Reality check
Jan 29th 2016, 10:40 am
#61
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,148
Re: Reality check
Who said £1000 = $2000? I would be the last person to assume that. From what understand, you seem to think that the OP would need to top up a UK mortgage, if the OP was to keep the Glasgow property, which is not so and in my opinion it would be the best financial move to keep the Glasgow digs. Stepping foot on the property ladder in many places Oz right now would be madness bearing in mind the vast different one would pay for a mortgage and one would pay in rent. Rent is dirt cheap in Oz in the grand scheme of things. But I do agree, the OP needs to negotiate a better salary otherwise its the wild west of Melbourne or Brisvegas 
.
Jan 29th 2016, 10:51 am
#62
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: Reality check
Thanks for all the replies, some really good advise in there, this is why I titled the post reality check.
Oz has been a dream for sometime now, and its more for the experience of living in another country and the weather! Ive been to Melboune in Winter and Summer, and yes up Brisbane way is what I really want but visa would be for melbourne initially.
The reason I am so set on figures is that I live to my means, I've experienced debt when I was younger and never again. I have myself in a good position where I would arrive debt free, have a good sum of house equity, and would have £12-15k to see us over the initial arriveal set up.
But it is the bigger picture that scares me the income and living within means.
The only thing keep this going is the amount you get in rebate/benefit as it really helps, I am actually shocked at what you get.
The posts have all be a good wake up, and even with the rebate/benfits etc and Uk income, $78k is going to be a struggle.
We had thought about waiting till 2 are in school but that comes with its own problems, as 1 still actually cant work full time, yeah there are before and after school clubs but i wouldnt want to use these all the time and the school holidays are a big issue with no family support.
I thing I need to re look at salaries as it may just be too much of a struggle.
I dont see a joint income of £55k here as that good, another £5k and I would say things would be more relaxed, not great but better.
$100k is a more realistic sum to make this possible. I think this would be possible in a few years if we made the move now, but its a big risk over the initial few years and a huge cost to make it happen.
Oz has been a dream for sometime now, and its more for the experience of living in another country and the weather! Ive been to Melboune in Winter and Summer, and yes up Brisbane way is what I really want but visa would be for melbourne initially.
The reason I am so set on figures is that I live to my means, I've experienced debt when I was younger and never again. I have myself in a good position where I would arrive debt free, have a good sum of house equity, and would have £12-15k to see us over the initial arriveal set up.
But it is the bigger picture that scares me the income and living within means.
The only thing keep this going is the amount you get in rebate/benefit as it really helps, I am actually shocked at what you get.
The posts have all be a good wake up, and even with the rebate/benfits etc and Uk income, $78k is going to be a struggle.
We had thought about waiting till 2 are in school but that comes with its own problems, as 1 still actually cant work full time, yeah there are before and after school clubs but i wouldnt want to use these all the time and the school holidays are a big issue with no family support.
I thing I need to re look at salaries as it may just be too much of a struggle.
I dont see a joint income of £55k here as that good, another £5k and I would say things would be more relaxed, not great but better.
$100k is a more realistic sum to make this possible. I think this would be possible in a few years if we made the move now, but its a big risk over the initial few years and a huge cost to make it happen.
Jan 29th 2016, 10:53 am
#63
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Reality check
I guess that's on how you view life. If welfare is your life then perhaps Glasgow is the way forward now that Australia will start making welfare dependants work for the handout.
Jan 29th 2016, 11:26 am
#64
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: Reality check
Monthly costs
Rent $1750
Elec/Gas/water $92/50/70
Cable TV/Sky Broadband/phone $120
Mobiles $120
Life Insurance $75
Home Insurance $60
Health Insurance $300
2 Cars Upkeep/Insurance/Rego $400
Fuel $200
Travel Pass $100
Travel Pass $185
Child Care $1056 (280 after rebate and benefit applied)
School Fee's, Uniforms and Trips (state school) $125
Food & Toiletries $1200
Disposable Cash/cash left over $900
Rent $1750
Elec/Gas/water $92/50/70
Cable TV/Sky Broadband/phone $120
Mobiles $120
Life Insurance $75
Home Insurance $60
Health Insurance $300
2 Cars Upkeep/Insurance/Rego $400
Fuel $200
Travel Pass $100
Travel Pass $185
Child Care $1056 (280 after rebate and benefit applied)
School Fee's, Uniforms and Trips (state school) $125
Food & Toiletries $1200
Disposable Cash/cash left over $900
However, the budget above seems to lack many common expenses.
- Health - co-payments for GP visits, co-payments for specialist (consultant) visits, prescription costs, dental (private health only covers a portion), radiology.
- Clothing and shoes for yourself, your partner and the kids
- Family outings
- Alcohol/eating out/takeaway
- Incidentals such as hair cuts/hairdressing
- Maintaining and replacing anything in the home that isn't 'fixed', or that isn't included in the rental contract (large appliances such as fridge, washing machine etc, small appliances, soft and hard furnishings)
That's just a few off the top of my head. Best to be realistic if you're looking to achieve a particular lifestyle within a set budget. Best of luck.
Jan 29th 2016, 11:34 am
#65
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: My happy place
Posts: 3,043
Re: Reality check
Really. I'd say there a better financial opportunities in Melbourne. Sometimes you need to step down to step up I guess that's on how you view life. If welfare is your life then perhaps Glasgow is the way forward now that Australia will start making welfare dependants work for the handout.
I guess that's on how you view life. If welfare is your life then perhaps Glasgow is the way forward now that Australia will start making welfare dependants work for the handout.
Jan 29th 2016, 11:57 am
#66
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,148
Re: Reality check
Really. I'd say there a better financial opportunities in Melbourne. Sometimes you need to step down to step up I guess that's on how you view life. If welfare is your life then perhaps Glasgow is the way forward now that Australia will start making welfare dependants work for the handout.
I guess that's on how you view life. If welfare is your life then perhaps Glasgow is the way forward now that Australia will start making welfare dependants work for the handout.It depends at what stage you are in life and timing is important too. Moving to a more expensive place during a boom can be a big mistake and I wouldn't want to start from scratch at the age of 40 with kids.
Jan 29th 2016, 12:06 pm
#67
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Reality check
I don't know what welfare has got to do with Glasgow and isn't it always the view on life. I'm sure Melbourne has opportunities, but there are plenty of people who don't choose to live there and probably have a better life where they are.
It depends at what stage you are in life and timing is important too. Moving to a more expensive place during a boom can be a big mistake and I wouldn't want to start from scratch at the age of 40 with kids.
It depends at what stage you are in life and timing is important too. Moving to a more expensive place during a boom can be a big mistake and I wouldn't want to start from scratch at the age of 40 with kids.
You see, the way I look at change is opportunity. I wouldn't think about what you are and what you have the moment you walk off the plane. I would think about the move as a stepping stone that will change over the years in a larger and broader and more opportunity presenting environment.
Of course not all people think that way and can't think beyond the now ...... but that's OK. I can relate to 40 and kids first hand ..... I'd happily move to the other side of the planet for opportunity.
Jan 29th 2016, 12:08 pm
#68
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 339
Re: Reality check
Me and my wife will be moving to Melbourne in the next few months. We are looking at 2 bed places about 20 mins out of Melbourne in the North west. Nice suburbs there and cheaper, unrenovated houses are around $350-400PW.
My wife has done the sums and not me but she says combined income of $120K PA to pay for nice lifestyle, house, car etc etc and at least one nice holiday per year.
So that's just the 2 of us with no kids. Don't forget that on $120k you'll be loosing approx $25K to the taxman so $95K net PA.
Remember the old saying of the grass is always green on the other side of the fence? Well once you're 12,000 miles over the fence the grass may not be as green as seen from whence you came
My wife has done the sums and not me but she says combined income of $120K PA to pay for nice lifestyle, house, car etc etc and at least one nice holiday per year.
So that's just the 2 of us with no kids. Don't forget that on $120k you'll be loosing approx $25K to the taxman so $95K net PA.
Remember the old saying of the grass is always green on the other side of the fence? Well once you're 12,000 miles over the fence the grass may not be as green as seen from whence you came
Jan 29th 2016, 12:23 pm
#70
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 115
Re: Reality check
The reason I am trying my hardest to make it work is that I do belive in the long run it will be a better move, and a good adventure to try.
I agree though that my figures do look very scary, and I have heard about benefit cuts, which comes as no suprise as I can not belive how much you can receive. looking to life in this way is scary, I believe the step might be too big a step as someone said, and I agree that sometime you have to go back to go forward.
No matter where I move to without family to help with kids its going to be a struggle if the wages don not stack up, I guess I do need to review salary expeditions
Spouse of souse - the figure of Disposable Cash/cash left over $900 was to cover, the thing you said
I agree though that my figures do look very scary, and I have heard about benefit cuts, which comes as no suprise as I can not belive how much you can receive. looking to life in this way is scary, I believe the step might be too big a step as someone said, and I agree that sometime you have to go back to go forward.
No matter where I move to without family to help with kids its going to be a struggle if the wages don not stack up, I guess I do need to review salary expeditions
Spouse of souse - the figure of Disposable Cash/cash left over $900 was to cover, the thing you said
- Clothing and shoes for yourself, your partner and the kids
- Family outings
- Alcohol/eating out/takeaway
- Incidentals such as hair cuts/hairdressing
Last edited by rsbhj; Jan 29th 2016 at 12:27 pm.
Jan 29th 2016, 12:23 pm
#71
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Reality check
I'd just like to point out the story of a family from Glasgow, who migrated to Australia with nothing, but certainly found opportunity in Australia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC/DC
I believe Angus no longer lives in Australia (Florida I think). Who says one has to stay in Australia for ever
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC/DC
I believe Angus no longer lives in Australia (Florida I think). Who says one has to stay in Australia for ever
Jan 29th 2016, 1:03 pm
#72
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: Reality check
I don't know what your lifestyle is now but I'm in the "I wouldn't move 1/2 way around the world to take a huge pay cut" camp. Especially if you plan to come to rely on benefits.
Jan 29th 2016, 2:25 pm
#73
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: Reality check
The kids have picked up a bug at day care. You all come down with it.
4 doctor's visits - $160 co-payments
1 specialist visit - $110 co-payment
4 prescriptions - $140
You and the family need a few basic items of clothing
2 pairs adult jeans - $120
1 man's shirt - $35
1 woman's top - $50
2 pairs kids shoes - $80
2 pairs adult shoes - $120
1 basic outfit for each child - $60
That's your $900 just about disappeared. How are you going to pay the washing machine repairer, the computer bloke to fix your laptop, take the kids to the zoo, get a haircut, buy a take-away coffee or lunch, buy presents for birthdays etc, buy a new kettle? How will you be able to save money for a trip home for yourself/your wife? What if rellies come to visit - how will you be able to take them around and show them the sights, take them out to dinner, cope with the additional food and utility bills? Have you got enough left over this month to fill the gas cylinder for the bar-b-que? For a can a fuel for the lawn mower? To buy a few raffle tickets at the day care fund raiser? Can your wife buy a new bra??!
These are all random examples, designed to make you really think. You asked for a reality check, that's what I'm trying to give you. If you're fine with a hand to mouth existence (and let's face it, millions of us live that way), then that's great. But I can't imagine that you'd be living a hand to mouth existence in Glasgow on 55k pounds. I really think that you're missing tons of one off/incidental/impulse/hidden/occasional costs.
4 doctor's visits - $160 co-payments
1 specialist visit - $110 co-payment
4 prescriptions - $140
You and the family need a few basic items of clothing
2 pairs adult jeans - $120
1 man's shirt - $35
1 woman's top - $50
2 pairs kids shoes - $80
2 pairs adult shoes - $120
1 basic outfit for each child - $60
That's your $900 just about disappeared. How are you going to pay the washing machine repairer, the computer bloke to fix your laptop, take the kids to the zoo, get a haircut, buy a take-away coffee or lunch, buy presents for birthdays etc, buy a new kettle? How will you be able to save money for a trip home for yourself/your wife? What if rellies come to visit - how will you be able to take them around and show them the sights, take them out to dinner, cope with the additional food and utility bills? Have you got enough left over this month to fill the gas cylinder for the bar-b-que? For a can a fuel for the lawn mower? To buy a few raffle tickets at the day care fund raiser? Can your wife buy a new bra??!
These are all random examples, designed to make you really think. You asked for a reality check, that's what I'm trying to give you. If you're fine with a hand to mouth existence (and let's face it, millions of us live that way), then that's great. But I can't imagine that you'd be living a hand to mouth existence in Glasgow on 55k pounds. I really think that you're missing tons of one off/incidental/impulse/hidden/occasional costs.
Jan 29th 2016, 7:41 pm
#74
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: Reality check
One of our biggest expenses was dental. Well still is . Medicare does not cover dental and private only covers a %. Rough costs. Check up clean 200 plus x rays extra. Filling 250 average. 350 for a biggie. Crown 1700 implant 6500. Braces , yes you pay for kids dental . 6000 upwards. Don't expect free medical for kids. Some docs bulkbill under 16 but you psy for scripts specialists etc. Even blood tests are under the axe, not sure if its through yet but worrying for people who need them often due to chronic medical conditions.
Jan 29th 2016, 8:57 pm
#75
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: Reality check
One of our biggest expenses was dental. Well still is . Medicare does not cover dental and private only covers a %. Rough costs. Check up clean 200 plus x rays extra. Filling 250 average. 350 for a biggie. Crown 1700 implant 6500. Braces , yes you pay for kids dental . 6000 upwards. Don't expect free medical for kids. Some docs bulkbill under 16 but you psy for scripts specialists etc. Even blood tests are under the axe, not sure if its through yet but worrying for people who need them often due to chronic medical conditions.