What is cheaper in Aus then in the UK !!!!!

[Guest Adelaide_bound]

ditto the car insurance - its completely outragous here in the UK in a blooming Ford Ka - tiny little engine, not that new, not worth much etc etc, 8 years no claims, 17 years license and all that jazz - stupid amount of money.

 

HUGE 4x4 with big (to me) diesel engine, fully comp, less than 1/3 of the price in Oz (and that includes rego as well)

[jim and adel]

Our costs for comparison (four bed detatched). We do have bottled gas for cooking but I'm not sure what that costs so have left it out.

 

Jim

 

Hi Ian,

 

My rates from my last house (just sold) were -

 

Council tax £1200 (approx $1800) per year. $2400

 

and utilities were -

 

Gas £50 (approx $75) per month.. (no mains gas where we are)

Electric £75 (approx $110) per month. Last quarter $789

Water £22 (approx $33) per month. Last quarter $109

 

This was for a small 3 bed semi quite new build.

 

How do your utilities compare ?

[ian mc]

Your rego will cost more here for a 4 cylinder car its $701 a year 6 cylinder $812 and 8 cylinder $909 whare as a 4 cylinder that my sister in the UK cost her about 30 quid a year to tax.

[minty]

Our costs for comparison (four bed detatched). We do have bottled gas for cooking but I'm not sure what that costs so have left it out.

 

Jim

 

Thats rates defenetly of the cheap list then.

[Guest James]

Very little is cheaper in Adelaide, the price of petrol has shot up so is now not much cheaper than UK. Car repairs are very high, road tax is much dearer and car insurance no cheaper. Housing the same as Southern Engalnd though not the Capital. Food is very expensive, I came back from UK 10 weeks ago and we went in Waitrose each day and bought bought and eat revelling in the cheap cost of food. Electricity has shot up here.

 

Dentists are double UK and most Drs have a gap payment of up to $40, even the medicine costs much more

 

It is unlikely to be as cheap as Engalnd for two simple reasons, population is so small compared to Engalnd and Europe there is no economy of scale and lack of competition or regulations to stop duopolies evolving like supermarkets and airlines means they can fix pricing at a high level. Come to Australia for the lifestyle if you want that and it suits you, ( not for me) or if you can get a better work situation but not for a cheap life.

[Diane]

Very little is cheaper in Adelaide, the price of petrol has shot up so is now not much cheaper than UK. Car repairs are very high, road tax is much dearer and car insurance no cheaper. Housing the same as Southern Engalnd though not the Capital. Food is very expensive, I came back from UK 10 weeks ago and we went in Waitrose each day and bought bought and eat revelling in the cheap cost of food. Electricity has shot up here.

 

Dentists are double UK and most Drs have a gap payment of up to $40, even the medicine costs much more

 

It is unlikely to be as cheap as Engalnd for two simple reasons, population is so small compared to Engalnd and Europe there is no economy of scale and lack of competition or regulations to stop duopolies evolving like supermarkets and airlines means they can fix pricing at a high level. Come to Australia for the lifestyle if you want that and it suits you, ( not for me) or if you can get a better work situation but not for a cheap life.

 

Don't forget that road tax here includes thirdy party insurance, and there is no MOT to pay for each year. I think the cost of fuel is high still in the UK - petrol and heating oil. Also by all accounts dentistry is costly in the UK without private insurance. My weekly shop here in Aus costs about the same as it used to cost in the UK - and that was over seven years ago - but that's converting at a rate of about 2:1 which I know it isn't any more.

 

Housing has only come down in the UK because of the recession too. I think prices are still either static or very slightly rising here in Adelaide.

 

You're right though, people shouldn't come here expecting to be better off, but I think in most cases after a year or so getting established, your standard of living is about the same. You just do things differently, shop differently, eat differently, but then... Australia is a foreign country after all, and not a third world one, thank goodness!

[Guest Guest5035]

exactly diane, are you ever wrong??

 

stevo

[Guest Guest5035]

Very little is cheaper in Adelaide, the price of petrol has shot up so is now not much cheaper than UK. Car repairs are very high, road tax is much dearer and car insurance no cheaper. Housing the same as Southern Engalnd though not the Capital. Food is very expensive, I came back from UK 10 weeks ago and we went in Waitrose each day and bought bought and eat revelling in the cheap cost of food. Electricity has shot up here.

 

Dentists are double UK and most Drs have a gap payment of up to $40, even the medicine costs much more

 

It is unlikely to be as cheap as Engalnd for two simple reasons, population is so small compared to Engalnd and Europe there is no economy of scale and lack of competition or regulations to stop duopolies evolving like supermarkets and airlines means they can fix pricing at a high level. Come to Australia for the lifestyle if you want that and it suits you, ( not for me) or if you can get a better work situation but not for a cheap life.

 

jimbo are you in the uk now or elsewhere in the world??

 

stevo

[Guest James]

I am here right now and as I go back and forth to UK quite a lot I can make comparisons, a clutch here has just cots $3000 it would be half that in UK, a root canal cost me $1500 I was quited again half that in a private dntist in Sevenoaks . Airfare return to London from here is 1/3 more than the journey to Adelaide. Why Australia has price fixing and little anti competition law and no where else to go. Where else can you go for dentistry? No cheap uptions same with cars, if you have a European car like mine there is only one garage they charge wht they like. Minimum wage here is double UK and that adds to cost although that may not be a bad thing etc. This is why EU called in Qantas for price fixing with anti competition laws in Europe that are lacking here. Australia is a captive market. The exchnge rate is 1'5 now and supermarkets here do not do the specials that you get in uK where you can still get knocked down loaves for 30pence or scones for 15 pence, like I said I was in Waitriose every day I was back home! Just making it clear that to come here for cheaper life does not work. It may be better for some in other ways but it is not cheaper. Some jobs pay more then you have to work out if that outweighs the added cost of living if that is a motivator. For me i do not believe the extra wage does, also here you do not get a state pension as part of your National insurance but you pay about teh same tax so somewhere a lot of money is either wasted or running a vast counry with small population has great infrastrucuture costs.

 

Now I will go and enjoy this sunny evening here

 

Nerry Christmas

[Guest James]

I did forget independent schools whoch are cheap compared to England

[Guest Guest5035]

I am here right now and as I go back and forth to UK quite a lot I can make comparisons, a clutch here has just cots $3000 it would be half that in UK, a root canal cost me $1500 I was quited again half that in a private dntist in Sevenoaks . Airfare return to London from here is 1/3 more than the journey to Adelaide. Why Australia has price fixing and little anti competition law and no where else to go. Where else can you go for dentistry? No cheap uptions same with cars, if you have a European car like mine there is only one garage they charge wht they like. Minimum wage here is double UK and that adds to cost although that may not be a bad thing etc. This is why EU called in Qantas for price fixing with anti competition laws in Europe that are lacking here. Australia is a captive market. The exchnge rate is 1'5 now and supermarkets here do not do the specials that you get in uK where you can still get knocked down loaves for 30pence or scones for 15 pence, like I said I was in Waitriose every day I was back home! Just making it clear that to come here for cheaper life does not work. It may be better for some in other ways but it is not cheaper. Some jobs pay more then you have to work out if that outweighs the added cost of living if that is a motivator. For me i do not believe the extra wage does, also here you do not get a state pension as part of your National insurance but you pay about teh same tax so somewhere a lot of money is either wasted or running a vast counry with small population has great infrastrucuture costs.

 

Now I will go and enjoy this sunny evening here

 

Nerry Christmas

 

i agree the food shopping is cheap over there, petrol here is today $1.40 a litre, exchange rate 1.53 = 91p, petrol is how much in uk.

root canal cost me $375 (245 quid) but i have extras cover.

airfare average $2100 (1372 quid)

i too have a imported car, but with the warranty i can go wherever i like, as long as its a recognised raa repairer, what car do you have, if you bought it off jarvis they saw you coming along with the 3k for the clutch.

I agree theres no competition, but things do have further to travel here hence more transport costs,

i believe when i retire i will get a state pension along with my super

alot of money is wasted same as elsewhere, why does a country with 21 million have state goverments along with a federal one all those pollies.

enjoy your sunny evening thats for free.

 

stevo

[jimmyskinner]

Don't know how it can compare, If you're earning and spending dollars the price in the UK has nothing to do with anything. If there was $5 to the £ everyone would be saying its cheap here but at 1.53 to the £ some people thinks its expensive, it is what it is. The only time to compare £ to $ is if you're here on holiday.

[Guest Guest5035]

excatly swings and roundabouts....still think the car place ripped him off

 

stevo

[jimmyskinner]

excatly swings and roundabouts....still think the car place ripped him off

 

stevo

Only one garage to service a European car ! ................ could be a gap in the market

[Guest Guest5035]

a massive gap, sounds like mega money to be made, ....would james pm me please with his details of the car and warranty.

 

stevo

[minty]

Don't know how it can compare, If you're earning and spending dollars the price in the UK has nothing to do with anything. If there was $5 to the £ everyone would be saying its cheap here but at 1.53 to the £ some people thinks its expensive, it is what it is. The only time to compare £ to $ is if you're here on holiday.

 

I think you have hit the nail on the head there. You only way you can compare is taking your own personal life from the UK and comparing it with your own personal life once established in Oz. Everyones circumstances and needs are different along with areas they move from and want to move to and what jobs they have and if those jobs pay more or less in Oz.

 

Everyone likes a bargain though and if you can find a few things that are still a bit cheaper when using the new accepted 1-1.5 exchange rate it makes you feel a bit better.

 

Chris.

[Pommyspark]

Ha Ha no way just found out your a new forum cop Chris lol, will be on my best behaviour lol. nice one

[Guest James]

I have a Mini One, In UK it was still under 8 year warranty which I paid 500 pounds for - here, needless to say they do not recognise that , it is 6 years old and as you may know Mini Ones do not get imported here unless as private imports, so I can only get the parts through the Mini garage. When the work is finished I will put down the details, ie how much for labour etc. I am happy to hear if I have beem ripped off as I will take it up with them. It will only be a long line of rips offs that have occured to me in Australia and am happy if I get evidence to fight them with.

 

I understand what you all say about you are paid in dollars etc so excahnge rate is irrelevant but it is not if you are comparing prices which is what this thread is all about isn;t it? Also when you firs come over you may well need to exchange English money for dollars so it is very relevant. I state again you may come to Australia because you like the life or for family etc or you get a well paid job but do not come for a cheaper lifestyle because it is not cheap, International comparisons show the cost of living here has shot up and for newly arrived people the exchange rate aggravates that as thier money is devalued. The cost of living here is high and as I have had to go back two or three times recently I know i am talikng fact, even if you go to a 2.1 exchange rate it is high. Of course all circumstances are different.

 

Anyway I am bitter and twisted so you can ignore me if you like but I will wish you all a Merry Christmas in true Ebenezer fashion, ba humbug

[Guest James]

Stevio is right it is over governed and that wastes money. Like I said you pay as much to the government as in UK but no state pension like UK only a means tested for the poor, no free ambulances, Drs etc so where do the taxes go here, it must be having three governments, local, state and nation I guess plus the lack of population making things cost a lot?

[Guest James]

Of course it could be the English flag on the car just gets up the Australian mechanics nose so they charge more LOL I reckon! But the Aussies would not do that would they?

[Guest Guest5035]

I have a Mini One, In UK it was still under 8 year warranty which I paid 500 pounds for - here, needless to say they do not recognise that , it is 6 years old and as you may know Mini Ones do not get imported here unless as private imports, so I can only get the parts through the Mini garage. When the work is finished I will put down the details, ie how much for labour etc. I am happy to hear if I have beem ripped off as I will take it up with them. It will only be a long line of rips offs that have occured to me in Australia and am happy if I get evidence to fight them with.

 

I understand what you all say about you are paid in dollars etc so excahnge rate is irrelevant but it is not if you are comparing prices which is what this thread is all about isn;t it? Also when you firs come over you may well need to exchange English money for dollars so it is very relevant. I state again you may come to Australia because you like the life or for family etc or you get a well paid job but do not come for a cheaper lifestyle because it is not cheap, International comparisons show the cost of living here has shot up and for newly arrived people the exchange rate aggravates that as thier money is devalued. The cost of living here is high and as I have had to go back two or three times recently I know i am talikng fact, even if you go to a 2.1 exchange rate it is high. Of course all circumstances are different.

 

Anyway I am bitter and twisted so you can ignore me if you like but I will wish you all a Merry Christmas in true Ebenezer fashion, ba humbug

 

so correct me if i'm wrong, you bought the mini in the uk which included a 8 year warranty and you brought it with you here to adelaide. Then when you get here the clutch decides to give way and it costs you $3k. Well now we know why it costs so much, air freight isn't cheap..but get a detailed costs report when you pick up the mini, it will make interesting reading. Still think they saw you coming,

 

stevo

[Guest Guest5035]

Stevio is right it is over governed and that wastes money. Like I said you pay as much to the government as in UK but no state pension like UK only a means tested for the poor, no free ambulances, Drs etc so where do the taxes go here, it must be having three governments, local, state and nation I guess plus the lack of population making things cost a lot?

 

ambos are free in a emergency, my doctors (GP) since 1991 have always been free, the specialist i've seen have only charged a minimal amount, to which i'm very happy to pay, as they are specialists..my dentist through bupa does me a really great deal and guarantees any work he does, now that can't be bad. i personally think the health system here is superb, recently when in the uk helping out my MIL with her treatment for cancer she was treated sh#t, the system was sh#t, the info given out was sh#t.

One scenario she had treatment at one hospital with a nurse, then got a lift in a ambo to another hospital where she got more treatment from the same nurse????

 

stevo

[thearmchairdetective]

Hi Ian,

 

My rates from my last house (just sold) were -

 

Council tax £1200 (approx $1800) per year.

 

What band were you in ?

http://www.southglos.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/A38B26CF-49B9-446E-83D6-D8C18563DA6A/0/CEX110030.pdf

[minty]

Hi Ian,

 

My rates from my last house (just sold) were -

 

Council tax £1200 (approx $1800) per year.

 

What band were you in ?

http://www.southglos.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/A38B26CF-49B9-446E-83D6-D8C18563DA6A/0/CEX110030.pdf

 

Wrong council. I lived in Bordon/Whitehill in East hampshire.

Band C - £1289.93

 

Heres the table - http://www.easthants.gov.uk/ehdc/formsfordownload.nsf/FormsbyName/BA9FF9AD5BBDC5008025784F003FF7D4/$File/ct-charges-from-calendar-0311.pdf

 

 

Chris.

[trevorpayne]

The days out here are cheaper it would cost me a minimum £150 that includes the petrol to get somewhere decent and back again for a day. where as its free here.

Dont need 2-3 holidays a year just to try and get some sun and piece and quiet away from the dross £5000.

The wages are far better and we have much more disposable income here than the UK, also must add that I do work more hours as the work is here to be had.

 

I wonder how many people on here posted in the early days that they where coming to Australia for the lifestyle and climate and that money and income was not the driving force.