Oz - Simple Questions

[Blondie]

Hi Maatjies :)

I have a few simple questions about Oz:

1. Housing

What is the general ... (Ag English is bad tonight :banghead: ). In what sort of accommodation does the average citizen live? I'm talking average middle-class. Is it similar to UK style or more like SA style?

2. Crime

What does the level of crime compare to? UK? For example, is it safe to walk most streets, does every house have burglar bars, alarms etc., or is one, relatively speaking, safe?

3. Transport

Is there a good public transport system, like UK/Europe, or is it more like USA?

4. Own Business

Is there anyone on here who have started up their own business? Any tips? I have an IT company in SA and would love to expand to Oz. Was thinking USA initially, but the export rules and regulations, plus many other irritations, are off putting. It's much easier to do the US work from SA (i.e. best shore).

Thanks :thanku:

B

[Blondie]

Oops, I forgot to ask this one:

If I have a "branch" of my South African company in Oz, and I wish to take Saffers overthere to work for that branch (on a permanent basis), what type of visas do they need? As effectively, I would be sponsoring them.

B

[OneTime]

Hello Blondie, BG here ;)

From my experience- (and Mickey's who is an aussie)

Housing -
Very much like South Africa. The average family in the suburbs would live in a faily basic 3/4 bedroom house with a garden. Much like the average "middle class" family in South Africa. Check out this site, the photo's give you a good indication of what houses in general look like, and the prices:

www.realestate.com.au


Crime -
Oz has crime, like any other country, but I think it's much safer than the UK. Burglar bars are not common at all, or even non-existent. Some people have alarms, but it's more a case of wanting to protect their belongings, rather than being worried about intruders. Murders are low. There are cases of burglarly and muggings, cars being swiped, but it seems the general types of crime are failry non violent. There have been targeted instances of gang culture in the bigger cities, like Sydney, but these are few and far between. I think the streets are much safer than the UK. There doesn't seem to be the "yob culture" that there is in the UK, and thankfully, a lot of teenagers have other things to do, like surfing, sports and motors, rather than hanging around on street corners like in the UK. Having said that, like anywhere else, crime is on the increase.



Transport -
Like South Africa, most people rely on cars to get around. Having said that, public transport is still pretty good in the cities. Probably nothing like on the scale of Europe, but there are good rail systems. Sydney and Melbourne have an underground, although not on the scale of London. There are also buses to get around, but like I said before, most people just drive.

http://www.australia.gov.au/299 - transport


Bear in mind, that most of this is my opinion, and that of Mickeys, and with experience of mostly Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. People in other areas may have a different outlook on things. :thanku:

[Blondie]

Thank you very much for the valuable info! :thanku:

B

[LongJohnny]

Thank you very much for the valuable info! :thanku:

B

Here's some more info Blondie, you may find these websites useful;

www.ausindrustry.gov.au

www.ozsmallbiz.net

The Oz Governments on Sate as well as Federal vevels have some initiatives to encourage and assist people to start small businesses.

I'll keep looking around and post more that i think may be relevant for you.

Cheers,
LJ

[Blondie]

www.ausindrustry.gov.au

www.ozsmallbiz.net

Great links LJ (the first one worked better after I corrected the typo :D )

Dankie :thanku:

B

[LongJohnny]

Great links LJ (the first one worked better after I corrected the typo :D )

Dankie :thanku:

B

Glad you can use them.
Sotrry about the typo - and I'm supposed to be a teacher! :bummed: :D