Chef_Boyargee

joined 4 months ago
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8
Preferred Internet Providers (aussie.zone)
 

My apologies for spamming questions. Oz is just enough different from the US to make the transition a bit complex.

We managed to score a rental in Mcdowall.

Looking at the plethora of providers.

Are there any providers to be avoided at all costs? Providers that are totally awesome?

I’d prefer to have the highest speeds possible, and the NBN thing says the place we will be renting has the hybrid fiber coaxial connection available.

Tips for getting through customs quickly? in c/sydney@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Alas, we have American passports. I suspect we’ll be in for a thorough inspection. Inside and out. You’d think that the prior inspections we’ve had for the visas and the work security clearance would have sufficed…

Tips for getting through customs in SYD quickly? in c/ama@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 1 points 4 days ago

I appreciate your thorough answer. We’re flying Qantas both into and out of Sydney. It seems like the Qantas transfer desk will be helpful to a degree, but the big bottleneck is customs. Naturally, we’re scheduled to arrive at 0605, so right in the peak of traffic. Plus, we’re moving, so we’ll have more luggage than we normally would, and we’ll have our 6 year old with us too. I’m sure it’ll be spicy.

4
Tips for getting through customs in SYD quickly? (aussie.zone)
 

We have a 2 hour layover in Sydney before our flight to Brisbane. We need to get through customs from the international terminal to the domestic terminal in less than 2 hours.

Any tips on speed running this thing?

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Tips for getting through customs quickly? (aussie.zone)
 

We have a 2 hour layover in Sydney before our flight to Brisbane. We need to get through customs from the international terminal to the domestic terminal in less than 2 hours.

Any tips on speed running this thing?

First stops for new residents? in c/brisbane@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

My wife appreciates your suggestions there. She’s all about the Thin Mints. I lean heavily towards the Samoas/Caramel deLites.

First stops for new residents? in c/brisbane@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 1 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Thanks for the heads up on that. I figured it would be something of that sort. We’ll definitely miss the Girl Scouts and their damned cookies selling at the entrances here.

First stops for new residents? in c/ama@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

So far, trying to buy Australian-spec adapters in the US is like asking a fish for lasagna. I was barely able to find power cables for the few electronics we’re bringing with us. I briefly thought about getting a handful of travel adapters, but they’re silly expensive for what you get, and the others seem super sketchy.

I figured, worst case scenario, we’ll grab a couple at the airport or the local shop and order more from Amazon or something later

First stops for new residents? in c/ama@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 2 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks! We are very much looking forward to introducing our little one to the glory that is IKEA. We expect to furnish with a fair amount from there, initially.

First stops for new residents? in c/brisbane@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 2 points 2 weeks ago (6 children)

Many thanks for all that. I was wondering how Kmart and Target translated across the water. I’m definitely looking forward to visiting Bunnings (Hammer Barn?) for a sausage and restocking the tool collection.

5
First stops for new residents? (aussie.zone)
 

So, we make landfall in about 18 days. We’re effectively starting fresh.

I absolutely will need at the minimum a basic coffee maker to assist me in remaining human. We’ll also need a ton of usb wall adapters.

We’re planning on taking it easy the day we land, but we’ll hit the ground running hopefully the day after.

Initially we’re staying in Stones Corner, but we’re also open to exploring.

Where do you recommend for picking up basic home goods to get up and running?

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First stops for new residents? (aussie.zone)
 

So, we make landfall in about 18 days. We’re effectively starting fresh.

I absolutely will need at the minimum a basic coffee maker to assist me in remaining human. We’ll also need a ton of usb wall adapters.

We’re planning on taking it easy the day we land, but we’ll hit the ground running hopefully the day after.

Initially we’re staying in Stones Corner, but we’re also open to exploring.

Where do you recommend for picking up basic home goods to get up and running?

19
Possum Magic (aussie.zone)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone to c/ama@aussie.zone
5 comments fedilink
 

My kid brought this home from their school library today. Way out here in the desert southwest of the United States. I think it’s a neat piece of Aussie culture that I did not expect to find here.

My question is: does this book hold any particular cultural cachet for Australians, similar to like the Hungry Caterpillar book by Eric Carle or others?

Banking as an expat in c/ausfinance@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 2 points 3 months ago

We’re going be calling Queensland/Brisbane home. Still sussing out which suburbs will fit our educational and proximity to work needs.

So far general consensus says look more into the credit unions. That would be an easier jump for us, since we’ve been with one for a lifetime here.

We’ve seen recommendations for Commonwealth Bank of Australia as a way to get started easily and then possibly move to a more permanent provider.

Banking as an expat in c/brisbane@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 2 points 3 months ago

Seems to be very similar to the US system. Not quite sure why I was expecting any drastic differences. Thanks!

Banking as an expat in c/brisbane@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Appreciate the suggestions. I thought to start here since we’ll be setting up home in Brisbane. Posted now in those other communities.

4
Banking as an expat (aussie.zone)
submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone to c/ama@aussie.zone
0 comments fedilink
 

We’re working on setting up the ability to spend money easily in Australia. We’re looking at Wise for transfers and starting to live in Aus. As we roll into collecting pay, are there any banks or credit unions that are recommended or actively discouraged from using?

6
Banking as an expat (aussie.zone)
 

We’re working on setting up the ability to spend money easily in Australia. We’re looking at Wise for transfers and starting to live in Aus. As we roll into collecting pay, are there any banks or credit unions that are recommended or actively discouraged from using?

Banking as an expat in c/brisbane@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 1 points 3 months ago

It’s been a matter of priorities. A few prerequisites for even being employed in Australia and making the journey over. While I had a minute, I thought I might try to get a high level “banks bad, credit unions good” or whatever sort of overview. Thanks for the input, mate. Good on ya.

6
Banking as an expat (aussie.zone)
 

We’re working on setting up the ability to spend money easily in Australia. We’re looking at Wise for transfers and starting to live in Aus. As we roll into collecting pay, are there any banks or credit unions (if that’s even a thing outside of the US) that are recommended or actively discouraged from using?

Moving to Brisbane: what do I need to watch out for? in c/brisbane@aussie.zone
[–] Chef_Boyargee@aussie.zone 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Appreciate heads up on the superannuation. I understand the company to pay 14% of base pay into super, on top of “normal” pay. I’ll verify though. All the tax stuff as an expat has me spinning. Fortunately we shouldn’t have to worry too much until next year.

16
Moving to Brisbane: what do I need to watch out for? (aussie.zone)
 

Accepted a job in Brisbane. Moving from the Southwest US.

Apparently Grace Removals will be shipping our stuff.

We have a kid that’ll be eligible for 1st year in January. Public or private school?

How did the housing market get so bonkers?

Am I going to have to bring extra ketchup through customs for my kid, or is the tomato sauce close enough to make an easy switch?

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