Our real life in Sydney
Mar 16th 2006, 9:44 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 266
Our real life in Sydney
We moved to Sydney from Auckland 6 months ago. We are originally from the UK but have been away from UK for nearly 4 years now. This our experience of living in Sydney.
Getting jobs was easy for myself and husband ( IT and finance industries). Jobs salary wise and skill wise are on a par with what we were doing in London and far superior to what we earned in NZ. Have not found the business practices 'out of touch' at all.
Finding a rental was a nightmare - the process is much better in the UK.
Houses are as expensive to buy in Sydney as they are in London. Just as we wouldn't be mortgage free in London with a swimming pool we won't be in Sydney.
We work similiar hours to what we did in the UK ( 40 - 45 hrs per week)
Public transport and traffic can be a pain but it was in the UK.
Brilliant clothes shopping and loads of choice in Sydney - same as London.
Weather is superb - not remotely like the UK!!!!
Have met 'good' aussies and 'arsehole' aussies - same as the UK people.
Huge selection of restaurants and types of cuisine in Sydney - same as London.
Despise and hate paying the road tolls in Sydney - I pay enough tax not to have to pay for using the motorways.
I guess what I am trying to say is that if you think moving to Oz will dramatically change your life you really are likely to be dissapointed. Life in Oz and really in any first world country is much the same and people have the same gripes be they living in Canada, the US, Oz or the UK. We like it here but really had zero expectations other than the weather will be nice.
Be real with your expectations, in fact keep your expectations to 'we will be living a similiar life in Oz to what we do in the UK but with better weather and the opportunity to do more outside activities, if we should want to, but sometimes we are just too tired from everyday life to do much more than flop in front of the TV'
Getting jobs was easy for myself and husband ( IT and finance industries). Jobs salary wise and skill wise are on a par with what we were doing in London and far superior to what we earned in NZ. Have not found the business practices 'out of touch' at all.
Finding a rental was a nightmare - the process is much better in the UK.
Houses are as expensive to buy in Sydney as they are in London. Just as we wouldn't be mortgage free in London with a swimming pool we won't be in Sydney.
We work similiar hours to what we did in the UK ( 40 - 45 hrs per week)
Public transport and traffic can be a pain but it was in the UK.
Brilliant clothes shopping and loads of choice in Sydney - same as London.
Weather is superb - not remotely like the UK!!!!
Have met 'good' aussies and 'arsehole' aussies - same as the UK people.
Huge selection of restaurants and types of cuisine in Sydney - same as London.
Despise and hate paying the road tolls in Sydney - I pay enough tax not to have to pay for using the motorways.
I guess what I am trying to say is that if you think moving to Oz will dramatically change your life you really are likely to be dissapointed. Life in Oz and really in any first world country is much the same and people have the same gripes be they living in Canada, the US, Oz or the UK. We like it here but really had zero expectations other than the weather will be nice.
Be real with your expectations, in fact keep your expectations to 'we will be living a similiar life in Oz to what we do in the UK but with better weather and the opportunity to do more outside activities, if we should want to, but sometimes we are just too tired from everyday life to do much more than flop in front of the TV'
Mar 16th 2006, 9:46 pm
#2
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: Our real life in Sydney
Originally Posted by hubbard
Be real with your expectations, in fact keep your expectations to 'we will be living a similiar life in Oz to what we do in the UK but with better weather and the opportunity to do more outside activities, if we should want to, but sometimes we are just too tired from everyday life to do much more than flop in front of the TV'
Mar 16th 2006, 10:06 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2003
Location: Bagworth, Leics. UK
Posts: 270
Re: Our real life in Sydney
Originally Posted by hubbard
I guess what I am trying to say is that if you think moving to Oz will dramatically change your life you really are likely to be dissapointed. Life in Oz and really in any first world country is much the same and people have the same gripes be they living in Canada, the US, Oz or the UK. We like it here but really had zero expectations other than the weather will be nice.
'
If push comes to shove, then we'll come back in 6 months or a year, having had a "gap year" 20 years too late!! ;-)
Mar 16th 2006, 10:25 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Our real life in Sydney
Originally Posted by hubbard
We moved to Sydney from Auckland 6 months ago. We are originally from the UK but have been away from UK for nearly 4 years now. This our experience of living in Sydney.
Getting jobs was easy for myself and husband ( IT and finance industries). Jobs salary wise and skill wise are on a par with what we were doing in London and far superior to what we earned in NZ. Have not found the business practices 'out of touch' at all.
Finding a rental was a nightmare - the process is much better in the UK.
Houses are as expensive to buy in Sydney as they are in London. Just as we wouldn't be mortgage free in London with a swimming pool we won't be in Sydney.
We work similiar hours to what we did in the UK ( 40 - 45 hrs per week)
Public transport and traffic can be a pain but it was in the UK.
Brilliant clothes shopping and loads of choice in Sydney - same as London.
Weather is superb - not remotely like the UK!!!!
Have met 'good' aussies and 'arsehole' aussies - same as the UK people.
Huge selection of restaurants and types of cuisine in Sydney - same as London.
Despise and hate paying the road tolls in Sydney - I pay enough tax not to have to pay for using the motorways.
I guess what I am trying to say is that if you think moving to Oz will dramatically change your life you really are likely to be dissapointed. Life in Oz and really in any first world country is much the same and people have the same gripes be they living in Canada, the US, Oz or the UK. We like it here but really had zero expectations other than the weather will be nice.
Be real with your expectations, in fact keep your expectations to 'we will be living a similiar life in Oz to what we do in the UK but with better weather and the opportunity to do more outside activities, if we should want to, but sometimes we are just too tired from everyday life to do much more than flop in front of the TV'
Getting jobs was easy for myself and husband ( IT and finance industries). Jobs salary wise and skill wise are on a par with what we were doing in London and far superior to what we earned in NZ. Have not found the business practices 'out of touch' at all.
Finding a rental was a nightmare - the process is much better in the UK.
Houses are as expensive to buy in Sydney as they are in London. Just as we wouldn't be mortgage free in London with a swimming pool we won't be in Sydney.
We work similiar hours to what we did in the UK ( 40 - 45 hrs per week)
Public transport and traffic can be a pain but it was in the UK.
Brilliant clothes shopping and loads of choice in Sydney - same as London.
Weather is superb - not remotely like the UK!!!!
Have met 'good' aussies and 'arsehole' aussies - same as the UK people.
Huge selection of restaurants and types of cuisine in Sydney - same as London.
Despise and hate paying the road tolls in Sydney - I pay enough tax not to have to pay for using the motorways.
I guess what I am trying to say is that if you think moving to Oz will dramatically change your life you really are likely to be dissapointed. Life in Oz and really in any first world country is much the same and people have the same gripes be they living in Canada, the US, Oz or the UK. We like it here but really had zero expectations other than the weather will be nice.
Be real with your expectations, in fact keep your expectations to 'we will be living a similiar life in Oz to what we do in the UK but with better weather and the opportunity to do more outside activities, if we should want to, but sometimes we are just too tired from everyday life to do much more than flop in front of the TV'
Mar 17th 2006, 7:13 am
#5
Fighting my corner
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 11,948
Re: Our real life in Sydney
Originally Posted by hubbard
I guess what I am trying to say is that if you think moving to Oz will dramatically change your life you really are likely to be dissapointed. Life in Oz and really in any first world country is much the same and people have the same gripes be they living in Canada, the US, Oz or the UK. We like it here but really had zero expectations other than the weather will be nice.
Be real with your expectations, in fact keep your expectations to 'we will be living a similiar life in Oz to what we do in the UK but with better weather and the opportunity to do more outside activities, if we should want to, but sometimes we are just too tired from everyday life to do much more than flop in front of the TV'
Be real with your expectations, in fact keep your expectations to 'we will be living a similiar life in Oz to what we do in the UK but with better weather and the opportunity to do more outside activities, if we should want to, but sometimes we are just too tired from everyday life to do much more than flop in front of the TV'
It's also worth bearing in mind that if you choose to live in the largest capital city, with the most expensive property prices in the nation, the busiest roads and arguably the highest population density, you can expect a much tougher ride than most other people in the country.
Mar 17th 2006, 7:18 am
#6
Member of Mumo-land
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: DownUnder
Posts: 771
Re: Our real life in Sydney
Originally Posted by hubbard
We moved to Sydney from Auckland 6 months ago. We are originally from the UK but have been away from UK for nearly 4 years now. This our experience of living in Sydney.
Getting jobs was easy for myself and husband ( IT and finance industries). Jobs salary wise and skill wise are on a par with what we were doing in London and far superior to what we earned in NZ. Have not found the business practices 'out of touch' at all.
Finding a rental was a nightmare - the process is much better in the UK.
Houses are as expensive to buy in Sydney as they are in London. Just as we wouldn't be mortgage free in London with a swimming pool we won't be in Sydney.
We work similiar hours to what we did in the UK ( 40 - 45 hrs per week)
Public transport and traffic can be a pain but it was in the UK.
Brilliant clothes shopping and loads of choice in Sydney - same as London.
Weather is superb - not remotely like the UK!!!!
Have met 'good' aussies and 'arsehole' aussies - same as the UK people.
Huge selection of restaurants and types of cuisine in Sydney - same as London.
Despise and hate paying the road tolls in Sydney - I pay enough tax not to have to pay for using the motorways.
I guess what I am trying to say is that if you think moving to Oz will dramatically change your life you really are likely to be dissapointed. Life in Oz and really in any first world country is much the same and people have the same gripes be they living in Canada, the US, Oz or the UK. We like it here but really had zero expectations other than the weather will be nice.
Be real with your expectations, in fact keep your expectations to 'we will be living a similiar life in Oz to what we do in the UK but with better weather and the opportunity to do more outside activities, if we should want to, but sometimes we are just too tired from everyday life to do much more than flop in front of the TV'
Getting jobs was easy for myself and husband ( IT and finance industries). Jobs salary wise and skill wise are on a par with what we were doing in London and far superior to what we earned in NZ. Have not found the business practices 'out of touch' at all.
Finding a rental was a nightmare - the process is much better in the UK.
Houses are as expensive to buy in Sydney as they are in London. Just as we wouldn't be mortgage free in London with a swimming pool we won't be in Sydney.
We work similiar hours to what we did in the UK ( 40 - 45 hrs per week)
Public transport and traffic can be a pain but it was in the UK.
Brilliant clothes shopping and loads of choice in Sydney - same as London.
Weather is superb - not remotely like the UK!!!!
Have met 'good' aussies and 'arsehole' aussies - same as the UK people.
Huge selection of restaurants and types of cuisine in Sydney - same as London.
Despise and hate paying the road tolls in Sydney - I pay enough tax not to have to pay for using the motorways.
I guess what I am trying to say is that if you think moving to Oz will dramatically change your life you really are likely to be dissapointed. Life in Oz and really in any first world country is much the same and people have the same gripes be they living in Canada, the US, Oz or the UK. We like it here but really had zero expectations other than the weather will be nice.
Be real with your expectations, in fact keep your expectations to 'we will be living a similiar life in Oz to what we do in the UK but with better weather and the opportunity to do more outside activities, if we should want to, but sometimes we are just too tired from everyday life to do much more than flop in front of the TV'
Mar 17th 2006, 9:42 am
#7
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 266
Re: Our real life in Sydney
Thanks for the karma and kind comments. Was really posting in response to 'Living the dream in Bondi But' post. I have to say that I thought both sides of the thread were pretty inaccurate and both massively over generalised good points and negatives points of Oz.
I just find it really sad to read about people's disillusionment with their new life in Oz, as we all know the struggle and cost to get here. But I think alot of people's expectations are just not realistic about what their life in Oz will be like. Yes, there are the few that will change their lifestyle completely and go from being an accountant in Reading to a rancher on a cattle ranch in the outback but for most your life will continue in pretty much a similiar vein as to the UK, in terms of working, doing house chores, looking forward to weekends and vacations etc. Same goes for finances you may have a slightly larger house but for most you won't have a sea view or a pool, and to be honest I really think people's first priority in their move to Oz is assuring they pick a destination that will provide good career opportunities in their field as opposed to cheap housing. A common factor which seems to sour people's experiences in Oz is work - if you go from a reasonably enjoyable UK job to a crappy position I really think it will quickly begin to colour your view on Oz and not assist you in settling.
It's a nice place Australia, with a wealth of things to experience, but in living here I deal with pretty much the same shitty every day issues as I did in the UK.
I just find it really sad to read about people's disillusionment with their new life in Oz, as we all know the struggle and cost to get here. But I think alot of people's expectations are just not realistic about what their life in Oz will be like. Yes, there are the few that will change their lifestyle completely and go from being an accountant in Reading to a rancher on a cattle ranch in the outback but for most your life will continue in pretty much a similiar vein as to the UK, in terms of working, doing house chores, looking forward to weekends and vacations etc. Same goes for finances you may have a slightly larger house but for most you won't have a sea view or a pool, and to be honest I really think people's first priority in their move to Oz is assuring they pick a destination that will provide good career opportunities in their field as opposed to cheap housing. A common factor which seems to sour people's experiences in Oz is work - if you go from a reasonably enjoyable UK job to a crappy position I really think it will quickly begin to colour your view on Oz and not assist you in settling.
It's a nice place Australia, with a wealth of things to experience, but in living here I deal with pretty much the same shitty every day issues as I did in the UK.
Last edited by hubbard; Mar 17th 2006 at 9:45 am.
Mar 17th 2006, 10:04 am
#8
Jonah & Suzie's Daddy!!!
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Wakefield, West Yorks
Posts: 352
Re: Our real life in Sydney
Originally Posted by hubbard
Thanks for the karma and kind comments. Was really posting in response to 'Living the dream in Bondi But' post. I have to say that I thought both sides of the thread were pretty inaccurate and both massively over generalised good points and negatives points of Oz.
I just find it really sad to read about people's disillusionment with their new life in Oz, as we all know the struggle and cost to get here. But I think alot of people's expectations are just not realistic about what their life in Oz will be like. Yes, there are the few that will change their lifestyle completely and go from being an accountant in Reading to a rancher on a cattle ranch in the outback but for most your life will continue in pretty much a similiar vein as to the UK, in terms of working, doing house chores, looking forward to weekends and vacations etc. Same goes for finances you may have a slightly larger house but for most you won't have a sea view or a pool, and to be honest I really think people's first priority in their move to Oz is assuring they pick a destination that will provide good career opportunities in their field as opposed to cheap housing. A common factor which seems to sour people's experiences in Oz is work - if you go from a reasonably enjoyable UK job to a crappy position I really think it will quickly begin to colour your view on Oz and not assist you in settling.
It's a nice place Australia, with a wealth of things to experience, but in living here I deal with pretty much the same shitty every day issues as I did in the UK.
I just find it really sad to read about people's disillusionment with their new life in Oz, as we all know the struggle and cost to get here. But I think alot of people's expectations are just not realistic about what their life in Oz will be like. Yes, there are the few that will change their lifestyle completely and go from being an accountant in Reading to a rancher on a cattle ranch in the outback but for most your life will continue in pretty much a similiar vein as to the UK, in terms of working, doing house chores, looking forward to weekends and vacations etc. Same goes for finances you may have a slightly larger house but for most you won't have a sea view or a pool, and to be honest I really think people's first priority in their move to Oz is assuring they pick a destination that will provide good career opportunities in their field as opposed to cheap housing. A common factor which seems to sour people's experiences in Oz is work - if you go from a reasonably enjoyable UK job to a crappy position I really think it will quickly begin to colour your view on Oz and not assist you in settling.
It's a nice place Australia, with a wealth of things to experience, but in living here I deal with pretty much the same shitty every day issues as I did in the UK.
