Is There Any up and coming suburbs left?

[stacybird123]

Hi, have not posted in a while so here is a bit of an update and also some insight for people contemplating the move. If you look at our previous posts, years ago now, you can see we were in holiday, rose tinted mode, and I feel didnt give a true fair reflection of our experience in australia to this point anyway, and perhaps alot of poster here do the same thing that is to intially love australia and belittle the uk, but once they have actually lived in oz for at least 2 years, I feel give a fairer account.

 

Long story Short, We immigrated to Perth in Nov 2009 and was not so keen on perth NOR or SOR after staying in both for a while first. Eventually we settled in Halls head because we loved the lifestyle and quietness of Mandurah. Anyway we loved our first and second years there but eventually run out of things to do to be honest and kids were not being fulfilled like they was in the uk with alton towers, southend's adventure island, London, chelmsford riverside centre and general clubs and sure starts we have here in the uk. After 2 years there we moved back home to uk as we already had our home there as we rented it out. We have been back a while now in the uk and have done so much in that time which has been amazing, we really have seen that the uk is a great great country with so much more going on and we have more fulfillment for sure. Problem is we have only just started to ponder that we made a mistake coming back and maybe we should have tried a different state or another town in WA. We never felt terrible homesickness when we where there and we could have got through any homesickness as we really dont have any close family in the uk we see that often, but the main issue was boredom, lack of opportunity due to high cost of everything, no decent theme parks or days out, schools were not on par, lack of ability to change or adapt to fresh ideas etc etc.

 

My 176 permanent visa will expire in july 2014 so not sure if i should give it another go or not. Im quite happy here in the uk and people say theres no jobs or opportunity here but i have more op here than i did in australia as I have set up my own business again here in the uk and doing ok, something I tried to do in mandurah but got closed down by suppliers ditching me because competitors threatened them etc etc, something you dont get in the uk as we embrace change and competitiveness.

 

My wife thinks we were a little hasty in going back and I agree with her but unfortunately we are not made of money and simply cannot afford to travel all of australia looking for the perfect place for us. So Im asking all here if there is anywhere left in oz that is cheaper generally property wise, up and coming, at the start of a population boom, excellent on par with uk state schools(not private) and most importantly quality days out on par with uk. And im not talking walks at the beach, body boarding, surfing, soccer clubs, picnics and free barbeques because believe me we as a family wore this out and it got boring to be honest, we need much more from a place if thats possible especially for the mind.

 

The best fit for us as a family is probably the gold coast to be honest and we should have gone there and not perth. We went for a reccie there first in 2007 and loved the place and i also have my uncle who lives in runaway bay. But our 176 visa was state sponsorship for 2 years in wa, but thats now up so im free to go anywhere in australia now. Problem is with the gold coast is again, have we missed the boat a bit, as it seems expensive too and lots of population etc etc. Ideally we would like to be on the fringes of a big city i feel but a suburb that is not established yet, up and coming, brand new state schools, hospitals all in the pipeline or just built. Is this too much to ask?, am i looking for too much?.....I want to be in a place from the start and look back and say i made a good choice. My uncle did say once to me that utopia does not exsist and maybe I want too much.

 

Anyone who has come back home gone through the same issues?, Is it something Ill get over?...We dont want to look back with regret in 10 years when australia may suit as better then, with regret we didnt give it another crack.

 

Actually writing this out has helped me alot, reading over my thoughts I can see maybe its just too risky of a move now?, as I say I am happy with my life in uk and I appreciate the uk more now than ever. But would still appreciate any thoughts from people.

Edited April 9, 2013 by stacybird123

[Guest chris955]

OK, 2 things stand out to me, 1 you are happy in the UK, 2 there are more opportunities in the UK and 3 the boredom (3 things). Having said this you are asking if you should go back to the country that really didnt hit the spot for you. My answer is if it aint broke dont fix it

[Johndoe]

Doing OK? Stay put.................if it ain'y broke.................don't attempt to fix it.

[Guest guest76088]

Your post does not sound enthusiastic about life in Australia. Would you be sufficiently committed to apply for a visa from scratch if you didn't have one?

 

If you feel this...

 

"And im not talking walks at the beach, body boarding, surfing, soccer clubs, picnics and free barbeques because believe me we as a family wore this out and it got boring to be honest, we need much more from a place if thats possible especially for the mind."

 

....then I am surprised at your desire to live on the Gold Coast with its brash Surfers Paradise and beach culture but little else (on the coast at least). If you want cultural fulfillment then you're looking in the wrong place. Move to France,Italy or even Germany.

 

BigD

Edited April 9, 2013 by guest76088

[stacybird123]

I know what your saying and its probably 80 % ill stay in uk but I fear I may regret it someday possibly when i can appreciate the laid back life more. As for starting visa from stratch, then no I would not do that, its now or never to be honest or at least until july 2014 when my pr runs out.

 

Another reason is our best friends we met out there think we are mad to move back but they are 10 years older than us and maybe we will see things differently in the future.

Edited April 9, 2013 by stacybird123

[Guest chris955]

It SEEMS to be more a case of well it might maybe possibly be better. If you are happy where you are dont beat yourself up about what might possibly be. Neither country suits everyone, you tried it and it didnt fit by the sounds of it.

[Warm but mild]

It's hard to understand what you're truly looking for. Theme parks are hardly 'something for the mind' and the aspects that irritated you about Australia will still be there. I'd say if you're doing well and are happy in the UK, then stay there.

[Petals]

What you are looking for really does not exist, think your uncle's right. I just wonder why you are thinking of coming back when everything seems to be honky dory for you in UK.

 

Wish I knew a new suburb which was up and coming, good property growth, new schools that were not jam packed to the gills, doctors, theme parks, people entertaining people etc etc. There is no such place, new Estates tend to be jam packed as they are usually on the fringe of the cities and young ones head there for the cheap housing. Unfortunately infrastructure does not catch up with these estates.

 

I live in Melbourne and would not live anywhere else in Aus, however our family never wanted to do the the things that your family does so it suites us perfectly.

 

If I lived in Queensland I would live in Brisbane and surrounds not the gold coast.

 

Write some lists, pros and cons and then make a decision.

[wolvesaussie]

what do u think of buying along the route of that new rail line they are building out to geelong ? prices there will rise for sure once it becomes 20mins train ride to the city.

[Guest]

Stay right where you are. You will have a better quality of life experience. Australia wil always be here. Why organise a two month round trip whilst your PR is still valid and then go home again to re evaluate.

[Guest guest74886]

what do u think of buying along the route of that new rail line they are building out to geelong ? prices there will rise for sure once it becomes 20mins train ride to the city.

 

What in 10 years time you mean

[Guest guest74886]

Hi Staceybird

What you experienced in Mandurah is the Australian experience, its no different in Queensland, its worse if anything, the parochialism, the nepotism, the lack of an enterprise culture; the power of big business to control all the levels of government and pretty much how business is done, it puts me in mind of some Eastern Bloc country; the locals are not hostile but disinterested in anything other than their own life's and the Gold coast is fine if you want the sun and the sea but it comes with a drug and petty crime culture which often spills over into violence, and lets face it Australia is boredom central and I will simply refrain from commenting on the quality of the food.

I would concentrate on exploring what Europe has to offer with the cheap flights available, I was looking at how much it cost to fly from Bordeaux to London, its about 80 pounds return, where can you go wrong.

[Bobj]

Hi Staceybird

What you experienced in Mandurah is the Australian experience, its no different in Queensland, its worse if anything, the parochialism, the nepotism, the lack of an enterprise culture; the power of big business to control all the levels of government and pretty much how business is done, it puts me in mind of some Eastern Bloc country; the locals are not hostile but disinterested in anything other than their own life's and the Gold coast is fine if you want the sun and the sea but it comes with a drug and petty crime culture which often spills over into violence, and lets face it Australia is boredom central and I will simply refrain from commenting on the quality of the food.

I would concentrate on exploring what Europe has to offer with the cheap flights available, I was looking at how much it cost to fly from Bordeaux to London, its about 80 pounds return, where can you go wrong.

 

Isn't 'boredom' the inability to keep the mind occupied?:wink:

 

Cheers, Bobj.

[Guest guest74886]

Isn't 'boredom' the inability to keep the mind occupied?:wink:

 

Cheers, Bobj.

 

No, that's 'ENNUI'

[Bobj]

No, that's 'ENNUI'

 

[h=3]Noun[/h] ennui m (plural ennuis)

 

 

1. (uncountable) Boredom; lassitude.

2. (uncountable) Trouble, issue, annoyance.

 

Cheers, Bobj.

[Guest]

Seems to me its all too common what your feeling. I'm bored after 6 months, basically there just isnt that much to the place other than getting fit, a beer, beach etc... But that isnt bad its just if your used to more it can feel lacking.

 

What you have described is the same in QLD, its for some and not for others but if you didnt get on in Perth I would say its simular in QLD, although there's a bit more scope for weekends away in Oz but thats at the cost of more expensive holidays abroad. (no bali etc)

 

If I were you just stay where you are but one last thing.

 

if you have lived and worked in Perth for 2 years in the last 5 and your 176 runs out, just apply for a residents return - that way you get another 5 years to make your mind up

 

In my mind I'm just going to see a bit of Oz and then leave never to return. There are more places in the world to see and try!

[stacybird123]

Seems to me its all too common what your feeling. I'm bored after 6 months, basically there just isnt that much to the place other than getting fit, a beer, beach etc... But that isnt bad its just if your used to more it can feel lacking.

 

What you have described is the same in QLD, its for some and not for others but if you didnt get on in Perth I would say its simular in QLD, although there's a bit more scope for weekends away in Oz but thats at the cost of more expensive holidays abroad. (no bali etc)

 

If I were you just stay where you are but one last thing.

 

if you have lived and worked in Perth for 2 years in the last 5 and your 176 runs out, just apply for a residents return - that way you get another 5 years to make your mind up

 

In my mind I'm just going to see a bit of Oz and then leave never to return. There are more places in the world to see and try!

 

 

 

Is this true?, i was under the impression to apply for that you have to prove you intend to go to australia very soon or special circumstances?, please advise

 

Australia is definately lacking in everything but If I can hold out with an extension that would be great news and take the pressure off abit incase I see things differently in the future.

[dmjg]

If you have done 2 years already, it might be worth checking the ins and outs of citizenship. It might be worth doing a further 2 years (or 3 depending on citizenship rules and time back in uk etc) on the east coast and look at it as a working holiday. That way you will have citizenship and could return to the uk for as long as you wish.

 

If you have the "oh crap, what have I done" feeling in 10-15 years and want to return, you could do without immigration issues.

 

 

 

 

 

If you require excitement, you could start your own theme park in Perth, I have been told its boring out there!

[Lucia]

I totally agree with the other posters who have said, 'if it ain't broken, don't fix it'. It sounds like you are much happier in the UK and especially as your business is doing well.

I totally disagree, however, with dmjg's advice above. Coming back to Oz for two years just to get citizenship is ridiculous. Moving kids about is bloody hard and imho the older they get the harder it is. If a decent education is important to you for your kids then stay put. There's nothing worse than dragging kids in and out of school - it unsettles them in so many ways - they will constantly be put back a year etc. If you were a single guy I might say go for it.

There is a good reason you came home in the first place...if Oz meant that much to you back then, you would have stuck out an extra two years to get that certificate.

 

Good luck in making your decision!

[stacybird123]

I totally agree with the other posters who have said, 'if it ain't broken, don't fix it'. It sounds like you are much happier in the UK and especially as your business is doing well.

I totally disagree, however, with dmjg's advice above. Coming back to Oz for two years just to get citizenship is ridiculous. Moving kids about is bloody hard and imho the older they get the harder it is. If a decent education is important to you for your kids then stay put. There's nothing worse than dragging kids in and out of school - it unsettles them in so many ways - they will constantly be put back a year etc. If you were a single guy I might say go for it.

There is a good reason you came home in the first place...if Oz meant that much to you back then, you would have stuck out an extra two years to get that certificate.

 

Good luck in making your decision!

 

 

 

WA was a huge disapointment to us in the end. It seems the time to go to oz was maybe when my uncle came as a 10 pound pom, he is now a millionaire like most poms who came then, I cant see that cycle repeating, infact australia will get its own blip first imo before any further sustainable growth but just my opinion, and then maybe then that will be the time to go for it, but this could be years away yet. The opportunity is not there now due to the cost of houses mainly, and this is not worth the sacrifrice of worst schools and lack of things to do. Really really fraustrating because my business in oz was making amazing money and the australian's just loved the concept and I was in at the beginning, the first to do it but then my competitors complained and i was shut out and closed down basically. I look now sometimes on google adwords australia and see that still there is no competition and I could seriously do well. These are the reasons I came to oz for the opportunities. Some ways I think its a good thing as they try to protect things and industries better than us but in some ways change is a good thing.

 

Its still a tough one because for all australia's faults it still probably offers my kids a better future but who knows.

 

New Zealand probably right now offers better opportunity infact, more affordable housing for a start, can actually get acreage properties at affordable prices but again slow pace lifestyle. O well, many thanks for the advice, Im certainly going to find out more about the return visa just in case.

Edited April 11, 2013 by stacybird123

[Guest chris955]

Your uncle is a millionaire like most Brits who went to Australia back then ? I think that would surprise around 99% of Brits who went as £10 poms Im not sure where you got that idea ?

[stacybird123]

sorry, just generalising but assuming if you brought a property or 2 and now retired you should be close

[Guest chris955]

I suppose theoretically that would be the case but in reality I dont think that is very common at all. I went with my family back then and still no of a few families back in Geelong where I grew up and dont know of any millionaires to be honest. As I say theoretically if you had bought a couple of houses back then you would be OK now but most just struggled on and bought one house to live in.

[Johndoe]

Counting just one property and decent superann contributions, some shouldn't be far off. After 19 yrs we ain't that far away but..................you're tied to your property, and your superann is tied to your age..................apart from that, the way Oz is going with housing/utilities etc, based on the last 8 yrs or so, a million ain't much.

[stacybird123]

good points, and also not the whole story because if you too came as an immigrant to uk in the 60's and brought 1 or 2 houses then you too would not be far away. Infact looking at the population figures in the other threads in my lifetime uk population has not grown as much as we are led to believe. The worlds population is growing as people living longer so in reality everywhere is getting harder and more competitive/expensive. I also guess this is why alot of third world countries are now up and coming.

 

 

Infact if cycles are anything to go by, we in uk have had our blip and things should get better from here you would think. Where as australia is still very much in need of a correction.

Edited April 11, 2013 by stacybird123