Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
Dec 12th 2012 | 12:15 am
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 74
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
Hiya, Perth is lovely we have been here 5 weeks now, I think you read my post on the update page. Making the move is super stressful especially with little ones in tow. 5 weeks in and it's still all very new, it's also very lonely at times.
We are renting in a suburb SOR called Baldivis, new build pupose built estate with schools, doctors, supermarket etc, a 4X2 new build house is $410 a week to give you an idea, so you may be better off than you think with rent anyway.
Food I have found to be expensive, roughly around $200 a week for a family of 5. Maybe more if we added up all the times that you pop in for fresh fruit and milk etc.
Activities are free on the whole, there are gorgeous beaches around and parks everywhere especially on these new build estates!
Cars you may need to budget more for $5 doesn't seem to go anywhere out here for a car. We wanted a little commuting car for my husband so he could leave me the family car, budget of $4K got a 2003 Nissan Pulsar with 99K on the clock. Plus RAC cover $149 and the insurance $500 for year and vehicle licence transfer fee $126. When we were going round the car garages they said they don't even bother advertising the low cost cars as they have walk in's every day asking for cars around the $5K mark.
We haven't looked into childcare yet as am planning on staying home with the kids to settle them in for the first few months anyway but I understand around the $70-$80 a day mark is about the going rate. You can get a 50% childcare rebate but again depends on visas, not sure if this is income tested but would expect so.
Good luck if you decide to go ahead!
We are renting in a suburb SOR called Baldivis, new build pupose built estate with schools, doctors, supermarket etc, a 4X2 new build house is $410 a week to give you an idea, so you may be better off than you think with rent anyway.
Food I have found to be expensive, roughly around $200 a week for a family of 5. Maybe more if we added up all the times that you pop in for fresh fruit and milk etc.
Activities are free on the whole, there are gorgeous beaches around and parks everywhere especially on these new build estates!
Cars you may need to budget more for $5 doesn't seem to go anywhere out here for a car. We wanted a little commuting car for my husband so he could leave me the family car, budget of $4K got a 2003 Nissan Pulsar with 99K on the clock. Plus RAC cover $149 and the insurance $500 for year and vehicle licence transfer fee $126. When we were going round the car garages they said they don't even bother advertising the low cost cars as they have walk in's every day asking for cars around the $5K mark.
We haven't looked into childcare yet as am planning on staying home with the kids to settle them in for the first few months anyway but I understand around the $70-$80 a day mark is about the going rate. You can get a 50% childcare rebate but again depends on visas, not sure if this is income tested but would expect so.
Good luck if you decide to go ahead!
Dec 12th 2012 | 4:06 am
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 49
From: Perth
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
100k with 2 littlies is do-able.
You won't be dining out in fine dining restaurants too often, but, hey this is Perth, you won't need to. You simply cannot put a price on Perths fantastic summers. We've been here 9 years now, have travelled throughout Oz, and I can say hand on heart that Perth is the only place that i would live in OZ. if I was forced to move, i would choose Adelaide next. If i was forced to move again, I would go home to UK.
I can't offer any advice re: nursing or hairdressing, but if you feel it is right for you .....go for it.
We left UK in 1996 and moved to NZ with a 2 year old, another one on the way, 4 suitcases filled with our stuff and 2000 great british pounds.....seriously. We have had stressful times, but we are still down here, and life is good.
I wish you all the luck in the world.
You won't be dining out in fine dining restaurants too often, but, hey this is Perth, you won't need to. You simply cannot put a price on Perths fantastic summers. We've been here 9 years now, have travelled throughout Oz, and I can say hand on heart that Perth is the only place that i would live in OZ. if I was forced to move, i would choose Adelaide next. If i was forced to move again, I would go home to UK.
I can't offer any advice re: nursing or hairdressing, but if you feel it is right for you .....go for it.
We left UK in 1996 and moved to NZ with a 2 year old, another one on the way, 4 suitcases filled with our stuff and 2000 great british pounds.....seriously. We have had stressful times, but we are still down here, and life is good.
I wish you all the luck in the world.
Dec 12th 2012 | 4:20 am
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 214
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
We haven't looked into childcare yet as am planning on staying home with the kids to settle them in for the first few months anyway but I understand around the $70-$80 a day mark is about the going rate. You can get a 50% childcare rebate but again depends on visas, not sure if this is income tested but would expect so.
Dec 12th 2012 | 7:20 am
#19
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 460
From: Brisvegas
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
I don't think nurses have a hard time finding work anywhere (except in QLD with Campbell's slashing at the mo') If you don't care about the Perth weather, I'd seriously consider Adelaide. I'm biased as I love Adelaide - the only reason I'm not there is not much work (IT). It's an interesting, self contained city with a great festival, relatively cheap cost of living including housing, great food & markets and nice beaches. Does get colder in winter, but after a while you may look forward to this! 
Dec 12th 2012 | 7:46 am
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 31
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
As an Aussie I would say, no. It's the most boring and smallest city i've been to out of the big cities in AU. Also insanely hot and overpriced for what you get.. consider Melb or Sydney..
Dec 12th 2012 | 8:35 am
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 10,959
From: Somewhere South... Not Telling YOU
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
I don't think nurses have a hard time finding work anywhere (except in QLD with Campbell's slashing at the mo') If you don't care about the Perth weather, I'd seriously consider Adelaide. I'm biased as I love Adelaide - the only reason I'm not there is not much work (IT). It's an interesting, self contained city with a great festival, relatively cheap cost of living including housing, great food & markets and nice beaches. Does get colder in winter, but after a while you may look forward to this!
Dec 12th 2012 | 2:02 pm
#22
Bitter and twisted
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 17,503
From: Upmarket
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
The Government are under a lot of pressure to offer places to the thousands that graduate every year and have no jobs. I can see a time when there will have to be a squeeze on the number of nurses recruited from overseas.
There is already a virtual recruitment freeze in QLD.
Dec 12th 2012 | 7:35 pm
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 74
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
Have a look at www.jobs.wa.gov.au to see what is around in Perth in your field.
Dec 12th 2012 | 7:53 pm
#24
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
From: Melbourne at the mo
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
I take it you're costings are just what you spend at home converted to $. The cost of living is higher here too, a fair bit. Normal groceries generally always more expensive to what it is at home.A flat share for me was $180 a week in Brisbane and that was one of the medium prices. A house I'd imaging would be at least $700. I am i suppose officially a backpacker but I don't really do the usual noodle rubbish although I may have to soon. I'm currently in Melbourne and even the Aussie's here are finding it difficult with jobs, I don't have one and have been here a month now.
I've heard Perth is expensive due to the mining. My friend is a nurse and has been on casual with an agency in Brisbane, lots of hospitals there but for this last month she was lucky if she was getting 3 shifts a week, people were too healthy!! SHe also heard many hospitals weren't taking more staff. I'd look into that. I know a family who have recommended Newcastle area, outside Sydney but near enough and not as expensive. I think there are quite a few hospitals there, decent areas to live just outside the main area.
Good luck.
I've heard Perth is expensive due to the mining. My friend is a nurse and has been on casual with an agency in Brisbane, lots of hospitals there but for this last month she was lucky if she was getting 3 shifts a week, people were too healthy!! SHe also heard many hospitals weren't taking more staff. I'd look into that. I know a family who have recommended Newcastle area, outside Sydney but near enough and not as expensive. I think there are quite a few hospitals there, decent areas to live just outside the main area.
Good luck.
Dec 13th 2012 | 12:13 am
#25
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 10,959
From: Somewhere South... Not Telling YOU
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
May not be that simple.
The Government are under a lot of pressure to offer places to the thousands that graduate every year and have no jobs. I can see a time when there will have to be a squeeze on the number of nurses recruited from overseas.
There is already a virtual recruitment freeze in QLD.
The Government are under a lot of pressure to offer places to the thousands that graduate every year and have no jobs. I can see a time when there will have to be a squeeze on the number of nurses recruited from overseas.
There is already a virtual recruitment freeze in QLD.
I know nurses who don't have permanent jobs because they aren't appointing .... And nurses who are struggling to get enough shifts to pay their mortgages... Even know nurses who don't have jobs and can't get a foot in the door....
The carrot being held out to those being strung along by the health service in WA is the Fiona Stanley... The reality is there is a lot of uncertainty about the impact ....
And yes... There are too many new grads without jobs....
Dec 13th 2012 | 12:17 am
#26
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 214
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
Easier way to look for WA govt health jobs: http://www.jobs.health.wa.gov.au/pag...15&windowUID=0. You can set it up to have an email sent to you whenever a job with your keyword pops up.
A couple of weeks ago, it was reported that many graduate nurses couldn't find graduate positions they need before they get full registration, but there seems to be plenty of demand for experienced nurses.
Although Eddie007 is reporting problems, you might have a particular skill set that is in demand. It always seems so incredibly stupid to not have nurses employed.
A couple of weeks ago, it was reported that many graduate nurses couldn't find graduate positions they need before they get full registration, but there seems to be plenty of demand for experienced nurses.
Although Eddie007 is reporting problems, you might have a particular skill set that is in demand. It always seems so incredibly stupid to not have nurses employed.
Dec 13th 2012 | 4:11 am
#27
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 49
From: Perth
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
To rent a very modern 4 bed 2 bathroom house in these areas would cost no more than $450/week.
Just to cover a few areas. Food shopping is expensive in Perth, but there are places to get bargains. The "Spudshed" at Wanneroo markets is cheap. Bread for 99 cents. fruit and veg much cheaper than the supermarkets. Not the freshest, but fine if you use it quickly.
A lot of people tend to shop every other day rather than do the "BIG" shop that we used to do in UK. There are always specials, and if you have the time and the inclination, you can buy quite reasonably.
I'll say it again, compared to a lot of OZ, perth's weather cannot be bought. Our summers are fantastic. It can get very hot, but personally, i like hot. it is also normally a dry heat. 40 degrees in Perth is bearable....honestly. 28 degrees in Brisbane is horrible....honestly.
Don't get me wrong, I love Brisbane, we visit regularly as we have many friends there, but after living in WA, I could never live permanently in Brizzy. We were there last january for 14 nights and we had 1 dry day!!! We were so glad to get back home to Perth.
Good luck
Dec 13th 2012 | 10:39 am
#28
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,998
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
IMO the job is the first consideration then where to live should be based on the job. In some of the other, more southern areas they would be likely to find rentals for even less. And if they're not too fussed about being inland a bit (Carramar is not oceanside) then they could potentially find something nice for a lot less than $450.
Dec 13th 2012 | 12:31 pm
#29
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 24,249
From: Alloha snack bar
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
Hi all, well after thinking of it for years my husband and I are finally starting to make steps in moving to Australia. We are considering Perth, wa and for months now I have spent hours/days scrolling different threads to get ideas of places to live, cost of living etc.
I am a registered nurse, been qualified 5 years now, background in respiratory.
My husband is a security officer, starting a course in barbering in the next few months (1 year course)
We have 2 kids, age 4 and 4 months.
We do not own a home in the UK
We have thought very hard about this and do not expect to move to a life of luxury. We expect to just have the same life (financially) as the UK with just a better 'life style'
I'm looking for people's views/advice on whether you feel our expectations seem real or not.
Having looked at various threads for months we like the look of northern Perth suburbs, tapping, carramer etc.
Both working full time with a joint Salary of minimum $100k
Total monthly outgoings of around $5k (rent $2300 per month, utilities,car costs, food shopping, activities etc totalling $2700 per month.
Joint salary of $100k giving us a take home Salary each month of just over $7k after deductions leaving us with an extra $2k each month to do as we please after all bills etc paid.
Does that seem about right so far?
With us both working full time we'd also have childcare costs so may have to look at the extras we have accounted for in that $5k per money expenditure.
We will be coming with no debts owing in the UK, a clean slate with £20k savings ($30k) after paying visas, flights, shipments etc.
We'd be looking at buying 2 used cars approx $5k each.
I'd be grateful if anyone could advise me on whether this looks realistic to them or not?
In the UK with live in a council home, after bills etc we don't have much money left over each month, we get by pretty good with money to enjoy days out etc but not much after that, we have used cars and have worked hard to get together our savings.
Thankyou for taking the time to read my post.
I am a registered nurse, been qualified 5 years now, background in respiratory.
My husband is a security officer, starting a course in barbering in the next few months (1 year course)
We have 2 kids, age 4 and 4 months.
We do not own a home in the UK
We have thought very hard about this and do not expect to move to a life of luxury. We expect to just have the same life (financially) as the UK with just a better 'life style'
I'm looking for people's views/advice on whether you feel our expectations seem real or not.
Having looked at various threads for months we like the look of northern Perth suburbs, tapping, carramer etc.
Both working full time with a joint Salary of minimum $100k
Total monthly outgoings of around $5k (rent $2300 per month, utilities,car costs, food shopping, activities etc totalling $2700 per month.
Joint salary of $100k giving us a take home Salary each month of just over $7k after deductions leaving us with an extra $2k each month to do as we please after all bills etc paid.
Does that seem about right so far?
With us both working full time we'd also have childcare costs so may have to look at the extras we have accounted for in that $5k per money expenditure.
We will be coming with no debts owing in the UK, a clean slate with £20k savings ($30k) after paying visas, flights, shipments etc.
We'd be looking at buying 2 used cars approx $5k each.
I'd be grateful if anyone could advise me on whether this looks realistic to them or not?
In the UK with live in a council home, after bills etc we don't have much money left over each month, we get by pretty good with money to enjoy days out etc but not much after that, we have used cars and have worked hard to get together our savings.
Thankyou for taking the time to read my post.
Dec 13th 2012 | 2:04 pm
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 64
Re: Is it worthwhile moving to Perth??
Put the $5k down on a new car and you'll pay $80 per week for the finance. Thats what I've done for my wife. Hyundai i30, good car and dirt cheap to run with a 5 year warranty. Buying an old banger for $5k will cost you more than $80 per week keeping it on the road.
I dont have a car I travel to work at various locations in metropolitan perth using the train and bus. People moan about the public transport here but I think it is brilliant and is very cheap. The only time I've had a problem was when I've used it late sunday evening, but that was my fault for leaving the pub late!
I dont have a car I travel to work at various locations in metropolitan perth using the train and bus. People moan about the public transport here but I think it is brilliant and is very cheap. The only time I've had a problem was when I've used it late sunday evening, but that was my fault for leaving the pub late!
