Originally Posted by papilon (Post 9713884)

Wow so Stratford upon Avon, Warrick Castle, Ludlow, The Cotswolds, Bath, Cheltenham, Birmingham has some fine arts, and many others to numerous to mention and all within an easy day trip of Walsall count for nothing????

Originally Posted by dedicate2 (Post 9713854)

It's very easy to work out if people are going to stay here or move back. You can work it out in the first 6 months of them arriving.

Unrealistic expectations is one of the first things you pick up on. "Why can't I live in a giant mansion by the harbour with views of the bridge having just sold my 3 bedroom semi in an inner city location in the UK?" "Why is fuel not free?". "Despite the fact that this chicken breast as 4 times the size of a Tescos chicken breast I fail to understand why it is 4 times the cost!".

Second is not having committed emotionally to the move before arriving. This becomes really obvious in the way that expats start talking about family, friends and Tescos. Yes you WILL miss them that much and did you really think that because they speak English here they are the same as you? This is a foreign country after all!

Thirdly is lack of integration skills. You need to make enough close friends to provide emotional support. If you do not have a track record of being able to find and keep very good friendships then it will be a struggle. Add to that the complex and deep cultural differences and it is totally understandable why people struggle.

There is a fourth, more complex indicator as well. Often I find people who come here talk about the move as if they thought moving here would change them. Somehow make them a more relaxed, easy going, happier person. You cannot migrate away from yourself!

The fact is that Australia offers a great deal. In my view more than the UK and so we chose to start our family here. But the debate is ultimately pointless because we all feel the need to justify the decisions we make. Nobody will ever convince me that the North of England (where I am from) is a better place for my children than Melbourne, nor would I expect to convince someone over there otherwise.

And yes, I am very close to my UK based family. My parents are still alive, I am the eldest of 4 children, I have two of my own children who wish they could see their grandparents, and count at least one UK based couple as some of my best friends. But I still believe Melbourne is the right place for us to live.

Originally Posted by dedicate2 (Post 9713854)

Thirdly is lack of integration skills. You need to make enough close friends to provide emotional support. If you do not have a track record of being able to find and keep very good friendships then it will be a struggle. Add to that the complex and deep cultural differences and it is totally understandable why people struggle.

Originally Posted by moneypenny20 (Post 9713923)

Whilst those are all very valid, I'd disagree that you can tell within six months if someone is likely to head back.

Originally Posted by Dreamy (Post 9713925)

Although I agree with the vast majority of your post, I strongly disagree with that. I've always been crap at making and maintaining friendships (particularly 'good' friends) but I don't really need friends to provide emotional support.

+1 for the rest of your post though :)

Originally Posted by Dreamy (Post 9713925)

Although I agree with the vast majority of your post, I strongly disagree with that. I've always been crap at making and maintaining friendships (particularly 'good' friends) but I don't really need friends to provide emotional support.

+1 for the rest of your post though :)

Originally Posted by spartacus (Post 9713957)

I'm also very socially awkward . . . perhaps we should form a club . . . although don't bank on me turning up for any collectively organised 'events'.

Originally Posted by Bix (Post 9713981)

This could be a major success.

Arrange 2 events per month........no-one turns up.....but everyones really happy. :thumbup:

Originally Posted by spartacus (Post 9713957)

I'm also very socially awkward . . . perhaps we should form a club . . . although don't bank on me turning up for any collectively organised 'events'.

Originally Posted by paulry (Post 9713983)

Eureka! A common link that joins us all :lol:

Originally Posted by spartacus (Post 9713957)

I'm also very socially awkward . . . perhaps we should form a club . . . although don't bank on me turning up for any collectively organised 'events'.

Originally Posted by Bix (Post 9713994)

What I mean is that when I turn up everyone else is socially awkward.

Originally Posted by Dreamy (Post 9714054)

I can't believe that - you'd always be able to break the ice with that joke you tell!

How does it go?

Originally Posted by Dreamy (Post 9714054)

I can't believe that - you'd always be able to break the ice with that joke you tell!

Originally Posted by Dreamy (Post 9713925)

Although I agree with the vast majority of your post, I strongly disagree with that. I've always been crap at making and maintaining friendships (particularly 'good' friends) but I don't really need friends to provide emotional support.