We have just bought one about a month ago. 24inch model, not the top of the wozza one though. Wireless keyboard and mouse, Applecare and MS Office for Mac total of $2900.

Plus you'll get 50% back on your tax return - bargain.

Apple control their pricing across the world, as do most luxury brands these days.

As for clothes I'm a bit undecided. Summer clothes and beachwear are better in Australia.

I used to be a big fan of Next and M&S, but after living in Australia I've been forced to spend more money on brands than I did before in the UK - the problem now is that the quality of clothes from Next do actually look a bit naff compared to Diesel, Country Road etc.

The only thing I would bother with in clothes from the UK now would be shirts and suits.

Books are a lot cheaper, but then you can always order them online.

But their products are more expensive here in the UAE. My imac was brought in by a friend recently from Oz - unfortunately my husband had to by his employees laptops here.

I think Australia is pretty good value for most consumer electronics; computers, TVs, DVD players, digital cameras etc. I read somewhere recently that ipods sold here are nearly the cheapest in the world.

And the individual ones too. Very handy with chargers and anything that has a transformer on. I got mine from the pound shop and only got a couple thinking it'd be enough. I've added more to my Mums list for when she comes over.

...but still cheaper in "Rip-off Britain"

Comet vs Bing Lee anyway. Not much in it though.

I was recently offered a 16Gb ipod touch in JB for $375 (sticker price $398). Just did a quick search on Kelkoo uk had the cheapest in the UK at GBP186 ($363 at today's rate on XE). So roughly the same price considering there are delivery charges on the UK ipod.

And isn't Fisher Paykel meant to be an Aussie brand? Or have I got that wrong? never seen it anywhere but here.


Yeah, that was probably the biggest surprise, I thought it was supposed to be 'rip off Britain' then I saw prices here & changed my mind

It's a NZ company.

Ah thanks for clearing that up for me

just wanted to say thanks so much to you all for your advice and tips :0)

Having the 'pre moving across the world jitters' at the moment and the advice from those of you that have made the leap is helping!!

def going to be getting a 15 tog snuggledown duvet before we head off (apparently a 'doona' and an electric blanket are what the aussie husband is hoping for but hey he married an english lass so duvet it is :0)) and going to get the adapaters from poundland as suggested...also been hitting the clothing/shoe sales so we've got something different to wear :0)

thanks again :0)

IF your toddler is still in nappies and you use disposable ones stock up on those and wipes. SO expensive here.

We've missed having quite a few things since we emigrated 3 years ago, namely germolene (I can't live with that stuff!), decent instant custard powder, options chocolate drink, mens boxers/underwear are megabucks here and we've also been looking for a new bathrobe for hubby but we cannot find one ANYWHERE - do they not make them over here??? Marmite is crap over here if you love the real thing, make sure you allow space in your suitcase for that! There's heaps of other stuff but that's all I can think of so far.
Good Luck!!

As a matter of interest what is the average cost on nappies, so I can weigh up the pro's and con's, we can get them for about 12p each so if they were alot cheaper here, It would be worth shipping a large batch out.