Hi guys,

With all the talk of a lack of community spirit in the UK (rightly or wrongly) do you find that you get along better with your neighbours and generally have a better sense of community over in Aus compared to back home?

Not noticed much of a difference so far.

Varies from place to place just like in the UK. Very tight community back in the UK - From a smallish village - one of the main things I miss about living there. I know I was really lucky to have lived in such a great place. No real sense of community here (outer city Brisbane) in the two places I have lived. Chat to neighbours on a casual basis, and have invited them round for BBQs/drinks but I get the sense that's just not done here (not just my experience, so I know it's not only me!!) People are nice and friendly, but everyone keeps themselves to themselves. Those I know (expats) who have tried to forge stronger relations with neighbours have been very gently rebuffed. But there will be others with different stories and experiences.

Nope, no sense of community here at all. Coming from village life in UK this is nothing like that. Most big Aus cities are never ending suburbs and unless you get one dynamic family in a street who insists on everyone else doing regular barbies then people keep very much to themselves. Smaller towns have more of a sense of community and everything centres around the Friday night meat raffle.

We used to know the neighbours on both sides in the UK - just to chat to and exchange Christmas cards with, not to socialise with. Here we see the neighbours on one side only and say hello to them. Don't know the other side at all. I can't say that there's a sense of community where we live. But, I would have said the same of where we lived in Blighty. Much the same.

Nope, it's no different.

It comes down entirely to the individuals involved...not the country.

Nail meet head.

We knew our neighbours before we moved here and we know our neighbours now. It makes no difference where we have lived - rental or owners - we have always made it a point to get to know our neighbours.

Surely though that would be no different than if you had moved to a city in the UK from the village?

Can't say I've noticed any difference.

I knew my neighbours in the UK and know my neighbours here, that included both rentals and the house we now own.

I think a sense of community is normally found in a small village but I have found a community with the people I have met at the dog park. Become firm friends with many and regularly meet up. Everyone looks out for each other and helps out when and if needed, both with the dogs and with each other, particularly for those that are elderly and live alone.

Which is why I don't live in a suburb. I live in a village that has a sense of community - it runs it's own Kindergarden and other institutions -no chook raffle though! People always drop in, kids are always over, and the kettle is on - and we borrow a neighbour's room for parties. The suburbs are a bizarre place to be anywhere - I don't see what people can do other than watch DVDs and the box! My wife is reading a book that explains that longevity is found in people who have plenty to do!

I live in a suburb and we have a sense of community, we have good neighbours and we look out for each other. Sometimes when I take my dog out, my neighbours down the road invite me round for a beer - we lend each other DVDs etc.

I like living in my suburb and we are lucky with our neighbours to be honest.

When we moved to our house in the UK our neighbours all came to say hello and asked if we needed anything.It is different here though I have noticed we meet a lot of people when walking the dogs and if we say hello they usually do though I have had one or two people look at me as if we are madIt helps having a friengly dog

Our neighbours at the back of us have been here four years and have just got a dog and they say they have met a lot more people that way.Sue.

I love a curtain-twitcher!

Got any good ones?

Just because some people live in a house on a relatively small block close to lots of other people doesn't mean they are incapable of getting out and about. What a totally bizarre statement

A great sense of community spirit here in Northern Tasmania, experienced the same in Karratha WA also and not a meat raffle in site