Perth- am I missing something here?
Mar 16th 2009 | 9:43 pm
#106
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 194
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
Beruit, I wonder where that is?
Mar 16th 2009 | 9:53 pm
#108
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 194
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
Sorry, absolutely no malice meant, I'm one of the 'good guys'
Mar 16th 2009 | 10:15 pm
#110
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 194
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
Good one, didn't know GD were everywhere, even at my age I learn something every day....s
Mar 17th 2009 | 12:22 am
#111
Account Closed
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 460
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
Having travelled through 23 countries and having lived in Finland, UK, Germany, Greece and the last decade in Oz, I may get some s....t from this... but sorry to say those few (but vocal) whinging poms have earned that name. There are those fantastic people who actually understand that they APPLIED for the right to live in this country, they WANTED to come here. And as soon as they saw it not being England in the sun they start (quite vocally) hating the place
. God forbid they had to look for new mates, new hobbies, new foods to eat, banking is different, (TV surprisingly works but heaven forbits doesnt show Corrie or EastEnders
...)currency is different, some things more expensive, some cheaper, they ran out of things to do as they were only doing touristy stuff (how about normal stuff because you LIVE here, you are not on holiday and therefore, as worzel suggested go diving or snorkelling, or join footy club, cricket, netball, you name it to make new mates, go camping etc....), live like a local and you may understand why locals love it
.I have spent 10 yrs here and apart from weekends where I choose to stay home, I am forever running around with stuff to do. My first point ALWAYS for stuff to do is mates giving ideas and if we can't come up with something we dig out local paper and find the "stuff to do" page. Surprising what you end up doing on weekends, from camping trip to the bush, jetty jumping with mates, winery tour, local free concert, footy match, horse races, diving, fishing, kids festivals, about learning local volunteer services through their "open days etc". I suppose, life is what you make of it.
I chose to live here, and I chose to make it the best life I can have. No, It's not what I grew up with but hey, I moved half way across the world to different climate, different country, just because they speak english, does not mean they are ANYTHING like England. They are country in their own right, and just because past history makes them believe they are all UK like, the melting pot created by decades of migration from Asia, Europe, US and alike, means it is just that, new country with new ways. Adjust, move or leave.
Now, ducking for cover.
Most of us come here and do not expect it to be like England in the sun and know what changes are in store. I do not wear an England top or have an English car sticker although there is nothing wrong with that.
I am in a club and have tried to embrace the way of life here but find the way of life here and many of the people bland.
Most people are in bed early and have to be up at 5am God knows why, O.K I am being over the top but I don't think I am that far off. I was out with a couple in their very early fifties the other week having a meal in a big group and we were going on to the pub, when asked if they were coming for 1 drink they said " on no, we are far too old for the pub", each to their own and if you don't like the pub then fine. I find a similar attitude running through most people here which is a lack of "zest for life" and sorry but many people I meet here are lackluster.
Perth has lots to do but I still find it quiet. If Perth had a shite climate would we live here? The answer for many is no it would be a crap place if we are all honest.
You cannot tell me 100% you have never moaned about something here in Perth it is human nature to get irritated by certain things in any country. Nothing really hacks me off here to despair but if you are unhappy things irritate you more. I simply do not really like it here although time will tell. You have to physically up and emigrate before you know if it is right or not and it can be costly but so be it. My wife loves it here and my kids so it is not all about me anymore.
All I am saying is it is more complex than just wanting England in the sun for many of us and we are not always moaning but just merely stating an opinion will often earn us the titles of whinging pomes. People are entitled to love it and people are entitled to dislike it.
Last edited by Funky Monkey; Mar 17th 2009 at 12:30 am.
Mar 17th 2009 | 12:48 am
#112
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 421
From: Home!!!
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
I think you are seeing it one way.
Most of us come here and do not expect it to be like England in the sun and know what changes are in store. I do not wear an England top or have an English car sticker although there is nothing wrong with that.
I am in a club and have tried to embrace the way of life here but find the way of life here and many of the people bland.
Most people are in bed early and have to be up at 5am God knows why, O.K I am being over the top but I don't think I am that far off. I was out with a couple in their very early fifties the other week having a meal in a big group and we were going on to the pub, when asked if they were coming for 1 drink they said " on no, we are far too old for the pub", each to their own and if you don't like the pub then fine. I find a similar attitude running through most people here which is a lack of "zest for life" and sorry but many people I meet here are lackluster.
Perth has lots to do but I still find it quiet. If Perth had a shite climate would we live here? The answer for many is no it would be a crap place if we are all honest.
You cannot tell me 100% you have never moaned about something here in Perth it is human nature to get irritated by certain things in any country. Nothing really hacks me off here to despair but if you are unhappy things irritate you more. I simply do not really like it here although time will tell. You have to physically up and emigrate before you know if it is right or not and it can be costly but so be it. My wife loves it here and my kids so it is not all about me anymore.
All I am saying is it is more complex than just wanting England in the sun for many of us and we are not always moaning but just merely stating an opinion will often earn us the titles of whinging pomes. People are entitled to love it and people are entitled to dislike it.
Most of us come here and do not expect it to be like England in the sun and know what changes are in store. I do not wear an England top or have an English car sticker although there is nothing wrong with that.
I am in a club and have tried to embrace the way of life here but find the way of life here and many of the people bland.
Most people are in bed early and have to be up at 5am God knows why, O.K I am being over the top but I don't think I am that far off. I was out with a couple in their very early fifties the other week having a meal in a big group and we were going on to the pub, when asked if they were coming for 1 drink they said " on no, we are far too old for the pub", each to their own and if you don't like the pub then fine. I find a similar attitude running through most people here which is a lack of "zest for life" and sorry but many people I meet here are lackluster.
Perth has lots to do but I still find it quiet. If Perth had a shite climate would we live here? The answer for many is no it would be a crap place if we are all honest.
You cannot tell me 100% you have never moaned about something here in Perth it is human nature to get irritated by certain things in any country. Nothing really hacks me off here to despair but if you are unhappy things irritate you more. I simply do not really like it here although time will tell. You have to physically up and emigrate before you know if it is right or not and it can be costly but so be it. My wife loves it here and my kids so it is not all about me anymore.
All I am saying is it is more complex than just wanting England in the sun for many of us and we are not always moaning but just merely stating an opinion will often earn us the titles of whinging pomes. People are entitled to love it and people are entitled to dislike it.
Mar 17th 2009 | 11:27 am
#114
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 141
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
The thing that gets me is the touchiness of the West Aussies. I have lived in a lot of cities all around the world, I am doing a project that has put a lot of money into the local economy and when I suggest areas where Perth could learn from other places I am met with a barrage of abuse: "if you don't like it then F**K off back"
Unbeliveably parochial!
Unbeliveably parochial!
What gets me though, is this thing that in Perth there is this attitude that they 'think' they are out there, but in reality they are so not!
Mar 17th 2009 | 11:48 am
#115
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 936
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
Having travelled through 23 countries and having lived in Finland, UK, Germany, Greece and the last decade in Oz, I may get some s....t from this... but sorry to say those few (but vocal) whinging poms have earned that name. There are those fantastic people who actually understand that they APPLIED for the right to live in this country, they WANTED to come here. And as soon as they saw it not being England in the sun they start (quite vocally) hating the place. God forbid they had to look for new mates, new hobbies, new foods to eat, banking is different, (TV surprisingly works but heaven forbits doesnt show Corrie or EastEnders
...)currency is different, some things more expensive, some cheaper, they ran out of things to do as they were only doing touristy stuff (how about normal stuff because you LIVE here, you are not on holiday and therefore, as worzel suggested go diving or snorkelling, or join footy club, cricket, netball, you name it to make new mates, go camping etc....), live like a local and you may understand why locals love it.I have spent 10 yrs here and apart from weekends where I choose to stay home, I am forever running around with stuff to do. My first point ALWAYS for stuff to do is mates giving ideas and if we can't come up with something we dig out local paper and find the "stuff to do" page. Surprising what you end up doing on weekends, from camping trip to the bush, jetty jumping with mates, winery tour, local free concert, footy match, horse races, diving, fishing, kids festivals, about learning local volunteer services through their "open days etc". I suppose, life is what you make of it.
I chose to live here, and I chose to make it the best life I can have. No, It's not what I grew up with but hey, I moved half way across the world to different climate, different country, just because they speak english, does not mean they are ANYTHING like England. They are country in their own right, and just because past history makes them believe they are all UK like, the melting pot created by decades of migration from Asia, Europe, US and alike, means it is just that, new country with new ways. Adjust, move or leave.
Now, ducking for cover.
But I must congratulate you on working variations of the "whinging pom", "England in the sun", and the "like it or leave" cliches into a single post.
Having also spent a lot of time in other countries, I found that Perth was actually a bit too much like England in the sun, but with many of the interesting bits bleached out and not enough to replace them (for me).
Contrary to your view about missing Corrie, etc, I think you will find that many who struggle with Perth (and Australia) are people who have a broader experience of different places and cultures, and find it a bit limiting and dull by comparison with other places in which they have lived.
I did like Perth in many ways (Asian food, flat whites, Indian Ocean, friendliness, and space - a generally very pleasant place in which to live, and I wouldn't rule out living there again at some point). But on the whole I found it to be a bit of a lotus-eaters' existence. A bit too one-dimensional (albeit a very nice dimension).
Many of the things you and others suggest people do because they are not on holiday but actually living there are things I might want to do now and again or when on holiday, but not as the basis of my "lifestyle".
One thing I couldn't handle too well was the stifling parochialism, which seems to rub off on many of the people who move to Perth.
Rightly or wrongly, I viewed them as an indicator of the kind of person that you needed to be to be fully happy in Perth. And it wasn't me. I tried for four years but I discovered after a while that deep down I really didn't want it to be me, at least not at this stage of my life.
I whinged, I moved, I left.
Mar 17th 2009 | 12:02 pm
#116
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 55
From: Fremantle
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
No need to duck for cover.
but with many of the interesting bits bleached out and not enough to replace them (for me).
One thing I couldn't handle too well was the stifling parochialism, which seems to rub off on many of the people who move to Perth.
Rightly or wrongly, I viewed them as an indicator of the kind of person that you needed to be to be fully happy in Perth. And it wasn't me. I tried for four years but I discovered after a while that deep down I really didn't want it to be me, at least not at this stage of my life.
I whinged, I moved, I left.
but with many of the interesting bits bleached out and not enough to replace them (for me).
One thing I couldn't handle too well was the stifling parochialism, which seems to rub off on many of the people who move to Perth.
Rightly or wrongly, I viewed them as an indicator of the kind of person that you needed to be to be fully happy in Perth. And it wasn't me. I tried for four years but I discovered after a while that deep down I really didn't want it to be me, at least not at this stage of my life.
I whinged, I moved, I left.
This is exactly what i was going to say... but put far more eloquently
Mar 17th 2009 | 3:32 pm
#117
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,342
From: Scotland
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
Have to say i agree with Exile. I lived in a lot of other countries and also lived in Sydney and cant think of much to say positive about Perth - its just a country mining town that grew.
As for the sunshine / beaches. Yeah its better than the uk, bit not actually too impressed with the beaches - nor though was in in NSW.
For me, its simply where i work, and at some point will happily leave.
I dont realy see what people see in it. They say its good to bring up a family, well the actual crime rates are not that different from most other big cities in the world and the deaths on the roads are worse than a lot - though given i, having lived or visited dozens of countries, am still shocked at how poor the driving standards are. (Licencing werent happy when the Mandurah office asked if the UK driving standard was compatible and i replied no, because we dont have bling one armed chimps on the roads).
But honestly, i think so many people do live the little englad in the sunshine lifestyle and that suits them.
As for the sunshine / beaches. Yeah its better than the uk, bit not actually too impressed with the beaches - nor though was in in NSW.
For me, its simply where i work, and at some point will happily leave.
I dont realy see what people see in it. They say its good to bring up a family, well the actual crime rates are not that different from most other big cities in the world and the deaths on the roads are worse than a lot - though given i, having lived or visited dozens of countries, am still shocked at how poor the driving standards are. (Licencing werent happy when the Mandurah office asked if the UK driving standard was compatible and i replied no, because we dont have bling one armed chimps on the roads).
But honestly, i think so many people do live the little englad in the sunshine lifestyle and that suits them.
Mar 20th 2009 | 2:33 am
#118
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,186
From: Dawesville, WA
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
Yes, you're quite right, but this is the very reason why I'm taking my two young boys away from WA, and back to England. I rather not be faced with two adolescent boys possibly resenting their parents for raising them in such a dull, claustrophobic and insular strip of humanity in the middle of nowhere, away from their extended family and roots. I'm not so sure of the philosophy behind the oft used statement 'a better life for the kids'. My kids were fine in England, they never asked me to move them to Perth so they could have a better lifestyle. If adults need to scratch the immigration itch, then retire here instead, but leave your children out of it. My own opinion, of course.
This wasn't directed at you ACE, I just wanted to highlight what you said about Perth being better for families and older people.
This wasn't directed at you ACE, I just wanted to highlight what you said about Perth being better for families and older people.
Mar 20th 2009 | 2:38 am
#119
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,186
From: Dawesville, WA
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
There is that word lifestyle again.Sorry ,am pleased for you are enjoying life here thats the way it should be.Fully agree can be a grand place for young families.
Do you not think it could be a little lonely for the aged?
Suppose they could move into whats it called a lifestyle village?
Do you not think it could be a little lonely for the aged?
Suppose they could move into whats it called a lifestyle village?
Mar 20th 2009 | 2:57 am
#120
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,186
From: Dawesville, WA
Re: Perth- am I missing something here?
England is a fine country to bring children up in,in my view if one has the resources to do so.
If one is not perhaps as fortunate in life perhaps Oz can offer a better deal(?)
Life does present a certain degree of ease here...although less than previous generations of migrants had the good fortune to enjoy. Depends also on where home was in UK and the aspirations of the individual.
If one is not perhaps as fortunate in life perhaps Oz can offer a better deal(?)
Life does present a certain degree of ease here...although less than previous generations of migrants had the good fortune to enjoy. Depends also on where home was in UK and the aspirations of the individual.
In some respects perhaps,if i had children i would move to a less softer option country as Australia(same language)and expose them to a different culture such as France or Germany that they may really gain something from,like becoming bilingual a true gift i feel for those that can become so.
We came with enough resources to survive for two years with no work and move back or on if necessary but this is it, this is home and it suits us all. As you may or may not know, I spent several years working in show business (theatre and TV) I did numerous national and international tours and did a few westend theatre runs. London is fantastic, I loved that time of my life but now I have reached a different phase and want something different out of life. In years to come we may feel that we want to move on and if we do we will.
