janeyray

In the 3 months that we have lived here we have paid out money for the following:

$144.00 For 2 (1 year ) driving licences
$400.00 Stamp duty for 2 cars
$200.00 RAC Vehicle inspection for 4 wheel drive (for piece of mind!!)
$431.00 4 wheel drive insurance (1 year)
$507.30 Motor Vehicle Registration for above vehicle (1 year)
$120.00 Second car RAC inspection
$200.00 Motor vehicle registration for second car
$390.00 Insurance for 2nd car
$49.00 For second car to be added to roadside recovery (RAC)
$91.00 RAC membership

$181.00 Our first electricity bill (bit steep but could be the pool pump?)
$70.00 for bike and riding boots to be cleaned at customs
$90.00 for customs inspection
$85.00 1st months phone bill
$103.00 2nd months phone bill
haven't had a gas bill yet!!

$980.00 House bond for rental property
$324.00 House contents insurance
$46.00 Stamp duty (this was to rent the house!!)
$2640.00 3 months rent in advance (because we didn't have a job at the time!)
$70.00 In pool cleaning solutions

$30.00 Voluntary contribution for daughters school
$40.00 On equipment, pens, crayons etc.
$70.00 School uniform

$660.00 dog and cat quarantine fees!!!! (husband nearly died!)

This may give you an idea of what you may have to pay out when you first arrive? We also only bought 13 boxes over from the UK so had to go out and buy: Beds, Fridge/freezer, washing machine, tv, etc etc.................... We also spent $15,000 on 2 cars. We haven't got anything posh but they are slightly newer than we had in the UK.
It's amazing how it all adds up and even though we have a lump sum saved in our bank for our house this is why I need to work!!

footie chick

Thanks for the info

footie chick

karawara88

Hi Janey Ray,

Good post, please keep us updated, actual life experience is really informative, makes a refreshing change for someone to supply factual information. How have you found cost of living compared to UK, ie, shopping etc.

Also is it still everything you hoped it would be.

John Howard

Are you having fun though?????????????

Bella

***!!** Blimey! Thanks for the info, it's really useful to know if a little depressing.

kevwalt

Thanks for the info - please keep us posted on how its going.

How did the pets cope with transit? Thinking of taking ours over. Change of heart we were going to leave him with friends but I keep crying too much!

Where abouts in Perth are you?

Kate

janeyray

We have found that things like cheese, some meats, and other bits and bobs to be cheaper but other than that things are about the same price as UK, I paid $6.75 for a bag of spuds the other day which I thought was a bit pricey! I think it was about 2k bag not a sack!!

Some clothes are cheaper but the designer label such as Ralph Lauren seem to be the same price. Perfume is about the same if not slightly more expensive (Myers price)

janeyray

Both the cats and dog seemed fine when we collected them, we only went to visit once as it upset our daughter to leave them. They were very fussy for a few days. The cats were very nervous when they first went out, maybe because the rats are the same size as them (only joking!!) They seemed to cope very well in the heat but the cats malted all over the place, they came here to 45c with their winter coats, I was very temped to shave them . lol :scared:

janeyray

Still having lots of fun though!!!! went to a get- together of British people at Kings park back in April organised through www.pomsinperth.com it was really good and we made a lot of friends who are in the same boat as us. Its nice to know you aren't alone!!

janeyray

I just thought I'd bring this post back to the top again as someone mentioned about how much money they would need.

Fuzzyness

my god. it certainly puts things into perspective and shows that the whole process is more costly than just paying for the visa, meds and police checks and reinforces the point that finding work quickly is so important. i hope you are having fun though and that you feel that it is money well spent.

Simone

Well, see her signature

Wow, Jane!! Thanks for bumping!

Luckily I know I can scrape of a lot of those things.
1 cheap car, not 4WD
no school stuff
no animal stuff
Taking everything (fridge etc)

But it still leaves a lot :scared:

Fuzzyness

oops. just seen it. obviously not worth it.

wengerboy

i hope i get the job i`m after(with company car)definately no pool :scared: is there any thing you have spent that you regret in hindsight (i only ask cos i do it all the time)p.s no pets phew

mr mover

I wondered what ,that wingeing/ whineing noise was ,that was eminating in the west ......... MM