Guest meme Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Hi there I am new to pio, so here goes.....We are from brum and have been in melbourne 4 months with our 2 kids 10 and 5. I am not sure if this is all its cracked up to be, homesickness is kicking in and i feel like i'm sort of torturing myself being here. We are definately are going to give it 12 months and see how we are feeling then(maybe a hot summer might make it all seem better). But from what i've experienced so far, i don't think the grass is greener the other side. You have probably heard it all before, but it's new to me, the shops are crap, they seem about 10 years behind here, the schooling is terrible, my eldest is doing stuff she did in england 2 years ago and this concerns me BIG time. rubbish winter weather, just like home! Crime, graffiti, etc.........i don't really know what iv done, i'm trying very hard to fit in and make it work and beleive it or not stay positive, i actually have my sister (who's been here 10 years) here and even that that's not helping me. I'm not saying England is wonderful, but neither does being here seem wonderful. Thats that off my chest!!.........so i was thinking, is there any other English people out there in Melbourne that could get in touch and maybe fancy meeting up, as i think having some freinds on our wave length might give us a big moral boost to keep going and stick it out and make all the hard work, expense and stress of getting a visa and moving out here make it seem all worth while! We have even been thinking of moving to Brisbane as i have read many other people who moved to oz who were'nt happy tried a different part of oz and they settled ok then, but i'm not even sure this is the answer and worry about the kids being settled and getting used to a new home, school, AGAIN! I just don't know, i feel lost.:arghh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kdal Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Sorry cant help you as I am still here in the UK. PIO do have meets but funny enough I dont think that I have seen a meet up advertised on here for Melbourne PIO members. They are good and we have an Essex Meet this Sunday. Why dont you put a thread on here for a Melbourne PIO Meet up ? Normally it's a family affair the adults and the kids and you are all in the same boat to a certain degree so a few things in common. Good luck and I hope you settle soon, x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jaynie Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Hi there, Welcome to PIO, I am sorry to hear that things aren't going too well. I was going to suggest trying somewhere else to live as I have been on holidays to other states and thought 'I couldn't live here', could you possibly get a few days away to Queensland first to see if you would like it? Then that way you are not upsetting the kids from their schooling if you find you don't like it there too. There are some good deals on at the moment out of season for Qld. Just a thought.............:wubclub: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jaynie Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Sorry cant help you as I am still here in the UK. PIO do have meets but funny enough I dont think that I have seen a meet up advertised on here for Melbourne PIO members. They are good and we have an Essex Meet this Sunday. Why dont you put a thread on here for a Melbourne PIO Meet up ? Normally it's a family affair the adults and the kids and you are all in the same boat to a certain degree so a few things in common. Good luck and I hope you settle soon, x On this note.......Geoffrey (tracy123) is organising a meet in Melbourne in October, he comes from Australia and Melbourne in particular, he is bringing his Wife and kids over on a Reccie, there is a thread going about it all, but I am sure if you PM him he will give you the details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Where abouts in Melbourne are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kdal Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 On this note.......Geoffrey (tracy123) is organising a meet in Melbourne in October, he comes from Australia and Melbourne in particular, he is bringing his Wife and kids over on a Reccie, there is a thread going about it all, but I am sure if you PM him he will give you the details. .. Jaynie, Thats great news and what a host ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest earlswood Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Hi thereI am new to pio, so here goes.....We are from brum and have been in melbourne 4 months with our 2 kids 10 and 5. I am not sure if this is all its cracked up to be, homesickness is kicking in and i feel like i'm sort of torturing myself being here. We are definately are going to give it 12 months and see how we are feeling then(maybe a hot summer might make it all seem better). But from what i've experienced so far, i don't think the grass is greener the other side. You have probably heard it all before, but it's new to me, the shops are crap, they seem about 10 years behind here, the schooling is terrible, my eldest is doing stuff she did in england 2 years ago and this concerns me BIG time. rubbish winter weather, just like home! Crime, graffiti, etc.........i don't really know what iv done, i'm trying very hard to fit in and make it work and beleive it or not stay positive, i actually have my sister (who's been here 10 years) here and even that that's not helping me. I'm not saying England is wonderful, but neither does being here seem wonderful. I just don't know, i feel lost.:arghh: I have to agree with highlighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jewels1356 Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 iam sorry it is not the case in all states and all schools my cousins go to school in ringwood (melbourne ) it is a good school also my freinds in qld sunsgine coast they school their have bought to my friends attention the things that are not going to good with thier daughter 8 and have started rectifying it so i think this is one like most good and bad might be time to find another school (if you drive )if not might help if you move good luck anyway julie xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest meme Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 On this note.......Geoffrey (tracy123) is organising a meet in Melbourne in October, he comes from Australia and Melbourne in particular, he is bringing his Wife and kids over on a Reccie, there is a thread going about it all, but I am sure if you PM him he will give you the details. Thats fantastic, thank you so much for your help, i will definately PM him and see when it is. I am soooo glad people have been kind enough to reply. . and to all the other replies i have had...Firstly, i am in forest hill, not far from east burwood. Also i am going to queensland on hol next month 4 two weeks and we are also going to check schools, jobs, lifestyle to see if it is indeed a better place for us to settle. Also regarding the schools, maybe iv just put my daughter in a crap school..but it did come highly recommend. thank you all for your replies, your making me feel better already!! there might be hope after all!! Don't forget, if there is any others in melbourne who fancy meeting up, let me know! Rach.x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pinhead Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Meme I know down it can feel in Melbourne in the Winter. I arrived at the end of May when I lived there for 6 months. I promise once the sun starts shining in the Spring Melbourne will seem much better. If you'd been in the UK this Summer you wish you were in Oz the weather we'd had. I'd try and line up some trips around VIC. The Ballarat Wildlife Park/Soverign Hill day is well worth going on. As are Healsville, Puffing Billy & the Great Ocean Road (2 day). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bod Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 MemeI know down it can feel in Melbourne in the Winter. I arrived at the end of May when I lived there for 6 months. I promise once the sun starts shining in the Spring Melbourne will seem much better. If you'd been in the UK this Summer you wish you were in Oz the weather we'd had. I'd try and line up some trips around VIC. The Ballarat Wildlife Park/Soverign Hill day is well worth going on. As are Healsville, Puffing Billy & the Great Ocean Road (2 day). Hello Pinhead Ater the summer I had in Aus I'd rather an english summer anytime. I make you right it has not been the best summer, but it really has not been bad either. After all this time you'd think we'd get used to it. John Meme try giving Melbourne a chance it is I think one of the better citys in Aus. As said in a previouse post the school thing could be down to a bad choice. I do think kids in Aus do have more to say for them selfs and I do think this reflects on the schools. I you give it a year at least you can say you tried it. Then come back to the land o the living. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pinhead Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Well August has been one of the wettest on record, so yes I'd say that's pretty bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bod Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Well August has been one of the wettest on record, so yes I'd say that's pretty bad! Brisbane rained from end of November to close on end of march. Was not nice there was no going out in it. When we traveled down through NSW to Victoria it got dryer and dryer. Not pretty they needed rain. I don't like rain that much but I'd rather what we get to that of QLD or Victoria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pinhead Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Well lets face it, it wouldn't be a 'green and pleasant land' without all the rain! My lawn's certainly a nice green colour at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JLT Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hi thereI am new to pio, so here goes.....We are from brum and have been in melbourne 4 months with our 2 kids 10 and 5. I am not sure if this is all its cracked up to be, homesickness is kicking in and i feel like i'm sort of torturing myself being here. We are definately are going to give it 12 months and see how we are feeling then(maybe a hot summer might make it all seem better). But from what i've experienced so far, i don't think the grass is greener the other side. You have probably heard it all before, but it's new to me, the shops are crap, they seem about 10 years behind here, the schooling is terrible, my eldest is doing stuff she did in england 2 years ago and this concerns me BIG time. rubbish winter weather, just like home! Crime, graffiti, etc.........i don't really know what iv done, i'm trying very hard to fit in and make it work and beleive it or not stay positive, i actually have my sister (who's been here 10 years) here and even that that's not helping me. I'm not saying England is wonderful, but neither does being here seem wonderful. Etc Hi, I'm from Solihull aiming for Perth so can't comment on being in Oz yet. What I can comment on though is how it is still being here. I've mentioned this on another thread but in case you've not seen that I'll say it again. I'm getting scared living here increasingly. My husband was attacked by 2 youths in the street, walking home from Solihull. He was smacked over the back of the head with a brick or something, they tried to mug him and generally gave him a beating, for NO reason whatsoever. They wanted a cigarette and because he doesn't smoke they did that! We went to Leeds for a couple of years with work but came back to Solihull to be by family but it's proved no better. I don't feel safe here anymore. There's so much crime. My number plates were stolen off my new car on my drive when we first moved here. I reported a man in a car following me and my 3 yr old walking to our local newsagents just today! Perhaps try somewhere else in Oz if you can, before you decide to come back here. We're heading to Perth because we're advised it's a better place for family, low crime, good schools, clean, good climate but miles from anywhere admitedly! Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Count Zero Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Its strange, I think Brum is one of the ugliest places I have ever been and couldn't imagine anyone missing it. I'm giving Melbourne a wide birth if its as bad as Brum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest earlswood Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hi, I'm from Solihull aiming for Perth so can't comment on being in Oz yet. What I can comment on though is how it is still being here. I've mentioned this on another thread but in case you've not seen that I'll say it again. I'm getting scared living here increasingly. My husband was attacked by 2 youths in the street, walking home from Solihull. He was smacked over the back of the head with a brick or something, they tried to mug him and generally gave him a beating, for NO reason whatsoever. They wanted a cigarette and because he doesn't smoke they did that! We went to Leeds for a couple of years with work but came back to Solihull to be by family but it's proved no better. I don't feel safe here anymore. There's so much crime. My number plates were stolen off my new car on my drive when we first moved here. I reported a man in a car following me and my 3 yr old walking to our local newsagents just today! Perhaps try somewhere else in Oz if you can, before you decide to come back here. We're heading to Perth because we're advised it's a better place for family, low crime, good schools, clean, good climate but miles from anywhere admitedly! Good luck Oz is no safer than the UK belive me JLT, it has the same anti-social behaviour and gangs of hoodies "hoons" over here, a guy I work with was mugged 3 nights ago and his watch and mobile were stolen,he says it is the 2nd time in 12 months he has been done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest earlswood Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Its strange, I think Brum is one of the ugliest places I have ever been and couldn't imagine anyone missing it. I'm giving Melbourne a wide birth if its as bad as Brum! Have to defend Brum, the City centre is brilliant with canal bars and the refurbishment over the last few decades has made the centre very attractive, outside the City same as everywhere some good some bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JLT Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Oz is no safer than the UK belive me JLT, it has the same anti-social behaviour and gangs of hoodies "hoons" over here, a guy I work with was mugged 3 nights ago and his watch and mobile were stolen,he says it is the 2nd time in 12 months he has been done. Thanks - cheered me up no end! I'm not expecting zero crime, just feeling safer. Hopefully that's possible??? I'm told Perth is better than other places in Oz. You can't get away from crime so you may as well have nice weather with it too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jaynie Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Thanks - cheered me up no end! I'm not expecting zero crime, just feeling safer. Hopefully that's possible??? I'm told Perth is better than other places in Oz. You can't get away from crime so you may as well have nice weather with it too! Hi JLT, I have lived here for 15yrs and it is nothing like where I came from in the UK and I lived just outside Liverpool, we had a saying there 'They would rob the eyes out of your head if you weren't looking' so I understand to an extent what you are saying. I have gone to bed many a time leaving the back door open the car unlocked and nothing has happened, I walk around with my handbag unzipped, kids leave their backpacks in the shopping centres near the doors, nobody touches them. Yes if you go out on a saturday night to the local club you will see some fighting etc., there are the car hoons especially when it rains, but being in the environment you now live in you will think this place is a crime free zone, it isn't of course, but then you will be wise enough to protect yourselves. It is a good place to live even with it's faults at times, but then nowhere in the world is perfect unless you live on a desert island!! just my opinion.:yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JLT Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hi JLT, I have lived here for 15yrs and it is nothing like where I came from in the UK and I lived just outside Liverpool, we had a saying there 'They would rob the eyes out of your head if you weren't looking' so I understand to an extent what you are saying. Thanks for that. 15 years?! That's fantastic. I appreciate there will be crime, but can't believe it's anything more than a fraction of what the UK is like. In any case, people aren't packed in like sardines as they are here. Awful living somewhere where yr afraid to go to sleep at night for fear of burglary. At times I hate this country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jaynie Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Thanks for that. 15 years?! That's fantastic.I appreciate there will be crime, but can't believe it's anything more than a fraction of what the UK is like. In any case, people aren't packed in like sardines as they are here. Awful living somewhere where yr afraid to go to sleep at night for fear of burglary. At times I hate this country. I understand where you are coming from, we had quite a few instances when I lived over there, break ins, cars vandalised etc., When we came over SIL never even locked the house, I did cos I was used to doing that and unfortunately locked her young son out from returning from school! lol, it does take some getting used to when you have been used to walking with your handbag grabbed to your side, but it is definately nothing like what I was used to, for example..........someone left their bags on a chair at work and came to the counter, I asked who they belonged to, they said 'Oh they're mine" so when I asked them to bring them over with them they looked at me weirdly, first of all because of theft, but secondly because of bombs.........it's instilled into us and bloody hard at times to forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest moonraker1961 Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 Guess it depends on where you come from in Britain.I live in Wiltshire and feel completely safe at any time of the day or night.As far as schools go,my kids went to primary in Oz,and yes it was a good school as we lived in a small country town,but previous to that my oldest went to a school in the suburbs of Adelaide and yes it was crap.Alot of the students were unruly and down right cheeky,hyperactive,you name it!When we moved to England my kids did fine,both intelligent,and no problems at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Impatient Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 The school thing interests me. As a father of 2 just starting school, I genuinely believe we start far too early with formal lessons. I know that in other countries, this happens one or 2 years later. For me this means that while children may be covering a subject I am concerned about how ready thay are to do so. The system in this country is the system, and there is nothing I can do about it, but I think we are too pushy about getting our kids qualifications by a certain point in life. I want my kids to play for longer and work less (me too!). It is natural to be concerned that your children might be falling behind, but only behind other UK-based children. Maybe it is a good thing, maybe they have an opportunity to revisit some of the work they have done and really get inside it. Just a different perspective... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gary12 Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 meme Try this link http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/socialising-get-togethers/38735-melbourne-night-out.html Seems that there are a bunch of new to Melbourne meeting up, some with children. Impatient, I couldn't agree more with you and it is only going to get worse. They are now proposing bringing in 67 (I think) levels that they expect of a 3 year old including computer literacy! Madness!! We have 2 boys one at school here just started Y1 and he is doing super, I was worried about him falling behind but as you rightly point out he will not be behind in OZ, far from it. Likewise if we do return to the UK he will soon catch up if need be. The thing I like about Oz schooling is that they don't have 'OFSTED' type assessments pitting schools against each other. For me the best school is the one where my child is happy. meme, I am sure by the end of the week you will have met a whole bunch of people, best wishes Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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