How to Settle In

How to Settle In

Step One: Open a Bank Account
Luckily, this task is easily manageable. You go into a bank and give them your passport. The teller can look up your bank history online. Within fifteen minutes, you’ve got a bank account. Our next step is calling our bank back home and having our funds transferred.

Step Two: Get a Mobile Phone
You can’t get a mobile without a bank account. This process was long and arduous. It seems that it was actually more difficult to get a mobile than it was a bank account. Justin had to answer all these questions about his work history and I had to provide proof from the Australian government that I am a current student. Might I add that you also need to sign nearly ten pages of papers, promising to honor the contract… or else.
In addition, we also had to learn the differences between Australian mobile plans and American mobile plans. Regarding comparing prices on various plans, they are roughly the same, in accordance to the cost of living. The iPhone (my preferred phone of choice) is available on every carrier… not just two. Plans (that are not pre-paid) come in different prices per month. For example, we pay a set amount each month, and receive $500 total credit each month. A regional phone call costs $1(taken from the $500 credit) and each text, national and international, costs about 30 cents (again, taken from the $500 credit.) Put more simply, the plan is not based upon how many “minutes” or texts you have available… You can choose how you want to use your $500 credit each month. Another advantage to an Aussie plan is that if someone phones or texts me, it does not come out of my $500 credit… it’s free to me. The only concern I have about my plan is that data (internet) is capped at 1.5 gigs. I think I’ll be alright with that, but paying attention to how much data I will be using is something I will need to get used to.

Step Three: Finding a Home
It may seem unusual to prioritize having a phone before a home, but let me explain how rentals are handled here.
In order to find a rental, you must go through a real estate agency. You can look at properties online or go into an agency. We’ve been doing a bit of both.
When you find a property you like, you email or call the agent and they will tell you when the “inspection” is. It is essential that an agent is able to get ahold of you (hence the need for the phone/data plan.) An inspection is an open house for the public. Most inspections are fifteen minutes in length, and you might be viewing the property with others. If you like it, you lodge an application. If they accept your application, you will pay bond (security deposit) and the first month’s rent.
This week, we’ll be viewing many properties. Due to our timing constraints (with me starting class next week and Justin starting work ---from home, mind you) we will have to be less picky about our search. Lucky for us, Melbourne has many cool neighborhoods and good public transport, so we won’t need to be too concerned about specific location.
It looks like a one-bedroom will be all we can afford, so this will be a change as well! To put it into context, a one-bedroom apartment here typically costs more than a two-bedroom apartment in Minneapolis. We think in some ways, it may be better, since we have no furniture to fill our new place anyway.
In the meantime, our present accommodations are absolutely lovely. Our dear friend, Elizabeth, is so good to us that she may never get rid of us! ☺ Her place is so warm and welcoming that we don’t really feel like guests, but like family instead. You know that saying “home away from home?” Elizabeth’s place really is for us. Again, I marvel at my good fortune and thank my lucky stars over how good life is.


Step Four: Buying Furniture and Household Goods and Setting Up Services

Stay tuned for this one… We are still stuck on Step Two.