Blue Flu

36 minutes ago, Ollie2212 said:

Thanks for the reply! Honestly I hate Manchester. It’s dirty, grey, cold and full of dodgy people and drugs. I’ve lived here 9 years and well and truly had enough great for a weekend, horrible to live in. 
 

The rental market does seem difficult, the Gold Coast seems to offer the largest amount of properties on RealEstate.com but just not sure yet. Cairns also looks gorgeous but maybe too hot and a bit more isolated. 
 

thanks for the info, I’ll keep looking

 

out of curiosity, in what way is obtaining a rental more difficult in Australia as opposed to the UK. If places are up for rent online, and you can afford the rent/deposit + have a guarantor and job, what is to stop you taking it on?

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.

7 hours ago, Bobj said:

And I thought this thread was about memories of landing in Australia, not drugs and native title. Seems @Blue Flu has a hang up as far as any subject matter other than his/her own and seems to change the subject. 

Gerroff yer soap-box, mate!

Cheers, Bobj.

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. 

26 minutes ago, Parley said:

There are drugs in every country.

Mind you I have no visibility of any drugs around me other than alcohol.

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. 

50 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

Like anything else, these things can be all consuming if you are surrounded by them, but completely invisible to the majority who are not.

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. 

2 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Yes, but those schemes are not particularly onerous, basically they're just requiring you to buy (or in some countries, just take a lease on) a home to live in and you'd do that anyway, so what's the big deal?   I agree it would be much cheaper to go on an EU passport if you can get one, but it seems odd that you've been debating about moving overseas for so long and you've only now thought of this as an option.  

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. 

14 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Are you in such a parlous financial state, @Blue Flu?  When we were researching moving to Europe, there were so many options for Australians,  in various European countries, if you had enough funds to be self-supporting.  We didn't need to take advantage of them, since a British passport was enough at the time.  What stopped us was my oh's anxiety about living in a country where he didn't speak the language.

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. 

8 hours ago, Toots said:

Good to hear you are doing something positive about a later move.  You were obviously far, far happier in Europe.  Good on you!

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. 

On 07/11/2022 at 14:07, Toots said:

I am one of those odd people who has absolutely zero interest in the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games.  They totally bore me.  I've never sat through an opening/closing ceremony.  I feel no patriotism whatsoever to any country competing.  

On the other hand I am a lifelong supporter of Liverpool FC.  

Can't stand cricket even though my husband and sons have played cricket for years and love going to watch it.

I support Scotland when they play rugby.  Other than that I'm not interested.

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. 

21 hours ago, Wa7 said:

Spot on.

It would be strange for anyone to change the country they support against their place of birth. in a sporting sense (unless they’ve been here since primary school / early teens or had a bad experience in their homeland ) 

 

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. 

On 20/10/2022 at 22:36, TWM said:

Yes we are we’ve been in Perth for the last 3.5 yrs

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.

1 hour ago, northernmanc said:

I found with Adelaide that everything was very close wherever you were and if you lived towards the hills, you'd only be 25/30 mins from the beach and on the coast, only 30 mins to the hills.  There seemed to be good access from most suburbs to the CBD, although I noted that some of the suburbs that were nice along the coast, for me were too far if I had to go into the CBD each day.  While it did feel small, to me, it had everything I would need and if I wanted the big city for a weekend, it was only two hours by plane.  As with Perth a lot of the suburbs sprawled into each other, but that's no different from driving into London or Manchester.  I did find some lovely beaches towards the south which looked nicer than the ones in Perth, or certainly more picturesque.   Brisbane I liked more for the access to The Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast and while the city was much like any other city, it just felt there was more of a buzz about the place than Adelaide and Perth.  Yes, you're right, the beaches aren't on the doorstep but for me as long as they are within a 30/35 min drive that's all I want because I'm not a beach-bum and only want to go there for walks or a relaxing day in the sun. 

I often judge places by the amount of photos I've taken and in Perth I struggled to take that many, which to me shows it's missing something as I'm usually snap happy.  I'm sure most people that live in Perth are very happy, but I don't want to live in a Benidorm where people just go there to be just like home and miss out on the bigger picture of embracing life in a new culture.  

This is just one persons view, and I maybe more particular about where I live, but I left feeling so disappointed as I thought it would be the place for me.  But now I know it's SA or possibly Queensland where I will focus on my next trip.

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. 

15 hours ago, northernmanc said:

Hi,

I've just returned from my first reccie to Australia since being granted a 190 Visa and my last stop was Perth after spending time in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and I left Perth until last as I thought it would be the most likely place that I'd want to live, but I really struggled to find anything to like in Perth and I just wondered am I missing something that makes so many people want to live there ?

I spent five days at The Ritz Carlton which was a great base and visited most of the main suburbs that I'd looked at from afar, from Mandurah in the South to Joondalup in the North and just couldn't find anything which came close to the other cities I visited.  Whilst there were some nice areas, I didn't feel like I was in Australia, at times it felt like I could be in any town in England with Nando's, Fish and Chip Shops, empty shops and scruffy in places.

I really wanted to like Perth, especially as I have a nice house budget and there are some beautiful houses where I could live, but there didn't seem to be anything to draw me there other than the lovely houses and I don't know whether it was that the other cities felt more Australian and had more wow factors, but I left Perth feeling disappointed and it would really help me to know why people move to Perth to help me understand if I did miss something.

I'm fortunate that I can work anywhere in Australia as my company has a presence in each City and they've given me the choice on where to live.  At the top of my list is Adelaide closely followed by Brisbane with Perth last and this is what I least expected.

Any comments would be helpful.  I'm due to visit again once more in January ahead of moving in June next year and it would be great to know that there is something about Perth that I should look at again,

Thanks

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. 

On 08/10/2022 at 11:37, Whey aye said:

I wouldn't be coming up with strange statements like Perth is too isolated.Australia is isolated.Perth is closer to everywhere.Asia,Europe.

To get to Europe we would have a holiday in Singapore or Thailand,then onward. 5 hours to Singapore,7 to Thailand.Try that from the Eastern states.In general for flights on to Europe then pick up the plane in Singapore,10.30 pm or 11.30pm approx.One is the the Sydney/London,and one is the Melbourne/London.They've been on the plane 10/12 hours just to get to Singapore.

If Manchester/Liverpool,Preston/ Blackpool etc were on their own would you feel isolated or just a case of a conurbation that has everything anywhere else has.

Dirt cheap houses in Perth.The city is long,perhaps 150 klms from outer northern suburbs to Mandurah.However it is a semi circle.Country living in the hills, 50klms from the beach max. $600K gets you a mansion.

Check out Hillary's for coastal suburbs around $1 million.Canning vale for inland,20klms from the beach,15klms from the city centre.Shopping is done at suburban centres,think of Westfield in London or Bluewater near Dover.I know those by having shares in the companies that built/ managed them.Westfield and Lend Lease. 3 hours free parking.

Retired so don't use cars.Perth has cycle paths everywhere,you can get from anywhere to anywhere.Working is different,you need a car to get to the various industrial estates.Perth is the city of the car.

People over east are isolated,they may fly up to Cairns for the barrier Reef,Perth you would fly to Singapore or Bali,not a lot of difference in flight time.Everywhere in Australia is isolated and long distance,it takes a bit of time to come to terms with the sheer size of Australia.

Perth also has excellent weather,virtually no humidity,probably the place would never have been built if it was humid.

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. 

4 hours ago, benj1980 said:

I think people buy and sell cars quite regularly, so I suspect you wouldn't have any figures to back up MH plate ownership within Mandurah and neither do I. However living in Mandurah for 7 years there's far more vehicles without MH plates than with. This is why I find the basis of your argument on this bizarre. In fact if it's MH plate owners facilitating the drug trade in Mandurah the police should have a secret focus on these plates for a while!

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. 

10 hours ago, benj1980 said:

I'm fully aware of MH plates. I'm also fully aware that most people who live in Mandurah don't have them.

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?)

5 hours ago, welljock said:

MH is one of the "district plates" designations for WA car number plates the MH being for Mandurah. BSN would be Busselton, MR - Margaret River and about 100 other ones

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. 

22 hours ago, benj1980 said:

MH plates?! I think we will leave it there...

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

7 hours ago, Skani said:

I'm thinking "What the heck is an MH plate?"

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). 

31 minutes ago, Toots said:

This has nothing to do with Mandurah but here in Tassie a few years ago, a small town called Smithton had a big problem with meth.  Locals were totally fed up of it and "dobbed" in many of  the people involved.  As you mentioned the younger generation are steering clear of it.  The police are right on top of any dodgy goings on and most people have no fear of reporting any suspicions to the police.  We also have Pom neighbours who are cops and know exactly (here in Devonport) where any "funny business" might be happening.  Can't understand why the WA cops can't do more about the meth problem there.

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. 

2 hours ago, benj1980 said:

I've lived in Mandurah for seven years and guess what I've never had a MH plate. In fact nor has anyone I know and having just had a quick look walking my dogs nor has anyone in my street, although there were a couple a bit further out. Having Pom friend cops, they suggest that meth is no worse in Mandurah than other areas. I do agree though it is a real issue in WA, but I'd like to think the younger generations are now steering clear. More education and obviously able to see the long term effects on others will see numbers drop slowly.

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 .

On 04/10/2022 at 11:34, Jon the Hat said:

It is one person's opinion against just about everyone else I think.  I suspect you have to be very unfortunate to find yourself in the midst of it.  

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.