Useful Information

Morven33 · 15-10-2007, 01:20 AM

I thought I'd share with you all some useful tips I've been given since arriving here in Oz to make life a little easier for you, please correct me if I'm wrong anyone, but they seem to be working for me.

Mozzies. Hate the little buggers with a vengence but was told about Vitamin B1. Take this 3 times a day (to keep your system constantly topped up with it) and you shouldn't get bitten. I started taking this 2 weeks ago (it takes that long to get into your system) and touch wood seems to be making a difference although still to experience the worst time for mozzies which is Nov, Dec, Jan. I also burn sandalwood, citronella and vanilla, all mozzie repellants.

Christmas Beetles. They look like flying cockroaches to me which freaked me out! They come out early evening and dive bomb you. They are attracted by white light so I've been told to put a coloured light on my deck and they wont go for that. Also put a white light at the bottom of the garden and that should keep the blighters happy down there for a while.

Driving. The word being a courteous driver does not exist in Australia. They will cut you up, overtake, undertake at every opportunity, will not let you in (or out) will not slow down, worst drivers on the planet. My advice? Just do as they do because you cant beat them! Also they do not reverse park into a space! I do all the time and have passed a space, signalled that I am going in and the car behind me has shot into that space! Infuriating!

Bargain on a price for everything. If they wont give you anything off (they usually do if its for cash) then ask for something free, be it a pair of socks when you're buying trainers or a lamp or cushion if you're buying furniture.

Properties. Do not expect a house to be spotless or tidy if you're going to view it because it aint. We visited a few dumps (lovely houses on the outside) but they just hadnt bothered to make it look nice on the inside. So you have to have a very good imagination to look past clutter and imagine what you could do with it.

Hope this information helps anyone moving here, I just thought I'd share my tips to make life a little easier for you all.

Morven

alcocainmel · 15-10-2007, 04:13 AM

Hi Morven

What a great post and it did make me laugh in places!!!!

Mozzies we not yet had a problem with them yet!!

Christmas Beetles again not seen any perhaps its not hot enough in Melbourne????

Driving - this made me laugh god your so right!! It must be the same all over Oz (although dont remember it being that bad in Sydney when we have been on holiday - perhaps I just didnt take any notice as I didnt do the driving - as I am sure it must be) anyway....people are so nice and welcoming however they seem to get behind the wheel of a car and turn into monsters!! Cutting you up, not letting you pull out of a parking space, or even when the traffic is bumper to bumper and not going anywhere!! Its like they have a mission to get there before you!!!! CRAZY!! I have driven in the centre of London many times and that is a breeze in comparison to Aussie drivers!!

Bargin - my oh always haggles on the price and I used to get so embarrassed when in UK yet here its the norm!!

When we were looking for our rental when we first got here we did look at a house that was absolutley filthy. I was really surprised when the agent said that it was the owner of the property living there at the time of viewing and not a tennant!!

Deb xx

OldiesRUs · 15-10-2007, 05:29 PM

Have to say that I had never noticed the bad driving - I'm usually the one stuck in the back seat - apart from the fact that Aussies don't seem to know how to use a roundabout properly.

However, had Aussies over here for the last 5 weeks - their first visit to the UK - and they did actually comment on how courteous everyone is on the roads. Not only the fact that we let people in etc., but also the fact that people acknowledge that you have let them in.

Jean

tahe49 · 15-10-2007, 10:05 PM

Interesting read - thanks. Can I ask what you think of Redcliffe. Hoping to aim for that area or surrounding areas

Ron & Chel · 15-10-2007, 10:59 PM

Well said Deb's
I totally agree ive always said the same for people who are so layed back when they get behind the wheel they instantly turn in to racing agressive monsters my brother inc he f's and blinds every one then to top it off when they get out of the car they are instantly mellow layed back again crazzzzzzzzzzy

Morven33 · 16-10-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tahe49

Interesting read - thanks. Can I ask what you think of Redcliffe. Hoping to aim for that area or surrounding areas

I love Redcliffe!!! It got a bit of a name a few years ago for being a retirement town but it has well and truly recovered from that. The real estate market is going a bit crazy here so I think that's proof of the fact that a lot more families are settling here. If you want to be near the city (40min-1 hour drive depending on traffic) but feel as if your in the country then this place is perfect. What I love about it is the sea breeze and from what I heard you really need it in the summer, Redcliffe is always a few degrees lower than the city, for instance it was 25 here yesterday, 28 in the city (31 in Ipswich!!).

I work here and can walk to my work along the seafront, bliss.

If there is anything more specific you want to know just PM me and I'll be more than happy to answer your questions.

Morven

peggy · 17-10-2007, 12:44 AM

I agree on the driving

I keep asking aussies i meet on my rounds about why do they hog the right hand lane when the left is clear and the answers i get range from i am turning right in 3 kilometres, and well i am being law abiding by keeping to the speed limit in the outside lane !!!.

Also bus drivers god they drive me MAD MAD MAD MAD as far as there concerned they put there indicator on and thats it they go even if your at the side of them oh and woo betide you if you happen to have your front or back wheels in there bus stop its like as if you have just parked in there garage

The other funny ones are truckies you see a nice sticker on there back that says if you cant see my mirrors i cant see you. and what do they do well lets put its this way you can count how many bugs they have killed on there grill just by looking in your rear view mirror lol.

And i have noticed another thing about truckies over here and i want other ppl to check this out.The older the truck the longer the beard on the driver.lol

tisme · 17-10-2007, 01:06 AM

Here in Perth it is an offence to drive in the right hand lane of a dual carriageway if the speed limit is 90k's an hour or more, your supposed to overtake and return to the left. Not many people take notice of the rule, I have known a couple of people to be booked for it.
Busses have right of way if they want to pull out, you are supposed to give way to them.
Another thing not many people know how to do in WA is merge into traffic.
I think it would probably be a good idea if everyone had to do a refresher every 10 years to keep their license.
Aussies are very lazy drivers, taxi drivers are the worst