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Re: Perth 18 months in...
"If you have a tolerable job" - YES
"a mortgage you can (just about) afford" - YES "a foreign holiday most years" - YES "friends you get on with" - YES "and a family you can put up with" - YES Is this all you want out of life - NO! It amazes me to hear people complaining about how much money this huge emigration adventure has cost them or how their 'balance sheet' will look in x years' time. For me, money allows you to live your life - or at least give you opportunities you wouldn't have had without it. If everything you do in life is governed by pound notes (that's right, pound notes - not Aussie dollars - think about it!) then you are surely missing a trick Not having a go at the OP by the way. Just commenting on something that seems to be a recurring theme in some threads Cheers BD |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
Originally Posted by nixstuff
...and 12 months since I posted.
So, 2 reasons to emigrate here: 1. The climate* 2. A big ass house** *It's DAMN cold in winter - no insulaton, no double glazing, no central heating. Whatever temp's outside is inside. A pokey gas fire or wood burner don't make for a toasty home. It's taken 10 grand on reverse cycle to sort that one out. **At least 30 mins from the city, twice the mortgage, 2/3rd the salaries. Rats. Fell for that one. OK, life review time. For those of you in a similar situation, think long, think hard, don't knock the 'whingers' who've posted on here. It's hard. Harder than you think. And far less rewarding. To be succinct, if you have a fairly nice life in the UK, stick with it. If you have a tolerable job, a mortgage you can (just about) afford, a foreign holiday most years, friends you get on with, and a family you can put up with...that's all you'll ever need. If you're feeling itchy, a little bored, a little adventurous, but have all this and yearn for more – the sad news is you'll get far less Down Under. People? OK, so the shop assistants are FAR friendlier, when the shops are open, which is not often enough when you're working longer hours for less pay. Talking of which.. Work? And while you're at work, you won't be making great friends, one of our hopes/expectations. The webcam and phone remain our saviour. Or was that about people? Traffic? Oh you'll still get that, it's great fun sitting at endless sets of lights wishing they knew what a roundabout was here. Sunshine? Plenty of that, and the colours are splendid, I'll give Perth that much, no complaints there. Shopping? Well, when you can manage it, there's less than half the choice for much more moolah (cost vs earnings, there's that work thing again), be it clothes, furniture, cars, whatever. Oh, except food, which is superb, but equivalent prices. Holiday? No, you don't live on holiday, basking in the sun in your own pool (it's easier to maintain a dreary garden than a pool you hardly ever use), cos it's dark by the time you get home from work, and damn cold more often than you think of an evening. And try holidaying abroad, which costs an absolute fortune from the savings you just blew on the big ass house miles from the city, that's where the feelings of being stuck begin.. Life? Erm, hardly buzzing. The sleepy burbs are safe, pleasant and, well, that's it. And don't forget if you want a drink, that 30 mins into the city to actually find a crowd costs a $30 taxi to get back after the (occasional) trains and buses have finished for the night. Restaurants? Fab, fab and fab. Shame the expendible income doesn't allow more of this,there's that work thing again.But it's hard to find a bad wine, and there's enough English, Belgian, German, Aussie beer here for anyone. Being pleasantly pissed is not difficult, and the atmos is a lot less aggressive than any rough arse northern town UK (ah dearest home). So in all, this sounds like a huge downer, but you should hear the one coming from our friends in NZ. Well, it is, sort of. However, no regrets (apart from the lost money, but hey, you only live once), but we enjoyed holidaying then travelling extensively here FAR MORE than living here this past 18 months. But it's made us really appreciate what's important in life, not to mention given myself in particular a far healthier attitude towards the country I wanted to get out of. Will we return to 'crap' olde Englande? Without a doubt. When we can afford it. And after we've given it at least another 12 months – let you know then. Enjoy your adventure, and don't ever not do it, if that makes any sense. At the very least, we got rid of the 'what if's'.. Its nice to see you didnt get an abusive reaction to this thread, very different to the poor guy who wrote similar stuff last week. The two people who disagreed with you are Ausralians so not really an expat viewpoint anyway their home is australia. |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
[QUOTE=Vash the Stampede]
Double glazing and central heating are a waste of money in a state where the average annual temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius. (/QUOTE] Its not the average people need to think about tho, to someone from the UK average 20 sounds great, but that is reached by taking several months of mid 30's or over, and averaged out by winter nights of single digits, both of those are unpleasant to many people, especially to those from Britain where extreme temps are rare and central heating is standard anyway. |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
Originally Posted by jad n rich
Its nice to see you didnt get an abusive reaction to this thread, very different to the poor guy who wrote similar stuff last week. The two people who disagreed with you are Ausralians so not really an expat viewpoint anyway their home is australia.
More posts like this one work. The other one just antagonised people. |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
Thanks for your thread !
For me the negative sides make me realise what im letting myself and family in for! Which for me is a good thing as now i am going with a totally opened mind if we hate it we come home!! For me the not doing it and never knowing if we would have loved it and had a better quality of life (not financially) would be worse than never giving it a go at all!! Im really glad you havent been slated for this thread and hope in time you find what makes you happy Best of luck whatever your choice Kris xx |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
Originally Posted by jad n rich
Its not the average people need to think about tho, to someone from the UK average 20 sounds great, but that is reached by taking several months of mid 30's or over, and averaged out by winter nights of single digits, both of those are unpleasant to many people, especially to those from Britain where extreme temps are rare and central heating is standard anyway.
Perth's heat is extreme, yes - but Perth's cold is definitely not! It averages 14 degrees C in the coldest months; hardly Siberian temperatures, is it? I've been colder in the UK than I ever was in Perth. See also my previous comments about insulation and alternatives to reverse cycle. |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede
I coped perfectly well without central heating. I don't see why others can't - especially when they're coming from a cooler climate to begin with.
Perth's heat is extreme, yes - but Perth's cold is definitely not! It averages 14 degrees C in the coldest months; hardly Siberian temperatures, is it? I've been colder in the UK than I ever was in Perth. See also my previous comments about insulation and alternatives to reverse cycle. |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
Originally Posted by nixstuff
...and 12 months since I posted.
So, 2 reasons to emigrate here: 1. The climate* 2. A big ass house** *It's DAMN cold in winter - no insulaton, no double glazing, no central heating. Whatever temp's outside is inside. A pokey gas fire or wood burner don't make for a toasty home. It's taken 10 grand on reverse cycle to sort that one out. **At least 30 mins from the city, twice the mortgage, 2/3rd the salaries. Rats. Fell for that one. OK, life review time. For those of you in a similar situation, think long, think hard, don't knock the 'whingers' who've posted on here. It's hard. Harder than you think. And far less rewarding. To be succinct, if you have a fairly nice life in the UK, stick with it. If you have a tolerable job, a mortgage you can (just about) afford, a foreign holiday most years, friends you get on with, and a family you can put up with...that's all you'll ever need. If you're feeling itchy, a little bored, a little adventurous, but have all this and yearn for more – the sad news is you'll get far less Down Under. People? OK, so the shop assistants are FAR friendlier, when the shops are open, which is not often enough when you're working longer hours for less pay. Talking of which.. Work? And while you're at work, you won't be making great friends, one of our hopes/expectations. The webcam and phone remain our saviour. Or was that about people? Traffic? Oh you'll still get that, it's great fun sitting at endless sets of lights wishing they knew what a roundabout was here. Sunshine? Plenty of that, and the colours are splendid, I'll give Perth that much, no complaints there. Shopping? Well, when you can manage it, there's less than half the choice for much more moolah (cost vs earnings, there's that work thing again), be it clothes, furniture, cars, whatever. Oh, except food, which is superb, but equivalent prices. Holiday? No, you don't live on holiday, basking in the sun in your own pool (it's easier to maintain a dreary garden than a pool you hardly ever use), cos it's dark by the time you get home from work, and damn cold more often than you think of an evening. And try holidaying abroad, which costs an absolute fortune from the savings you just blew on the big ass house miles from the city, that's where the feelings of being stuck begin.. Life? Erm, hardly buzzing. The sleepy burbs are safe, pleasant and, well, that's it. And don't forget if you want a drink, that 30 mins into the city to actually find a crowd costs a $30 taxi to get back after the (occasional) trains and buses have finished for the night. Restaurants? Fab, fab and fab. Shame the expendible income doesn't allow more of this,there's that work thing again.But it's hard to find a bad wine, and there's enough English, Belgian, German, Aussie beer here for anyone. Being pleasantly pissed is not difficult, and the atmos is a lot less aggressive than any rough arse northern town UK (ah dearest home). So in all, this sounds like a huge downer, but you should hear the one coming from our friends in NZ. Well, it is, sort of. However, no regrets (apart from the lost money, but hey, you only live once), but we enjoyed holidaying then travelling extensively here FAR MORE than living here this past 18 months. But it's made us really appreciate what's important in life, not to mention given myself in particular a far healthier attitude towards the country I wanted to get out of. Will we return to 'crap' olde Englande? Without a doubt. When we can afford it. And after we've given it at least another 12 months – let you know then. Enjoy your adventure, and don't ever not do it, if that makes any sense. At the very least, we got rid of the 'what if's'.. Amazing post and so BRAVE to write it. I hope you aren't totally unhappy but atleast you tried it out. Thanks for the viewpoint - very useful. Good Luck with your future whatever you decide to do. Sue |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
Originally Posted by southstander
I was in a large house in Perth in June this year with nothing but a gas fire (which was on FULL the whole time I was in) and I was FREEZING. It was AWFUL. And I live in Yorkshireso no nice southern sunshine hours!
A gas fire can only heat one room at a time, you know. And Perth houses are built for hot weather - not cold. |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
wow what a totally honest post. its good to see what other people find bad about a place. To see what u think of the bad things. to be totally honest u have not put me off one little bit.But thank you for your total honesty. and good luck in what ever your choices
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Re: Perth 18 months in...
Originally Posted by michellemac
Hi there,
I have to say i think this is a great post although being a Perth girl longing for home I wish you'd found Perth a bit more of a postive experience! But good on you for being honest! Although have to strongly disagree with your theories of roundabouts! Can't stand the things myself, they drive me UP THE WALL in the UK. Drinks falling off the passenger chair every time you go aroundone - driving through Milton keynes and some partsof bristol leaves me feeling queasy! I guess it's like a preference for Penguins or Tim Tams or M&S undies v's Bonds- you love what you know best ;) :p What I am curious about though is what industry you work in? I am certainly not expecting my hubby and I to earn the same as we do in the UK, but I do expect that cost of living vs wages will be roughly similar. Can you give us an idea of what it is you do to help us see what the real comparisions for wages are? Many thanks Michelle Wages are bad so yes think twice if you have a good life style back in the UK. The grass isn't always greener. |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
Originally Posted by nixstuff
...and 12 months since I posted.
Will we return to 'crap' olde Englande? Without a doubt. When we can afford it. And after we've given it at least another 12 months – let you know then. Enjoy your adventure, and don't ever not do it, if that makes any sense. At the very least, we got rid of the 'what if's'.. So, which 'distinct line of thinking' do you fit into now though..... http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...44#post1420444 |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
Hey everybody, thanks for the responses.
Re-reading my post, I guess a lot does sound pretty negative, but I'm just stating a few things as I feel right now. To clear a couple of points up, yes, Perth houses are GODDAMN FREEZING in winter. Without proper solar orientation and insulation, if it gets down to 2-3 deg at night outside, you can bet your ass that's the temp INSIDE. We lived in a strata unit 2 streets back from the coast in Scarborough - 3mm single sheet glass, no roof insulation, howling westerly winds, surrounded by high flats (no direct sunlight), blinds closed for privacy, one small gas fire. Our semi back in the UK had cavity wall, roof insulation, central heating. I know houses are different, but so many folks we know just say 'yeah put another jumper on'. They're nuts over here - insulation keeps the summer heat OUT also. Double clay brick houses with 2.5 ceiling insulation are COLD on winter nights (and early mornings, try stepping onto cold bathroom tiles), and baking HOT in high summer. WA desperately needs to enforce half decent building standards to moderate energy consumption from their dated coal fired power stations, but don't get me started on that. Yes, it was our choice to grab a higher mortgage, but that was because we wanted to try the aussie dream. We spent 6 months looking at dreadful dingy 80s houses that needed so much work, so thought bugger it and built our own. And that's where the fun started, trying to up the spec to allow natural light, high ceilings for summer cooling, wall insulation, ceramic sinks (yep, extra unless you want orange/pink plastic) etc etc etc. Let's just say it/we got carried away, simply going for what us daft poms consider a reasonable standard of fitting. Bog basic here is the norm, forget your beautiful european kitchens ans bathrooms, if that bothers you (I know I know it's not important in the big scheme, but hey, comfort is comfort). Lights vs Roundabouts. Tell me it doesn't drive you INSANE sitting at red lights when there's nothing coming. And now left filters. Perth's roads create their own traffic chaos, by using the US system of a grid, which simply means all main roads and traffic flows intersect, usually at the worse spot. Yes the roads are wide and straight, but it's stop start. Inadequate overall planning means there's too many choke points in what could be the most pleasant driving city we've ever been to. 4 sets of lights appeared on west coast highway to slow traffic (Scarborough to City Beach) where roundabouts would have done the job far better in simply allowing side roads to intersect, and kept the traffic moving. Driving home at night was infuriating, stopping for no good reason. I do like this city, please don't get me wrong. And yes, you can grab a drink anywhere, but my point was out of town stuff just isn't the same. Local pubs, bars and restaurants aren't the same as a city buzz, all I meant was this place can be eerily quiet, and if you like crowds, noise, atmos, the city is great, but you pay a big price to live close in - Perth is a city state, the home counties being the western suburbs, and other near city burbs are now strata/unit/rental/apartment/developer city, with family homes costing hundreds of thousands. That's why we're living 30 mins out. I have a big commute because by a set of circumstances we live north of the river (friends and family around us), but work south of the river. And that's our issue. I like my job, even though the pay isn't fantastic, and I'm reluctant to change because of the commute issue. I would MUCH prefer to bus and train, but a 40 min drive takes over 2 hrs on public transport, so that's out. You live and learn. Anyway, Perth is a pretty place, the parks are wonderful (esp. Point Walter), the river is gorgeous, cycling around it is our fave thing, and picnics are tops. It's friendly, family oriented, and laid back. It's just a shame for us that the odd realities that you don't believe such as isolation (as in prohibitive to travel, not contact with family back in the UK) actually do impact your thinking, and the little issues which nagged in the UK, which could so easily be much better out here, well, they aren't. And that's a shame. We'll stick it, we're looking forward to a glorious Perth spring, I just hope those promising to come out to visit do actually get here. What use is our beautiful new home without those we really care about to share it with? Take care all of you. |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
Oh, and PS, to answer the question from my 'Better the Devil you Know', I'm obviously one of them, but didn't realise it. No, I hate Eastenders and the Daily Mail, mum living up the road scares me (we need space), but the travel the world, live the adventure is where this all comes together.
Travelling Oz was magical. We loved every second of it. We met amazing people, saw amazing places, want to do it again. Holidaying her was awesome when you have English Pounds to spend. And that's where LIVING in Oz hits home...we can't travel to that extent again. The money is gone, dreams of a Canada expedition are well on the back burner, Eurorailing, well, we can't possibly afford Europe now we live here can we? Lastminute.com? Sorry - a 4 day stay in Cairns to try and hook up with visiting friends would have cost us $2500. I'll never moan about day trips to the Lake District again. It's all hindsight, and all learned. Live the dream? Maybe. Discover things for yourself. Definitely. Regret anything? Not at all. |
Re: Perth 18 months in...
Webgum have you seen your average australian on a roundabout???
Its bloody pot luck where they will go no matter what indicator they have on. I have now got the stage where I do not second guess on roundabouts due to the near misses I have encounted. Whenever my FIL or MIL to be get close to one I cross myself and assume the brace position its bloody frightening. I dont know what they learn at the driving school but it doesnt work.
Originally Posted by webgum
Great post! Lots of truth in a lot of what you say. And what is it about the lack of bleedin' roundabouts!
Keep going, you may surprise yourself in a year's time. Good luck. |
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