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Providing articles and resources to people wanting to live or work in Australia, and building a community

living in Australia

 

Stay out of the Sun!

But that’s the reason we moved to Australia! I’ve dreamt to be living in warmer climes…enjoying outdoor living, going to the beach every weekend.

It’s true there are many advantages of living in Australia when it comes to the warmer weather. You can actually plan your weekends away with confidence and it is possible to be outdoors most days of the year.
However, as our current TV advertisers are keen to remind us – Stay out of the Sun. Skin Cancer is the big killer here.

Children are taught at a young age to Slip, Slop, Slap – Slip on a shirt, Slop on the Cream and slap on a hat…we’ve needed to learn and develop the habit.

Most children’s play areas are shaded either by trees or with shade cloths to protect both the equipment and it’s users from the harsh rays.

A lot of indoor facilities are well air conditioned and many Australians will spend a large part of the summer avoiding the weather!

There are numerous clinics to get your skin checked at, if you spot a mole that is growing or changing that is.
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 living in Australia No Comments

 

Sharks in Shallow Water

When we first moved to Australia, like any new migrant we had a few reservations about swimming in the sea. You’ve seen the film JAWS……you know what I mean.

We asked ‘the locals’ about where it is safe to swim, checked out for signs on beaches and then finally started to embrace the coastal living lifestyle. It took a while and I have to admit, I’m still not as keen to swim in the sea as in a pool and when it comes to surfing, I stick to the shallow water.

This week brought us up sharp when yet again there was a shark attack. It does happen and might I add lately…fairly frequently. From what we’ve heard, February is the month to not swim in the sea. Sharks are known to come into shallow water and do live in rivers too. One theory is that there are more fish near the shore…fishing bans etc…this theory has been dismissed but we wait to hear more.
Why is there an increase in shark attacks?
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 living in Australia No Comments

 

Australia’s Most Affordable Towns

The most affordable towns in Victoria are, not too suprisingly, all country towns:

  • The Latrobe Valley

  • Mildura

  • Ballarat

  • Bendigo

  • Shepparton

Top affordable towns in New South Wales are:

  • Dubbio

  • Tamworth

  • Taree

  • Wagga Wagga

  • Albury-Wodonga

A few thought on Dubbo – it is in the Central West of the state and it’s reputation is the place you stop off at on the way to somewhere nicer! From here you can drive north to Brisbane, south to Melbourne, east to Sydney and Newcastle, and west to Broken Hill and Adelaide.

The most expensive areas in the country are:

  • The Gold Coast

  • Sydney

  • Sunshine Coast

  • Perth

  • Ballina

  • Brisbane

  • Adelaide

  • Melbourne

  • Mandurah

  • Mackay

How did researchers define the most affordable town? It compared the average household income for each state with the median house price for different regions, and calculated the percentage of income that would be spent on mortgage repayments.

The general rule of thumb is that spending anything above 30 per cent of your income on mortgage repayments or rent is classified as housing stress.

Friday, January 23rd, 2009 cost of living, house market, living in Australia No Comments

 

6 Things You Should Know About Moving To Queensland.

When thinking of moving to Australia it is worth weighing up the pros and cons with the knowledge you have available.

We’ve been living here for 5 years and have found overall, an improved quality of life. However, there have been one or two surprises along the way….here are our top 6.

1. Queensland Healthcare Crisis – medical staff are sought after for a reason! Whilst we haven’t experienced major problems ourselves we were left a little vulnerable with minimal community support after our first child – lucky we didn’t have any problems!

There is concern over medical staff and carer shortages here for locals and immigrants alike. There are no guarantees even with private healthcare that you will get the quality of care you need or that you won’t have to wait. Depending on the area you live in – the state hospital maybe the better service provider.

Your Doctor is a good resource as they often service both the private and public sector.

2. It’s Getting More Expensive to Live Here - see previous articles on tax rates, salaries, education and cost of living.

Calculate the Cost Both Finance and Quality of Life.

3. Lifestyle Factors – You’ll hear all the great stuff about Queensland ‘the lifestyle state’ – the big outdoors, beaches, sports, tropical rainforests etc…and then when you get here you’ll discover the local problems of drugs/alcohol/obesity/skin cancer….

Plan your own lifestyle and live your own way

4. You’re Not From Around Here - A big frustration! however, as with anywhere you go new, coming in as an outsider means some locals meet and greet, some don’t. Some people’s friendship lists are full and are clicky, some aren’t. Some employers get excited about your overseas experience, others ask what you know about the local market or have no idea of your value and worth.

Get Networking, Get Known, Move on until you find your niche

5. Shift from Casual friends to Close Friends – Getting settled tends to mean not only finding good satisfying work and a home base but also a good solid network of people you can rely and be understood by/really relate to.
It Takes Time & Effort

6. Integration - There are many stages and phases from the initial honeymoon feeling of being on holiday to the ‘we live here’ -with a journey of discovery, experience and confidence in the State & Country, in between.

Keep a Sense of Humour
www.immigration-australia-blog.com/2008/12/8-reasons-to-enjoy-living-in-australia.html
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 living in Australia, moving to australia No Comments

 

Life’s A Beach

With the Pacific, the Indian and the Southern Ocean, we’re surrounded. Many beaches have the white silky sands, warm blue seas and interesting marine life, others are muddy flats where mangroves grow!

The beach culture of Australia is celebrated in fashion, art, lifestyle, sports and many careers. For Tips on enjoying the Oceans: http://www.slsa.asn.au/

Facts: Australia has the most beaches in the world and 80% of the population live near the coast, yet beaches aren’t crowded.

Thursday, January 15th, 2009 living in Australia No Comments

 

9 Reasons to Enjoy Living in Australia

If you are thinking of moving to Australia and are making your list of pull factors, I have a few suggestions to add….

We’ve been here for 5 years now and these reasons to love life here in Brisbane have stayed the same:

  1. The Climate – warm most months of the year with only a few intensely hot and cold weeks.

  2. Space – houses with land around them, green park lands and a sense of openness in the outback.

  3. Low population – little traffic congestion, parking problems, empty beaches.

  4. The Economy is still ok – we’ll see how we go this next year!

  5. Friendly Communities & plenty activities for all the family.

  6. Good Schools for children- well rated internationally.

  7. Low Crime Rate.

  8. Low unemployment.

  9. Nature and wild life – bush camping, fishing and four-wheel-driving on the beach.

Monday, December 22nd, 2008 living in Australia, moving to australia No Comments
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