Originally Posted by pepto (Post 11158657)

Hi all,

I have been reading here for quite a while but this is my first post.

I will be moving to Australia at the end of the month on a 457 visa and have been planning everything based on a job offer in Perth with a $120k base salary with possible bonus of up to 4 months pay and super on top.

My fiance and I have been planning the move and she is particularly happy to be leaving London and heading to the beach as she is originally from a place with a beautiful ocean and sub tropical climate and can't wait to ditch the jumpers and jackets and get back to the bikini.

However, at the last minute I've been given the option of moving to the Adelaide office on the same salary.

From my research so far my opinions are-

Perth
1. More beautiful beaches closer to the city, clearer and warmer water.
2. Better all round weather (not as cold in winter)
3. Bigger city and more multi cultural
4. Close proximity to Asia and less time difference between the UK
5. Personally for me I would be part of a large office of people, giving me the opportunity to meet people right off the bat
6. Booming business centre with decent opportunities for my fiance to get a job speaking her native language. Not so much chance of this in Adelaide.
7. Bad traffic but quite good public transport
8. Extremely expensive, especially rent in a place like Subiaco where we would be looking to live. 120k will not go very far.


Adelaide
1. Much cheaper to live. The 120k would go a lot further. Yes, you're money would go further but you will still need to be careful which suburb you choose as even here, there are some pricey ones, especially if you want to be near the beach and city
2. Much closer to the east coast cities and in general more things to do in the area with the festivals, hills, wineries, Kangaroo Island (not sure if this is true because I have heard that both cities can be quiet and boring)There are lots of things to do here, if it's what you are interested. We have just had Clispal, the Fringe and Womadelaide is coming up. Lots of festivals, concerts etc are held at various different venues and there are so many wineries and breweries to explore. The Museum of SA is free as is the city library, several art galleries and the botanic gardens. Gorgeous nature reserves with different things to see.
3. For my situation the Adelaide job would be less interesting and would be in a small office with only 3 people, but I would have the chance of becoming a branch manager in a few months which would theoretically give me a quicker career progression.Can't really answer this as I don't work in the city, but I guess you need to assess how you feel about working with a small team?
4. Not a big commercial centre for international companies and so my fiance would find it harder to get a job...although this may be a moot point as we intend to start a family in the next few years anyway.The city centre is quite busy and vibrant. I think you could be pleasantly surprised how many international companies are here. But it's not just international companies who need foreign language staff. Check out seek.com. I see lots of jobs where a foreign language is a requirement, or a bonus. Also bear in mind that if you do choose to start having a family on a 457 you will not be entitled to any benefits or childcare benefits.

Now I am having to make the choice in a very short time and any feedback you can give would be a big help, particularly if you agree or disagree with any of my comments above or have any others that you think are worth knowing about.

I'm particularly worried about cost of living in Perth and if Adelaide can be a good substitute for things to do in our free time (beaches and outdoor activities).

Thanks!

Originally Posted by rasen78 (Post 11159097)

Originally Posted by pepto (Post 11159111)

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated.

It does seem like the weather difference really isn't so much.

About the benefits issue, we had originally planned to start a family immediately but once we found about this we thought it would be better to wait until permanent residency and have my fiance work for a few years. In Perth the second salary would be a big help.

If we go to Adelaide I think that it would be more difficult for her to get a job, but it wouldn't be so necessary because we could survive a lot more comfortably on one salary.

I'm not sure if you know Subiaco in Perth but it is a nice suburb around 5km to the CBD and the beach with lots of cafe's and a nice main shopping street. Do you know any suburb like this in Adelaide?

Thanks again for the help!

Originally Posted by old.sparkles (Post 11159115)

I'd probably head for either Glenelg or Henley Beach. I like Henley, but then I live in Grange and can walk along the beach (and we have a café on the beach at Grange too but only a couple of shops :) )

Originally Posted by pepto (Post 11159127)

Thanks, looks nice but can get expensive if you are close to the ocean!
Any idea what Thebarton, Underdale, Mile End areas are like? They all look reasonably close to the beach and the CBD.

Originally Posted by EvannTel (Post 11159236)

Perths not that much more expensive. You're talking as if it's many times more, it's not. Housing wise you can pick and choose. Yeah Subi is great and that's why is expensive. You've picked one of the most expensive suburbs in Perth, why not move out a little and commute in? Personally I'd pick Perth but I've never lived in Adelaide only visited on business and while Perth is quiet compared to the east coast big 3, Adelaide I found even more quiet.
Lots of people (families) manage on way less than you're on. Also you're guessing cost of living against quality of living.
While you've listed some good pros and cons, I sense this does only come down to money.

Originally Posted by KJCherokee (Post 11160110)

Nowhere in Adelaide is really far from a beach unless you are up in the eastern hills. Beaches are very different to the Perth ones as they are on the Gulf of St Vincent with few waves (and no surfing), but if all you want to do is stroll on the sand and have a swim they are great.

In my opinion Adelaide has far more variety than Perth - not so much in the city itself as in the things available within an hour's drive.

Originally Posted by pepto (Post 11159111)

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated.

It does seem like the weather difference really isn't so much.

About the benefits issue, we had originally planned to start a family immediately but once we found about this we thought it would be better to wait until permanent residency and have my fiance work for a few years. In Perth the second salary would be a big help.

If we go to Adelaide I think that it would be more difficult for her to get a job, but it wouldn't be so necessary because we could survive a lot more comfortably on one salary.

I'm not sure if you know Subiaco in Perth but it is a nice suburb around 5km to the CBD and the beach with lots of cafe's and a nice main shopping street. Do you know any suburb like this in Adelaide?

Thanks again for the help!

Originally Posted by paddyo (Post 11160325)

I live in Sydney and so have no knowledge of either to live, but, I absolutely LOVE Adelaide!! Great city, more like a big town, and some fabulous suburbs...my favourite being North Adelaide with its wide tree lined streets and great bars and restaurants. I would love to visit Perth, but, live there I am not sure. You are so far away from everyone else, I can drive to Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide all within a day....no breaks and kids screaming!!
Perth is expensive because of the mining boom and you have big houses, in nice areas but populated by bogan miners who have all cash and no class....generalisation I know but worth mentioning! :) Recent programme on TV here stated that Perth is the most expensive for leisure and dining out.

Originally Posted by pepto (Post 11158657)

Hi all,

I have been reading here for quite a while but this is my first post.

I will be moving to Australia at the end of the month on a 457 visa and have been planning everything based on a job offer in Perth with a $120k base salary with possible bonus of up to 4 months pay and super on top.

My fiance and I have been planning the move and she is particularly happy to be leaving London and heading to the beach as she is originally from a place with a beautiful ocean and sub tropical climate and can't wait to ditch the jumpers and jackets and get back to the bikini.

However, at the last minute I've been given the option of moving to the Adelaide office on the same salary.

From my research so far my opinions are-

Perth
1. More beautiful beaches closer to the city, clearer and warmer water.
2. Better all round weather (not as cold in winter)
3. Bigger city and more multi cultural
4. Close proximity to Asia and less time difference between the UK
5. Personally for me I would be part of a large office of people, giving me the opportunity to meet people right off the bat
6. Booming business centre with decent opportunities for my fiance to get a job speaking her native language. Not so much chance of this in Adelaide.
7. Bad traffic but quite good public transport
8. Extremely expensive, especially rent in a place like Subiaco where we would be looking to live. 120k will not go very far.


Adelaide
1. Much cheaper to live. The 120k would go a lot further.
2. Much closer to the east coast cities and in general more things to do in the area with the festivals, hills, wineries, Kangaroo Island (not sure if this is true because I have heard that both cities can be quiet and boring)
3. For my situation the Adelaide job would be less interesting and would be in a small office with only 3 people, but I would have the chance of becoming a branch manager in a few months which would theoretically give me a quicker career progression.
4. Not a big commercial centre for international companies and so my fiance would find it harder to get a job...although this may be a moot point as we intend to start a family in the next few years anyway.

Now I am having to make the choice in a very short time and any feedback you can give would be a big help, particularly if you agree or disagree with any of my comments above or have any others that you think are worth knowing about.

I'm particularly worried about cost of living in Perth and if Adelaide can be a good substitute for things to do in our free time (beaches and outdoor activities).

Thanks!