Naomi from Manchester Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Just leaving this here ... make of it what you will ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Reminds me of the British class system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Roberto Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 HA! it is useful for me to get more of an idea what is what in Sydney - inner west/north shore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKC Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 I've heard people say that about Sutherland Shire before, but living here I don't see that at all. I just see a really lovely area, which is affordable, has friendly people, beautiful surroundings and easy transport links to the city. We came from a tiny village in Suffolk, so it isn't even like we were coming from an inner city slum, where anything would have been an improvement. We looked around the north shore area a bit, and over towards the hills district, and to be honest didn't think much of it. Sutherland Shire people seemed far more friendly, although we could have afforded to buy up that way. In the end, it didn't matter anyway because OH was offered a practice in Hurstville, so this was the obvious choice for a place to live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 We looked around the north shore area a bit, and over towards the hills district, and to be honest didn't think much of it. Sutherland Shire people seemed far more friendly, although we could have afforded to buy up that way. In the end, it didn't matter anyway because OH was offered a practice in Hurstville, so this was the obvious choice for a place to live. That's just as much of a generalisation as anything shown on the cartoons in the OP, isn't it? Especially when you're only going on the briefest of first impressions, as are the rest of us That's the problem with prejudice/stereotyping of any sort - it's always based on gut feel or at best the slightest encounter with something you later view negatively. It's always difficult to recommend suburbs of a city I think as it's such a personal thing, and based on feel more than anything else. Which is why I always recommend focusing on budget, workplace and commute first and then visiting likely suburb contenders and seeing how they grab you. We were lucky enough to have a relocator helping us and it made a massive difference. I also find that once people find a place they like and settle in, they get used to it quickly and the idea of other areas of the city seems like a really big step to them, so people would move a suburb or two within their general area, but moving across the city entirely is a much rarer thing - your life gets embedded with schools, social life, familiar commuting patterns and territory and the rest of it, to the point where it becomes easier to contemplate a move to Melbourne than, say, moving from the north side of Sydney to the south. You get the same effect in all big cities I think, it certainly happens in London just the same. Reminds me of the British class system. There's *loads* of snobbery here, and it's not just Sydney. Not so very different at all really. Always makes me laugh when people say Aus (or the US for that matter) is a classless society. It ain't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKC Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 That was kind of my point. People have a stereotyped view of different areas (Sutherland Shire = Boganville and race riots; Western Sydney = Drag-racing hooligans and drive-by shootings; North Shore = White picket fences and 4 wheel drives for the school run; Inner West = Hipsters; The Hills = McMansionville etc), but the reality is that people live in these areas perfectly happily. My experience of Sutherland Shire is as much in line with the stereotype of this area as I'm sure yours is of the North Shore stereotype. But my experience of the North Shore was that it wouldn't suit us to live, that isn't me stereotyping the area, just my opinion on what we experienced whilst we were there. As I said, it was a moot point anyway. OH was offered a practice in Hurstville, but I couldn't have lived in Hurstville because of my impressions of that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 I think the North Shore stereotype has some accuracy to it as it happens. It *is* all white picket fences and SUVs for the private school run. And no pubs, of course On that basis I couldn't live in the Shire if you paid me. I reckon it's all bogans :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKC Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 I think the North Shore stereotype has some accuracy to it as it happens. It *is* all white picket fences and SUVs for the private school run. And no pubs, of course On that basis I couldn't live in the Shire if you paid me. I reckon it's all bogans :wink: Which is probably why we fit in so well :biggrin:! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talieandtribe Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 What is a Bogan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Chav, sort of Ignore it, like most snobbery. As per above, what that amusing cartoon shows more than anything is that in any big city like Sydney you're going to get people generalising about "that lot" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krystaltips Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Naive of me to doubt otherwise I'm sure, but kind of disappointed to learn the *snobbery* exists just as obviously over there. We were very much hoping to escape that. We're still in the early stages of our move to Sydney (we have friends in the Shire, Crows Nest & Mosman, all of which are lovely) and currently researching potential suburbs. Fortunately our budget gives us the choice of pretty much anywhere BUT... thankfully, not being inflicted with Affluenza, for us, it will most definitely come down to internal space, local amenities & schools, local people & of course we'll have to give consideration to the commute.....but not a chance I'd pay $1m upwards for a postage stamp just so I can wallow on the status my postcode provides! I'll be interested to see where we do end up, but I'm confident it will be somewhere large, in an 'untrendy' suburb possibly inhabited with Bogans lol! I may well see you in the Shire LKC!!... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 TBH I think snobbery only affects you if you let it. Just get on with your life and take people as you find them and you'll barely even notice it exists - in Aus or the UK It's always concentrated in big cities like London or Sydney the worst IME. But even there, 99% of people don't give a stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKC Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 TBH I think snobbery only affects you if you let it. Just get on with your life and take people as you find them and you'll barely even notice it exists - in Aus or the UK It's always concentrated in big cities like London or Sydney the worst IME. But even there, 99% of people don't give a stuff This is what we have found tbh. Most people just take you at face value, and if you are not one to care what people think and don't try to keep up with the neighbours, it'll not bother you if they don't anyway. We live where we live because we like the area, don't care about whether the postcode is a good one or a bad one, and we have the friends we have because they are nice people, not because they fit a particular stereotype or not. Same with most people I would think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKC Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Naive of me to doubt otherwise I'm sure, but kind of disappointed to learn the *snobbery* exists just as obviously over there. We were very much hoping to escape that. We're still in the early stages of our move to Sydney (we have friends in the Shire, Crows Nest & Mosman, all of which are lovely) and currently researching potential suburbs. Fortunately our budget gives us the choice of pretty much anywhere BUT... thankfully, not being inflicted with Affluenza, for us, it will most definitely come down to internal space, local amenities & schools, local people & of course we'll have to give consideration to the commute.....but not a chance I'd pay $1m upwards for a postage stamp just so I can wallow on the status my postcode provides! I'll be interested to see where we do end up, but I'm confident it will be somewhere large, in an 'untrendy' suburb possibly inhabited with Bogans lol! I may well see you in the Shire LKC!!... It was the same for us. We weren't limited by budget particularly, although OH's work did end up being in Hurstville which is part of the reason why we chose Sutherland Shire. Of course the other reason is that is is just a lovely area, despite what the stereotypes may say! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest73691 Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I have noticed some snobby attitudes amongst certain Sydneysiders - it has to be said that it is mostly those hailing from the Eastern Suburbs and Lower North Shore! People don't necessarily ask where other people live early on, but one of the most common questions I hear when people first meet is "where did you go to school?" While I'd like to think that is to see if they have any friends in common, I'm sure there is an element of sussing out whether or not someone went to one of the more prestigious private schools in Sydney and assessing the likely economic status of their parents! It always makes me laugh as I don't think anyone ever asked me this question back in the UK - Even if they had done, no one would have heard of my school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 ^Absolutely, I have noticed quite a bit MORE school-based snobbery here than in the UK. Possibly because the proportion of kids going to private school is much higher, so there are more people concerned with their kids going to the "best" school rather than the local one In the UK, private education is relatively more expensive and so many fewer people use it. So the vast majority of people send their kids to the local school(s), or if they can't live with the choice that gives them, they move. Also expensive, but less so than forking out 15-20K a year....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I noticed snobbery and a class system a lot more in the UK, probably because of my accent. Even at Uni I got a bit of stick from some of the "posher" students because my accent in the UK brands me as working class. When I worked in IT in London I got some really strange looks and comments when I rolled up to look at some high profile companies or government department IT systems. We had one job in the Houses of Parliament, where I had to go through 3 security checks to just get in to the server room area. The guy who had to escort me had a saville row suit on and spoke in the most English accent I'd ever heard. I had to wait for him to come down from his office to escort me in and when I told him what I was there for he gave me a look as though I should have been using the tradesman's entrance. All that most people know here is that I've got a pommie accent, apart from other English people of course who can pick where I'm from. I've had a couple of posher English people here, who struggled to get in, ask how I managed to get accepted for emigration.:laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I noticed snobbery and a class system a lot more in the UK, probably because of my accent. Even at Uni I got a bit of stick from some of the "posher" students because my accent in the UK brands me as working class. When I worked in IT in London I got some really strange looks and comments when I rolled up to look at some high profile companies or government department IT systems. We had one job in the Houses of Parliament, where I had to go through 3 security checks to just get in to the server room area. The guy who had to escort me had a saville row suit on and spoke in the most English accent I'd ever heard. I had to wait for him to come down from his office to escort me in and when I told him what I was there for he gave me a look as though I should have been using the tradesman's entrance. All that most people know here is that I've got a pommie accent, apart from other English people of course who can pick where I'm from. I've had a couple of posher English people here, who struggled to get in, ask how I managed to get accepted for emigration.:laugh: Sounds like you were just a bit chippy tbh Paul. I bet loads of the people who you think looked down on you didn't even give you a second thought. Probably just thought you were one of the help :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Sounds like you were just a bit chippy tbh Paul. I bet loads of the people who you think looked down on you didn't even give you a second thought. Probably just thought you were one of the help:cool: What's "chippy' mean northshore? If you saw the looks change when they heard my accent mate you would know what I mean. If you haven't got a working class accent then you'll never have experienced it. A friend of mine in the Navy couldn't get rid of his geordie accent so was kicked off the officer training course. Did you know you still have to speak "the queens English" to become an officer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Roberto Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Mad ****. Snobbery is quite annoying. It ultimately makes little difference, but I have to admit having a posh accent and grown up in the right circles can give people some advantage. It puts me off wanting to live to a 'cool' postcode. I'd rather check places out and go with my gut instinct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krystaltips Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I'm a big believer in gut instinct. This forum is fab though, we have gathered so much info just from everyone's opinions and recommendation's and I love the occasional bit of controversy that pops up lol! We're planning on shortlisting a handful of suburbs and will try and get out in March for a couple of weeks to see what they offer. It's so difficult to know where you want to move your life to when you have no real knowledge of the areas. Having children, we don't really have the luxury of being able to get over there and just try different areas out. I feel an overwhelming sense of having to get it right as their schools (unless we decide to go down the private route which I want to avoid) are dependant on catchment from what I can gather so we HAVE to get the right area first time round so they can settle in at school! Oh what happened to our care free years.....lol Whilst I'm not interested in having a cool postcode, the Northshore does seem to offer everything we need, although you seem to get a lot less house for your $ and I'm already struggling with the idea of leaving the UK and having less space! For this reason I think we have to consider some suburbs in the East & South, we may rule them out but you have to check out all options!...tbh, god only knows where we'll end up....I feel like my head is going explode...we're eat, sleeping & breathing all things operation Oz move! It consumes you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Roberto Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 Ah yes. We also have 3 kids all in school. I done quite a bit of research, but haven't really drawn any concrete conclusions. We won't be able to move until September (at the earliest) so it's not such a pressing issue for us yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krystaltips Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 The school year out there runs Jan - Dec, so that might buy you a bit more time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 . It ultimately makes little difference, but I have to admit having a posh accent and grown up in the right circles can give people some advantage. It doesn't give as much as some of those who grew up without it think it does. That's why it's always best just to take life as it comes and take people as they come too, pointless chewing yourself up over others' perceived advantages. I don't say this as someone who grew up with wealth & privilege, I didn't - I grew up dirt poor. But from my observations - through circumstance I have ended up knowing a few people from the "right" side of the tracks and they have the same fears and insecurities as the rest of us. My wife's best friend is a part of the Tate family (as in Gallery) and apart from one obvious advantage - some inherited property - she doesn't have life any easier than the next woman. Allowing oneself to be affected by others' perceived advantages is almost as bad (and certainly comes out of the same mould) as thinking one is better than others and looking down on them. Just be yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northshorepom Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 I'm a big believer in gut instinct. This forum is fab though, we have gathered so much info just from everyone's opinions and recommendation's and I love the occasional bit of controversy that pops up lol! We're planning on shortlisting a handful of suburbs and will try and get out in March for a couple of weeks to see what they offer. It's so difficult to know where you want to move your life to when you have no real knowledge of the areas. Having children, we don't really have the luxury of being able to get over there and just try different areas out. I feel an overwhelming sense of having to get it right as their schools (unless we decide to go down the private route which I want to avoid) are dependant on catchment from what I can gather so we HAVE to get the right area first time round so they can settle in at school! Oh what happened to our care free years.....lol Whilst I'm not interested in having a cool postcode, the Northshore does seem to offer everything we need, although you seem to get a lot less house for your $ and I'm already struggling with the idea of leaving the UK and having less space! For this reason I think we have to consider some suburbs in the East & South, we may rule them out but you have to check out all options!...tbh, god only knows where we'll end up....I feel like my head is going explode...we're eat, sleeping & breathing all things operation Oz move! It consumes you! Eastern suburbs are even more expensive than the North Shore fwiw Try and shortlist before you come over in March, and do lots of research on schools. You will probably be able to visit schools you are particularly interested in, most are open to this I can't remember if your kids are primary or secondary aged. It's much less fraught if they are the former as there are a lot more public primary schools, so much more choice as to where to live that is convenient for a good one, if you see what I mean. At secondary level it gets quite a bit more difficult because lots of kids (tons more than at home) leave and go to private school, plus you have selective public schools (which are hard to get in as a new immigrant, and impossible on a temporary visa), all of which reduce the choice significantly when it comes to public comprehensive high schools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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