While Sydney might be Australia's most expensive city, for Brits moving Down Under it's still 22% cheaper than home
A new survey has revealed that nearly four in five people want to quit Britain to escape the recession.
The research discovered that a whopping 79 per cent of Brits would choose to emigrate if no barriers were in the way, with 65% of people quoting the better lifestyle as their main motivation - the British weather was the second reason why so many were looking to relocate.
It seems that traditionally popular expat destinations such as Spain and France were only picked as the destination of choice among 6% of those surveyed, and with the strength of the euro against the pound this comes as no surprise.
Most notably 20% of those interviewed said that they wanted to move Down Under.
The appeal of a life in Oz is obvious: good food, good weather an al fresco lifestyle and a healthy attitude to life are all excellent reasons for making the move half way round the world. There are also many more free outdoor activities on offer in Australia than the UK, such as visiting the beach and picnics outdoors, neither of which will impact your bank balance. But, there is a much more mundane reason why choosing to live in Australia is such a good idea.
While the majority of people say that the improved quality of life is their main motivation for relocating, the lower cost of living is a vital factor too – we are in the midst of a recession after all.
Ok, the sunshine can make dealing with money worries so much easier, but those thinking of upping sticks and starting a new life Down Under should be aware that the cost of living in Australia is one third cheaper than the UK
By comparing the cost of items such as cars and food, new research has discovered that the cost of living is 22% cheaper here.
Poms living Down Under are enjoying a far lower cost of living than Brits who have settled in the other top 10 expat hot spots, which include France and Spain.
The al fresco lifestyle is one of the most appealing aspects of life in Australia
With the devaluation of the Pound against the Euro, many are finding themselves priced out of Europe. France is one of the most expensive places to live for Brits right now, as the current rate of exchange of 1.12 Euros to the Pound means that Britons are paying an additional 10 per cent on the cost of purchases in Euros compared with six months ago.
The survey compared the cost of essential and non-essential purchases common to a British person living overseas and research found that six large free range eggs will set an expat back 84 pence in Australia - half the price of a similar carton of eggs in the UK (£1.61).
Overall, a bag of groceries, including eggs, bread, milk and potatoes costs 23 per cent less in Australia than in the UK.
A Ford Focus car costs the equivalent of £9,338 in Australia and £12,866 in the UK, while s medium Starbucks cappuccino costs the equivalent of £1.10 in Australia, compared with £2.12 in the UK.
Peter S. Ellis, Chief Executive of Foreign Currency Direct, said, “Relative to the Euro,exchange rates between the Pound and the New Zealand and Australian Dollar have remained surprisingly stable over the last six months.
“Coupled with an overall lower cost of living, and the promise of sun, sea and scenery, Australia and New Zealand are becoming increasingly attractive destinations for British expats.”
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One Response to “Why move to Australia? To beat the recession!”
Comment by bob moore — July 15, 2009 @ 9:14 pm
I currently live in the US but about to retire and frankly do not like the way the country is headed ie toward the European socialism model.
I know very little about Australia other from folks that I have run into that are from ther but if I understandit correctly it is one of the few places left that is close to being free.
Can you help me with my understanding of that freedom?…thank you…Bob