Bookie

So nice to hear somebody saying something positive about Milton Keynes. I have grown up in the area and watched it being built and on the whole is a great place to live at the moment. The road system is good, there's lots of open spaces, parks and lakes, the shopping's great and the schools are good. Unfortunately MK is becoming a victim of it's own success. More and more expensive housing is being crammed onto tiny plots, the schools, roads and general infrastructure are beginning to show the strain as more people move into the area and crime and vandalism is definitely on the increase. This probably sounds like where you live and the main reasons many of us are looking to move abroad.

glittababe

Ozzeagle are you coming to East Anglia at all? You've got to do it, oh and Devon and the Lakes and the Peak District! So many places to see! Godd luck with the tour of the UK x

TopCat3

Sounds like Sydney too.

hevs

Hate to say i told you so Actually i don't But anyway, glad you are having a great time, keep us posted

ozzieeagle

Right ! back again, 3 days of chasing around green North Wales, visiting exiled elderly exiled relies, has been great. It took me a while to get my first curry in, and unfortunately I was disappointed. Went to a place called the magic spice, in Rhyl, a bangladeshi run place, the food came out ok, but no better than my Local indian restaurant in Coburg, (must have been a case of memories making things taste better). Had a lot of brightly coloured red masalas, that I'd never encountered before. The atmosphere and ambience were heaps better than back in Melbourne, but the food could well have been slightly worse here, very suprising, when you add the factor that it was close to 3 times the cost of my local Indian.
fYI, the meal came to 72 quid, thats close to 180 bucks, it would have been only 80 bucks in at my local restaurant back in Coburg, Melbourne, tops. Take away food here, is also at least 50 pct dearer, yet most other things that we are spending money on are very close to the same price, except for petrol of course.

We have been loving the history of this part of country, seeing places that were built in medival times, the kids are taking it all in, So its been educational for them, and I'm sure will stay in their memories for a long time.

People have been great, I mean people that we don't know, very freindly reactions, from people in the street, right through to shopworkers. So old memories of indifference from people from the past, when I lived here, have been dispelled. Is that because we are tourists, or have people changed in the 16 years since I've been here ? I suspect it's mostly because people have changed. Good news all around really, especially for people that live here in Britain.

So far, after 8 days here, Personally I'd say the gap has narrowed so much in living standards, that materially (save for eating out) and socially that the difference between Aussie and Britain is now very slight, with the only major differences being, Energy prices, Space, and weather.

Anyway back to my holiday, best get the kids out of the parents house, cos they are full of beans, Looks like a 3rd trip down to the Rhyl sea front, and some more arcades this evening 'yawn' (I may try and sneak off down a pub, whilst the wife isn't looking)

Warrington, tomorrow (and my sisters council house Hmm ?? ) Mkeynes the day after, combined with a week of visits to London by train etc, Then onto Crawley, Then a week with about 8 relies in Spain, Hooray, got some sunshine and cheap eating out coming LOL

More later

louise4

Glad to hear you are enjoying yourself ozzyeagle.

Does it feel strange being with people who are your family but whome you haven't seen over the years?

ozzieeagle

Good question louise, My father and some of my cousins, have visited me in aussie fairly often. Although, I hadn't seen my Brother and sister, for all of those 16 years, It's hard to describe the feeling of seeing someone like my brother who is 10 years younger than me, and was only 23 last time around, and very youthful, now being a fully mature man. Whereas my sister who is only 2 years younger, hadn't changed half as much. The same small difference applies to my Uncles and Aunts, who almost seemed exactly the same, just a bit frailer.

I'm Glad I didn't wait any longer to come back than when I did though. Probably should only leave a Gap of 10 years between visits at the most, to stay in decent touch with relations I would advise.

My mother has been too nervous to travel on a plane, so seeing her almost exactly the same, after 16 years, was a really emotional expereince. (I'm dreading saying goodbye again though)


l

ozzieeagle

Unfortunalty the only family I had in EA, are now residing in Wantirna in Melbourne, I might get as far as cambridge, whilst staying at MK, for a daytrip.

I do like Norfolk though.

NKSK

You do realise that a few hundred potential migrants will be hanging on for your final verdict? Australia or the UK?

Wish I'd waited before confirming our tickets!!

Merlot

Judging by what ozzieeagle said it looks like not much in it.

I agree with the things in the UK which I have struggled with is the cost of eating out, petrol, weather (more the dark winter nights) and lack of space.

We are in a 2 bed place at the moment and after 15 months really struggling (only me, hubby and cat). Used to so much more space wise, we were spoiled in Oz.

Come on ozzieeagle, what do you say!

M

glittababe

it does depend on the area you're leaving to the area your going! Both the UK and aus have some glorious places with spectacular scenery. Equally they both have some right old dives! The uniqueness of the UK has to be its history and beautiful green countryside. Unless you have money, housing is a problem here as most new homes are tiny! Shopping here is fab! We've just had a lovely evening with the kids. Went shopping first then to the cinema to watch the Stars Wars flick. Got out at 8pm and it was still daylight, sun setting, so we went for a walk through the roman ruins of Colchester. Lovely X

Merlot

Sounds bliss.

Yep, I have concluded that on the whole neither place wins handsdown as far as the superior life. Somedays I miss Oz, others I don't care too much. Just lucky I have a choice.

M

sackofspuds

Couldn't agree more. Swings and roundabouts which is why, in my case, it's only the family support element that makes me consider returning to Oz.

Also, I regret to say that in hindsight, career-wise, the 4 years my girlfriend (now wife) and I spent in Sydney did us absolutely no favours.

Merlot

It is the family support that keeps me in the UK after many years of being without. It is a BIG pull.

M

glittababe

Ahh but we have worked hard for our choices! Also the kids love travelling and seeing new places, so we want them to experience as many different cultures as possible!