Dan Not Dale

I use that scenario to evaluate what I want. If in your shoes, I’d have a flight booked and be selling up here as soon as possible. Partner and I have agreed, 12 months in UK (and see how it goes) in approximately a years time.

Your experience resonates with me hugely. I instantly feel a sense of belonging when I arrive home. I would imaging NZ has a more of a community feel too. And I agree, we talk about other parts of the country, bigger houses, smaller houses, city, rural, blah blah. But it’s English countryside I really want. You were probably wise to change your mind.

That’s one of the worst parts. I cannot think of any other sport where people deemed professional would be so bad at the game. Can you think of any sport with a goal of unlimited height with no goalkeeper where they would miss so often. Then add another goal either side, still with no keeper, and they still put it wide of all 3 of them.

I think a mutual dislike of Melbourne is an essential criteria for any new friend at this point. Maybe there’s a club for that. Jokes aside it is something I need to work on. May I ask what prompts the hate?

I know nothing about west of Canada, but you won’t find Geelong cold. However, when we first moved here we had no heating in our first place. I found winter here harder than England because inside wasn’t warm. Heating and double glazing is still not compulsory in a new build here. I had to build a house to ensure I had double glazing throughout. With double glazing and heating winter is a doddle here. VIC gets below 0. Make sure you get a place with heating. Internet/Wifi - again, don’t know Canada, Aus has improved with the NBN rollout, but I believe this is still being rolled out. We have it and it’s good. If you don’t, your internet will be poor by worldwide standards. TV - Free to air Australian TV is appalling. Some good stuff can be found on SBS and ABC, (mainly British stuff) they do their best for somewhat impartial news coverage too. Your channel 7, 9, 10’s news coverage neglect that a world exists outside the capital city you happen to be watching it in. Foxtel is the paid service, it’s not bad, potentially essential if you want certain sports. I would guess you will revert to streaming services most days! Spiders - barely seen any in 8 years. Geelong is nice - but your questions make me think you are not outdoorsy? Could be wrong? Beyond a beach and a shopping centre, not a lot to do. You may likely find yourself going to Melbourne to find something other than walking, eating or drinking coffee . I have considered living there, we stay at partners uncles some weekends and it’s lovely. But potentially boring long term.

Yes the odd bbq in the garden works wonders

Will happily answer any questions on Melbourne if you’re still keen to learn more. I will be honest, good and bad!

Thought would check in here (been nearly 6 months). Feeling better about Melbourne (likely summer playing a role in that). Not had chance to visit Perth yet (covid and lockdowns), also we are now pregnant. Melbourne it will be till he is over 12 months old.

I’m sure there are many amazing villages in Yorkshire. Very different from London though.

It’s tough for many for sure, especially at the moment as people can’t do visits easily. I know of someone in NZ who desperately wants to get home for a visit to Scotland. I would hazard a guess many who have emigrated, predominantly for their other half are struggling without their annual fix of home right now. I know I am.

Yes, it may take that person being away from England to realise how English/set in their ways they are. Did I say I felt it before coming? No. As I said in my first post, I was 100% in on Australia and positive about it. Didn’t realise until I was here it was an issue. It’s taken being here to see it. The original poster is already doubting things before coming.

That came across like a dig mate. People can only try and help based on their own experiences. More than happy, in fact, would actively like to hear opinions on how much life could differ out of Melbourne, but the majority of my post was applicable to being anywhere in the country and general challenges with the distance from Europe. As said, I’ll happily have a Melbourne bash and hear ideas on elsewhere, but also, i’m sure many feel acutely English (British) when being here and know it’s not for them instantly regardless of location.

Melbourne. Partner from there. Have considered Perth recently.

Here’s some experiences I’ve had that relate to what you raised. I used to keep my phone on loud every night when I first arrived in Australia in case something happened back home and someone needed to contact me. That definitely changes. I don’t worry about it anymore. But I did lose 2 grandparents within a year of coming here and you certainly feel the distance with things like that. Getting the call they only have 24/48 hours in them, and racing back. But how long do you book for?? And can your work allow you to do that at short notice? I’d say standard of life here is better, despite this, I’d like to move home. If you think one trip home a year will keep you ok then give it a try. I always feel a million times better when at least I know I’ll get 3 weeks at home ‘soon’. I’d say Australia was one of the luckiest places to be in the first 12 months of covid. But bare in mind, with Australia having a huge lack of vaccination you are effectively coming in to a country which is still in lockdown. You won’t get a trip home in your first 12 months as it stands. I’m not even convinced enough of the population here wants vaccination enough to reach the 80% it’s outlined to open borders. Although that sentiment might change if the lockdowns keep coming. I thought Australia would be amazing but I soon realised it wasn’t for me. My mental health has been shit for the last 5 years. If you’re already thinking it won’t be good. Don’t commit to anything more than a trial.

Yeah I had a quick Google after asking the question. As soon as lockdown is over I’m there with a big budget! nice to hear it confirmed that’s it’s good!

Both of those look tremendous!! Have driven past that butchers in Dandenong! Is it any good?

Cheers will Google! P.s to all- still open to to places in the east too

Anyone know anywhere in Melbourne where you can get a decent what I would call a ‘full English’ breakfast? A workmate wants to try one. You know, sausage, bacon, beans, toast, mushrooms, hash browns and all that. He even wants to try black pudding with it.

We can video call for free. I have never not had it as an option and simply don’t know how people did it without it. Ring him often. Covid has exasperated it all massively. Can’t visit, can’t help them. Had to watch sh*t happen from afar. I would say listen to your gut, if you think your dad deserves a long spell with you, fly him out or go for a extended trip home. I will be doing a long trip home when this is all over for sure. I’m fast learning a bigger house and salary doesn’t really mean much compared to a good family.

Completely different dress code for starters

Give me a chav over a bogan any day, at least we’ll have something in common potentially… football, dropping H’s and T’s, stuff like that.

Plenty of bogans to go round where I am currently Yep I’m sure we’ll do a tour of many parts of the country and see if anywhere suits hopefully

That’s another prompt for Perth discussion, correct me if I’m wrong, but we could have a perfectly liveable 3 bed in a half decent suburb for 700k potentially? (Am I way off) It’s still a lot, but I think I could sleep at night and actually pay it off before being 70. Melbourne no chance under a million.

Yep we’re on the same page for sure. I really don’t think government here or UK has a grip on what it’s really done to the average family. Imagine starting at zero now as an 18 year old without leaning on parents for free board. Sorry if off topic but you’re 100% spot and and feel strongly about it . You’re right it makes it hard to give advice too.

Yep I agree, and most people here would i’m sure. We’ve delayed kids for the reasons you mention. I’m not putting words in anyone’s mouth here, but it isn’t easy to buy in an established suburb when you have no equity gained from the boom. I don’t know how old people are around here but I think people of a certain age upwards don’t realise what modern house prices actually mean for many these days. That’s why we choose the soulless suburbs. We don’t want to be there. We rented in Bentleigh, far better spot, but houses cost well over a million easily. Repayments on 800,000-900,000 loans are a bit scary.