Relocation relocation - Australia

Property professional and television show presenter, Andrew Winter relocated to South East Queensland nine months ago. He talks to BSJ about the highs and lows of relocating to Australia

Andrew Winter runs Your Move Realty, his own Gold Coast real estate business. Part of his everyday business is to help the British ex-pat community invest in the local property market.

Q: What made you want to live and work in Australia?

A: It was a combination of the financial benefits, better climate and a lifestyle change. This is a great place to bring up our kids. The way Aussies do business in the area we live suits us too. People actually seem to like living in this area, rather than moaning about it like Brits tend to do back home.

Q: Have you found it easy to acclimatise?

A: For us it was really easy to acclimatise, but then we had visited the country numerous times and had done lots of research on it. Although it can never prepare you for every little surprise, it really helps to find out as much as you can about the country beforehand.

Q: Have you personally experienced the more direct approach that Australians take to doing business?

A: The Aussie's direct approach to business actually suits us down to the ground. In fact the relaxed but competitive and ‘open to anyone' policy here in South East Queensland is perfect for us.

Q: Have you noticed any major differences in the way business is conducted in Australia?

A: Generally business here is owned and run on a smaller scale, so they do tend to care a lot more as well as, to a certain extent, support one another. It's not perfect, but in many cases service levels are significantly better. As a result you find people you meet do want to know what you do, and you want to know what they do. It's not considered vulgar here to talk business, nor is it odd to mix work with pleasure.

Q: Have there been any negative sides to running a business there?

A: Obviously my experience is limited to real estate and in that respect I would say the system here is at least 100% better than the UK and much better than I ever expected. On the negative side there are rules and restrictions everywhere; everything is regulated. You also get a few individuals who play the system, mess around and get away with it, but again that happens everywhere. Also some scrupulous businesses may pray on some of the more fresh faced and innocent newcomers.

Q: Is the working day the same as in the UK?

A: In real estate the working day here tends to be shorter. Here people look for homes in the week, rather than saving it for the weekend or the evening and actually take time off to do so. Here we tend to have shorter evenings than in the UK, so in the winter businesses close at 5 pm and in the summer maybe around 5.30/6pm.

Q: Does the Australian property market offer more value for money than the UK markets?

A: An average Aussie home for an average person on an average wage is much bigger than in the UK and they are likely to be detached. But in this region you will also get the advantage of location. Everything beaches, theme parks, rain forests, the country is within 45 minutes away with hardly any traffic on the road.

Q: How different are the buying and renting processes in Australia and does it vary from state to state?

A: The buying process varies from state to state so I can only speak with authority about Queensland, which is generally considered one of the best. It is such a sensible system, not fault free, but around 200% better than in England and Wales. It actually protects sellers and buyers! The rental market is the same too.

The perception is that it is impossible for non-residents to invest here but this is not the case at all. We sell and rent to Brits a lot and can help anyone who wants to invest in this very strong and safe market.

Q: Do you miss the variety of housing stock available in the UK?

A: I have to confess that the mix of housing stock is not as varied as in the UK but then when you are an agent in one area the variety in the UK tends to also be quite limited as well. Across Australia the stock is quite varied, although my knowledge is more restricted to South East Queensland.

Some of the homes here are amazing, and the word conservative doesn't seem to exist when it comes to the design of some of the larger houses. Certainly no one seems to be familiar with the expression ‘over the top'.

Q: Is Australia an expensive place to live?

A: Sydney and Melbourne are pricey these days, but other regions can offer amazing value. For instance your average £300,000 home in the UK will buy you a four to five bedroom detached home with a double garage, garden, pool, in a gated development and close to the sea. It can be nearly 3000 sq.ft, possibly with high ceilings, central vacuum system -- the lot!! And that would be in one of the good locations. If you move say ten minutes out you can get all that as well as an extra acre of land.

Q: How are you coping with the exotic insect life and the slang?

A: It's all too easy ‘mate'. We have been here nine months and still haven't seen any real wildlife other than the occasional tiny killer spider, although luckily never in our house. I haven't seen any snakes, but cockroaches, big and small, are a common sight although you do get used to them. If you see one in the house you just ignore it. It will be dead by the morning anyway as all homes are sprayed. What you should never do is stick your hand into a bush or lift up a stone without being fully prepared for what might lurk underneath. Better still you just get a gardener to do those bits!

Q: Anything about the UK that you miss?

A: Obviously we miss friends and family the most. Expect to make an annual trip back to the UK and invite guests out here. Great times are always had when visitors arrive. We miss Pommy pubs, but not much else.

Q: You are still filming Selling Houses in the UK and throughout Europe. That must be some commute?

A: It is a big commute, but I'm quite used to it now. From leaving my house to arriving at a hotel in the UK takes around 33 hours, but that includes getting to airport, transfers, waiting, and collecting baggage. In the air it's around 20 to 21 hours in total!

Q: In what way has your lifestyle changed since moving?

A: The weather affects your lifestyle so much. We knew this region had a fabulous climate but it just gets better the longer you stay. Probably five to six months of the year you can use an un-heated swimming pool and go in the sea. The rest of the year, when it's sunny and cooler in the evenings, we wonder along the beach, go for walks, go boating, take the kids to the park, have barbies, or just enjoy the garden. There's so much space and a lot less traffic, therefore the focus is put back on the family. The lifestyle here has changed how we live. We certainly go out more and do more varied things. Our kids are also always outside and have a much more active life.

Q: What do you consider are the key benefits of living and working in Australia?

A: For a Brit it is that combination of financial benefits, lifestyle improvement and the chances to do new and exciting things.

Reference :

For more information contact Andrew Winter on andrew@yourmoverealty.com.au

Please visit: www.andrewwinter.com.au or www.yourmoverealty.com.au