Intagalaktika

Or London?!

Probably worth noting the obvious... the current government policies aren't being driven by some malicious, evil, underhand, misguided moral compass. Every budget decision they're making is underpinned by the difficult-to-stomach fact that there is no money in the pot and, because of the recession, little coming in. Much as I'm not a big fan of our present leaders (and I wasn't keen of the bunch before either. My political beliefs appear to be relatively party agnostic) I think it's unreasonable not to recognise that they're scraping around desperately for any pennies they can get their hands on and being forced to make some pretty ugly decisions because the the previous government massively overspent during boom years when they should have been saving.

Sure thing. I eagerly look forward to your 'the UK's finished / gone to the dogs' comments, supported with... er, nothing.

Well I'm in London now so help me out please. If the police won't venture into 'these areas' (presumably because they're so dangerous?) I certainly don't want to stumble into one by accident. Why so coy to give details? BTW, undoubtedly there's areas in the city which aren't all that nice, as with any major city, but your suggestion that there's police no-go areas comes across as somewhat Daily Mail sensationalist

Wasn't aware race was a factor. Incidently, I knew of an illegal immigrant to the UK once, back in my uni days. He was a (white) Kiwi who'd overstayed his visa by about 4 years.

Look where?!

Which areas?

What's the best way to measure how 'good' an education system is? Or how could we compare the UK system versus the Aussie one?

Incorrect. My wife is Indian and we eat at real Indian food restaurants all the time. As NSP states, there's plenty of the bland Bangladeshi restaurants around too, especially outside the big cities, so my guess is that in your ignorance you went to one of those. I'm guessing you were also disappointed that Pret a Manger didn't serve French food and the Slug and Lettuce was lacking the good old fashioned atmosphere of a real pub on your last visit to the UK?

Sorry, I've only got a list of Sydney companies that use SAP as their secondary ERP system. Kicking myself now, knew I should I should have kept the list of those using it as their main one.

PS Apologies that seems harsh but any magical solutions, pills, crash diets, whatever are just a waste of your hard earned money and lining you up for disappointment. It's basic maths, less calories in + more calories out, committed to over a reasonable amount of time = long term weight loss

Wishing is always a good option. Alternatively I find crossing my fingers sometimes helps. Or I just shut my eyes and hope really hard. But I've always got the best results from eating less and exercising more.

Yes, enjoy your adventure whatever you decide to do. A backpacking trip is a rite of passage

There's a big pineapple on the sunshine coast, which according to their website (yes, it has a website) is 'Australia's most famous Iconic Queensland tourist attraction and landmark.' Don't go there. And don't go to any of the other big things created as some form of distraction along the Bruce Highway. The fact that anyone ever felt the need to build these things should set alarm bells ringing as to how there is to see and do. Unless you just want to drink your way up the coast, in which case I can suggest a few bars. In all honesty, I'd strongly suggest going inland to the red centre, and then up to Kakadu, across to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation then south to see the Great Barrier Reef, and exit swiftly through Cairns. It will be a much more interesting, beautiful, memorable trip than hitting the coastal road.

I love the seasons, I'm just not sure which one to expect next anymore. If last year was anything to go by we'll have winter for a few more weeks, followed by summer, then spring, then summer again, a couple of weeks of autumn, a brief hurricane season, then winter.

So, in summary, jasepom should divorce his wife, leave the kids and live in the opposite side of the planet because you like the weather in Brisbane and happen to know some people who have moved back and forth a few times?

Jasepom, You’re in a sticky, unpleasant, messy situation. I feel sorry for you, I really do. The situation you’re in is one that my wife and I have discussed during our deliberations of whether to move to Australia or not, simply because it’s a situation we’re very keen to avoid. If your wife really doesn’t want to return to Australia, you can’t stay in limbo forever. So my suggestion is you divorce her. Make it as quick and easy as you can, pull the plaster quickly, keep it as clean as possible. Then get on with your life. Live deliberately, with intent, committed to your choice. And let your wife and family get on with there’s. I don’t suggest divorce lightly (I did question whether to even write this post, I’m conscious that this is a serious subject and I don’t know you and I don’t know the nuances and every detail about your situation, so I can only form an opinion on what I’ve read in this public forum) and I’m not saying for a second that divorce is a nice option, but none open to you are: stay in the UK with your family or, in your eyes, live a much better life in Australia. People get divorced all the time for all sorts of reasons, it’s obviously legal, and I’m pretty sure no-one who’s had the misfortune of going through one would say it was a pleasant experience. But when it all calms down, then you’ll be free! You can live in the nice house in a nice area and have the nice car and the nice job, and you can go to the beach and all in the glorious sunshine! You can see your children on Skype and in the annual holiday, exchange the occasional for-the-sake-of-the-children pleasantries with your ex-wife, play the field, perhaps start a new relationship. It may be difficult at first but I guess, and hope, it would get easier with time. Or.. if the above scenario makes you feel a little bit sick inside, or makes you sweat a little, then my other suggestion would be to spend a bit more time figuring out what’s really important to you. Could you actually be happy in the UK? When it comes down to it, how different is day-to-day life in each country, for you? Is life really better in Australia? Do you want your children to really know you? And for your children to know their grandparents? Jump ahead 30 years from now, what’s the story you’d like to be able to tell about your life? What’s going to make you proud of yourself? Only you can make the decision, but just be sure that you’re making it rationally, in a clear state of mind, without rose-tinted glasses, with compromise where necessary and feasible, and aligned with personal values which are important and right for you and your family. And develop a plan that works for you. At the end of the day Australia and UK are both great first world countries, pros and cons to each, you’re both lucky and unlucky to have the choice between them.

Hello, I'm considering moving to Australia and have had a read through the posts on this forum to read about others experiences and get some insight. One thing I'm not clear on... I've read a lot of posters say there are more or better opportunities for them and for their children but with little comment about what these opportunities are. I'm interested to hear specific examples. What opportunities in terms of education, work and lifestyle does Australia offer that the UK genuinely can't? Many thanks