Hmmm. careful with this: if that house opens up a whole new lifestyle then it is worth it. We came not for a bigger house - bricks and mortar- but so we could get a family home on a lifestyle block in an area which lends itself to all that sort of stuff but no further away than what we would have to do in the UK.

Hey Fluffy,

I totally understand, we live in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey. Its very tough!

And no, of course a house is not the only reason but its a very big incentive! Its where we spend most of our time. We both have good jobs and work extremely hard, no loans or debts other than university loans.

I know there are nice places in the UK also, but our jobs means we need to be near to a big city (we are an hour, hour and a quarter into London at the minute) so that means that in the UK, our standard of living is rubbish basically!

I know its not all roses and i would never suggest it is, but from my experience of this country/lifestyle as a young adult trying to start out in life, it certainly feels like Oz offers a much better standard of living anyway!

Aahhh, I was wondering where you currently live. There's good infrastructure in London and the South East, so you can live an hour or more away from the city centre and commute in. I knew someone who commuted from Ipswich to London on a daily basis, for example.

Australia's infrastructure isn't so great. The train journey from some of the further suburbs in Sydney for example can be long and unreliable. A great deal of western Sydney does not have public transport, so you'd have to drive to work and your workplace may not have parking on site - and if you're working in the CBD that's going to add up to a lot in parking costs. You may be living out in Baulkam Hills, for example, but get a job over in the Eastern Suburbs. Public transport - there isn't any. Driving - road tolls, parking costs at the other end. Time spent commuting - probably an hour and a half.

Also, outer suburbs tend to be housing - and that's it. If you're used to having shops, bars, cafes, etc close by you might have to get used to getting into your car and driving a bit.

That's why housing in the outer suburbs is so affordable. 200k GBP will get you a house in Sydney's inner cities, but it will be similar to what you could get in London - small and in one of the less salubrious / 'up and coming' areas. If you're willing to consider a flat instead, you won't have so many problems finding something but would still have to compromise a bit.

200k sterling will get you a very nice 2 bed flat 1/2 hour commute to Melbourne CBD.

I think a lot of people forget how tough it is for younger couples having sat in their own family homes for a while. That next big step up is hard in London. I do not envy you! I'd give Melbourne a go certainly.

Nothing wrong with Kingston! In a part of the world getting more and more expensive and there's nicer parts!

Do you mind if I ask what you did in Uni/what your occupations are?

Why are you going to Australia?
I'm sure nobody would go just for a bigger house but it will be part of the decision for many.
I'm hoping for same size house, smaller mortgage personally. I'm also looking forward to better weather, meeting new people, having the experience of living abroad.

Take no notice of this herbert,because his son lives here, he's an expert.

Well we do live here and if your willing to adapt , embrace the Aussie way of life and work hard your life will be so much more rewarding then living in grubby old blighty.

We have a smaller mortgage than we had in UK but the property is beyond compare, our son is thriving as are we. It is difficult when theres kids involved (i.e Leaving grand parents etc ) but as you've wrote you are a young professional couple and i no doubt you will do all of the above, so DO IT, you will only regret you did'nt do it sooner....

Ah....here is another one who didn't have the wherewithall to make a decent living in the UK

Mr BE Anorak, you really need to get out more chief.........

Preferably not to Oz though, we poms have a bad enough reputation for Whinging as it is...no doubt you will keep up the tradition.

I can't wait for your response...................

that is because many of them are economic refugees....the ones who couldn't hack it in the UK.

Bottom of the pile in two countries

ow !!!!!!!!! you nasty thing you, that really stung.......................

Derrrr..... Did'nt you say your son lives here ???? Thats not a nice thing to say about your boy is it.... tut tut

Well if earning what we earn / living as we live and doing what we do is Bottom of the pile i say "Bring it on sucker"

...but my son lives in a good part of Brisbane

WhoooooHoooooooooooo this is now getting good.

So is he not, to use your words "An economic Refugee who could'nt hack it in the UK" then ???????????????

and if you move over,what does that make you ?????

No doubt your next reponse will be " My sons house is bigger than your house nah nah nah nah nah "
I can't wait....

A rich retiree

Well it's been nice playing but I have to go and pack for my winter break in the Canary Islands