Bermudashorts

I would also be more inclined to say that a minimum of $150k would be required to make this anything close to worthwhile.

The take home from $100k is about $73k per year, of which $20k will be required for school fees so that leaves about $1k per week for everything else, only a few hundreds dollars per week after rent on a house for seven I would think.

Dorothy

Yup. $150k at least. Don't forget to add in health care costs. There's no reciprocal agreement with the US and no eligibility for Medicare on a 457, so you're going to need comprehensive private insurance, not unlike what you have in the US.

Between the cost of schooling and health care I'm not sure if I would consider the move on a temporary visa. Financially it just wouldn't be worth it. Unless your husband has the type of job where he commands $150k plus salary it's going to be very tight.

the troubadour

Well rents in country towns are somewhat cheaper. But then not sure if a regional city like Bunbury wouldn't prove more attractive, but obviously more expensive.


General costs more than The States in most things hence the rewards will need to be there, especially with such a large family to support.


School fees, Medicals, Rents of probably at least $400 (likely more) a week will require careful consideration if it is doable. I'd suggest not less than probably $120,000 and as others have mentioned quite possibly more. As noted Australia is not a cheap place.

teza

For Bunbury region 4x2 rent anywhere between $380-480 weekly gives you a house in decent are, especially if branching 10 km radius of Dalyellup-australind axle.

Food prices same as Perth but pay a little more for petrol.
To the OP, if you use the search function, you can find quite recent cost of living threads.

rammygirl

Fort Myers will be NOTHING like the rural areas of WA you mention in ANY way. Not sure anywhere in Florida would be TBH. You really do need to look on google earth and see the lack of development around those areas in comparison.

Jnschuchard

Thank you all so much! We looked and can see a notable difference. Are there no cities/ suburbs near any of these? Again, thank you! It's really nice to hear it from people who are actually there instead of random facts.

rammygirl

The maps don't lie. These places are all small towns with very small Main Streets that would take 5 minutes max to walk down. Houses are are larger lots so actually population is very low. The next town will be similar The nearest place like a city, would be Perth itself or Bunbury, which is much smaller than Fort Myers and again remote in comparison.

Unlike say the journey from Tampa to Fort Myers there will be little en route.

Jnschuchard

Thank you!

rammygirl

Actually just checked and Bunbury has similar population to Fort Myers but is more isolated with little sprawl beyond. But it is quite a way from some of the towns you mention. There is a lot of nothing out there!

Dorothy

Like I said, think rural West Virginia or Tennessee.