Originally Posted by Exile

I moved back to the UK six months ago after being away for nine years. The last four were spent in Perth, WA.

I have to say, most things in ezzie's posts ring very true with me (apart from the height thing - I got the impression that Aussies were relatively short, and I recall seeing lots of people with short legs relative to body length in Perth. As a perfect physical specimen I feel qualified to comment on this)

The social issues are a major concern (and rightly so) for people thinking of moving back with children, especially if they have been away from the UK for a long time or the children have never been to school here.

If you are moving children back, it tends to focus your attention a lot more on schools, youth culture, celebrity worship, etc. I suspect that some of the people criticizing ezzie's posts do not have children at an age that makes this a major concern. They are lucky.

Sure, these problems exist everywhere, but they seem to me to be more prevalent here and much harder to avoid than I'd hoped.

In my opinion, some of the attacks on ezzie (from one person in particular) have been almost as deluded as stuff you see in the barbie every now and again.

England is a great place to be in so many ways, but it is far from perfect. And if you have children that are used to a warmer, friendlier place it can be a very hard place to be, in my opinion. And belive me, I wish it wasn't like that. But it is.

Originally Posted by pommybird

Exile - I have school age children and I can honestly, hand on heart, say I have LESS worries about them growing up where we live now (East Dorset) than where we lived in Perth and we lived in a bloody affluent suburb - Como.

I agree England is far from perfect - but where is perfect?? There is no Utopia - having lived both in Oz and the UK I would say overall there is little difference in terms of crime/anti social behaviour etc but in terms of the specific areas I lived in - Como vs East Dorset - I feel this is a better environment for my kids - but again that is my personal perspective and experiences. Different things are important to different people.

P.S also can I just say in terms of 'the pack' - FFS this is a discussion forum - if you plaster up your opinions on matters in a public forum I think you have to expect a bit of banter and disagreement - agreed personal comments are not nice but 'a pack' what a load of tosh

Originally Posted by Jules Europe

The Packs do very much exist. Have you spent anytime on the Canadian or NZ forums?..............If you had then you would know exactly what I mean. On the Canadian forum its a ringleader and a couple of cohorts that bash everything about Canada and anybody that dares say anything postive about it. The NZ forum follows a similiar pattern albeit in a far more amusing fashion and is a much better read at the end of the day for it. And yes this is a public forum and disagreement and banter are the order of the day, but there is one thing you have to remember though, normal people voice their disagreements and debate takes place etc. The problem occurs when certain elements such as "The Pack" take it personal and hit well below the belt ouch Its a case that certain people without realizing it, are stressed out and react angrily to any negative comments, luckily though we have a team of big sisters out there to keep the hyenas at bay.

Originally Posted by pommybird

Exile - I have school age children and I can honestly, hand on heart, say I have LESS worries about them growing up where we live now (East Dorset) than where we lived in Perth and we lived in a bloody affluent suburb - Como.

I agree England is far from perfect - but where is perfect?? There is no Utopia - having lived both in Oz and the UK I would say overall there is little difference in terms of crime/anti social behaviour etc but in terms of the specific areas I lived in - Como vs East Dorset - I feel this is a better environment for my kids - but again that is my personal perspective and experiences. Different things are important to different people.

P.S also can I just say in terms of 'the pack' - FFS this is a discussion forum - if you plaster up your opinions on matters in a public forum I think you have to expect a bit of banter and disagreement - agreed personal comments are not nice but 'a pack' what a load of tosh

Originally Posted by cricket1

I am baffled about one thing. When i was young I didn't drink, go clubbing or smoke because I didn't have the money. How come you all did??? In truth, i was working and saving like crazy to pull myself up by the boots from my poverty stricken upbringing.
Just for the record, I never got pregnant, took drugs or got into trouble with the police. Neither did my kids. They went to a 'reality' schoool with a catchment area on the outskirts of Northampton, wonderful place by the way (not) of the roughest and the toughest as well as the nicest. My children grew up also without ending up in any trouble.

Now, where's my sword. Haven't a clue where that bloody Dogtanian has got to.

Originally Posted by Fleaflyfloflum

Oh shut up and get your budgie smugglers on

Originally Posted by rabsody

ok so i was on the piss at 13, i was pregnant at 15 (to my shame) and i cme from a midddle class family

Originally Posted by Jules Europe

Budgie smugglers what`s that?

Originally Posted by rabsody

ok so i was on the piss at 13, i was pregnant at 15 (to my shame) and i cme from a midddle class family

Originally Posted by Fleaflyfloflum

And i thought you were educated...pah!

Originally Posted by Jules Europe

jajajaja just googled it

Originally Posted by Exile

I grew up in a Dorset village, it really is a lovely part of the world. My parents are still in Dorset and I visit quite often.

I think if your children have been socialized in Australia or elsewhere it becomes much harder to fit them back in here. Even if you go to a nice rural area.

If you were only away for a year or two, and your children had already been in the UK system before you left, I imagine it would be much easier to fit back in. I know very well that Perth has its fair share of problems, but the UK does seem to have a harsher culture overall, and is less child friendly.

It's also a far more interesting place to be, though, which raises the dilemma for people like me and ezzie. There are many positives. It's just that the negatives can be really huge if you have children and end up in the wrong area.

I haven't given up yet. We will be moving in search of better schools and a nicer social environment. My children are younger than ezzie's so may adapt more easily, but it has been much harder than I expected (my eldest was nearly 10 when we came back).

Originally Posted by rabsody

ok so i was on the piss at 13, i was pregnant at 15 (to my shame) and i cme from a midddle class family

Originally Posted by Jules Europe

The Packs do very much exist. Have you spent anytime on the Canadian or NZ forums?..............If you had then you would know exactly what I mean. On the Canadian forum its a ringleader and a couple of cohorts that bash everything about Canada and anybody that dares say anything postive about it. The NZ forum follows a similiar pattern albeit in a far more amusing fashion and is a much better read at the end of the day for it. And yes this is a public forum and disagreement and banter are the order of the day, but there is one thing you have to remember though, normal people voice their disagreements and debate takes place etc. The problem occurs when certain elements such as "The Pack" take it personal and hit well below the belt ouch Its a case that certain people without realizing it, are stressed out and react angrily to any negative comments, luckily though we have a team of big sisters out there to keep the hyenas at bay.

Originally Posted by sans

Bullshit JE I've spent yrs on that Canada forum, have you ever bothered to go in and read when anyone dares to say they are unhappy about being in Canada Mmm I dont think so.......You will see the so called pack as you put it decend on the poor sod that had the cheek to post such rubbish Errrrrrr

You are a flame thrower Jules, i am beginning to wonder why anyone with a bonce, like you like us to think you have spend so much time in TMBTUK forum.....