Originally Posted by NedKelly

Never, it's a sh1t hole.

Originally Posted by Wendy

Yeah, that's very true.

I was on a crap wage there, and am on a crap wage here... I know where I am better off though. By better off I mean, have more spare cash, have happier kids and generally have a better standard of living.

But then again, I do come from Bradford... so maybe not so much of a challange...

I will be interested in your views a bit more about 12 months AFTER you have first hand experience of the UK though. ATM, you have as much credibility for me as the 'newbies' to Aus have...

Originally Posted by roaringmouse

And that pretty much sums almost every post NedKelly has made in the Moving Back to the UK forums over the last 5+ years.

Originally Posted by Peepster

Electronics - I reckon you're right and they are about the same. What I like about the UK is that you can buy online from places like Boots / Sainsburys/ Tesco and get reward points which can total up to quite a bit. Yes I love the online stores, cheap prices and usually free freight often next day.

Dog poo - yep, there is deffo more here. And litter. I like that dogs can basically be off the lead everywhere here though. It's cool that cats aren't seen as creatures of satan either! I didn't really notice the dog poo but I didn't find the north to have more litter, i spent a day in my wife's hometown, Bath, and was amazed how clean it was. I might post up a photo or 2.

Another observation (not meant as a bad thing by the way, just an observation!) - there are a huge amount of Polish here, and Ukranians. Had a quote for some decoration last week - Polski Pete was half the cost of English Dave. They are like the Primark of the tradie world. It's a funny thing, people seem to notice 'foreign' tradesmen in the UK more than here even though from experience a very large % are immigrants.

More observations - The 'buy one, get one free' offers aren't around as much as what they were. More like buy 2/get the 3rd free. The best deals are on things like handsoaps/shower gels and crisps/biscuits. Groceries can be incredibly cheap in the UK, we were doing a comparison the other day, especially if you use the buy 1get one free or as you say buy 2 get one free. I have noticed that coming in a lot more here with the UK influence in the big 2.

NHS - I recently had a baby and I thought it was fantastic. Couldn't fault it, including the follow-up care. Never had a single issue with the NHS, my care here has been generally very good but with a couple of glaring exceptions.

New kitchens/bathrooms - seem really expensive in Aus compared to UK. Absolutely, the difference is staggering.

I think a telling sign that things are tough - they now have security tags on expensive cuts of meat!! I must admit I have never heard of that, certain areas or supermarkets ?

Over and out for now x

Originally Posted by paulry

A great BBC series that explores the UK's coastline.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mvlc

I think it's being aired over here ATM too but if not it can be viewed on BBC's iPlayer

Originally Posted by renth

True, I love that show. Also Doc Martin, that lovely Cornish village.

But then I consider if you actually lived there the locals would hate you and call you an "emmet" and it would be cold and raining for 2/3rds of the year.

I reckon UK would be great if only a couple of million people lived there.

Originally Posted by Peepster

Grrr stupid public transport. For a peak day return into Zone 1 from where we are in Esher it is nearly £20!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Going off-peak is not always an option. I can't really compare like for like with Melbourne though as the trams although fab (and cheap!) are only serving a fraction of the commuters and travel much shorter distance.

x

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

Bloody unreal.... is that fair dinkum about that price ? It's almost like a tax on commuting

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

Bloody unreal.... is that fair dinkum about that price ? It's almost like a tax on commuting

Originally Posted by Pomster

today I noticed that the supermarkets are doing that sneaky trick...

Special offer on xxx product.
When special ends the price shoots up.

The one I noticed today was 500gm Anchor. This time last year it was £2.20. Mid year it went up to £2.60.

Today it was £3.05. Huge jumps.*
I have noticed this with bread, yoghurt, fruit juice etc- the staples are rocketing. So this myth that everything here is as cheap as chips is just not true.

(*My daughter won't eat any other as she calls the other brands 'cheese butter' - it is not that I am obsessed with butter)

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

Bloody unreal.... is that fair dinkum about that price ? It's almost like a tax on commuting

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

Bloody unreal.... is that fair dinkum about that price ? It's almost like a tax on commuting

Originally Posted by papilon

Just checked, a peak daily return from Kyneton to Melbourne is $27 so about 18 pounds. when you take into account the vastly superior transport network in London and the options you would have the extra 2 pounds is not so bad.