Originally Posted by jond

Hi we have been here a similar amount of time and I have to agree with quite a few of your points,

Food, I agree every bit as expensive but on the whole I find it better quality.

Work, I found that once I got into work then my experience was appreciated, but hard until then.

Pubs are rubbish, I suppose it depends if you used to enjoy them in the UK or not I did and struggle to find a decent one out here.

The racism I have not really had that I am called a POM a lot but it is always light heart and I always give as much as I get. I do get fed up with the constant reference to the English weather, my BIL and myself played golf the other Saturday and it was quite damp and misty if we heard "you must be used to this its like an English summer" once we heard half a dozen times. We have a standard reply we come from England not Finland.

We enjoy it here and have no plans about moving back but its different for me as all my family live here.

Good luck.

John

Originally Posted by OZSpur

Bricklayer myself! Your husbands firm don't need a good trowel do they!!! I have to say I think the standard of workmanship here is poor compared to home. They are more interested in getting the job done quickly than the finished craftmanship. Half the blokes I work with wouldn't last 5 mins at home on a building site, theyr'e just not up to it

Originally Posted by OZSpur

Hello all,
Been a voyeur on the site since we got here, mainly to see how other people are finding Australia.
Been in brisbane for 8 months now and here are my thoughts:

Good points:
Outdoor lifestyle; gets the kids away from the TV, PS2 etc, my two couldn't swim in England but here they have learnt in 3 months.
Friendly people; most will stop and say hello in the street. They also seem to be more trusting and believe you! Massive change from London.
Half hours drive to some of the best beaches I've ever been to (sunshine coast).
1st home buyers bonus (even though I owned in UK), baby bonus. We have bought a 4bed house with pool for the price of a 2bed flat where we used to live
The sun shines more often than not, winter here and still 22 in the day time (No more buying anti-freeze for the jam jar!)


Bad points:
Work: money is crap, your previous experience counts for absolute FA, aussies would rather employ aussies than us British.
Prices; I have found almost everything equal or as in the case of food, more expensive than at home, this shocked me immensely coming from London.
Schools: Rubbish! If I could afford to send mine private I would.
Social life: I enjoy the BBQ's and pool parties, but how much would I love to find a decent local boozer for a pint, away from pokie machines, TAB and food
Also find it hard trying to fill my time at weekends
Racism: Considering Australia was founded and developed by immigrants, the aussies attitudes amaze me. Not just racist to aboriginies, but just about anyone, that includes us! The constant 'POM' reference even on the TV, I find shocking and harmful

Overall we are quite happy here and we have a lifestyle that was impossible in London; but the way I feel at the moment, we will get our citizenship in 2 years time and then return home. Therefore giving the children the chance to come back if they wish to when they are older.

All the best

Originally Posted by flump

Slight change of subject (sorry) whats work like for wall and floor tilers there? since you are in the building trade thought you mat have a good idea, sorry tobether you if not!
Thanks
claire

Originally Posted by rms1

I am a bricklayer of 27 years experience comming over to Bisbane in Nov/Dec 2006.
It sounds like ,from a lot of the threads and posts that the aussie brickies need to have a few POMMIE teachers.

I think i have a job on the cards with a mate of my cousins, but if you are serious about geting a few UK brickies together and giving the aussies a run for there money then get in touch!!
Maybe we could meet up for or when i finally arrive?
PS
I have city & guilds plus i have done my Blue Card online which my cousin recieved only yesterday is there anything else i need to work on site?
Many thanks

Originally Posted by joeyb

Hey, we are due to head over to Brisbane/Sunshine Coast in January! Do you need any one to make up a gang? LOL!


Cheers
Jo

Originally Posted by OZSpur

Loads here mate, got a friend just moved up from Sydney; ceramic tiler and hes doing really well, left his business cards at the local tile stores and is picking up plenty of work.

Originally Posted by borolad

hi ozspur. wonderd if you could give me some idea of rates for decorators ,site or domestic seen as your working in that field ,much apreciated

Originally Posted by OZSpur

yes mate, me pal on the tiles is picking up $35 an hour working for someone but more like $55 on his own. Painting i'm not so sure

Originally Posted by borolad

any chance of finding out mate ,this will be my trade assesment ,many thanks