Re: Anyone else feel like this?
 

This is right, often it's brand new immigrants who get their taxi licenses in Oz (I got mine in a week on impulse not long before leaving for the UK as I was pissed off with my job, but I digress). I understand why many new immigrants become taxi drivers in Sydney or Melbourne as it is a way to get a job without needing english or any skills but it can make for fraught taxi rides. I have had a driver who did not know where the Opera House was and I have heard many (albeit anecdotal) stories like this. I can, however, personally vouch for the Opera House one. When getting a taxi, make sure your 'UBD' or 'refidex' (Oz versions of A-Z) skills are up to scratch, you may not need them but then again, you just might.
It is the same syndrome where new immigrants to the UK often end up in service jobs, which are low paid and don't have any requirements. Jobs that many native born people would not consider because of the conditions. Still, it can be frustrating dealing with people on the phone who do not have great English. My grandfather, for example, ran a bakery in the outback of Australia and he used to report that many 'chain-rattlers' (anglos) were not nearly as understanding to him as I try to be with new, non-English speaking immigrants in service positions!

Re: Anyone else feel like this?
 

Make it 4 months ;)..... I'm working on this concept, I can't do anything until the youngest gets through Highschool.

Right now, Melbourne, and particuarly the Northern part, with it's meditteranean accent, will suffice.

Re: Anyone else feel like this?
 

I know this was posted some time ago but I have to agree. Our saving grace is that we don't live is suburbia and that we have a baby. We live just up the road from Coogee beach (Sydney easten suburbs), near a park, cafes, etc, but honestly have to say we'd be very bored by now if it weren't for our bub. It is like coastal Sydney is an island, trapped by a sea of suburbia and blandness and a crap road system. I love our little island, but it is a very small island. The odd thing is that despite the size of Australia, it actually seems so much smaller than the UK, because for the area that one can get around reasonably by car, there's not that much of interest. So we fill outr lives with 'activities', but these seem to have a 'high GI' and so don't seem to sustain us for long. Thankfully our baby girl takes up all of our time now, so we don't have time to dwell on boredom. Australia certainly isn't the dream I had when we were emigrating, and for many years before. I know for sure that I built it up to much in my head. In reality I was happier with my environment in the south coast of England some years ago.

This is my truth.

Re: Anyone else feel like this?
 

Avoid surburbia! One of the nicest aspects of Melbourne is the established suburbs extending up to about 8k from the city, lots to do, all gentrified. They are very different to the ones say 25-40k out. Reminded me a bit like living in expensive parts of North London. Sydney is crap outside the beaches and the Upper N Shore. There's a reason many people prefer Melbourne to Sydney to live.

Re: Anyone else feel like this?
 

Correct I've likened these areas, Brunswick/Carlton/Fitzroy/Northcote/Clifton Hill, and to a lesser extent, Coburg/Preston/Thornbury, To all those areas just north of the Thames, From Islington through To Notting Hill.

It may sound a silly Analogy, but we have loads of those Italian/greek/Turkish Food preperation Factories around here. Lago's/Bertocci/Tibaldi, All run by the original Families. Plus down in Carlton the La porchetta in Rathdown st was the original, with the orginal owners still in place.

I'd hate to think how I would feel, if I ventured out to the soulless burbs.

The problem with this is though, the areas above are not what the Average British migrant yearns for. "The New pom of the boat so to speak", Seems to want a big house, big car, plenty of space, With this comes a blandness, that would make Milton Keynes seem like the most exciting place on earth.

I can fully understand, why New Migrants, would not want to head for the inner North of Melbourne, Trouble is they should take time to sit down and chat with people that have lived here in Melbourne all their lives, and ask them what they think, It's now one of the most sought after areas in Aussie, with house appreciation prices proving the point.


Any new Migrant from Britain coming to Melbourne, that feels they have to buy a house, rather than renting should seriously consider Fawkner, Not the most attractive suburb in Melbourne, but just south of the Ring road, on the city side of ring road, on the edge of zone one, It's seriously underpriced, just becoming part of the Inner city. The location means one cannot fail on a financial basis in this Suburb. Plus you have the Inner north on your doorstep.

I Doubt if anyone will take my advice, but recent new arrivals, who feel the need to go back in a couple of years, will have wished they did.

Re: Anyone else feel like this?
 

[QUOTE=ozzieeagle]Correct I've likened these areas, Brunswick/Carlton/Fitzroy/Northcote/Clifton Hill, and to a lesser extent, Coburg/Preston/Thornbury, To all those areas just north of the Thames, From Islington through To Notting Hill.

The problem with this is though, the areas above are not what the Average British migrant yearns for. "The New pom of the boat so to speak", Seems to want a big house, big car, plenty of space, With this comes a blandness, that would make Milton Keynes seem like the most exciting place on earth.

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Back again, can't seem to keep away.
I concur with everything that has been said here so far. Think carefully, if you enjoy the more sophisitcated side of life, i.e. art, great music of all types, deep cultural roots then maybe Oz is not for you. Of course, all these things and more are available but not to the extent they are in the UK, and by proximity Europe. If you think you will enjoy beaches, wildlife etc then you can't do better than Oz but everyday is not the same as when going on holidays. Melbourne is indeed the most European city in Australia and my wife and I considered moving there when Brisbane became too boring and stultifying (we had been living in London for the previous 6 years) - but in the end we decided to go for the real thing.

Re: Anyone else feel like this?
 

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It's a relief to hear of a good experience. If you judged British schools by what is reported in the papers you'd never have children....