Buzzy--Bee

I'm not sure "The High Life" is very objective actually.

We live "The High Life" on less than 130k for a family of four, within walking distance of the beach.

But that's because our definition of "The High Life" is doing things like we did today - helping some friends with something that needed extra hands, attending a local community pet expo with our dog and going for a family cycle ride - none of which cost any money at all.

BB

Weebie

only the inner bayside is desirable. the outer is not aka Frankston

Weebie

Your definition of High life doesn't mean shit!

The OP wants to know if he can afford to move his family in a nice home in a nice inner area with a swimming pool and not some dangerous crap outer suburb where commuting is goign to take ages.

You may have a definition of the highlife but so does Melbourne as a city.

Pollyana

Everyone's idea of The High Life is different. Just cos they don't agree with your own idea doesn't make them wrong

Rambi

Mordialloc seems quite pleasant. Why the irritation?

elice_in_oz

Re-read the OP's post! The OP never stated where in Melbourne they want to live so keep your ridiculous assumptions and comments to yourself please. And learn to read!
And as much as you are loathe to admit it (out of some misplaced jealousy or envy of anyone who actually enjoys life in Melbourne, it seems), this city is about more than Brighton, Camberwell and Toorak.

hevs

Weebie...I though you lived in Perth? You talk such crap. I'm sure you do it whilst sniggering away with your hand down your pants. As someone else said, this is a forum that people use to gain valuable information. Misinformation given by people with their own agenda is just plain unnecessary and more often than not bloody offensive!

To the OP not all of Melbournes "outer" suburbs are crap or dangerous but I dont know the inner suburbs well enough to comment on costs, but try realestate.com.au for more accurate costs. I can comment on the pool and have had one, now dont, prefer not having one, but its personal choice. We used to use it for 6 months a year and we had solar heating on it. As for people in other states commenting the weather, seriously, dont listen....its nothing like the UK weather here, although winter is cooler than the other states, its fairly dry and can get very hot in summer. My family of 5 would be in heaven on your wage but manage on half of it, however we dont have to pay out rent and dont live in an inner burb

newy7

Hi all, OP here. Really appreciate all your comments - though they are mixed. I possibly worded it wrong, we don't want the "highlife" - just want a good, decent family life in Melbourne enjoying what they call "a lifestyle change". The pool would be great, but not essential - a preference for the kids obviously. We dont need to be in bayside, we want a good place to live that we can do family things from - don't need to be inner city. Anyone live or know of Sanctuary lakes - that looks good?

Another question - if we had a dog would that rule us out of most rental opportunities?

Buzzy--Bee

An Australian family from Parkdale a few streets from where we live sold their house and moved to Sanctuary Lakes as the husband had a job out west. Within 9 months they were back renting in Parkdale complaining that Sanctuary Lakes was soulless, there was nobody about, it was empty. The husband is now commuting 90 mins each way

Many UK families like the new estates like Sanctuary Lakes because of the type of houses they offer. But the surroundings are a bit like what that family described.

Yes. But not all of them.

BB

jedly1

in our experience the dog just makes it harder, not impossible ...you probably cut the available property list in half by having a dog.....then when you go to application ( and if its half decent there will be multiple applicants)...you reduce your chance further because any landlord with all other things equal will take the family without the dog over one with.

itxrd

We live in Sydney so maybe Melbourne is a lot cheaper but on that wage you'll take home 8k a month. Go on domain and have a look at how much rent you'll be paying for whatever you're after. It'll be probably between $3-4k a month for a 4 bed house. Then you have:

Bills - few hundred
Food - 1k for 5 of you
Health insurance maybe - $300
TV, broadband, phone, mobiles
childcare - if mrs at home won;t need that
Car loan (maybe you have the money to buy one outright)

Plus other crap. So basically you'll be able to live okay but youj won;t get your fancy weekends. Flight out of Oz are very expensive. Like Weebie says here most families need 2 people to work. I earn more than you and we can't save any money. Can't wait till mrs goes back to work ;-)

You'll get the debate here about the family on $60k with 10 kids and they get peed off when they read about us 'struggling' on $130k so its a personal thing. Some people spend more than others.

The only person who knows your spending habits is you. I reckon divide your Oz salary by 3. 130/3 = 43. Are you on 43k pounds in the UK - because thats the equivalent lifestyle you'll get here. if you're on 60k in Uk you'd be better off financially there. Can live like a king on that in the UK. Here you can't with $130k. Maybe in Darwin ;-)

Rambi

I remember the days when £43k would have been in the highest tax band.

newy7

Thanks for this response, seems I am getting some mixed messages here. Where do you think teh tipping point is, $150, 160, 170k etc f we were to pay $3.5 on rent per month?????

ROMFT_WO2RN

and it is now after the lowering of the entry point for the higher rate to 42.7k.

Buzzy--Bee

Mate, in Melbourne 3.5k per month would rent you a very nice house indeed.

Last year we paid 2k per month for a brand new 3 bed 3 reception house looking over a park within walking distance of the beach and 40 mins drive from the city of Melbourne.

BB