Blue Flu

The main issue is cheap money. Low interest rates mean savers looking to invest money with some return. Housing, especially with government created incentives tend to make an ideal vehicle. Inner city apartments by and large, not wanted by permanent residents. Too often poorly built product which was marketed at the short term International students, short term working holiday visa cohort and similar. Prices would drop if market had not intervened. Perth was seeing quite large corrections. At a time of low migration and international students, prices should be spiraling downwards.

I can see the possible attraction of someone on a WHV , still in their twenties, without children, feeling the desire to stay on, but already established with a family? Why would you put yourself through that? Class divisions have certainly greatly expanded in Australia. With housing a little odd. Either massive Mcmansions build on too often small blocks, or small villa type constructions , built too close to neighbours, too often with disputes over one thing or another. Even if most keep to themselves and are hardly social. It should be remembered also, that living inner city or close to, too often endures high strata costs. Checking out Cairns recently was astounded at the high strata. It's almost if paying rent. Another issue is drugs. I would always check out to the best of my ability if drug using or manufacture is detectable. It can make life most unpleasant. Speaking with real estate agents, it is everywhere.

It just adds to the consideration of it being worthwhile transporting one's life to the other side of the world or not. That's an increasingly hard thing to justify, I suspect. Clearly very massive changes from those that emigrated in earlier periods for sure. Clearly housing is essential so a big consideration, but we should recall many (most) should have profited from UK housing inflation as well. A lot will depend just how much a mortgage one will need to take out. One thing for certain, few will be able to but outright these days, which was often the case some twenty years back when house prices were much lower than better UK places. But it is also the sort of area able to be brought into. Like everywhere, there are suburbs in all Australian cities, (and towns) probably wouldn't be chosen for any reason other than price. If not for social problems, then lack of infrastructure (often two go together) or sheer distance to get anywhere. Obviously housing is but one possible disincentive. But a very important one.

Yet for some reason locals cannot be enticed to work in these positions. I fully realize the difficulty finding people to work on some remote farms or road houses, but in tourist areas? Cafes and the like? Perhaps more a case of not wanting to work for wages on offer?

Just be aware that Vasse has drug issues like many areas in Australia and South West in general. It is a problem in small towns and I refer to meth. (ice)

The worst possible outcome longer term would be for prices to continue to rise in a place like Perth. Just when prices were correcting , artificial stimulation is introduced by State Government , reintroducing the insanity. The cost will likely be enormous for the future as well as place great strain on government when the need comes to increase interest rates. (let alone those that borrowed to the hilt)

But it should be remembered that the track record between the two countries is very different. Boris Johnson was slow to react to initial infection and it got a foot hold in the nation. He initially took on a Trump like reaction placing the economy above national health well being.

I certainly feel your concern. But on a personal level I would not get the AZ vaccination as things stand. I fully understand that a changing situation may remove my distaste in getting this vaccine and hence invalidate choice. But I do feel we, at least in Australia, are far removed from that scenario at the present time.

As Mariswright confirmed there are special arrangements since corvid, that enable those on WHV's to extend their stay. This was due to the alleged chronic shortage of staff in service and tourist related areas, as well as farm type work. Do you know for sure that this person has obtained PR? Or could it be purely an ongoing extension owing to the unusual circumstances?

I think most are aware of the statistics. While quite correct in pointing out the greater likelihood of blood clots through taking the pill, the difference being there are other forms of contraception available. Hence there is a choice. This is/was not the case with the AZ vaccine . Besides that there was not an urgency to take something , where waiting a little, would avail an alternative vaccine.

Great suggestion. Actually I think if it is adventure being sought, relocation to a developing world country would be ideal. Depending on interests and preferences there are numerous choices . A Scottish friend done this in Ghana, finding it the probable most all round rewarding thing she ever done. One can go less exotic of course up to the individual but it would certainly prove an adventure. Obviously saving the high costs associated with a place like Darwin, indeed much of Australia, at the same time.

Hardly scare mongering with such high crime rate. It's been awhile since I was living there, but little seems to have changed. The demographics point towards a very young population. Most I knew from my time there have left, but were not local born and bred. But Darwin certainly has some differing points in its favour for those wanting another aspect to Australia. While really enjoyed my time in NT mostly due to it being rather unique , I would more likely pick Cairns a place to retire (if wanted the retire in tropics than Darwin, but obviously a personal choice, but places have some social issues, just Darwin more so)

Perth born and partly bred. The Hills are great for the large part. Just be aware of bush fires and extreme smoke during bush fires or indeed burning. But for acreage and other requirements that location may well fit the bill.

I will take issue with you on the drug problem in Perth. I refer to meth (ice) and contrary to what you write, Perth is a world leader in this dreadful drug. Adelaide over the past two years has passed Perth in that regard, but still high. Perth is no kindergarden in drug abuse that is for sure. It has long been an issue, but Meth has taken it to another level with the potential for violence for users of that drug. Meth is not and has not been a feature of UK drug taking. They certainly have other issues around the matter, with places like Scotland being bad in parts, (Brighton bad as well) No what I write about is something far more destructive. As for testing in the mines, a reason meth is so popular is it doesn't show up in testing. My area (inner city) is very active in home made meth production. I lived completely oblivious to it until pointed out by a near neighbour . Professional people involved, but also uni students, middle aged people, a few tradie types. But what it is not is druggie perceived types or meth heads as seen in the city. I suspect these are most likely not consuming themselves but purely in it for the profit. One thing is for certain. We have a very difficult task ahead to combat this meth scourge and I'm not sure are up to the task by any means from my observation. It is a national problem with certain areas very badly impacted like Murray Bridge in SA. All most disheartening . Country WA has been impacted badly.

In what way I wonder do you envisage Australian lifestyle to resemble the Adriatic Coast of Europe? The only differing aspect to Canada is the weather. As you write in economic terms both countries have similarities . While preferring the heat to frigid weather myself, the better weather fails to arrest a host of boredom inducing social conditions that inflict this nation as it does others. I wonder what career change Canada can't offer that Australia can? Kangaroo shooter? Sheep shearer? I really can't imagine. Both are first world nations, offering to my mind very similar bites of the pie.

Perth does not suit all tastes. It is very spread out , one of the most car centric places on earth and 'plastic' or 'lacking soul ' other terms often used to describe it. But it has beautiful weather for the most part. Good beaches, (parking can be an issue in summer) an improving public transport system (additional rail being built) It isn't cheap. Eating out I find more expensive than Sydney. Rents are very hard to come by at the moment. House prices were falling, now rising considerably in line with most everywhere else in Australia . The difficulty obtaining housing should not be under estimated. There is a 0.5% vacancy rate at the moment, which is chronically low. Rather important to check street for unsavory activity as well. Drug abuse is very widespread. Here I mean the manufacture of meth (ice) Perth led the world in production a few years back, since overtaken by Adelaide according to stats. (number one in the world) I have personally experienced the trauma of living around this and it is very serious with limited scope for rectification.

Darwin is not a place for the faint hearted. It has a high crime and these days I understand drug abuse rate. There is a reason so many houses maintain large dogs. I think it would make sound sense to acquire one unless of course living in an apartment, which doesn't appear would e the case. Likewise it used to have the name ofLand of The Broken Jaw. Lots of violence usually alcohol related . Remember NT has the highest murder rate per capita in Australia as well. I lived close to the centre in an apartment, so endured no break-in's but certainly know people who did. I have no idea with regards to the feasibility of living more remote. I suspect it would be an eye opener though. Don't get me wrong. Liked very much my time living in Darwin. Certainly different from elsewhere in Australia and is very multi cultural. The beach market had a great vibe during the season . City very Back Packer orientated with loads staying on, giving a further international vibe to what is a pretty much 'real Aussie ambiance' of a place. A lot of foreigners had thoughts of moving South at some stage though. Various reasons. Professional career advancement. Medical reasons. Education. Safety issues. Perhaps just out grew Darwin and wanted more. Probably more a young persons place and stats seem to confirm it being so. Older people tended to return to Adelaide before retirement. (a lot of Adelaide people worked in Darwin in government departments and so on) I suspect Darwin and the NT in general would be more an adventure than living in suburban Adelaide or Perth for sure. It could be a place to savour for a few years. But with the heat, outside work would likely pose a difficulty for anyone from a temperate climate and not used to humidity.