shopping in Australia

RVC
CanuckAbroad Regular


Moving to Adelaide from Vancouver

Joined: 14 May 2007
Posts: 34
Location: Vancouver

Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 2:50 pm

 

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Would someone in Australia, or someone who has been to Australia give me an idea of what shopping is like there? I mean for things like clothing, furniture and other household items, groceries, gas, alcohol etc. What would a store like David Jones compare to in Canada or US? Would you say things are generally more expensive than Canada? What are some popular store out there?

What in your opinion is different, better/worse than shopping in Canada?

Thanks!
RVC

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prplspud
New Member



Joined: 29 May 2007
Posts: 3

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 7:07 pm

 

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I've been researching this as well and haven't actually made it over there yet. I'm not sure of your destination but I've done some surfing at sydney-shopping dot com dot au and getting ideas there. There's also a government website that's quite useful that I came across by Googling cost of living in Sydney. Good luck.

[Edit: oops I just noticed your signature said you're moving to Adelaide. but maybe this will still help.]

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Naremburn644
New Member



Joined: 11 Jun 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Naremburn

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:25 pm

 

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Hello

I've been living in Sydney for 10 months(moved here from TO). In general, things are more expensive in Sydney than in Toronto. Furthermore, you get far more variety, selection and options in Canadian/US shopping than in Australia.

The clothing selection is very fashion oriented and tailored to suit Aussie weather. EG. For women, I found that clothes are more conservative in Canada. I could not find an equivalent of a 'Jacobs' to buy fashionable, tailored and trim clothing here. Womens' clothing fashion is more revealing, but the shoes here are great!

Furniture is more expensive. Just compare the Aussie Ikea website to the Canadian Ikea website.

Groceries are much more expensive. EG $2/2L milk, $3.5/loaf of bread, $3/2L bottle of Coke. However, the produce is much more fresh because of the local growers. I was happy to make this tradeoff.

Gas is more expensive than in Canada. Currently it is $1.4/L

Wine is inexpensive $10 for decent bottle and luckily there are HUGE number of fantastic Aussie and NZ wineries.

David Jones is somewhere between the 'Bay' and a 'Holt Renfrew'. I do most of my 'Bay' type shopping at 'Myer'.

If you have a baby or small children, you will find that clothing, toys and baby gear is approximately double the cost of that in Canada.

All the best.

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RVC
CanuckAbroad Regular


Moving to Adelaide from Vancouver

Joined: 14 May 2007
Posts: 34
Location: Vancouver

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:30 pm

 

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Wow, thanks for all those great tips.

I love the idea of more fresh produce. I think other food and wine prices are only slighly more than Vancouver. Not a huge deal for a married couple w/o kids. Can't wait to enjoy Barossa valley wine

I am so glad that we are relocating our furniture and belongings. Maybe after being in Oz for a couple of years, and we decide to move back, we may just sell our things there.

Gas prices.can't get away from high prices anywhere. I am paying right now $1.3/L in Vancouver. So not much difference I guess out there. We plan to buy a more fuel efficient car out there and live close to work.

David Jones- seems to me like a Nordstrom or Macy's type of store. I really like Jacob- but would not mind trying out Aussie designers. That's the fun of moving abroad. I wonder if female clothing is more revealing in the workplace. Business attire should be conservative, no matter where you are.

I have not heard of Myer. Excited to see it.

About the baby toys being more expensive-I think it's a good idea. Parents will think twice before buying their kids all that crap they don't need.

Thanks again and do give more tips if you think of them.

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mackayastray
New Member



Joined: 14 May 2007
Posts: 8
Location: Alberta

Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:50 pm

 

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Someday when you find out how much crap you have to buy for a new baby, you will think otherwise! I wish I didn't know either.

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thewebontheweb
New Member



Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Ottawa to Melbourne

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:56 am

 

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Hi,
I found a place in Melbourne called Sussan
that reminded me somewhat of Jakob. Not
sure if they have locations in other
cities.

Myers definately has nice stuff too.
Oh, and I really like the Lipstick line of
shoes (again there is a factory store in
Melbourne).

L.

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Troppo
Junior Member



Joined: 30 Jun 2007
Posts: 12
Location: Australia

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 2:26 pm

 

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I've been here 7 years and I did notice that when I went home to Canada last that the cost of groceries is more here. But, I find that the wages are higher here too, so maybe it balances out?

Cheers,
Troppo
_________________
Biding my time until the tide turns.

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