Prices for food, mobile communications, housing and other interesting facts about life in Sydney. Continuation of the PhD student's story.
In the previous two parts of my story I described my endeavors to seek the researcher seat for PhD in Australia. In the first part I revealed all issues and peculiarities related to admission documents and requirements set to international students to be enrolled to any Australian university. I was there in the country and I could tell how I got to know it, how the university looked from the inside and what my new thesis topic was like. Now I’m going to focus your attention on a minor but very essential topic as the cost for food, mobile communication and accommodation. By the way, I snatch all opportunities to tell about the nature peculiar to each region and other points of interest.
The item of expenditure is the most thrilling point for an international student. I am not going to hide the truth and mask the amount of my Postgraduate Award Industry. I made sure by myself that in practice that amount was not that high that it could appear. The scholarship amount was a bit higher than the university scholarship. I was paid 743 USD once/two weeks that annually made 18,902 USD (APAI — Australian Postgraduate Award Industry). That amount I spent to cover airline expenses which made about 738 USD. I am extremely happy to get such an amount as an allowance to live on a good level though Sydney is known to be one the most expensive cities in the world. Thus, all my dreams of living a luxurious and comfortable life were found tough.
It takes 130 USD to 230 USD to rent a flat or a house in Sydney for 7 days. Just a week! The cost is reduced in case of co-tenants to share the rent fee. The rent fee value depends on the place and surroundings. A single flat or a studio will take the third of the scholarship amount, which amounts to almost 203 USD per week just for living.
Though, all good things come to those who wait and seek and accommodation prices can be browsed online, for example, at http://www.realestate.com.au.
Food is not cheap here but residents are quite fine with that, yet everyone does what it needs. It took me 60 USD to 80 USD per week for food, on average. Here, a cup of coffee at the student fast-court is 3 USD and lunch — about 6 USD-8.
You will have a kilo of beef for 18 USD-20. It may sound like too much money but real Brazilian- and Australian-origin beef is something special to taste.
Fruits are of superior value here. They are always fresh and tasty. The hint: wholesale buying is preferred to cut the cost cheaper.
Isolated location of the country tells on the limited choice of goods. The average wage is enough though to purchase what is required. The stuff not marketed might be ordered through online auctions like ebay. This is a good choice to cut prices and save money.
As for mobile communication, the prices are smaller with the great choice of billing plans. Residents and students prefer contractual plans for a period of 1 to 2 years. In general, about 41 USD is enough to get a good device with unlimited SMS, call credits and certain Internet traffic.
The city is well divided into districts with Sydney to be its only business center. All other places are thought as suburbs. As for me, I studied in the suburb where the Macquarie University was located 20 km away from the business center.
It's interesting that public service transport is not cheap. Moreover, no discard system is allowed for students. The trip distance is responsible for the fee. The minimum charge for one bus trip is 1 USD.10.
Suburban trains are another option. It will take 4 USD.80 to travel from the university station to the business center and back. Prices change due to seasons, months and weeks. By the way, only Macquarie University has its own station among all other universities.
Sydney is an overextended city and it sounds reasonable to try to save and get a used car. That’s not so easy but quite feasible. Prices for cars are not so striking to quit. So, a used Toyota (12-15 mileage) is available for 2,025 USD or even less. The city adopts left-hand traffic and thus, it might cause some problems in the very beginning for those who are not used to it, but it’s a matter of time.
Prices for fuel go up and down depending on particular days of the week with the average of 1 USD.3 to 1 USD.5 per liter. I noticed that on Tuesdays and Wednesdays the prices were lower – 1 USD.05/L.
Prices for cars may be estimated on the page of carsales.com.au.
Cars in Australia are known for high quality and long service periods, indeed. It takes about 600 USD per year to have a car registered. The tax is paid for the cost of the car.
Australia is a huge "island" and the climate is variable here. The weather is moderately cold with lower humidity rate in Melbourne and is a bit warmer in Adelaide. It’s warmer in Sydney though I found Darwin and Brisbane to be more humid. Perth is a happy medium to be not so cold and not so moist in there.
The weather temperature in Sydney in summer time (December to February) is 26°C, it is sometimes warm, sometimes – too hot here. It is a little bit more humid in summer though it causes no discomfort. The Australian winter comes from June to August with the average temperature of 16°C. It’s sometimes cold at nights since the heating system is not used in Australia though in the daytime it is very comfortable to breathe and walk.
January and February are the warmest months to swim, just for note. Otherwise you will need a wetsuit to swim as the water is very cold.
That should be highlighted: Australia is inhabited with 8 out of 10 most dangerous and poisonous spiders. It’s questionable if you meet even one of them in your daily life. That’s quite difficult. Though your chances increase in proportion to your place of residence. The northern parts of the country are more housed with them and if you live in the very northern area in the country, your chances are growing then.
Sharks and sea wasps also live in northern waters.
Resume: this is the country that boils in its grooving and placid life. Safety is set to the highest priority and thus, no one feels worried about extreme or criminal cases; serious crime is not common here. Pedestrians are respected go by crosswalks though I met several hot rodders there.
This is kind of a paradise for children: they are offered a world of playgrounds and other entertainment to enjoy the place.
Medicine is for free as compared to that in other countries. Dentistry and other minor medical services are paid, though.
P.S. I believe Australia is the perfect place in the world to live and study.
I am rather pleased with where I am, with my student life, people, climate and weather. The country gave me a good run for all of these and I had to get to know many new things to open for the first time and broaden my outlook.
I might miss something in my story. It is absolutely impossible to describe a good deal of life on paper. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that my experience will be of good value for a lot more people to pave the way for study and life in Australia.
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