how different is it??.....
Nov 23rd 2006, 10:37 am
#46
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: how different is it??.....
Originally Posted by monkeypeaches
We were lucky because we went for 6 months (WHV). At this point, we weren't intending to emigrate.
At first it was brilliant - beach every day, invited to barbecues, brand new hire car, typical holiday. Then we ran out of cash.
After staying with family for a few weeks we moved into a unit, bought a knackered old car and started work. It was only then that we really saw what it would be like to live in Oz. And to be honest, we didn't love it. Nothing stayed open late, there was no Starbucks, no bagels, the washing machine opened at the top :scared: We spent hours lamenting the state of journalism in WA and even longer laughing at the politicians. And don't even get me started on the bureaucracy After 6 months, bored and broke, we were ready to go home.
Then we arrived back in London, on a cold and rainy March morning. And it hit us - we actually had loved Australia, we just hadn't realised it. The things we thought were important really weren't. We quickly tired of a Starbucks on every corner, and we were so knackered from working all hours to be able to afford London rents that we didn't stay up long enough to appreciate the nightlife. OK I know that these are totally shallow reasons for liking or disliking a place, but we did consider the big things, and overall, we liked Australia better. Yes we were constantly broke there and living in a tiny unit, but we are constantly broke here and renting an even smaller flat that costs 6 times as much. So we decided to emigrate, and 3.5 years later we are almost there.
Rach xx
At first it was brilliant - beach every day, invited to barbecues, brand new hire car, typical holiday. Then we ran out of cash.
After staying with family for a few weeks we moved into a unit, bought a knackered old car and started work. It was only then that we really saw what it would be like to live in Oz. And to be honest, we didn't love it. Nothing stayed open late, there was no Starbucks, no bagels, the washing machine opened at the top :scared: We spent hours lamenting the state of journalism in WA and even longer laughing at the politicians. And don't even get me started on the bureaucracy After 6 months, bored and broke, we were ready to go home.
Then we arrived back in London, on a cold and rainy March morning. And it hit us - we actually had loved Australia, we just hadn't realised it. The things we thought were important really weren't. We quickly tired of a Starbucks on every corner, and we were so knackered from working all hours to be able to afford London rents that we didn't stay up long enough to appreciate the nightlife. OK I know that these are totally shallow reasons for liking or disliking a place, but we did consider the big things, and overall, we liked Australia better. Yes we were constantly broke there and living in a tiny unit, but we are constantly broke here and renting an even smaller flat that costs 6 times as much. So we decided to emigrate, and 3.5 years later we are almost there.
Rach xx
My recce was a bit different in that it was a WHV but a mixture of family life 9-5 and hard work around Australia with a tiny bit of tourism thrown in. The upshot of all this is that I never got to see an estate in the entire year I was there and only came to see one when I moved to the outskirts of Melbourne chasing the combination of requirements. In some ways my family time was far harder than a new arrival - I had no place of my own and no transport at all.
I joined expats one night in early 2003 because I couldn't believe the amount of people living in suburbia and then complaining about it and my initial comments was to suggest to people to try and see the real Australia or avoid living like the majority especially when the same bugbears cropped up time and time again. 3 years on still very relieved that we did our own thing.
Nov 23rd 2006, 11:17 am
#47
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,063
Re: how different is it??.....
Originally Posted by robos
thank you all for your answers
we are only on a reccie because we had to validate and we havent sold up yet cant make the big move untill weve sold up
since being here we had a big bill to pay unexpectadley and hubby is ill although we are not paying taxes and such or staying in our own house in the area we want but at least we have not just experienced the good life
me and the kids are loving it but as i said hubby is the one not well and he is unsure of it all now
thanks again for your answers
jan xx
we are only on a reccie because we had to validate and we havent sold up yet cant make the big move untill weve sold up
since being here we had a big bill to pay unexpectadley and hubby is ill although we are not paying taxes and such or staying in our own house in the area we want but at least we have not just experienced the good life
me and the kids are loving it but as i said hubby is the one not well and he is unsure of it all now
thanks again for your answers
jan xx
hope he's feeling better soon so you can enjoy the rest of your trip.
Nov 23rd 2006, 8:58 pm
#48
Extended Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 486
Re: how different is it??.....
Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack
...I joined expats one night in early 2003 because I couldn't believe the amount of people living in suburbia and then complaining about it...
The "how dare Australia not live up to my expectations" attitude amuses me too.
Big.
Nov 23rd 2006, 9:50 pm
#49
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,397
Re: how different is it??.....
>>I joined expats one night in early 2003 because I couldn't believe the amount of people living in suburbia and then complaining .............<<
"Number", Badge: "Number" <g>
"Number", Badge: "Number" <g>
