deb68

We miss the green rambling hills of malvern the cold clean flowing waters of a mid wales stream/river, the spring call of awakening birds, the local chippy and it's friday night smell as you drive passed.
But at the same time we love the perfect sunsets here, the ever so weird sound of calling parrots as they fly by, the thud of a roo as it hops passed in the local park and the smell of nothing just clean fresh sea air, how lucky we are to have witnessed both and ended here

the troubadour

I think this is very true. One of the rather unfortuanate effects of the over materialitic,individualistic, self centred society that competion has fostered on us.

77hil

I think the horrible cost cutting, money pinching atmosphere of the UK is just as bad though. I came back from days working in the NHS in tears as the management didn't give a stuff about the quality of my sessions with patients. All they cared about were targets. I think we shouldn't over-romanticise the UK too much.

the troubadour

Indeed. Left London in 92 as wasn't entirely happy with the changes around me that resulted in a far less relaxed city and more concerned with personal gain and moved to France which found working in my area more people centred.

I do consider there is a difference of sorts in that London still has a not insignificant proportion of the population that remains left of thought and rather resistant to the worst aspects corporate thinking and capitalism.

Here there seems to be a greater acceptance to the excesses or at least far less difference.

Pollyana

Not necessarily true. There are posters that you can apply that too, but there are also people who don't blame Australia for the fact we are here.
Some of us are here because we decided to come here thinking it was a good move and because of the decisions WE have made it hasn't worked out that way. I for one don't blame Australia for the mess I'm in, the whole thing is down to me and the choices I have made over the last 8 years. If I'm in a mess its my fault, being in Australia doesn't help, but even if I was in the UK I would still be in the same position, divorced, no money, friends walking away from me etc.
I still moan about things in Australia which p*ss me off same as I would moan about things in the UK, but blame Australia? No, I blame myself.

Wol

Of course it does - otherwise it would be hearsay. One's own experiences may not be similar to someone else's but comparing opposite viewpoints should be part of your research.

deb68

If your coming over with little in the way of funds, and no job lined up it will be hard to settle in. It can and as been done by many (including us) BUT it is harder than you might think.
Everything here is more expensive than the UK, especially if your living off your 'nest egg' until you manage to find work.
Finding work, yeah there are jobs here (lots of them) but the waiting for replies and paperwork trails you go through make it yet another adventure in the lifestyle that is Australia.
So in short if you really want it, come and have a go - but remember, it is not the pot of gold you are most likely thinking it is.
That is of course unless you have access to money that is limitless in supply
and your just happy to be here in the sun in your pool with a drink while the BBQ burns a few burgers for ya
Theres a car sticker here and it clearly states:
if your not happy here - leave.

BadgeIsBack

I wonder this sometimes. I blame the fact that I am a generally enterprising and a bit of a adventurer. For me, pedestrian life in the UK was not for me. But maybe it might not have been pedestrian - who knows? I knew Australia would give us the best of both worlds.

Nice post.

You know what, Slappy, personally, I find some negative comments almost silly, churlish, and a case of sad grapes which almost undermines the original point. And sometimes you get an insight into the character of the poster and you wonder if there is more than a poor Australian experience? Unfortunately this colours the argument, I feel. People can say the same about those happy with their lot - but - as I've said before - at least they are happy.

There was a time when the entire forum was waiting for a visa barely concealing their excitement...hundreds of them Sir!!

Comments like this tend not to help. Not yours personally - are you quoting someone - I mean. One of the saddest things about BE is when people make up their minds about how 'bad' Australia is when they haven't cottoned on to the fact it is just bad for them, and that other people are having better experiences. It actually makes it quite hard for everyone. I've never got the need people have to almost be proud that their life is not so great - it's sort of an issue they have to wear, after all.

Pollyana

But if you put the boot on the other foot Badge, you spend a lot of your time on here telling us how great your life is. Now how do you think that makes some people feel when they are having a lousy time, no money, job sucks, family aren't as perfect as some other families..........hearing about people who have an amazing life with everything going right can be just as depressing as hearing about a life where everything is going wrong.
No-one ever tells the owners of the near-perfect lives to shut up, so why should it apply to those of us with less than perfection? We have as much right to talk about our lives as anyone else.

BadgeIsBack

Another post - sorry - I lost a fair bit....had to deal with one of the kids..

This one comes up from time to time. You are right. For those with connections...they might be strong..This is BE, but I don't consider myself an expat -I find the connotation with being an expat at times almost a insult.(!) To be fair - I HAVE been an expat elsewhere which might explain it.

I don't think Australia has changed that much. All this price inflation is price inflation for specific reasons - and we are seeing lots of people complaining about retail prices in some sectors. Price inflation has happened for ever.. at times seemingly a lot faster than last time. (Ask your parents). They might start heading down in some sectors in a few years. People are shopping elsewhere and taking notice.

But the FX rate and the house prices have f**cked it for most. I wouldn't say it was a good idea for most people. 2007 was probably the last chance.

BadgeIsBack

I don't mate - infact I have very good reasons to tell the occasional story of something positive rather than negative. I just speak out when I have to say that things ain't so bad - and explain why. Demographics...etc...There are aspects of my life that are ordinary but why bore people.

No one is saying that noone can speak out - just that negative people being negative don't always come over the best.

Pollyana

Now to make friends and influence people?

Nor do people being ultra-positive though. I'm not saying there's anything wrong in anyone's posts, but just as some people get depressed by the negative posts about how expensive it is to live here, some people may also get depressed at finding that there are people on here that can spend a whole week's family food budget on one shirt. Its just the other side of the coin - to some people that kind of spending is normal, to others its just depressing.

eddie007

Actually, I reckon its more like 60% of days when you can be out side.... 20% are too hot, 5% are too wet and 15% you're too bloody hung over to get out of bed....

rasen78

Only 15% Eddie?

BadgeIsBack

:-)

Expats famously behaving as expats are the subject of derision all over the world. In some circles you were ostracised if you insisted on behaving badly.

Some of us have seen it all elsewhere - not just Australia.