GreatToBeBritish

You need to double this in my opinion.

I don't think you'll get a rental for that in my opinion. And to answer your question I could never recommend a real estate agent... all crooks to me!

Sure but also worked loads in Bristol and Melbourne is much worse IMO.

One of the most irritating things I find about living here is that as a general rule letters, emails or job applications never get a reply. It is just not in the Aussie make up of being polite when doing this as it is in the UK. I went back for a month in October 2012 for and I was just overwhelmed how polite everyone was. I find (again as a general rule) people to be much more agressive and rude. Obviously there are excetpions before the pro Australia crew get me!

After being here for 5 years now I would not bother if I had my time again. In work last night (Emergency Nurse in Melbourne) One dead came in from a heroin overdose the other not far behind him I would assume. One stabbing and a domestic violence beating. Normal night really. I don'w remember it being like this when I worked in Bath!

We've got a $430k mortgage and 2 kids in semi private school totallying school fees $15k pa. We earn $180k between us and we are just comfortable. IMO!

5 years ago we moved to Melbourne. I have always been honest and upfront with the tax people. I had a cheque through for 4000 pounds. I called them to say that I think a mistake has been made as I don't think that we are due this. She looked again and said yes we were entitled to it. To cut a long story short we spent the money and a few months down the line had a letter to say that it was a mistake and that we have to pay. I pay 10.00 pounds a week back to them. Really cheesed off but that's the way it is. I even managed to get a recording of our conversation but still I need to pay it back .....

I did because she asked me too and she hasn't got many friends in Australia I guess she wanted to 'bump the numbers up so it appears that life is just fantastic?

I was asked by a friend to go to her house as SHE was part of the WDU. I would not dream of saying that I did not like OZ etc because that would have not been polite in front of the camera crew and her Aussie friends etc. I am moaning out load, I suppose to PIO members which I am sorry I did ... that the filming was very staged. Of course my comment is not going to stop people from coming over .. it was a stupid remark which was made in jest. Not to be taken seriously. What I objected to during the filming is that the film crew kept on telling all of us to say how life is great in Oz. And YES they were being paid for the programme. I have no idea how much I did not, and would not dream of asking. Life is very tough in my opinion in Australia. I have forgotton how nasty and vicious people are on here sometimes.

Well it's the truth.

Well we are in fact. And no we live in the Eastern Surburbs.

What an idiot you are! You have no idea of our circumstances.

A few months ago a friend of mine asked me to come over to her house as the Wanted Down Under team were filming an update on them about their move to Oz etc. I had to laugh to myself. Talk about it all being staged. I had to come through the door bright and smily. (it took 3 attempts). Then we all sat around the table and we had to say ''Oh life is so great over here .. so much opportunity, the weather! the Austalians! So great for the kids .. etc..etc...'' They have been over here for 2 years now and the husband as still yet to get a job. I don't actually come on here very often because I am too busy working 60 hours a week (same for my husband) just to make ends meet. If I had my time again I would certainly not have emigrated. We are so much worse off here than in the UK. I don't want to offend the ''Australian Lovers'' but this is how it is for us. The only reason why my friend did the film shoot is because they were getting paid. Funny that ...

Having a small house which I have rented for years I have some experience of this. I think people that do this are no more than common theives. Over the past 20 years I have had many, many tenants. Some people do fall on hard times that I can really appreciate been there, done that etc. I think as long as people are honest about their situation and tell the landlord immediately then it could make things so much easier. I have had tennants staying for a rent free period until they sort themselves out. Most of them have been wonderful and have become friends. A few have become ememies which I have sorted court action.. all in my favor.

I know the theme parks are around but was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for 2 boys ! We are staying in a hotel by the beach. Thanks in advance :-)

I totally agree. We have been here nearly 5 years and I have 2 boys 14 and 12. In my opinion the UK is so much better. I have no idea why people think Äustralia is the best place for the kids. I work in Emergency in Melbourne and I see so much more violence and stabbings etc than I ever did where I worked in Bristol. It's a real worry. We are stuck in this god forsaken place as my husband has a good job here. Otherwise we would be straight back like a shot. Still I suppose there are worse places to live ..

I think the schools would still expect a small fee to go towards things .. $300 per year is not much to ask IMO.

That's right blame the government. It is stealing plain and simple IMO. I would not want to socialise with these 'friends'' if it was me ...

Sounds like my sister!

What a lovely post. Good luck xx I totally understand where you are coming from..

To be fair this is a international problem! I think people are just rude wherever you go. I work with the general public day in and day out. It is more noticeable now IMO when people have manners ie. say please and thank you. It really makes my day when people are polite.

I am assumming you are Australian?

I work at Dandenong Hospital sometimes and it is VERY rough IMO. I cerrtainly would not want to live there.

I would have done exactly the same. I too am sick and tired of gobby rude Australians! I honestly think I need to go back to England. My manners are Impeccable and so are my children's. Good for you.

I couldn't agree with you more. Most of the real estate agents I have come across are just crooks. Our tennants in our property (in UK) have just vacated after 5 years. They have been excellent paying the rent on time etc. Our agent ticked off the list and said there were a few minor things. However, I would not have dreamt of not giving back their full deposit as they have been no trouble. Shame it is not the same in Australia. And before I get beaten down with the odd good real estate agent... this is a generalisation!