A few questions about australia for aussies?

Question

Hey, i am from India and moving to Melbourne in july 08.

I am excited and have a lot of questions in my mind.To start with here are few questions....

1)How much would a shared accomodation cost in melbourne (Burwood locality).

2)I am a student so i would be looking for a part-time job.What do you think are prospects of finding a job in burwood melbourne or are they better in the city.

3)What is normal clothing wear for guys in melbourne.I am not an overly fashionable guy but a little bit of fashion wont hurt.

Like what are current trends.

4)How is aussie lifestyle.Specifically in melbourne.

5)Finally do aussies love Indians.Can i make a lot of aussie friends?

Any additional suggestions are welcome.

Answer 1

Hi Samy, I am assuming you are going to Deakin University.  I used to live in Burwood near there.  Firstly, there is a bit of a shortage of rental accommodation in Melbourne so you may have to pay up to $200 to share a house with other students, or maybe $250 for a one bedroom flat.  There are lots of other students from overseas studying there including some Indians.  You should be able to get a part-time job in the area.  There is a tram that goes into the city but it may take upto one hour.  Remember you are arriving in the middle of Winter so you will need some warm clothes (at least one really warm jacket).  Student dress is pretty casual - jeans and runners etc.  The aussie lifestyle is pretty laidback.  Guys tend to like sports (especially AFL football and cricket).  Burwood is out in the suburbs so you will probably find it quiet and a little boring.  Making friends is up to you.  It might be a bit hard at the start if you don't know anyone when you arrive.  Try joining some social clubs that the university will have.  Melbourne has a couple of Indian newspapers so they will probably help you get into the Indian social network (or find you a wife!).  You need to explore Melbourne to have some fun - the city, Chapel St. South Yarra, Lygon St. Carlton, Brunswick St. Fitzroy, Bridge Rd. Richmond, Fitzroy and Ackland Streets in St. Kilda.  Go and see a game of AFL football at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) or Telstra Dome.  

Hope you find a place to stay, a job, some friends and have some fun as well as studying successfully here.  Good luck.

Answer 2

check out RALPH magazine (mens mag) which will give you a crash course in aussie male culture/trends/fashion/humour/pinup girls...  oh did I mention the girls?  lots of 'em in good old ralph!

but it is a good way to see how main stream aussie men work, brush up on the topics covered in Ralph and I think you won't have a problem adjusting or making friends.

Answer 3

3) It is NOT hot in Melbourne at the moment. I don't know what Aussie is talking about haha :P

Some brands that aussies wear are

Industrie

Mooks

Mossimo

Freshjive

Hizz

JAG

Stevie

etc..

If you're one that doesn't mind the cold, jeans and a t-shirt will be alright, but if you get cold easily, a hoodie and jeans, or just a nice jumper and jeans will be fine. Also flannelette shirts are kindof in fashion.

here are some ideas:

http://justjeans.com.au/tem/mens.tem

http://www.hizz.com.au/

http://www.generalpants.com.au/mens.html

oh yeah, and as for foortwear: converse, nike, etc. are in at the moment.

4) Aussie lifestyle is good in melbourne lol..

5) And Aussies don't LOVE indians. We like them, just like all other races, but we don't specifically like them any more or less ;)

Answer 4

1) See real estate below.  There are other sites so you might be able to find them through a search engine or go to the Melbourne newspaper real estate ads

2) No idea on jobs, maybe try the Melbourne newspaper website - check your visa requirements.  

3)  Depends on the occasion - smart casual is common (eg clean pants and shirt / top, jumper or jacket in winter, socks and clean but comfortable shoes.  Jeans and top is common casually.

4)  Melbourne is quite fashion and cafe / restaurant driven and is supposed to be the most "European".  However there is a reasonable amount of alternative culture.  Australia is generally quite laid back, sports loving (cricket in summer and football in winter).

5) Generally accepting of other cultures, there are the odd pockets of discontent but generally they are far and few between.

Answer 5

Samy we have no problem with indians here.We have a mixture of different cultures here so dont fret about it.It is a hot country here so just casual clothes are ok lol.I cant give you much advice about melb' as I'm from the other side in the west perth.But hey good luck anyway when you arrive.