Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
Dec 8th 2010, 3:03 am
#46
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Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
Dec 8th 2010, 3:17 am
#49
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Location: NZ=>UK=>AU=>UK
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Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
I'm sorry, what? "4 seasons in one day and all that?"
sjz - I agree that UK period properties are very nice to look at. However, they don't adapt well, and generally it costs a lot to fit them out like a new place.
New places (IMO) are not expected to have a lifetime of 100 yrs. More like 30-50, then its knock down and build again. Nothing wrong with that.
Old properties in Europe are one of the best things about European cities, but boy are they a bitch to live in and plan around.
sjz - I agree that UK period properties are very nice to look at. However, they don't adapt well, and generally it costs a lot to fit them out like a new place.
New places (IMO) are not expected to have a lifetime of 100 yrs. More like 30-50, then its knock down and build again. Nothing wrong with that.
Old properties in Europe are one of the best things about European cities, but boy are they a bitch to live in and plan around.
Modern houses to me are like modern bits of furniture. Glue and staples. MDF. Ikea generation. Nothing is built to last any more. No thought, no creativity, everything done on the cheap – and it shows. I have no problem with flattening a house and starting again only I disagree that new build houses (here anyway) will last 30-50 years – not without significant maintenance. Maybe we’re moving to a society that only buys plots of land and plans to rebuild from scratch every time the house changes hands…
I also prefer the formality of the European houses. Open plan living has its plusses and minuses. Farmhouse kitchen – great idea. But cooking, eating, home theatre system, kids throwing their toys round the room etc – chaos.
I write this as I look out the window from the 24th floor of my office and I see most of Melbourne disappearing before me into the approaching deluge for the second time today. Wait, is that the rain or the locusts? I’ll know in a few minutes…
Dec 8th 2010, 3:18 am
#50
Mostly Harmless
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
I went from the rough bit of Kent to a supposedly rough bit of Brisbane (think Inala, Woodridge) and I know where I felt safest, I am still here but out in the sticks a bit and it's still relatively trouble/vandal free ... the biggest issue is the hoons but they are everywhere.
And the BBQs are still working ... and yeh, now you come to mention it the councils do seem to be pro-active in free/cheap activities especially for families with kids.
But, as usual 'tis dangerous to sweep the generalisations, take schooling and the relatively recent murder of one pupil at Saint Pats, one of the better regarded schools around Brisbane.
Weather is still pants at the moment though
And the BBQs are still working ... and yeh, now you come to mention it the councils do seem to be pro-active in free/cheap activities especially for families with kids.
But, as usual 'tis dangerous to sweep the generalisations, take schooling and the relatively recent murder of one pupil at Saint Pats, one of the better regarded schools around Brisbane.
Weather is still pants at the moment though
Dec 8th 2010, 3:30 am
#51
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,412
Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
My other half is Aussie and never understood why I'm so careful about where I park my car here. I'll never park where there's broken glass for instance.
We were back in Ireland in July and the tables were turned one day. I parked right next to a pile of broken glass in the car park for a tourist attraction. She protested and said we shouldn't leave it there. I thought it was a busy enough place to be fine. When we got back the car next to us had been smashed for their sat nav. Apparently this isn't as big an issue here?
We were back in Ireland in July and the tables were turned one day. I parked right next to a pile of broken glass in the car park for a tourist attraction. She protested and said we shouldn't leave it there. I thought it was a busy enough place to be fine. When we got back the car next to us had been smashed for their sat nav. Apparently this isn't as big an issue here?
Dec 8th 2010, 3:42 am
#52
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
Not had that happen, but partners ute was broken into and loads of old crap
was taken and a bunch of files of paperwork that would mean little to anyone else
Police said they had done 20 odd cars that night, ours was one of several in a secure hotel carpark! I'd be as careful here as anywhere.
Dec 8th 2010, 3:58 am
#53
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Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
That's happened to me while out windsurfing in Ireland. They stole our wallets, phones and my mate's car keys. They obviously didn't fancy my car as they left my keys. We've had spare plastic keys ever since so that we can take them out on the water.
Having spent 2.5 years in Oz so far in various citys I think I've had less situations I felt dodgy than I would have had in the same period in Dublin. Maybe I'm oblivious to the dangers here though.
Having spent 2.5 years in Oz so far in various citys I think I've had less situations I felt dodgy than I would have had in the same period in Dublin. Maybe I'm oblivious to the dangers here though.
Dec 8th 2010, 4:06 am
#54
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Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 10,994
Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
That old cliche!
We get strong changes coming through (no more than 1 a day!)...but we know they're coming, they're PREDICTED, normally arriving within a couple of hours of when they say they will.
Yes, Helen, I agree Perth seems very predictable also, sorry I forgot about WA
, my point was more aimed at coastal Qld where you're far more likely to get caught out by an unexpected downpour IME.
We get strong changes coming through (no more than 1 a day!)...but we know they're coming, they're PREDICTED, normally arriving within a couple of hours of when they say they will.
Yes, Helen, I agree Perth seems very predictable also, sorry I forgot about WA
, my point was more aimed at coastal Qld where you're far more likely to get caught out by an unexpected downpour IME.
Dec 8th 2010, 4:15 am
#55
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Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
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Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
That's happened to me while out windsurfing in Ireland. They stole our wallets, phones and my mate's car keys. They obviously didn't fancy my car as they left my keys. We've had spare plastic keys ever since so that we can take them out on the water.
Having spent 2.5 years in Oz so far in various citys I think I've had less situations I felt dodgy than I would have had in the same period in Dublin. Maybe I'm oblivious to the dangers here though.
Having spent 2.5 years in Oz so far in various citys I think I've had less situations I felt dodgy than I would have had in the same period in Dublin. Maybe I'm oblivious to the dangers here though.
Obviously there are degrees but anything left in the open in my old patch would be gone in a flash. Maybe it's an unwritten rule here, leave the utes alone
(Edit) Or maybe not! http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...-1225967654835
Last edited by DeadVim; Dec 8th 2010 at 4:19 am.
Dec 8th 2010, 4:16 am
#56
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Location: Perth
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Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
. They do 7 day weather forecasts here and they're usually accurate. Coming from the UK, I found that amazing when I first came to Perth.
Dec 8th 2010, 4:26 am
#57
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
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Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
.....which is one of the biggest myths ever to be propogated on this forum.
You can easily get 2 seasons in one day in Melbourne though, what BCWorld is saying is that the weather in Melbourne is very predictable, if you're going to get 2 seasons in one day the weather forecast will tell you which seasons, at what part of the day and pretty much the exact time it will transition from one season to the next!
BB
You can easily get 2 seasons in one day in Melbourne though, what BCWorld is saying is that the weather in Melbourne is very predictable, if you're going to get 2 seasons in one day the weather forecast will tell you which seasons, at what part of the day and pretty much the exact time it will transition from one season to the next!
BB
Dec 8th 2010, 5:43 am
#58
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Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
My own perspective as a recent arrival -
The price of the Aussie dream has gone up a lot over the last few years. Take this example. In 2006, for example, lets say the GBP bought you 2.2AUD. You had GBP100k to bring, so 220AUD. You were eyeing up a job in Aus at 100k. A nice 3bed in a good suburb of Melbourne would set you back about 450k. No worries, easily affordable! 30% deposit, mortgage 3x gross.
Wind forward to late 2010. Your 100k now gets you 100k. The same house is now costing around 650k. Lets be fair and say your salary is now 120k. 10% deposit, mortgage 4.88x gross.
Thats >50% less affordable. BIG difference in your net wealth and your potential quality of life.
These factors are a little transitory, granted, but noone can predict how long they might last for.
Now, as regards the weather. This yr has been pretty poor by all accounts. But generally, the weather is just a lot better than UK. It depends how "weather-sensitive" your life is. Mine is very, playing a couple of sports and liking to be outside generally.
The UK is terrible from that perspective because theres no predictability. Anythings possible. Melb is unpredictable too, but just less so, and from a better base. No competition at all.
If you're not that weather-sensitive, eg more of a culture person, the heat might annoy you. But to me, bring it on.
The price of the Aussie dream has gone up a lot over the last few years. Take this example. In 2006, for example, lets say the GBP bought you 2.2AUD. You had GBP100k to bring, so 220AUD. You were eyeing up a job in Aus at 100k. A nice 3bed in a good suburb of Melbourne would set you back about 450k. No worries, easily affordable! 30% deposit, mortgage 3x gross.
Wind forward to late 2010. Your 100k now gets you 100k. The same house is now costing around 650k. Lets be fair and say your salary is now 120k. 10% deposit, mortgage 4.88x gross.
Thats >50% less affordable. BIG difference in your net wealth and your potential quality of life.
These factors are a little transitory, granted, but noone can predict how long they might last for.
Now, as regards the weather. This yr has been pretty poor by all accounts. But generally, the weather is just a lot better than UK. It depends how "weather-sensitive" your life is. Mine is very, playing a couple of sports and liking to be outside generally.
The UK is terrible from that perspective because theres no predictability. Anythings possible. Melb is unpredictable too, but just less so, and from a better base. No competition at all.
If you're not that weather-sensitive, eg more of a culture person, the heat might annoy you. But to me, bring it on.
Dec 8th 2010, 6:16 am
#59
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Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
Dec 8th 2010, 8:02 am
#60
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Has the Australian dream lost its sparkle................anyone???
I've been known to be a lot less careful here.
.....
You can easily get 2 seasons in one day in Melbourne though, what BCWorld is saying is that the weather in Melbourne is very predictable, if you're going to get 2 seasons in one day the weather forecast will tell you which seasons, at what part of the day and pretty much the exact time it will transition from one season to the next!
BB
You can easily get 2 seasons in one day in Melbourne though, what BCWorld is saying is that the weather in Melbourne is very predictable, if you're going to get 2 seasons in one day the weather forecast will tell you which seasons, at what part of the day and pretty much the exact time it will transition from one season to the next!
BB