What is cheaper in Adelaide then the UK

[Guest barb]

What things are cheaper in Australia than the UK. I keep hearing that with the strong dollar that things are about the same as uk or alot more, but what things ARE a better buy...is it cheaper to go out for a meal, are drinks more expensive then here in England?

[Guest sarahsmartiepants]

That would be a good question for those who have not been here long, I have been here 4 yrs and a lot was cheaper here then, I went back in july and from what I coud see only red meat and petrol where cheaper here. Even eating out seems to had gone down in price as had electrical items.

[mydearboy]

Well i have been here about 2 months now, my findings living about 5k's from cbd, was living in wiltshire.

 

Cheaper

 

Petrol

Meat and better quality by far

Veg (seasonal) and better quality by far

Wine (from shop)

Gas

Water

Eating out (decent pub meal type stuff)

Beer in pubs when specials on (otherwise its the same)

Train

 

More Expensive

 

Beer from shop

Shoes

Some Clothes especially everyday work wear etc

Cars

 

Cant think of more at mo.

[Guest WhatNow?]

All this is true but you have to be careful when comparing, even taking into account the exchange rate, as you will be earning in dollars and salaries are not necessarily comparable. It comes down to what proportion of your income you spend on the various items. Where you shop is also a factor...shopping in the supermarkets (as has been done to death in another post) means you are often paying more than elsewhere as there is not the cut-throat competition there is in the UK. You will spend less if you shop as our parents used to shop BS (before supermarkets!) by finding good local sources that cut out the middleman (greengrocer, butcher, farm shop, market, bakery) without involving too much driving around. I know some people on PIA long for Tesco, but I prefer to have the option of the independent shops - makes shopping more interesting and less of a chore - and this comes from a 'Morrisons every Friday' person in the UK, though I used a brilliant local butcher/bakery till they were driven out of business by the 5 nearby supermarkets!

[ian mc]

I have been here 13 years and when first here it was cheep to live a lot cheaper than the UK could eat out a lot. I was back in the UK twice last year on holiday and could not believe how cheep food was and "drink" that was really cheep compared to here. Everything here has crept up over the last 6-7 years and now find it quite expensive to live here now compared to what it used to be.Mars bars you can get on special multi pack 5 for round about a pound in UK costs about $1.90 for one bar here no multi packs here.So Chocolate is dear

[Prema]

Well i have been here about 2 months now, my findings living about 5k's from cbd, was living in wiltshire.

 

Cheaper

 

Petrol

Meat and better quality by far

Veg (seasonal) and better quality by far

Wine (from shop)

Gas

Water

Eating out (decent pub meal type stuff)

Beer in pubs when specials on (otherwise its the same)

Train

 

More Expensive

 

Beer from shop

Shoes

Some Clothes especially everyday work wear etc

Cars

 

Cant think of more at mo.

 

I totally agree, the main things are fruit and veg the quality and taste is something else. Meat and petrol are very very cheap. I always fill up petrol on a Thursday or friday morning, the petrol is always cheaper at those times. I am filling up my zafira and full tank will cost $60, and that lasts me a month. I do a fair bit of driving as we only have the one car and take hubbie to and from work and also do the school run and drive everywhere for swimming and various lessons for the kids shopping etc..

I used to drive a jeep in the UK and yes it was a bigger car, but my monthly petrol on that was £800 a month.

We went to hungry jacks yesterday, we all had full meals it came up to $22. We get kfc here and we buy the mega meal, really and that is way to much food for us, we always have ample leftover for the next day we pay $33 for that. Hubbie got 2 large chicken chow meins from Sakura with 4 large rolls of sushi cost was $22.

Somethings are more and somethings are less. Still think here is better.

[Guest majortom]

Hey Barb,

 

I like your style, getting the info on the more inportant things in life !!...........lol

 

Jim

[Pesty650]

To be honest, we have stopped comparing on everyday living costs now. It costs what it costs & is relative to what you are earning i.e. aussie dollars. Sometimes we order CD's & DVD's from Amazon UK, but that's about it. I wish books were cheaper here though!

[taffordbark]

To be honest, we have stopped comparing on everyday living costs now. It costs what it costs & is relative to what you are earning i.e. aussie dollars. Sometimes we order CD's & DVD's from Amazon UK, but that's about it. I wish books were cheaper here though!

 

 

You should try www.bookdepository.co.uk free delivery worldwide and they can source any books you want,,,my two daughters are bookworms and are always having stuff delivered from these guys,,check them out!:v_SPIN:

[Guest barb]

Hi Jim, yep live life to the full thats my motto only I have to do it on a small budget , lol. We just cant wait to get there. Many thanks to you all for the great posts, Im pleased to see that at least some things are still cheaper in OZ. Food is mega expensive in the UK now, the price of petrol is a joke dont think the price will come down by much if EVER! Clothes though are really good value but maybe not for much longer. Cars are cheaper here but dont think its worth shipping one over...does anyone think differently?

[Guest majortom]

Hey Barb,

 

I understand that bed linen is quite expensive here too.

 

With Christmas only around the corner you might want to pack all your christmas decorations as well !!

[Guest Guest75]

I'm with Pesty on this,the longer you are here the less you compare.Fatal to convert back - that was a different life!

 

After 10 years here I've totally given up.

But have learnt where the specials and bargains are now.

 

I know it would be nice to come over here and find the cost of living is a lot cheaper but from what I know I'd say the total cost nearly matches the UK.

 

It's what you do with your income that counts ;)

[Guest Scrappin' Julie]

Life is what you make it! My mates called me the "Convertor Queen" when I first arrived last year and I must say was making myself feel rather queezy when I could see that lots was the same or a bit dearer here for everyday food. However I repeat what others say - meat and veggies (in season) are heaps better than UK and shop wisely - enjoy the specialist shops that have all disappeared in the UK and you will soon have a new Aussie routine and will forget the dreaded £. (I have now!)

 

Second hand cars here hold their price and I would say that if you had the room and picked up a decent 3yr old luxury car in UK then ship it over and use it....you will pay double for the same car here. New Cars, however are on a parr with UK.

[Guest WhatNow?]

Hey Barb,

 

I understand that bed linen is quite expensive here too.

 

With Christmas only around the corner you might want to pack all your christmas decorations as well !!

 

 

It is if you pay full price at the best shops, but there are so many 'sales' on here, it's not difficult to find some really good bargains - Designer Direct (before they closed) were good and Harris Scarfe is my favourite for bed linen, also several shops in Harbortown, and that good standby 'Spotlight' for anything household.

 

If you bring your Christmas decorations, make sure you have nothing 'real' in there; cones (even if painted) are a no-no for AQIS, as is anything wicker/wood based - in fact anything that was once alive and could be carrying mould/insects, and no candles that contain beeswax. A good tip is to not mention 'Christmas Decorations' in your inventory at all - it's a good excuse for AQIS to have a rummage through your container if they see it. I got mine through unscathed by having them packed as 'ornaments'.