Originally Posted by odyssey (Post 8343724)

For me its a bit different being self employed. My wages havent kept up with anything - havent changed really from being depressingly low :)

I think I have noticed the increase in pricing quite dramatically. Also having young children, getting older, there are more costs that were not around before.

when I go to look at contracts, the hourly rates are the same as when I arrived. I have to say that every migrant I talk to, except some really postive ones on here - struggle with the pricing and the value for money. Universally they say they are financially worse off.

I am not in the anti Australia brigade but the reason this topic has been done to death is lots of people struggle to get used to their new country's pricing and costs.

Originally Posted by spartacus (Post 8342505)

Custard pies don't come cheap . . .

Originally Posted by creepycrawley (Post 8342949)

Most sensible older Australians agree that Australia is vastly less affordable than it once was. Housing used to be dirt cheap compared to the UK. Not really all that easy for first time home buyers here anymore.

People who came here having sold a property in the UK 10 or 15 years ago are in no position to judge because, financially, they got it easy back then.

Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack (Post 8344449)

Nor is the high tensile wire of the sort that walkers and trapeze artists use....

My wife has not worked in 6 years. It's unlikely that would have been the case in the UK - for us. Cheap property and high income growth has worked for us. It means we don't notice day to day costs but I know groceries are punitive. I find most of the sports are good value for money.

Originally Posted by Alfresco (Post 8343676)

How much are avos there, and are they big?

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond (Post 8344778)

3 Hass Avocados for $2 at our local fruit shop.

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede (Post 8343861)

We're an exception; our financial situation has improved dramatically. My wife and I both used to work in the UK; now I'm the only one who needs to work (my Australian job pays about 60% more than my UK one did).

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond (Post 8344778)

3 Hass Avocados for $2 at our local fruit shop.

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede (Post 8343710)

A lot of things are much more expensive in Australia. Some things are cheaper.

Swings and roundabouts.

Originally Posted by iamthecreaturefromuranus (Post 8345015)

Are the swings cheaper than the roundabouts... or vice versa?

Originally Posted by creepycrawley (Post 8344930)

Fine. But that is specific to your job rather than a general trend of Australia being better than the UK for salaries.

Originally Posted by eddie007 (Post 8345123)

avocados? pick em for free off the tree in me garden,...... as for the kids.. try a Nintendo Wii... about $400... keeps em occupied for hours all year.. and no fuel costs or damage to the envirnoment (we're doing our bit to save the world) .... want kids to have sporty active lifestyles? Buy a fast moving disobedient dog ... take them to the park (there are plenty of those) let the dog off the lead and make them catch it

cheap and sorted

Originally Posted by livinginreality (Post 8345840)

Nintendo Wii's?Why don't people actually do the activity for real instead of being stuck inside your lounge room?:confused:

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond (Post 8344778)

3 Hass Avocados for $2 at our local fruit shop.

Originally Posted by eddie007 (Post 8345123)

avocados? pick em for free off the tree in me garden,...... as for the kids.. try a Nintendo Wii... about $400... keeps em occupied for hours all year.. and no fuel costs or damage to the envirnoment (we're doing our bit to save the world) .... want kids to have sporty active lifestyles? Buy a fast moving disobedient dog ... take them to the park (there are plenty of those) let the dog off the lead and make them catch it

cheap and sorted

Originally Posted by Alfresco (Post 8346114)

Not too bad, but...



I plan to have an avo tree for that very reason. :thumbup:

Originally Posted by IndieG (Post 8346140)

Why is ginger so expensive? $30 a kg in the local fruit&veg shop and $ 25 in Safeway:frown:

Fresh Herbs (coriander and mint) - $ 2.50 each for a tiny bunch:blink:.

Originally Posted by creepycrawley (Post 8344930)

Fine. But that is specific to your job rather than a general trend of Australia being better than the UK for salaries.

Originally Posted by iamthecreaturefromuranus (Post 8345015)

Are the swings cheaper than the roundabouts... or vice versa?

Originally Posted by IndieG (Post 8346140)

Why is ginger so expensive? $30 a kg in the local fruit&veg shop and $ 25 in Safeway:frown:

Originally Posted by eddie007 (Post 8346130)

buy a house with a mature tree in it... like we did...


sorted

Originally Posted by irishbloo (Post 8346157)

I think ginger is easy to grow in a pot,but I could be wrong.

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond (Post 8346188)

17th November, 2009
Takeaway prices up as ginger goes short
The price of Indian and Chinese food could rocket this winter as the cost of ginger more than doubles.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/770872-t...ger-goes-short

Dec 2009
Ginger prices set to skyrocket on swine flu fears:
Ginger, an important ingredient in global cuisine, has seen increased demand in China during the current influenza season.
Retail ginger prices have increased 85 per cent in China in under a year.
http://www.foodweek.com.au/main-feat...e.aspx?ID=5929

Originally Posted by irishbloo (Post 8346210)

I will swop you some grapes and rosemary for some avos.

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede (Post 8346163)

Oh, absolutely. Overall I would say that the UK offers far greater potential for experienced, high level professionals. And I did say that I represent the exception.

Originally Posted by eddie007 (Post 8346280)

remind me in August and we'll do a deal... do the grapes come ready made into wine by any chance? Its the only way I eat them...

Originally Posted by dgjamison (Post 8345859)

I think this is maybe tongue in cheek humour??? am I right??;)

Originally Posted by livinginreality (Post 8347808)

No you're wrong!:DSeriously,I don't see the point in them.