Things you miss about Oz?

[Tulip1]

5 hours ago, Paul1Perth said:

Almond and milk shouldn't be allowed in the same sentence.

My youngest works in a coffee shop here. When we were on holiday back in the UK we went swimming to Stockport baths, cost us a fortune, so that's something else that's better in Aus. Anyway, we went for a coffee near the bus station, instant nescafe in a mug and signs all over the place about not leaving your bag unattended as it might get stolen.

Did it actually say don’t leave your bag unattended because it might get stolen? In many train and bus stations just like in airports, there are signs saying don’t leave your bags unattended but they are for security reasons and nothing to do with in case they get stolen.  Could have said that but it must be a dodgy area because I’ve never seen that wording on any don’t leave your bags unattended signs anywhere although I’ve never been to Stockport

 

[Paul1Perth]

16 minutes ago, Tulip1 said:

Did it actually say don’t leave your bag unattended because it might get stolen? In many train and bus stations just like in airports, there are signs saying don’t leave your bags unattended but they are for security reasons and nothing to do with in case they get stolen.  Could have said that but it must be a dodgy area because I’ve never seen that wording on any don’t leave your bags unattended signs anywhere although I’ve never been to Stockport

 

It was a homemade sign in the cafe that said something about thieves about. 

I borrowed a really old mountain bike too, that needed a new tyre. I rode to a bike shop in Hyde and left it outside. The lady in the shop told me to bring it in as it might get nicked.

[Tulip1]

19 minutes ago, Paul1Perth said:

It was a homemade sign in the cafe that said something about thieves about. 

I borrowed a really old mountain bike too, that needed a new tyre. I rode to a bike shop in Hyde and left it outside. The lady in the shop told me to bring it in as it might get nicked.

Sounds like you visited some lovely places people in my village leave eggs and garden produce on a table in their front garden with an honesty box sitting on it.  

[Blue Flu]

On 04/08/2021 at 09:34, Marisawright said:

I think that's just a factor of living in a big city - which  most Australians do.  The bigger the city, the more people keep to themselves.  

Perhaps. Though in a suburban setting I'd have thought otherwise. 

[MARYROSE02]

On 28/05/2021 at 19:41, Red Rose said:

Besides the weather (it is hard to top Sydney's weather IMO) for me it's got to be breakfasts and coffee. It's only when you get back to the UK do you realise that breakfasts and coffee down under are levels above the UK. 

25 degrees C is the maximum temperature for Sydney today, very pleasant. I wear shorts every day though change to longs sometimes in the evenings and I've got three layers and a beanie on above the waist. 

Actually I never take the beanie off but do alternate between  two Spurs ones and an Essendon one my brother got for me. Bloke in the park yesterday tossing a "Sherrin" around said "Go Bombers!" I had a micro chat admitting I'm a Swans fan.

I'd rather be in QLD for the winter mind. Looks like winter, 2022 could be the earliest I'm likely to be in QLD or any other state!

I order single shot coffee when I go to the "caff" outside my flat for another micro chat. I only just realized that they put 2 shots in. In the corner convenience store ove started buying packs of sachets of various kinds of coffee.  I never knew they existed. 120 seconds in micro then add the sachet. I bought a tin of Milo too for the first time in....I can't remember. 

[Blue Flu]

On 04/08/2021 at 20:31, Tulip1 said:

Sounds like you visited some lovely places people in my village leave eggs and garden produce on a table in their front garden with an honesty box sitting on it.  

Well bags being stolen does happen in so termed 'nice' places as well. In the fine city of Norwich back in the less frantic eighties I had a suitcase stolen at the coach station when away for a few minutes buying something at a kiosk. 

[Tulip1]

3 minutes ago, Blue Flu said:

Well bags being stolen does happen in so termed 'nice' places as well. In the fine city of Norwich back in the less frantic eighties I had a suitcase stolen at the coach station when away for a few minutes buying something at a kiosk. 

Yes of course things can get stolen anywhere.  My point was if there is a sign in a cafe warning of it then it’s probably a common event and I’d think that would be a rough area as it’s not common enough to warrant signage in most areas. 

[Parley]

It is also that a suitcase left unattended could be a bomb and lead to the station being evacuated.

[CatMoose]

Salaries. Which is the main reason I'm planning on moving back to Australia. I moved back to the UK for multiple reasons, but 4 years later, I'm broke and simply can't afford to do what I wanted to. Don't even start me on Brexit. 

 

[Marisawright]

16 minutes ago, CatMoose said:

Salaries. Which is the main reason I'm planning on moving back to Australia.

This is a valid point, BUT only for some occupations.   I'm sure you're well aware of how the salaries compare in your industry, but it's worth mentioning (for the benefit of others) that for some occupations, salaries are actually much better in the UK.   It used to be that moving to Australia automatically meant a better standard of living no matter what you did for a living, but some migrants these days get a rude shock.

[CatMoose]

Just now, Marisawright said:

This is a valid point, BUT only for some occupations.   I'm sure you're well aware of how the salaries compare in your industry, but it's worth mentioning (for the benefit of others) that for some occupations, salaries are actually much better in the UK.   It used to be that moving to Australia automatically meant a better standard of living no matter what you did for a living, but some migrants these days get a rude shock.

For sure, I would only ever comment on my own situation, wouldn't have a clue about any other profession. But with rent being what it is over here in the UK, my quality of life is now far less than it was in Oz.  Also...god I miss Australian coffee!!

[simmo]

I miss being able to just leave my wallet laying about in cafes, leaving the front door open, leaving the keys in the car, strangers just coming up, saying g'day and giving you a $50 note.

[Wanderer Returns]

13 hours ago, CatMoose said:

Salaries. Which is the main reason I'm planning on moving back to Australia. I moved back to the UK for multiple reasons, but 4 years later, I'm broke and simply can't afford to do what I wanted to. Don't even start me on Brexit. 

 

 

12 hours ago, Marisawright said:

This is a valid point, BUT only for some occupations.   I'm sure you're well aware of how the salaries compare in your industry, but it's worth mentioning (for the benefit of others) that for some occupations, salaries are actually much better in the UK.   It used to be that moving to Australia automatically meant a better standard of living no matter what you did for a living, but some migrants these days get a rude shock.

Having returned to Australia fairly recently (18 months ago), I would say this is a very valid point. Salaries are better for most professions in Australia, and significantly better for menial workers. The UK minimum wage is currently £8.91/hour, which equates to a little under $17/hour. In Australia it's $20.33. However, casual staff here receive 25% loading which takes it over $25/hour. My wife's a housekeeper in one of Caloundra's resorts and receives $27/hour, so a solid $10 more than she'd be paid in the UK as a cleaner on a zero-hours contract. I'm at top of the teaching pay-scale and would receive a salary of £41,604 if I was back in the UK, which equates to around $79k. I'm currently on $97k, and next year that will go up to $102k when I reach the Senior Teacher classification. Then there's superannuation. In the UK the employer contribution is 3%, compared to 10% here in Australia.

I'm sure there are niche professions, consultancy etc, that pay more in the UK, but comparing apples to apples most people will earn more over here, and depending on their lifestyle, will be significantly better off.

Brexit has cut off the supply of cheap European labour that has been subsidizing the British economy for the last two decades, so businesses will simply need to pay better rates to retain workers. This can only be good news for the low-skilled British worker.

Edited September 17, 2021 by Wanderer Returns

[Wanderer Returns]

12 hours ago, CatMoose said:

For sure, I would only ever comment on my own situation, wouldn't have a clue about any other profession. But with rent being what it is over here in the UK, my quality of life is now far less than it was in Oz.  Also...god I miss Australian coffee!!

If you think renting is expensive in the UK, then you're in for a rude awakening when you arrive back here!

[Marisawright]

12 minutes ago, Wanderer Returns said:

I'm sure there are niche professions, consultancy etc, that pay more in the UK, but comparing apples to apples most people will earn more over here, and depending on their lifestyle, will be significantly better off.

More than just "niche professions".   From what I've seen, if you're in the corporate world (i.e. you work in an office), then you'll be worse off in Australia, especially if you work in Sydney or Melbourne (because of the very high cost of housing compared to earnings).  I understand that some IT professionals are worse off here, too, but I'm not clear if that's just for certain specialisations. 

@CatMoose, I assume you've been checking the rental market, wherever you're planning to move back to.  The housing market has gone really stupid in many parts of Australia.

[ramot]

21 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

More than just "niche professions".   From what I've seen, if you're in the corporate world (i.e. you work in an office), then you'll be worse off in Australia, especially if you work in Sydney or Melbourne (because of the very high cost of housing compared to earnings).  I understand that some IT professionals are worse off here, too, but I'm not clear if that's just for certain specialisations. 

@CatMoose, I assume you've been checking the rental market, wherever you're planning to move back to.  The housing market has gone really stupid in many parts of Australia.

Out of interest my UK son is paid a London salary, he lives in Bristol and pre covid worked between Bristol and London, travelling to London several days a week, working from home at present. My other son lives and works in Brisbane. Both highly qualified, Brisbane wage better than London wage. Obviously Only one example, but it surprised us. 

Bristol housing doesn’t come cheap either in comparison to Brisbane.

Edited September 18, 2021 by ramot

[Wanderer Returns]

13 minutes ago, ramot said:

Out of interest my UK son is paid a London salary, he lives in Bristol and pre covid worked between Bristol and London, travelling to London several days a week, working from home at present. My other son lives and works in Brisbane. Both highly qualified, Brisbane wage better than London wage. Obviously Only one example, but it surprised us. 

Bristol housing doesn’t come cheap either in comparison to Brisbane.

I lived in Bristol for a year, and loved it - had a swanky flat in Clifton that was paid for by the company I worked for. Those were the days!  

[Red Rose]

I think one area where Australia thrashes the UK hands down for salaries is public sector work. Teachers, nurses, police, civil servants, all do significantly better in Oz than in the UK. 

I'm still not convinced though whether the generally higher salaries in Oz leave you financially better off compared to the UK.....but have just done a quick google search it seems I am wrong and Australia wins by far with a much better cost of living

Australia vs United Kingdom: Cost of Living. Who has it better? - Odin Land

[Marisawright]

56 minutes ago, Red Rose said:

I think one area where Australia thrashes the UK hands down for salaries is public sector work. Teachers, nurses, police, civil servants, all do significantly better in Oz than in the UK. 

I'm still not convinced though whether the generally higher salaries in Oz leave you financially better off compared to the UK.....but have just done a quick google search it seems I am wrong and Australia wins by far with a much better cost of living

Australia vs United Kingdom: Cost of Living. Who has it better? - Odin Land

There's no date on that article but it doesn't mention the sky-rocketing of house prices in Melbourne and Sydney as well, so I'm guessing it's out of date.   The housing cost in parts of Australia is a very real issue.  

[calNgary]

If you wish to discuss the difference in salary's between countries can you please start another thread and not take this one off track

 Cal x

[RandL]

I miss going to the beach on a nice day and not having to step over people !

[Possible?]

Clear blue skies. 

[Marisawright]

On 04/08/2021 at 13:25, Paul1Perth said:

Don't you get food halls there? Loads in Perth and just about every shopping centre. Excellent value. Used to take the kids Sundays when my wife worked shifts. I could have full roast whatever, with roast spuds, gravy and they could have pizza, chinese, maccas.

I missed this post. Are you seriously suggesting I eat in a food hall?  Moi?  

Seriously, I would eat in a food hall if I was out on a long shopping spree.  However if I'm going to eat out, I want nice surroundings as well as good food.   When I referred to "Cheap Eats' in Sydney, I was referring to restaurants, pubs and cafés that offer lunch or dinner specials.  It's so widespread in Sydney there was even a book published every year. 

Perched at a wee table eating off a plastic plate is not my idea of a meal out.

Edited September 20, 2021 by Marisawright

[Paul1Perth]

11 hours ago, Marisawright said:

I missed this post. Are you seriously suggesting I eat in a food hall?  Moi?  

Seriously, I would eat in a food hall if I was out on a long shopping spree.  However if I'm going to eat out, I want nice surroundings as well as good food.   When I referred to "Cheap Eats' in Sydney, I was referring to restaurants, pubs and cafés that offer lunch or dinner specials.  It's so widespread in Sydney there was even a book published every year. 

Perched at a wee table eating off a plastic plate is not my idea of a meal out.

There's plenty of pubs and restaurants that do lunch and dinner specials. Perth food halls sound a lot more up-market than the Sydney equivalent. There's some really good ones in the City. One near BHP's head office where you can get just about any food you want, City and Elizabeth Quay views, proper plates, knives, forks, inside or outside dining. Brilliant on a nice day. Gets packed.

[Marisawright]

28 minutes ago, Paul1Perth said:

There's plenty of pubs and restaurants that do lunch and dinner specials. Perth food halls sound a lot more up-market than the Sydney equivalent

There's lots of lunch and dinner specials in Melbourne too, they're just not nearly as big a bargain.   There are a couple of "up-market" food halls in Sydney and Melbourne too.   You still have to stand and queue for your food at a counter and carry it to a table.  I expect a place where I'll get waiter service and can relax and enjoy the meal, then linger over a coffee (and not have to get up and queue to get it).

Edited September 21, 2021 by Marisawright