tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148789478277613818.post238724218665035478..comments2023-05-31T22:40:41.060+10:00Comments on My Life and Musings: Getting Through CustomsTheYvetteRenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04070014561412843762noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148789478277613818.post-87732322520232792872012-05-01T20:53:58.280+10:002012-05-01T20:53:58.280+10:00Unfortunately we have 2 dominant supermarket chain...Unfortunately we have 2 dominant supermarket chains (woolworths and Coles) which control about 70% of the retail market for groceries so it's not as competitive as the U.S and therefore more expensive. But things are starting to change - Costco opened up a couple of years ago (it has been popular and will open more stores) and Aldi (a cheap german supermarket chain) is expanding quite rapidly. Just need Walmart to open a few stores!<br /><br />In terms of apartment prices, it depends on where you live. The inner suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne are expensive - but things get much cheaper as you move away from those areas. We need more high density developments in some of the older industrial areas close to the city centers so as to increase the supply of new apartments and bring down the prices.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148789478277613818.post-42412083076942934342012-05-01T02:56:05.658+10:002012-05-01T02:56:05.658+10:00That is crazy ridiculous - perhaps that is why on ...That is crazy ridiculous - perhaps that is why on House Hunters International, no one brings there own "stuff" and instead get a furnished apartment??? I don't know - but the prices over there are just crazy, aren't they?Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10349095462009304690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2148789478277613818.post-84522777438702449122012-04-30T16:36:27.780+10:002012-04-30T16:36:27.780+10:00I agree .... think long and hard on what you inten...I agree .... think long and hard on what you intend to bring in to Australia.<br /><br />Our shipment arrived last Wednesday and we went through all of this too. We were extra careful (as we know how strict Australian Customs are) we declared loads of things that we were 'not sure about', but better to be safe than sorry!<br /><br />Was surprised that all my tea and coffee bags got through though .... I drink a lot of Cardamon, Ginger, Chai teas and sent two large boxes back from Asia in my shipment with a red tape across the box saying "DECLARE" .... yet they let it through. Surprised at that, but happy. :)<br /><br />There were other 'questionable' items, yet everything got through.<br /><br />I also asked the removalists why my shipment came through Sydney when in fact I know the cargo ship docked in Melbourne. Was told that customs in Sydney are a lot easier on household containers of expats, perhaps 'slack' might be a better word to use! But its a well known fact in the industry that shipments are better to come through Sydney than here in Melbourne.<br /><br />Learn something everyday eh?Leone Fabrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17184959562671042750noreply@blogger.com