I will most probably visit Brisbane for a year or two. I know transporting my car there is out of the window, you guys have right driver's seat. So, I'm thinking how many stuff I need to move to Australia. I probably will ship more if the living cost of furniture and stuff is high there, since my moving cost will be paid for. Information on the relative price between Australia and the U.S. would be helpful. (Ikea might be a good comparison mark) Also general advise about life in Australia would be appreciated.
I was just in Brisbane for 2 weeks (also spent 2 weeks between Cairns and Sydney). As far as cost of living, it's actually roughly the same as America. The conversion rate fluctuates a little, but it's roughly about .82 American to Aussie dollars, and most of the prices are relatively the same as over here. Honestly, since your shipping cost is paid for, I would go ahead and take advantage of that anyways. It would make no sense to buy new stuff over there when your stuff here can get shipped for free. Real estate prices are also relatively the same.....a nice condo on the riverfront in Brisbane (about 1500 sq. ft) will probably run you about the same as a condo in mid-town Houston.
Sorry for the double post, accidentally hit submit too early. As far as life in Oz, even though I'm obviously not a native, from what I gathered, it's much more laid-back, and people definitely don't live to work like here in the US. Generally, office hours are 9-5, and most people don't stay too long after that. There's a pretty big value on family life, and doing things to keep you healthy and happy. Outdoors activities are abundant, and there is PLENTY of things to do around Brisbane. You can go on a bike ride around Kangaroo Point, or hit up a day trip to Moreton Island and go sandsurfing and snorkeling even. It's a pretty badass place to live man. I'm seriously jealous.
if shipping cost is paid for, ask your company to reimburst you for furniture purchase instead of shipping the stuff there. "saves the company money" Then you can double dip by selling your stuff locally.
Mine said it was small and apparently everything closes around 5 P.M. Said the roads were all 2 lanes, as well.
Yeah, I heard it's not all that great. Pretty nice place to live and raise a family, but that's about it. Nothing much going on there.
Perth is the most laid back city in all of Australia, Yes we may not have the night life of Sydney or Melbourne but we have some of the best beaches in the country and the people are easily the friendliest. Throw in the women in Perth are without a doubt the hottest in Australia and your set
Co-sign. I visited Perth for the first time in March and the women are AMAZING...my head was on an axis spinning out of control the whole time. Perth is sensational. I plan to live there at some stage. However, moving to Sydney next year....any Clutchfans in Sydney i'll be looking for ya!! I live in Tasmania atm, which is an island below the "mainland" of Australia - if Australia as a whole can be considered laidback then "Tassie" is on the next level of laid backness. Its all good though. Basically set up for tourism, but the people who live here know its one of the greatest, most clean and pristine places to live IN THE WORLD. To the OP, Brisbane is good aswell. The Gold Coast, which is about 45 mins drive from Brisbane is the number 1 holiday destination for Aussies. Has all the best theme parks etc. Plus, because of the warm climate you can gamble on there being a nice selection of hot women aswell.
I live in Sydney. Brisbane is a really nice place, I went up there last year for the Rugby League World Cup. You'll end up following a team called the Brisbane Broncos and getting your picture taken next to the statue of Wally Lewis. You don't know what I'm talking about right now.....give it time.... Oh and the middle of the year, everyone will go crazy and wear maroon jerseys. Do the same thing or you will be sorry. And for the love of god, don't wear anything sky blue.
I studied abroad in Melbourne for 4 months and it is definitely a more laid-back atmosphere overall. You're going to want to become familiar with footy (Aussie Rules Football) while you're over there. The rules seem complicated at first but once you get a hang of it it's a great sport to watch and it's up there with cricket as one of the more popular sports in Australia.
What part of Sydney mate? I am looking at Manly/Bondi - not the EXACT areas because I couldnt afford the rent - but close by, slightly more inland.
Im from sydney and have been to Brisbane a few times. Very nice place, lovely beaches, people in general are very nice as well. If you can you should definatly try and get up the coastline and explore the beautiful areas along there. Great Barrier Reef is amazing. Get to a few NRL and AFL games as well (if you dont know what that is now, you will soon) and defs wear maroon from about the beginning of June to the middle of July... Come down to Sydney too.
I live just near Blacktown. If you want to look at living on the coast but not too far from Sydney and a bit cheaper, look at Gosford. Anywhere in the East of Sydney is going to be expensive.
Dude, the mainland can give us all the **** in the world... we have the life! So laid back, yet still have everything you need... beach is never more than an hour away no matter where you are, no need to worry about dirty water(or lack of it), hydro power, cheap real estate and cost of living and if you do need the 'big city lifestyle' every once in a while, Melbourne is only a $120 return flight away. I lived in Qld and Melbourne for a while and am happiest here.
Hey michecon, Been living in Brisbane pretty much my whole life, will be happy to help a fellow clutchfan if you have any specific questions about Brisbane, as for Ikea products.... http://www.ikea.com/au/en/ .. lol. General life in Australia? It's alright, Brisbane is probably the 3rd biggest city in Australia behind Melbourne and Sydney, although having visited all 3 I must say that Sydney and Melbourne are significantly larger cities. In the state of Queensland, which Brisbane is also lies Cairns which is a short flight away (or 2-3 day road trip if your up for it) which has many holiday opportunities with the Great Barrier Reef. The Gold Coast is not to be missed, being 40mins - 1 hour drive away from Brisbane depending where you live, Queensland have arguably the best beaches in the universe.. haha, we're known as the sunshine state. Where you working at the by the way? Wouldn't happen to be able to hook up a fellow clutchfan with a job would you? hahaha, I'm a soon to Bachelor of Electrical Engineering graduate entering the real world during this cursed recession Anyway dude, let me know if you need any more info, happy help in whatever way I can
