some things to know BEFORE you move here.....

For salary guides check out here:

http://www.hays.com.au/salary/

Just go to the guide for your field.

Thank you so much, your information is very interesting and valuable for me!

It is really worth the extra expense to get the advice of a professional tax account. Contact Larry at Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Vancouver. He is doing our Canadian taxes while we are away in Oz and is very familiar with the process. You don't want to be slapped with a horrendous tax bill in the event you ever come back Canada right? It's better to be SURE than, to get unclear answers.

Anyhow, it's not like any of us on this forum are going to a tax free country like Saudi Arabia. In that case, you would absolutely want to make sure claim yourself as a Non-Resident of Canada.

Thanks, RVC!

Yes, of course I want to be SURE. I doubt, however - it's my personal experience, you may have a different opinion on that - that any professional in that field would be able to provide accurate information, without knowing all the details (which I myself don't know yet.). Even if I pay him or her, the maximum I would probably get is general overview based on such and such scenario - which I don't really need. I'd rather listen to someone who's more or less in the same boat - and learn his mistakes. Internet is a great tool for finding such people - not only because it's free, but also because you get much broader spectre of opinions, and may choose for yourself the right one.

But thanks for an advice anyways!

We must decide this week to accept a transfer from Montreal to Melbourne. Where do you suggest to buy a house in a family type neighbourhood in the outskirts of the city?