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Where To Live?
Where you live has a lot to do with family, friends, and work. If its primarily employment guiding your decision of where to settle, keep the following factors in mind:
- Skilled Vacancies by State (PDF)
- Total vacancies on seek.com.au for Sydney (51,738) and Melbourne (33,108) in March 2007
Information on some Australian cities:
Finding Accomodation
- Renting flatshares: http://gumtree.com.au, http://sydney.craigslist.com. Rent is usually paid weekly, with a deposit (conditionally paid back when moving out) one month's rent.
- Renting: http://gumtree.com.au, http://domain.com.au, http://cracker.com.au, or contact rental agents directly. You will need to submit a rental application if renting on your own, this usually includes personal references, employment details, and maybe a credit check.
- Buying
Utilities, Transportation, and Schooling
- View the detailed city information pages for more on gas, electricity, water, school, public transportation, and drivers license details
- Telecommunications (these firms usually provide phone, internet, and cable TV packages)
Provider Phone Services Internet Telstra Local, Long Distance, International ADSL, Cable Optus Local, Long Distance, International ADSL, Cable Primus Telecom Local, Long Distance, International ADSL AAPT Local, Long Distance, International ADSL IINET Local, Long Distance, International ADSL B Digital Local, Long Distance, International ADSL DigiPlus Local, Long Distance, International ADSL - Buying a car: This information will be city-specific once I can research this further. For now, here are some starting points for those looking to purchase a car:
- http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au (gives car price estimates, my experience is that it was around 15-20% lower than the private party prices I was being quoted)
- http://www.tradingpost.com.au, http://www.autoweb.com.au, http://www.drive.com.au
- See the city pages for registration, inspection, and licensing details (Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney)
shrimpy:
Online Maps
In addition to Google maps, the following online resources may be helpful:
shrimpy:
Water Restrictions
Another factor you may want to consider when selecting a city, is water restrictions. I touched on Australia being the driest continent earlier (Australia has been in an official drought for the last 6 years). Being a Sydney-resident, my information about the other cities is second-hand and anecdotal (comments from residents welcome!).
Also of interest: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6620919.stm
shrimpy:
Adelaide
For those looking for short term accommodation upon initial arrival in Adelaide: http://www.auseelife.com.au (not sure what their prices are like).
More arrival/accommodation assistance: http://adelaidearrivals.bigpondhosting.com/products.htm
Accomodation listings: http://www.adelaidebound.com/accommodation.html
Daniel:
Hello,
What about Leasing any brand new vehicle from a dealer just like in USA.?
Pls send me some info on this, so that I can avoid spending a large amount on purchase of new vehicle at first hand.
Thanks,
Daniel
Texas
shrimpy:
Responded here: http://chingrimaachh.com.au/forum/2008-may-20-drivers-license-nsw#commen.... You might want to check with Santhosh as you both seem to be interested in the same topics.