Thats the shame about people coming over for reckies in australia.
Everyone goes to the cities but the best places are in the country, give me the country australia to the city any day!!!!!
People dont know what beautiful little havens they are missing when they go from city to city, I realise sometimes employment plays a big part, but when you move to the country the wages are less but the houses are less also so it all equells out in the end.
I recomend people that even if you come to a major city in Oz come weekends get out there and see what the little places have to offer, you may be pleasantly surprised
Hi all,
Well back home at 6.30 this morning and starting to feel woozy a bit now!
Employment is the biggest factor for us....hubby is a software tester/QA consultant and I'm an accountant, so it has to be a big city for that. I have friends in Sydney that have also been in Adelaide and have now travelled a fair bit as well...although the country is where the main biting, stinging creatures are!!!
I don't know why we preferred Sydney to Melbourne it just felt better, more friendly almost....and walking around Darling harbour even with the numbers of WYDSYD people chanting blinking "hallelulah" and banging their ruddy drums constantly didn't detract from the views.
We found the transport in both cities excellent and particularly liked the ferries in Sydney and the fact that you can buy 1 ticket that covers you for all transport.
The friends we have in Sydney are still wowed by the Opera House and Harbour Bridge and their life in Sydney after nearly a year their now, but this does depend on personal preference of course!
Hubby is still going to go through with the ACS and hopefully we'll make our minds up soon enough, we're still trying to figure out what Oz has to offer us long term that we don't already have here, apart from a better climate and proximity to the sea!!!
The friends we have in Sydney are still wowed by the Opera House and Harbour Bridge and their life in Sydney after nearly a year their now, but this does depend on personal preference of course!
..
When you went to the Opera House, did you walk under what looked like you were going under a subway, then all the bars were there?? What a fantastic atmosphere that was there!
Purplethunder
Great commentary, it's always very interesting to hear peoples views on different places when they first experience them.
As you pointed out you visited Melbourne at the absolute worst time re weather. I found it particular depressing in July until I started to take the opportunity to use the swiming & gym facilities in my building. Being in Melbourne in the Spring/Summer is a completely different experience. But you're right to see it at it's worst I just hope that the slightly better weather in Sydney doesn't sway your decision. I fell in love with Melbourne in only three short days in March 02 during my holiday which turned out afterwards to be my reccie trip.
I liked Sydney especially the opera house, botanical gardens & Manly. However it felt too big & hertic to me, I much prefer Melbourne.
People's initial reactions are often monetary when comparing their possible lives in the UK or Oz. What you need to do is also take into account the things you can't measure in money like being out in the fresh air, being able to spend more time with the family, your general environment, etc.
All the best with your deliberations, lots more research needed I suspect.
Let us all know whichever way you decide.
PS I got my independant skilled visa via my ACCA qualification so pm me if you want any help on the accountancy side.
The friends we have in Sydney are still wowed by the Opera House and Harbour Bridge and their life in Sydney after nearly a year their now, but this does depend on personal preference of course!
..
When you went to the Opera House, did you walk under what looked like you were going under a subway, then all the bars were there?? What a fantastic atmosphere that was there!
Hope your plans work out well for you
We didn't actually visit the Opera House, just sailed past it on the ferry on our way to Manly, but it was still awesome!!!
We didn't actually visit the Opera House, just sailed past it on the ferry on our way to Manly, but it was still awesome!!!
..
It Certainly is. We went to the Opera House and then went for a walk, our kids went running of infront of us to go under the subway, they were stopped by bouncers, we wondered what these men were saying to them. Anyway turns out it takes take you through but also there are loads of pubs under there so children have to be accompanied by an adult, we were amazed it was great!! Next time go for a walk through the Botanical Gardens then upto the Opera House and then for a bevvie under ground.
Pinhead...at last I've been waiting for you to respond. It wasn't just the weather in Melbourne that put us off, it was the whole atmosphere of the place, the cbd felt very cold in terms of people's demeanour, then parts of the shoppng areas felt very much like Clacton, although we did both prefer the Queen Vic market and the cafe culture in Melbourne (the portions are certainly bigger as well!!) to comparables in Sydney, but felt that the restaurants along the harbour in Sydney were superb.
Hubby has just asked what employment you are in? DOH just read you're last sentence, blond moment me bad!!
Pinhead...at last I've been waiting for you to respond. It wasn't just the weather in Melbourne that put us off, it was the whole atmosphere of the place, the cbd felt very cold in terms of people's demeanour, then parts of the shoppng areas felt very much like Clacton, although we did both prefer the Queen Vic market and the cafe culture in Melbourne (the portions are certainly bigger as well!!) to comparables in Sydney, but felt that the restaurants along the harbour in Sydney were superb.
Hubby has just asked what employment you are in?
Might have just been the weather getting people down I found the Melburnians to be very friendly. The fish in Queen Vic market is fantastic.
I'm an accountant by trade currently working in industry as a business analyst for a large US company. I worked for Tabcorp when I lived in Melbourne (they run all the TAB in Melbourne/Sydney as well as the Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville & Sydney casinos).
I had to return to the UK due to 'house issues', long story.
Trying to sell my house at the moment, I have just over 6 months as my flight is booked for 12 Feb next year and my visa expires at the end of March.
I found the Melburnians to be very friendly. The fish in Queen Vic market is fantastic.
