How Long before you realised that Australia was or was not the place that you wanted to spend the rest of your days ?

[MARYROSE02]

46 minutes ago, calNgary said:

Just a reminder what this thread is about and that it isnt in CTF as this last few pages seem to be going off on a comparison tangent.. Please leave the Perth Vs Manchester posts for another thread,( if you wish to discuss that of course.)

 Cal x

I thought "Manchester" was something to do with cloth or linens and assumed Mandurah was too.

[ali]

13 hours ago, Paul1Perth said:

I took the wife to see swan lake and stayed over at the Casino on a wedding anniversary. I appreciate how good and fit the performers are, think it was a Russian ballet company, but I dropped to sleep in the second half. Just doesn't do it for me, wife enjoyed it though.

We go to a matinee performance and my husband and son and daughters partner usually come into the city and meet us at a bar for drinks.  This weekend we introduced my friend and son's girlfriend to the ballet - they'd not been before.

[Red Rose]

Sorry for another MCR post, but I stumbled across a link (not sure if we are allowed to post) from 2014 which declared confidently that MCR would become a world class city by 2020 alongside NY, London and Paris. I have not been in years so besides having world class football teams, I still need to venture NW to see how close it got to that lofty claim!!!

[newjez]

4 hours ago, ali said:

We go to a matinee performance and my husband and son and daughters partner usually come into the city and meet us at a bar for drinks.  This weekend we introduced my friend and son's girlfriend to the ballet - they'd not been before.

Personally I think they should shut it down on humanitarian.grounds. Have you seen what it does to their feet?

They should ban opera too. Mainly because it's bloody awful.

[Bulya]

6 hours ago, Red Rose said:

Sorry for another MCR post, but I stumbled across a link (not sure if we are allowed to post) from 2014 which declared confidently that MCR would become a world class city by 2020 alongside NY, London and Paris. I have not been in years so besides having world class football teams, I still need to venture NW to see how close it got to that lofty claim!!!

It’s still your typical northern dump.  It ain’t gonna change 

[jimmyay1]

Honestly, Manchester is a bit of a dump compared to most Australian cities, it's no contest.  Its a shame.

I grew up in the North of England.  When i go back i just find Mcr depressing, small and no where near as exciting and vibrant as Melbourne. Overall standard of food out and about is awful, parts look so dilapidated and others,  more and more like the third world.  Its dirty, people look depressed and angry.  i could go on. 

When you've been away 10 years and return its a shock. 

The difference in growth and dynamism over recent decades is quite something . 

 

Melbourne wasnt much bigger than Manchester in 1980 , both cities populations were  around 2.5 million people.   Fourty years later Melbourne is now twice the size of Manchester and has provided a shed load more opportunities for people to get on in life than the North West has. 

Could say the same about Scotland - that's  even more  pronounced.

Scotland's population in 1980 was 5 million whilst Victoria's was only about 3 million.   Victoria  now has 6.75 million people and an economy double the size with GDP per head 50% higher.    Scotland has a million fewer people, still around 5 million  and those remaining are much more badly paid than they were in comparison.  

Big changes and not for the better in the uk. 

Edited May 20, 2021 by jimmyay1

[bug family]

23 hours ago, jimmyay1 said:

Honestly, Manchester is a bit of a dump compared to most Australian cities, it's no contest.  Its a shame.

I grew up in the North of England.  When i go back i just find Mcr depressing, small and no where near as exciting and vibrant as Melbourne. Overall standard of food out and about is awful, parts look so dilapidated and others,  more and more like the third world.  Its dirty, people look depressed and angry.  i could go on. 

When you've been away 10 years and return its a shock. 

The difference in growth and dynamism over recent decades is quite something . 

 

Melbourne wasnt much bigger than Manchester in 1980 , both cities populations were  around 2.5 million people.   Fourty years later Melbourne is now twice the size of Manchester and has provided a shed load more opportunities for people to get on in life than the North West has. 

Could say the same about Scotland - that's  even more  pronounced.

Scotland's population in 1980 was 5 million whilst Victoria's was only about 3 million.   Victoria  now has 6.75 million people and an economy double the size with GDP per head 50% higher.    Scotland has a million fewer people, still around 5 million  and those remaining are much more badly paid than they were in comparison.  

Big changes and not for the better in the uk. 

mmmmm....its all about perspective though Jimmy what you find attractive or not is different to what I may find......having been to both Melbourne and Manchester, its Manchester for me hands down, as for Scotland its a stunning place which I would be happy to call home, but then its not about the money for me, i get paid far more here than I ever did back home, yet I would swap for a lower income and happiness back home in a heart beat......over mind numbing boredom and homesickness here in Aus

[bug family]

On 20/05/2021 at 05:48, Bulya said:

It’s still your typical northern dump.  It ain’t gonna change 

sorry Bulya remind me when you where back in the UK last ?.....

[Paul1Perth]

On 20/05/2021 at 16:33, jimmyay1 said:

Honestly, Manchester is a bit of a dump compared to most Australian cities, it's no contest.  Its a shame.

I grew up in the North of England.  When i go back i just find Mcr depressing, small and no where near as exciting and vibrant as Melbourne. Overall standard of food out and about is awful, parts look so dilapidated and others,  more and more like the third world.  Its dirty, people look depressed and angry.  i could go on. 

When you've been away 10 years and return its a shock. 

The difference in growth and dynamism over recent decades is quite something . 

 

Melbourne wasnt much bigger than Manchester in 1980 , both cities populations were  around 2.5 million people.   Fourty years later Melbourne is now twice the size of Manchester and has provided a shed load more opportunities for people to get on in life than the North West has. 

Could say the same about Scotland - that's  even more  pronounced.

Scotland's population in 1980 was 5 million whilst Victoria's was only about 3 million.   Victoria  now has 6.75 million people and an economy double the size with GDP per head 50% higher.    Scotland has a million fewer people, still around 5 million  and those remaining are much more badly paid than they were in comparison.  

Big changes and not for the better in the uk. 

We were away from Manchester for 20 years and went back on holiday. My wife used to work at Salford Royal, now nice flats and Manchester Royal hospital. We were amazed how much better Manchester Royal looked, it was a really old building when she worked there.

Neither of us recognised Salford, they've really tidied it up, you can even get a swim in the old shipyards. I think they spent millions when they got the commonwealth games. 

We loved the light rail, went to a couple of really good restaurants and saw that the BBC have a big office there, apparently relocated from London.

We were actually pleasantly surprised, went in on the train, decent service. Certainly a lot better than it was 20 years before, certainly round Salford.

Funnily enough we went to Melbourne for my wifes 50th and we both thought it reminded us of Manchester, especially round the train station.

[Dusty Plains]

42 minutes ago, bug family said:

sorry Bulya remind me when you where back in the UK last ?.....

Manchester is still Manchester obviously. One poster has unflattering memories of the city some time ago, and another poster confirms those memories from a more recent perspective. Why would someone have to go back to the UK to offer a valid opinion on Manchester or any other city.  How long has Manchester been there?  Forever?

I was only a tourist and saw Manchester through a day-tourist perspective. It seemed to be an OK place to a tourist.   

[Red Rose]

On 19/05/2021 at 22:48, Bulya said:

It’s still your typical northern dump.  It ain’t gonna change 

Bulya out of interest which part of the UK were you from before moving to Oz? 

[Red Rose]

1 hour ago, Dusty Plains said:

Manchester is still Manchester obviously. One poster has unflattering memories of the city some time ago, and another poster confirms those memories from a more recent perspective. Why would someone have to go back to the UK to offer a valid opinion on Manchester or any other city.  How long has Manchester been there?  Forever?

I was only a tourist and saw Manchester through a day-tourist perspective. It seemed to be an OK place to a tourist.   

I think what doesn't help is the weather in the NW, unfortunately that part of the UK does get more rain and grey skies than other parts of the UK which doesn't help. 

[Bulya]

3 hours ago, bug family said:

sorry Bulya remind me when you where back in the UK last ?.....

Been a while.  Comment stands 

[Bulya]

2 hours ago, Dusty Plains said:

Manchester is still Manchester obviously. One poster has unflattering memories of the city some time ago, and another poster confirms those memories from a more recent perspective. Why would someone have to go back to the UK to offer a valid opinion on Manchester or any other city.  How long has Manchester been there?  Forever?

I was only a tourist and saw Manchester through a day-tourist perspective. It seemed to be an OK place to a tourist.   

Exactly.  Most here have very low standards, so I’m not surprised that they think Manchester is passable.  

[Lavers]

9 hours ago, Bulya said:

Exactly.  Most here have very low standards, so I’m not surprised that they think Manchester is passable.  

Nothing wrong with Manchester City Centre, plenty to see and do.

Your problem is when you start moving around the city centre.

[Red Rose]

Really awesome list of world's top 100 cities, beautifully produced with no scrolling of pages, well worth a look 

https://www.bestcities.org/rankings/worlds-best-cities/

Only 3 UK cities that I could find in the top 100, I think Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane also made it. Really interesting read. 

[bug family]

18 hours ago, Dusty Plains said:

Manchester is still Manchester obviously. One poster has unflattering memories of the city some time ago, and another poster confirms those memories from a more recent perspective. Why would someone have to go back to the UK to offer a valid opinion on Manchester or any other city.  How long has Manchester been there?  Forever?

I was only a tourist and saw Manchester through a day-tourist perspective. It seemed to be an OK place to a tourist.   

Because , i don't know, maybe it has changed possibly? if the poster has not visited in 10,20,30 years it will have changed ....will it not 

 A different poster confirms what a lovely place it is and how investment has made it so

[bug family]

16 hours ago, Bulya said:

Exactly.  Most here have very low standards

exactly ....that is  why I moved to Australia like yourself Bulya

[Tulip1]

21 hours ago, Dusty Plains said:

Manchester is still Manchester obviously. One poster has unflattering memories of the city some time ago, and another poster confirms those memories from a more recent perspective. Why would someone have to go back to the UK to offer a valid opinion on Manchester or any other city.  How long has Manchester been there?  Forever?

I was only a tourist and saw Manchester through a day-tourist perspective. It seemed to be an OK place to a tourist.   

 

18 hours ago, Bulya said:

Exactly.  Most here have very low standards, so I’m not surprised that they think Manchester is passable.  

 

Edited May 22, 2021 by Tulip1

[Tulip1]

19 hours ago, Bulya said:

Exactly.  Most here have very low standards, so I’m not surprised that they think Manchester is passable.  

That is a terrible thing to say, you have no idea of the standards of most on here. It also depends on how you measure standards.  In my opinion, there is little lower than snobbery.  Decency, values and politeness are high standards and your comment falls well below par. 

Edited May 22, 2021 by Tulip1

[Dusty Plains]

5 hours ago, Tulip1 said:

That is a terrible thing to say, you have no idea of the standards of most on here. It also depends on how you measure standards.  In my opinion, there is little lower than snobbery.  Decency, values and politeness are high standards and your comment falls well below par. 

The ties that bind the Brits and Australians are ties that have been entrenched for hundreds of years. Sure, there is the odd rivalry, but in reality its like sibling rivalry that is more akin to a rivalry or petty jealously within a family. Yet the family rivalry tends to be set aside when dealing with antagonistic neighbours that threaten the family. 

Australia is currently in an ongoing war of words with a country, ( actually there are a few) yet that one particular country is not, and has never been, England /UK.  Equally England is also in a war of words with with a number of its neighbours currently. Straight away there is a commonality, and that commonality has emerged equally for both countries in the last 12 months or so.  

There is a picture emerging here, even in the last 12 months and its becoming clearer within what is otherwise, the fog of the calamitous world as it is currently. 

Cutting to the chase.  Clearly, certain nations have been brave enough to move on from, or have lost faith in existing arrangements with other nations and are equally brave enough to be very critical of recalcitrant trading partners.  My favoured model which is already a groundswell is that Canada, New Zealand, the UK (yes all of the UK hopefully) and Australia (CANZUK) can further develop as middle nations, into a formal and multilateral new world entity simply because those nations have been and will continue to be an identifiable stabilising pact in a world that has completely dropped the ball.  So why not formalise that stability for the broader good in the world. Let it be a good thing. Lets trade and interact given that we far more alike than we are different and above all we are currently UNLIKE our traditional trading partners.

We should be able to move more freely, more or less, between our countries. We are all major tourist destinations that are generally deemed as safe. Realistically we should expand the existing Australian/NZ migration protocol as a standard across CANZUK. Then we can all stop being aliens, applicants, ping-pongers and start being world citizens in a common household.

We can feed ourselves several times over and we are spread around the globe. We have maintained a sense of humour when others have either struggled or have completely devoid of a sense of humour to start with and so we maintain a positive, self-critical yet bright outlook according to our standard of living. We are not pointing missiles at each other and we have shown that we are not about to be ruled by a President or a Chairman. 

We are rich and we have great institutions such as our teaching hospitals, medical research and universities which should allow our youth to travel throughout our worldwide co-operative for sabbatical purposes without barriers.  We will be smarter, healthier, richer, more influential, far less parochial, less cynical and we will be seen as a stabilised society whereby people from other nations can aspire to and become part of.

 

Edited May 22, 2021 by Dusty Plains

[Rallyman]

On 21/05/2021 at 22:16, Bulya said:

Been a while.  Comment stands 

So you have no idea in reality as you have not been for such a long time. Just your opinion. 

[Rallyman]

On 21/05/2021 at 22:20, Bulya said:

Exactly.  Most here have very low standards, so I’m not surprised that they think Manchester is passable.  

Hope your including yourself

[SWMOY04]

On 21/05/2021 at 18:33, bug family said:

mmmmm....its all about perspective though Jimmy what you find attractive or not is different to what I may find......having been to both Melbourne and Manchester, its Manchester for me hands down, as for Scotland its a stunning place which I would be happy to call home, but then its not about the money for me, i get paid far more here than I ever did back home, yet I would swap for a lower income and happiness back home in a heart beat......over mind numbing boredom and homesickness here in Aus

Manchester Vs Melbourne....

 

NO CONTEST

 

Melbourne

[Bulya]

6 hours ago, SWMOY04 said:

Manchester Vs Melbourne....

 

NO CONTEST

 

Melbourne

Not my favourite place but yes, it’s a no brainer..