Why the glitter of Australia isn’t always gold

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 7:00p.m.

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Last month New Zealand lost 3,200 residents to Australia - the biggest number for July since monthly records began.

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01 Sep 2011 03:05p.m.

Dan wrote:

It's swings and roundabouts with the cost of living. I agree that some things are more expensive in Australia, but I found that the majority of things, especially non-luxury items, are cheaper. To top that off, the wages are hugely higher than in New Zealand. It's just a better country to live in for people who are starting their careers and willing to put in the effort to make a success of themselves. I don't rate Auckland or Wellington to be in that bad a shape at the moment, but the rest of the country are becoming poor due to the cost of living and the lack of jobs. House and rent prices are far to high, especially here in Hastings, which is on a par with what I was paying in Sydney, which is ridiculous. The money and opportunities are just not here, and I can't see the economy sustaining these prices for much longer. I lived in Sydney for five years and made a fortune, sadly returning home to be with my elderly family members has made me a porper. If I didn't have family to look after, I'd be again off like a shot!

01 Sep 2011 01:47p.m.

Mary wrote:

We have just returned after a six week break in Brisbane with our various family members.There are lots of wonderful things about Oz-which is why we enjoy going there a couple of times a year. BUT- it can be a pretty tough place to be.There is a lot of crime but the Police are not as constrained by p.c. nonsense as they are here so they pull you up quickly and firmly. Also they command more respect than our unfortunate Kiwi Police who have to listen to filthy language and experience shocking behaviour!! Over there you'd be in a wagon and then a cell. Which is great.The weather is NOT better everywhere there. Brisbane is horrible in the summer because they do not have a breeze as the coastal areas do.But what about the downside of spiders and snakes and insects that bite?????? They cannot relax in their gardens as we do. The kids are wary of swimming--except in a big council pool-of which there are many.
There are lots of job opportunities for professionals and most medical and trade(qualified) areas. However, if you are an untrained ,purely physical, worker-however good you may be- you could well face disappoinment.Car reg. is high;compulsory 3rd party insurance-not cheap; stamp duty payable when you buy a home. The Australian cities are not very compassionate places to be if you are strapped for cash.
We have seen beggars there in every big city, we were accosted for money on numerous occasions and this has been the same for several years. The most recent time was as we were leaving the theatre having seen,coincidentally, LOVE NEVER DIES in Melbourne.So Aussie can be wonderful but you have to have a good income to be able to enjoy it in many ways. Although they do have lots of free,wonderful libraries,museums, art galleries and kids play parks with cycle tracks everywhere as well. Also great public transport. So go with an open mind but be prepared for some tough times as well as the great things.If you do go-good luck and all the best for a successful move.

01 Sep 2011 09:55a.m.

Pete wrote:

Although the article was correct in saying that the average wage in Australia is higher, the Cost of Living there is NOT cheaper. Official surveys suggest that Brisbane (and the other oz cities) is one of the most expensive cities in the world in which to live.

01 Sep 2011 08:51a.m.

Natasha wrote:

Thanks for the insight into Auzzie last night, were in the process of selling everything and going as the quality of life is going to be much better for our family there, i really think tho that you need to show the full picture as it seemed to be a very biast story, it focused on the lower end of people and people that took tempory roles and obvisly didnt put a plan in place while they were working. We have no help here as were classed as 'rich' but we cant afford the cost of living! My husband is on whats classed as a decent income but were are only over by a thousand for assistance. We would like to stay here but cant afford to! Please show the reason why familys like ours feel we have to leave and the full picture. Over there we qualify for family tax benifit and help with childcare etc which here we dont, thats one thing we can def give the aussies they have a much better tax system they value people who are trying to get ahead.