Did you stay in the place in Oz you intended to, move on, or go home?" (Covered all the bases)

[Tulip1]

7 hours ago, ramot said:

You might be right, that proportionally fewer people take advantage of the beach, as people who work, and  or run round all the activities their children are involved in, probably just don’t have time on a daily basis, to sit on a beach during the working week? 
You could say we never go to the beach if that only means sitting sunbathing, or activities, but we do go to the beach at least several times a week, to walk and just enjoy being beside the sea! as do loads of others. We don’t swim because we prefer our pool. Loads of people are out walking swimming surfing etc here, from early morning. Several different  Groups swim everyday. School children ride their bikes to school carrying surf boards to hit the beach after school. Plenty of people go early evening  buy a takeaway and enjoy sitting by the sea as they eat. 

I suppose my point is even if a minority plenty people here use the beach regularly one way or another 

The things you mention like the walks and the take aways sitting watching over the beach sound lovely, I’d like that.  I was really just meaning that when Paul says if you don’t like the beach lifestyle you’ve come to the wrong place isn’t necessarily true as many feel they are in the right place but rarely go to the beach.  For Paul it’s definitely true as he loves it which is nice.  

[Paul1Perth]

14 hours ago, Tulip1 said:

I think many people living in Australia rarely visit the beach.  Of the ones I know living there they may venture to a beach a few times a year, much like they would of in the UK. Lots of people find sand annoying. I’ve no idea but I’d probably say someone like yourself who goes to the beach pretty much every day would be far more unusual than those that are now and again visitors. If you have say a few thousand people living in your suburb, what percentage of that suburb is at the beach most days? I bet it’s quite small.  I’m not just talking about migrants, I’d say the same is likely for home grown Australians. Just like someone living here in Cornwall for example. Stunning beaches but few would be up at 5am off for a pre work visit.  Nothing wrong with that and it sounds like you love the beach and your daily visits which is lovely. Equally nothing wrong with those that pop there every now and again but it’s not a main focus in their lives. 

I think people living in my suburb and other ones close, visit the beach a lot. It's usually why they picked that particular suburb.

You wouldn't get the weather in Cornwall for a 5am morning visit, waters a lot warmer here too.

I lived in Robin Hoods Bay with my Aunt and Uncle when I was a teenager for a couple of summer holidays from school and I used to swim just about every day, no matter what the weather, there weren't many other people doing it mind you.

There are a lot of people who rarely visit the beach or go a couple of times a yesr for sure. You don't have to be far away from it to put you off making the effort to go. When you live as close as us though you can pop if you forget your towel.

A lot of visitors said we'd get fed up with it but we never have.

[Toots]

13 hours ago, ramot said:

You might be right, that proportionally fewer people take advantage of the beach, as people who work, and  or run round all the activities their children are involved in, probably just don’t have time on a daily basis, to sit on a beach during the working week? 
You could say we never go to the beach if that only means sitting sunbathing, or activities, but we do go to the beach at least several times a week, to walk and just enjoy being beside the sea! as do loads of others. We don’t swim because we prefer our pool. Loads of people are out walking swimming surfing etc here, from early morning. Several different  Groups swim everyday. School children ride their bikes to school carrying surf boards to hit the beach after school. Plenty of people go early evening  buy a takeaway and enjoy sitting by the sea as they eat. 

I suppose my point is even if a minority plenty people here use the beach regularly one way or another 

We live walking distance from a small beach and during summer I swim there every day.  There is a large indoor and outdoor swimming centre nearby which I use in the winter.  As a child i learned to swim at our local beach in Scotland.  We practically lived on that beach in our school summer holidays.  There is a couple of fairly elderly people who swim in the sea every day of the year here.  They look very fit and healthy.  Even on wintry days when I walk past the beach all rugged up, there they are swimming quite far out.  I'm not that keen!  On the other hand I know plenty of people who rarely go to the beach.

[Bulya]

I live in North Canberra area known as Belconnen.  This is in Belconnen

 

 

[Toots]

6 hours ago, Freemantle said:

Lovely area, love the cold weather, you can rug up nice and snuggly! 

It is a lovely area.  I had friends who moved there and I visited them often.  Also had friends who had acres at Sunny Corner - sort of on the way to Mudgee from Bathurst.  They used to get plenty of snow during winter.  I once drove out there during a snow storm.

 

 

[Freemantle]

2 minutes ago, Toots said:

It is a lovely area.  I had friends who moved there and I visited them often.  Also had friends who had acres at Sunny Corner - sort of on the way to Mudgee from Bathurst.  They used to get plenty of snow during winter.  I once drove out there during a snow storm.

 

 

What a gorgeous picture. Thank you for sharing!  You are right its gorgeous up there with the added benefit of snow .  Much like Tasmania it has a great community spirit up there, quirky shops! The snow storm would have been challenging lol. x

[Toots]

5 minutes ago, Freemantle said:

What a gorgeous picture. Thank you for sharing!  You are right its gorgeous up there with the added benefit of snow .  Much like Tasmania it has a great community spirit up there, quirky shops! The snow storm would have been challenging lol. x

The downside to the snow at their house in Sunny Corner was occasionally the weight of the snow on the electricity line to the house cut off the electric supply to the house.  Not much to worry about as they had a large log fire and gas heating plus lots of battery powered lamps BUT they weren't on town water so the pump to get the water from the tanks to the house was obsolete until the electricity was back on again.  Always had to make sure to fill big plastic water containers just for washing etc and also to flush the toilets!  

[Freemantle]

1 hour ago, Toots said:

The downside to the snow at their house in Sunny Corner was occasionally the weight of the snow on the electricity line to the house cut off the electric supply to the house.  Not much to worry about as they had a large log fire and gas heating plus lots of battery powered lamps BUT they weren't on town water so the pump to get the water from the tanks to the house was obsolete until the electricity was back on again.  Always had to make sure to fill big plastic water containers just for washing etc and also to flush the toilets!  

Ah the infamous  water pumps, I too have lived rurally and from time to time these challenges had to be faced Toots lol. There isnt a day now when living in a "normal house" I dont think about those little things like town water, pumps, bush fires lol. On occasions I felt I was in a boot camp, but I am told it makes you very resilient lol x

[MARYROSE02]

9 hours ago, Paul1Perth said:

I think people living in my suburb and other ones close, visit the beach a lot. It's usually why they picked that particular suburb.

You wouldn't get the weather in Cornwall for a 5am morning visit, waters a lot warmer here too.

I lived in Robin Hoods Bay with my Aunt and Uncle when I was a teenager for a couple of summer holidays from school and I used to swim just about every day, no matter what the weather, there weren't many other people doing it mind you.

There are a lot of people who rarely visit the beach or go a couple of times a yesr for sure. You don't have to be far away from it to put you off making the effort to go. When you live as close as us though you can pop if you forget your towel.

A lot of visitors said we'd get fed up with it but we never have.

I've' always lived close to the beach/coast but never actually lived ON the beach till I came to Surfers. Each time I look up from my keyboard I can see the surf. Tell a lie! I have just remembered that I lived in Narrabeen on Sydney's Northern Beaches in the 1980's. It was a wonderful location between the beach and the lake.I did not like the commute to Sydney though.

In England, on the edge of the New Forest we had the best of both worlds too, with both the "Forest" and the two beaches - Lepe and Calshot 2 or 3 miles away, easy cycling distance. You can see the Isle of Wight too. I said to my brother the other day it's a pity there are not islands out there. Can you see Rottnest from your beach, Paul? I've got a feeling that I could see it from Cottesloe. That reminds me. There was something in the Daily Mail on line the other day about a special house at Trigg, with a pool hidden by the wall in front of the house.

I guess if you live out in the burbs where it's a long way to the beach you have to make do with other activities, or have a pool. My brother had one and I'd rather use that every day than drive for a hour to the beach. I always admired the young guys I'd sometimes see with boogie boards trekking in from places like Campbelltown or Penrith to the beach. Even Cronulla with its station is still a long trip.

Who would get bored with the beach? Even if you don't swim nothing beats just walking or sitting. looking at it.

[MARYROSE02]

On 26/01/2021 at 08:21, Rallyman said:

We looked at various locations across Australia as wife had a number of interviews , but chose sydney as   It also offered me good job prospects, 

started off in Sans souci , then across to northern beaches to Mona vale , all to suite commuting to work , then after lots of visits up to Hunter we moved and built our own home. 
feel quite settled now we have our own home. 

"Without care?" I'm sure that is what Sans Souci means. I shall have to Google it now. I'm glad I did because it mentioned Lady Robertson's Beach which I one I liked going to occasionally.

Talking of beaches, having waxed lyrical about them, I got "stung" the other day, probably a blue bottle, did not hurt luckily but I've got a cluster of red blotches plus a tail of them on my leg.

[Paul1Perth]

36 minutes ago, MARYROSE02 said:

I've' always lived close to the beach/coast but never actually lived ON the beach till I came to Surfers. Each time I look up from my keyboard I can see the surf. Tell a lie! I have just remembered that I lived in Narrabeen on Sydney's Northern Beaches in the 1980's. It was a wonderful location between the beach and the lake.I did not like the commute to Sydney though.

In England, on the edge of the New Forest we had the best of both worlds too, with both the "Forest" and the two beaches - Lepe and Calshot 2 or 3 miles away, easy cycling distance. You can see the Isle of Wight too. I said to my brother the other day it's a pity there are not islands out there. Can you see Rottnest from your beach, Paul? I've got a feeling that I could see it from Cottesloe. That reminds me. There was something in the Daily Mail on line the other day about a special house at Trigg, with a pool hidden by the wall in front of the house.

I guess if you live out in the burbs where it's a long way to the beach you have to make do with other activities, or have a pool. My brother had one and I'd rather use that every day than drive for a hour to the beach. I always admired the young guys I'd sometimes see with boogie boards trekking in from places like Campbelltown or Penrith to the beach. Even Cronulla with its station is still a long trip.

Who would get bored with the beach? Even if you don't swim nothing beats just walking or sitting. looking at it.

It has to be a really clear, flat day to see Rottnest from our local beach but sometimes you can. You can see the lighthouse at night.

It's normal to be able to see it from Cottesloe. Been to the rottnest channel swim briefing today. I'm doing a duo swim with my eldest son. It's on the 20th Feb. Bit more training to get in yet

Plan on doing about 5km tomorrow morning, weathers looking good for it.

[Marisawright]

10 hours ago, Paul1Perth said:

There are a lot of people who rarely visit the beach or go a couple of times a yesr for sure. You don't have to be far away from it to put you off making the effort to go.

Exactly that.  I've been shouted down when I try to warn people who are planning to move to Sydney - unless they're well off, they'll end up living out West like the great majority of Sydney's population.  That's an hour or two from the beach (and then you have the nightmare of finding parking once you get there).  In theory, you may think you'll happily make that trip because you love the beach - but it's a different story in reality. 

Personally, I'm not a great beach person, although I do love strolling along a waterfront.  So living near the beach wouldn't be a priority for me.

[MARYROSE02]

4 hours ago, Paul1Perth said:

It has to be a really clear, flat day to see Rottnest from our local beach but sometimes you can. You can see the lighthouse at night.

It's normal to be able to see it from Cottesloe. Been 's hrto the rottnest channel swim briefing today. I'm doing a duo swim with my eldest son. It's on the 20th Feb. Bit more training to get in yet

Plan on doing about 5km tomorrow morning, weathers looking good for it.

5 km?! I could barely do 50 meters! I did achieve my 10,000 steps today mind. I always used to say that Scarborough was my fave beach in Perth, mainly because it was my first Aussie beach, and the one I could get thale bus to from near Newcastle Street. But now Cottesloe has grown on me. Surfers Paradise looked wonderful in the moonlight tonight.

It's hard to compare Sydney to Perth but what I liked about Surry Hills was the feeling that I was at the hub of a wheel with spokes leading out to Bondi, Bronte, Clovelly, Coogee, Maroubra plus the harbour beaches rather than living at the end of one spoke. Is, say, Northbridge or South Perth like being at the hub?

I'm not a wine person but if I was I would appreciate the Swan Valley vineyards being, what 30-45 mins away instead of 3 hours to the Hunter Valley?

[MARYROSE02]

4 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Exactly that.  I've been shouted down when I try to warn people who are planning to move to Sydney - unless they're well off, they'll end up living out West like the great majority of Sydney's population.  That's an hour or two from the beach (and then you have the nightmare of finding parking once you get there).  In theory, you may think you'll happily make that trip because you love the beach - but it's a different story in reality. 

Personally, I'm not a great beach person, although I do love strolling along a waterfront.  So living near the beach wouldn't be a priority for me.

I guess it is true in a way with Parramatta, 20-25 km west of Sydney CBD being the real geographical centre of Sydney, but then how to do you reply to people who dream of "living the dream" - ie a home in the sun on the beach? Choose Perth instead of Sydney where the homes are mostly cheaper and you can buy a home on the coast probably nearer to Perth CBD than from the Western Suburbs of Sydney to Sydney CBD?

I suppose the guideline should be if money is not object migrate to Sydney and buy a home on the beach but if money IS an object, move to Perth or try to get a job in a country coastal region?!

[Marisawright]

7 hours ago, MARYROSE02 said:

I guess it is true in a way with Parramatta, 20-25 km west of Sydney CBD being the real geographical centre of Sydney, but then how to do you reply to people who dream of "living the dream" - ie a home in the sun on the beach? Choose Perth instead of Sydney where the homes are mostly cheaper and you can buy a home on the coast probably nearer to Perth CBD than from the Western Suburbs of Sydney to Sydney CBD?

I suppose the guideline should be if money is not object migrate to Sydney and buy a home on the beach but if money IS an object, move to Perth or try to get a job in a country coastal region?!

Or choose Newcastle, Adelaide, Brisbane or any of the wealth of small towns up and down the East Coast. 

I find it funny that all migrants think they must choose a capital city. It would be like me saying, “I’m moving to the UK but I’ll have to go to Manchester, Birmingham or London because there are no jobs anywhere else in the country “

[MARYROSE02]

3 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Or choose Newcastle, Adelaide, Brisbane or any of the wealth of small towns up and down the East Coast. 

I find it funny that all migrants think they must choose a capital city. It would be like me saying, “I’m moving to the UK but I’ll have to go to Manchester, Birmingham or London because there are no jobs anywhere else in the country “

Yes, I rather like Newcastle myself but it never occurred to me to move there. I don't know why? Come to think of it, when I was first planning to come to Australia I was thinking of going to Townsville, somewhere I've still never been to.

Perhaps people are just drawn to the biggest and well-known cities, unless there is a particular industry which a place specialises in? It never occurred to me to live in Surfers Paradise and I'm only here because my brother moved here. 

[Marisawright]

37 minutes ago, MARYROSE02 said:

Perhaps people are just drawn to the biggest and well-known cities

Certainly, they're drawn to the well-known cities.  For people in the corporate world, it's where they'll need to go to get jobs, anyway.  However, as we've discussed before, many British migrants are looking for the big house by the sea, and that's not going to happen for the average migrant in the big cities these days.  Anyone who is a tradesman, doctor, nurse, teacher or small businessman stands a good chance of finding work in one of the smaller cities AND a good chance of getting that house by the sea, too.

[Graham Fletcher]

On 31/01/2021 at 11:02, MARYROSE02 said:

Yes, I rather like Newcastle myself but it never occurred to me to move there. I don't know why? Come to think of it, when I was first planning to come to Australia I was thinking of going to Townsville, somewhere I've still never been to.

Perhaps people are just drawn to the biggest and well-known cities, unless there is a particular industry which a place specialises in? It never occurred to me to live in Surfers Paradise and I'm only here because my brother moved here. 

If you like beaches and views of islands then Townsville would be worth your while visiting. I lived in an area called North Ward for a year, spectacular views across to Magnetic Island. 

[Graham Fletcher]

On 31/01/2021 at 11:43, Marisawright said:

Certainly, they're drawn to the well-known cities.  For people in the corporate world, it's where they'll need to go to get jobs, anyway.  However, as we've discussed before, many British migrants are looking for the big house by the sea, and that's not going to happen for the average migrant in the big cities these days.  Anyone who is a tradesman, doctor, nurse, teacher or small businessman stands a good chance of finding work in one of the smaller cities AND a good chance of getting that house by the sea, too.

Probably the two nicest places I have lived are Darwin and Townsville - certainly not top of anyone's wish list in the UK I bet

[Bulya]

24 minutes ago, Graham Fletcher said:

Probably the two nicest places I have lived are Darwin and Townsville - certainly not top of anyone's wish list in the UK I bet

Darwin would be the bottom of mine.  My brother lives there though..

[Paul1Perth]

On 02/02/2021 at 10:36, Graham Fletcher said:

If you like beaches and views of islands then Townsville would be worth your while visiting. I lived in an area called North Ward for a year, spectacular views across to Magnetic Island. 

I like Townsville a lot. I've been lucky to get on work trips several times and sometimes for a few weeks, where we've had weekends free. 

Only problem is you can't really use the beaches along the strand for a swim, too many dangerous things in the water. The swimming areas just aren't the same.

I had a great day on Magnetic Island, hired a motorbike, found a nice beach with a nice hotel at the opposite end from the ferry. Lots of people swimming off the beach so I just assumed it was safe. Had quite a long swim a fair way out. Later I picked up a local paper and there was an article about shark drum lines off the beach I'd swum at and a picture of a big shark they'd caught.

It's a nice place though with surprisingly good restaurants and hotels. Used to stay at the Quest apartments or the holiday inn, which is a lot nicer inside than it looks from the outside and does great breakfasts.

I've had about the same time in Darwin. Great in June or July but same problem as Townsville, great looking ocean views but dangerous to go in. In the wet season Townsville and Darwin are uncomfortable.

Edited February 4, 2021 by Paul1Perth