Nzogbia

Hi Thinker, An excellent and insightful reply, and one which gave me much food for thought. I especially agree with your comments re: the Pollyanna-ish, stepford citizen culture which is controlled so tightly by vested interests. For me, I always found it slightly sinister the way the media, clearly in concert with government, presented the the news in a ridiculously biased manner and that dissent was often dismissed as 'un-Australian'. Conversely, in the UK, we question EVERYTHING and nothing escapes a no holds barred debate. Ultimately though, I find it doesn't make that much difference. I feel happier with a more questioning, more transparent culture (UK), but in every western country, including the UK, corporations run the game and the government and I wonder if the illusion of a robust media/democratic system is what they'd like us to think we have. Sorry, bordering on the conspiracy theory there, but in the Western world we have mothers and fathers both working to send kids to nursery and so that we can pay mortgages on houses that increase in value and so secure the loan books of big banks and pay bankers bonuses. As you say, it's all nuts - but until it changes, I might prefer a decent climate and some sunshine!

Thanks Aunt Agatha - I never considered that. You may very well be right. The other aspect is, for north east people, working away from home during the week is just a way of life, and has been for years. I think it's easier to do this in your twenties but a lot harder to keep doing it in your 40's especially if you have a young-ish family. Good luck with the move back. Newcastle still has its old charms, but is still entrenched in its old problems. Sometimes things happen for a reason. I count myself the luckiest fella alive that I moved back here on a 'hunch' and met my amazing wife. Good luck has to land on you eventually!

Hey Thinker78, thanks for adding your thoughts. It certainly took me back to some of my old PIO mini-rants when I was living in Melbourne (oh the shame). I checked back through them and yep, they pretty much match your own sentiments perfectly! I was, like you, particularly horrified by the constant stream of pollyan-ish, how good is that (everything), force fed foi grois unquestioning line of the Australian media, which dumbed down the level of debate on everything (or simply ignored significant world events). Is ignorance bliss? It's a tricky one. Between the UK and Australia it's one end of the spectrum to the other. The news here is truly a never ending tide of misery, which bombards you on every single news channel. I think the news outlets here forget that most people in the UK are living with most of these 'issues' on a daily basis and would actually quite like a departure from the miseryfest. A few good news stories would be nice now and again, to remind you that it's ok to be happy and really, that's what we should all hope for. On the other hand, the Australian approach of the 4th estate simply blanking out anything which may be seen as unpatriotic, self critical, negatively affecting property prices (aka vested interests) or generally anything that might make the populus question how things are done, in favour of a 'news' story about a brave Austrayian fire crew fishing a pensioner's cat from a tree "How good was that?!" and telling everyone how happy they should be because the sun is shining (again). Well, which system is best? Tricky huh? :-)

Hello everyone, Just thought I'd give people a quick update about my own experiences/impressions since moving back to the UK (Newcastle upon Tyne). I left Melbourne and returned home to the UK in early 2012 having spent 6 years in Oz, and having gained my Australian citizenship (for which I was very proud and grateful). I made a very brief return to Oz for a special occasion in late 2012, but other than that I have been UK bound. So, now it is nearly 2015. What has changed? Well, first off, I returned to Newcastle in 2012 for no particular reason - but rather because of a feeling I had...... that I SHOULD, somehow. Can't explain it any more than that. Anyway, the week after I got 'home' I met a local girl, half Italian, absolutely gorgeous. We got married this summer. Happy Days! :-) I've really enjoyed being back in Newcastle, with family and familiar/long standing friends. I think that connection never went away and maybe drew me back to old Blighty. However, despite knowing Australia's faults I always believed it was a great country and I was very privileged to become a citizen. All of the pro's and cons that I wrote about a few years ago on here still stand up, but yep, no doubt, Australia (and other countries I'm sure) has a spoiling effect on you. I noticed that a lot of my mates here in Newcastle have changed. Yes, we're all getting older, but they all seem so much more world weary, and downbeat with the pressures of just getting by. Life has always been a bit of a struggle to some extent, but now the UK just seems SO much more cut throat. People (ie: both parents) seem to work themselves to death just to get by, and there is no job security. Quite a few of the Europeans I know who left Australia since 2010 have now gone back again. Part of me envies them. I know the jobs market has tightened in Oz, but still, I always felt that an air of positivity still prevailed - that everyone I knew did their job and then really enjoyed having a few cold ones after work and talking about sport/plans for weekend breaks/meeting up etc.... That being outdoors was a joy, and you could do it with family and kids and really feel the space around you. Ok, so now I'm sounding like some sun-dappled Hovis advert and need to snap back to reality.... yep, I know the sausages were no good, the political debate puerile, the supermarkets rubbish, vested interests in control of everything, you couldn't travel anywhere of any great cultural difference in a reasonable amount of time, AND the biscuits just weren't right.....but by God, did I enjoy wearing shorts and T shirts and kicking down the streets of Richmond, Prahran and St Kilda, drinking ice cold beer and feeling 'light' and 'alive'. You never, or very rarely, feel that in the UK. It's a stodgy existence. Of course Britain is very much better at some things, but on balance, which is better? For me, Australia is better. We've been thinking we may start a family in the next year or two, and I've been thinking seriously, for any kid, which would be the better environment? If the grown up kid feels this way, I'm guessing it may be no competition for any real child. Of course, I'll have to get the missus to agree to any Oz move - which may prove a little tricky....hmmmm Boy do I miss Australia though. I really do. All that said, remember - this is just my opinion. For some, I'm sure Britain delivers on every level and is right for them and their family. Peace and happy living - wherever you are! ps: maybe just because I'm not there now, but Melbourne always seemed a little 'magical'. Britain doesn't have that 'magic' for me any more.