okonumiyaki

Yes, here in Perth many jobs are not 9 to 5 but 7am to 3 pm - and there are a lot more people out and about at 6am or earlier than you would see in the UK. Number of reasons:

- no daylight saving time
- Ending work at 3pm means still time for outdoor activities after work before sunset
- Because we are 3 hours time difference to East coast, starting work at 7 means 10am in Sydney - which is usually the head office. If the day starts at 9am instead, that is 2 less hours of overlap with East coast offices.

Took some getting used to - ie. when getting quotes from tradies, they all wanted/ expected to come round at 730 am.

the troubadour

Yes Perth certainly takes some getting used to for anyone used to a night life type city. While there has been a growth in small bars, somewhat over hyped, I'd say the Casino a bit out of the city would be the main night time focus. The centre not very flash , especially later at night , with the main area for entertainment Northbridge quite limited to my eyes in offerings, with a fair amount of aggression around (not too different from many UK centres late at night)
The hassle of going out in the sense of distance to drive or ubber just makes the whole exercise questionable in worthiness for m,any, outside of special occasions. Like I mentioned in a previous post, a very home inclined population. Prone to early nights and early rises.

rabble_rouser

I also lived in Drogheda about 25 years ago (as a child). The biggest store there at the time was Dunnes where you get a Cola for 25 pence. Its difficult to imagine that its changed.

Another couple thoughts about employment - what field are you in specifically? This can make all the difference. If you are a woman and into anything STEM related then I'd rate your chances very highly - you have a very good chance - I know women are being pressured into these types of jobs down here.

Even for me a thoroughly medicore candidate I have had to push away quite a few job offers - not many educated people want to live and work in Adelaide. There's more competition in places like Sydney and Melbourne. Canberra and Brisbane are almost as undesirable as Adelaide so there's also a fair bit less competition.

As others have said about the workplaces, I agree with them. I have encountered a fair few mentally ill people about in the workplace which I never really experienced that much in the UK (that has other problems of course). Part of it I think is that there's a macho attitude towards work where you ought to be a "grafter" and just keep busy even if for no reason. The work place can be a bit of a time warp in some regards with plenty of US style corporate cringe thrown in.

rabble_rouser

Adelaide Cringe Festival! If you like provincial cringy entertainment then its for you. I actually agree that pre-covid the CBD was pretty vibrant. The food is good and cheap too but tops off at the mid end. As for jobs I've had plenty of work and honestly have to fight them off at the moment.
Of course that could all change as soon as the gov stop printing money...

Scoosh

Sorry when I was talking about the place that had changed so much I was referring to Dublin! I can't imagine that Drogheda has changed too much, however it was within commuting distance to Dublin so maybe its prospering too. We lived out in the east of the city. I remember Dunnes was a big deal! Did you ever see the preserved head of the local saint, Oliver Plunkett? Grim stuff lol.

As for work, I am a male, I have a science background but have always found myself working around tech. Worked for several government bodies and a few private ones as a business analyst or project manager.

Moses2013

What does surprise me is that many who move these days usually end up with a higher household debt than before. It used to be different and people with no savings would move to pay off their debt and now you waste your savings to have more debt. It really is a different world and more about the lifestyle than anything else. That again brings other challenges and if you are always under pressure to maintain that lifestyle, might explain why so many suffer from mental health issues.

Scoosh

Interesting, thanks! Another point in the East Coast column then

Scoosh

So wheras we all tend to head en masse to the city centre at the weekends here, is that not the case in Sydney? Do people tend to socialise more within their part of the city or suburb?

Moses2013

Even in Drogheda house prices have increased and especially along the coast places like Skerries are now seeing more and more development. Not during Covid but every now and then we drive to Dublin for the day and have walked all along the coast from Dalkey to Blackrock and around Howth. Some lovely areas but for us in the West just crazy and even if we would sell both houses here near Galway and in Spain, we'd only have the deposit for something we'd consider small/basic there.

Scoosh

Thanks, I do take it on board. How long have you been in Oz now? Are you considering leaving?

Scoosh

I'd forgotten all about Skerries. We used to go down the beach there, and Bettystown (I think?!)

rabble_rouser

Yes, and can't wait to be honest - seven years in and it feels like five long boring summers too many.
Some great beaches here and it makes for a lovely holiday but my advice is have to a plan to get out after a few years if its not for you (in contrast my brother lives on the Sunshine Coast has a boat and loves all that).
With Brexit my options are limited in Europe but I have a residency in Finland being processed so after a year of saving I'll be off.
Honestly I'd love to move to Eastern Europe but that's a longer term goal.
Its been a good life experience as I've picked up some good lessons and also figured out what it is that I like, and what I want to do.

If you can get security clearance - that's really key to a lot of good jobs in Canberra BTW. You'll need a company to put you through that process however. Software Development work is high in demand so anything related to that would be a good bet.

rabble_rouser

I agree with that. A high paying job doesn't mean bollocks anymore as house prices coupled with living costs much it too far out of reach for me here. Its down to luck of course.

Scoosh

Finland sounds like an interesting adventure. Best of luck to you. How did that come about?
Also what is the draw to Eastern Europe?

Beoz

Where is here? No one ever heads to the city of London on weekends. Maybe some might head to the West End, Southbank, etc but the City of London is a ghost town. Canary Wharf too. For going out in London many stay local especially on a Saturday night. Clapham, Notting Hill, etc. No need to travel to a central spot when it can be all on your door step.

Sydney is large enough to be somewhat similar in that it has many precincts for going out.

The city (or CBD (Central Business District) as they call it) in Sydney tends to be busy after work. Within the CBD there are other precincts such as Darling Harbour and the Rocks which tended to be the go too areas for tourists or newer migrants on a Saturday night. Locals tended to use their local precincts on Saturday nights as it is convenient and just as good, if not better. That said, if you were from an area without much of a night-life precinct you may tend to use the Rocks or Darling Harbour. Obviously COVID and the tourist/newer migrant factor has had a big effect on those areas they once frequented.

There have always been the precincts such as Coogee, Surry Hills, Balmain and Manly which were always excellent for a night out but in recent times places like Newtown, Double Bay, and Bondi, have evolved as excellent night spots with places like Kings Cross quietening right down. It seems to always be evolving.

A smaller city like Newcastle will have their central nightspot location but the bigger ones like a London or Sydney will have many. This is good. Lots of variety.

For example the neighbouring suburb to Newtown is Marrickville and it has a tonne of breweries. You can spend the afternoon brewery crawling then end up in a restaurant or pub in Newtown. If you are on the dance floor that that Marlborough Hotel at midnight you know you've had a good night and for me, with 2 kids, the next day will be a punish.

Pricing is fine too. If you are working and living in a city, as long as you didn't let yourself get dudded in your salary negotiations for for outset the cost of living is no issue. 5 million people can't all be living on the bread line. Watch out for the negative Nellie's on here. There's plenty of them where it didn't work out and they turn to BE to complain.