NickyC if Coogee is anything like Bondi then I doubt you see anything dangerous. You are right about the cockies. It is fun killing them but annoying when you find them in your electrical equipment.

*doh*

I still have excellent taste though

InDUPitably!

To get back to 'NZ or Aus?', the main differences if you need a job might be:

Aus population 20 million, NZ 4 million
Aus GDP per capita USD 25K (nearly same as UK), NZ 15K (2001 data)
Aus more and bigger cities
Aus diverse industries to choose from compared to NZ (latter: mostly primary industry/ tourism)
Aus: more developed infrastructure
NZ: growing faster (inward migration as % of existing pop)
Aus: growing faster (absolute migration increase pa)

Straying briefly OT again (sorry!) - DUP, its so long since I heard that catch phrase, I just curled up laughing!!! He was a VERY funny guy!

Bless you, Polly! My efforts were not in vain!!

(Shame there isn't a smiley showing DUP wiping a tear from the corner of his eye...! )

Hes just showing his age Polly (oops so are you )

Now listen, Sprog......

I'm 49, going on 15.... (try saying it out aloud, very fast)

Mr. Old Fart, Sir.

ROFL!!

Buttercup

No, she wasnt scared, as Mrs Dagboy said "Information & education goes along way to alleiviating fear of the *boogeyman*. "

I'm still scared of spiders though, I haven't been educated yet

I've been in our current house for 12 months now, and we had our first spider in the house last week, and co-incedentaly the first cockroach that I've seen aswell. So we had the pest control people in again, and so we should be OK for another 12 months of pest free living.

The only thing I've been bitten by in OZ is the mozzies, England was different, I got bitten by a snake in Cornwall. Haven't even seen one here.

I agree with Ceri on this, go to both countries and see which you prefer - I lived in Oz for a while ( very short only 9 months) and have lived in NZ for just over a year, and to me NZ wins - but I think it is personal preference and experiences/chances you have in each country.

I was offered a job in Oz about 6 years ago but at that time it wouldn't have been a good move - then last year I got the job in NZ and have never looked back.

Ps I have never seen a spider in NZ???? and saw many huuuge ones in Oz but that didn't put me off!

Hi there,

It's just an opinion, but wherever you move, you'll find downsides in every country. What you hate in the UK at present may be enough to convince you to give it a go, and I would too, but there are as many negatives in Oz or Nz as there are in the UK...they are just different downsides....Personally, I'd have a really good asessment of what you do like and have in the UK (good lifestyle, house, cars, holidays, job, maybe a business etc) and what you don't like...it's always possible to move within the UK and find more of what you want...it's harder to go back 12,000 miles...and more costly. I'm not saying, dont do it, I'm just saying you should make sure it's the right move and ensure you get the paperwork approved in advance of making the move.

all the best, whatever you do, Rich.

Ah, Mrs D. I'm afraid I've found the flaw in your reasoning:

When I picked Mrs DUP up from work, I was telling her about this thread, and when I came out with Kenny's catchphrase she immediately said "Oh! Kenny Everett! I remember his show."

The point? Mrs DUP is a mere slip of a girl (26), so there goes your 'showing his age' argument!! Ha!!

DUP: 1, Mrs.D 0

Thanks for some really constructive comments from you all (what a lovely bunch you are ) I would love to be able to visit both countries, but as funds are short, and I want to move while my children are small, Its not going to be possible. However, the comments from you guys have been enough to convince me that oz has more to offer us as a young (ish!) family and pest control just becomes a way of life LOL

DUP, that'll teach her to laugh it us! Tee Hee!!!