3 Months and holding

Its been just over 3 months since I came over. Haven't been out to many social events. But still I guess I would like to comment on what I felt so far, and see how my opinion change over time.

(1) Work Culture

Most of the guys here are quite ok. I think its about the same most places. But most of the people leave on the dot. Except for some guys/gals who probably don't want to waste time in the traffic.


(2) Social Issues

Not much to talk about yet, as I wouldn't consider myself immersed into it at the moment. However, based on current affairs programs on TV and the news, recent events stand out :
- Rising cost of living,
- Rising costs of petrol (and the subsequent cut in petrol tax to help a little),
- Pensioners trying to cope with rising cost of rental and living,
- Rising property prices and mortgage rates,
- Putting paedophiles away in jail for life,
- Over-reaction to people taking photographs of children (worrying that the photos will be used by paedophiles)

And if any campaigns were to be used to gauge what is the latest issues, it would be :
- Speeding and Drink Driving
- Pedestrians not using proper railway crossings


(3) TV/Radio/IT

Internet here is not as cheap as Singapore, definitely. And they all have a monthly limit. Even those plans where I don't have to pay extra, anything over the limit most probably will be throttled.

I am probably not one for very heavy downloading. So far, I haven't been really able to exceed the 150GB per month that I have been allocated. Even the 40GB during peak hours (anytime except 3am to 9am) is just about fully utilised.

Free-to-air TV programs are about the same quality as in Singapore. Though it is all DVB and almost all channels have an HD counterpart.

All programs carry a rating warning, and more adult-themed ads and TV shows are late at night (like after 9pm).

TV and Radio programs have openly gay hosts and it is not the end of the world...


(4) Traffic

Peak hour traffic is bad on major roads. Probably not as bad as in Singapore. But comparing peak hour traffic at my previous workplace in Singapore and my current work place, it looks the same - faster to walk out of the business park.

Though Sydney is probably the most expensive in tolls compared to the rest of Australia.

And yeah, the roads are not as well maintained as Singapore roads during the IMF/World Bank Conference 2006.


(5) Neighbourhood

Very quiet. Probably if you visited the city and lived in hotels in the city, it would be more lively. But out in the suburbs, anytime of the day it is usually quiet. How quiet ?

On average, I meet 3 cars per week on my way in and out of my garage and the main service road outside my house.

On the average, I get to say 'hi' to ALL my neighbours (not just the next door) in the whole area once or twice every weekend.


(6) Finances

Interest rates are high, good for savings. Since income tax are withheld at source, don't really feel the pinch other than reading payslips. What I get in my bank is what I can spend.

It's probably too early to estimate yet, but probably I can achieve the same savings at the moment.

Total amount I spend on food is about the same, in real dollars, as I had spent in Singapore. Of course, I get to make my own food more, but I think I am eating a more healthy diet. More juice, milk and veges.

Oh, and I will probably be getting some amount back every year on tax rebates. Just have to pay a little more attention to these details.


(7) Medical

Can't say, as I haven't used any of the medical services yet. But I think I will still pay a bit more for private health insurance.

According to colleagues, some went through things like child-birth and cancer treatments for their relatives - all on public health. Free and not too bad. But of course, that also means you are not able to find the best of the specialist if you want.

Some would prefer taking up the private option, so that they can have elective surgeries done by the doctors of their choice and at a date of their choice, instead of waiting in queue.

Of course, there are horror stories in public hospitals but isn't it the same in Singapore ?


(8) Overall

Overall, I would say it might have been better if I came over earlier. Been hearing comparisons by various people on how they are glad they bought their houses years ago.

As early as 5 years ago, a house probably costs a third of what they costs now. Even with mortgage rates of 18% pa, its much better off than it is today. Mortgage servicing takes up less share of their take home pay.

As global inflation/recession is on the horizon, there's no escaping. I think I wouldn't live in Sydney forever. But for now, I think I am not too much better off (yet) , but I am no worse off either.

Yeah, had to spend a lot initially, but I think that will last me quite a while.

At least, I can still see my net-worth chart (in my MS Money) growing the last few months.

Enjoyable Weekend

Last Friday morning, I had to fly to Gold Coast for work. So I had to wake up real early in the morning (like 4am), take budget flight to Gold Coast.

The work portion wasn't that tough, and I even enjoyed my dinners. Especially on Saturday night where we were the only group of people who were allowed to enter DreamWorld.

Yeah, our dinner was held there. They had the tiger show, and opened a ride just for us. After we had our fun, the sit-down dinner began. It was basically fantastic, to be walking around DreamWorld alone, at night, AND to be taking rides on the Tower of Terror for 2 consecutive times without getting out of the seats. See if you can do that at normal time ! Ha ! Some of my dinner companions rode the ride 10 times !

Anyway, we were there for dinner and drinks and chatted until almost 12 mid-night before we left and went back to the hotel bar for more drinks and chat...



In the face of the MC Ad :

Return Air Ticket from Sydney to Gold Coast - $220
Return Taxi Fares from both Airports - $390
Screaming "ONE MORE TIME !" while being strapped to a roller-coaster, AND GETTING IT - PRICELESS !

Dark...

The days are short. This is what the sky looks like just before 5pm :



I usually leave like 10 or 15 mins after 5, and it is dark.

And another scary realization - mortgage rates here are just too high for me to buy a house. On the flip side, the savings interest rates are high too, which I am enjoying.

Now if only I can have low interest rates from nice lenders in Singapore... Anyone ? :)