Living costs in SEQ?
 

Just looking for an idea of roughly how much I'd spend on things like weekly shop/bills.

Also anyone with young children, how expensive are things like nappies, baby food etc. in comparison?

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

http://www.coles.com.au/
http://www.woolworths.com.au/

Will help

Is there any reason why you need to compare the costs? If you move to Australia you will still have to buy them :)

However if you are basing you move on the cost of food or nappies then the above links should help.

Once/if you move to OZ it's all relative to what you earn. Some things are cheaper and some more expensive to what you are us to.

However to answer your question.

Eating out is cheaper, Food in supermarkets is about the same and nappies I have no idea.

Your millage may differ depending on which shops you shop at in the UK and which you will buy at in OZ.

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

Thanks for those links!

The reason why I was asking is because for the first few months that I'm out there (and whilst I'm unemployed) I will have a certain budget to work to regarding living costs and want to try and anticipate how much money I will have to put aside for various things.

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

My view is put aside 10% more than what you think it will cost. Since you are using a new supermarket for the first time you tend to impulse buy. Also you will be setting up your kitchen for stuff you'd only buy once in a while. Spices and Herbs.

If you can write down a list before you go, then that helps keep the bills down.

BTW Aussie wine is cheaper and AUS Beer is to :)

I forgot to mention, set aside a large chunk of time for shopping the first few times. I remember being in Coles for 3 hours looking at what they had :) We ended up paying about $350 for the first shop and then was hitting about $120 per week for the next few weeks. Our avg shop is now about $100 perweek for 2 people. This covers food for 2 for the weekend. Breakfast and evening meal during the week and some cleaning products.



KS

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

:thumbup: :D Just what I like to hear!

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

I'm actually (and quite sadly) looking forward to the first shopping trip - seems exciting!

Can't believe I just admitted that. :o

Thanks for the info, it's been really helpful!

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

I will admit that I'm a bloke and that I LIKE SHOPPING. Food shopping is the best, but I don't mind hitting the dept stores (and not for electronics).

Shopping in a different country is always good. I'm currently in the USA and food shopping sucks. Not much variaty but lots of options. Beans with/with out salt/Vitamin A/B/C/D/E/F/...Z /Smokes/... But not Heinz :(

And I Can't find a curry or Thai sauce to save my life :(

Kieron

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

OK - I've been here 9 years now so cant really compare with UK cos I have no idea how much things cost in the UK any more but:

There are 4 of us in our household.
A 4 bedroom house 30 minutes fom city would cost anywhere between $350-$600 per week depending on quality and suburb. (www.realestate.com.au)

Our electricity bill vaires from $350-$600 per 4tr depending on time of year (summer is expensive due to air-con demands!)

2nd hand cars are expensive (theres no MOT equivalent and climate doesnt encourage rust, so old cars never die.. so values never drop). Dont expect to get anything drivable that would pass a UK MOT for less than $7-8K (www.carsales.com.au)

Food has massive variance - some things are cheap (fresh veg, fruit, meat) other things are still very costly (anything processed and transported, and for some bizarre reason BREAD?!). We tend to spend around $200 a week to feed our clan - but on top of that do venture out to eat lunches at weekends when we're out and about (cheap takeaway food is generally a good standard).

Let me know if theres anything else you thing you'd like help with - I know its daunting!

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

Glad I'm not the only one!

Have you tried making your own curry/Thai sauce?

Jules

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

Thanks for that! I'm getting an idea of roughly how much to budget for, I'd say about A$100 a week will cover my daughter and I!

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

I have but when you can't find the basics to make one, it's a real pain.

The food here in the USA is like the food I had when I was a kid. Meat and 3 veg anything different is frowned on. And what is the deal with Americans and thier Mac and Cheese.

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

LOL...I know what you mean i am also in the USA at the moment.

However in our local Publix in the english section there is a good selection of things (inc jammy dodgers for my 7 yr old daughter :)) and there is also curry sauce!!!
I know they don't all have english sections but just a thought depending on where you are !

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

We get our lads nappes from Aldi, this was after trying several other brands which leaked and includes Huggies which are quite expensive. A pack of 56 cost's $16 and we get baby wipes in bulk when they are on offer from Target. I think that food shopping is quite expensive this being because there is no competition ie only coles and woolies. We get our meat from a meat market store in Burleigh ( there are a few others around the coast as well) and fruit from the farmers markets on a Sunday which saves a good deal of money. Its a good learning curve going around all part of the fun of first moving. Good luck. Quill..

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

Not true mate. You can pick up some real bargains for around 2-3k.

Re: Living costs in SEQ?
 

Agree with you on that