Belinda Au Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 It seems like every second day I'm still umming and ahhing about staying or going! I wish I could make a new country - half oz, half England. Yes. I'd like that very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebbecca Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I love Australia but I still pray for rainy days so I can cuddle up with a hot drink and blanket. I miss my family so I completely understand why people go back. And in the UK beer is ALOT cheaper. That's definitely something to miss.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellybingobingo Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 It seems like every second day I'm still umming and ahhing about staying or going! I wish I could make a new country - half oz, half England. Yes. I'd like that very much. im the same too half and half would suit me just fine in a perfect world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I can understand the don't belong part and missing family Quoll. What is it you like about the lifestyle in the UK ? The weather for starters! I'm out walking pretty much every day, relishing the change in seasons, the vibrant colours of the countryside and ever changing aspect - just dress for the day and off I go! I'm looking forward to sitting outside on long summer evenings without being bitten to death but, equally, I enjoyed being snug inside on cold winter days. There are interest groups/activities/opportunities galore and I now have a very wide circle of friends from different aspects of my life - my calendar is full of things I want to do. I love history and get a buzz from walking down a street to find evidence of a thousand+ years of human endeavour all cheek by jowl jostling to give a place character. I enjoy being on the same wavelength, having a laugh and generally being with people who care about each other in the community. There is just so much variety in such a small space - drive 20 miles and you get quite a different aspect. If I weren't in the caring role I now am, I would be doing many more trips to experience different cultures, scenes, etc Europe is tantalisingly on my doorstep. It's never been about me missing family and friends per se unlike many others, I was always very self sufficient in that regard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellybingobingo Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I love Australia but I still pray for rainy days so I can cuddle up with a hot drink and blanket. I miss my family so I completely understand why people go back. And in the UK beer is ALOT cheaper. That's definitely something to miss.. Deffinatley beer something to miss although , where I am now I bought 3 pints , a vodka and tonic , Tia Maria and coke , came to 37.50 so compared to another state I've not long left that's great bottle shops are on a parr though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasepom Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 (edited) Pints of beer here in Victoria are about $8 now so that's about £4 which is what you pay in most Uk pubs anyhow. Haven't managed to find a cheap Uk pub when I've been back sadly. Edited April 21, 2014 by jasepom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellybingobingo Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Pints of beer here are about $8 now so that's about £4 which is what you pay in most Uk pubs anyhow. Haven't managed to find a cheap Uk pub when I've been back. Lol, me son still in uk and beer is deffo cheaper from the off licence spirits and beer , tesco 24 cans of Stella 10pound at Xmas although that's probably Xmas and euro and World Cup it's on offer but deffo cheaper in the off licences I went back last year everything's cheaper apart from petrol , for the things I like anyway , 2 boxes of beer here between 40 and fifty dollars a crate and only something like 330 ml so a box is about 12 cans give or take but that's not what I miss lol , anyway me hubby's a white collar engineer and I'm was just saying wages here on a parr of what he could earn back home he's a high end earner and I cannot afford go out here like I could in uk and think I miss going out with friends family and everything you know , but I'm not giving up yet I'll see how we roll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellybingobingo Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Just saying jasepom , in my eyes I don't see apart from weather any difference , maybe me expectations were too high , but don't think down turn in work helped , and having to move again , although he has been offered his job back in wa but a little too late now because I have no more to give it's financially drained us and how much can one person take , I just think now I wish I never rocked the boat , but I won't give up now after the hassle the cost and everything else I at least want citizenship out of it and he's all good now job wise here he loves it , but do I think it's been worth it no not yet I'm hoping it will be though but my hubby thinks it's early days still time will tell hey ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Hardly more open minded in Perth, at least, rather the contrary You note I referred to the open-mindedness of Sydneysiders, not Australians as a whole. From what I've seen of it, Perth is a big country town and I'd expect the attitudes to be accordingly narrower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 The weather for starters! I'm out walking pretty much every day, relishing the change in seasons, the vibrant colours of the countryside and ever changing aspect - just dress for the day and off I go! I'm looking forward to sitting outside on long summer evenings without being bitten to death but, equally, I enjoyed being snug inside on cold winter days. There are interest groups/activities/opportunities galore and I now have a very wide circle of friends from different aspects of my life - my calendar is full of things I want to do. I love history and get a buzz from walking down a street to find evidence of a thousand+ years of human endeavour all cheek by jowl jostling to give a place character. I enjoy being on the same wavelength, having a laugh and generally being with people who care about each other in the community. There is just so much variety in such a small space - drive 20 miles and you get quite a different aspect. If I weren't in the caring role I now am, I would be doing many more trips to experience different cultures, scenes, etc Europe is tantalisingly on my doorstep. It's never been about me missing family and friends per se unlike many others, I was always very self sufficient in that regard. You and I are on exactly the same page - particularly now my husband is so paranoid about going out in the sun (due to his recent major skin cancer scare). If only I could be more comfortable about the costs of the move, I'd be on the plane tomorrow. And that's not because I dislike Australia - I've had many happy times here, and Sydney feels much more like home than Scotland does now. It's just that at this time of my life, I need some new adventures and believe it or not, Australia doesn't offer that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortlepuss Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 A lot of what made the place more attractive in the past has been removed or diluted. In my opinion one would need to search a lot to find valid reasons to move out here these days beyond the well voiced sunshine. Great for a year or two WHV, they do tend to get out and about and see most the country. But to come for a better life today would be more of a challenge on so many fronts. I remember (a long long time ago) thinking about making the move to Oz and one of the things (being married to a teacher) was that it appeared that a teacher in Oz could afford to buy a house and I thought that was a pretty civilized aspect to the country. Fast forward 10 years or so and 60% of my hubby's take home salary as a senior teacher is swallowed up in rent for an average house in Brisbane. Not a snowball in hell's chance of buying. But Oz remains a fantastic country for the very, very rich - Just come back from the bayside watching the boats come back from their day trips - If you're loaded you can have a great life here! The weather's better if you like the sunshine (bit bored of it now tbh) but that's it. I miss my holidays, rambling, the national trust, a nice pint of beer - but like Quoll said 'Belonging'. I do whinge about having no true friends in Oz, but it's true! And I was more than happy to think it's all down to anti-social miserable me, but in the UK I make friends easily. And I have tried here, to take an interest in peoples' lives, to support and help people, to invite people around for BBQ's, and out socially - My only real mates are British, with Ozzies being lovely people, but absolutely no time in their lives to let me in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellybingobingo Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Haha chortlepuss , made me giggle , you have probably explained yourself better than me , but I think exactly the same as you , we will get on property ladder though eventually , I'm not knocking me oh wage it's just that for anything decent I'm going be paying it off when I have false teeth lol , anyway I shouldn't get wrapped up in these posts I do try stay away from them and just read but it is crazy that most people unless very wealthy shell out more than half their wage for a decent enough house , what's left then enough for food , petrol and a few beers . I read somewhere ditch the foxtel , ditch the beer , ditch the car , well my answer to that why would anyone want settle for less than they use to for sunshine , you would live a pretty mundane lifestyle if you had to ditch everything you had before for sunshine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perthbum Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Got to have it out with you here :cute: I love the American sitcoms like Friends, Two and a Half men ( with Aston Kucher ), The Middle, Modern Family just to mention a few, far better imo than anything we have come up with in recent years agree with you on that one, Malcolm in the middle is a classic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perthbum Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I love Australia but I still pray for rainy days so I can cuddle up with a hot drink and blanket. I miss my family so I completely understand why people go back. And in the UK beer is ALOT cheaper. That's definitely something to miss.. and a lot more nicer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 I remember (a long long time ago) thinking about making the move to Oz and one of the things (being married to a teacher) was that it appeared that a teacher in Oz could afford to buy a house and I thought that was a pretty civilized aspect to the country. Fast forward 10 years or so and 60% of my hubby's take home salary as a senior teacher is swallowed up in rent for an average house in Brisbane. Not a snowball in hell's chance of buying. But Oz remains a fantastic country for the very, very rich - Just come back from the bayside watching the boats come back from their day trips - If you're loaded you can have a great life here! The weather's better if you like the sunshine (bit bored of it now tbh) but that's it. I miss my holidays, rambling, the national trust, a nice pint of beer - but like Quoll said 'Belonging'. I do whinge about having no true friends in Oz, but it's true! And I was more than happy to think it's all down to anti-social miserable me, but in the UK I make friends easily. And I have tried here, to take an interest in peoples' lives, to support and help people, to invite people around for BBQ's, and out socially - My only real mates are British, with Ozzies being lovely people, but absolutely no time in their lives to let me in! Aussies tend to be easier to befriend when living abroad from my experience. It is very difficult to connect here, reason enough to return in my book. I have lived in several countries and sadly find Australia the most difficult. I recall the days when even those on the dole could live a reasonable life in affording rents and so on. Almost any job would have been enough income to secure a small house with ease. We have lost a lot of the virtues that made Australia a special place twenty years back. The sun still shone and the beaches remained the same in those days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Haha chortlepuss , made me giggle , you have probably explained yourself better than me , but I think exactly the same as you , we will get on property ladder though eventually , I'm not knocking me oh wage it's just that for anything decent I'm going be paying it off when I have false teeth lol , anyway I shouldn't get wrapped up in these posts I do try stay away from them and just read but it is crazy that most people unless very wealthy shell out more than half their wage for a decent enough house , what's left then enough for food , petrol and a few beers . I read somewhere ditch the foxtel , ditch the beer , ditch the car , well my answer to that why would anyone want settle for less than they use to for sunshine , you would live a pretty mundane lifestyle if you had to ditch everything you had before for sunshine The expected property correction may help you on the ladder. But whatever more to live than being on the mortgage slavery treadmill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belinda Au Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Aussies tend to be easier to befriend when living abroad from my experience. It is very difficult to connect here, reason enough to return in my book. I have lived in several countries and sadly find Australia the most difficult. I recall the days when even those on the dole could live a reasonable life in affording rents and so on. Almost any job would have been enough income to secure a small house with ease. We have lost a lot of the virtues that made Australia a special place twenty years back. The sun still shone and the beaches remained the same in those days. No two experiences are exactly the same but I must confess Flag... I was born here... and I have always felt it a little difficult to make friends here - particularly in Sydney. Certainly everyone I know now is busy working like a dog to cover the mortgage. Always lots of stuff to do here... but increasingly no-one has the time. And yes, it has not always been this way. I'm sure it's the same in lots of countries now.... wages are the last to rise so we're all spending more time working to pay for stuff. errgghh.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenon4017 Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 ... 60% of my hubby's take home salary as a senior teacher is swallowed up in rent for an average house in Brisbane. Something doesn't add up here. The median rent for Brisbane is about 500$ per week (https://www.rta.qld.gov.au/Resources/Median-rents). This means your husband takes home 833$ per week. Are senior teachers so badly paid? Or are you renting an above average house? You've clearly highlighted some of the downsides to migrating here and I've got no issue with that. But surely the figures you've quoted don't stack up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 No two experiences are exactly the same but I must confess Flag... I was born here... and I have always felt it a little difficult to make friends here - particularly in Sydney. Certainly everyone I know now is busy working like a dog to cover the mortgage. Always lots of stuff to do here... but increasingly no-one has the time. And yes, it has not always been this way. I'm sure it's the same in lots of countries now.... wages are the last to rise so we're all spending more time working to pay for stuff. errgghh.... The laid back Aussie cliché is somewhat a past relic. Found social life far more coherent in France my previous location, more so in Asia and London as well. Most worked hard but still found time to get out of the house and socialize. Born in OZ as well and far from impressed the way the nation has gone over the past decade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belinda Au Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Born in OZ as well and far from impressed the way the nation has gone over the past decade. hmmm.... have to say I agree with the above comment. I can't quite put my finger on it, but yeah. I have travelled much as you have done... perhaps it depends on the areas... some places are more insular than others, but for a country with loads of open space and lots of other things to do, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot in the way of socialising going on. strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellybingobingo Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 The expected property correction may help you on the ladder. But whatever more to live than being on the mortgage slavery treadmill I know but unless I win lotto I carnt stand this renting game , my life isn't me own you carnt hang pictures , do this do that , I'm very house proud too and I'm just dying to get my normal life back , i do like the outdoor living but you ask someone round you go to a big effort , for them to say carnt stay long we need early night , I find that really hard compared to when I entertained in uk it would go on till all hours having a laugh a bit of kareoke letting your hair down , think that's why since I've moved from wa , I need to stay not far from city here because in the subs in wa it's lights out at 9pm for most people I'm like come on get a grip lol nevermind I'll see how we roll I'm no worse off or better off for trying put it down to a experience , I'm lucky in the fact my oh will get a job anywhere in the world and uk he has 17 emails a week for jobs , but they getting to know him here now so all good but I'm just saying it's been one hell of a rollacoaster but I'm hoping get off it soon and say ya know what I'm glad I gave it more time we shall see , off bed now got a interview myself tomorrow )) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 No two experiences are exactly the same but I must confess Flag... I was born here... and I have always felt it a little difficult to make friends here - particularly in Sydney. Certainly everyone I know now is busy working like a dog to cover the mortgage. Always lots of stuff to do here... but increasingly no-one has the time. And yes, it has not always been this way. I'm sure it's the same in lots of countries now.... wages are the last to rise so we're all spending more time working to pay for stuff. errgghh.... well Belinda , whether you are in oz or the u,k , what sort of life is that ? ...on the " hamster wheel" I call it ...creat more debt , with the bigger house and the new car and you have to pedal faster to an early grave ...I stepped off a while back . It sounds like Australia is drifting towards an American style of life ....bust your arse for the dream . no thanks ...mates ...pub ...few beers .....bit of banter , trust me , there is nothing else , ive been there . The big house and car , don't mean jack , if you are too busy or tired or stressed or worried to enjoy it ...live your life at the front end , that's my motto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamffc Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Anyone who finds Australia too hot should come to Melbourne between April and December. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belinda Au Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 well Belinda , whether you are in oz or the u,k , what sort of life is that ? ...on the " hamster wheel" I call it ...creat more debt , with the bigger house and the new car and you have to pedal faster to an early grave ...I stepped off a while back .It sounds like Australia is drifting towards an American style of life ....bust your arse for the dream . no thanks ...mates ...pub ...few beers .....bit of banter , trust me , there is nothing else , ive been there . The big house and car , don't mean jack , if you are too busy or tired or stressed or worried to enjoy it ...live your life at the front end , that's my motto Bunbury, I didn't say it was a great one, did I? (at least I don't think I did!) Just saying how it is. I currently work 2 days a week, am at Uni 3 days a week and also work 4 nights a week! It's definitely hamster wheel material, I agree with you. I'm sticking it out for another year, maybe year and a half to save up the $$$ so I can move back to the UK - for how long? Don't know. I'm doing it that way so I can go and not have to worry about hitting the ground running trying to find work again, etc. But yeah, it's certainly been feeling more "the american way" for the last decade or so in some respects. Totally agree with you. I look at many of my friends here who have a mortgage and are working insane hours to pay for a place they spend very little time in. Seems mad. :biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Bunbury, I didn't say it was a great one, did I? (at least I don't think I did!) Just saying how it is. I currently work 2 days a week, am at Uni 3 days a week and also work 4 nights a week! It's definitely hamster wheel material, I agree with you. I'm sticking it out for another year, maybe year and a half to save up the $$$ so I can move back to the UK - for how long? Don't know. I'm doing it that way so I can go and not have to worry about hitting the ground running trying to find work again, etc. But yeah, it's certainly been feeling more "the american way" for the last decade or so in some respects. Totally agree with you. I look at many of my friends here who have a mortgage and are working insane hours to pay for a place they spend very little time in. Seems mad. :biggrin: humble apologies Belinda , the post wasn't directed at you , just a life observation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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