Decision made - we're going back

[Guest The Ropey HOFF]

I would like to wish you the best of luck with your future and i hope it all works out well for you.

[Guest The Ropey HOFF]

The common theme with a lot of people on here and a few I have spoken to seems to be the expense of living here nowadays. There is little doubt that food is more expensive here, it's not an opinion it is just the way it is. It is no longer cheaper here to buy a nice house (obviously depending on where you life in each country) and there seems to be little difference in the bills we all have to pay, rates, water, electricity etc.

None of this means that Australia isn't a great place to live for many but of course for many others it doesn't work out like that.

 

Hi chris

 

this is innacurate information AGAIN, before i prove you wrong and print uk and OZ bills to back up my claim, i will give you a chance to alter your negative innacurate post. I do not want to detract from the OP's problems, so delete the black highlighted bits, or i will post a reply. Once you have done it, i will delete this post. Please note, i will pull you up, everytime you print something wrong, you need to be trying to help people and printing innacurate scaremongering posts are not helpful at all.

[ali]

Hi chris

 

this is innacurate information AGAIN, before i prove you wrong and print uk and OZ bills to back up my claim, i will give you a chance to alter your negative innacurate post. I do not want to detract from the OP's problems, so delete the black highlighted bits, or i will post a reply. Once you have done it, i will delete this post. Please note, i will pull you up, everytime you print something wrong, you need to be trying to help people and printing innacurate scaremongering posts are not helpful at all.

 

I think some items are expensive here and my shopping is more expensive than the UK (although my children are now older and eat more). My father in law on his visit in February couldn't believe the price of tomatoes and kept telling me how cheap they were in Asda.

 

There are a lot of threads (not just from Chris) which highlight that some things are more expensive - the cost of living has certainly risen since we migrated in 2007. However, we both work and have a comfortable life here, I know from others experiences that has not been the case and I know friends who have struggled because they haven't found work quickly or are in jobs that aren't their career of choice out of necessity to earn a wage. I'm not being a scaremonger ... I'm very much a sun and surf member ... but the reality for some people is it's a struggle financially and emotionally.

 

To the OP - good luck on the move back to the UK

[Guest The Ropey HOFF]

I think some items are expensive here and my shopping is more expensive than the UK (although my children are now older and eat more). My father in law on his visit in February couldn't believe the price of tomatoes and kept telling me how cheap they were in Asda.

 

There are a lot of threads (not just from Chris) which highlight that some things are more expensive - the cost of living has certainly risen since we migrated in 2007. However, we both work and have a comfortable life here, I know from others experiences that has not been the case and I know friends who have struggled because they haven't found work quickly or are in jobs that aren't their career of choice out of necessity to earn a wage. I'm not being a scaremonger ... I'm very much a sun and surfe member ... but the reality for some people is it's a struggle financially and emotionally.

 

To the OP - good luck on the move back to the UK

 

Hi Ali

 

i totally agree, no one doesn't think that it isn't difficult getting work in Australia, its difficult everywhere, although Australia didn't go in recession, it did go close and jobs are scarcer than, before, but using a thread has a feeder for mis-information is dis-respectful to the OP and this AGAIN has started a disagreement, i was trying to avoid this, but we know why it happens, but new people looking in who don't know why, will think that the mis-information is correct, when it is totally innacurate. Most major household bills are cheaper in Australia, rates, gas, electric are alot cheaper and petrol is half price, with food being a bit dearer and average mortgages and rent alot dearer, this is based on wages, not the current fluctuating exchange rate, its swings and roundabouts and my gut feeling from having been in Australia again this year, is that Australia is slightly dearer than the uk, but not that much to scare people off going. I have facts and figures, but i have posted them several times before to combat the innacuracies and i feel sorry for the OP, that their thread has been high jacked again, by the same person. I keep asking them to try and be nice and helpful with people instead of causing arguments continuously day in day out, but only he knows why he is doing this and he is the only person i have seen who has done this for as long as i can remember, it needs to stop, most of the nice people on PIO are fed up with it.

[Guest guest36187]

I think some items are expensive here and my shopping is more expensive than the UK (although my children are now older and eat more). My father in law on his visit in February couldn't believe the price of tomatoes and kept telling me how cheap they were in Asda.

There are a lot of threads (not just from Chris) which highlight that some things are more expensive - the cost of living has certainly risen since we migrated in 2007. However, we both work and have a comfortable life here, I know from others experiences that has not been the case and I know friends who have struggled because they haven't found work quickly or are in jobs that aren't their career of choice out of necessity to earn a wage. I'm not being a scaremonger ... I'm very much a sun and surf member ... but the reality for some people is it's a struggle financially and emotionally.

To the OP - good luck on the move back to the UK

 

Ali has raised some good points.

Since we first got here in early `05....things have gone up massively! Petrol was 88cents a litre for example! Food prices have risen, utility prices have risen. Cost of living has risen in Oz.

On the flip side my OH was in Britain in Feb this year. He noticed how cheap things were. Something taht we paid $18 for here (Foodstuff) was 2pound there! Bit of a difference!!! I actually did an online comparison for Woolies here and Asda in UK! UK was much cheaper!

 

Regarding differences for kids.....My feeling is that there is more here for kids but as I have none I dont feel I have right to judge this! I see other peoples children and can see that while some love it here , some clearly were better off in the UK.

 

Apologies to the OP for digressing.

 

Good Luck to the OP. I hope that you find what you are looking for,

[ali]

Hi Ali

 

i totally agree, no one doesn't think that it isn't difficult getting work in Australia, its difficult everywhere, although Australia didn't go in recession, it did go close and jobs are scarcer than, before, but using a thread has a feeder for mis-information is dis-respectful to the OP and this AGAIN has started a disagreement, i was trying to avoid this, but we know why it happens, but new people looking in who don't know why, will think that the mis-information is correct, when it is totally innacurate. Most major household bills are cheaper in Australia, rates, gas, electric are alot cheaper and petrol is half price, with food being a bit dearer and average mortgages and rent alot dearer, this is based on wages, not the current fluctuating exchange rate, its swings and roundabouts and my gut feeling from having been in Australia again this year, is that Australia is slightly dearer than the uk, but not that much to scare people off going. I have facts and figures, but i have posted them several times before to combat the innacuracies and i feel sorry for the OP, that their thread has been high jacked again, by the same person. I keep asking them to try and be nice and helpful with people instead of causing arguments continuously day in day out, but only he knows why he is doing this and he is the only person i have seen who has done this for as long as i can remember, it needs to stop, most of the nice people on PIO are fed up with it.

 

 

I find it more expensive Jim so am I being inaccurate? Yourself and Chris have differing views and both express them as strongly as each other.

[Guest chris955]

Thanks Joanne, the big difference in the price of food shouldn't be seen as somehow anti Australian, it's just the facts. I can only comment on what I personally found while I was there.

Yes, same here, apologies to the OP.

[The Ozcans]

I actually think UK IS cheap for most shopping, BUT will it stay that way??

VAT up to 20% in Jan, and a predicted inflation and interest rate rise.

Doing your monthly accounts will become even more important.

[Guest chris955]

I don't see that the 2.5% VAT rise is going to do much too change really and i cant say i know what the difference in current and expected inflation rates are let's not forget another interest rate rise today which was totally unexpected and in my opinion unneccessary.

[Guest The Ropey HOFF]

I find it more expensive Jim so am I being inaccurate? Yourself and Chris have differing views and both express them as strongly as each other.

 

 

I said it is dearer in Australia, kev-itcouldbeworse and siamsusie, say it isn't, but i think it is, but not massively different. Heres my figures from cal and myself, it might not be the same as everyones, but everyone had a chance to post their bills, kev did and his were similar to cals.

 

Previous quote below - someone said Australia was Hugely' expensive -

 

Australia isn't hugely expensive, the cost of mortgages and houses are dear, but most other things are similar, maybe a bit dearer in OZ if you base it on OZ wages, this isn't me talking its alot of PIO Australian residents. 18 Months ago when the exchange rate was $2.5 to £1 a $500,000 house would have cost £200,000 and the house you could buy would have been worth, about £400,000 here in most of the uk. but because of the current long term financial crisis here in the uk and Australia never going into recession like us, the pound has plummetted and its doubly harder for people to emigrate, but its not Australias doing. Thats why i put the $2.2 to £1 rate on, so that would be migrants DON'T accept a wage based on the current rate of $1.6, because if they did, they would on their uppers.

 

Check the comparisons below these are not everyones just two peoples bills - my uk major outgoings costs are in the black and cals OZ costs are in the red, she lives in a big detached house with a swimming pool in Brisbane and i live in a 4 bedroomed detached house in Yorkshire, costs based on expected OZ wages at $2.2 to £1.

 

 

 

 

Rates/ £1450 per year/ $3300 ..................... approx $1600

Gas/electric/ £1600 per year/ $3500 .............approx $1900

Petrol/ £1.18/ $2.50 ................................... diesel - $1.20

car insurance/ £500/ $1100...........................incl Rego & fully comp approx $1300

water rates/ £400/$850................................$416

 

Cal x

__________________

[ali]

That's the thing Jim, our own experiences are sometimes different and what is cheap for one isn't for another ... it doesn't mean that either of them are wrong, inaccurate or anti australian (I'm an aussie citizen) ... just their own personal experiences and the world as they see it. but this thread is now digressing from it's origional purpose

[Guest chris955]

Thank you Ali, thank you very much.

[byrned]

people should also jfactor in dental care here as well, and just taking the kids to docs or specialist, unexpted costs that you do not budget for and then like I was this year slugged for 3 grand worth of dental work, and 500 dollars worth of specialist costs for mole checks for my son. always make sure you have money for a rainy day here, just dont budget for everyday basic costs,

[Guest The Ropey HOFF]

That's the thing Jim, our own experiences are sometimes different and what is cheap for one isn't for another ... it doesn't mean that either of them are wrong, inaccurate or anti australian (I'm an aussie citizen) ... just their own personal experiences and the world as they see it. but this thread is now digressing from it's origional purpose

 

 

I again agree with you, but............... highjacking threads with sweeping statements to cause arguments is wrong and hopefully this is the last time it happens.

 

Again best of luck to the OP.

[Guest The Ropey HOFF]

people should also jfactor in dental care here as well, and just taking the kids to docs or specialist, unexpted costs that you do not budget for and then like i was this year slugged for 3 grand worth of dental work, and 500 dollars worth of specialist costs for mole checks for my son. Always make sure you have money for a rainy day here, just dont budget for everyday basic costs,

 

now this is a helpful fact and people need to know things like this.

[Guest guest36187]

Ali is right!

it doesn't mean that either of them are wrong, inaccurate or anti australian (I'm an aussie citizen) ... just their own personal experiences and the world as they see it

 

You dont have to agree with what someone has written but at least have the decency to respect it.

[Guest The Ropey HOFF]

Ali is right!

 

You dont have to agree with what someone has written but at least have the decency to respect it.

 

I don't want to harp on joanne, but respect is a two way street.

[Guest guest36187]

Thats why the post was not directed to anyone in particular but out there for everyone!!!

 

NOw lets move on eh!

[Guest guest37336]

I don't want to harp on joanne, but respect is a two way street.

 

Hi Jim.

 

Just trying to lighten the thread mate. But I drove up this street once and it was a dead end.:biglaugh::biglaugh:

 

Cheers Tony.:wink:

[Guest TheArmChairDetective]

Sally,

Good luck with your life experience, I am sure that if moving back to the UK you find you've made a mistake you will at least have the option of returning to Oz for all those photographic opportunities.

 

Did you get Citizenship at all?

 

I disagree with chris for disagreeing with gollywobbler, her point was well made and actually correct.

 

It cost X to live in the UK and it costs a different X to live in Oz, the two are not the same and never the twain will meet.

 

As for everyone going on about prices, please don't think that we have it easy over here in the U.K. and basing a return to the U.K simply on what it costs to live would be totally wrong.

 

A quick example, Tomatoes are hugely expensive in Asda and the sale of "Grow your Own Hanging Baskets" has gone through the roof as the craze for self sufficiency becomes a necesity. Hey even I grow more tomatoes than I buy from the shops.

 

Compared to this time last yea, the weekly shopping Bill for me and the wife has increased to over £100 EVERY week. 12 months ago it was around £80 for the same shop. Another example, it now costs me £98 every time I fill the tank on my car, 12 months ago it cost me £57 a tank. A pint of real ale and a glass of wine in my local cost just short of £10 a time.

 

Sorry to go off topic, but sometime's the "romance" of living in either country falls far short of reality and decisions need to be made in the round and not based on some romantic vision that we all convince ourselves with from time to time.

 

Good luck Sally and I hope your husbands depression lifts, as being happy with your lot is all that really matters.

[Guest Bailey Bunch]

Hi Sally,

We have been in Caloundra about the same time as you (arrived July 2008), and we are also sharing some of the difficulties you and your family are experiencing.

I can't find work at the moment but was gainfully employed for the first two years here. I am lucky to have a wife who is a nurse and she is keeping us a float at the moment.

One of my biggest hurdles is finding common ground, good personality & sense of humour, with the average Queenslander. Although I hate to generalise, native Queenslanders fitting said description are a rare breed indeed. I believe I can safely say this as I have as many Ozzie mates as foreign mates and none of the Ozzies are from Queensland. They seem more open minded, less racist and smile with you even when your wallet is not out of your pocket. :cute:

The Ozzies have a saying 'Queensland is great accept for the Queenslanders', I agree.

I think deep down you love Australia, but maybe not the average Australian, in Queensland anyway. Please forgive me if I am wrong.

From someone who is sympathetic to your situation.

[Dawny]

Hi Sally, just want to wish you all the very best with your return journey back to the uk!

It is a much harder decision to return than it is to take the plunge into the unknown! So i know like many others including ourselves you won't have done it lightly! At the end of the day, you really have to do what's right for you and your family! Its not all doom and gloom as some people like to think!

You ask also about shippers, We used Grace for our return, who team up with Doree Bonner this side, Happy to report excellent service from both, If you need any more information drop me a pm and i will be happy to give you prices etc,

All the very best Dawn :wubclub:

[arlene]

Hi Sally, just want to wish you all the very best with your return journey back to the uk!

It is a much harder decision to return than it is to take the plunge into the unknown! So i know like many others including ourselves you won't have done it lightly! At the end of the day, you really have to do what's right for you and your family! Its not all doom and gloom as some people like to think!

You ask also about shippers, We used Grace for our return, who team up with Doree Bonner this side, Happy to report excellent service from both, If you need any more information drop me a pm and i will be happy to give you prices etc,

All the very best Dawn :wubclub:

it is difficult coming back but as Dawny says it does not have to be all doom and gloom, there is so much going for the uk. When you return you appreciate things that you took for granted before, the weather is not the most important thing. I remember before we went to oz I thought how brilliant it would be to have glorious sunshine all the time but now being back when we meet up with friends for a bbq the weather does not make a difference to us enjoying ourselves. You can have a great life in both countries.

[Guest chris955]

I do agree that anyone returning to the UK purely for cheap groceries or whatever would be totally wrong. From our point of view it is a bonus. No-one is saying the UK is having it easy.

 

Just to address some of the things you mention, in July 08 unleaded fuel in the UK was 118p a litre at it's peak, it then dipped to 85p a year later and is now back to around 120p a litre. In effect you will be paying pretty much the same now as you did 2 1/2 years ago.

I'm not sure what pubs you drink in but when I was there a few weeks ago a pint was around 2-3 pounds, that means the glass of wine was 7-8 pounds :elvis:

Tomatoes in Asda are currently 2 pounds a kilo. if you consider that hugely expensive you will be in for a shock when you get here. On the other hand you can buy bananas for 55p a kilo, they can be $6 -7 here and we grow them.

 

 

As for everyone going on about prices, please don't think that we have it easy over here in the U.K. and basing a return to the U.K simply on what it costs to live would be totally wrong.

 

A quick example, Tomatoes are hugely expensive in Asda and the sale of "Grow your Own Hanging Baskets" has gone through the roof as the craze for self sufficiency becomes a necesity. Hey even I grow more tomatoes than I buy from the shops.

 

Compared to this time last yea, the weekly shopping Bill for me and the wife has increased to over £100 EVERY week. 12 months ago it was around £80 for the same shop. Another example, it now costs me £98 every time I fill the tank on my car, 12 months ago it cost me £57 a tank. A pint of real ale and a glass of wine in my local cost just short of £10 a time.

 

Sorry to go off topic, but sometime's the "romance" of living in either country falls far short of reality and decisions need to be made in the round and not based on some romantic vision that we all convince ourselves with from time to time.

 

Good luck Sally and I hope your husbands depression lifts, as being happy with your lot is all that really matters.

[the dougans]

good luck with your move back. hope it goes well for you. we to are going home , due to go to a wedding in uk in june so am now in process to arrange to stay back in june i no i cant stay here forever. i also think we take the uk for granted but i now no its not bad at all. the sunshine isnt everything !!!