Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

Finally, I'm back, Not that happy about it, However thats mostly because, my holiday is over. Saying goodbye to the family was the hardest. We spread that out over a few days though. Which eased the angst of it all. Another good tip, well it was mostly accidental, is turn up at the airport, about 1.3/4 hours before the plane is due to take off. We got rushed through check-in as it was packed, a BA person came down the asking what plane we were on, as the queue was about 1.5 hours long, we were rushed to the front, and went straight through to departures, Rather than having a long teary goodbye over the planned lunch with numerous cousins. The tardiness was caused by someones misfortune to have an accident on the M1, resulting in about an hour holdup, plus we had left about 3/4 hour later than planned. Suffice to say it was a very rushed time at the airport.


It's cold in Melbourne at present, got the woodfire going, it's great to be able to sit around, in my dressing gown, needing a shower, with a cup of coffee in hand.

All in all, I was very impressed with England this time round, Particuarly Mkeynes. I wouldn't live there with my wife and Kids, If I were to find myself single and out of a job, though, I think I could well,be persuaded to head there. (although I wouldn't be suprised if i got fed up with the place after one winter, and headed back to Aussie, Could well in the right circumstance give it a chance, just to see what job arose and what accommodation, and what contacts came my way)

What did I like about the UK ?, The family of course, The shops, the Green and lushness, The quaintness, the Choice, The socialness, IE; everywhere I stayed, the peoples neighbours were all on goodterms and very freindly, and socialised with each other. I really enjoyed all the footpaths, around Prestatyn, to a much lesser extent through crawley, and the paths In MK were really good. Walking along the picturesque grand union canal, just to go to the local shop near my brothers was a real treat. oh and btw TV especially sky, is so superior in England, that it is in a totally different league.

What didn't I like. The crowds, on the roads particuarly, and at the shopping centres, the cost of using a car, especially pay and display, some aspects of service in shops, the horrendous cost of eating out and takeaway, especially if you take quality into consideration. There are about 15 restaurants here in Coburg, I dont think I found one as good as any of I visited in England !!! The same standard difference would probably apply across most of the other 'burbs here in Melb. (I thought the restaurants in France were very ordinary as well, although Spain did really well on the restaurant comparisions).

To sum up, I think it would be far more difficult to migrate now, and be sure they were going to a better place than when I came 20 odd years ago. Indeed if I were a Dual income white collar family on 60,000 pounds plus, with a holiday home in Europe or america, I doubt if I would migrate. I certainly wouldn''t advise it. In fact nowdays, as far as I've experienced the only notable differences in Aussies favour, are Space and Sunshine, with the bonus of cheap eating out and takeaway.


England your doing pretty well