Paradise my friend. Paradise.

Mother would have approved, and I'm sure she did!

Thanks everyone for the phenomenal responses.

I've visited Melbourne on business and pleasure several times over the last couple of years and in varying seasons. I like the variation in the weather and as one person said earlier, I can always hop up to Brisbane if I need a serious dose of sun and warmth.

I am definitely not a house person. The last thing any neighbor needs is me living next door given my skills in the garden. Anyway, I've lived in flats for the last 20 years or so. It is also important for me that there is a real sense of community and a village centre within easy walking distance. I truly dislike feeling disconnected from local shops, cafes, and drinking establishments. Strangely enough though, I would considering a semi-attached that is a part of a structured community. Lastly, I would be renting for the foreseeable future.

Living in the CBD could be an option, but honestly, I didn't get the feeling that it is an integrated business / residential area. Unless you generally consider places like "The Melbournian" part of the CBD, I'd say it is a little too sterile and inhumane after work hours.

My base office would be in Southgate, but alas the consultants life should keep me out of the office more often than not. It's not clear yet whether I would be primarily responsible for the MEL area or possibly covering SE Asia from an Australian base. I'm a realist also when it comes to needing a car. I know that it will be more of a necessity in MEL than in ZRH. I just don't want to have to use it for every last little errand or social activity.

As far as the social thing is concerned, when I said 'mature woman' in my original post, suffice it to say that Friends and Sex and the City are a generation younger than me. Thirty Something was, well, relevant at that time and place. (sorry for the American TV references)

Then you should look up and down Canning Street and Drummond Streets in Carlton and North Carlton, or along the streets running off Brunswick Street, for a nice terrace house. You can walk to Southgate (~45 mins. depending how far north you are), are right near Rathdowne, Lygon and Brunswick Streets, and you will be right in centre of things socially and culturally speaking. Trams are plentiful when it's wet or you can't be a*sed with the walk or bike ride. North of the city also make airport runs much easier (~15-20 mins in a car). I lived in that area for 10 years or so, and kind of still wish I did. My mum is of a certain age (i.e. not yet Murder, She Wrote), and since she moved there a little while ago, she has loved it. Tons to do, solo or in a group.

But not yet One Foot in the Grave or yicks, Sixfoot Under.

But Melbourne is also know for it's four seasons in one day. I remember the Jan 1994 bushfires in SYD..40C & low humidity. Flew to MEL the same day & got 19C for my trouble & froze my b*m off!

Dude, surely you jest?

Melbourne may be sunny and 40 degrees one day, pissing down rain and 11 degrees later on the same day, but that's about the only valid criticism.

Compared to the tumour with 4 million cells (Sydney), Melbourne rocks.

The transport system alone leaves SYD for dead, to say nothing of the quality of food, culcha, etc.

Just as an FYI -

Not sure if you're coming on an expat package or as a local hire - but if its local hire, you'll want to talk to your employer about LAFHA (Living Away From Home Allowance). Essentially, you can get cash for:

• accommodation
• food
• hardship

Realistically, most companies don't like to give lots of money for the last two, as the employer is required to pay FBT (fringe benefit tax) for them, not the employee. But you should get money for accommodation easily, as no FBT is payable to the government at all.

The length of time you can get it for depends on your situation and status - but, as an example, a holder of a 457 long term visa can get the amount for the full 4 years, provided certain conditions are met. What's critical is that you get it sorted before you arrive in Australia.

Not sure it helps, but thought I should mention it just in case.

however just in case they matter...

Our superannuation is a hell of a lot more complex. And a right pain in the ... if youre not going to retire in australia, and want to take the money with you. I believe they've opened it up a lot more now, where if you prove you have no intentions to reside in australia you can have it paid out after you've left, however I think they do the normal painful tax. Great for us really, gives us a bigger share of your money after your gone, but not so great for you. Also, you can move it into schemes in other countries, but I believe the ruling is that it has to be virtually the same as an australian super scheme, i.e. no touchy till you've got enough time to knit an Afghan. Also, if I remember correctly, you can borrow up to half your 401(k) plan depending on who its with and use the remainder as the collateral. Fat chance here. Once its been put in, it disappears.

And I believe the non-resident tax status is only for someone who spends less than 6 months in country, after that you are considered to be a yokal by the ATO, and taxed accordingly, and all excess tax comes back from Mr Carmody. Eventually.

I'm sure I've half stuffed up some of the super issues, but really thats the thing about super. I'm quite sure no one knows exactly how it works. (If you do, could you please explain to me why mine always makes me cry).

And as for where to live... let me enter the fray and say I lived in Mt Eliza and the drive to the city could be a pain in the ..., but it afforded a different lifestyle than city living. Naturally when all the new roads are complete I'm sure it will be cheaper to live in the city than bother to pay tolls, but living down the penisula is always a nice alternative (please feel free to now tell me what a twit i am )

The business case for my position has been accepted by the senior management and I have a tentatively open door to relocate on a permanent transfer to Australia pending lots of administrative stuff and finalising the financial aspects.

Whew.

Timeframes would be late winter to early spring; Q3 to those of you business minded types or around August for the North-South hemisphere challenged, which leaves me just over three months to get things organised. Less in reality as I won't have a final decision and contract in place probably for another 3-4 weeks. And this is assuming that I make the move from Europe (which I am inclined to do although not absolutely committed).

I am getting a better idea of how things work on the financial side after a day or two reading through our company's intranet. That said, I still need to take the pointers given by you (thanks everyone) and draw a quick outline of areas for further exploration and clarification.

On the home front, I've had some strong recommendations for Carlton in the inner city and I've spent some time on Domain looking at flats. How much different is Carlton from North Carlton? Frankly, I think I need to spend a week or two there with the idea that it might become my home instead of a business trip to help me begin to appreciate where best to settle.

On a more travel related ending. I am BA Gold and have been for many years on the European program (>5000 tier points annually mind you...). How does this work. I know that BA doesn't have a program in A/NZ and thus I need to pick things up with QF. Is there a formal 'hand-over' or am I relegated to requalifying?

"On a more travel related ending. I am BA Gold and have been for many years on the European program (>5000 tier points annually mind you...). How does this work. I know that BA doesn't have a program in A/NZ and thus I need to pick things up with QF. Is there a formal 'hand-over' or am I relegated to requalifying?"

You are relegated to requalifying I think. When BA shut down their Executive Club in Australia, they migrated members to QF iirc. I don't think that you can still do this.

It isnt really an issue though. Pretty much, all you will really lose are some miles whilst you qualify. The BA Gold card will get you Business / 1st check in facilities at the airport plus use of the QPs and 1st Lounges. If you are travelling internationally, you may not get a P sticker for premium immigration lines though. I am not sure if you will get priority luggage handling.

You may be worth, depending on your travel profile, keeping to the BA card for a while since getting Gold in continental europe only requires 800 TCs iirc, whilst you will need 1400SCs to attain QF platinum.

Dave

I agree, you really do need to look around a bit before taking the plunge. I lived in Carlton North for a year and it was great a bit more village atmosphere than Carlton proper which has lots of restaurants and therefore people from outside. It is also very close to Melbourne Uni. I like other inner city areas too such as Fitzroy (edgy and trendy) but then rather than be confused about where to live just explore the recommendations until you find that perfect spot.

I have what amounts to an offer and commitment on the receiving side. There are still some minor complexities (and counter offers) to deal with in Europe. But, if this all goes ahead it will almost certainly happen quickly.

Aaarrrgghhhhhh...

Is AussieLand as nice as Switzerland?

No. Some things better, some things worse. But the two are much closer to each other than two decades ago -- for better and for worse.

Just to add my perspective...

I grew up in Sydney and moved to Melbourne for work at the beginning of 1993 - and I am still here. That being said, I am often in Sydney (family, work and socially). Going to Sydney in WHY is no trouble - it is only about a 1-1.5 hour flight.

I lived in North Carlton when I first moved to Melbourne. I don't really know what the apartment scene is like, but the suburb is very nice. Drummond and Canning Streets are great, as is Rathdowne Street (even though it is a bit of a main road, an apartment not on the street would be great).

I have also lived in Middle Park (one of the inner bayside suburbs). It is great too and conveniently located for St Kilda, Southgate and the CBD.

(Other Melbourne places I have lived - Coburg (too far out for you by the sounds of things (7km), but multicultural and gritty. I loved it at the particular time in my life), South Yarra (I am not a fan of the south side of the Yarra, but this is purely a preference thing - I much prefer the inner north which is closer to what I grew up with in Sydney in inner city Balmain) and Clifton Hill (a wonderful, eccentric little suburb in the inner north east. Probably a shade too far from the CBD for you, and you do need a car if you live there. It is now also shockingly expensive).

Since returning from an expat stint in London at the end of 2001, I have lived in the CBD. I love it the most of all of the places I have lived in Melbourne. The CBD has really developed as a place to live. There is a proper supermarket on Lonsdale Street in the New Queen Victoria Building development, the Queen Victoria Market (biggest and best in Melbourne - foodie paradise) is about 10 mins walk up Elizabeth Street, all of the big department stores are handy (and open 7 days/week) and there are lots of great bars (all within walking, or staggering, distance), restaurants (Little Bourke St for Chinese food, but you MUST get locals knowledge as many of them are for the punters - here are some starters - Shark Fin House for dim sum, and Crystal Jade (this is tucked away in one of the side alleys off Little Bourke St) for fresh seafood and non-gloopy proper Chinese food), coffee shops (again, locals knowledge required to avoid the tourist traps), cinemas, museums, the Arts Centre etc etc all within walking distance.

Advice on getting an inner city apartment: some buildings are better than others. It will really pay to do your research on this one. There is also an oversupply of CBD apartments at the moment and rents are falling. That being said, you have to pay for quality. When I first moved into the CBD I looked at very many apartments. I am a keen cook so needed a decent kitchen. This was a challenge, as many of the newer developments seem to be aimed at people who never go into a kitchen. What I settled on wasn't ideal, but it works for the time being.

Do you need a car? To play golf, yes. The golf courses are all some distance away from the CBD. Royal Melbourne is said to be THE golf course and club. If you are a member of an overseas recognised golf club, keep your membership identification card current and get a letter of introduction written from your home club to play there as a visitor. Becoming a member though takes 10-12 years and plenty of cash, although it might be easier for ladies.

The weather: this is a vexed subject. First, don't listen to anyone from Sydney who has never lived in Melbourne. Secondly, what they say about extreme variability is sometimes true. That being said, rainfall has been below average for the last 8 years or so and things have not been as bleak on the weather front as they were when I first moved here (whether the city runs out of water in the next couple of years is a serious issue at the moment though).

In summary, Melbourne is a lovely place to live and certainly better than Sydney in a number of ways (and I say that as a former Sydney resident and someone who goes there at least twice a month). If you are not disadvantaged from a business perspective by not being in Sydney (which is now the business capital of Australia), then you are sure to love living in Melbourne. If you would like more information, please feel free to PM me and I will send a number on which you can speak to me.

"Is AussieLand as nice as Switzerland?"

In Switzerland you set your watch by the trains. In Ozzieland you just don't wear a watch - this saves stress.