Blue Flu

I agree most places feel better in the warmth , even if that can deflect from certain realities not too dissimilar . One thing I didn't mention about Cairns, is the high crime rate. A lot of warmer places out here, I note, seem to have an ongoing crime problem , especially with youth and drugs. Where I think Manchester is more relaxed in being less controlled (an episode of Shameless will confirm that) a better, later night time vibe and so on. Would I want to live there? No. Not my scene but try and look at a larger vista. I do know people that returned to Manchester after years in Perth and concluding it was soulless. The drug situation is massive in Australia, even if doesn't appear as 'open' as in UK. We are the largest recreational drug using country in the world and the impact is very clear on many levels. I live in Perth and we have a massive methamphetamine problem (biggest consumption in the world) ( being made by 'respectable ' that was valued at two billion dollars back in 2017. I would imagine double that now. It has become mainstream with loads making it at home without undue duress. (another story around me) While especially big in WA and SA , all of Australia is experiencing All very sad. This can impact the rental market as well, but won't go into that. Giving it further thought, Gold Coast may well be a better option to settle ahead of Cairns. Close to Brisbane, more work opportunity and most likely a better place to kick off your OZ adventure. I enjoyed my time in Cairns, but wasn't in a partnership at the time.

You'll be struggling to find a city as cool as Manchester in Australia. I mean in the sense of vibe, late night activity , with culture and close to many places of interest. Manchester was recently declared one of the world's top cities as well. Of the places you mentioned in Australia though, considering you are both twenty five, I'd go with the Cairns option. International. Loads of back packers, tourists , easy access to beaches (even if not the best in Australia) different vibe to most other places. Close to nature Job market wasn't good during the time I lived there (long time ago) but assume far better these days with less back packers . Rentals in Australia are diabolically difficult during these times. No idea where they think newly arrived migrants, supposedly entering in ever increasing number, will reside.

As has been related in an earlier post, the rank and file quitting in droves in WA. Complaints about bullying and poor management among other things .Hence the drag net has been cast far and wide in order to entice recruitment.

I thought it was time in Australia Time to which was reflected on. I would have thought a societal matter not own agenda and hate to see kids being corrupted.

As I've explained nothing like this. Mainstream and well turned out and those partaking probably would not Jay walk as against the law. Pilger brought out a book some decades back termed The Secret Country. Visibility requires knowledge in what to look for. But anyway it is an insight into the sort of society one must decide if want to be a part off.

Or those that acquire the insight involuntary into the extent of what is going down. And indeed those who are partaking, but not wanting to do so oneself. Or the logical outcomes for the future, not to mention issues of accountability and integrity.

Nothing odd about it. Obviously a British passport would have covered it previously. I doubt if you have been into the requirements regarding health for starters. UK is probably not the best option over recent times. But what I find really odd, is the lack of concern what is going down big time in OZ.

Unsure what exactly you mean by being in 'such a parlous financial state'? One has to sustain oneself with rather expensive medical insurance for one thing . There are schemes that require investment in property and the like for those outside The EU. Far better to wait and obtain an EU passport and have the freedom to come and go as all EU citizens possess. The chances are I would most likely be settling in a country where not overly familiar with the language. I think it depends on place decided upon. Anywhere with a large ex pat community should not be too difficult.

I doubt if anybody would be 'happy' finding themselves in the situation that we are in. (unless partaking obviously) Worse, possibly is the inability to do a lot about it. While this may be a feature of somewhere in South America , not really acceptable here. But yes, it will take time as one important paper is not on record, I believe.

Only passing interest for me. Do like the Opening and Closing Ceremony though. We went to Optus Stadium here in Perth to the pub , to soak up the atmosphere outside the stadium when India played South Africa, in the recent T 20 Cricket competition. Tens of thousands of Indians, a number with drums (Bharit Army) Great atmosphere , just unusual for Perth and worth catching.

25 years (on this occasion) with extended stays in UK and EU. Now in the process of obtaining an EU passport so that possibly underlines my overall feelings on the subject.

I only on odd occasions these days support the country of my birth although continue to live in it. I can support numerous countries, depending on the sport and/or the situation.

. Train travel is a very efficient and pleasant wat to travel in Europe. We've done a lot of it. Perhaps check out the various passes you can purchase that will include numerous countries within a period of time?. Some care needs to be taken though in stations. A lot of con artists and the like seem to inhabit and zoom in on foreign tourists. One example on a personal level , was in Milano, we had two suitcases, before could embark the train two guys carried the bags onto the train then demanded twenty euros. Finally paid up ten euros to avoid a potential incident. Hence keep bags close and be alert to surroundings.

Then you'll be aware of the issues . Same for those two places, only more visible being of smaller populations. Once upon a time I would have said Bunbury. Now much of a muchness.

I'm from WA originally and find no fault with your observations. A tough chore to separate the best suited between Brisbane and Adelaide I expect? But to be fair, you were in Perth in winter. There is far less going down that time of year and the beaches do not look as pristine, with often a lot of sea weed and sand not laid. (a lot of sand is washed away in winter by the strong seas and replenished in summer) I always thought the best month was November to view Perth. But perhaps Adelaide is better suited? Henley Beach for example. I've looked at it myself . I'm sure there is a mixed feeling with regards to living in Perth. But your observations were generally pretty much a fair assessment. Just another thing. There is a lack of vibe in Perth, but a lot going on behind closed doors.

I'd say your impression pretty much nailed it. Perth is rather underwhelming when one views from ground level. In IMO looks more promising when viewed from an aircraft. (at high altitude) Yes does feel rather superficial in appearance (which largely is) with a number of same look, mind numbing suburbs. But I would like to know why your impressions of both Adelaide and Brisbane were more positive? At least in Perth we have beaches easily accessible unlike Brisbane, wonder just how differing Adelaide is from Perth, besides possibly being better located being several hours from Melbourne?. I admit The Hills are rather pleasant. But I know loads of people that haven't liked Perth. Mostly due to lack of vibe and related issues. WE do have a massive drug problem, but that probably wasn't something that influenced your thinking.

Not much strange in saying Perth is isolated. Isolation is hardly measured in the shaving of off a few hours in flight time to UK. Nor being closer to Asia. Asia is not that reflected in being closer than it is in Sydney or Melbourne. Isolation is more reflected by the parochial nature of the place . The self-centered and locally focused thinking which at times those from The Eastern States, have told me they felt discrimination in the employment area by not having local experience. The small elite living in the Western Suburbs , who know pretty much all who matter and thus can bend the rules to arrive at desirable outcomes with some ease. Probably not as easy in bigger, more diverse places. Manchester? That city is far more diverse than Perth. I believe after London, the most cosmopolitan city in UK. Hard to think of a city more different to Perth. There are few 'dirt cheap' houses in Perth. Even areas not so great for living, demand a price higher than their worth. It may be cheaper than some other places in Australia, with over heated (inflated) prices, but often there are sound reasons for them being cheaper. Cycle paths do not cover anywhere like everywhere. Indeed much of the inner city with a cycle path being 'created' (paint) beside parked cars , is positively dangerous in the advent of an opening door. Bali is indeed almost an overseas suburb of Perth, not sure if that is a good thing. The weather is great for warm weather types but it was the mining boom that made the place tick, not the weather. Perth was pretty much a back water prior to the massive iron ore finds back in the sixties.

As earlier relate not solely Mandurah plates obviously loads from other country areas like Bunbury and Albany as an example. While people do sell cars often, the frequency of such plates (and Victorian) was not the case even four years ago. So yes, going on the heavy Ice (methamphetamine ) in country towns it most certainly be connected. As you've lived there several years, it would be hard for you not to have at least have an awareness of the severe methamphetamine problem there. The drug trade is being facilitated on many levels not just MH plate owners. It is just a well-known hot spot , one among many, hardly surprising when we live in the number one consuming place for that grub drug in the world. I fully admit that I live in the midst of it. Nothing bizarre about stating something well known and documented.

I suspected it could not be otherwise. But surely indicative , as already mentioned, of the severity of the drug problem in Mandurah? (surely the majority have not moved to the metro?)

There are some less identifiable ones as well. For instance Derby is KW (Kimberely West) and Mt Barker is PL. (Plantagenet) I think a number of Margaret River cars have AU. with MR being in the Augusta/Margaret River Shire.

Are you really in Mandurah? Never heard of MH? How odd.

WE are the only state in Australia where most every town and shire has a number plate representing their individual area. For example A is Albany town area and suburbs while A. or I think AL. is the shire (farms etc outside of town area).

You are fortunate that locals dobbed in meth houses in Smithton. I know Tasmania has issues around Ice in that state. We are not so fortunate in WA. Or the problem is way more out of control than Tasmania. I know it is Australia wide, but I believe it fetches a higher price in WA. Probably due to the mining industry. But I've been told that building sites are often inflicted by workers taking it. There was a 'Dob In' line several years ago as well as a Meth inspired unit within the police. They were disbanded years ago. Country Victoria, like Country WA are both seriously impacted.

Your choice. Mandurah being so close to Perth often use metro plates. That being so , it is suggestive of Mandurah being even worse than I anticipated just going by the number of Mandurah cars around. As I mentioned before far from only Mandurah, but notable among other country plates. I would say your Pom cop mates are right in stating it is no worse than some other areas. Thing being we are experiencing an epidemic, that is not being addressed. Bunbury would not be better. I can name other places. I have no idea if younger people are stating clear of Ice. I would suggest neither do you. What I do know is that many are in the business of manufacture. Now that I do know. What I don't know is if they also take it. But I suspect mostly not. Most are purely in it for the money . Many P platers. Many, if not most, middle class, well turned out and most likely not immediately suspicious to those not engaged or clueless to events around them .

It is not one person's opinion. It is fact. How long have you be living in MH again? The fact that Mandurah is experienced severe problems with Ice (meth) is not something recent. It is worse than five years ago? That I don't know, but as Perth has regained the status of top city in the world for Ice usage, I can only assume it has. But the number of Mandurah plate cars (MH) is very numerous in my area , some have Metro plates, but Mandurah and dealers name under the plate. What I suspect is a person may not be aware they are living next door to or in a street full of it, unless they are feral or actual users. As in Perth, I would suggest the suburbs are as exposed, to meth manufacture as anywhere else. We have a very major problem with meth manufacture in this state (besides use) Back to Mandarah. I have attempted contact with MP down there, over a year ago as well as the Mandarah local paper. It is something a lot of people do know about and at the very least have heard of it being a problem there. I would not live there personally, which doesn't mean every suburb and/or street is bad , but bad enough to not want to what is a considerable problem . Personal obviously. Just as others are not bothered. But I won't go further with that.