Our friend from London brought over a couple of newspapers in Feb. I know the cost of houses in England is astronomical but I was quite shocked at the wages which, for jobs such as porter etc, were really quite low. I don't see how even a house on Downham can be afforded by people in that sort of job these days.
When we came out in 1974, I left a full time job in which my take home pay (nursing in a clinic) was the equivalent of $23 p.w. Straightaway in Oz, I got a job that paid $75 p.w. for working in the hostel kitchen. Once I got my nursing credentials sorted out and got a nursing job, my wages doubled. Food was much cheaper than in England. For example: shortly before leaving, I was paying 8/- for half a pound of cheapest mince. Out here, I was paying half the price for 3 times as much meat. Fruit and vegetables were also considerably cheaper. I was shocked at the high cost of books and shoes.
Houses prices have risen astronomically here now. I will never understand where the cost comes in. Obviously, it is getting harder and harder for people to buy that first home. But then, as we have said before, no-one is content with a modest basic home any more - they've got to have the lot.
Bren
