Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

I ask this because friends of mine returned from 6 months in Perth citing total inability to purchase anything as a main reason for their return :unsure: The process to get there took so long that by the time they got there the 'boom' had happened and the sorts of homes they'd based their dream on were out of their grasp. Sadly for them, they had to sell their UK home to apply (not sure how that works) and the application took over 18 months, they left 6 months after getting the visas and were back in Blighty 6 months later. In that 2 years the UK market rose out of their reach too.

I am in the *very* tentatively considering the Oz experience in a few years time stage.

Is there anywhere in Australia worth living where you can get the 4 bed family home in the nice suburb, nearish the coast for a modest sum (ie within reach of the 'average' income)?

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

Suggestions:

i) Forget Perth
ii) Forget the coast and consider the Hills.

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

Absolutely shedloads.

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

Oi you were trying to keep it quiet........:)mm

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

Prices have definately gone up since last August wish we'd have brought then.................:frown: C x

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

Well I have to say if we were coming now rather than 2 years ago there's no way we could afford the house we are in now. It would cost us $250k more now than it did then. Good for us but terrible if you made your plans a while ago and the prices have went up since....

I'm sure it is possible to still get a family home in a nice suburb, maybe you need to comprise on a few things like being near the coast...

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

:rofl:
Care to expand?

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

i) ok
ii) any hills in particular?

:)

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

A good modern 4x2 house can be had in Perth for $500k or less or GBP200k or less. That's what houses cost in the UK. If you can't afford a house here then I doubt that you could afford one in the UK, so I don't see what the problem is.

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

Adelaide hills ;)

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

I think the OP's 'problem' is in the title of the thread. The Aussie dream was always; big house, pool, 4 x 4, beach on your doorstep and barbies everyday.
These things now come at a huge cost (well, maybe not the barbies!)compared to three or more years ago.

We couldn't afford to buy our land and build this house again at todays prices.
The prices here (in the suburbs within easy reach to the beaches) are ridiculous but there are still some decent houses to have in-land. It all depends on whether you're prepared to compromise.

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

Everyone has different ideas of the "dream" we were fortunate to come to Adelaide with a reasonable amount of equity from our house sale in the Uk.
I wouldn't say we are living the "dream" i think i was very niave in thinking our money would go alot further then it has:huh:
For us as a family, i wouldn't say we in a better situation financially then we were in the Uk.

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

I would presume that everyones dream differs from one another and that speaking in terms of realistically achieving your 'dream' it would vary on what you do for a living, how far you have to travel, schooling fee's, etc etc. I think the current problem for housing will always be around..here in my village (population 5,000) there are absolutely tiny 2 bedroom terrace houses, no garden, no parking, just 2 bedrooms, living room/kitchen area and thats it. These are being sold very quickly for rates of anywhere between £110,000 and £130,000, which is around $300,000 Australian dollars. I personally think that is ridiculous and the amount of money people pay over here for shit housing is disgusting..which is why i dont even want to own a house over here.

I think someone previously said 'compromise' which, if you do truly want the beach house and 4 x 4...you would most probably have to do. There is always corners to cut when it comes to budgeting.

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

Don't suppose you've been to the UK lately!?!? House prices are on the rise everywhere - not just Australia.

Near where I live (Canterbury, Kent) one bedroom apartments in a new(ish) area START at £174,000! 2 bedroom apartments START at £195,000. My brother just spent the same money on a house in Newcastle (Australia) for the same money (£200k - roughly $500k AUD) - its 15 mihns from centre of the city, nice neighbourhood etc - and for his money he got 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, less than 2 years old, 3 car garage, 650m sq block (so room for the pool) and all the landscaping/fencing etc is done!! If you want to buy that sort of thing 15 mins from any city centre in the UK your looking at considerably more than £200K!!!

House prices go up every year - some years more than others! Don't matter where you are!!

Except if you live in Gaza ....I have an idea houses are cheaper there......

Re: Is the Australian 'dream' dead?
 

The Dandenong Ranges and surrounds - but you'll be at least 45 mins to the beach and city. Though there is a lake beach 25 mins away. You can still get 4 beds for under $400K and the odd few for around $300K (friends recently bought a 4 bed in Monbulk for there or thereabouts).