Guest lifeinmono Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 You have to be a bit more explicit about what's available and not in the UK and here. Personally here i swim in the sea just about every weekend and nearly all year round. I can go to a pool and know it will be laned off for swimming and won't just be a "free for all" like the UK and it won't cost me an arm and a leg to get in either. I can remember going in the sea in the UK a few times and when the water is clean enough (Bournmouth has a great beach) it's still freezing. No matter how hot it is outside. I have a surf ski which I leave at the local club and use that a lot too. It doesn't cost me anything to store it there and the parking is free. My wife and I have a lot of friends with common interests, mostly sports oriented, so we go bike riding regularly, do triathlons and generally do things here we would never be doing in the UK. Mostly because the weather is too unreliable. I know everyone doesn't like sport and participating and if you're not into that it might be a problem. I certainly find there is lots more to do here than in the UK and most things that I enjoy are free too. It would be interesting to know what your favoured pastimes are. Interesting how Aussie lovers ALWAYS bring it back to sun and sport. What does that tell you about Australia? The range of cultural pursuits available in the UK is simply huge. Art galleries, theatres, museums - so many different days out (and right on your door step too) in the UK/Europe. There is a specialist shop (or rather there are a dozen) for any hobby or interest you care to mention there. You CANNOT tell me that Australia can compete in these areas any more than the UK can compete for sunny beaches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chris955 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 I must admit that whole argument Paul was based on swimming and the sun, believe me living in Queensland I fully understand there are many many things more important to me at least than the weather. We have been here in Brisbane for 9 years and have been to the beach maybe 15 times which shows you how important it is to us. I'm seriously happy that your life revolves around sport and the weather but it definitely doesn't for me and many others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lifeinmono Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 I must admit that whole argument Paul was based on swimming and the sun, believe me living in Queensland I fully understand there are many many things more important to me at least than the weather. We have been here in Brisbane for 9 years and have been to the beach maybe 15 times which shows you how important it is to us. I'm seriously happy that your life revolves around sport and the weather but it definitely doesn't for me and many others. Fascinating how these people answer their own question, isn't it. They bring it back down to sun and sport all the time precisely because that's where Australia actually scores. It doesn't score with other things - cultural stuff, intellectual stuff. Why the assumption that EVERYONE loves sun and sport? You might, Paul, but swimming in the ocean 365 days of the year doesn't do it for everyone. It might be easy to love Australia if you want to be out in the sun every day of the year but there are those people who have no interest in swimming and triathlons. If you prefer pursuits of the mind you will find your options severely limited down under. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chris955 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 2 of my brothers were lifeguards and would swim and surf at every opportunity, coincidentally they are the 2 that have never left these shores. The brother I am most like also loves the UK and lives near Canberra and has more heavy frosts than where we lived in England, surf and sea don't interest him in the slightest. All of us have had full lives but in very different ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 And that's just it...I'm not sure I am the type of person who is happy living away from home. I decided to use the working hol visa after a break-up & perhaps a need to escape my life. I didn't want to back pack around Australia, I was dead set on Sydney or Melbourne & after spending a few weeks in Sydney, decided to try & settle in Melbourne. I do have some friends here, but I know I am depressed because I am avoiding social situations, sleeping lot's etc. This is not me. Gill:Thanks for your post & support. Thing is, I only got the 175 visa idea into my head a couple of months ago & always knew I'd be cutting it fine. As low priority it was more of a back-up plan....maybe go home and have the option to return a few years later. Do I really want that though? I know I cannot accept sponsorship in the job I'm in now as it is truly horrible (and that's not just my demeanour right now putting a dampener on things. I've been offered my old job back home. It's such a tough call, I'm waiting to feel better before making a decision but every day is harder & harder, I'm boring myself!! Thanks for listening I do appreciate the advice & insight It sounds like your job is getting you down too. It's amazing how long you spend at work and if that time is not pleasant it would make the whole experience of being here unpleasant. Are you tied to that job with your visa? Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Fascinating how these people answer their own question, isn't it. They bring it back down to sun and sport all the time precisely because that's where Australia actually scores. It doesn't score with other things - cultural stuff, intellectual stuff. Why the assumption that EVERYONE loves sun and sport? You might, Paul, but swimming in the ocean 365 days of the year doesn't do it for everyone. It might be easy to love Australia if you want to be out in the sun every day of the year but there are those people who have no interest in swimming and triathlons. If you prefer pursuits of the mind you will find your options severely limited down under. Sorry, but as I said before, you need to be more specific when you say "cultural stuff, intellectual stuff." It's not as though Australia doesn't have Art galleries, museums, theatres, live music. I'm afraid "stuff" doesn't mean much at all. As for pursuits of the mind? Don't quite know what you mean there either. I know I said I like sport and spend a lot of time doing it but I also find plenty of other things to do here. I even went to the ballet with my wife recently, Something I've never done before (got to admit to almost dropping off to sleep near the end though) Some of the dancing was excellent. I know the UK is close to the rest of Europe but most people still ahve to save up to go on a two week holiday there once a year. It's not as if people pop off there for the weekend, unless you're extremely well off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lifeinmono Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Sorry, but as I said before, you need to be more specific when you say "cultural stuff, intellectual stuff." It's not as though Australia doesn't have Art galleries, museums, theatres, live music. I'm afraid "stuff" doesn't mean much at all. As for pursuits of the mind? Don't quite know what you mean there either. I know I said I like sport and spend a lot of time doing it but I also find plenty of other things to do here. I even went to the ballet with my wife recently, Something I've never done before (got to admit to almost dropping off to sleep near the end though) Some of the dancing was excellent. I know the UK is close to the rest of Europe but most people still ahve to save up to go on a two week holiday there once a year. It's not as if people pop off there for the weekend, unless you're extremely well off. Okay. You are clearly not going to accept this without more detail. For a kick off, comparing the art galleries and museums of Australia to those of the UK is like comparing the beaches of the UK to those of Australia. What do I mean by that? I mean that there is simply no comparison. In Melbourne, there are a few museums and galleries and theatres but a) there are far far fewer than I would be able to get to within the same radius in the UK and b) they are not of the same quality. There is nothing like the Imperial War Museum here - nothing that comes even close. Nothing as good as the National Portrait Gallery. Went to an Art Gallery in Leeds last visit and there was WAY more there than you'd find in any gallery here. While I was in the UK last october I went on a bus tour of London with some family and was blown away by how many great shows were on at all the various theatres. If you really think there are anything like the same amount in Australia then you are very deluded. The other major cities in the UK also have huge amounts of stuff on ALL YEAR ROUND. You could never exhaust them and there would never be nothing that you were interested in available. Fantastic exhibition on at the National Portrait Gallery of pop icons from the 1960's. That kind of thing would be on in Melbourne once in a blue moon but you'll find interesting stuff like that ALL YEAR ROUND in the UK. The proximity to Europe is not just about visiting it. You can purchase all manner of stuff from around Europe over the internet with enormous ease and low cost. There is a shop for absolutely anything and everything somewhere in Europe and as such there is very little you can't buy. Many of the collectors records shops in the UK are fantastic - phenomenal amount of stuff on offer. Same for books. There just isn't the same level of these things in Australia. Yes, they exist but they are NOT the same. The reason why I say ''stuff'' is because it's really everything. There's far more on offer of everything in the UK and with the European market on your doorstep it's vast. Someone told me that they are into reptiles - you'd think that would be more of an Aussie thing but apparently the specialist shops in the UK are far more professional and much better stocked than the specialist shops here in Australia. This tends to be the case with everything in Australia. It's either not available or only available on a reduced, smaller scale. Australia may provide all you need for your interests but it doesn't offer the same amount as the UK does and so there are people who are going to find that they can't get what they want here or do what they want to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 And to add to the list, not that many castles or buildings that have stood the test of time here either - no evidence of a thousand years of human endeavour on every corner which is a feature that I certainly look for. Even if I lived in Port Arthur or the Rocks it still wouldnt be there - I have lived in several homes older than both of them by a couple of hundred years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lifeinmono Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Sorry, but as I said before, you need to be more specific when you say "cultural stuff, intellectual stuff." It's not as though Australia doesn't have Art galleries, museums, theatres, live music. I'm afraid "stuff" doesn't mean much at all. As for pursuits of the mind? Don't quite know what you mean there either. I know I said I like sport and spend a lot of time doing it but I also find plenty of other things to do here. I even went to the ballet with my wife recently, Something I've never done before (got to admit to almost dropping off to sleep near the end though) Some of the dancing was excellent. I know the UK is close to the rest of Europe but most people still ahve to save up to go on a two week holiday there once a year. It's not as if people pop off there for the weekend, unless you're extremely well off. I don't care that you went to the ballet! Good for you. I didn't say ''there's never any ballet in Australia'', did I? No, I didn't. What I was expressing was that for those interested in culture there is nothing like the same amount of stuff on offer in Australia as there is in the UK. Just like those who love going to the beach will find UK life a little limiting. Same difference. I am willing to accept that the UK doesn't offer sun and beaches. Why can't the Godzoners accept that Australia doesn't have everything either? They always have to go ''ah, but I went to the opera three months ago in Perth....'' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest proud2beaussie Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 There is nothing like the Imperial War Museum here Australian War Memorial Nothing as good as the National Portrait Gallery. NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA - HOME the collectors records shops in the UK are fantastic Every single Record Store in Melbourne's CBD! : Mess+Noise there are a few museums and galleries and theatres but a) there are far far fewer than I would be able to get to within the same radius in the UK and b) they are not of the same quality. Venue Hire Melbourne Australia. Theatre, Functions & Events Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne State Theatre - The Arts Centre - the home of the performing arts in Melbourne Melbourne Museum Scienceworks Immigration Museum Royal Exhibition Building In my opinion all of the above are world quality,and if you don't agree lifeinmono then too bad-I know the truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest proud2beaussie Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 And to add to the list, not that many castles or buildings that have stood the test of time here either - no evidence of a thousand years of human endeavour on every corner which is a feature that I certainly look for. Even if I lived in Port Arthur or the Rocks it still wouldnt be there - I have lived in several homes older than both of them by a couple of hundred years. Well maybe some people are not that interested in castles,but as regards "human endeavour" I would class the indigenous Australians as humans and there is clear evidence of their "endeavours" in Australia,maybe not castles built as monuments to former rulers but stilll human endeavour (in my opinion). I recently posted a thread about the discovery of the remains of a boat on a mountain in Turkey,it has been carbon dated as 4800 years old,I thought that was pretty awesome till someone rightly pointed out that the indigenous Aboriginals were here in Australia 10,000 years ago which sort of puts 1000 years in perspective a bit. I have lived in several homes older than both of them by a couple of hundred years.[ Yeah,I managed a pub in Kent that was 320 years old-it was falling down around me.:biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byrned Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 I don't care that you went to the ballet! Good for you. I didn't say ''there's never any ballet in Australia'', did I? No, I didn't. What I was expressing was that for those interested in culture there is nothing like the same amount of stuff on offer in Australia as there is in the UK. Just like those who love going to the beach will find UK life a little limiting. Same difference. I am willing to accept that the UK doesn't offer sun and beaches. Why can't the Godzoners accept that Australia doesn't have everything either? They always have to go ''ah, but I went to the opera three months ago in Perth....'' I have to agree with you, Aus does not come close to the uk on the cultural aspects, yes they do have museums etc and galleries, theatre etc but against the uk it is very poor, in UK they have a wealth of very talented actors, writers, artists that Aus just could not compete with, if you enjoy the above things then the UK is the place to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lifeinmono Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Nigelinoz - 10/10 for defensiveness. Your inability/unwillingness to accept anyone's dislike of/criticism of Australia is unbelievable. ''I know the truth''. Interesting. What you actually know is your opinion which is no more valid than mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Quote "The proximity to Europe is not just about visiting it. You can purchase all manner of stuff from around Europe over the internet with enormous ease and low cost" If it's purchasing stuff over the internet it's just as easy to do that in Australia as anywhere else in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lifeinmono Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Quote "The proximity to Europe is not just about visiting it. You can purchase all manner of stuff from around Europe over the internet with enormous ease and low cost" If it's purchasing stuff over the internet it's just as easy to do that in Australia as anywhere else in the world. Incorrect. Lots of the best establishments only post within the EU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest proud2beaussie Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Lots of the best establishments only post within the EU. Actually I find most of the "best" establishments are here in Australia,but then your definition of "best" is probably nowhere close to mine,but it's academic anyway because I buy very little stuff via mail order,I prefer to be served by real people in a shop,and I'm glad that Australia hasn't become obsessed with mail order catalogues like the UK and US,the main thing I buy online is wine,direct from the winery at very cheap prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Well maybe some people are not that interested in castles,but as regards "human endeavour" I would class the indigenous Australians as humans and there is clear evidence of their "endeavours" in Australia,maybe not castles built as monuments to former rulers but stilll human endeavour (in my opinion).I recently posted a thread about the discovery of the remains of a boat on a mountain in Turkey,it has been carbon dated as 4800 years old,I thought that was pretty awesome till someone rightly pointed out that the indigenous Aboriginals were here in Australia 10,000 years ago which sort of puts 1000 years in perspective a bit. Yeah,I managed a pub in Kent that was 320 years old-it was falling down around me.:biggrin: Hmm absolutely agree, not everyone is interested in castles in the same way that not everyone wants to spend their days fishing off a beach. We'd be a weird old bunch if we all wanted the same As for indigenous endeavour - a few grinding stones and a load of fairy stories based on natural formations dont do much for me, no. As for houses falling down - ours is 50 years and falling around our ears too so lots of reno going on here at the mo. Amazing that a tin roof only lasts that long isnt it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest proud2beaussie Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Quoll, Good post,but don't you think that aboriginal rock paintings count as endeavour? I'm not arguing the point,just asking a question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Quoll,Good post,but don't you think that aboriginal rock paintings count as endeavour? I'm not arguing the point,just asking a question. Dont really see them on every corner and it is a long time since I have seen any (not too many sites around here) but, sure, they are endeavour but they still dont float my boat. I do think it is interesting though that some figures have similar head styles to European rock art - almost the spaceman appearance. Now that does fascinate me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tracyinsydney Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 My Whole family felt better when we arrived home after 5mnt. I'm like my old self. I managed to get a better job than the one i had previously, my OH got a better job and we live in a better house than before although not as big as our house in Oz. I never stopped moaning about the UK before we moved but i definately see it in a new light since returning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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