Australia after 8 years - the good, bad & the ugly!

[Johndoe]

On 19/03/2019 at 17:50, Toots said:

In Sydney - don't know about elsewhere, many people shout "Thanks driver" when getting off a bus.

True................and it's something those rude, (as some poms have stated them to be), Aussies have taught me to say............and indeed, I really feel good about myself when I shout it as a when alighting from the centre of the bus..............try it..............it'll lift you up.

[Johndoe]

12 hours ago, Bulya said:

Cheap fuel, Skippy Super Chunk peanut butter, etc.  What’s not to like...

Meat prices through the roof............then again...........you get what you pay for. Their 3 kilo boxes of Crystal Bay prawns are the tastiest and cleanest I've ever tasted in a country that prides itself on seafood. Excellent meat and their mince must be the leanest in oz this side of 8 bucks a kilo and forget the whole cooked chooks at $7 when you can get 8 pieces of cooked maryland for the same price.....................but hey.............let's not forget it's a USA company not Aus.

[Johndoe]

14 hours ago, newjez said:

So Australians are rude?

Do you wave to thank the other drivers at stop traffic lights? Roundabouts? Where will it end? Do the drivers wave back? Do you wave at them to thank them for waving?

It's like thank you cards for kids present on birthdays. They already said thank you for Christ sake. It's not manners it's protocol. 

I  rarely wave unless they have had to slam their anchors on. The exception is my local shopping mal where the entrance/crossing to is immediately after a bend from the entrance. I know, as a driver, how frustrating it must be to just negotiate a bend only to see a crossing immediately confronting you and trolley toting pedestrians dithering. Once parked, and becoming a pedestrian myself, I always wave at those who stop for me......................iut's nice to be nice, even if folk piss you off and it sure does confuse 'em when they're shlte and you're nice back

[CaptainR]

Awesome post from the OP, many points are so accurate.

Following the thread drift, I also am concerned about the obsession with ready meals in the UK whenever I visit. Even somewhere like M&S you only have to look at the ingredients list to realise the numerous additions for preservation and flavour, that these things can’t be that great for you. I occasionally buy Heinz tinned beans which is sufficient for my wife to lose her #### with me about buying low quality processed foods.

Meat, Fish and Bread always seems better bought from the independents rather than Coles/Woolworths. 

Harris Farm is our go to place for fruit and veg.

 

[Skani]

10 hours ago, Fisher1 said:

You know it really was a lighthearted post 

As long as it is obvious "which"  Australia they are talking about :    from the reference to Northern Beaches I assume it is Sydney.   I know Sydney thinks it IS Australia - but for many  elsewhere it could be a foreign country.  

[Bulya]

2 hours ago, Skani said:

As long as it is obvious "which"  Australia they are talking about :    from the reference to Northern Beaches I assume it is Sydney.   I know Sydney thinks it IS Australia - but for many  elsewhere it could be a foreign country.  

Every other state/territory is a foreign country when one lives in Australia.  I always have a laff when poms say “we’ve done Australia” yet only lived in say Perth.  

[Skani]

1 hour ago, Bulya said:

Every other state/territory is a foreign country when one lives in Australia.  I always have a laff when poms say “we’ve done Australia” yet only lived in say Perth.  

     And don't we know that all too well on PIO.     " I spent a  couple of weeks in Perth and now I'm an expert on all of Oz".  

[Bulya]

3 minutes ago, Skani said:

     And don't we know that all too well on PIO.     " I spent a  couple of weeks in Perth and now I'm an expert on all of Oz".  

I’ve lived or worked in every state/territory bar Tasmania, Qld, and WA.  Holidayed in those three.  Always amazed at the fundamental differences, that are so readily apparent. 

[Paul1Perth]

4 hours ago, Bulya said:

Every other state/territory is a foreign country when one lives in Australia.  I always have a laff when poms say “we’ve done Australia” yet only lived in say Perth.  

I've been lucky enough to travel heaps with work. I knew Sydney a lot better than Perth as I was there on my own, work were paying and I was staying in the Holiday Inn at Potts Point. 

Spent a lot of time in Darwin, Townsville, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane etc. Each place is so different and good in its own way. Had a long weekend in Townsville once and had a day on Magnetic Island and hired a motorbike. What a great place that doesn't normally get a mention. 

Pity they're all so far apart. Then again that's why they're all so different.

Edited March 21, 2019 by Paul1Perth

[Fisher1]

25 minutes ago, Paul1Perth said:

I've been lucky enough to travel heaps with work. I knew Sydney a lot better than Perth as I was there on my own, work were paying and I was staying in the Holiday Inn at Potts Point. 

Spent a lot of time in Darwin, Townsville, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane etc. Each place is so different and good in its own way. Had a long weekend in Townsville once and had a day on Magnetic Island and hired a motorbike. What a great place that doesn't normally get a mention. 

Pity they're all so far apart. Then again that's why they're all so different.

You are lucky to have been able to travel all over Australia. I’m still nibbling round the edges!

[ramot]

We have travelled loads around Australia. We have visited every state, have so enjoyed our trips and love the variety of this country. When we were newish here we started going away for 3 weeks at a time in a different direction to explore, we had great fun including panning for sapphires. 

Spent the last 2 Christmas in the Southern Highlands, so different to the Sunshine Coast, wonderful old established trees and not a palm tree in sight.

Please don’t ask me my favourite, Tasmania so different and visited the Wall in the Widerness, Northern Territory the Aboriginal art, Lake Eyre Sadly not in flood. The barrier reef, fairy penguins at Phillip Island. We haven’t wasted our 16 years here.

[Bulya]

1 hour ago, ramot said:

We have travelled loads around Australia. We have visited every state, have so enjoyed our trips and love the variety of this country. When we were newish here we started going away for 3 weeks at a time in a different direction to explore, we had great fun including panning for sapphires. 

Spent the last 2 Christmas in the Southern Highlands, so different to the Sunshine Coast, wonderful old established trees and not a palm tree in sight.

Please don’t ask me my favourite, Tasmania so different and visited the Wall in the Widerness, Northern Territory the Aboriginal art, Lake Eyre Sadly not in flood. The barrier reef, fairy penguins at Phillip Island. We haven’t wasted our 16 years here.

Highlands has a kinda British feel.  Some great old pubs and an amazing food scene.  Always a good day out 

[Fisher1]

1 hour ago, ramot said:

We have travelled loads around Australia. We have visited every state, have so enjoyed our trips and love the variety of this country. When we were newish here we started going away for 3 weeks at a time in a different direction to explore, we had great fun including panning for sapphires. 

Spent the last 2 Christmas in the Southern Highlands, so different to the Sunshine Coast, wonderful old established trees and not a palm tree in sight.

Please don’t ask me my favourite, Tasmania so different and visited the Wall in the Widerness, Northern Territory the Aboriginal art, Lake Eyre Sadly not in flood. The barrier reef, fairy penguins at Phillip Island. We haven’t wasted our 16 years here.

where did you go panning for sapphires? sounds interesting!

[ramot]

3 hours ago, Fisher1 said:

where did you go panning for sapphires? sounds interesting!

Sapphire Qld area known as the gem fields Didn’t find much of note, but great fun hoping. Tried to find opals in Lightning Ridge but failed again!!!

[Fisher1]

49 minutes ago, ramot said:

Sapphire Qld area known as the gem fields Didn’t find much of note, but great fun hoping. Tried to find opals in Lightning Ridge but failed again!!!

I must try that one day ... more interesting than the lottery!

 

[Bobj]

5 hours ago, ramot said:

Sapphire Qld area known as the gem fields Didn’t find much of note, but great fun hoping. Tried to find opals in Lightning Ridge but failed again!!!

I used to have a small sapphire mine just south of Glen Innes, Northern NSW. Best sapph was worth a week's wages.

The old timers' campsites in Lightning Ridge were good for a noodle. Found a green-on-black, about as big as a bantam egg, got $800 for it. The oldies were after red-on-black and, when they got back to their camps, would look at their finds in the campfire light. If the stones they were looking at wasn't one, they just threw them into the fire.

Went to "The Willows" in central Qld and found a 5 carat green on the dirt road! Still have it. Went again 15 years ago, was looking up a stream bed and found a 92 carat piece of corundum...

It's all in "Reminiscing" if you want to read a few of my exploits In Australia over 55 years.

Cheers, Bobj.

[Bobj]

14 hours ago, Paul1Perth said:

 

Pity they're all so far apart. Then again that's why they're all so different.

Took me 6 days to drive from Kununurra to Perth. That was in 1969 when the bitumen started at Carnarvon and after a cyclone washed away a few sections of road around Roebourne..

Cheers, Bobj.

[Paul1Perth]

On Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 14:19, Fisher1 said:

You are lucky to have been able to travel all over Australia. I’m still nibbling round the edges!

Even better when work are paying for everything. Used to go to a restaurant in Sydney, meat and wine co, near the imax at Darling Harbour. One of the best steaks I've had with a blue cheese and vodka sauce. Also had starters and desert and never bothered about how much as work were paying.

Went to Sydney on holiday with my wife and son and said how good it was. We had a walk down and for the first time I looked at the prices before I went in. We ended up going for pub grub and happy hour beers.

[Sandgroper]

On 20/03/2019 at 04:27, Bulya said:

I bus a lot and nearly everybody thanks the driver, even school kids 

Same in Perth, I don't get a bus often but have been pleasantly surprised when I have. 

[Sandgroper]

On 19/03/2019 at 14:42, Parentwhogotin said:

Coming to Australia? I’ve been here 8 years now and I’ve often thought of this Forum – I used it a lot in the days when I was applying for my Visa.

 

Now I’ve been here 8 years – here’s my story and what I find the best and the worst and Oz!

 

In 2010 after more than 2 years of jumping through ever bigger hurdles at last my Contributory Parent visa was granted and I became on the Northern Beaches in Sydney. In case the rules changed I immediately set about applying for Citizenship - another nightmare of paperwork - but attained Citizenship in 2011.

 

Note: if you are computer literate and reasonably organised you can do the application yourself. If you employ an Agent you still have to gather the same info - but give it to your agent who submits it  – don’t bother, do it yourself and save a heap of money.

 

In 2017 - after 12 years each in Australia and not finding love -  my two daughters decided to give up on Oz to return to the UK!  Everyone expected I would go back, but by then had my own home and running my boutique, HoundDogHotel (still am) so I stayed on - because life here is, imo, far superior to anything the UK can offer.

 

Having said that, there are truly some things an English person (especially a female) may struggle with. Others may have different views, here's my list:

 

THE WORST

Huntsmen Spiders. I posted pics of a massive one of these that died in my garage - it's leg span was almost 6". Everyone tells you they are fine and eat the nasty things, but when they are so fast its terrifying. Even more distressing when they keep turning up in your bedroom (one on bed head another one was on my pillow). I will never get used to them.

 

Cockroaches. Disgusting. Even with an immaculate and clean home these things somehow find a way to appear in your house. Use Cockroach baits or you will see them all through summer if they find a corner to breed.

 

Australians have a lot of great ways, but saying thank you at Zebra Crossings is not one of them. They saunter across and if anyone does raise a hand - bet your life its a Brit. It's obviously cultural as it doesn't bother Aussie drivers, but it drives me demented.

 

It’s usual to go barefoot at the beach, but in Malls and shops? Feral! Now there's an Aussie word you'll get used to hearing.

 

Many Aussies don't know what listening means and when you talk they often stare into space. But don't take it personally, they're not interested, they just want you to shut up so they can keep talking.

 

Trades people (aka Tradies) think unreliability is an Olympic sport - and they excel at it. Time and again when booked for a small job they simply fail to turn up and you never hear from them again.

 

Australia is not the relaxed land of Crocodile Dundee. It is a shockingly bureaucratic Country. There are rules, more rules, and even more petty rules. 

 

Basically Australia has monetised bureaucracy.  You might have had years of expertise in a business, but will not be able to work in it here without going back to school to get a 'Cert IV Certificate' of some kind. 

 

I'd run my own successful Management Training company in London for 10 years - yet not allowed to train in Australia without paying for a Cert IV. In theory it is possible to get around this if you can prove you have qualifications - but getting the proof and paperwork together is  so onerous most people don't bother and end paying for a joke Cert 4. 

 

When we had dogs in England the freedom to take them where you wanted was something I took for granted. Being here with a dog you’ll be shocked at the massive limitations on where you can take them off leash. Basically no where, unless it is permitted with a sign. The 'leash free' areas that do exist are few and far between, and the physical size of these Ovals is small. Considering there are 1,000s of beaches very few allow dogs - and you can't use the whole beach, just sections of it. Break the rules if you want, but fines are upwards of $250 per infringement. I really, really miss Epping Forest.

 

Female? You will miss Marks and Spencer. Not the  clothes - they became rubbish years ago - but dear God the food here is 20 years behind the UK. The ready meals in Coles and Woolworths are not fit for human consumption they are so poor.

 

I have a very sweet tooth, yet supermarket cakes are so full of sugar you cannot taste anything else. Reason is that sugar is a very cheap ingredient.

 

It amuses when Australians who have never been to the UK tell me the food here - especially their meat - is far superior to what we get in England. Having lived in both countries I can state positively the meat from the two main supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths is dire. Even the most expensive stuff is not even a close runner up to the quality at M&S for example.

 

The Snags (sausages to you) they put on the BarB are revolting. Nasty and cheap. The bacon is – well it’s weird. Only Coles sells a specific ‘dry cure’ which is like the bacon you will be used to.

 

And the bread is truly dreadful. Even so called specialist bakers make uninspiring pap. I can get decent bread at one French Bakers - except is 160 ks round trip.

 

Considering this is a land of sheep - the clothes from the likes of Target are dreadful beyond words. Lacking style, cheap acrylic clothes and plastic shoes. A sea of tat. 

 

Myer and David Jones are better - but expensive, think John Lewis/Selfridges prices equivalent.

 

The school zones which are 90 mins morning and again in the afternoon when you have to drive at 40k per hours = 25 mph = is plain annoying and unnecessary for such long periods - 90 mins twice a day.

 

 

OK that is a long list of negatives - so why do I stay?

 

 

 

THE BEST

 

The light and beautiful open skies

Australia has the biggest bluest skies that, for reasons I can't explain, seem vast compared with the view of skies in England

 

No six month long Winters!

Winters are not only mild, but some so called Winter days are better then UK summer ones. I used to get down with the Winters in England, but here with the light your spirits are lifted.

 

Wildlife 

wildlife is big brassy and when when its not trying to kill you pretty fabulous.

The birds are mainly huge (but they do have tiny wrens) and a huge variety of bird life. Pelicans bigger than small children, stunning Parrots, raucous and handsome Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, hilarious amusing and argumentative Rainbow Lorikeets.

 

In my garden - and I'm not close to Bush, had Stick insects over a foot long, Water dragons right out of Jurassic Park, and yes the ever dreaded Huntsman. I have never seen a snake, dead or alive, on the streets. However, you would not walk off a path in summer as it is a risk not worth taking.

 

In London one local journey regularly took me 40 mins to go 4 miles, whereas here, whilst Sydney traffic is pretty bad, living most other places it is a pleasure to drive around.

 

Garden

If you like gardening then some of the plants you can get are fabulous, exotic and colourful. I have a plant called a Mandeville and it throws dramatic red flowers all summer.

 

 

 

 

The Aussies

 

Poor listening skills and not staying thanks at Zebra crossing aside - Aussies are genuinely nice people.

 

I’ve made loads of friends, they are welcoming and accepting of us Brits invading their country.

 

You don’t see heaps of litter and filth along the side of roads as Aussies have  enormous amounts of Civic pride. They tend not to litter as much as people in the UK do and are proud of their country and areas where they live. You will often see an individual clearing up litter in their street - and they won't get an officious council officer fining them for doing that.

 

There are big community clear ups too and it's like big fun parties when locals turn up and clean up voluntarily.

 

Aussies are so honest! Again and again people lose things which are more often than not returned to their rightful owners.

 

On the same theme, there is far less crime than the UK. Moped thieves are unheard of, and whilst people don't leave doors unlocked in cities, burglary is rare. I've never heard of anyone being burgled in my area.

 

The Housing

It took a long time to get used to the different look of the housing here – hardly any garden and lots of house. Very individual styles. Different ways of building. But now I love it. Makes for variation and interest. My house here is far bigger than the one in the UK and having a smaller garden is great -  lower maintenance.

 

At the time I applied for my Contributory Parent Visa - aka  buying your way in - the cost was $35,000 and a two year wait to be processed

 

On top of the $35,000 you pay $10,000 bond (held for 10 years) and if you cannot support yourself and apply for Government assistance inside that 10 years you forfeit your bond.  Seemed tough at the time, but on reflection I think it's right. I wish the UK was as strict with those who want to enter and live there. You certainly have no hope of turning up in Australia and taking houses and being given money. It just does not happen.

 

If you’ve made it to the bottom well done! Be happy to answer questionsJ

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Great post all rings true, have to disagree about the meat though I find it far superior here (WA) to the UK.

One thing you forgot to mention is the average Australians inability to return a shopping trolley to it's rightful place even if it is just 10 metres away, I really don't get this and it annoys the hell out of me seeing them left everywhere!

As already mentioned get your chocolate from Aldi.

[Marisawright]

16 minutes ago, Sandgroper said:

Great post all rings true, have to disagree about the meat though I find it far superior here (WA) to the UK.

One thing you forgot to mention is the average Australians inability to return a shopping trolley to it's rightful place even if it is just 10 metres away, I really don't get this and it annoys the hell out of me seeing them left everywhere

Me too.  I never had a single good steak when I was in the UK, either from the shops or from a restaurant - and we did try, because my oh is a real carnivore.  He used to look forward to going to Italy so he could get a decent piece of meat.   Like most things, it probably comes down to knowing where to buy.  

As for the shopping trolley - your comment reminded me of Michael McIntyre's sketch about the "posh push" at Waitrose.

Edited March 25, 2019 by Marisawright

[Sandgroper]

7 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

Me too.  I never had a single good steak when I was in the UK, either from the shops or from a restaurant - and we did try, because my oh is a real carnivore.  He used to look forward to going to Italy so he could get a decent piece of meat.   Like most things, it probably comes down to knowing where to buy.  

As for the shopping trolley - your comment reminded me of Michael McIntyre's sketch about the "posh push" at Waitrose.

I've been told the beef is of a better quality as the majority of Australian cattle is grass fed as opposed to grain fed in the UK.

[Bulya]

1 hour ago, Sandgroper said:

Same in Perth, I don't get a bus often but have been pleasantly surprised when I have. 

I’m loving the buses.  Free, no parking hassles, air-conditioned, spotlessly clean, and amazingly punctual. Still the ACT does have the countries best bus service, so it might not be the same elsewhere

[starlight7]

I hope they never, ever get all those 'convenience 'foods here.  Horrid and horrifying to me. I am old school- I like fresh cooked stuff.

[Saurer Pfirsich]

56 minutes ago, starlight7 said:

I hope they never, ever get all those 'convenience 'foods here.  Horrid and horrifying to me. I am old school- I like fresh cooked stuff.

I wouldn't go into a Coles or Woolworths in Melbourne then, the chiller cabinets are full of them!