For those of us that love life "DOWN UNDER"

[Jackboots]

Well , its taken a while for us to hit our stride , but its getting better, this week for the first time in a long time i feel , happy , and content , ive allways liked it here , but miss family etc , im living with that, family time here is fab instead of saving all year for a holiday we have that every weekend now! so looking foreward to the big hols and exploreing..

also just started a new job and when you find a job you really enjoy ... wow does that make a difference !

 

 

so its good !!

[Guest guest17301]

LOVE..the..

 

Sun

Beaches

Trees everywhere (lots of palms giving a gorgeous tropical feel)

Huge open spaces/parks/national parks

Laid back vibe (yes it does exist)

Free days out

Barbeques in the great weather in parks or at home

Socialising as a family

Work opportunities

Education system (for me better even though our dtr attended a top Catholic School in England now she attends a very good public school in Perth, some will say the education system is poor but not my experience)

Outdoor life...ambient temperatures for most of the year

Variety of plant and animal life native to Australia

Affordable good lifestyle

 

 

Obviously somebody could disagree with all of the above...we've said it before but we'll say it again..It's a very subjective thing!

 

[RachelS]

We've loved it here from the moment we got here! Trying to quantify why is stumping us though! I think that because we've been realistic with our expectations since we started our journey that it's helped us immensely to love our time here.

Some of the things I can think of -

- obvious one first - the weather is so much better (rain is heavy buy usually short lived & is needed over here so it's welcomed!)

- travelling around is so much easier - what the sat nav says is what it takes as you're not sat in traffic jams for a lot of the journey

- we can get to Sydney in an hour in a half & enjoy the city experience - but an hour the other way & we've got a bay with the whitest sand in the world (even the Guinness Book of World Records says so!) - where you can whale watch

- we can (& do!) eat out much more frequently than we did in the UK - decent prices & so many lovely restaurants on our doorstop makes it difficult not to!

- the wine is fantastic & we've sampled soooooo many (this one does have a tiny downside as we've started spending a LOT more of our money on wine)

- the locals are friendly & we've made enough friends in 21 months to organise a BBQ with 2 days notice & have more than 20 people come!

- the petrol is cheap, you get a lot more house for your money, the meat is cheap - the fish is fantastic, the fruit & veg is great

That's just a few things off the top of my head - I just LOVE it here!

[Pingpongpom2]

Have always loved it:wink:..its been in my life always..so over 40 years..my courageous parents landed in Perth in the 60's and what an effect it has had on the generations since!..whether i am there or not it will always be my true home and has never left my heart..it may have changed over the years, but for me the country of Aus is unique and special..there is nothing like the feel and smell when you go back..you can't give it to anyone..it's an experience only you can have..the coming and going in our family has broken hearts and we've all shed lots of tears over it, but because of my Mum and Dad there have been many fantastic experiences, and lot of opportunities and dreams realised, for myself, oh and kids and many other family widespread..so many many thanks to Australia for all it's given to us..

 

Tess:cute:

[Guest juliemtaylor]

Loving my first 6 weeks here so far, yes some frustrations, but getting there..

 

Julie x

[Guest siamsusie]

Hi Geoff,

 

 

 

I can travel for 1/2 hour and be in the Glasshouse Mountains, or 40min in the other direction I am in Brisbane or Redcliff. Í can sit on my balcony in the evening and enjoy a glass of wine and watch the sun set. The exchange rate has knocked my pension about, but that is not Australia’s fault. I wish I had made the move years ago.

I have been been here on and off since the beginning of 2005. (Visa permitting) and have loved every minute of my life here. Not one regret, being married to an Australian has made the transition easier though, instant friends and family but each and everyone has been so welcoming. As you have said Colin, I wish I had come here years ago!.

WA has been a tremendous experience, living up north has given me a great insight into another part of Australia where you have to live to experience it, the community, the harshness, the beauty with the most amazing vast skies which tell the most amazing stories without light pollution has been second to none. Places like Broome on our doorstep, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Karijini National Mark, Maree Pool , The Kimberlies. 80 mile Beach, are just a few that have to be seen to be believed... It's amazing to travel west (North) to east, taking approx 12 hrs where you can appreciate the distances involved... eg London-Bangkok or taking over a week down the Nullabor , the great Australian Bight, taking in the different flora and fauna.. Beautiful Adelaide and the Brossa Valley or Glenelg are just wonderful. Tasmania Van Diemen's Land again such magnificent diversity and I have found my niche here, wonderful beaches and nature ... Gardens of Northwest Tasmania.... easy access to the whole of the east coast.... We have our very own "Geographic Channel" without turning on a TV wherever we go.

We want for nothing, we have a very simple life style but for me thats what Australia is all about:wubclub: Susie

 

 

 

[Guest MICHAEL POOLE]

wakeboard1980 you said hunt what and were do you hunt i hunt and fish over her in uk and have dun all my life i will miss my shooting whats it like over there im going to perth, i no the fishing is good sea and trout fishing , i was out there in jan this year and caught my self a double header bass grouper 28kilos each it was fantastic, but would love to no more about the hunting,i read alot of bobs fishing threads and that man can catch,

[Guest ness71]

Hi Geoff

Thanks so much for starting this thread its realy lifted my spirits.

Ness

[docboat]

We feel really at home here. Yes, the weather is a great bonus, but the opportunities for us here are fantastic - my job lets me expand, the income is great, and we are thinking of expanding from employed status to self-employed and then business. Strolling along a wonderful beach at sunset is another bonus. Fresh food is excellent, and the wines .... oh yes. Did we mention the laid back attitudes?

[libbysmum]

Many Thanks Geoff for this, it is great to see so many positive comments when negative posts tend to predominate at the moment. We too have started to get a little worried with everybody being so negative, but we have always said we will never compare currencies / what you get for your £/$. I'm sure if ozzies born and bred can grow up, find work, live life comfortably, I can't see why without determination and a willingness to work hard, other nationalities emmigrating cannot make this country home.

[Mongrel]

Living it luving it hope my second life is better (7 to go)

[Guest THE LEEKS]

I can only echo the sentiments of some other poms in Oz members "all the anti Oz threads are giving me the wobbles etc...." We have had all felt like this latley and it is nice to see some positive posts. I know what the guy from Redcliffe means, we only stopped there for 5 days last year after traveling to Melbourne, Sydney and Cairns, we liked Brisy so much we decided to apply for a visa! (still waiting)

[janine the party queen]

We have been here nearly a year now and just can not get enough of the place.

We have indulged ourselves of our 2 passions in life camping and travelling.O/Hs job allows us to get away at least twice a month for a long weekend.With the whole of NSW to explore we are having fun and meeting lots of people on our travels.O/H had a month off over xmas and New Year our daughter arrived xmas eve and off we went for 12 days.Up the Pacific Highway to Tweed Heads stopping alll along the way when something caught our fancy.Its a fantastic country to explore whether its stunning beaches or beautiful country towns we are never bored.We are really lucky as O/Hs job means we move every 24/36 months so I will give you an update in 20 years time ,by then we might have visited most places by then !!!!!!!!!

[Guest The Ropey HOFF]

Just thought I’d start up a thread for people that love living in Australia

It’s up to you, you can tell everyone why you love it or simply just put a smiley to register your vote. It seems sometimes that the anti Australia brigade make everything in Australia look all doom and gloom. I’m not after a bitchy thread, just a thread that new members or people worried “am I doing the right thing” can see that there are members who are happy and enjoying life down under.

 

 

Hi Geoff

 

we are here on a reccie in Brisbane and words can't describe how fantastic it is. The stunning scenery the fabulous beaches, the warm sea, the views on the river in the city from the river cat ride, simply awesome, the man made beach and swimming areas next to the river, amazing and the OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE - just to die for, the barbies and cold beer, the warm sea, just about everything, seen no spiders, snakes, sharks or crocs, i think they are a myth to scare wobbling poms off. Australia is simply the best place in the world to live.

 

LOVING IT, LOVING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Jim and family:wink:

[Jackboots]

Hi Geoff

 

we are here on a reccie in Brisbane and words can't describe how fantastic it is. The stunning scenery the fabulous beaches, the warm sea, the views on the river in the city from the river cat ride, simply awesome, the man made beach and swimming areas next to the river, amazing and the OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE - just to die for, the barbies and cold beer, the warm sea, just about everything, seen no spiders, snakes, sharks or crocs, i think they are a myth to scare wobbling poms off. Australia is simply the best place in the world to live.

 

LOVING IT, LOVING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Jim and family:wink:

WELL JIM AND FAMILY GLAD YOUR ENJOYING IT ! BY THE WAY THE SHARKS ARE HERE IN PERTH LOL ANOTHER SPOTTED TODAY:wink: HAVE A GREAT TIME FOR THE REST OF YOUR TRIP.! SAFE TRAVELS.

[Bobj]

I have been been here on and off since the beginning of 2005. (Visa permitting) and have loved every minute of my life here. Not one regret, being married to an Australian has made the transition easier though, instant friends and family but each and everyone has been so welcoming. As you have said Colin, I wish I had come here years ago!.

WA has been a tremendous experience, living up north has given me a great insight into another part of Australia where you have to live to experience it, the community, the harshness, the beauty with the most amazing vast skies which tell the most amazing stories without light pollution has been second to none. Places like Broome on our doorstep, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Karijini National Mark, Maree Pool , The Kimberlies. 80 mile Beach, are just a few that have to be seen to be believed... It's amazing to travel west (North) to east, taking approx 12 hrs where you can appreciate the distances involved... eg London-Bangkok or taking over a week down the Nullabor , the great Australian Bight, taking in the different flora and fauna.. Beautiful Adelaide and the Brossa Valley or Glenelg are just wonderful. Tasmania Van Diemen's Land again such magnificent diversity and I have found my niche here, wonderful beaches and nature ... Gardens of Northwest Tasmania.... easy access to the whole of the east coast.... We have our very own "Geographic Channel" without turning on a TV wherever we go.

We want for nothing, we have a very simple life style but for me thats what Australia is all about:wubclub: Susie

 

All that beaut word painting, Ducky Pooh...and you aint even seen the best part.......QUEENSLAND. You really will p***your pants.:tongue:

 

Cheers, Bobj.

[Bobj]

wakeboard1980 you said hunt what and were do you hunt i hunt and fish over her in uk and have dun all my life i will miss my shooting whats it like over there im going to perth, i no the fishing is good sea and trout fishing , i was out there in jan this year and caught my self a double header bass grouper 28kilos each it was fantastic, but would love to no more about the hunting,i read alot of bobs fishing threads and that man can catch,

 

Good one, mate. Much better you go to Qld if you want the best in fishing and hunting.

However, just go into the country areas, knock on any farm door and ask permission to shoot 'roos and bunnies and feral goats and feral pigs and you will most likely get permission. BUT, respect the countryside and the farmers' properties, please.

A farmer in Tassie had to paint the word "COW" on some of his stock due to morons shooting everything in sight.

Very little freshwater fishing in WA; a few very small trout streams in the far SW, around Manjimup and a few redfin in Mundaring weir is about all. You have to go to the Kimberlies for barramundi.

 

Cheers, Bobj.

[Guest Magnetic6]

Love this thread, thanks to all who have contributed and Geoff for starting it.

I've just got in from work, the sun's shining here in the Uk, spring's in the air and i'm feeling soooo giddy about moving to your lovely country later in the year. Life's good x x

[Bobj]

Nicely put, Nat...

 

Cheers, Bobj.

[Guest Esme]

 

THANK YOU:notworthy:

This thread is amazing and much needed, it has really made me smile, some posts were very touching and I can't wait for the new life waiting for me and my family(eventually!):jiggy:

 

 

[Guest Count Zero]

It's a magnificent life.

 

Cheers, Bobj.

I was thinking of moving to Mackay, I love fishing, did you catch that bute in Mackay?

[nicandjay]

Thank-you for a wonderful much needed thread !! I now truely can not wait to begin our new adventure in life.......BRING IT ON QLD !!!:biggrin:

[Bobj]

I was thinking of moving to Mackay, I love fishing, did you catch that bute in Mackay?

G'day mate, that barra was caught 45 km from Mackay, in Kinchant dam.

 

Plenty of all types of fishing to keep you interested, from fresh to salt, from beach to rocks and mangroves to harbour, to islands and rivers and creeks. And only $35 a year to fish the dams.

 

Cheers, Bobj.

[Guest siamsusie]

All that beaut word painting, Ducky Pooh...and you aint even seen the best part.......QUEENSLAND. You really will p***your pants.:tongue:

 

Cheers, Bobj.

well I am in total control of my bladder "wise one" but we will be down your way this winter looking for a place so get the "inco pads" in please:tongue:

[Bobj]

Love it, Ducky Pooh.

 

Cheers, Bobj.