Blue Flu

There are places a little further inland still cheapish. I get French property report every month. If Brittany or Normandy was on the desired list far easier.

I wear a hat and nothing else, besides sunglasses.

I was thinking buying like people I know in Germany have done.

Plenty of nice places in France but obviously The South is special. A bonus close to the South of Europe. Odd how what you write can appear normal in time.

Exactly my thinking. It always amazed me the advertising of beaches in a foreign country as a tourist attraction coming from Perth. There are some great camper vans, and very popular now in Europe with the high price to stay in hotels and the like. I've heard great reports vanning it in Ireland as well as Nordic World.

We love the sun. While skin cancer does pose an issue in Australia, one needs to keep in mind the many health properties derived from the sun. Good for lowering blood pressure, aches and pains, mental health, skin problems and a host of other things. Combine that with the sea , and a perfect tonic for good health.

There are some luxury campers these days so no great hardship. Brexit was indeed a sick joke. The vote of Scotland, lifted that nation to new heights in my respect. I imagine you will be okay if partner has EU passport. Mine does, but thought get own as can.

That's what I thought with regards to returning to EU to live, Then what happened? Brexit. Clearly things don't stay the same and you may be surprised at the 'complications' that can result if in a few years, it is decided Australia is not the country to remain . A few are family disagreement/ fracturing of family / people moving on in UK and changed/ country changed and so on. But all the best anyway. You can of course replace Europe with Fiji/Vanuatu/ Bali/Thailand and so on. But they get 'old hat' after awhile. I bet there is plenty in Europe still to be covered. Some great camping van destinations there.

It is a shocker . Quite probably the biggest methamphetamine manufacturing city in the world on a population basis and involvement. Clearly stated in stats as the biggest in Australia, with multi billion dollar' industry' as recorded from 2017. I would imagine, much bigger now. But I have stated all this before . I will say things have got a little quieter recently with less drug traffic in my street. May I suggest you would most likely not be aware of what is going down in your neck of the woods. I had no idea, of the extent, until informed by a neighbour, it is everywhere on my street , it gradually built up, and impossible not to be aware after vigilance has been called to attention. We are highly attractive to Eastern States people due to the high economic returns. The sad thing is the massive impact on country WA. Our neighbourhood , being close to Asia also makes us very vulnerable to criminal exploitation. There is a silence and denial around the subject , but plenty are aware of what's going down.

The best localities are full of the manufacture of methamphetamine in Perth. I can't name a suburb not in its grip. Believe me I would have thought seriously of moving there. Interestingly, I met up with another concerned person in the suburb of Burler last week. End of the line. Plenty of Poms. Full of drugs as well. Come now, Sydney has major problems with drugs. A tabloid done a headline report on the Sydney drug scene a few months ago. Actually long established. Why deny it?

I agree it has changed almost beyond belief. The ruthlessness that became all too evident in London during the eighties and ninties, that in fact drove me out, is in full swing in OZ now. Greed and self interest now prominent, I'm shocked how the drug cartels hold such sway and few seem to care. Drug making has become mainstream and see it several times a day in very middle class localities. Like I say, no interest from those who could make a difference. It is everywhere in WA anyway and even picked up by tourists after a few days arrive at the conclusion we have a serios drug problem or as a younger European that stayed with us recently, that Perth is full of crack heads. A certain ethnic group heavily involved. Sad thing being of course is that the present situation is enticing those from other places to WA which must result in less than desirable circumstances further down the road.

I'd suggest if working mainstream the quality of life has deteriorated over several years. Life is not more relaxed in Australia , we have about the same crime stats, high rate of drugs, a lot of mental health issues that has increasingly become recognized, ambulance ramping, nurses protesting, same with teachers and police. indeed we have among the highest priced housing and costs in the world. But I know most only want reassurance so won't say too much, except I think it more a country for people outside of UK /EU these days. Better placed in some cases for those from the neighbourhood, due to a range of reasons, that don't necessarily apply to UK.

I would not count on So not quite Gods Own Country as you often like to recite then? Just two small parts worthy of living considerations in Australia. (not that I disagree) But Newcastle did have a reputation back in the day.

I know that but was thinking of reaction if in UK. Thank goodness we have The Guardian Australia and on line media like Crickey.

It is certainly true to the person experiencing it. You cannot deny another's truth, just say your experience differs.

Just thank goodness a section of the media, regardless of its left leaning stance took up the issue. We have an awful paper in WA, that sees no wrong with ALP in this state. A total disgrace.

Some similarities but not exactly the same. UK media far more inclined to call out misbehaviour. Would Robodebt have not been taken to task by The Guardian and Mirror for example? Disquiet here was again swept under the carpet for far too long.

What they want is compliant workers, often from countries paying a pittance to Australian earnings. The Robodebt affair put on display the total disregard of vulnerable people against the machine of government. It is even admitted that it was known it did not add up by those in charge. Another case of the silence being deafening. Another Royal Commission where the likelihood of little being achieved most likely outcome. The media is compliant in so much going on in this country. (so much is ignored and swept under the rug.)

Same in Australia.

Quite disgusting in fact how they don't respect experience in this country, but prefer compliant new incomers, often regardless of ability to do the job at hand.

Less in UK than here was my observation. Australia has always been ageist. Sort of California style youth worship type culture. Plenty more oldsters in UK though to be fair. But still hear complaints from there around the matter.

I agree with most of the above but see little evidence of a 'pale skinned' preference in the areas I'm familiar. In fact quite the contrary.

I know that is the official line but when looked it up recently it appeared to be on average around four months. But as I'm going down that route, I will be taking a much closer interest. Never been to Lanzarote, but will consider other alternatives to coming to Australia in these times. As for language teachers, I know a lady with perfect teaching skills in Italian and French and done German at university (but has not taught it) and can only get several hours a week teaching at adult education classes. She is in her sixties and still has a mortgage.

Brit's probably don't have in such numbers, the ability to earn the money that is possible to be made here either legally or illegally. Especially the latter.

I find big changes here in Perth anyway with conspicuous consumption. A lot of youth have considerable money. Many drive cars in teen years we would never have afforded nor probably desired. I imagine they consider themselves 'doing their own thing' as well.