And again I say you cannot form a balanced opinion of a city in such a short period of time - at least not one that should be relied upon by people who are considering whether or not to live there.
I could contend that I found Brisbane dead after 7pm in the evening based on the handful of times I have been there - but I don't because I would prefer to look at the opinions of those who live in the place.
Best regards.
__________________
Managing Director, Go Matilda, http://www.gomatilda.com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534 and Chartered Accountant (England & Wales, and Australia)
Offices in the UK and in Australia
And again I say you cannot form a balanced opinion of a city in such a short period of time -
Best regards.
ABsolutely right, There is no way on earth you can make opinions that quickly. Perhaps I was lucky as I fell in love with BRisbane almost immediatly. We had never been there so took a huge gamble. We went where the work was and everything slotted in!
Have some sleep Buck, a drink or 2 and review things in a few weeks. If life is really that bad, can you not move? WHat visa are you ? Can someone else sponsor you? (Sorry dont know your entire situation)
__________________
Joanne & Mark
Countdown to Christmas.......24 days
And again I say you cannot form a balanced opinion of a city in such a short period of time - at least not one that should be relied upon by people who are considering whether or not to live there.
I could contend that I found Brisbane dead after 7pm in the evening based on the handful of times I have been there - but I don't because I would prefer to look at the opinions of those who live in the place.
Best regards.
Aw c'mon Alan, dont you believe in Love at First Sight? Dont knock someone because their intial perception isnt what you would like to hear. Maybe this post has served a purpose in that it has made people aware that there can be culture shock and its impact is not to be underrated.
Sure, Buck may come round to thinking it is the best place since the Garden of Eden or he may not! I know that my first impressions of Sydney way back in 1970 were more of the "Oh my God what have I done?" variety than "Thank God I am here!" First impressions are often the right ones!
I accept that first impressions can be hugely important, but I question the validity of any comment that comes when one is emotionally exhausted.
I know how I felt when we migrated - it was a roller coaster just getting to the airport in one piece. I certainly wouldn't then consider there was any point in forming an opinion about the place I had found myself in the space of 24 hours.
It is my humble view that if people are not prepared to give their adopted country at least 6 months (and ideally a minimum of 2 years) they shouldn't embark on the process in the first place. I also accept that some are not emotionally equipped to handle the whole migration experience but go through with it because they feel they have to (maybe as an obligation to others, or because they don't want to lose face). It is only once the reality of being in a new place for the long term hits home that the need to return quickly manifests itself.
Am starting to waffle now, so I'll finish!
Best regards.
__________________
Managing Director, Go Matilda, http://www.gomatilda.com
Registered Migration Agent Number 0102534 and Chartered Accountant (England & Wales, and Australia)
Offices in the UK and in Australia
I'll start this thread by saying that I have only had 6 hours of broken sleep on the plane in the past 40 hours, just to set the scene.
We arrived in Melbourne at 7:15 this morning. Was a bit excited, even with the sad farewells still lurking in the back of my mind (oh, and nothing will ever prepare you for that - not even this warning!!). Got a taxi from the airport to our house (not in the best of areas, admittedly). I would say at this moment in time that it is one of the worst places I have ever been (and I have travelled lots). The chance of finding a bit of concrete which doesn't have graffiti on it is slim. The place is just horrible. I'm no snob - I was brought up in the middle of nowhere.
We then took the graffiti ridden train up to Flinders street (had to jump on with no ticket as unmanned station ticket machine not working - probably vandalised). Spent the following 4 hours walking round the CBD trying to find somewhere semi respectable to have a meal - failed miserably. The CBD in Melbourne is a total slum. The long streets have a variety of random pointless shops. The streets are full of litter. The place is dirty. Fag butts everywhere (wife ended up with one in her shoe). Restaurants are all disgusting looking. The only decent looking ones (of which there were 2) were closed (this was Thursday afternoon).
Went to the bank to pick up cards - got sent wrong way by a taxi driver - when I discovered this turned round but got to the bank at 16:10 only to find that banks close at 16:00!!!
I have spent months on this site in the build up to arriving here thinking it would at least be "ok" - it's not. We all hate it. 6 yr old said he hates it and wants to go home (having spent months talking about it). 4 yr old keeps asking when are we going home.
To say it is a disappointment is an understatement. Having said that, we are now looking for somewhere else to live, and will not change our plans just yet (although wouldn't take much persuading).
Don't want to sound like a "whingeing pom", which is why I will keep this to myself outside of this site, but I think people coming here need to be aware of this. How can anyone in the past not have posted a thread like this? How can anyone have found good words to say about this place? Don't think you are coming to a nice place - it is disgusting. We will be going into the suburbs on the weekend so will keep you all posted of what we find and if my mood improves!!!!
PS... on a positive note, all the people are unbelvievably friendly. Anyone and everyone will happily stop and talk. Maybe this is the charm that people have seen in the past to post positive comments about Melbourne??
I may be eating my own words in the future, but this is how I am feeling right now and I am wondering why I have put everyone through this.
Well I always find it interesting to read and hear about other peoples opinions and thoughts about various city.
Just out of interest, what suburb are you talking about where you chose to live??
As for good food places in the city, there are a few...
- Elephant and Wheelbarrow - Brit style pub - Cnr Bourke and Exhibition
- Docklands there are plenty
- Top of near Parliament House, ie Bourke and Spring
- Crown casino and South Bank - heaps of good ones, try The Pub
- Taco Bill - Mexican - Russel and Bourke
and the list goes on
I am not a pom, nor have I imigrated from anywhere into Australia. I found this site by accident when I was looking for a plasterer - and started reading and posting in answer to questions.
I am originally from Sydney, have lived in Darwin, Outback NT, Brisbane and Townsville, Canberra and other places..I have been to every Australian city for lengthy stays.
Melbourne is not really my fav place either, bit it is home for the time being.
Anything I can help you with, just ask away..
MAS,
seeing as you have you have lived all over would i be cheeky to ask you to give a post telling us your opinions on Melbourne Perth and Brisbane??? maybe good and bad points according to you and your favourite city?? any advice about them? your advice you gave us for point cook, geelong etc so far has been very useful, i,ll be a nurse and as i previously posted we are headed over gor 3 weeks in june to Melbourne, but over here just now there are major recruitment drives on to sign up UK nurses for Perth and Brisbane so im beginning to get fuzzy head syndrome again just when we thought we had made a concrete decision!!!!!!! we were put off by the house prices and isolation of perth and the humidity of brisbane?? any advice is really very gratefully received!!! Thanx in advance
MAS,
seeing as you have you have lived all over would i be cheeky to ask you to give a post telling us your opinions on Melbourne Perth and Brisbane??? maybe good and bad points according to you and your favourite city?? any advice about them? your advice you gave us for point cook, geelong etc so far has been very useful, i,ll be a nurse and as i previously posted we are headed over gor 3 weeks in june to Melbourne, but over here just now there are major recruitment drives on to sign up UK nurses for Perth and Brisbane so im beginning to get fuzzy head syndrome again just when we thought we had made a concrete decision!!!!!!! we were put off by the house prices and isolation of perth and the humidity of brisbane?? any advice is really very gratefully received!!! Thanx in advance
Im in Brissie - and a RN - what u wanna know?
__________________
Joanne & Mark
Countdown to Christmas.......24 days
Hiya,
just really your opinion on Brisbane what you like what you dont like, the heat?? the houses? ive just read that the basic salary for a new nurse grade 1 is $46,600 is that about right? also as a newly qualified nurse (eventually) do you think i,ll get work? we honestly thought we had decided on melbourne but im thinking we will have to go where the work is! thanx
Aw c'mon Alan, dont you believe in Love at First Sight? Dont knock someone because their intial perception isnt what you would like to hear. Maybe this post has served a purpose in that it has made people aware that there can be culture shock and its impact is not to be underrated.
Sure, Buck may come round to thinking it is the best place since the Garden of Eden or he may not! I know that my first impressions of Sydney way back in 1970 were more of the "Oh my God what have I done?" variety than "Thank God I am here!" First impressions are often the right ones!
No I don't agree with you. You have just travelled for 24 hours, you cannot form an opinion about a place that quick on the whole of Melbourne. If after 2 months and travelling around then they decide it isn't for them then yes it is a bit more valid.
MAS,
seeing as you have you have lived all over would i be cheeky to ask you to give a post telling us your opinions on Melbourne Perth and Brisbane??? maybe good and bad points according to you and your favourite city?? any advice about them? your advice you gave us for point cook, geelong etc so far has been very useful, i,ll be a nurse and as i previously posted we are headed over gor 3 weeks in june to Melbourne, but over here just now there are major recruitment drives on to sign up UK nurses for Perth and Brisbane so im beginning to get fuzzy head syndrome again just when we thought we had made a concrete decision!!!!!!! we were put off by the house prices and isolation of perth and the humidity of brisbane?? any advice is really very gratefully received!!! Thanx in advance
Hmm..tough choice. Perth is nice, but a place I would rather keep for a holiday desination. Growing up and living on east coast of Australia you acome customed to having another capital city in driving distance or 1 hour flying time. Perth is way over there on it's own.
Brisbane is a great place. Pretty laid back, causual style affair and the 3rd biggest city. But very warm and humid in summer..but you can always climatise. (Just got a phone call from my cousin in London saying it's 15 degrees and everyone is flocking to the beach. When it's 15 in Brisbane, people rug up!)..
Melbourne where I have been for the past 8-9 years is a nice place. No good beaches, rugby league isnt the main sports but if you can get around that, then you may like it. It has been voted the worlds most livable city a few times or its in the list of. There are some nice areas to live and it has everything you need.
Now based on your nursing, I am thinking maybe Melbourne. My brother is a nurse in Brisbane, and I have friends and friends wives who are nurses here and they make more money down here. A friend of mine is earning $100 an hour for agency work down here in A&E, maybe more..so plenty of work down here, and I assume everywhere else in the world.
At the end of the day, if you arte planning for Melbourne, carry on with that and once you arte here you can always explore around.
My fav city is Sydney, where I grew up. I love that place and would move back there now if I could.
To answer your questions:
hot/humid/laid back lifestyle - Brisbane
for issolation of a big city - Perth
for a tatse of home and something new - Melboruen
Probally havent answer your questions!
Just got to remember Australia is a huge place!
Anything else, ask away..
just when we thought we had made a concrete decision!!!!!!! we were put off by the house prices and isolation of perth and the humidity of brisbane?? any advice is really very gratefully received!!! Thanx in advance
