Moving to Sydney soon! & asking for advice

[^_^]

Hey!

I'm 26 y.o. EE about to do the greatest leap of faith in my life. I'm moving to Sydney, Australia in 29 days!
I have no relatives nor friends there, so it's gonna be a lone journey; hopefully life-changing one

I've been planning this since two years in my mind and since beginning of this year for real: that's where I went to the visa-handling office.
Luckily, being a graduate of some universities gives an opportunity to get a working visa (18 months and a possibility of prolongation) without any problems.
So, I've paid: IELTS exam, visa and office fee, first month's rent and one-way flight.
But... how to go from here?
( Except for making peace of mind that I'm going somewhere I've never been to )

My priorities are: a job, a flat, friends, a girlfriend.
If I get to the latter, I guess it will feel like home
But seriously; I've got some savings that should keep me alive for 6 months (if the cost of living is around 1500 AUD/month).
Nonetheless, I don't want to loose career time nor savings, so a job is a number one priority.
I've got M.Sc., experience in industry and overall I'm confident about my qualifications: let's just say I've never really looked for a job - it always found me. Though I don't wanna make this post looking-for-a-job one as I'll do it separately.
I was advised to use seek.com.au and not rely solely on the city I'm in - that is being open to move anytime anywhere, though I feel I'd prefer Sydney (meet Dave and EEVbloggers someday!!!).
Second idea is to look for companies through google maps/google search and email them.
Third idea is to just go and knock on the door ("Hi, hire me!" - LOL).

I've noticed, that some offers state "permament residents" only (does not apply to me yet... maybe someday).
Is it gonna be hard? Should I expect being somewhat "abused" (financially or by doing "lame" work)?

Will one-page resume and one-page cover letter be enough for Australian standards?
Keep it simple & to the point strategy.
Eventually I'd add a separate document with an overview of projects I've done including photos when possible; that's what I'd do in Europe.

I'm open and will listen to any advice from you guys in this whole matter.

Also, a minute of silence to all electronic stuff that needs to be left behind.
That includes DS1054Z, homemade lab-desk, 2x PSU, shelves of samples, components, dev-kits & unfinished projects.
...
I'm allowed to take 30kg and myself (74kg) only.
So: packing clothes, shoes, notebook, EE books and only few of my projects just to be able to show at the interview. And lots of optimism in my heart!!
Suggestions for anything else?

TL;DR.
Thank you for getting here.
Wish you a lovely day! 

[jpanhalt]

Why go to Sydney?  Everything there is either vicious or poisonous.  We need good people in America -- excluding our West coast and regions on the East coast above the Mason-Dixon line (basically the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania).  I like the upper mid-West -- somewhere between Interstate 80 and Interstate 90.  No vicious creatures, no venomous snakes.  Much north of I-90, it is too cold. South of I-80, it is too hot and humid.   If that doesn't bother you, and you don't mind rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads, try Texas.

Best wishes for your move.

[ataradov]

America will not give you a visa for 18 months in hope that you can find a job. Getting a work visa and dealing with H1B stuff is a painful nightmare.

[jpanhalt]

18 months?   That does not agree with my experience.  I have hired people (some student visa's, some employees) from India, China, and Singapore with no real problems.

[ataradov]

18 months?   That does not agree with my experience.  I have hired people (some student visa's, some employees) from India, China, and Singapore with no real problems.

They must have had some sort of work authorization (student visas give you one).

You can not just decide to move to the US for work.  You need to find an employer while abroad, apply for H1B visa (employer does this, you can't do it yourself), wait until one time a year they actually grant them, win against indian body shops.

I went though this process myself. It is not easy on anyone involved.

If you already have a work visa, then it is easy, of course. Getting one is reasonably hard, especially when compared to just paying visa fees.

[Ampera]

Steer DEAR CLEAR of the USA. I'm headed to Germany as soon as I can. I am willing to say we are one of the worst countries in the first world.

Not to mention, immigration is incredibly stupid. It's not a good time to be trying any of that. Heck, even entering the country as a citizen is a painful process. Seriously.

I took a flight from the US to Germany (Frankport) via Keflavik/Reykjavik. Going to Germany, I went through the US TSA (which was painless enough) flew to Iceland, stood in a line for 10ish minutes, got our passports checked, and we were on our way. After that the flight to Germany was without any border checks, and we were allowed to grab our bags and leave the terminal without any issues.

On the way back, we went to Frankport, German TSA is fine, and we boarded the plane to Keflavik. I don't remember if there was a passport check there, I think there may have been, but it wasn't that painful if there was one. Next, we flew to Boston Logan, and oh boy, that's where the fun starts.

We grab our bags, and head to border control. First off we need to enter our info into a load of electronic kiosks, and go through a load of eye scanning and recognition stuff. Then we had to be interrogated by a border control guard about a few different things, and then we were spat out of the ominous looking US customs area of the airport.

My only suggestion for moving to Australia is have money, and lots of it. I've heard stuff gets real expensive there.

[Ed.Kloonk]

Why go to Sydney?  Everything there is either vicious or poisonous. 

Hey now!

You're the one with that ratbag president!   


 

[jpanhalt]

Of course, you need an employer, and that was I.  The bar is pretty low.   There is of course the much larger number of "illegal" aliens.  I do not recommend doing that, but it is an option.

[jpanhalt]

Steer DEAR CLEAR of the USA. I'm headed to Germany as soon as I can. I am willing to say we are one of the worst countries in the first world.

Not to mention, immigration is incredibly stupid. It's not a good time to be trying any of that. Heck, even entering the country as a citizen is a painful process. Seriously.

I took a flight from the US to Germany (Frankport) via Keflavik/Reykjavik. Going to Germany, I went through the US TSA (which was painless enough) flew to Iceland, stood in a line for 10ish minutes, got our passports checked, and we were on our way. After that the flight to Germany was without any border checks, and we were allowed to grab our bags and leave the terminal without any issues.

On the way back, we went to Frankport, German TSA is fine, and we boarded the plane to Keflavik. I don't remember if there was a passport check there, I think there may have been, but it wasn't that painful if there was one. Next, we flew to Boston Logan, and oh boy, that's where the fun starts.

We grab our bags, and head to border control. First off we need to enter our info into a load of electronic kiosks, and go through a load of eye scanning and recognition stuff. Then we had to be interrogated by a border control guard about a few different things, and then we were spat out of the ominous looking US customs area of the airport.

My only suggestion for moving to Australia is have money, and lots of it. I've heard stuff gets real expensive there.

Do you need some assistance with your airfare?

[ataradov]

Of course, you need an employer, and that was I.

Did those people apply for a job while abroad? And did you actually had to go though H1B process?

[jpanhalt]

Why go to Sydney?  Everything there is either vicious or poisonous. 

Hey now!

You're the one with that ratbag president!   


 

Boy, are you  out of date.  That election was last November.  The ratbag didn't run for a third term, and his sycophant lost.

[Ed.Kloonk]

Steer DEAR CLEAR of the USA. I'm headed to Germany as soon as I can. I am willing to say we are one of the worst countries in the first world.

Not to mention, immigration is incredibly stupid. It's not a good time to be trying any of that. Heck, even entering the country as a citizen is a painful process. Seriously.

I took a flight from the US to Germany (Frankport) via Keflavik/Reykjavik. Going to Germany, I went through the US TSA (which was painless enough) flew to Iceland, stood in a line for 10ish minutes, got our passports checked, and we were on our way. After that the flight to Germany was without any border checks, and we were allowed to grab our bags and leave the terminal without any issues.

On the way back, we went to Frankport, German TSA is fine, and we boarded the plane to Keflavik. I don't remember if there was a passport check there, I think there may have been, but it wasn't that painful if there was one. Next, we flew to Boston Logan, and oh boy, that's where the fun starts.

We grab our bags, and head to border control. First off we need to enter our info into a load of electronic kiosks, and go through a load of eye scanning and recognition stuff. Then we had to be interrogated by a border control guard about a few different things, and then we were spat out of the ominous looking US customs area of the airport.

My only suggestion for moving to Australia is have money, and lots of it. I've heard stuff gets real expensive there.

Do you need some assistance with your airfare?

Don't send him here! 


 

[jpanhalt]

Of course, you need an employer, and that was I.

Did those people apply for a job while abroad? And did you actually had to go though H1B process?

Yes, and yes.

[Ed.Kloonk]

Why go to Sydney?  Everything there is either vicious or poisonous. 

Hey now!

You're the one with that ratbag president!   


 

Boy, are you  out of date.  That election was last November.  The ratbag didn't run for a third term, and his sycophant lost.

I'm with you. Note the winky smiley. 

[ataradov]

Yes, and yes.

Then you should know that it is not an easy process. Not a lot of employers are willing to wait for 6+ months to hire a person. That's the whole point of H1B, candidate must have skills worth the wait, It is not a trivial to find a company like that.

[jpanhalt]

Yes, and yes.

Then you should know that it is not an easy process. Not a lot of employers are willing to wait for 6+ months to hire a person. That's the whole point of H1B, candidate must have skills worth the wait, It is not a trivial to find a company like that.

You need to find more enlightened employers. 

[ataradov]

You need to find more enlightened employers. 

It is easy to say, much harder to do in practice.

[EEVblog]

I was advised to use seek.com.au and not rely solely on the city I'm in - that is being open to move anytime anywhere, though I feel I'd prefer Sydney (meet Dave and EEVbloggers someday!!!).

Good idea, as something interesting may come up in another state where there is less competition for the job 

Second idea is to look for companies through google maps/google search and email them.
Third idea is to just go and knock on the door ("Hi, hire me!" - LOL).

Most jobs are likely to be in "business parks". So it's possible to drive/walk around them and look at the company names on the boards in the foyer.
Note down the tech sounding ones and then research them.
Find a direct engineering contact, don't go through Human Resources.

I've noticed, that some offers state "permament residents" only (does not apply to me yet... maybe someday).
Is it gonna be hard? Should I expect being somewhat "abused" (financially or by doing "lame" work)?

I won't lie and say it's going to be easy. Full time jobs will almost always have preference toward permanent residents.
Your best bet is to look for a contract or fixed term role.

Will one-page resume and one-page cover letter be enough for Australian standards?

Yep, one or two pages, no more.

Eventually I'd add a separate document with an overview of projects I've done including photos when possible; that's what I'd do in Europe.

No, do that now!
Add an annex to the Resume if you have to. One page Resume, 2-3 page annex with photos for example is fine. People don't want to read, but photos are fine.

[cdev]

It would be nice if this wasnt the case, but I would be reluctant to come here (US) until we get some very pressing issues, like health care insurance fixed, BUT unfortunately, they are being "fixed" (as in #rigged) but in the absolute worst possible way and the whole country is being deceived, and because of the unnameable WTO services deal from 1995 (similar to your Services Directive) our mistakes there will be locked in and will become irreversible.

Also, engineering as a profession is likely to be targeted for the same deskilling and dewaging process as other decently paid professions here are being, soon.

Read between the lines of Trumps recent proclamation. Atarov got it. Hint, whats the second biggest English speaking community in the world.

Important: I am PRO-IMMIGRATION, just against the creation of artificial trade agreement-based handicaps to enslave people who deserve more than unsustainable artificially lowered wages and being tied to specific jobs as a condition of their presence in the country. (Thats the future if the neoliberal attack on democracy wins and the oligarchs get their way)

[cdev]

Its going to get harder and harder for non-subcontractors. People who come here under the aegis of their foreign multinational corporation's entitlements  can be paid whatever they agree upon elsewhere. Its deemed outside of US jurisdiction.

Of course this is completely legal. In fact it may soon be illegal for countries not to allow it unless they exclude that service sector explicitly in writing beforehand. Even ones that havent been invented yet.

This will keep wages "competitive".

Its going to add up to a pretty hard nut to crack if you're a student with tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans you have to pay back.

You would almost think they wanted most people to never get an education.

Quote from: jpanhalt on Today at 16:25:06

Of course, you need an employer, and that was I.  The bar is pretty low.   There is of course the much larger number of "illegal" aliens.  I do not recommend doing that, but it is an option.

[vk6zgo]

Why go to Sydney?  Everything there is either vicious or poisonous.  We need good people in America -- excluding our West coast and regions on the East coast above the Mason-Dixon line (basically the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania).  I like the upper mid-West -- somewhere between Interstate 80 and Interstate 90.  No vicious creatures, no venomous snakes.  Much north of I-90, it is too cold. South of I-80, it is too hot and humid.   If that doesn't bother you, and you don't mind rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads, try Texas.

Best wishes for your move.

This from  a country which has land animals which can actually EAT you!!

Mountain Lions & Wolves, & Bears----Oh my!!

The best we can stack up against that is Feral pigs  (crocodiles aren't really land animals).

[EEVblog]

The best we can stack up against that is Feral pigs  (crocodiles aren't really land animals).

Rubbish, we have Sharknado!

https://www.livescience.com/58494-cyclone-debbie-dumps-shark-on-street-australia.html

[Halcyon]

Where in Sydney are you going to be living? Transport to and from places is probably something you want to think about. If you're living in the city itself or one of the inner suburbs (Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Ultimo, Barangaroo) you can most likely get around on foot (or use the trains that go around the City Circle).

If you intend on using public transport (Train, Bus or Tram), you'll need an Opal card which is just an NFC card with pre-paid funds loaded on it. You can no longer just pay cash for single/return tickets. Most newsagents, some supermarkets (especially in Sydney) and post offices have them, so you don't necessarily need to order one online.


If you plan on driving, you can use your international driving licence for up to 3 months. After 3 months you must obtain a New South Wales driving licence. If you don't, you are considered to be "unlicenced" and will cop a heavy fine or be sent to court which could possibly prevent you from obtaining a licence in the future. Driving isn't a bad option in Sydney as car sharing services like GoGet and FlexiCar are everywhere.

Depending on how long you've held a driving licence overseas will depend on what "class" of licence you can apply for here. Have a look at the Roads & Maritime Services website for information and what you need to do.

Speaking of driving, if you plan on getting your own car and intend of driving outside of inner Sydney, you'll need an electronic tag for the toll roads. There are plenty of tag providers in Sydney and they all charge the same price, so it really doesn't matter. Transurban Linkt, E-way and the RMS themselves (the Government body in the state of New South Wales that handle all things registration and licence related) all provide tags. Toll tags also work on every other toll road in Australia, so if you go travelling, you can use the tag you obtained in NSW.


A bank account is probably something you want to sort out sooner rather than later. There are literally hundreds of banks and credit unions to choose from. You just need to shop around and compare interest rates, fees and services and pick the one that suits you better. I personally bank with a smaller member-owned bank (profits go back into the products and services, rather than into the pockets of shareholders). Their service is excellent and rates are very competitive. The downside is they only have a few physical branches in Sydney, which is very rare I need to physically go into one anyway. Everything is done over the phone or online. Finder.com.au is a good site to give you some basic comparisons and let you filter banks and products that you're interested in. It'll give you a good starting point.


Above all else, enjoy Sydney, it's expensive, but it's one of the best cities in the world. There is a lot of opportunity here and the weather is nice. Those who on insist on calling it "poisonous" or "vicious" have obviously never lived here and are talking out of their ass. But don't just limit yourself to Sydney, explore the outer suburbs and indeed the rest of Australia when time and finances permit. It's a HUGE country with a lifetime worth of things to see, do and places to visit (add Tasmania to your bucket list, it's absolutely beautiful).

Sydney itself is expanding rapidly and the majority of people who work in the city (or other major commercial centres like North Sydney, Parramatta or Penrith) commute 1 hour or more each way just getting to and from work. Getting to work in under 30 minutes in Sydney is a luxury, so don't limit yourself to one small geographical area. Then, when you get jack of spending an insane amount on rent in the city, move to the outer Western, North West or Northern suburbs. ;-)

If you just type "Sydney" into Google maps, you'll see just how large an area the Sydney basin is. It extends over 70 kilometers west past Springwood in the Blue Mountains, 58km north-west to Richmond, as far north as Palm Beach and south-west to Camden/Campbelltown.

[alank2]

caret underscore caret, good for you for taking a big risk in trying a new life!  I hope you find all you are looking for!

[EEVblog]

If you just type "Sydney" into Google maps, you'll see just how large an area the Sydney basin is. It extends over 70 kilometers west past Springwood in the Blue Mountains, 58km north-west to Richmond, as far north as Palm Beach and south-west to Camden/Campbelltown.

I've lost count of the number of people who say they are stopping over in Sydney for a day and want to drop by the lab and meet me. Err, not really practical!

[Halcyon]

If you just type "Sydney" into Google maps, you'll see just how large an area the Sydney basin is. It extends over 70 kilometers west past Springwood in the Blue Mountains, 58km north-west to Richmond, as far north as Palm Beach and south-west to Camden/Campbelltown.

I've lost count of the number of people who say they are stopping over in Sydney for a day and want to drop by the lab and meet me. Err, not really practical!

People don't realise how big "Sydney" really is. Line of sight from the Sydney CBD to your office is almost 30km. That's almost 40km (~45 minutes) by car or 1 hour or more by bus/train and that's if you're already in the city. If you're at the airport, add 20-25 minutes to that.

If you want to drive from the Sydney CBD to outer west of Sydney, it'll take about 1hr 20mins without traffic and expect in excess of 2 hours in peak hour.

[^_^]

Why go to Sydney?

I guess you're really asking why go to Australia not US
The most truthful answer would be intuition.

It's also connected to the opportunity I had for this special graduate visa to AU (one should look out for such signs in life ).
As for US we were also given a talk about Ph.D. programme there, but it did not sound well financially (plus it was a big time-commitment).
What I've also heard through friends is that you work a lot there and you don't really have the time to spend the money you make.

Nevertheless, US is next on the list if it doesn't work out! (but I hope it will  )

Everything there is either vicious or poisonous

The visa-guy said only one guy of all the people they sent there was bitten by widow spider and he was allright

Best wishes for your move.

Thank you!

Steer DEAR CLEAR of the USA. I'm headed to Germany as soon as I can.

In Germany you really need to speak their language to socialize and live here.

My only suggestion for moving to Australia is have money, and lots of it. I've heard stuff gets real expensive there.

That's why job-looking priority

Find a direct engineering contact, don't go through Human Resources.

Yeah, I know. I once applied to Texas Instruments in Germany and had a HR-nightmare-through-Skype-talk.
They would ask stuff like how do I feel about other religions or give me stories and ask "what would you do?".
I guess they needed sheep, not a specialist

I won't lie and say it's going to be easy. Full time jobs will almost always have preference toward permanent residents.
Your best bet is to look for a contract or fixed term role.

I was also told that if I liked it there and wanted to stay, I'd need to find a sponsor employer.
Basically a company that would involve itself in visa process.

Where in Sydney are you going to be living? Transport to and from places is probably something you want to think about.
[...]
If you intend on using public transport (Train, Bus or Tram)

The visa-guy said about 15min by train to the center. I don't know how true is that.
He said I should just get the monthly public transport ticket and it'll be allright.

If you plan on driving, you can use your international driving licence for up to 3 months.

Getting my own car is out of option (I'm donating the one I have now to dad ).
Car rental you mentioned sounds better, though, but I'd wait until I settle a bit.
Left-side driving sounds stessful atm!

A bank account is probably something you want to sort out sooner rather than later.

Actually, that'd gonna be one of the first things I do.
I was advised to bring money in cash and first working day go to the bank and load it all up on the account.

Above all else, enjoy Sydney, it's expensive, but it's one of the best cities in the world.

Thanks, I will!

It's a HUGE country with a lifetime worth of things to see, do and places to visit (add Tasmania to your bucket list, it's absolutely beautiful).

One of the reasons I wanted to live there!
It just sounds super exciting (lots and lots of land and only "few" cities where people are gathered).
One of my TODO things is see the night's sky in the outback.
Tasmania added! 

good for you for taking a big risk in trying a new life!  I hope you find all you are looking for!

Thank you!
I believe that stepping out hard of your comfort zone and trying the unknown is one of the greatest ways to grow.
After doing something huge like this, one will just be unstoppable.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I'm allowed to take 30kg and myself (74kg) only.

Why not ship other stuff ?

[Halcyon]

Where in Sydney are you going to be living? Transport to and from places is probably something you want to think about.
[...]
If you intend on using public transport (Train, Bus or Tram)

The visa-guy said about 15min by train to the center. I don't know how true is that.
He said I should just get the monthly public transport ticket and it'll be allright.

They don't exist any more, everything is via Opal card. However if you complete 8 trips in a week, the rest of that week is half-price. (In other words to/from work Monday-Thursday, any trips made Friday-Sunday are discounted by 50%).

A bank account is probably something you want to sort out sooner rather than later.

Actually, that'd gonna be one of the first things I do.
I was advised to bring money in cash and first working day go to the bank and load it all up on the account.

You might not be able to access it right away so you may need to take that into consideration. Ask the bank how long it will take to receive your debit card (they are all printed and prepared at a secure central printing facility).

good for you for taking a big risk in trying a new life!  I hope you find all you are looking for!

Thank you!
I believe that stepping out hard of your comfort zone and trying the unknown is one of the greatest ways to grow.
After doing something huge like this, one will just be unstoppable.

Good attitude 

"Comfort zone" gets boring after a while.

[mikeselectricstuff]

The visa-guy said about 15min by train to the center. I don't know how true is that.

So you're moving to the other side of the world and can't be bothered to do some research on Google maps and the local public transport website ? 

[mikeselectricstuff]

Car rental you mentioned sounds better, though, but I'd wait until I settle a bit.

Many years ago in Sydney there was a place called "rent a bomb" that did long-term rentals of older cars - no idea if they're still around, but suspect at least they may have changed their name...

[vk6zgo]

The visa-guy said about 15min by train to the center. I don't know how true is that.

So you're moving to the other side of the world and can't be bothered to do some research on Google maps and the local public transport website ? 

The OP has plenty of company, then.
Back in the days of the "Ten Pound Poms", locals marvelled about how people would fail to do the most basic research, & then whinge that things weren't like "Back Home".

[^_^]

Why not ship other stuff ?

Shipping lab-stuff just doesn't make sense.
As for the rest, sure!
Though, I'm not even sure what would that be. More clothes? 

So you're moving to the other side of the world and can't be bothered to do some research on Google maps and the local public transport website ? 

I don't think transport is going to be such a problem.
Besides, this kinds of things are easily solved by talking to local people

I'm researching what I feel is most important, though!

locals marvelled about how people would fail to do the most basic research, & then whinge that things weren't like "Back Home".

Haha!
Well, if you are moving to change your life isn't the new place home?
If you drop the idea of "past home", then there is no problem

[Ampera]

Steer DEAR CLEAR of the USA. I'm headed to Germany as soon as I can.

In Germany you really need to speak their language to socialize and live here.

Of course I do. I have some basics down that I've known since I was little. At this point it's more a matter of getting more advanced grammar down and mostly vocabulary.

[^_^]

They don't exist any more, everything is via Opal card. However if you complete 8 trips in a week, the rest of that week is half-price. (In other words to/from work Monday-Thursday, any trips made Friday-Sunday are discounted by 50%).

Ah, I think I might have used wrong term then ("montly")
I see the price of Opal card is capped per day/week etc, so it overlaps with what I was told. I think the guy is up-to-date.
I'd still call it a train ticket, though!

[VK3DRB]

Australia is great place and Melbourne is the world's most liveable city. That is why it is full of immigrants. Everyone wants to live here. But it is expensive.

Three tips:

1. If you smoke, better quit before getting on the plane. A pack of smokes will set you back around $35. Even amongst young people, smokers are considered losers. In Victoria, it is illegal to smoke in restaurants, and as of late you are not allowed to smoke outside restaurants either. Even smoking in public is frowned upon.

2. Learn the vernacular here. If your don't know what "fair dinkum" means, look it up. We have a lot of slang here. http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html

3. Don't watch Wolf Creek or Wolf Creek 2. It is fantasy - sort of. However I loved the opening scene in Wolf Creek 2 with the bloke gets pulled over by the cops for speeding. Watched that scene about 20 times. Great Aussie drama.

[Halcyon]

If you smoke, better quit before getting on the plane. A pack of smokes will set you back around $35. Even amongst young people, smokers are considered losers. In Victoria, it is illegal to smoke in restaurants, and as of late you are not allowed to smoke outside restaurants either. Even smoking in public is frowned upon.

Ah good point! I don't smoke so it wasn't even a consideration.

Same sort of laws apply in NSW, smoking inside any building is almost always prohibited (except if it is a designated smoking area). Smoking within 4 metres of an entry or exit to a "hospitality venue" is illegal and might result in a $300 fine. All dining areas (whether indoors or outdoors) are smoke-free.

For those who like stats, the current (as of 2016) adult smoking rates in the state of NSW is about 15% of the population.

Learn the vernacular here. If your don't know what "fair dinkum" means, look it up. We have a lot of slang here.

This 'series' should help 

[^_^]

Even amongst young people, smokers are considered losers.

And that's how I feel!

[cdev]

In the US, including the Bay Area there is a "Rent a heap, cheap" chain/franchise. 

A motor scooter is a great way to get around in an urban area where parking is scarce and expensive.


Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on 2017-08-03, 04:21:15>Quote from: ^_^ on 2017-08-03, 03:33:49

Car rental you mentioned sounds better, though, but I'd wait until I settle a bit.

Many years ago in Sydney there was a place called "rent a bomb" that did long-term rentals of older cars - no idea if they're still around, but suspect at least they may have changed their name...

[cdev]

This lingo reminds me a great deal of Boont Ling, a local language spoken in the Anderson Valley of Northern California..

[TerraHertz]

"Lambington" Oh God.

I just want to state, for anyone wondering, that those Indian skits are totally bullshit. Funny but.

Hey, person whose name is a face, you mentioned wanting to see the night sky from the outback. (Which is indeed wonderful.) Does this mean you like wilderness, or are an amateur astronomer?

Anyway, another good thing about Sydney is the wide variety of beautiful landscapes within easy traveling distance from the city. To the East there's the coast, with fine beaches both in Sydney and up and down the coast. Royal National Park to the Sth is quick to get to and has some great day walks. To the West over the mountains there's the Kanangra-Boyd wilderness, and further South the Budawang National Park, then the Snowy Mountains - Kosciuszko National Park. Lots of other great parks around too.
Even if you don't have a car, you can join a bushwalking club and go on trips they organize.

I do a few trips out each year. Once you are here and settled in, if you want to see some sights out of Sydney let me know.
Or, some links:
http://www.subw.org.au/          Sydney University Bushwalking Club
http://www.bushwalking.org.au/   The Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs NSW
http://www.gerkinpress.com/Bushwalking
http://bushwalk.com/forum/
http://www.david-noble.net/
http://www.bankstownbushwalkingclub.org.au/   Bankstown Bushwalkers

[dave_k]

If you just type "Sydney" into Google maps, you'll see just how large an area the Sydney basin is. It extends over 70 kilometers west past Springwood in the Blue Mountains, 58km north-west to Richmond, as far north as Palm Beach and south-west to Camden/Campbelltown.

I've lost count of the number of people who say they are stopping over in Sydney for a day and want to drop by the lab and meet me. Err, not really practical!

.. and it's at least a $14 round-trip in tolls 

[Brumby]

If you just type "Sydney" into Google maps, you'll see just how large an area the Sydney basin is. It extends over 70 kilometers west past Springwood in the Blue Mountains, 58km north-west to Richmond, as far north as Palm Beach and south-west to Camden/Campbelltown.

I've lost count of the number of people who say they are stopping over in Sydney for a day and want to drop by the lab and meet me. Err, not really practical!

Just to give you an idea of scale.  Outline is the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area:

[GK]

I've rubbed shoulders with yokels and have eaten in more remote outback pubs than most, and I can assure you that all this ocker Aussie lingo guff is mostly fantasy and just plain bullshit, though we do like to romanticise otherwise for some strange reason. If you walked into a pub dressed like Crocodile Dundee you'd be the biggest tool ever. You'd blend in far less conspicuously over here talking the Queen's English.

[tszaboo]

Expat here. Dont take books, seriously, use the weight for something useful. Have a laptop all the time. Lab stuff can stay home, it is cheap to replace it. Expect to spend a LOT of money in the first months. When moving here, I was spending more money in the first 3 months, than now in a year. Well, not exactly, but close.
Also, it will get lonely and hard sometimes. You need a thick skin, and keep pushing, no matter what.  I had a lot easier task, than you had. Though I was moving alone, I had a job here waiting for me.

[^_^]

[...] you mentioned wanting to see the night sky from the outback. (Which is indeed wonderful.) Does this mean you like wilderness, or are an amateur astronomer?

Wilderness is TBE (to be experienced)
GoPro amateur only ATM.
Wish I had a tele-scope. I could only afford half of it so far (a scope...).

Anyway, another good thing about Sydney is the wide variety of beautiful landscapes within easy [...]

That's super-cool.

I do a few trips out each year. Once you are here and settled in, if you want to see some sights out of Sydney let me know.

Sure, I'm down.
Will write later in this topic about my progress as well.

Hey, person whose name is a face

Cheers,
Face

I'm watching the series, it's really funny and practical as well!
Now I know how to save $$$ on food!

I hope the map took Earth's curvature into the account
Impressive nevertheless.

[...] If you walked into a pub dressed like Crocodile Dundee you'd be the biggest tool ever. [...]

That could potentially work; it's called peacocking

[...] Expect to spend a LOT of money in the first months. When moving here, I was spending more money in the first 3 months, than now in a year. Well, not exactly, but close. [...]

Why was that?
I can only imagine spending extra money on stuff like moving (taxi/uber), house accessories (if they're not provided!), going far for job inverview/hunt etc.
Everything else should be periodic. That's my experience at least when I've moved (car distance though).

Dont take books, seriously, use the weight for something useful.

Good thing about Kindle; it weights the same no matter how much you put in

But really, hmm, I've got just 3 only-electronics books I was considering.
I will take your advice into the account and place them at the end of packing-queue.

[...] I had a job here waiting for me.

Lucky!

Also, it will get lonely and hard sometimes. You need a thick skin, and keep pushing, no matter what.

Got it!
Thank you.

[tszaboo]

Lot of money: Well, I lived in a (cheap and rubbish, but still expensive) hotel for 1.5 months until I could find an appropriate housing. After, I had to place down 4 months of rent,  3 for the insurance, 1 as the first month. I had to buy a bunch of furniture. Only the student housings come with it. You also dont have kitchen stuff, you have to go out eating.

It also felt a lot, because the cost of living here is about twice as much as I was living before.

After moving with a plane, everything you have is in your bags. Suprising amount of money can be spent on simple items like duvet cover, kitchen knife, lamps, candy and beer, laundromat. Also, if you need something, you will need it fast. Usually you have the time and means to search for a good deal. For example, after a misunderstanding, I had to go out and buy a 140x200 mattress, otherwise I would have slept on the ground that night. I had about 1-2 hour to do it, and no car. I had to go to the local furniture shop, where they told me that they can deliver in two days, or I can go ahead and take it. All this for 350 EUR, the bottom shelf foam mattress. If I could go to IKEA, I would have gotten a much nicer one for half the price. And I had to "drag" the thing a kilometer with the help of a friend. You get the first phone subscription you can get, the bank account, which has an open office the closest, the car rental, which accepts your weird foreign debit card. mod:

That reminds me, if you can, get a credit card still at home, not to use the actual credit limit, but it has a better acceptance than debit cards. And look up, what is used there. Nothing is worse, than trying to pay with a Mastercard, while most of the shops only accepting Maestro, or Visa or something else. Get the right one while home.

There are just no time to look for a good deal, or walk away from a bad one, because you need the things.

[vk6zgo]

Actually, that'd gonna be one of the first things I do.
I was advised to bring money in cash and first working day go to the bank and load it all up on the account.

Be very careful with this, as there is a limit on how much money in cash can be brought into Australia.
This applies to cash in any currency.
It's all to do with trying to stop money laundering.

The limit is reasonably generous, but find out what it is, & abide strictly to the rules, otherwise it may be confiscated, & you might also be fined.
Australia doesn't have many of the plant & stock diseases which occur in other countries, so you should also read up on quarantine, re foodstuffs, rawhide leather, etc.

The little card they give you on the plane is not for fun, it's a legal document.

[Rerouter]

So far across aus, anywhere that takes a credit card will take a debit card for general purchases, however if your suss on a store, use the RFID option as it acts as a credit purchase (with surcharge to the store) which gives you protection against fraud.

There are a few outliers, e.g. around popular areas you may find coffee stores that only accept cash,

If your withdrawing money from an ATM, and its not branded with your bank, there will be an extra charge, this is where having a local account can make things easier.

For almost all of center, west and south Sydney, If your budget is small, get a cheap mountain bike with a item rack on the back. you can get them for under $200, and it will let you get yourself established much easier if you cannot afford a car straight up (expect about $900 a year for registration, insurance, etc, on a car) There are bicycle tracks all over the place, it may take you longer to get from A-B, but you can haul 30-50 kg on the item rack, which allows for things like groceries and small items of furniture

Buy anything you can at a supermarket rather than eating out if you dont yet have a job, the war between supermarkets means you can feed yourself for less than $10 a day with some variety, but it involves buying in bulk some items. which means surrendering some room for it.

For white goods like fridges, a washing machine, etc, look on gumtree, in some cases you can get them for under $10 a piece second hand, just leaving you to sort out the logistics of getting it back to your place. If you plan to get most of your furniture this way, and can find it in under 5km radius (without a car), go to a hardware store like bunnings and buy a tilt trolley, in my youth i moved a surprising amount of furniture between houses 7km away on one of them. in the end it meant i could furninsh an entire apartment for under $1200. just having to buy new mattress protectors, pillows. and things you dont want to reuse. (If you add up how much washing clothes in a laundramat costs you over 6 months vs what some detergent and a gumtree washer costs, you can save some moeny that way)

When you first arrive, you will be likley having to search online for a lot of things, many stores around sydney will have free wifi, avoid the fast food chains as they speed cap them to almost unuable levels, instead look for non chain coffee stores and the like, where it will be fast, unfiltered and generally have no usage caps.

Australia has free to use public bathrooms, after traveling to other parts of the world i felt i should point it out. applications like "Open Street Maps" will even point  them out to you, at the same time most fast food chains will have a toilet. the culture here frowns slightly on using them without buying something in store, but its not openly opposed if you find yourself in need.

If you enjoy alcohol, its not cheap here. your best bet would be looking at the liquor stores, and finding a price your willing to bear. I personally don't drink due to how much it would cost me per year. If your going out with people to drink, plan ahead, the furthur you are from city center, the cheaper they get.

Our train network is quite reliable, buses not so much, if your going to be using public transport, get an opal card at a newsagent, for trains, plan a 3 minute lead (sometimes a little early), for buses, the margin gets a lot wider towards the high traffice times of the day (7:30 - 8:40 am - 4:20 - 6pm)

[Brumby]

Actually, that'd gonna be one of the first things I do.
I was advised to bring money in cash and first working day go to the bank and load it all up on the account.

Be very careful with this, as there is a limit on how much money in cash can be brought into Australia.

NO THERE IS NOT!!

You can bring as much as you like - but if the total value is $10,000 Australian Dollars or more,  YOU MUST DECLARE IT!  Expect the Customs officials to ask you about it - and, I would suggest, to have the means to explain and demonstrate you are NOT engaged in money laundering.

This is the big mistake that people make - is that they think there is a limit and DON'T declare anything.

Bad move.


Same with food, plant material and anything else on the passenger card - JUST BE HONEST and you won't get into trouble.  You might have some things confiscated if they are not allowed in, but just make sure you aren't seen to be trying to sneak something past them.

Edit: Cash limit is $AUD10,000 or more, not in excess of $10,000

[Brumby]

The little card they give you on the plane is not for fun, it's a legal document.

Very true - and once you've handed it over, it's too late to change it - so be straight.

Imagine a TSA agent looking over your shoulder, waiting to pounce if you get it wrong.


If you genuinely forgot to declare something, don't wait to see if they find out.  Get in first and let them know - apologise profusely and they may go easy on you.  If they find something that isn't declared, telling them you forgot at that point isn't going to wash.

[Rerouter]

For the declarations, bring a working pen, if you make a mistake there will be extra cards before customs, but pens are extremly scarce as people have a habit of walking off with them,

[^_^]

@NANDBlog, Rerouter:

I see.
Well, I guess my luck is that I have the house taken care of for the first month and can prolong it.
It is a student house with one possible roommate, though, but fully equipped.
The caution is only $300.

I've also read some blogs and the people seemed to be able to find fully furnished and equipped studio/apartment/shared flat after some devotion to search.

It's similar in Germany, I guess. In a small city I lived, there would be mostly unfurnished flats, just painted walls and *maybe* a fridge or laundry machine.
But in Munich there's lots of furnished apartments, though it's mostly shared with flatmates.

@vk6zgo, Brumby:

Yup, it's well over what one would consider resonable amount I guess
I will for sure take less than $10k !

Aside from quarantine issues, when travelling to Australia, if you are carrying a total of AUS$10,000 or more, or equivalent in foreign currency, you must declare the money on your Incoming Passenger Card and when questioned by Australian Customs officials upon arrival.

@Brumby, Rerouter:

Yeah, I've read about those import customs.
It's just easier not to bring any food and bio-related stuff. Who would need that anyway?
Except Léon the pro with his sweet little green friend.

A pen it is!

[tszaboo]

Yeah, I've read about those import customs.
It's just easier not to bring any food and bio-related stuff. Who would need that anyway?

If you dare, it is faster to enter the USA with some "bio stuff". You just declare that you have. Then they will pick you from the line, go to a separate room. You open your bag, and place a chocolate bar in front of them. Then they clear you and off you go. Much much faster than waiting in line. Only downside, they are more likely to put on the dreaded rubber glove.

[GK]

Australia doesn't have many of the plant & stock diseases which occur in other countries, so you should also read up on quarantine, re foodstuffs, rawhide leather, etc.

It's always amazing to see on "reality" programs such as Border Security or the like the sheer amount of exotic c%$# that some people from Asian countries try to bring along with them, presuming that they can just bluff or bribe their way past some dumb western official by feigning ignorance or next to no grasp of the English language or our laws so clearly written out for them in their own tongue.

Mostly pointless too as all Australian cities have large Asian communities with specialty shops that import all sorts of oriental oddities. Heck even mainstream Woolworths in Rundle Mall here in Adelaide stock the authentic Vietnamese fish sauce that I last sampled from amongst the table condiments at a Vietnamese-run laksa & noodle bar. Can't miss that distinctive read and white bottle; imagine the essence of a marathon runners armpit or sweaty sock concentrated and amplified x500. Must be the oriental equivalent of Garum and the market could only be a select minority of their Asian clientele.

Anyway, there is no need to bring food stuffs over from Germany anymore as we've been able to buy Haribo Gummibaerchen here for years already. You can never grow too old for Gummibaerchen.

[cdev]

This is a HUGE plus. Use it, Australians, or they will take it away!

Quote from: Rerouter on 2017-08-11, 21:45:29

For almost all of center, west and south Sydney, If your budget is small, get a cheap mountain bike with a item rack on the back. you can get them for under $200, and it will let you get yourself established much easier if you cannot afford a car straight up (expect about $900 a year for registration, insurance, etc, on a car) There are bicycle tracks all over the place, it may take you longer to get from A-B, but you can haul 30-50 kg on the item rack, which allows for things like groceries and small items of furniture

[EEVblog]

The little card they give you on the plane is not for fun, it's a legal document.

Very true - and once you've handed it over, it's too late to change it - so be straight.

It can also be a way to fast track customs, just declare something (like a packet of nuts) and go to the (usually shorter) declaration line. In peak arrival times, this can save an hour or more.
And yes, Australia (and New Zealand) have the strictest quarantine in the world, and they mean business. But they are friendly, and you won't be greeted by someone with a gun anywhere in an Australian airport.

[cdev]

I want to apologize for continuing the thread about "how to speak Australians" when the "facts" presented there were so very clearly wrong.

We all have a great many quirks and I sometimes see our making fun of one another in a playful way as the first step to deep friendship. Humor is a very positive force for good.

As an American I do often enjoy it when our quirks are pointed out. We could use the input.

I hope you wont mind my asking you something about Germany.

I've heard a great deal about the strange (to me) custom of renting flats sans (without) kitchen appliances?  In the US it is the landlord's responsibility to provide the working refrigerator, stove, etc.   

Ive been told that some people are lucky (or not, perhaps) to have the contents of kitchens (??) sold to them by a previous occupant?

I would be interested in hearing more about that. Another thing I think is interesting is living somewhere where there are very old buildings that many people still live in.

Here in the US and in Australia which looks a lot like California both in landscape,  and architecture, most housing is fairly new, perhaps compared to Europe, where some people live in houses that are hundreds of years old. San Francisco has a lot of 100 year old housing stock, (much of it dates from the years immediately after the 1906 fire). but little that predates that.   Where I live now there are some (a very few) houses that are several hundred years old but they tend to be occupied by museums, etc. not lived in.

And there are not very many of them still around. In Europe many old houses seem to still be occupied.

For example, an old friend of mine was part owner of a very large multistoried house (I think she still is) inside of an old European walled city that was built in the 16th or 17th century, which is still standing.

I could certainly see that as presenting a lot of potential problems electrically, too.

Quote from: ^_^ on Yesterday at 01:57:58

It's similar in Germany, I guess. In a small city I lived, there would be mostly unfurnished flats, just painted walls and *maybe* a fridge or laundry machine.
But in Munich there's lots of furnished apartments, though it's mostly shared with flatmates.

[flolic]

And there are not very many of them still around. In Europe many old houses seem to still be occupied.

For example, an old friend of mine was part owner of a very large multistoried house (I think she still is) inside of an old European walled city that was built in the 16th or 17th century, which is still standing.

I could certainly see that as presenting a lot of potential problems electrically, too.

It really depends from case to case. You can have those electrical and plumbing installations recently renovated, or be hundred years old.
In my hometown, many people still lives inside walls of a 1700 year old Roman palace without any problem 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocletian%27s_Palace

[nctnico]

Same with food, plant material and anything else on the passenger card - JUST BE HONEST and you won't get into trouble.  You might have some things confiscated if they are not allowed in, but just make sure you aren't seen to be trying to sneak something past them.

I've been to NZ once and took the red lane instead of green lane and told the customs officer I think I have nothing to declare but he should check my bags/suitcase to make sure. I know Australia and New Zealand are very cautious not to get any dissease into their (isolated) ecosystems.

[^_^]

Only downside, they are more likely to put on the dreaded rubber glove.

Very welcoming!

Anyway, there is no need to bring food stuffs over from Germany anymore as we've been able to buy Haribo Gummibaerchen here for years already. You can never grow too old for Gummibaerchen.

I've heard eating Haribo adult-style is to put them into vodka "bath". They get swollen. Didn't try it yet, though.

Just declare something (like a packet of nuts) and go to the (usually shorter) declaration line. In peak arrival times, this can save an hour or more.

Thanks for the airport-hack.

I hope you wont mind my asking you something about Germany.
I've heard a great deal about the strange (to me) custom of renting flats sans (without) kitchen appliances? In the US it is the landlord's responsibility to provide the working refrigerator, stove, etc.   
Ive been told that some people are lucky (or not, perhaps) to have the contents of kitchens (??) sold to them by a previous occupant?
I would be interested in hearing more about that. Another thing I think is interesting is living somewhere where there are very old buildings that many people still live in.

First off, most Germans rent.
In big cities, as there are many options, you get to see lots of flats fully furnished and equipped. They are usually shared: flatmates.
However, it's true that some people do rent basically empty flat (all you get is paint on the walls).
I think the reason is they buy the flat as an future investment (for kids/for sale/whatever).
Those flats have long contracts, like 1+ year, so you can't be thrown away and if you want to leave you have to let know months in advance. This way no one gets screwed, ideally.
There's a possibility that previous tentant will want to sell his stuff, so then he would participate in finding a new tentant with the landlord and offer his stuff at a price.
As for old buildings I don't know anyone around here living in a building older than 70-80 years old; or they got fully restored and you don't even know.

BTW a cool thing here in student's houses is to leave some of your stuff for others to take when you move out. Like a pan, chair, books, etc. I found it a nice custom.

In my hometown, many people still lives inside walls of a 1700 year old Roman palace without any problem 

I've been there this summer !
Impressive place; has this old-culture vibe.
Also, I've heard they shot some GoT scenes there.

[Brumby]

As far as appliances go in Australia, for rentals, you can pretty much guarantee a stove or oven plus cook top will be available, plus hot water system.  The norm is that these are fixed installations.  Sometimes a dishwasher might be in the mix.

All other appliances - such as refrigerator, microwave, kettle, etc. are your responsibility.  You may get lucky and find something furnished, but they are in the minority.

Air conditioning is also something you may get in a rental - but it is a bonus if you do.  Don't expect it unless you are moving up the cost scale.  If you do, then it would likely be a wall/window unit for 'entry level' properties.  Middle range might get you a split system, but there are lots of cheap split system air cons available these days, so you might see one on a cheaper rental.  Ducted air con is next level.

Central heating is not all that common in Sydney.  In fact, I don't know anyone who has it.  I've never seen it snow in Sydney - but we did have a whole 1" of it in 1836 (which didn't last past noon) and a showing in 1941.  Temperatures might go down to 0ºC overnight in winter, but it is a rare day when temperatures don't reach double digits during the day.

[gregariz]

Actually, that'd gonna be one of the first things I do.
I was advised to bring money in cash and first working day go to the bank and load it all up on the account.

Be very careful with this, as there is a limit on how much money in cash can be brought into Australia.

NO THERE IS NOT!!

You can bring as much as you like - but if the total value is $10,000 Australian Dollars or more,  YOU MUST DECLARE IT!  Expect the Customs officials to ask you about it - and, I would suggest, to have the means to explain and demonstrate you are NOT engaged in money laundering.

This is the big mistake that people make - is that they think there is a limit and DON'T declare anything.

Bad move.


Same with food, plant material and anything else on the passenger card - JUST BE HONEST and you won't get into trouble.  You might have some things confiscated if they are not allowed in, but just make sure you aren't seen to be trying to sneak something past them.

Edit: Cash limit is $AUD10,000 or more, not in excess of $10,000

That is actually right, the WTO stepped in to warn the Australian government (who knew what was happening) as Chinese citizens (ie low level officials/criminals) were taking cash out of China into Australia (millions in suitcases) via Hong Kong to park it in the property market. This was technically illegal as China has restrictions on amounts of cash funds exiting the country. Shortly afterwards the government made a half arsed attempt to see it was doing something by targeting some of the luxury second hand build sales that were selling for many millions. Meanwhile China has been running around the world when they identify these people with offers of reduced sentencing/family penalties if they bring the wealth back into the country

With regard to the job situation I would set your sights pretty low - or go to the US. Activity in Australia is very low and the jobs that are on offer mostly junior or support roles or applications roles - very little real design happening. There are Australian engineers everywhere in the US because of it. I'm lucky enough that I am now old enough and experienced enough that I know a number of the GM's of the few Australian companies via networking at conferences etc. I will often go see them when I am in Australia. My opinion is it is as worse as I have ever seen it. Very few of them have much visibility of the future. Sometimes I think there are periods where things pick up a bit but the general trend has been dreadful. So by all means move but go in with your eyes open. You may have thick skin / don't care but I refuse to run a life and family on 1-3 year contract roles.

In the US I have been getting contacted several times a week for the last year about jobs. One of them was something of a wet dream in Australian terms but I couldn't uproot my family. It's chalk and cheese.

[^_^]

[...] Activity in Australia is very low and the jobs that are on offer mostly junior or support roles or applications roles - very little real design happening. There are Australian engineers everywhere in the US because of it. [...]

That's really interesting.
I hope it's only your subjective overview.
I see embedded/hardware roles being added almost daily on seek.
But as I don't see the bigger picture, maybe you're right.

[^_^]

Hey guys,

it's been some time!
I was very busy last days of August before departure and first week here as well.
Here's a summary and overview of what I've learned/seen/did:
- I was processed significantly faster compared to the other people at the airport immigration stand and I didn't go through the quarantine, they just let me pass the whole queue with few other people. Maybe it was the visa.
- I lost all that gained time, as Uber would not accept my payment (even though it was working the day before) and I had to overpay for a taxi.
- The streets in Sydney are pretty bad quality.
- So are the sidewalks.
- Got the sim card at the airport = instant internet. Great!
- Using your advice I got an Opal at one of the centers in walking distance. No worries.
- I love the healthy approach towards goods sold in the shops. There's so much detail in the "made of" section. I have the impression, that stuff here has less chemicals compared to say, Germany. Hope it's true.
- I had a wristwatch with me I've set to Sydney time a day before the flight. I used to look at it often and affirmate myself that this is *the time* now. Didn't have any jetlag problems, just exhaustion.
- Coins are really different here. Bigger and heavier does not mean more value. Trolololo!
- Sunny everyday so far. Wow!
- Nothing tried to kill me yet!

But seriously, friends ask me if I like it here and it's way too soon to tell.
Basically, I was a robot running a program so far. The program now is "find job". First sight of the Opera was when I was going to a company, so it was just random
I know I'll have all the time to see everything once I settle.

As for the job, I went to Michael Page, Kinexus and Hays offices, besides applying at seek and finishing my resume in "Australian standard".
It was a wrong move, as they don't appreciate walk-ins. You gotta have an appointment.
Well, but I got to see the CBD and all those suity-business-people, so profit
Also, Michael Page office has an amazing view, had to take a picture.

Cheers mates!

[VK5RC]

Welcome!
Isn't the 50c the most ridiculous coin ever!
For really nice / fresh fruit vegetables - a growers market is a good source.
Hope the job hunting goes well.
Robert
Adelaide SA

[^_^]

Welcome!
Isn't the 50c the most ridiculous coin ever!

At first I though it represents deci-cents for some reason and treated it as $5 !!  
but the cashier didn't.

[Brumby]

Welcome to Sydney!

We have had a rather long spell of little to no rain lately.  A bit unusual - and the fire-fighters are getting a bit anxious about bush fires this Summer.  Just one word of warning on that - if there are fire ban days, respect that.  If you smoke, DON'T toss a smouldering anything anywhere - whether there are bans on or not.  Make sure it is well and truly out.  Last year, we had the pine bark mulch in a median strip reserve catch fire from (I suspect) some moron flicking his cigarette butt out the car window.

The fire services like to get "hazard reduction" burns done before it gets too dangerous to do so.  This is a controlled burn-off where fuel is consumed by deliberately lighting fires - and carefully controlling them.  We are passing out of that window - but there could still be opportunities.  If you see a blackish-brown smoke plume in the distance then hope that is what is happening.  If it's a real bush fire, then you will likely see some people tense up - even if they're well out of danger.

Sydney's suburbs are generally safer than outer areas - but there are bushland pockets all around, so everybody tends to become more aware of the risks.  There seems to be an exception to this with a lot of smokers, though. 

[Halcyon]

Welcome! Keep us posted on your progress and as always, there are people here who can give you advice if needed. The Sydney CBD is a bit chaotic at the moment as they are ripping up some of the streets for the light rail/trams.

 

[EEVblog]

- Coins are really different here. Bigger and heavier does not mean more value. Trolololo!

Technically, this one exists, but they haven't made it for a long time:

[EEVblog]

As for the job, I went to Michael Page, Kinexus and Hays offices, besides applying at seek and finishing my resume in "Australian standard".
It was a wrong move, as they don't appreciate walk-ins. You gotta have an appointment.

Yeah, don't just rock up!
Go see Tom Marinov, tell him I sent you, I think he'll remember me.

https://www.mcs-consulting.com.au/

[Brumby]

Be careful about the agencies you approach.

Many years ago, I went to one that had the "shotgun" approach.  They sent multiple copies of my CV to all and sundry.  Really pissed me off when I found out.  No attempt to match me against any positions.

I suggest sticking to ones that people recommend.  It's been a while, but I recall Michael Page and MCS being OK.

[^_^]

Welcome to Sydney!

We have had a rather long spell of little to no rain lately.  A bit unusual - and the fire-fighters are getting a bit anxious about bush fires this Summer.  Just one word of warning on that - if there are fire ban days, respect that.  If you smoke, DON'T toss a smouldering anything anywhere - whether there are bans on or not.  Make sure it is well and truly out.  Last year, we had the pine bark mulch in a median strip reserve catch fire from (I suspect) some moron flicking his cigarette butt out the car window.

The fire services like to get "hazard reduction" burns done before it gets too dangerous to do so.  This is a controlled burn-off where fuel is consumed by deliberately lighting fires - and carefully controlling them.  We are passing out of that window - but there could still be opportunities.  If you see a blackish-brown smoke plume in the distance then hope that is what is happening.  If it's a real bush fire, then you will likely see some people tense up - even if they're well out of danger.

Sydney's suburbs are generally safer than outer areas - but there are bushland pockets all around, so everybody tends to become more aware of the risks.  There seems to be an exception to this with a lot of smokers, though. 

Wow, that's really serious matter. I don't smoke, but I'll keep this in mind.
In Research Institute I used to work for there was a project going on: it consisted of small battery-powered devices able to recognize fire, connected together in wireless mesh network, that would later get thrown out of the airplane over a forest!

[^_^]

Go see Tom Marinov, tell him I sent you, I think he'll remember me.

https://www.mcs-consulting.com.au/

Thanks!
I sent them my resume in the evening and the guy called back the next day early in the morning (9am.), while I was about to put my pants on after shower.
I ended up replying to his questions and trying to put my pants on with one hand, which didn't work at all.
I'm glad it wasn't a video interview.

Anyways... tommorow I have my first interview in Australia at Rode Microphones. I'm very excited
Rewatching Dave's videos on microphones.
Gonna nail it.

[Halcyon]

Nice! Rode make a lot of good gear! All the best! Let us know how you go.

[EEVblog]

Anyways... tommorow I have my first interview in Australia at Rode Microphones. I'm very excited
Rewatching Dave's videos on microphones.
Gonna nail it.

Not hard to nail when you have half a dozen in-depth technical videos from the former head designer at Rode!
Good luck. Nice company to have on your resume.
Who got you that interview?

[^_^]

I've got it myself.
They posted an Embedded Software Engineer job on Seek. It said citizens/PR only, so I wrote them an email with resume, asking if they have anything else, and they called back the next day. A bit weird.
Looking at their webpage the day before, it was clear they have plans for new (more "digital") products.

As for the interview, I did well.

[Brumby]

Certainly don't start pointing out any silliness you might feel occurred during the interview - whether you get the job or not.  If the interviewer asked something bizarre, they may have had good reason or they may have had a brain fade in the moment.  Either way, your response is far more important than their question.  Be professional.  This goes for any other elements of the interview.

It is probably wise to not get too talkative - you never know who reads this forum.  It might be your next potential employer.

[Brumby]

Remember - even though you have given no direct identifying information here, there are enough dots for somebody to have a good chance of connecting them...

[Brumby]

Oh .... and did you enjoy yesterday's weather?

It is typical of a moderate Summer's day in Sydney.  Some days will get hotter and you will look forward to a day as 'cool' as yesterday.

If you caught any of the news last night about some bushfires around the place, it is an example of what you are likely to see many more times over the next few months.

And ... yes ... we do have idiots that actually set some of these fires on purpose.  We don't really have "lynch mobs" in Australia - but when one of these characters is identified we can get awfully close.  Fortunately, the authorities take arson in the bush very seriously - and will go to extreme lengths to find someone guilty of it.

[^_^]

Remember - even though you have given no direct identifying information here, there are enough dots for somebody to have a good chance of connecting them...

They'd know instantaneously who am I (by reading the text below for example ), and I don't mind as we're talking very positively/excitedly about the company here

Oh .... and did you enjoy yesterday's weather?

Duuude... I've set out in long sleeve shirt, nice pants, 4kg notebook in a bag, and a backpack full of electronics...
3 trains, 1 bus, and 2km by foot. One way.
Thanks for reminding

[Brumby]

Remember - even though you have given no direct identifying information here, there are enough dots for somebody to have a good chance of connecting them...

They'd know instantaneously who am I (by reading the text below for example ), and I don't mind as we're talking very positively/excitedly about the company here

That's OK then - but just be careful.

Oh .... and did you enjoy yesterday's weather?

Duuude... I've set out in long sleeve shirt, nice pants, 4kg notebook in a bag, and a backpack full of electronics...
3 trains, 1 bus, and 2km by foot. One way.

That's quite a trek - even for Sydney.  You'll be a public transport aficionado by Christmas!  (No snow, though.)

Thanks for reminding

Always glad to help! 

[Halcyon]

Best get used to the weather, Summer isn't far away. Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous, I don't mind the hot or cold. Then again, I wasn't schlepping around with a heavy bag. The wind today had a bit of a bite to it.

[^_^]

I got the job!!
Hope for long-lasting cooperation
Moving to Wentworth Point next weekend. Area seems nice (park, promenade, river), 1h ferry trip to Opera () or train from Rhodes.

The location was optimized for commuting time. It's just 5km: 60min by foot, 35min by bus(es), 20min by bike, 10min by car.
I guess bike it is, just like you guys mentioned before, haha!
Though I'm surprised that I didn't see lots of bikers around Sydney.

Is it traditional to bring food on the first day?
I've made protein chocolate balls with a friend and saved many for the occasion. Plan is to make cookies as well.

Except work, I've visited robodino makerspace (http://robodino.org/space) one day.
I think it's a great place for lab-less person
I've also found this (http://makerspace.org.au/book-classes/).
You pay a lot for classes (and monthly subscription) but get to learn new stuff (like ceramics). Will give it a try.

Thank you all for posting in this thread!!!
Looking forward to next EEVblog Sydney meetup hehe

[Brumby]

Congratulations on the job!  Hope it's all you expect.

I trust you're not getting too used to the weather we've had lately.  It's been far too mild and far too dry.  Summer is going to hit hard in a few weeks - and mother nature is behind on the rain.  Expect that to catch up sometime.

Oh ... and 20 minute travel time by bike is going to be fairly consistent.  The 10 minutes by car is not going to be nearly as regular.... Traffic, you know.

[VK5RC]

Great to hear re the job. 

[Halcyon]

I got the job!!

As Dave would say "Winner winner, chicken dinner!" (Why isn't there an icon for that?, below is a template for anyone good with Photoshop).

[EEVblog]

I got the job!!

W00t!
The Rode mics one?
That will look good on your resume.
Pro tip (so I've heard), avoid the owner and you'll be fine 
What will you be doing?

Hope for long-lasting cooperation
Moving to Wentworth Point next weekend. Area seems nice (park, promenade, river), 1h ferry trip to Opera () or train from Rhodes.
The location was optimized for commuting time. It's just 5km: 60min by foot, 35min by bus(es), 20min by bike, 10min by car.
I guess bike it is, just like you guys mentioned before, haha!

Yep, should be an easy and safe bike ride.
Newington Armory is nice detour, and you are also a stones throw from Olympic park which is quite nice. You could walk to the events and footy matches. Always heaps of stuff happening there.

[EEVblog]

Yep, should be an easy and safe bike ride.

Just realised you'll have to cross Silverwater Road. Yuck.

[Brumby]

I wouldn't be too worried about crossing Silverwater Road on a bike - there are lights with pedestrian crossing at a number of points.

Travelling along Silverwater Road on a bike, however, would be quite a different thing ... and something I would strongly recommend be avoided at any time of the day.

Even though riders of pushbikes have the same rights (and responsibilities) on the roads as other vehicles, many Sydney motorists consider them obstacles that need to get out of their way.  Even a bike rider in a marked bike lane cannot presume they are any safer than on a normal carriageway ... unless that bike lane is on an independent bike path that is physically separate from mainstream traffic.

[^_^]

What will you be doing?

I'm a firmware guy.
Company's great, enjoying it a lot
Can't say more

BTW some agencies called after 3 weeks of silence LOL. And some didn't respond at all.
I'm also really surprised, that there's such a big "focus" on C++ and Linux in embedded. Even if they want bare-metal C guy.
My little theory is agencies want to get best generic candidates and it might not be what company really needs.
It seems to me one needs to learn "how to BS" and kind of self-marketing when going through them.

[IDEngineer]

Saw this thread bubble to the surface again and had to comment....

We visited Sydney about ten years ago in the midst of a longer trip. Figured "Eh, just another big city" so we were only there for a couple of days.

DANG... we could have stayed two weeks! We quickly fell in love with it and would love to return someday. We had no schedule at all, yet every waking moment was packed and we didn't touch 1% of what we learned was happening.

My personal favorite was Luna Park. I'm a sucker for amusement parks anyway and my (then) 5YO son and I had an absolute blast. There's this one indoor space that has "alpine slides" (think wooden whoop-de-doos) and a huge rotating wooden disk in the floor where the goal is to be the last one flung off by centripetal force (I won!). Meanwhile my wife and in-laws went to some kind of street market and said they didn't touch a quarter of it in half a day.

We went to Sydney with low expectations and were totally blown away by how diverse and beautiful and fun it is. You'll love living there. I'm kinda jealous, actually.

[Brumby]

My personal favorite was Luna Park. I'm a sucker for amusement parks anyway and my (then) 5YO son and I had an absolute blast. There's this one indoor space that has "alpine slides" (think wooden whoop-de-doos)

Been a while since I've been there.  Did you go on the regular ones - or the kamikaze ones (where the first 10 feet or so are vertical  )

and a huge rotating wooden disk in the floor where the goal is to be the last one flung off by centripetal force (I won!).

I never won on that - mainly because I wasn't fast enough to get to the centre.

You would have liked it better when the original Big Dipper was running.

[IDEngineer]

Been a while since I've been there.  Did you go on the regular ones - or the kamikaze ones (where the first 10 feet or so are vertical  )

We went on everything. As I recall, the big ones were against the wall with a sort of diorama of snowy scenes on the wall behind them. You climbed pretty much to the ceiling to start on them.

I never won on that - mainly because I wasn't fast enough to get to the centre.

Neither was I, and I would have felt bad shoving little kids out of position. But they didn't know how to maximize friction, and as they'd skitter away I'd reposition toward the center. Basically a war of attrition. And darned good fun too!

[EEVblog]

Been a while since I've been there.  Did you go on the regular ones - or the kamikaze ones (where the first 10 feet or so are vertical  )

We went on everything. As I recall, the big ones were against the wall with a sort of diorama of snowy scenes on the wall behind them. You climbed pretty much to the ceiling to start on them.

Unfortunately they built big apartment blocks literally meters away from the big dipper, and surprise surprise, the new residents complained about the noise. And surprise surprise, they won, and they had to remove the big dipper.
It's a real sore point in Sydney culture, a few moron developers and residents ruined the original Luna park.

[Brumby]

Unfortunately they built big apartment blocks literally meters away from the big dipper, and surprise surprise, the new residents complained about the noise. And surprise surprise, they won, and they had to remove the big dipper.
It's a real sore point in Sydney culture, a few moron developers and residents ruined the original Luna park.

It's still a sore point.   

The problem came from the park shutting down after the Ghost Train fire in 1979.  The original Big Dipper was demolished, along with other attractions.  It then had a series of shutdowns for various reasons, but in 1994 a steel roller coaster was installed.  In that 15 years, there was no noise, so when the new residents were exposed to the noise that had previously been there for more than 60 years, they whined ... and won, causing one of those shutdowns.

IMHO, that wouldn't have happened if the Big Dipper had been running all along.  Mind you, I believe the development units would have sold for far less.

[GlennSprigg]

I'm happy for you!!  I think it was the "A-Team" on TV years ago, that always said..."I love it when a plan comes together!!" 
I'm originally from Adelaide, but now out from Perth for over 8 years. I KNOW all the good work opportunities are in the Eastern States, but other things factored it for me. Like cost of housing!!  and travel distance!!  A (cheap?) house in Sydney, costing say $800,000 where you travel say 1 + 1/2 hours or more to work/City was excessive. The same quality/style house in Adelaide would be about $300,000 to $400,000 and travel time would be typically 30 mins now!  And the extra $400,000 stays in the bank!!  But we go where the need is, I understand. 

Regarding 'interviews', I found it funny at times, what the interviewer wants/needs to hear.  My background was in commercial/industrial electronics in private/civil companies & organizations. Once, I went for a job with a Government/Utility position, and they had their own way of talking about or referring to certain technical systems, that 'seemed' unfamiliar to me.  An hour later, I said... "Oh!, you are talking about P.I.D. (Proportional, Integral, Derivative) action & controls... why didn't you say P.I.D. !!"  (They had some other stupid names!).  I then went on to drawing various schematics to explain it all, including various computer controlled 4-20mA systems. They were most relieved. The next day they rang to offer me the job, but had since accepted a tech job with Honeywell. (Security, Banks, Prisons, HiRise HVAC & access control systems).
Would not have chosen that later, but was very interesting!! (Another story).

I'm too old now, & medically retired and is all in the past now. Hope you have great success in your life!! 

[EEVblog]

I'm happy for you!!  I think it was the "A-Team" on TV years ago, that always said..."I love it when a plan comes together!!" 
I'm originally from Adelaide, but now out from Perth for over 8 years. I KNOW all the good work opportunities are in the Eastern States, but other things factored it for me. Like cost of housing!!  and travel distance!!  A (cheap?) house in Sydney, costing say $800,000 where you travel say 1 + 1/2 hours or more to work/City was excessive. The same quality/style house in Adelaide would be about $300,000 to $400,000 and travel time would be typically 30 mins now!  And the extra $400,000 stays in the bank!!  But we go where the need is, I understand. 

One thing that pisses me off is when young people say "I can't afford to buy a house in Sydney!" Bullshit, you just can't afford a house in a posh suburb next to your favorite cafe. 
But sure Adelaide is MUCH cheaper than Sydney which is crazy expensive.

[GlennSprigg]

I hear what you are saying Dave, and understand. And I don't think you are referring to me when talking about young yuppies !! 
I guess 'we' (a lot of Aussies) are/have-been 'spoilt' in places like Adelaide.  As a tech in Adelaide for many years, and at times being "On Call" for 24-hr breakdowns in the City, I would often travel in a Work Car between 15 & 30 mins to attend a site. I can't even IMAGINE how a 'tech' would travel say 1 & 1/2 hours to go to a call after hours??  Obviously people would have to be rostered on & stay in the City??? 

Actually, my BEST (easiest) job was living in a house owned by the company, right next to the factory!!  (10 mins from the City!!).
I was paying $26 / week for a 3-bedroom house on a large block. Back gate to go to work, & home for 'Smoko/Lunch' 

[vk6zgo]

I hear what you are saying Dave, and understand. And I don't think you are referring to me when talking about young yuppies !! 
I guess 'we' (a lot of Aussies) are/have-been 'spoilt' in places like Adelaide.  As a tech in Adelaide for many years, and at times being "On Call" for 24-hr breakdowns in the City, I would often travel in a Work Car between 15 & 30 mins to attend a site. I can't even IMAGINE how a 'tech' would travel say 1 & 1/2 hours to go to a call after hours??  Obviously people would have to be rostered on & stay in the City??? 

Actually, my BEST (easiest) job was living in a house owned by the company, right next to the factory!!  (10 mins from the City!!).
I was paying $26 / week for a 3-bedroom house on a large block. Back gate to go to work, & home for 'Smoko/Lunch' 

How about 3-4 hours to a country town?

You get there, & you're completely shattered after finishing your normal day, loading the van, driving there, lugging heavy gear out of the van, then getting into it!
That was life working for Telecom Australia's Broadcast Service Centre, back in the late '70s & the1980s.

If we were going a very long way, we usually flew & picked up a hire car on the other end, but on one memorable occasion, we drove overnight, non-stop Perth---Carnarvon.
Glad we had a Holden wagon--- the dear old Hi-Ace would have "got a bit old" on that run.

Lots of 'roos on the road at "stupid o'clock" in the morning in the last few 100s of km!

[GlennSprigg]

I hear what you are saying Dave, and understand. And I don't think you are referring to me when talking about young yuppies !! 
I guess 'we' (a lot of Aussies) are/have-been 'spoilt' in places like Adelaide.  As a tech in Adelaide for many years, and at times being "On Call" for 24-hr breakdowns in the City, I would often travel in a Work Car between 15 & 30 mins to attend a site. I can't even IMAGINE how a 'tech' would travel say 1 & 1/2 hours to go to a call after hours??  Obviously people would have to be rostered on & stay in the City??? 

Actually, my BEST (easiest) job was living in a house owned by the company, right next to the factory!!  (10 mins from the City!!).
I was paying $26 / week for a 3-bedroom house on a large block. Back gate to go to work, & home for 'Smoko/Lunch' 

How about 3-4 hours to a country town?

You get there, & you're completely shattered after finishing your normal day, loading the van, driving there, lugging heavy gear out of the van, then getting into it!
That was life working for Telecom Australia's Broadcast Service Centre, back in the late '70s & the1980s.

If we were going a very long way, we usually flew & picked up a hire car on the other end, but on one memorable occasion, we drove overnight, non-stop Perth---Carnarvon.
Glad we had a Holden wagon--- the dear old Hi-Ace would have "got a bit old" on that run.

Lots of 'roos on the road at "stupid o'clock" in the morning in the last few 100s of km!

Ha!!... yep...   In Adelaide, from Happy-Valley to Yatala Labor Prison, (Sth of Adel. to Nth of Adel), was well over an HOUR ( ) for call outs. Once, someone in the main control room simply had a book leaning on the PRTSC (print-screen) button on one of the workstation keyboards. It sent thousands of commands to the MainFrame, (interfaced with multiple terminals & countless field control systems), and it shit itself and locked up!! Nothing could be operated!! (The 'terminals' had Colour-Graphics to operate & report everything). I fudged the report documentation to keep the guards job! and hung around for another hour out of goodwill.

My longest prison travel was to calls, (other than regular maintenance) to Mobilong Prison at Murray Bridge. (About 150 kms). Once for a 10-sec fix!!  (Always tried to guide them over the phone first!). Paid 4 hrs overtime, plus travel time/fuel each way. Sometimes would travel to the RiverLand, and stay overnight. Embarrassingly, (not for me!), after re-calibrating/testing their entire system there, I found controllers never set up, and Modutrol Motors either never connected, or hysteresis/logic totally reversed, from when 1st supposedly commissioned!! I went through agony deciding what to report back to my boss, as others would be in the shit!

P.S.  The head warden at Yatala put me in handcuffs once!!  I told him he was too old now & retire to go fishing. (In fun!). He told me to come at him with fists raised etc, and NOT to hold back. I did, and 2 secs later he had one cuff on, & was holding me down with 2 fingers only, on my wrist, as he paused. I said, "Ok, what if I do this!" (thinking I could 'whip' the cuffs around as a weapon). Another 2 secs later he had the other cuff on, and had me prone on the floor in a lot of pain!!      He says he misses the old days when they could take someone behind the shed & teach them a few manners!!  Haha... Now, there are NO guns allowed inside of the Prisons, (even Police delivering people!), except for rifles in the boundary towers, and a pump action shotgun on the wall in the main control room as a LAST RESORT if anyone got that far!

Sorry about this 'thread'. Was just rememberin'