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Moving to Australia :)
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moonmonkey
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Mar 18, 2011, 02:37 PM
 
So im swapping fried rice for meat pies next month and moving to Australia.
I will be based out of Canberra (don't say anything bad, I need positive thoughts) and occasionally be traveling down to Melbourne.

A) ISPs any recomendations? I download a lot and while Hong Kong is OK I feel Australia may struggle with my added bandwidth burden

B) I need to do a test and get a driving license (again don't ask), any advice if ACT or NSW license would be better, i'm over 30?

Anything else I should know?
     
Lateralus
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Mar 18, 2011, 03:10 PM
 
1) Canberra is nicer than people give it credit for. I loved it. Though admittedly, I'm very boring so museums, government buildings and lots of well landscaped areas do it for me.

2) Australia has no good ISPs. You'll be dropping $60/mo for 50-75GBs.

3) I don't think it matters, though if I had a choice I'd go NSW because the state government seems to wield a disproportionate amount of power relative to other states. Example; the NSW alcohol-handling/bar-tending certification is the only one that's good nationwide.

You may be stuck with ACT based on residence address though.

And whatever you do, don't ever... ever... ever... buy the Woolworth's 'Home Brand' frozen meat pies. Please.
I like chicken
I like liver
Meow Mix, Meow Mix
Please de-liv-er
     
sek929
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Mar 18, 2011, 03:12 PM
 
The preferred method of transport is Kangaroo pouches, that takes a little getting used to. Also, the faucets dispense Fosters.
     
moonmonkey  (op)
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Mar 18, 2011, 03:16 PM
 
Thanks, any restaurants you would recommend (as my first option of the meat pies is out of the question).
     
imitchellg5
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Mar 18, 2011, 03:40 PM
 
Why are you being expelled from British territory to a prison colony?
     
mattyb
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Mar 18, 2011, 06:16 PM
 
Originally Posted by sek929 View Post
Also, the faucets dispense Fosters.
But because the Convicts can't handle their beer, they only slurp half pints.
     
nonhuman
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Mar 18, 2011, 06:39 PM
 
Originally Posted by mattyb View Post
But because the Convicts can't handle their beer, they only slurp half pints.
Half pints? What is this imperial bull-crap? It's schooners or nothing!
     
Sealobo
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Mar 18, 2011, 08:24 PM
 
i hope the money's worth it... haha. take care dude.
     
olePigeon
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Mar 18, 2011, 08:58 PM
 
Try walking on your hands for a few weeks before flying to Australia, get used to being upside down.
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
     
Face Ache
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Mar 18, 2011, 10:05 PM
 
Originally Posted by moonmonkey View Post
A) ISPs any recomendations?
iiNet.

Originally Posted by moonmonkey View Post
B) I need to do a test and get a driving license (again don't ask), any advice if ACT or NSW license would be better, i'm over 30?
ACT.

Originally Posted by moonmonkey View Post
Anything else I should know?
Nah. She'll be right, mate.
     
AKcrab
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Mar 18, 2011, 11:52 PM
 
I'm jealous. Have a blast down under.
     
olePigeon
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Mar 19, 2011, 12:43 AM
 
You should change the name on your passport to Bruce, to avoid confusion.
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
     
Lateralus
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Mar 19, 2011, 05:00 AM
 
Bruce Monkey?
I like chicken
I like liver
Meow Mix, Meow Mix
Please de-liv-er
     
ebuddy
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Mar 19, 2011, 07:35 AM
 
Originally Posted by moonmonkey View Post
Thanks, any restaurants you would recommend (as my first option of the meat pies is out of the question).
Outback Steakhouse. Love that place.
ebuddy
     
moonmonkey  (op)
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Mar 19, 2011, 07:41 AM
 
Originally Posted by Face Ache View Post
iiNet.
Sounds good.

What about TV? - can you get terrestrial TV or zero subscription fee digital - i'm not looking for 200 channels, just descent news etc.
     
Lateralus
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Mar 19, 2011, 08:07 AM
 
Yeah, Oz is pretty well taken care of on OTA digital.
I like chicken
I like liver
Meow Mix, Meow Mix
Please de-liv-er
     
Laminar
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Mar 19, 2011, 08:25 AM
 
Originally Posted by ebuddy View Post
Outback Steakhouse. Love that place.
See how much better it is without the stupid wink?

Also,
YouTube - Peter Griffin, Brand New Hyundai
     
ebuddy
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Mar 19, 2011, 09:12 AM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
See how much better it is without the stupid wink?
Thanks for the tip.

ebuddy
     
Laminar
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Mar 19, 2011, 09:51 AM
 
     
PER3
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Mar 19, 2011, 03:00 PM
 
Originally Posted by moonmonkey View Post
So im swapping fried rice for meat pies next month and moving to Australia.
I will be based out of Canberra (don't say anything bad, I need positive thoughts) and occasionally be traveling down to Melbourne.

A) ISPs any recomendations? I download a lot and while Hong Kong is OK I feel Australia may struggle with my added bandwidth burden

B) I need to do a test and get a driving license (again don't ask), any advice if ACT or NSW license would be better, i'm over 30?

Anything else I should know?


As an artificial city at the end of the world, Canberra might be a bit of an acquired taste. Its main industries are government, education, and, at least the last time I looked, pornography (although Australian laws might have since legalised this in other states).

The food is pretty good and varied, but there is no nightlife during the week.

Traffic is relatively light, but public transport is shoddy unless you like cycling.

The people are approachable, but a little pedantic (at an ATM, for example, you can expect the next person to stand three or four metres away from you in order not to invade your personal space).

It's a fantastic place if you like fresh air, nature, and beautiful sunsets. Not so good if you want to go out on the town (unless you know exactly where to go).

For me, it is like I would imagine Pyong Yang to be, but on the Molonglo River.

...

[Switching to a South Korean context]:

I once asked a Korean student who was studying here if he found Canberra impossibly boring compared to Seoul, and he told me that he really liked the relaxed atmosphere as he could concentrate on his work.

Your miles might vary.
     
Laminar
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Mar 19, 2011, 04:13 PM
 
Originally Posted by PER3 View Post
Traffic is relatively light, but public transport is shoddy unless you like cycling.
Is cycling considered public transport? Or is there some sort of public transport+cycling option?
     
Lateralus
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Mar 19, 2011, 04:16 PM
 
pwn3d
I like chicken
I like liver
Meow Mix, Meow Mix
Please de-liv-er
     
Chongo
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Mar 19, 2011, 04:39 PM
 
Give my best to The Humungus and Aunty
45/47
     
PER3
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Mar 20, 2011, 05:01 AM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Is cycling considered public transport? Or is there some sort of public transport+cycling option?
I just meant that the cycle paths are not too bad (depending on where you live and how far you need to travel).

As far as public transport and cycling goes, some of the longer route busses have bicycle racks.

The Wikipedia article sums up the economy and demographics and so on.
     
ghporter
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Mar 20, 2011, 06:36 AM
 
Buses with bike racks help, but having the bicycle infrastructure is the important part. It appears that Canberra has an active cycling community and lots of infrastructure-a lot more than we have here in San Antonio!

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
Stogieman
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Mar 20, 2011, 05:42 PM
 
Originally Posted by Face Ache View Post
Nah. She'll be right, mate.
Yeah. Give her a go.

Slick shoes?! Are you crazy?!
     
finboy
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Mar 21, 2011, 07:10 PM
 
Originally Posted by olePigeon View Post
You should change the name on your passport to Bruce, to avoid confusion.
     
   
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