Hotdigr wrote:http://www.livingin-australia.com/prices-australia/

Some interesting comparisons here. Sure, if you want to eat out at top class western restaurants here, prices may be comparable. However, for those of us with a true home life which includes cooking at home more often then not, it is just ridiculous how much cheaper good fresh food is here as compared to Australia. Interesting one to look at is the cheese, which is one thing every ones says is much more expensive here. Not as compared to Australia. Also the steak. From LSH or Lee's I can buy Australian export quality steak over here at around 30% less ( taking the exchange rate in to account) then I can the shit quality meat that Coles or Woolies sells, let alone buying decent quality from a proper butcher.
However, back to the original question. I believe the reason that some expats end up destitute here is because they DON'T have that true home life and the grounding it provides. They may have been here for years, but never really make the transition from tourist to expat in their mind. How many of them eat out most nights of the week back in their home country, as compared to eating at home? How many spend a few hours EVERY afternoon/night at the pub/bar back at home as compared to going home and spending some time with your significant other?
My reputation on the forums by people that don't know me, is that I am a drunken party animal. For those who know me, they know this couldn't be further from the truth. I spend significantly more time at home, cooking dinner and watching T.V or reading books ( or hassling some idiots on the forums!), with my partner then I do out partying on the sex,drugs and rock and roll circuit.I don't touch drugs anymore in any way shape or form. I have a small group of good friends who have a similar outlook to me and don't feel the need to add to that group often. I may go out partying once a month, but usually less. I will go down to my favourite bar 2 or 3 times a week at about 5.30 pm after I finish work and have a few beers with my friends, but it very rare you will find me out after 8ish. Sure I drink to much and smoke to much, but (the drinking at least) is well under control and not excessive by anyone's standards.
This lifestyle gives me a grounding that those who become destitute don't have.
And I think if you look at all the people who have successfully made a life in a foreign country, this would be true for the majority of them I would think.

Jamie_Lambo wrote:not sure where abouts in Oz youre talking about specifically but i was in melbourne earlier this year and found it slightly cheaper than the UK, the public transport being one of the biggest stand outs, lots of other things as well, even the alcohol was a similar price, i was really shocked tbh as id heard so many people going on about it, its more expensive in london than it is in melbourne by quite a way, when i was there it was £1-$2 the exchange rate like, ive just checked and its even better now at £1-$2.16

Jamie_Lambo wrote:not sure where abouts in Oz youre talking about specifically but i was in melbourne earlier this year and found it slightly cheaper than the UK, the public transport being one of the biggest stand outs, lots of other things as well, even the alcohol was a similar price, i was really shocked tbh as id heard so many people going on about it, its more expensive in london than it is in melbourne by quite a way, when i was there it was £1-$2 the exchange rate like, ive just checked and its even better now at £1-$2.16

Satiated Parrot wrote:

Jamie_Lambo wrote:not sure where abouts in Oz youre talking about specifically but i was in melbourne earlier this year and found it slightly cheaper than the UK, the public transport being one of the biggest stand outs, lots of other things as well, even the alcohol was a similar price, i was really shocked tbh as id heard so many people going on about it, its more expensive in london than it is in melbourne by quite a way, when i was there it was £1-$2 the exchange rate like, ive just checked and its even better now at £1-$2.16

Sorry, was talking about Perth. I admit Melbourne and Sydney are cheaper, although property is most expensive in Sydney.

Satiated Parrot wrote:

Jamie_Lambo wrote:not sure where abouts in Oz youre talking about specifically but i was in melbourne earlier this year and found it slightly cheaper than the UK, the public transport being one of the biggest stand outs, lots of other things as well, even the alcohol was a similar price, i was really shocked tbh as id heard so many people going on about it, its more expensive in london than it is in melbourne by quite a way, when i was there it was £1-$2 the exchange rate like, ive just checked and its even better now at £1-$2.16

Sorry, was talking about Perth. I admit Melbourne and Sydney are cheaper, although property is most expensive in Sydney.

Satiated Parrot wrote:

Jamie_Lambo wrote:not sure where abouts in Oz youre talking about specifically but i was in melbourne earlier this year and found it slightly cheaper than the UK, the public transport being one of the biggest stand outs, lots of other things as well, even the alcohol was a similar price, i was really shocked tbh as id heard so many people going on about it, its more expensive in london than it is in melbourne by quite a way, when i was there it was £1-$2 the exchange rate like, ive just checked and its even better now at £1-$2.16

Sorry, was talking about Perth. I admit Melbourne and Sydney are cheaper, although property is most expensive in Sydney.