Do you expect a "mini UK in Oz" situation?
Oct 28th 2007, 1:07 am
#46
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 478
Re: Do you expect a "mini UK in Oz" situation?
After reading many posts on here from seemingly disillusioned expats, complaining about various things in Australia that are not the same as in Britain, I thought I'd ask people if they were expecting the same environment, lifestyle and culture in Australia as they had in the UK.
Many Brits moved (and still move) to Southern Spain and built a "Little Britain" over there. It's the same as the UK but with better weather and governed by Spaniards, albeit in a more relaxed manner than in the UK, such is their culture. It is still Spain though!
Are you hoping for the same, a mini UK in Oz, or do you want to throw away the UK lifestyle and integrate fully into the way Australian's live their lives?
I'm just interested, not trolling, so don't jump down my throat please!!!
Many Brits moved (and still move) to Southern Spain and built a "Little Britain" over there. It's the same as the UK but with better weather and governed by Spaniards, albeit in a more relaxed manner than in the UK, such is their culture. It is still Spain though!
Are you hoping for the same, a mini UK in Oz, or do you want to throw away the UK lifestyle and integrate fully into the way Australian's live their lives?
I'm just interested, not trolling, so don't jump down my throat please!!!
Just watch out for the drop bears in toooooowomba, aaeeeyyyyyyyyuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhh
al
Oct 28th 2007, 7:43 am
#47
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Mountain Creek, Sunshine Coast
Posts: 1,643
Re: Do you expect a "mini UK in Oz" situation?
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
I didn't mean to offend anyone, but having re-read my second post, it does come across as slightly aggressive, so for that I apologise. In my defence, it was late and I have man flu!!! Lack of sleep in the last 3 days has done my (tiny) brain in obviously.
The original post was a serious question as to why people move to Oz and how they expect to live once they get there as I am genuinely interested. I was genuinely hoping for a different attitude to the Sapnish expats, which I believe has been the case from the answers given.
I've no intention of not helping to give back information to those who ask questions, but we tend to PM people rather than engage on the forum publicly because often innocent meaning comments can be taken out of context. I just said I would not be posting, which I mean't publicly of course! If my wife decides to, then I won't stop her, she does what she wants.
The post someone makes about waiting until we get out there is very, very good and very, very true. No-one has any idea how they'll cope until they are there and doing it. We know that better than most as we've lived a nomadic lifestyle with me being in the Forces for 22 years, moving on average every 3!!! Belize, Northern Ireland, Germany, UK SW, SE and various other places!
The fact is, I don't want anyone to fail in their move to establish a new and (hopefully) better life, it would be great if everyone succeeded.
Good luck and stay happy, focussed and determined.
I didn't mean to offend anyone, but having re-read my second post, it does come across as slightly aggressive, so for that I apologise. In my defence, it was late and I have man flu!!! Lack of sleep in the last 3 days has done my (tiny) brain in obviously.
The original post was a serious question as to why people move to Oz and how they expect to live once they get there as I am genuinely interested. I was genuinely hoping for a different attitude to the Sapnish expats, which I believe has been the case from the answers given.
I've no intention of not helping to give back information to those who ask questions, but we tend to PM people rather than engage on the forum publicly because often innocent meaning comments can be taken out of context. I just said I would not be posting, which I mean't publicly of course! If my wife decides to, then I won't stop her, she does what she wants.
The post someone makes about waiting until we get out there is very, very good and very, very true. No-one has any idea how they'll cope until they are there and doing it. We know that better than most as we've lived a nomadic lifestyle with me being in the Forces for 22 years, moving on average every 3!!! Belize, Northern Ireland, Germany, UK SW, SE and various other places!
The fact is, I don't want anyone to fail in their move to establish a new and (hopefully) better life, it would be great if everyone succeeded.
Good luck and stay happy, focussed and determined.
It's not a bad thing to ask for help and this forum is very helpful and we've met some great people through it.
Where we live there's lots of pommies but we all seem to integrate and it certainly isn't a little britain. It'd be great if they built a Tesco's here though as Woolies and Coles aint anywhere near as good :-)
Oct 28th 2007, 9:38 am
#49
Happily living in Tsv,Qld
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Townsville, QLD
Posts: 390
Re: Do you expect a "mini UK in Oz" situation?
After reading many posts on here from seemingly disillusioned expats, complaining about various things in Australia that are not the same as in Britain, I thought I'd ask people if they were expecting the same environment, lifestyle and culture in Australia as they had in the UK.
Many Brits moved (and still move) to Southern Spain and built a "Little Britain" over there. It's the same as the UK but with better weather and governed by Spaniards, albeit in a more relaxed manner than in the UK, such is their culture. It is still Spain though!
Are you hoping for the same, a mini UK in Oz, or do you want to throw away the UK lifestyle and integrate fully into the way Australian's live their lives?
I'm just interested, not trolling, so don't jump down my throat please!!!
Many Brits moved (and still move) to Southern Spain and built a "Little Britain" over there. It's the same as the UK but with better weather and governed by Spaniards, albeit in a more relaxed manner than in the UK, such is their culture. It is still Spain though!
Are you hoping for the same, a mini UK in Oz, or do you want to throw away the UK lifestyle and integrate fully into the way Australian's live their lives?
I'm just interested, not trolling, so don't jump down my throat please!!!
I have been surprised by quite a few posts on this forum of people making comparisons with 'back home' or grumbling about Aussie "this, that and the other"...
My thought is, as someone else has said: "When in Rome..."
I certainly won't be making any comparisons with "back home" when I get to Aus, as Aus will be my home! Althought I'm sure I'll still make comparisons with "back in the UK", but any differences I will accept, as they will be part of the new life I have chosen.
I'll never put the UK down - but my only concern with a move to Aus is the number of Brits moving there - I don't want to see it turning out like the UK.
I certainly can't wait to be Aussie!
Oct 28th 2007, 9:59 am
#50
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
Posts: 2,141
Re: Do you expect a "mini UK in Oz" situation?
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
I didn't mean to offend anyone, but having re-read my second post, it does come across as slightly aggressive, so for that I apologise. In my defence, it was late and I have man flu!!! Lack of sleep in the last 3 days has done my (tiny) brain in obviously.
The original post was a serious question as to why people move to Oz and how they expect to live once they get there as I am genuinely interested. I was genuinely hoping for a different attitude to the Sapnish expats, which I believe has been the case from the answers given.
I've no intention of not helping to give back information to those who ask questions, but we tend to PM people rather than engage on the forum publicly because often innocent meaning comments can be taken out of context. I just said I would not be posting, which I mean't publicly of course! If my wife decides to, then I won't stop her, she does what she wants.
The post someone makes about waiting until we get out there is very, very good and very, very true. No-one has any idea how they'll cope until they are there and doing it. We know that better than most as we've lived a nomadic lifestyle with me being in the Forces for 22 years, moving on average every 3!!! Belize, Northern Ireland, Germany, UK SW, SE and various other places!
The fact is, I don't want anyone to fail in their move to establish a new and (hopefully) better life, it would be great if everyone succeeded.
Good luck and stay happy, focussed and determined.
I didn't mean to offend anyone, but having re-read my second post, it does come across as slightly aggressive, so for that I apologise. In my defence, it was late and I have man flu!!! Lack of sleep in the last 3 days has done my (tiny) brain in obviously.
The original post was a serious question as to why people move to Oz and how they expect to live once they get there as I am genuinely interested. I was genuinely hoping for a different attitude to the Sapnish expats, which I believe has been the case from the answers given.
I've no intention of not helping to give back information to those who ask questions, but we tend to PM people rather than engage on the forum publicly because often innocent meaning comments can be taken out of context. I just said I would not be posting, which I mean't publicly of course! If my wife decides to, then I won't stop her, she does what she wants.
The post someone makes about waiting until we get out there is very, very good and very, very true. No-one has any idea how they'll cope until they are there and doing it. We know that better than most as we've lived a nomadic lifestyle with me being in the Forces for 22 years, moving on average every 3!!! Belize, Northern Ireland, Germany, UK SW, SE and various other places!
The fact is, I don't want anyone to fail in their move to establish a new and (hopefully) better life, it would be great if everyone succeeded.
Good luck and stay happy, focussed and determined.
Oct 28th 2007, 10:03 am
#51
Banned
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Morayfield - The Posh Part
Posts: 10,138
Re: Do you expect a "mini UK in Oz" situation?
I've not had chance to read everyone's posts on this, but thought I'd add my take on this:
I have been surprised by quite a few posts on this forum of people making comparisons with 'back home' or grumbling about Aussie "this, that and the other"...
My thought is, as someone else has said: "When in Rome..."
I certainly won't be making any comparisons with "back home" when I get to Aus, as Aus will be my home! Althought I'm sure I'll still make comparisons with "back in the UK", but any differences I will accept, as they will be part of the new life I have chosen.
I'll never put the UK down - but my only concern with a move to Aus is the number of Brits moving there - I don't want to see it turning out like the UK.
I certainly can't wait to be Aussie!
I have been surprised by quite a few posts on this forum of people making comparisons with 'back home' or grumbling about Aussie "this, that and the other"...
My thought is, as someone else has said: "When in Rome..."
I certainly won't be making any comparisons with "back home" when I get to Aus, as Aus will be my home! Althought I'm sure I'll still make comparisons with "back in the UK", but any differences I will accept, as they will be part of the new life I have chosen.
I'll never put the UK down - but my only concern with a move to Aus is the number of Brits moving there - I don't want to see it turning out like the UK.
I certainly can't wait to be Aussie!
Aside from the pre poulated areas within Australia that have been Britified...
The only poms you will generally run into are purely chance.
And to be fair, a lot of poms, have tried and are trying to bring with them a CLASS system. Which is really rather friggin annoying. When in reality, Australians dont give a rats arse, about how cool your car is, what postcode your in, or how much you earn.
In Australia, its about Mateship.. and as long as you are prepared to be unbiassed, and accept everything around you , whilst you dont have to agree with or like certain aspects, you will certainly succeed.
You do however find, some poms, have an air of arrogance about them. I am sure this isnt a trait they are aware of, but manifests itself, because of various reasons... for which i dont really know.. this is also true of any nation living here...
You cannot help, comparing, with what you know, and at times, you need a phrase book, to get across everyday terms you would use in the uk..
It isnt easy, but its about the BANTER. If you are confident, and willing to laugh at yourself, then you will be accepted, and respected.
Steve
Oct 28th 2007, 10:15 am
#52
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: Do you expect a "mini UK in Oz" situation?
if one dickhead upgraded you could bet your touchy next month everyone would have something more flash than most cars. The only neighbour we could stand there was the old grazier up the back, cool guy and had a 3 legged kelpie from the farm they used to own
Oct 28th 2007, 10:19 am
#53
Banned
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Morayfield - The Posh Part
Posts: 10,138
Re: Do you expect a "mini UK in Oz" situation?
Think that depends where you live, when we were up noosa the most pretentious aussie pratts you ever met, same in PIL suburb in melbourne, same in mooloolaba, exclusive acerage precinct, even the flippin ride on mowers were in contest if one dickhead upgraded you could bet your touchy next month everyone would have something more flash than most cars. The only neighbour we could stand there was the old grazier up the back, cool guy and had a 3 legged kelpie from the farm they used to own
if one dickhead upgraded you could bet your touchy next month everyone would have something more flash than most cars. The only neighbour we could stand there was the old grazier up the back, cool guy and had a 3 legged kelpie from the farm they used to ownUh Huh i agree.. but I was being general.. in answering a general question.
As far as mowers go, funniest i have seen was a push petrol mower, and guy had it strapped to back of a golf buggy, and was towing and mowing...
As in the uk, give me a council estate anytime, ( to work in ) ... grounded people, straight and you really can have a banter.
Mind you, was working in Marsden.. and went to switch drill on, wasnt working, walked round corner and some prick had robbed by extension lead !!
Oct 28th 2007, 11:43 am
#54
Greetings Traveller
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 278
Re: Do you expect a "mini UK in Oz" situation?
I thought I would not expect the UK-in-Oz situation, especially after reading that it was a common pitfall for emigrating Brits & also thinking I was fantastically open-minded etc. However, I found there are some little things that niggle me, like availabitily of certain foods - but whether that's cos I expect it to be a Little Britain or just cos I'm fussy I'm not sure. As someone has pointed out, different things will get to different people & sometimes it is the constant effect & cumulation of lots of little things rather than one or two big things that "break" people.
Unless you are very self-aware it is impossible to tell how it will be for you until you experience it yourself, but there is no harm in talking around the subject. It's a bit like how no-one can tell you what having kids will do to your life, or the question what came before the Big Bang!
Unless you are very self-aware it is impossible to tell how it will be for you until you experience it yourself, but there is no harm in talking around the subject. It's a bit like how no-one can tell you what having kids will do to your life, or the question what came before the Big Bang!
Oct 28th 2007, 12:31 pm
#56
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: WA but NOT Perth!!!!!
Posts: 3,318
Re: Do you expect a "mini UK in Oz" situation?
We came out with the same attitude, but it only really felt like home when we moved into our own place and out of rentals (14 months after we moved out here), then with how I've been feeling after our baby was born, missing family and things going nowhere with OHs electrical stuff and him being miserable at work I actually said to him one day a couple of weeks ago "WTF is it all about? I want to go home!".
(thankfully this was just a "wobble"!!)Like Kevin Bloomfield said, it is not always that easy to get to know the locals, they have their friends and a lot of the time they are not interested in making any more. And it's not just immigrants or Poms this refers to, a good friend of mine who was born and raised in WA moved to Bunbury from Perth and found it really hard too. I think we all just imagine we'll have a BBQ, invite loads of Aussies and suddenly we've got loads of friends, but although you might make a lot of acquaintances it is not so easy to make people you would consider actual friends.
I think emigrating is a bit like having children: you spend years watching other people raise theirs thinking "I will never do that/let them get away with that" but when you have one of your own you realise that actually, yes, you just might!
Oct 28th 2007, 2:43 pm
#58
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Mountain Creek, Sunshine Coast
Posts: 1,643
Re: Do you expect a "mini UK in Oz" situation?
See how you feel when you get here.
We came out with the same attitude, but it only really felt like home when we moved into our own place and out of rentals (14 months after we moved out here), then with how I've been feeling after our baby was born, missing family and things going nowhere with OHs electrical stuff and him being miserable at work I actually said to him one day a couple of weeks ago "WTF is it all about? I want to go home!". (thankfully this was just a "wobble"!!)
Like Kevin Bloomfield said, it is not always that easy to get to know the locals, they have their friends and a lot of the time they are not interested in making any more. And it's not just immigrants or Poms this refers to, a good friend of mine who was born and raised in WA moved to Bunbury from Perth and found it really hard too. I think we all just imagine we'll have a BBQ, invite loads of Aussies and suddenly we've got loads of friends, but although you might make a lot of acquaintances it is not so easy to make people you would consider actual friends.
I think emigrating is a bit like having children: you spend years watching other people raise theirs thinking "I will never do that/let them get away with that" but when you have one of your own you realise that actually, yes, you just might!
We came out with the same attitude, but it only really felt like home when we moved into our own place and out of rentals (14 months after we moved out here), then with how I've been feeling after our baby was born, missing family and things going nowhere with OHs electrical stuff and him being miserable at work I actually said to him one day a couple of weeks ago "WTF is it all about? I want to go home!".
(thankfully this was just a "wobble"!!)Like Kevin Bloomfield said, it is not always that easy to get to know the locals, they have their friends and a lot of the time they are not interested in making any more. And it's not just immigrants or Poms this refers to, a good friend of mine who was born and raised in WA moved to Bunbury from Perth and found it really hard too. I think we all just imagine we'll have a BBQ, invite loads of Aussies and suddenly we've got loads of friends, but although you might make a lot of acquaintances it is not so easy to make people you would consider actual friends.
I think emigrating is a bit like having children: you spend years watching other people raise theirs thinking "I will never do that/let them get away with that" but when you have one of your own you realise that actually, yes, you just might!
If you want to integrate with only aussies then the best thing to do is to live maybe 500km's inland from the Coast, not too many immigrants out there.
Oct 28th 2007, 2:54 pm
#59
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
