Cost of living figures

[Ric&Martha]

Martha & I are really getting serious about our transfer--and trying hard to assess our financials compared to where we are in the US. Pardon this exhaustive (exhausting) list; but if you can fill in any Melbourne-area or VIC pricing for these items, please do! Specify the unit of measure and cost if you can.

Think of it as a scavenger hunt!

Thanks all,
Ric & Martha

FOOD ITEMS
milk (1%)
bread (loaf, wheat)
eggs (dozen)
broccolli (1 bunch)
cauliflower (1 head)
lettuce (1 head)
tomato
pepper (1 large bell)
apple (golden delicious or gala)
orange (large navel)
bananas
grapes
strawberries
flour
salt
sugar
brown sugar
baking powder
cinnamon
powdered milk
vegetable oil
olive oil
cheerios cereal
raisin bran cereal
honey bunches of oats cereal
ground beef
pork loin (whole not chops)
boneless skinless chicken breast
turkey
ham
sirloin tip roast
new york strip steak
hotdogs
bacon
sauage
canned peas
canned corn
canned green beans
applesauce
potatoes
rice
spaghetti noodles
chips
tomato paste
tomato sauce
cheese
cottage cheese
ice cream
margarin
sales tax rate on food items

TRANSPORTATION
Gas (1 gal = 4 liters)
Diesel (1 gal = 4 liters)
motor oil
tires
wiper blades
insurance
license (tags)

HOUSING
avg rent LARGE home (5 children)
insurance
interest
tax rate
electric
gas/oil
telephone/internet
cable tv
water/sewer
garbage

CLOTHING
2-piece men's suit
men's button down dress shirt
men's business slacks
women's skirt
women's blouse
women's dress
men's jeans
men's polo shirt
women's jeans
women's sweater
girls jeans or khakis
girls collared shirt
boys jeans or khakis
boys collared shirt
boys/girls socks
boys/girls tennis shoes
men's dress shoe
women's tennis shoe
tax rate on clothes

OFFICE SUPPLIES
Lined Paper Notebooks
Printer Paper
Pencils
Pens
Printer Ink
Marker board

TOILETRIES
Tooth paste
Bar Soap
Laundry Detergent
Shampoo
Dish Soap
Toilet Paper
Bathroom Cleanser

CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
2x4x8 fir stud
4x8 exterior wood panel
interior paint
exterior paint
8x2d nails

SPORTS, REC & ENTERTAINMENT
movie tickets
McDonald's Big Mac
Large Pizza
Fitness Club Membership (Family)
Swim Team Membership (1 Swimmer)
Gymnastics Team Mbr (1 Gymnast)
State/National Park Camping (1 night)
Beach House Rental (2 weeks)

APPLIANCES
Office Computer
Office Printer
Refridgerator
Freezer
LCD TV


Again, thanks for helping with whatever you can!

[Deeba]

Hey Karen,
The details you has psted about the cost of living is so helpful.
Yes I have been planing to migrate to AU since a long time but its seam to be so difficult. although by the details for the cost of living and by joing this forum It seems that some of my worries are over and taken care of.
I have already cleared my TRA (Hair dresser). but the most difficult is yet to come IELTS, since my mother tounge is not English but we went to English school and am fimelear with the language, yet I have the fear of exams, I have been studying it "Boy Oh Boy its very difficult. but wish me luch as I am thinking of sitting for the test on 12 July.
Ok, Thanks again for the details I see,
Deeba

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by Ric&Martha

Martha & I are really getting serious about our transfer--and trying hard to assess our financials compared to where we are in the US. Pardon this exhaustive (exhausting) list; but if you can fill in any Melbourne-area or VIC pricing for these items, please do! Specify the unit of measure and cost if you can.

I doubt that you'll get all that list (there are some things even I wouldn't do even if I lived in the area ). If you look at Dolly's post that has a lot of costs and she's close to Melbourne.

You can find out most of those prices if you use google.com.au and have a scavenger hunt

Regards,
Karen

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by Deeba

I have been studying it "Boy Oh Boy its very difficult. but wish me luch as I am thinking of sitting for the test on 12 July.
Ok, Thanks again for the details I see,
Deeba

Good luck Deeba! Let us know how you get on.

Regards,
Karen

[sgilli3]

Ric + Martha
For an idea of grocery prices, look at Coles (and click on coles on line)

I believe at the moment that petrol is sitting at about AUD 1.40 per litre
insurance will depend on cover you choose /vehicle make/location etc
Some main insurers are RACV, GIO,

Water is user pays
Sewage rates etc will depend on council area /shire you settle in
Some clothing sites (childrens/adults)
Target Australia
Pumpkin Patch - The premium kids clothing range available online and in stores (childrens)


For housing check out Real Estate | Homes for Sale | Houses for Sale | MLS Listings | REALTORs | Real Estate Agents - RealEstate.com for rental prices/sale prices
click on Victoria then choose a suburb

Construction materials look at Bunnings Warehouse - Lowest prices are just the beginning

hope this helps a little

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by sgilli3

I believe at the moment that petrol is sitting at about AUD 1.40 per litre

Around here in SE South Australia petrol is A$1.65 per litre, and in other areas it's already A$1.70 per litre.

Regards,
Karen

[sgilli3]

Originally Posted by kaz101

Around here in SE South Australia petrol is A$1.65 per litre, and in other areas it's already A$1.70 per litre.

Regards,
Karen

Sorry , my mistake Kaz. Was just on fuel website, and it too was showing $1.65 for an average for Melbourne

[Dolly]

Originally Posted by Ric&Martha

Thanks Karen! Very helpful.

Dolly, you mention school fees of $900/year for 2 students. Is that public school? I'd expect private to be much higher. If public, what do those fees cover?

Ric

Hi Ric & Martha,

Our boys go to a public school. Private school fees could range between $1.5K to $5K per term (and there are 3 terms per year).

Our school fees cover things like photocopying, guest speakers at the school etc. I'll see if I can find the piece of paper which itemises all the costs.

Dolly

[janjanxx]

Originally Posted by Dolly

Hi Ric & Martha,

Our boys go to a public school. Private school fees could range between $1.5K to $5K per term (and there are 3 terms per year).

Our school fees cover things like photocopying, guest speakers at the school etc. I'll see if I can find the piece of paper which itemises all the costs.

Dolly

Hi all,

Am new to the Forum.... got application in to move to Aus... going RSMS - lodged 27 June 2008 - so my wait begins.

This thread is excellent... really informative.

I was wondering about the school fees - is it between $1500 and $5000 per term?

We have two school aged girls (12 and 13) ... so need to start planning things ahead of time....

[Dolly]

Originally Posted by janjanxx

Hi all,

Am new to the Forum.... got application in to move to Aus... going RSMS - lodged 27 June 2008 - so my wait begins.

This thread is excellent... really informative.

I was wondering about the school fees - is it between $1500 and $5000 per term?

We have two school aged girls (12 and 13) ... so need to start planning things ahead of time....

Yes, that's correct. There is an excellent school not far from us. Their fees are around $5K per term, with 2 boys that's $30K per year....then you've got incidentals on top of that..books, uniforms, school trips etc etc etc (remember these are private school fees).

It can be very expensive!

Dolly