plus some tips!
Originally posted by joninoxford
Hi there all,
I am currently in Blackburn, Melbourne, staying at my de facto girlfriends parent's house whilst we look for jobs. Melbourne is as nice as a remember it (came here in 1999 on a working holiday visa). Its becoming cool now, about 23 today, but the nights are quite chilly. I certainly feel happier in Oz, more laid back and more space. We have been busy, I have bought a car (Alfa Romeo 33 1987 with air conditioning for Aus$2300). Just got my Aussie driver licence today (had to take computer based test to convert UK license - very easy if you have been trying a while - but note the odd differences about giving way at intersections.) Been to see the Bird Man (jumping off the pier into the Yarra river wearing makeshift wings and the like!) competition in Melbourne city centre and the fireworks during the Waterfest over labour day weekend (how come we so rarely have carnivals like this back in the UK? Great fun and free!).
Applied to 10+ jobs on the internet, no interviews yet but it is early days yet I guess. Joined Centrelink (government Job Centre type place). Pretty hopeless unless you are after unskilled work, and they assume your after unemployment benefits, which of course I am not and can not! They sent a letter today saying "we have acknowledged your intention to claim benefit) but my girlfriend assures me they send this to everyone who goes in and gives their details! All I said was they I was interested in any help they could give finding a job.
Got AAPT sim card from KMART for my UK mobile ($25). It runs through the Vodaphone network, but is cheaper. No problems with them, good rates.
Internet IS more expensive here, and unlimited plans are very expensive, the norm is 300mb download limits a month for broadband and dial up, and charges per MB if you go over... We are currently paying $25 a month for 300mb dial up limit, 15c per MB over, plus local call charges. There is no such thing as paying only the local call charge for internet access, here you pay for the call AND the internet service charge. This is because there are 30 cent local calls for however long you are on for, (the providers don't make any money therefore) but this bumps up the price quite a bit for the customer.
Set up a HSBC bank account in Box Hill. One big problem is that all the staff but one speak only broken English as they are native Chinese, but I managed to get my information across, writing down things where necessary! But my initial $2000 UK HSBC bankers draft deposit has got loss in their system, and they told me it was up to me to sort it out with HSBC back home in the UK. So pretty poor customer service, and a bit worrying reallly! I think the Bank of Melbourne would have been a better bet. HSBC give you 4.5% interest or thereabouts on anything over $2000, but nothing under $2000. Lots of us feel banking is a free service back home in the UK, but in Australia it is a service you pay for, with charges if you withdraw money at ATM's more than 5 times a month with HSBC for example.
Blackburn is quiet but nice, leafy and green, but about 35 mins train ride to the city centre ($5.00). Been to Torquay, about 2 hours drive past Geelong. Its a nice little beach town - a great day trip from Melbourne and at the start of the Great Ocean Road. All started going to Aussie rules football - saw Melbourne Vs Geelong at the Telstra Dome last Friday - and enjoyed it more than I thought I would, and washed down a few Carlton Light beers during the match. (game $15, beer $4!). So having fun so far, not met many people, just my girlfriend's friends and family, but that will improve with getting a job hopefully.
The Aussies are nice as ever, still get thrown by shopkeepers being very chatty (so what have you got planned the rest of the day?). But I noticed there is a intial confused look at my English accent in Blackburn at least, and one of my girlfriends Aussie mates joked that the first thing I need to do is loose my English accent!
So all in all good - it does seem the grass really is greener on the other side in my case, but I guess it depends on the quality of life you left in the UK!
I'll keep you all updated! Has WBB got his visa yet by the way?!
Hi there all,
I am currently in Blackburn, Melbourne, staying at my de facto girlfriends parent's house whilst we look for jobs. Melbourne is as nice as a remember it (came here in 1999 on a working holiday visa). Its becoming cool now, about 23 today, but the nights are quite chilly. I certainly feel happier in Oz, more laid back and more space. We have been busy, I have bought a car (Alfa Romeo 33 1987 with air conditioning for Aus$2300). Just got my Aussie driver licence today (had to take computer based test to convert UK license - very easy if you have been trying a while - but note the odd differences about giving way at intersections.) Been to see the Bird Man (jumping off the pier into the Yarra river wearing makeshift wings and the like!) competition in Melbourne city centre and the fireworks during the Waterfest over labour day weekend (how come we so rarely have carnivals like this back in the UK? Great fun and free!).
Applied to 10+ jobs on the internet, no interviews yet but it is early days yet I guess. Joined Centrelink (government Job Centre type place). Pretty hopeless unless you are after unskilled work, and they assume your after unemployment benefits, which of course I am not and can not! They sent a letter today saying "we have acknowledged your intention to claim benefit) but my girlfriend assures me they send this to everyone who goes in and gives their details! All I said was they I was interested in any help they could give finding a job.
Got AAPT sim card from KMART for my UK mobile ($25). It runs through the Vodaphone network, but is cheaper. No problems with them, good rates.
Internet IS more expensive here, and unlimited plans are very expensive, the norm is 300mb download limits a month for broadband and dial up, and charges per MB if you go over... We are currently paying $25 a month for 300mb dial up limit, 15c per MB over, plus local call charges. There is no such thing as paying only the local call charge for internet access, here you pay for the call AND the internet service charge. This is because there are 30 cent local calls for however long you are on for, (the providers don't make any money therefore) but this bumps up the price quite a bit for the customer.
Set up a HSBC bank account in Box Hill. One big problem is that all the staff but one speak only broken English as they are native Chinese, but I managed to get my information across, writing down things where necessary! But my initial $2000 UK HSBC bankers draft deposit has got loss in their system, and they told me it was up to me to sort it out with HSBC back home in the UK. So pretty poor customer service, and a bit worrying reallly! I think the Bank of Melbourne would have been a better bet. HSBC give you 4.5% interest or thereabouts on anything over $2000, but nothing under $2000. Lots of us feel banking is a free service back home in the UK, but in Australia it is a service you pay for, with charges if you withdraw money at ATM's more than 5 times a month with HSBC for example.
Blackburn is quiet but nice, leafy and green, but about 35 mins train ride to the city centre ($5.00). Been to Torquay, about 2 hours drive past Geelong. Its a nice little beach town - a great day trip from Melbourne and at the start of the Great Ocean Road. All started going to Aussie rules football - saw Melbourne Vs Geelong at the Telstra Dome last Friday - and enjoyed it more than I thought I would, and washed down a few Carlton Light beers during the match. (game $15, beer $4!). So having fun so far, not met many people, just my girlfriend's friends and family, but that will improve with getting a job hopefully.
The Aussies are nice as ever, still get thrown by shopkeepers being very chatty (so what have you got planned the rest of the day?). But I noticed there is a intial confused look at my English accent in Blackburn at least, and one of my girlfriends Aussie mates joked that the first thing I need to do is loose my English accent!
So all in all good - it does seem the grass really is greener on the other side in my case, but I guess it depends on the quality of life you left in the UK!
I'll keep you all updated! Has WBB got his visa yet by the way?!
Hope you find the job soon.
Yep I found shopkeepers chatty too. thought it was a wind up at first.
Helen
Mar 12th 2004 | 3:15 am
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 75
From: Liverpool, Merseyside
Blackburn's nice isn't it? A little far away from the action but it's a good place to live.
As for Saint Min's quiery about being few pubs in residential areas - well, sitting in the pub in the afternoon having a few quiet drinks and a bite to eat isn't Australian culture. You generally invite your friends 'round and have a bbq or a meal at our place with a few drinks. Although most pubs serve meals and are open during the day, they normally serve the same purpose bars do in the UK - a nightspot that plays loud music and is full of intoxicated souls. Different lifestyle-different needs.
As far as 'outer' suburbs then it depends on how far you consider outer. Doncaster has a good shopping centre and further out Ringwood does as well. Chadstone has the biggest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere and has lots of trendy shops.
Feel free to PM me for any other tips.
Enjoy Melbourne. You'll love it!
As for Saint Min's quiery about being few pubs in residential areas - well, sitting in the pub in the afternoon having a few quiet drinks and a bite to eat isn't Australian culture. You generally invite your friends 'round and have a bbq or a meal at our place with a few drinks. Although most pubs serve meals and are open during the day, they normally serve the same purpose bars do in the UK - a nightspot that plays loud music and is full of intoxicated souls. Different lifestyle-different needs.
As far as 'outer' suburbs then it depends on how far you consider outer. Doncaster has a good shopping centre and further out Ringwood does as well. Chadstone has the biggest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere and has lots of trendy shops.
Feel free to PM me for any other tips.
Enjoy Melbourne. You'll love it!
Mar 12th 2004 | 7:12 am
#20
Bloody Nice Bloke
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 386
From: Living the good life in sunny St Kilda
So all you guys and girls already in Melbourne, who is wanting to maybe help a soon to be Melbourne resident.
I have my visa (for some time now) and am in the throws of getting things ready to move. House is valued in 2 days, removals estimators coming in 3 and then at the mercy of when I decide to sell.
Obviously being a stranger in a new place any help that I could call on would be superb. I will have no other half to lean on (single bloke you see) so friendly faces (well mail etc) would be good.
May not be there for maybe 6 months or so (depends on how long it takes to sell my house) but is anyone up for the challenge????
I have my visa (for some time now) and am in the throws of getting things ready to move. House is valued in 2 days, removals estimators coming in 3 and then at the mercy of when I decide to sell.
Obviously being a stranger in a new place any help that I could call on would be superb. I will have no other half to lean on (single bloke you see) so friendly faces (well mail etc) would be good.
May not be there for maybe 6 months or so (depends on how long it takes to sell my house) but is anyone up for the challenge????
Mar 12th 2004 | 9:13 am
#21
High in the Dandenongs
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,183
From: Listening to Puffing Billy
Re: Compare Sydney and Melbourne
Originally posted by Ansy
If you've ever been to or lived in Sydney, how does it compare to Melbourne? I recently arrived in Sydney, but, I'm thinking of relocating to Melbourne once my current work contract expires in Sydney...
If you've ever been to or lived in Sydney, how does it compare to Melbourne? I recently arrived in Sydney, but, I'm thinking of relocating to Melbourne once my current work contract expires in Sydney...
(or something like that!)Very helpfull today arn't i
Mar 12th 2004 | 9:36 am
#22
Bloody Nice Bloke
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 386
From: Living the good life in sunny St Kilda
Hevs....your about as helpful as...............
Only joking. Would I go for Sydney, well she is quite appealing, saucy, seductive and quite appealing on the eye. Don't know about the Melbourne is the one I'd marry bit though.
Done that once and not sure if I would do it again. Well maybe, you never know. Badge is all loved up now and so trying to get 2 sensible words out of him would be like trying to get a straight ansa out of an illustrious politician. Hehehehe...if Badge reads this there will be trouble 
Only joking. Would I go for Sydney, well she is quite appealing, saucy, seductive and quite appealing on the eye. Don't know about the Melbourne is the one I'd marry bit though.
Done that once and not sure if I would do it again. Well maybe, you never know. Badge is all loved up now and so trying to get 2 sensible words out of him would be like trying to get a straight ansa out of an illustrious politician. Hehehehe...if Badge reads this there will be trouble
Mar 12th 2004 | 9:41 am
#23
Thread Starter
Melbourne, St Kilda
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 115
From: St Kilda Melbourne
Thanks for the replies, some answers:
I found the car in the Trading Post, excellent site and paper, very similar to Exchange and Mart: www.tradingpost.com.au
I was working in the Environment Agency in the UK, so hoping to do something similar over here.
I think the Australian TV is not too bad actually. I have been watching a little of the free channels, and they get The Bill, The Simpsons, Straight Eye for a Queer Guy(!), Survivor, The Sopranos, Sex and the City and some great films. Basically a lot of American and UK imports with the odd (in more ways than one!) Australian programme thrown in. "All Aussie Adventures" is a classic! Last night we had a choice of 3 films, and ended up watching Good Will Hunting. I think Foxtel is only needed if you find time between the beach, pubs, concerts and sporting events to watch them!
Some good concerts coming up in Melbourne too, just got tickets to see the Counting Crows at the end of the month at the Rod Laver stadium ($69 each), and maybe Steve Earle. Also Dave Gorman's Googlewack adventure is in town for the Comedy Festival (from $20). So much to do!
I found the car in the Trading Post, excellent site and paper, very similar to Exchange and Mart: www.tradingpost.com.au
I was working in the Environment Agency in the UK, so hoping to do something similar over here.
I think the Australian TV is not too bad actually. I have been watching a little of the free channels, and they get The Bill, The Simpsons, Straight Eye for a Queer Guy(!), Survivor, The Sopranos, Sex and the City and some great films. Basically a lot of American and UK imports with the odd (in more ways than one!) Australian programme thrown in. "All Aussie Adventures" is a classic! Last night we had a choice of 3 films, and ended up watching Good Will Hunting. I think Foxtel is only needed if you find time between the beach, pubs, concerts and sporting events to watch them!
Some good concerts coming up in Melbourne too, just got tickets to see the Counting Crows at the end of the month at the Rod Laver stadium ($69 each), and maybe Steve Earle. Also Dave Gorman's Googlewack adventure is in town for the Comedy Festival (from $20). So much to do!
Mar 12th 2004 | 9:45 am
#24
High in the Dandenongs
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,183
From: Listening to Puffing Billy
Originally posted by ianj
Hevs....your about as helpful as...............
Done that once and not sure if I would do it again. Well maybe, you never know. Badge is all loved up now and so trying to get 2 sensible words out of him would be like trying to get a straight ansa out of an illustrious politician. Hehehehe...if Badge reads this there will be trouble
Hevs....your about as helpful as...............
Done that once and not sure if I would do it again. Well maybe, you never know. Badge is all loved up now and so trying to get 2 sensible words out of him would be like trying to get a straight ansa out of an illustrious politician. Hehehehe...if Badge reads this there will be trouble
oh god, you're for it now
John, whens the soprano's on?? Big fans, but have missed that one??
Mar 13th 2004 | 10:42 pm
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 219
From: Melbourne's eastern suburbs
Originally posted by joninoxford
Dave Gorman's Googlewack adventure is in town for the Comedy Festival (from $20).
Dave Gorman's Googlewack adventure is in town for the Comedy Festival (from $20).
Are there any other comedians appearing during the festival that you would recommend?
Mar 14th 2004 | 12:19 am
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Melbourne vs Sydney
Eh? Did someone mention my name.
There: 6 sensible words. And not one included the word 'yadda'.
I was very hard pushed to leave Sydney for Melbourne when I did at the beginning of the year. My major concerns were the weather and the lack of Rugby League. And my family live in NSW.
1) Melbourne's weather is actually a well kept secret. No humidity to speak of. A few of HOT days ie. 41, plus loads more WARM days 30ish. Often it will be a TAD cold when you get out of bed, and not hot up until the arvo so you get to go home in lovely temps..it gets less rain than Sydney, but dispersed more evenly throughout the year..mostly in the winter. As in Sydney. Although in Summer 2003, Sydney had some shockers.
The winter will be cold, but
a) the sun still shines
b) still not as cold as the UK, but indoors expect to FREEZE! I wore 2 fleeces inside just in Sydney.
2) Women. Is this what you wanted to know about? I wasn't sure. Australian women are fairly easy going, best way to their hearts is to be laid back and easy going. They are pretty forward, if you get it right. Naughty, but nice and all the rest of it. Don't lay it on too thick - they will not all have heard of Hugh Grant or that cockney wanker from EastEnders. Phil Grant - that's it. PM me for more info. This is a family forum after all.
One experience I had was that a girl's friends are quite switched on and they will get you drunk, then will go through your mobile looking for SMS's and then tell her all they learnt!! I needed a lawyer for that one :-0
3) Stuff to do. I am a fair way out but couldn't give a monkeys about theatre and arts. I make my own.
3b) Shops. There seems to be more shops than you actually need, if people know what I mean. ie More shopping centres than Melbourne population seems to need? Hardly anyone in them, and there's no Sharon or Tracy accents to put up with. Can't understand all the M&S and Tesco whiners. I still sleep soundly at nights knowing my underwear has 'Bonds' on them rather than 'M&S' or 'Next'. ;-) Customer service good. And if you tell them you've had a bad day, they will listen.
4) Restaurants. Same as London and Sydney. BYO nice, and its cheaper in both GBP-AUS, and in real terms.
5) CBD is FAB. Nice and small, traffic quiet compared to London, and maybe Sydney. Trams useful. The CBD is not as glamorous as Sydney, but the view of the Yarra and the south bank from the train as it goes from Spencer to Flinders is nice...
6) The football code played is not as good IMHO. Aerial Ping Pong rather than League (Catch me - ***** me, or 'Cross Country Wrestling' as they call it here) but that's OK. 'Shop' around for a team and follow it. I asked everyone and listene to their opinions - they will have one.
7)House prices are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper (I thought it would be just 10pc or summat). 2 hrs from Sydney would have cost me 350K for a (often small, well tiny) 3 bed villa, here, 1 hr from Melbourne, the same gets me a good sized house (even by aussie standards) with 2-3 living areas. Even 270K will get you it in the newer housing estates.
8) This may be me, but there seems to be less wildlife down here. I haven't seen a Kukkaburra yet, no decent sized spiders, there're all at Hev's - there's less palm trees, but it is all still very green. Where I lived in Sydney, it was more 'tropical' if you know what I mean.
9) The stamp duty is a shocker compared to NSW.
9a) The 'public' beaches are not as spectacular as in Sydney but again I don't lose any sleep over it.
10) Couldn't think of one.
Badge
There: 6 sensible words. And not one included the word 'yadda'.
I was very hard pushed to leave Sydney for Melbourne when I did at the beginning of the year. My major concerns were the weather and the lack of Rugby League. And my family live in NSW.
1) Melbourne's weather is actually a well kept secret. No humidity to speak of. A few of HOT days ie. 41, plus loads more WARM days 30ish. Often it will be a TAD cold when you get out of bed, and not hot up until the arvo so you get to go home in lovely temps..it gets less rain than Sydney, but dispersed more evenly throughout the year..mostly in the winter. As in Sydney. Although in Summer 2003, Sydney had some shockers.
The winter will be cold, but
a) the sun still shines
b) still not as cold as the UK, but indoors expect to FREEZE! I wore 2 fleeces inside just in Sydney.
2) Women. Is this what you wanted to know about? I wasn't sure. Australian women are fairly easy going, best way to their hearts is to be laid back and easy going. They are pretty forward, if you get it right. Naughty, but nice and all the rest of it. Don't lay it on too thick - they will not all have heard of Hugh Grant or that cockney wanker from EastEnders. Phil Grant - that's it. PM me for more info. This is a family forum after all.
One experience I had was that a girl's friends are quite switched on and they will get you drunk, then will go through your mobile looking for SMS's and then tell her all they learnt!! I needed a lawyer for that one :-0
3) Stuff to do. I am a fair way out but couldn't give a monkeys about theatre and arts. I make my own.
3b) Shops. There seems to be more shops than you actually need, if people know what I mean. ie More shopping centres than Melbourne population seems to need? Hardly anyone in them, and there's no Sharon or Tracy accents to put up with. Can't understand all the M&S and Tesco whiners. I still sleep soundly at nights knowing my underwear has 'Bonds' on them rather than 'M&S' or 'Next'. ;-) Customer service good. And if you tell them you've had a bad day, they will listen.
4) Restaurants. Same as London and Sydney. BYO nice, and its cheaper in both GBP-AUS, and in real terms.
5) CBD is FAB. Nice and small, traffic quiet compared to London, and maybe Sydney. Trams useful. The CBD is not as glamorous as Sydney, but the view of the Yarra and the south bank from the train as it goes from Spencer to Flinders is nice...
6) The football code played is not as good IMHO. Aerial Ping Pong rather than League (Catch me - ***** me, or 'Cross Country Wrestling' as they call it here) but that's OK. 'Shop' around for a team and follow it. I asked everyone and listene to their opinions - they will have one.
7)House prices are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper (I thought it would be just 10pc or summat). 2 hrs from Sydney would have cost me 350K for a (often small, well tiny) 3 bed villa, here, 1 hr from Melbourne, the same gets me a good sized house (even by aussie standards) with 2-3 living areas. Even 270K will get you it in the newer housing estates.
8) This may be me, but there seems to be less wildlife down here. I haven't seen a Kukkaburra yet, no decent sized spiders, there're all at Hev's - there's less palm trees, but it is all still very green. Where I lived in Sydney, it was more 'tropical' if you know what I mean.
9) The stamp duty is a shocker compared to NSW.
9a) The 'public' beaches are not as spectacular as in Sydney but again I don't lose any sleep over it.
10) Couldn't think of one.
Badge
Last edited by badgersmount; Mar 14th 2004 at 12:25 am.
Sep 25th 2004 | 9:45 am
#27
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 151
From: we're back
Re: 2 weeks in Melbourne and loving it! Plus some tips!
Nice one
Me and hubby are moving over jan 05 hopefully.
Nice to hear it's a great place to live, It's nice to hear people settling down and making the most of life.
Can't wait to come over our selfs just one thing i worry about and that's leaving my family behind. but hey thanks to e-mail and web cams i can talk and see them as much as i like.
So good luck and happy job hunting.
If you come across wages for retail work could you let me know please.
I an currently a retail supervisor and i was just curious on the rate of pay in melbourne.
Many thanks and all the best cheers
Vanessa
Me and hubby are moving over jan 05 hopefully.
Nice to hear it's a great place to live, It's nice to hear people settling down and making the most of life.
Can't wait to come over our selfs just one thing i worry about and that's leaving my family behind. but hey thanks to e-mail and web cams i can talk and see them as much as i like.
So good luck and happy job hunting.
If you come across wages for retail work could you let me know please.
I an currently a retail supervisor and i was just curious on the rate of pay in melbourne.
Many thanks and all the best cheers
Vanessa
Sep 25th 2004 | 11:13 am
#28
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,863
From: Cairns, Qld.
Re: 2 weeks in Melbourne and loving it! Plus some tips!
That's a great story Jon!
Melb'n's a great place. Very 'liveable' as they say.......glad you're settling in. Long may the adventure continue!
Tony.
Melb'n's a great place. Very 'liveable' as they say.......glad you're settling in. Long may the adventure continue!
Tony.
Last edited by tonyk38; Sep 25th 2004 at 11:16 am.
Sep 25th 2004 | 11:17 am
#29
High in the Dandenongs
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,183
From: Listening to Puffing Billy
Re: 2 weeks in Melbourne and loving it! Plus some tips!
Tony, i think he's moved to Townsville
Sep 25th 2004 | 11:24 am
#30
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,863
From: Cairns, Qld.
Re: 2 weeks in Melbourne and loving it! Plus some tips!
Originally Posted by hevs
Tony, i think he's moved to Townsville
Still Melb'n is very nice and I just posted on a Townsville thread saying how nice it was there too!
