Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

I have been offered a job in Cairns and just needed a little advice so we can wok out a budget. I have been offered a basic pay of $70,000, is that enough to support a family with two kids age 3 and 5 (my wife wont be working to start with)?
What is the house rent like in Cairns, I was thinking of around $250 a week. Are there any additional expense i.e. council tax.
What is the average cost for utilities such as elec, water etc..
And finally is it easy to buy a cheapish second hand car for around $1500 - $2000.
Many Thanks

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

go on to www.realestate.au it will give you some budget ideas

ps congrats on the job what you going to do

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

there are rentals for this price, but the questions how quickly do they go and do you really want to be in that area??
for round $2000 expect to find yourself a right banger of a car. thats about the prices for backpackers cars. so can you imagine where it's been whether it's been serviced or not for yrs, cause ussually these cars pass plenty of hands.

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Thanks guys, Ill check it out. The job is for an engineering geologist, Ideally I would like a mine job, but with a young family the FIFO may prove a strain on the family

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Is that with the Chillagoe mine?

WW

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

$250 a week wont get you much if anything suitable for a family. you wont get much of a car for that money but $70000 a year is a good wage for cairns. it is however a regional and therefore an expensive place to live in comparison to the larger cities when looking at fuel , groceries etc. its also a place where unless you're in the centre of town you will need a second car if you have a young family. the public trnsport is the worst i have ever seen.

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Rental - think $350.
Car - wouldn't look below $5000.
Wage - $70k is a very good wage for Cairns.

Difficult to give advice on family budgets cos everyone lives differently and
everyones expectations are different. I'll tell you like it is for me and maybe that will help.

Although we now have a far better and larger house here we pay half what we did in Cornwall for council and water rates.
Petrol is cheap.
GST 10% against VAT 17.5%
Car insurance and Registration roughly half what we paid for insurance and road tax.
Can't remember what I was paying for energy in UK but pretty sure it's cheaper here.
If you use a benchmark that the cost of living versus wage is the same as the UK but you'll be earning and paying out in Aus $ instead of pounds you won't go far wrong. In fact for me that's playing it cautious.

A real bonus is that there is a lot of free events, entertainment and sightseeing here and the weather in which to enjoy it.

As I said before it depends how you live but when we first got here we survived comfortably on your wage. We were renting at over $400 per week. Wife and 2 older teenagers to support. Most of our set up costs including a car were covered by cash we brought with us though so it was mainly just day to day living to cope with.

Also check out what family benefit you may get from Centrlink as I understand it is good. That will depend on the type of visa you are on though.

Have you got a visa ?
Which type ?

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Im married to a Kiwi so Im getting a 5 year temp residency visa based on being married to her (461), then will transfer to PR after a couple of years, dont know if I would be elligable for child benefits over there

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

I'm not sure either mate but suspect not if on a temp visa.

Been thinking about this a lot today and have to say unless you are used to an extravagant lifestyle then $70k will be fine.

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Thanks Bix, you've been alot of help

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

We rented 3 yrs ago while we were buidling and it was $300 for a shoe box then - a brand new house but 3 small beds (air-con only in main bed) and a garden the size of a postage stamp. You could rent now in Cairns for $250 per week (although I can't imagine what it would be like in terms of area and condition of property) but with a wife and two small children you wouldn't be looking at a dream start to your 'new life'.

$70,000 is a decent-ish wage for Cairns but in a couple of years time you MAY be looking to pay school fees for 2x children, plus book lists / uniforms / outside school activities inc. sports / music lessons / camps / etc and with the price of food / fuel / household expenses, you may find yourselves coming short eventually.

I've read on here that some people can live on as less as $40,000 per year for a family of 4 and be quite 'happy'. Good on 'em but it's not my kind of happy - certainly doesn't allow for any kind of savings for your future retirement or provision for your childrens futures and means planning everything down to the last cent.

Yes, you'll live ok on 70K and it's not panic stations by any means but with a couple of kids to factor in, you'll need a second income within 3 - 5 years.

Good luck with it all, Cairns is a great place to live. :)

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

What are the areas to avoid for renting a house and which ones are the better. We dont mind living on the edge of the city say about 10-15 miles from the centre

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Search the forum for Cairns as the question has been asked before.

WW

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

We've been here 3 weeks now and it is a nice place. We came via NZ from South Wales. We live on the northern beaches and pay $360 for a 3 bedder and I'm on A LOT less than you are.

I was told avoid the places that start with M. All have their exceptions of course.

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

We have been here 6 weeks on a 457 temp visa and are a family of 6 (4 boys aged 16 - 8 with very big appetites :eek:), we are renting a 4 bed in Smithfield (Northern Beaches end ) which is a very nice place and are surviving on a lot less than you will be getting. At the moment we are counting the pennies/cents due to us being on a lower income and we are also still setting up the house with furniture, etc. But we have to admit even though we have limited funds at the moment, we are still much happier here than we were in the UK as seeing our boys thrive here with all the fun and freedom they have makes it all worthwhile.
I have just started working part-time, but will soon be looking for a full-time job as I am used to working full-time and to be honest I don't know what to do with myself if I'm not working.

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Official speil:
http://cairns.qld.gov.au/community/p...b_profiles.htm
http://cairns.qld.gov.au/community/p...b_profiles.htm

My take:

CAIRNS SUBURBS

Loads of personal factors come into play when deciding where to live and everyone has different criteria as to what is good and what is bad.
I have tried to keep this concise without too much personal prejudice but that is difficult as my view is coloured by - my view.
I could have elaborated but would that serve a purpose ? I’m not sure.
I do not pretend to know Cairns inside out and have a lot to learn about it myself.


BEACHES:
Palm Cove – Caters for holiday trade with seafront hotels, apartments and restaurants along the Esplanade. Very nice. Housing could be pricey. Away from the beach will be cheaper.
Clifton Beach – No Esplanade as such. New small shopping centre out at the main road. No real holiday industry here. Expensive at the water front.
Kewarra Beach – More affordable areas. Large development taking place. Not much in the way of facilities but not far to travel to them.
Trinity Beach – A mini Palm Cove. Very nice.
Trinity Park – No beach. Water inlet. Big money going in here. Want to park your yacht at the bottom of the garden ?
Yorkeys Knob – Marina. Nice beach, but not the small one which is dangerous. In flight path.
Holloways Beach - Flight path. Mmmmmm there are far worse but not my cup of tea.
Machans Beach - Flight path. Poor reputation.

NORTH:
Smithfield – Being developed a lot. Big shopping centre just revamped. Smithfield Heights area is very good. Gateway to the Tablelands and Kuranda.
Caravonica – Some very nice new housing.
Kamerunga – Mainly rainforest type living. Pole homes.
Freshwater – Older but seems okay.
Stratford – Tipped to become the next Edge Hill.
Redlynch – Offers a lot. New suburb spread over several km.
Brinsmead – Old and new. Better stuff tends to be up the hill. Good.
Park Ridge – East is virtually millionaire territory. West can be pricey.
Whitfield – Older leafy burb. Some good, some bad.
Edge Hill – Older leafy burb in excellent location and has a good reputation. Where the yuppies live.
Kanimbla – New burb nearing completion. Looks good.
Mooroobool – Prime example of where good meets bad. Some very good and some very bad. City Views within Mooroobool is where a lot of big money people live.


CITY SUBURBS:
Old and undesirable places to be living unless it’s in a gated apartment complex:
Aeroglen – Read airport.
Bungalow – Old housing meets industrial.
Manoora – Probably the worst burb in Cairns.
Manunda – Similar
Parramatta Park – Just made the news due to increasing crime rate.
Portsmith – Not much housing. Industrial leading to the port.
Westcourt – Bordering the main Mulgrave Road.
Woree – Same as Westcourt.

SOUTHSIDE:
Earlville – Older. Better stuff is at the back toward the hills.
Bayview Heights – Where the original money people of Cairns live – or lived ? Better at the back toward the hills. New development there.
White Rock – Lived there 3 months. Never again
Forest Gardens - New burb nearing completion. Some good stuff.
Mount Sheridan – Older leafy burb.
Bentley Park – Nicknamed Nappy Valley. Cheaper housing. Lot of development out the back where it is now adjoining Edmonton.
Edmonton – High velocity expansion. Will be the largest burb I would think. Plans to join it with Gordonvale which is a 10 minute drive to the South so that will be a major development with new shopping centre. Plans to build another town centre.
Gordonvale – Semi rural. Farming and cane field country. About to go big over the next few years.Gateway to the Tablelands.

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Didn't know you had got here Helen.
Hope all is going well for you and all them fellas.

We like Smithfield too. :thumbup:

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Yeah, we finally got here. :thumbsup:

We were down at Clifton Beach for the first 4 weeks in a poolside apartment, courtesy of Joe's boss.

So when is the next meet up so we can finally meet everyone?

The only people we know so far are the people at work and I would so love to speak to someone else, even though they are all very nice people.

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Nothing planned yet but missus only aksed me yesterday if I would think about organising one so you never know ;)

We would have to arrange it this year cos there is some real rif-raf arriving next year :D

If you fancy a chat though missus doesn't work so could meet you for a cuppa during the week.

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

My advice if you are moving to Cairns is to watch out for those lions - they are almost as bad as the crocs :p .

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Where abouts you at?

I haven't got any transport yet but if Da Boss wants to meet for a coffee near me or at my place it would be great. I'm at work until Friday, normally only Tuesday and Thursday but someone is on a course Wednesday so I have to go in that day too.

I'll pm you with my number.

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

I'm not worried :ohmy:, I'm sure I'd rather meet Bix than a croc or anything other nasty!

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

I had a premonition last night and it has come true :thumbup:

It said " Bix my boy, tomorrow you will encounter a beautiful, intelligent and witty Australian".

How the devil are you fair maiden ? :)

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

No problem Helen.
We are at Redlynch but right up the top end near the Barron river.
Go to Smithfield all the time.
Da Boss can drive. :thumbup:

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

That's good to hear, I can drive but seriously lacking a car!! Walking in this heat is no fun but great for weight loss!! ;)
We have driven up your way a couple of times, lovely up there :thumbsup:
Will be really nice to meet her and you when we get the chance.

Speak soon
x

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Yep. Look forward to that :thumbup:

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

[QUOTE=Bix;5544468

We would have to arrange it this year cos there is some real rif-raf arriving next year :D

.[/QUOTE]


:eek::eek:Oiii, cheeky sod. I will add that touch of class that is oh so needed :rofl: bet you cant wait really.

How are you finding it Helen, didntknow you had arrived yet.

Has your 16 year old gone into high school? If yes which one ours fancy Cairns state High because of the football programme there. But we have to live within the catchment area.

I have another question if you dont mind, is it cheap enough to buy push bikes? don't know whether to bring them my lads need new bikes and wonder whether just to get them over there. Do you know about such things :huh:

Thanks

kaye

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Didn't take you long :lol:

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Hi Kaye,

we are loving it here. Still trying to get my head round the christmas carols playing in the shops when it is hot though :confused:

The big one has gone to Smithfield State High School as it is the closest to us, we also choose it for No. 2, who moves up in January as it has a Gifted and Talented program which he needs. The big one is also looking to do a school based apprenticeship at the moment, which we think is a bonus as it means he can go to school as well as learn a trade while he is still there.

Push bikes can be really cheap here it all depends on what you want, we have seen bikes for as little as $87.00 for a basic mens or womans mountain bike, at K-Mart. We have found the prices shoot up though if you go to a bike shop. I think the bikes for the younger ones were about $120.00. It is a case of watching for when they have the offers on. We were lucky as OH boss gave us some bikes to get us started so we haven't had to buy any yet.

Sorry to ask, but we have been offline for a while, do you know when you will be getting here yet?

I have chatted to Sophjam and know when she is arriving, so it will be good to know when you are getting here too. I have coffee and cakes to arrange :D

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Just watch out for the lightening bolt :D

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

:rofl: gotta love a man with a silver tongue for charming the girls, glad you popped in the witty & intelligent part or I might have thought you were talking about Dagboy ;) . Glad to see you still have your sense of humour Bixy you gorgeous devil of a man you :D , we're all good, give a hug to Da Boss & give yourself a smooch in the mirror from me :kiss: .

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

We are just waiting for the elusive yes or no and then we shall book, after tying yo a few loose ends was hoping to be Feb but will be definately no later than April later than we had wanted but we were halted in our tracks during meds hubby had to go for some heart scans and extra tests but he has been given the all clear now but it has left us five weeks behind schedule.

Will keep you up todate dont want them cakes to go off.

Thanks for the other info think I will risk getting bikes over there.

Have heard good things about Smithfield school so definately an option for us.

Speak soon

Kaye x

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

:eek::lol:Oiii you cheeky sod again I am marking your card Mr Bix

I will have you know angels sing when I enter a room, no need for lightning bolts :D

Re: Moving to Cairns - advice needed
 

Have you looked at options to get PR sooner than that - you don't have to wait the 2 years in many instances.
Your wife and any children you have will get PR at the same time if you ensure they are included on the application.

It means any future children you have born in Australia (after PR) will be Australian citizens by birth.