2nd Christmas in Oz
Nov 22nd 2005, 12:10 pm
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 516
2nd Christmas in Oz
Been a reader for a long time but thought I would become a poster for a change, for everybody to read and make their own minds up, our thoughts, and experiences in Oz.
First few weeks:-
Spent the first 6 weeks looking at houses at Redcliffe upon arrival and hubbie spent the time going for interviews, it is a stressful experience going everywhere with young boys who were sick to death and bored at looking at houses all the time, buying cars, sorting out banks and generally finding our way around with them moaning, but couldn't blame them as we hated it too.
Hubbie was offered every job he went for but the money he gets over here is rubbish compared to the UK but we knew that so can't complain.
Gave up on Redcliffe area for a couple of reasons; the travel into brisbane where hubbie was going to be based and the family we do have out here too far away, we also had no luck in getting a rental property and was sick to death of looking, applying and still getting rejected.
Now living 4km out of the city in Wilston and LOVE IT, the school is great and everything is so near, we love going to the beach and everything that has to offer but like to visit and then come away, we love the city life and being able to jump on a train into the city and tons for the boys to do when they get older.
THINGS WE HATE ABOUT AUSTRALIA
Banks - no explanation needed
Forms - Ozzies love a form for everything
Customer Service in Shops - there isn't any
Queues - Ozzies love a queue more than the british
Supermarkets - obviously! but you do get used to them after a while
FOOD - ITS SO EXPENSIVE
THINGS WE LOVE
The people are so friendly, the country itself is amazing and so much to see and do, the weather is so dramatic which is great. The lifestyle for the kids is great and I envy them their wonderful childhood growing up in this wonderful country. The children in the area we live in are very respectful and no gangs hanging around street corners, they are all off doing far more interesting things.
THINGS WE MISS
Friends and family and thats about it, everything else you get used to doing without but the tug of missing people is something that takes a long time to get used to and good friends are hard to replace.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD
Watching mums shopping with their daughters and envying them.
Seeing large families together and having a great time.
Hearing Xmas songs in shopping centres and remembering good times in a lovely english pub with great friends.
Marks & Spencers food hall at Xmas time deciding what to get with my Nan.
Speak to friends and family during times of crisis and really not being able to do anything.
IN SUMMARY
We have never been so hard up, the money drop was huge for us, if we had our time again would we do it ?? Yes for the lifestyle and opportunties it brings for the children but NO if we were single couple with no children, we would have stayed for a year or two and gone back home to the UK
Now thats not to say that we don't love it here and we don't think we will ever go back to the UK, but the tug of the family and friends is so huge and you don't realise how bad it will be until its there. We have made some friends but at the moment its not the same, family is good to have and cannot be replaced even if sometimes they drive you mad its still nice to be able to produce a grandparent on grandparent day at school!
Wish we had travelled more in Europe, we travelled a bit but have no idea why we didn't do more of it!!!!
I don't know if this is of interest to anybody and its such an individual decision to make when emigrating, I am so glad we did come out here and its something we would have regretted doing if we didn't, you can be lonely in Paradise and we are lucky that we are making good friends, but a huge house, nice car does not bring real happiness, friends and family do that and seeing my parents arriving this Xmas is all the presents I am going to ever want or need.
First few weeks:-
Spent the first 6 weeks looking at houses at Redcliffe upon arrival and hubbie spent the time going for interviews, it is a stressful experience going everywhere with young boys who were sick to death and bored at looking at houses all the time, buying cars, sorting out banks and generally finding our way around with them moaning, but couldn't blame them as we hated it too.
Hubbie was offered every job he went for but the money he gets over here is rubbish compared to the UK but we knew that so can't complain.
Gave up on Redcliffe area for a couple of reasons; the travel into brisbane where hubbie was going to be based and the family we do have out here too far away, we also had no luck in getting a rental property and was sick to death of looking, applying and still getting rejected.
Now living 4km out of the city in Wilston and LOVE IT, the school is great and everything is so near, we love going to the beach and everything that has to offer but like to visit and then come away, we love the city life and being able to jump on a train into the city and tons for the boys to do when they get older.
THINGS WE HATE ABOUT AUSTRALIA
Banks - no explanation needed
Forms - Ozzies love a form for everything
Customer Service in Shops - there isn't any
Queues - Ozzies love a queue more than the british
Supermarkets - obviously! but you do get used to them after a while
FOOD - ITS SO EXPENSIVE
THINGS WE LOVE
The people are so friendly, the country itself is amazing and so much to see and do, the weather is so dramatic which is great. The lifestyle for the kids is great and I envy them their wonderful childhood growing up in this wonderful country. The children in the area we live in are very respectful and no gangs hanging around street corners, they are all off doing far more interesting things.
THINGS WE MISS
Friends and family and thats about it, everything else you get used to doing without but the tug of missing people is something that takes a long time to get used to and good friends are hard to replace.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD
Watching mums shopping with their daughters and envying them.
Seeing large families together and having a great time.
Hearing Xmas songs in shopping centres and remembering good times in a lovely english pub with great friends.
Marks & Spencers food hall at Xmas time deciding what to get with my Nan.
Speak to friends and family during times of crisis and really not being able to do anything.
IN SUMMARY
We have never been so hard up, the money drop was huge for us, if we had our time again would we do it ?? Yes for the lifestyle and opportunties it brings for the children but NO if we were single couple with no children, we would have stayed for a year or two and gone back home to the UK
Now thats not to say that we don't love it here and we don't think we will ever go back to the UK, but the tug of the family and friends is so huge and you don't realise how bad it will be until its there. We have made some friends but at the moment its not the same, family is good to have and cannot be replaced even if sometimes they drive you mad its still nice to be able to produce a grandparent on grandparent day at school!
Wish we had travelled more in Europe, we travelled a bit but have no idea why we didn't do more of it!!!!
I don't know if this is of interest to anybody and its such an individual decision to make when emigrating, I am so glad we did come out here and its something we would have regretted doing if we didn't, you can be lonely in Paradise and we are lucky that we are making good friends, but a huge house, nice car does not bring real happiness, friends and family do that and seeing my parents arriving this Xmas is all the presents I am going to ever want or need.
Nov 22nd 2005, 12:35 pm
#2
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
Interesting post. Thanks for breaking out of lurk-mode to post your experiences - they're always very helpful
Nov 22nd 2005, 5:53 pm
#3
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
Originally Posted by macy
Been a reader for a long time but thought I would become a poster for a change, for everybody to read and make their own minds up, our thoughts, and experiences in Oz.
First few weeks:-
Spent the first 6 weeks looking at houses at Redcliffe upon arrival and hubbie spent the time going for interviews, it is a stressful experience going everywhere with young boys who were sick to death and bored at looking at houses all the time, buying cars, sorting out banks and generally finding our way around with them moaning, but couldn't blame them as we hated it too.
Hubbie was offered every job he went for but the money he gets over here is rubbish compared to the UK but we knew that so can't complain.
Gave up on Redcliffe area for a couple of reasons; the travel into brisbane where hubbie was going to be based and the family we do have out here too far away, we also had no luck in getting a rental property and was sick to death of looking, applying and still getting rejected.
Now living 4km out of the city in Wilston and LOVE IT, the school is great and everything is so near, we love going to the beach and everything that has to offer but like to visit and then come away, we love the city life and being able to jump on a train into the city and tons for the boys to do when they get older.
THINGS WE HATE ABOUT AUSTRALIA
Banks - no explanation needed
Forms - Ozzies love a form for everything
Customer Service in Shops - there isn't any
Queues - Ozzies love a queue more than the british
Supermarkets - obviously! but you do get used to them after a while
FOOD - ITS SO EXPENSIVE
THINGS WE LOVE
The people are so friendly, the country itself is amazing and so much to see and do, the weather is so dramatic which is great. The lifestyle for the kids is great and I envy them their wonderful childhood growing up in this wonderful country. The children in the area we live in are very respectful and no gangs hanging around street corners, they are all off doing far more interesting things.
THINGS WE MISS
Friends and family and thats about it, everything else you get used to doing without but the tug of missing people is something that takes a long time to get used to and good friends are hard to replace.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD
Watching mums shopping with their daughters and envying them.
Seeing large families together and having a great time.
Hearing Xmas songs in shopping centres and remembering good times in a lovely english pub with great friends.
Marks & Spencers food hall at Xmas time deciding what to get with my Nan.
Speak to friends and family during times of crisis and really not being able to do anything.
IN SUMMARY
We have never been so hard up, the money drop was huge for us, if we had our time again would we do it ?? Yes for the lifestyle and opportunties it brings for the children but NO if we were single couple with no children, we would have stayed for a year or two and gone back home to the UK
Now thats not to say that we don't love it here and we don't think we will ever go back to the UK, but the tug of the family and friends is so huge and you don't realise how bad it will be until its there. We have made some friends but at the moment its not the same, family is good to have and cannot be replaced even if sometimes they drive you mad its still nice to be able to produce a grandparent on grandparent day at school!
Wish we had travelled more in Europe, we travelled a bit but have no idea why we didn't do more of it!!!!
I don't know if this is of interest to anybody and its such an individual decision to make when emigrating, I am so glad we did come out here and its something we would have regretted doing if we didn't, you can be lonely in Paradise and we are lucky that we are making good friends, but a huge house, nice car does not bring real happiness, friends and family do that and seeing my parents arriving this Xmas is all the presents I am going to ever want or need.
First few weeks:-
Spent the first 6 weeks looking at houses at Redcliffe upon arrival and hubbie spent the time going for interviews, it is a stressful experience going everywhere with young boys who were sick to death and bored at looking at houses all the time, buying cars, sorting out banks and generally finding our way around with them moaning, but couldn't blame them as we hated it too.
Hubbie was offered every job he went for but the money he gets over here is rubbish compared to the UK but we knew that so can't complain.
Gave up on Redcliffe area for a couple of reasons; the travel into brisbane where hubbie was going to be based and the family we do have out here too far away, we also had no luck in getting a rental property and was sick to death of looking, applying and still getting rejected.
Now living 4km out of the city in Wilston and LOVE IT, the school is great and everything is so near, we love going to the beach and everything that has to offer but like to visit and then come away, we love the city life and being able to jump on a train into the city and tons for the boys to do when they get older.
THINGS WE HATE ABOUT AUSTRALIA
Banks - no explanation needed
Forms - Ozzies love a form for everything
Customer Service in Shops - there isn't any
Queues - Ozzies love a queue more than the british
Supermarkets - obviously! but you do get used to them after a while
FOOD - ITS SO EXPENSIVE
THINGS WE LOVE
The people are so friendly, the country itself is amazing and so much to see and do, the weather is so dramatic which is great. The lifestyle for the kids is great and I envy them their wonderful childhood growing up in this wonderful country. The children in the area we live in are very respectful and no gangs hanging around street corners, they are all off doing far more interesting things.
THINGS WE MISS
Friends and family and thats about it, everything else you get used to doing without but the tug of missing people is something that takes a long time to get used to and good friends are hard to replace.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD
Watching mums shopping with their daughters and envying them.
Seeing large families together and having a great time.
Hearing Xmas songs in shopping centres and remembering good times in a lovely english pub with great friends.
Marks & Spencers food hall at Xmas time deciding what to get with my Nan.
Speak to friends and family during times of crisis and really not being able to do anything.
IN SUMMARY
We have never been so hard up, the money drop was huge for us, if we had our time again would we do it ?? Yes for the lifestyle and opportunties it brings for the children but NO if we were single couple with no children, we would have stayed for a year or two and gone back home to the UK
Now thats not to say that we don't love it here and we don't think we will ever go back to the UK, but the tug of the family and friends is so huge and you don't realise how bad it will be until its there. We have made some friends but at the moment its not the same, family is good to have and cannot be replaced even if sometimes they drive you mad its still nice to be able to produce a grandparent on grandparent day at school!
Wish we had travelled more in Europe, we travelled a bit but have no idea why we didn't do more of it!!!!
I don't know if this is of interest to anybody and its such an individual decision to make when emigrating, I am so glad we did come out here and its something we would have regretted doing if we didn't, you can be lonely in Paradise and we are lucky that we are making good friends, but a huge house, nice car does not bring real happiness, friends and family do that and seeing my parents arriving this Xmas is all the presents I am going to ever want or need.
May I ask - what line of work is your hubbie in?
Thanks
Buzzy
Nov 22nd 2005, 6:12 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
Originally Posted by macy
Been a reader for a long time but thought I would become a poster for a change, for everybody to read and make their own minds up, our thoughts, and experiences in Oz.
First few weeks:-
Spent the first 6 weeks looking at houses at Redcliffe upon arrival and hubbie spent the time going for interviews, it is a stressful experience going everywhere with young boys who were sick to death and bored at looking at houses all the time, buying cars, sorting out banks and generally finding our way around with them moaning, but couldn't blame them as we hated it too.
Hubbie was offered every job he went for but the money he gets over here is rubbish compared to the UK but we knew that so can't complain.
Gave up on Redcliffe area for a couple of reasons; the travel into brisbane where hubbie was going to be based and the family we do have out here too far away, we also had no luck in getting a rental property and was sick to death of looking, applying and still getting rejected.
Now living 4km out of the city in Wilston and LOVE IT, the school is great and everything is so near, we love going to the beach and everything that has to offer but like to visit and then come away, we love the city life and being able to jump on a train into the city and tons for the boys to do when they get older.
THINGS WE HATE ABOUT AUSTRALIA
Banks - no explanation needed
Forms - Ozzies love a form for everything
Customer Service in Shops - there isn't any
Queues - Ozzies love a queue more than the british
Supermarkets - obviously! but you do get used to them after a while
FOOD - ITS SO EXPENSIVE
THINGS WE LOVE
The people are so friendly, the country itself is amazing and so much to see and do, the weather is so dramatic which is great. The lifestyle for the kids is great and I envy them their wonderful childhood growing up in this wonderful country. The children in the area we live in are very respectful and no gangs hanging around street corners, they are all off doing far more interesting things.
THINGS WE MISS
Friends and family and thats about it, everything else you get used to doing without but the tug of missing people is something that takes a long time to get used to and good friends are hard to replace.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD
Watching mums shopping with their daughters and envying them.
Seeing large families together and having a great time.
Hearing Xmas songs in shopping centres and remembering good times in a lovely english pub with great friends.
Marks & Spencers food hall at Xmas time deciding what to get with my Nan.
Speak to friends and family during times of crisis and really not being able to do anything.
IN SUMMARY
We have never been so hard up, the money drop was huge for us, if we had our time again would we do it ?? Yes for the lifestyle and opportunties it brings for the children but NO if we were single couple with no children, we would have stayed for a year or two and gone back home to the UK
Now thats not to say that we don't love it here and we don't think we will ever go back to the UK, but the tug of the family and friends is so huge and you don't realise how bad it will be until its there. We have made some friends but at the moment its not the same, family is good to have and cannot be replaced even if sometimes they drive you mad its still nice to be able to produce a grandparent on grandparent day at school!
Wish we had travelled more in Europe, we travelled a bit but have no idea why we didn't do more of it!!!!
I don't know if this is of interest to anybody and its such an individual decision to make when emigrating, I am so glad we did come out here and its something we would have regretted doing if we didn't, you can be lonely in Paradise and we are lucky that we are making good friends, but a huge house, nice car does not bring real happiness, friends and family do that and seeing my parents arriving this Xmas is all the presents I am going to ever want or need.
First few weeks:-
Spent the first 6 weeks looking at houses at Redcliffe upon arrival and hubbie spent the time going for interviews, it is a stressful experience going everywhere with young boys who were sick to death and bored at looking at houses all the time, buying cars, sorting out banks and generally finding our way around with them moaning, but couldn't blame them as we hated it too.
Hubbie was offered every job he went for but the money he gets over here is rubbish compared to the UK but we knew that so can't complain.
Gave up on Redcliffe area for a couple of reasons; the travel into brisbane where hubbie was going to be based and the family we do have out here too far away, we also had no luck in getting a rental property and was sick to death of looking, applying and still getting rejected.
Now living 4km out of the city in Wilston and LOVE IT, the school is great and everything is so near, we love going to the beach and everything that has to offer but like to visit and then come away, we love the city life and being able to jump on a train into the city and tons for the boys to do when they get older.
THINGS WE HATE ABOUT AUSTRALIA
Banks - no explanation needed
Forms - Ozzies love a form for everything
Customer Service in Shops - there isn't any
Queues - Ozzies love a queue more than the british
Supermarkets - obviously! but you do get used to them after a while
FOOD - ITS SO EXPENSIVE
THINGS WE LOVE
The people are so friendly, the country itself is amazing and so much to see and do, the weather is so dramatic which is great. The lifestyle for the kids is great and I envy them their wonderful childhood growing up in this wonderful country. The children in the area we live in are very respectful and no gangs hanging around street corners, they are all off doing far more interesting things.
THINGS WE MISS
Friends and family and thats about it, everything else you get used to doing without but the tug of missing people is something that takes a long time to get used to and good friends are hard to replace.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME SAD
Watching mums shopping with their daughters and envying them.
Seeing large families together and having a great time.
Hearing Xmas songs in shopping centres and remembering good times in a lovely english pub with great friends.
Marks & Spencers food hall at Xmas time deciding what to get with my Nan.
Speak to friends and family during times of crisis and really not being able to do anything.
IN SUMMARY
We have never been so hard up, the money drop was huge for us, if we had our time again would we do it ?? Yes for the lifestyle and opportunties it brings for the children but NO if we were single couple with no children, we would have stayed for a year or two and gone back home to the UK
Now thats not to say that we don't love it here and we don't think we will ever go back to the UK, but the tug of the family and friends is so huge and you don't realise how bad it will be until its there. We have made some friends but at the moment its not the same, family is good to have and cannot be replaced even if sometimes they drive you mad its still nice to be able to produce a grandparent on grandparent day at school!
Wish we had travelled more in Europe, we travelled a bit but have no idea why we didn't do more of it!!!!
I don't know if this is of interest to anybody and its such an individual decision to make when emigrating, I am so glad we did come out here and its something we would have regretted doing if we didn't, you can be lonely in Paradise and we are lucky that we are making good friends, but a huge house, nice car does not bring real happiness, friends and family do that and seeing my parents arriving this Xmas is all the presents I am going to ever want or need.
FOOD, OMG it just goes up every week its shocking :scared:
Know what you mean about the makes me sad stuff, its so hard watching families all together or friends going off to do things with their mum
Good luck with the next year
Nov 23rd 2005, 7:09 am
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
Bump thread cause it answers someones PM
Nov 23rd 2005, 7:26 am
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Hillarys, Perth
Posts: 555
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
Lovely, honest post . So glad you've settled so well, enjoy Christmas with your folks
Karma sent.
TJ
. So glad you've settled so well, enjoy Christmas with your folks Karma sent.
TJ
Nov 23rd 2005, 8:56 am
#7
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 715
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
Top post, nicely put and very honest.
Wish you the very best.
MMum
Wish you the very best.
MMum
Nov 23rd 2005, 8:58 am
#8
Master of verbal pish©
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 22,198
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
great post, really enjoyed reading it.
we really couldnt get into xmas last year. its felt really strange, but this year we have the tree up early and gonna have a reall good go at it. still doubt if it will feel like xmas. one can but try.
good luck with your second xmas
we really couldnt get into xmas last year. its felt really strange, but this year we have the tree up early and gonna have a reall good go at it. still doubt if it will feel like xmas. one can but try.
good luck with your second xmas
Nov 23rd 2005, 9:57 am
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: The sunny coast on the other side of the planet
Posts: 596
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
Thanks for sharing your experiences its great to hear a really honest, unblinkered view of what it is really like for someone....the homesickness included. As, i am sure we all know we will feel it, but how badly can never really be anticipated.
I am leaving on Boxing Day because I did not want to face going, then having to cope with my first Christmas without family just a few months later
I am leaving on Boxing Day because I did not want to face going, then having to cope with my first Christmas without family just a few months later
Nov 23rd 2005, 10:50 am
#10
Mad Nurse now in NSW
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast - Australia
Posts: 360
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
We have never been so hard up, the money drop was huge for us, if we had our time again would we do it ?? Yes for the lifestyle and opportunties it brings for the children but NO if we were single couple with no children, we would have stayed for a year or two and gone back home to the UK
I think this is one of the best posts I have seen,
my concern as a single male would i have enough cash for a comfortable lifestyle FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I think this is one of the best posts I have seen,
my concern as a single male would i have enough cash for a comfortable lifestyle FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Nov 23rd 2005, 11:01 am
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Wello Point, Bayside, Brisbane & Loving It !!!
Posts: 932
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
Originally Posted by desperate2go
I am leaving on Boxing Day because I did not want to face going, then having to cope with my first Christmas without family just a few months later
Nov 23rd 2005, 12:39 pm
#12
Brain Drained
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,882
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
We too had the money drop but we have now balanced things out and have some savings back behind us. It does all take time and one hell of a lot of effort.
This will be our 3rd christmas and even though it is a hard time for me as I have no family (Well except my most important family) I do not approach it with the same degree of trepidation that I had on my first 2.
As long as my children enjoy xmas I will enjoy xmas.
This will be our 3rd christmas and even though it is a hard time for me as I have no family (Well except my most important family) I do not approach it with the same degree of trepidation that I had on my first 2.
As long as my children enjoy xmas I will enjoy xmas.
Nov 23rd 2005, 12:52 pm
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 191
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
Just a great post.Really sums up what this site should really be all about.People already there,giving an honest opinion about how life is for them.THE GOOD...THE BAD...AND THE UGLY!!!
RESPECT.
RESPECT.
Nov 24th 2005, 5:52 pm
#14
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 516
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
Originally Posted by bradfordlad
Just a great post.Really sums up what this site should really be all about.People already there,giving an honest opinion about how life is for them.THE GOOD...THE BAD...AND THE UGLY!!!
RESPECT.
RESPECT.
Thanks guys for your comments, nice not to be discredited for giving an honest opinion, I remember reading on this site a while ago that if we expats had moved to France a couple of hours ride on the ferry from the UK we would not expect to have a "Little Britain" however going halfway around the world, some people think that they will. As Bradford Lad said its sometimes good, sometimes bad and sometimes ugly. Maybe I will post a bit more, seems like some great people on this site again.
Nov 24th 2005, 6:19 pm
#15
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Home and proud to be British
Posts: 1,035
Re: 2nd Christmas in Oz
What a fantastic and truthfull thread.
I can relate to all you have said
Hope you have a splendid xmas
I can relate to all you have said
Hope you have a splendid xmas
