Dan Not Dale

Crisps That aisle with pasties, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and ginsters slices in. Birdseye potato waffles Cod fish fingers People being able to park a car in reverse Crisps Sport, that actually matters, being on at a reasonable time Various swear words that aren’t used here Supermarket breadth of range M&S sandwiches People understanding my jokes Crisps *I'm aware my list looks like half was done by an adult, and half by a child

I do feel a huge relief reading your message, like it’s not me and it’s ok that I prefer other things. I would take the museum and a castle any day! Interesting you’d have visited several times, same for me. I always feel better about being here when at least there is a trip home in the diary. Did you visit home regularly whilst having kids here? Is it difficult/ realistic/ great/ bad/ all of the above?

Interesting! I’m sure many of our observations are similar.

Thank you, yes the idea has been floated many times, ultimately I think we remain in Melbourne as the other half’s family is here, so we at least have one family and yes I’m from a town so I think the same as you on that. We have started discussing towns lately, but we worry they might be painfully dull, basically the same as our suburb but placed more remotely. I shall have to do some digging through the forums to see how brits go in smaller towns here.

I agree, and think we have a similar viewpoint on almost everything you covered there. A salary will go further and children do have more space here, and as you say, although somewhat materialistic, it is and it isn’t, it gives you and kids a better life in many ways. And yep, you can’t raise a family on what you were on in Lake District. It’s part of what I’m currently thinking, we’ve left it late to have kids, will need to be next few years. I can see in 18 months if I’m back home thinking, I could be on $35 an hour for this, and I could look after my kid better, and I’ll be wanting to return here. I also get you on giving your son some time at home too, I have planned this for my hypothetical child. So mum and dad can see a quality chunk of their life. It really is difficult all this isn’t it! Nice to talk it over with others without judgement. I was fearing I might be given a backlash from the Melbourne lovers.

Yes on all, especially decent affordable second hand cars!

Hi There, Apologies, could be a long read. I’m looking to hear the experiences of people who are back and forth between Australia and UK or those that have never really made their mind up. A little context first. I’ve been in Melbourne 7 years next month, based in Melbourne. Met someone on a working holiday. She did 18 months in UK so we could do visas here. We now both have a UK and Australian passport. I miss home intensely and visit every year, do 3 week holidays (pre covid). However, after 15 days I’m often ready to come back to Melbourne. I don’t know if it’s the stress of cramming everything in or the emotion of it all and seeing parents age etc but I’m aware I’m ready to come back often when I visit. Although strangely, I dislike Melbourne. The tv and radio telling us it’s the best place in the world on a daily basis doesn’t make it so. It probably is great if you are in a decent suburb, but we have little desire to take on $800,000 debt to be in a good one. The roads and traffic are terrible. People seem far from happy in general. Vast swaths of it are a complete eye sores. I’m often left scratching my head at supposedly ‘beautiful’ spots too. Ive felt extremely lucky to be here throughout this pandemic. I don’t want to bash the place, it’s been great and welcomed me. My opinion has been that Australia is the better option because our salary is higher and house is bigger. I feel wealthy here despite a modest salary. I rarely feel financially stressed. That wasn’t the case in UK. Personally that’s where the benefits end for me. When we go home and I walk the streets I am beaming, it’s so beautiful, the small tree lined streets, the old buildings. I can’t explain how great it feels. Does anyone else relate? Do you change your mind regularly, will the beauty of the green tree lined streets be forgotten when I’m scraping ice off the windscreen in January before driving to work? Will I pine for my nice house in a boring Melbourne suburb when it costs me £100 to fill the petrol tank. Does going back to a smaller house become an issue? Does it ever matter? Hose prices look absolutely mad across the south of England. I hope I haven’t rubbed anyone up the wrong way. I don’t want to bash Melbourne. I can’t help but think the constant population growth is detrimental to its existing population. I don’t see it improving as a place to live. I’ve made no friends here in 7 years so I realise I could be the problem. Still close with friends back home and I’d be welcomed back in the circle with open arms I’m sure. Does anyone relate, do you fear you’ll want to be back in Australia 2 months after you’ve returned to UK? Thanks, Dan