Newcastle NSW
#61
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 297
Re: Newcastle NSW
We've actually decided to pack it in here in Newcastle, and will try Canberra (or possibly Sydney) next. Hopefully won't spend another summer here.
I think we'll give Canberra a fair go, a couple years and see how we feel then. My wife isn't crazy about the place in general and we have been talking about moving back before the kids get old enough to get attached.
For us the real only advantage is the space, there's plenty of it and we enjoy the seclusion. Of course there's lots of other minor upsides but objectively, we have realised we don't enjoy the dead beat lifestyle proudly on offer.
Newcastle is nothing terrible, its all just been a bit of a mild disappointment.
I think we'll give Canberra a fair go, a couple years and see how we feel then. My wife isn't crazy about the place in general and we have been talking about moving back before the kids get old enough to get attached.
For us the real only advantage is the space, there's plenty of it and we enjoy the seclusion. Of course there's lots of other minor upsides but objectively, we have realised we don't enjoy the dead beat lifestyle proudly on offer.
Newcastle is nothing terrible, its all just been a bit of a mild disappointment.
#62
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 111
Re: Newcastle NSW
We've actually decided to pack it in here in Newcastle, and will try Canberra (or possibly Sydney) next. Hopefully won't spend another summer here.
I think we'll give Canberra a fair go, a couple years and see how we feel then. My wife isn't crazy about the place in general and we have been talking about moving back before the kids get old enough to get attached.
For us the real only advantage is the space, there's plenty of it and we enjoy the seclusion. Of course there's lots of other minor upsides but objectively, we have realised we don't enjoy the dead beat lifestyle proudly on offer.
Newcastle is nothing terrible, its all just been a bit of a mild disappointment.
I think we'll give Canberra a fair go, a couple years and see how we feel then. My wife isn't crazy about the place in general and we have been talking about moving back before the kids get old enough to get attached.
For us the real only advantage is the space, there's plenty of it and we enjoy the seclusion. Of course there's lots of other minor upsides but objectively, we have realised we don't enjoy the dead beat lifestyle proudly on offer.
Newcastle is nothing terrible, its all just been a bit of a mild disappointment.
also you said previously that if your wife goes to work its basically pointless as all her earning go on childcare... well i can absolutely guarantee that the same happens in the uk. my bother just had a kid and his wife qorks in childcare, shes only at work as they get subsidised childcare at the place she works and a small government benefit, so the child goes 4 days a week she doesnt work the 5 day as all her wage gets taken up by the childcare without a subsidy. if she didnt work in childcare then she wouldnt have gone back to work at all as its financially not worth it. she also has a degree.
i suppose my point is its the same in uk unless you have parents willing to do the childminding every day every week untill they go to school.
i managed to rent a place with no job out of luck tbh and 3 months up front lol
either way no matter what you decide i hope it works out
#63
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 111
Re: Newcastle NSW
Jewells is lovely, imo. I am in Dudley but would rather Jewells as 3x bus service to Newcastle (have teen). While it's true that you are in the "honeymoon phase" where everything is lush, I think you should just enjoy that and make the most of it. RR is in the 3-year slump phase. It's all part of culture shock and gradual adaptation.
i am enjoying it but the main thing will be jobs wages and whats left after paying bills. thats what will make or break it for me and iv only driven through dudley how long have you been there/here??
#64
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 297
Re: Newcastle NSW
if you struggle here do you have a better paid job and cheaper rent lined up in canberra? if not how will your financial circumstance change?
also you said previously that if your wife goes to work its basically pointless as all her earning go on childcare... well i can absolutely guarantee that the same happens in the uk. my bother just had a kid and his wife qorks in childcare, shes only at work as they get subsidised childcare at the place she works and a small government benefit, so the child goes 4 days a week she doesnt work the 5 day as all her wage gets taken up by the childcare without a subsidy. if she didnt work in childcare then she wouldnt have gone back to work at all as its financially not worth it. she also has a degree.
i suppose my point is its the same in uk unless you have parents willing to do the childminding every day every week untill they go to school.
i managed to rent a place with no job out of luck tbh and 3 months up front lol
either way no matter what you decide i hope it works out
also you said previously that if your wife goes to work its basically pointless as all her earning go on childcare... well i can absolutely guarantee that the same happens in the uk. my bother just had a kid and his wife qorks in childcare, shes only at work as they get subsidised childcare at the place she works and a small government benefit, so the child goes 4 days a week she doesnt work the 5 day as all her wage gets taken up by the childcare without a subsidy. if she didnt work in childcare then she wouldnt have gone back to work at all as its financially not worth it. she also has a degree.
i suppose my point is its the same in uk unless you have parents willing to do the childminding every day every week untill they go to school.
i managed to rent a place with no job out of luck tbh and 3 months up front lol
either way no matter what you decide i hope it works out
Rent will probably be a lot more, but the wages are much higher too (at least in my line of work).
In terms of the work I do (IT) its a no brainer. Newcastle has like 2-3 jobs come up a year compared to hundreds in Canberra. A quick look on SEEK validates this (granted most of the hits are false, but it gives you a good idea of the ratio).
At the end of the day, a lot of it boils down to luck. I feel a bit unlucky, having not made any ties here, no friends, etc. A great deal depends on what work you do, which crowd you fall in with etc.
Here we feel we have nothing in common with anyone. The few people that aren't Bogan, although "friendly chatty" ultimately are a bit standoffish and brain-dead, the only level they engage is with small talk, and I find that boring, and am fed up of playing along with that whole routine. For me this situation is quite unusual as I've always made lots of friends anywhere else I've worked and lived, and am generally quite social.
Hopefully you will have better luck than me.
#65
Re: Newcastle NSW
We visited once and had a fairly positive impression of Canberra.
Rent will probably be a lot more, but the wages are much higher too (at least in my line of work).
In terms of the work I do (IT) its a no brainer. Newcastle has like 2-3 jobs come up a year compared to hundreds in Canberra. A quick look on SEEK validates this (granted most of the hits are false, but it gives you a good idea of the ratio).
At the end of the day, a lot of it boils down to luck. I feel a bit unlucky, having not made any ties here, no friends, etc. A great deal depends on what work you do, which crowd you fall in with etc.
Here we feel we have nothing in common with anyone. The few people that aren't Bogan, although "friendly chatty" ultimately are a bit standoffish and brain-dead, the only level they engage is with small talk, and I find that boring, and am fed up of playing along with that whole routine. For me this situation is quite unusual as I've always made lots of friends anywhere else I've worked and lived, and am generally quite social.
Hopefully you will have better luck than me.
Rent will probably be a lot more, but the wages are much higher too (at least in my line of work).
In terms of the work I do (IT) its a no brainer. Newcastle has like 2-3 jobs come up a year compared to hundreds in Canberra. A quick look on SEEK validates this (granted most of the hits are false, but it gives you a good idea of the ratio).
At the end of the day, a lot of it boils down to luck. I feel a bit unlucky, having not made any ties here, no friends, etc. A great deal depends on what work you do, which crowd you fall in with etc.
Here we feel we have nothing in common with anyone. The few people that aren't Bogan, although "friendly chatty" ultimately are a bit standoffish and brain-dead, the only level they engage is with small talk, and I find that boring, and am fed up of playing along with that whole routine. For me this situation is quite unusual as I've always made lots of friends anywhere else I've worked and lived, and am generally quite social.
Hopefully you will have better luck than me.
#66
Re: Newcastle NSW
hehe possibly for me im enjoying redhead and the lake being so close honeymoon phase maybe although tbh i lived in some very rough places in the uk and you can normally get a feel for an area.
i am enjoying it but the main thing will be jobs wages and whats left after paying bills. thats what will make or break it for me and iv only driven through dudley how long have you been there/here??
i am enjoying it but the main thing will be jobs wages and whats left after paying bills. thats what will make or break it for me and iv only driven through dudley how long have you been there/here??
Been in Dudley just over three years but been coming annually to the area for almost ten (from NZ).
#67
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Newcastle NSW
TBH, I really find your persistent characterisations of people as "brain dead" etc a bit offensive and it indicates your attitude is part of the problem, BUT, otoh, in the spirit of BE support I am still going to share our impressions of Canberra V Newcastle (daughter in fourth year of uni in Canberra). .
#68
Re: Newcastle NSW
But to be fair, Newcastle does have some "brain dead" areas. All places do, Canberra too. Plenty of places below the latte line in Sydney. Plenty of places in the UK. Maybe "Brain Dead" is a bit harsh but I think we know what he means - places you would not be first, second or third choices on locations to live.
#69
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 297
Re: Newcastle NSW
Oh I do agree that everywhere has "less desirable" areas and folk you don't want as your neighbours, let alone work colleagues; he said of Newcastle that they're all either bogans or brain dead and that's a bit much I think. I've met some really lovely people here!
If there's any vibe you get off my posts perhaps its some kickback as I've grown a bit tired of the "Newcastle is the best place in Australia" mantra, that everyone in Newcastle seems to claim in and conversely the "Canberra is shit, you couldn't pay me to live there" attitude. Strikes me as insecurity.
I think we can agree that the coast line of Newcastle is lovely, but beyond a nice relaxing weekend getaway I have to say, that its as I've said, mildly disappointing and a lot less here than meets the eye.
#70
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Newcastle NSW
Oh I do agree that everywhere has "less desirable" areas and folk you don't want as your neighbours, let alone work colleagues; he said of Newcastle that they're all either bogans or brain dead and that's a bit much I think. I've met some really lovely people here!
Sounds like a a new suburb might uncover some surprises.
#71
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 297
Re: Newcastle NSW
Yes. I have a few companies I do work for in Newcastle and the people at these places are certainly well educated, a good chat, and certainly would live in the better parts. However I have driven through some suburbs that do not look desirable at all. It's just demographics. Something you would find in any large town or city. A sweeping statement is a bit much.
Sounds like a a new suburb might uncover some surprises.
Sounds like a a new suburb might uncover some surprises.
#72
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Newcastle NSW
Hey please recommend me a new suburb! I'll be all over it. At the end of the day, it is what it is (how the bogans love that saying). Newcastle isn't bad at all, and certainly wouldn't dream of comparing it to Bir***gham, UK, but if you plan on living here be prepared there is a bit of a price to pay for its rural pleasures.
#74
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Newcastle NSW
Yep. Sounds like they are wanting to live beyond their means.
Not sure if this works in Newcastle, it does in Sydney and London.
Jump on an area when you start seeing the arty types and a few gay couples (not sure if that's politically correct and I don't care) move in. A cafe pops up. Even a brewery or a gin distillery. That can only mean one thing - the area is on the way up and can only get better from there.
Not sure if Newcastle has this type of gentrification thing happening. Maybe in a neighbouring suburb to The Hill.
Not sure if this works in Newcastle, it does in Sydney and London.
Jump on an area when you start seeing the arty types and a few gay couples (not sure if that's politically correct and I don't care) move in. A cafe pops up. Even a brewery or a gin distillery. That can only mean one thing - the area is on the way up and can only get better from there.
Not sure if Newcastle has this type of gentrification thing happening. Maybe in a neighbouring suburb to The Hill.
#75
Re: Newcastle NSW
Hey please recommend me a new suburb! I'll be all over it. At the end of the day, it is what it is (how the bogans love that saying). Newcastle isn't bad at all, and certainly wouldn't dream of comparing it to Bir***gham, UK, but if you plan on living here be prepared there is a bit of a price to pay for its rural pleasures.