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Things you should know before moving down under...
These are a few things (cautionary tales) I think Brits should be aware of before embarking on life down under. Please add to them if you can think of more things and/or modifications:
* Moving country does not fix all issues in your life. This should be obvious but I get the impression from reading some stuff on here that a lot of people actually believe it will. * Australia is NOT devoid of a large, large number of the UK's problems. If you believe that Australia is a crime-free zone, for example, you may be disappointed. Stuff happens here all the time (Quoll recently reported some fairly random shootings/stabbings near where she is in Canberra on another thread) and the idea that these things are unique to Manchester or London is silly. Where I am there was a mugging at knife-point not three minutes from where I live recently and there is a MAJOR vandalism and 'tagging' problem. It's supposed to be a nice area though, so would hate to be in a dodgy area like Broadmeadows, parts of Frankston, Dandenong or Footscray. * The weather is different in Australia, but not NECESSARILY better. In Melbourne, the climate is surprisingly similar to the UK (unpredictable and often cold and windy) and whilst the summer is longer and warmer than in the UK, the really hot days (40 plus) are very uncomfortable and you cannot really enjoy them as being outside in that heat is unbearable. You have the risk of bush fires at one end of the country and serious flooding at the other. Tasmania can get both. If you are moving for the weather (this seems to be a major life priority for a lot of people, which is quite foreign to me personally) be careful where you go to. * It is impossible to predict prior to leaving what and who you will miss - and how much. You may find yourself missing things more than you think. It is easy to be in Britain, amidst all the British moaning and complaining, and think that there is nothing you will miss. It is very easy to misjudge this and only see the light, so to speak, once you are 10,000 miles away. * If you are in a mixed nationality relationship (which may well be the very reason for the move) you can find yourself feeling quite trapped/stifled by being surrounded by your partner's family/friends constantly, especially when you do not have any of your own around. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Good post W! Must admit, was a bit worried about what I was going to read but all of what you mention are things people should think seriously about before making the move.
The problem with family & friends is that sometimes you have to have actually moved before you fully realise how you feel about being so far away. Oh & you have the risk of severe flooding and bushfires in the North of the country! |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
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Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by willamos
(Post 7963407)
* Australia is NOT devoid of a large, large number of the UK's problems. If you believe that Australia is a crime-free zone, for example, you may be disappointed. Stuff happens here all the time (Quoll recently reported some fairly random shootings/stabbings near where she is in Canberra on another thread) and the idea that these things are unique to Manchester or London is silly. Where I am there was a mugging at knife-point not three minutes from where I live recently and there is a MAJOR vandalism and 'tagging' problem. It's supposed to be a nice area though, so would hate to be in a dodgy area like Broadmeadows, parts of Frankston, Dandenong or Footscray.
It’s NOT, it’s just the same as anywhere else in the world, there are murders, muggings, home burglary, stabbings, gang’s, just like everywhere else in the world. Too many people move here with the belief that it’s a perfect paradise with no crime. I think another one to possibly add: *People that move here for a lower cost of living, it’s not the case, some things are cheaper some things are more expensive, wages are usually lower, sometimes the same, but in general it’s no cheaper than living in the UK, and in some cases it’s much more expensive. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by canadaeh
(Post 7963472)
I really agree with this one, too many people are leaving the UK because of the high crime, so many people on here say they are moving to Oz as it’s a safer place to bring up Children etc.
It’s NOT, it’s just the same as anywhere else in the world, there are murders, muggings, home burglary, stabbings, gang’s, just like everywhere else in the world. Too many people move here with the belief that it’s a perfect paradise with no crime. I think another one to possibly add: *People that move here for a lower cost of living, it’s not the case, some things are cheaper some things are more expensive, wages are usually lower, sometimes the same, but in general it’s no cheaper than living in the UK, and in some cases it’s much more expensive. YES, indeed. * If you REALLY think that Australia is this cheap heaven-on-earth where you can get lots and lots and lots of great stuff with relative ease you are misguided and will be very disappointed. It is NOT easier to get on the property ladder here and, just like the UK, if you do manage it you will have to settle for a crappy place in an undesirable area - just as in the UK. Simple things, like bread and milk for instance, are often MORE expensive in Australia than in the UK. Aussies over the years have gone over to the UK and complained about it being expensive because with the exchange rate they lose out when converting dollars to pounds. Brits are convinced Australia is cheap because of that and the fact that when they go to Australia the exchange rate favours them. It's different when you are living in the UK and earning pounds and when you are living in Australia and earning dollars. Everyone forgets/ignores this. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Blimey, I think I'm in agreement with OP :eek::lol: It's all true but the weather thing is way too personal a thing to comment upon. Whilst many would struggle with the odd 40+ days a few places have a year, many won't and are healthier for the higher temps. Again, like the family and friends thing - there's no way of knowing until you've lived here a year or two as to whether you cope or don't.
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Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by moneypenny20
(Post 7963522)
Blimey, I think I'm in agreement with OP :eek::lol: It's all true but the weather thing is way too personal a thing to comment upon. Whilst many would struggle with the odd 40+ days a few places have a year, many won't and are healthier for the higher temps. Again, like the family and friends thing - there's no way of knowing until you've lived here a year or two as to whether you cope or don't.
How can folk say this when people can lose everything in bush fires burning uncontrollably and/or major floods sweeping across whole regions? Doesn't make complete sense to me. And why do we as human beings think that really, really hot weather is okay but really cold weather is bad? Again, I don't follow the 'logic' of that. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by willamos
(Post 7963539)
And why do we as human beings think that really, really hot weather is okay but really cold weather is bad? Again, I don't follow the 'logic' of that.
I don't think that people generally consider the very real possibility of bushfires etc when they are making the decision to move to Aus. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by sallyclaire
(Post 7963552)
My husband believes this but he really is suited to a tropical climate, hence why we live where we live. Personally I don't like extremes of weather anywhere but for 9 months of the year it really is perfect here, so this is where we are for now!
I don't think that people generally consider the very real possibility of bushfires etc when they are making the decision to move to Aus. I fail to see why one extreme is better than another. ''Really cold in England in winter, ooooh can't possibly cope with that. Really hot in summer in Australia, car steering wheel is burning the palms of my hands. That sounds much better!''. :rofl: |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by willamos
(Post 7963558)
Of course they don't, because Australia's weather/climate is perfect; haven't you heard?!
I fail to see why one extreme is better than another. ''Really cold in England in winter, ooooh can't possibly cope with that. Really hot in summer in Australia, car steering wheel is burning the palms of my hands. That sounds much better!''. :rofl: |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by sallyclaire
(Post 7963578)
I actually researched quite a lot, based on weather before we moved because we wanted a tropical climate but I think many people probably do not research enough. I was prompted to do this by all the threads on here about how freezing it is in winter, which certainly put me off Adelaide, which had been our original choice.
But hey! I'm in Australia! Should be grateful! I could be in the UK! |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Actually, I don't think it really matters what the weather is like, if you don't feel like you belong, then you won't be happy.
Sadly, you will not know if this is how you will feel until you have tried. We lived in the Virgin Islands for 2 years, perfect in many ways but it just did not feel like home to me. People could not understand why we moved back to the UK. Some things are just deep inside you & invisible to others. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by willamos
(Post 7963583)
Today in Melbourne is cold and rainy. Very grey looking out the window.
But hey! I'm in Australia! Should be grateful! I could be in the UK! You dont often get days like today, as you know. The last couple of weeks have been great for the flora and fauna. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by willamos
(Post 7963583)
Today in Melbourne is cold and rainy. Very grey looking out the window.
But hey! I'm in Australia! Should be grateful! I could be in the UK! Personally I think it's great....water is definitely something we need more of around here! |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by willamos
(Post 7963539)
I've always been puzzled though by the oft stated cliche that Australia has better weather than the UK.
How can folk say this when people can lose everything in bush fires burning uncontrollably and/or major floods sweeping across whole regions? Doesn't make complete sense to me. And why do we as human beings think that really, really hot weather is okay but really cold weather is bad? Again, I don't follow the 'logic' of that. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Oh oh, another one to add to the list:
* The work life balance people, you know the ones that come out here thinking they will get more time at home with family because apparently in Australia we don’t have traffic or long commute times, lol Ok, I’ll admit in Canberra it’s not that bad, but other cities in Australia I have lived in the traffic is just as bad as the UK... sometimes worse, and the public transport can be a lot worse depending on which city you are in. But the people that think that traffic and long commutes don’t exist here just make me laugh :rofl: |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Just as in the UK, it varies considerably!
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Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Interesting post. However, it should be said that migrating to Australia, which is the size of the USA offers the chance for the immigrant to settle in places they want to settle, whereas they may have been financially trapped in the UK into one region by property or job.
For many it can be a "do over" or clean slate to start again. If I wanted to live in a place which could be cold rainy then perhaps I would consider Melbourne, Tasmania etc. If I wanted 300+ days of sunshine and heat then I would move to where I live now People also have different views. For example, having a partner who has an existing circle of family and friends isn't a bad thing. Some may be thankful that they can automatically get a head start on making some new ones and an existing support network. Whilst a list of cautionary tales is a good thing, people should be mindful that there are a great many positives also and it would greatly depend on your own personal point of view and attitudes. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
The lessons I have learned are don't underestimate the strength of the friendships you may have forged in Australia. People can rally round when you least expect it and you dont necessarily have to have been here for yonks to have good friends - support I might add which can (in my case), equal that of family and I have made friends that I am proud to know.
Don't underestimate how isolating and desperate you can feel if you get 'that phone call' from the UK. You push those thoughts to the back of your head when you plan your migration, almost as though you cant envisage it happening. But when it does, it's horrible and you are not 'only 24 hours away' - you can be several thousand dollars away, you are relying on there being a flight available, you are relying on having the funds in the first place. 'only 24 hours' can be a lifetime if you are making 'that trip' home. The world is a small place when it comes to Facebook, British Expats, MSN, webcams and telephones. It is also bloody enormous and hostile when you need to be with your loved ones in a crisis. Basically, you won't know how you feel until you get here. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by canadaeh
(Post 7963627)
Oh oh, another one to add to the list:
* The work life balance people, you know the ones that come out here thinking they will get more time at home with family because apparently in Australia we don’t have traffic or long commute times, lol Ok, I’ll admit in Canberra it’s not that bad, but other cities in Australia I have lived in the traffic is just as bad as the UK... sometimes worse, and the public transport can be a lot worse depending on which city you are in. But the people that think that traffic and long commutes don’t exist here just make me laugh :rofl: * Traffic in and around Melbourne is VERY heavy. Drove my wife's cousin's wife to the airport recently (she's English, lives in UAE and has family in NZ so she's familiar with a fair few places) and she could not believe how congested the road to the airport was. People have this bizarre notion that only the UK has busy roads. And here's another: * Working hours. People seem to have this wacky idea that living in Australia means having a 3 or 4 day weekend and only working until about 2 in the afternoon most days and then off to the beach. Get real! |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by willamos
(Post 7963647)
And here's another:
* Working hours. People seem to have this wacky idea that living in Australia means having a 3 or 4 day weekend and only working until about 2 in the afternoon most days and then off to the beach. Get real! |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by moneypenny20
(Post 7963696)
Really? Who thinks that? No one I know in the UK assumes that, I've certainly never heard it mentioned. Everyone I know (a minor blip in the 61 million granted) assume that people work in Aus in much the same way as the UK ie 9-5 Monday - Friday (roughly). They assume we go to the beach a fair bit but that's because we do :D
This wifie was using her husbands working hours as the reason they had to move to Aus. The whole premise of the show was that Aus working hours were shorter and the family would have so much more time to spend together. Then when they got to Sydney and saw the house prices she expected him to work even longer hours than he did in the UK to pay for it! :D |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Dont move because by grabbing the atlas and calculator you have decided that each aussie has 28,000 acres of space each compared to one person per inch in the UK.
Especially not if your going to move to Northlakes/fields/meadows/forest ;) where you will be 1metre from your screaming neighbours who love to live outside ( your bedroom window ) :eek: |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by willamos
(Post 7963407)
These are a few things (cautionary tales) I think Brits should be aware of before embarking on life down under. Please add to them if you can think of more things and/or modifications:
* Moving country does not fix all issues in your life. This should be obvious but I get the impression from reading some stuff on here that a lot of people actually believe it will. * Australia is NOT devoid of a large, large number of the UK's problems. If you believe that Australia is a crime-free zone, for example, you may be disappointed. Stuff happens here all the time (Quoll recently reported some fairly random shootings/stabbings near where she is in Canberra on another thread) and the idea that these things are unique to Manchester or London is silly. Where I am there was a mugging at knife-point not three minutes from where I live recently and there is a MAJOR vandalism and 'tagging' problem. It's supposed to be a nice area though, so would hate to be in a dodgy area like Broadmeadows, parts of Frankston, Dandenong or Footscray. * The weather is different in Australia, but not NECESSARILY better. In Melbourne, the climate is surprisingly similar to the UK (unpredictable and often cold and windy) and whilst the summer is longer and warmer than in the UK, the really hot days (40 plus) are very uncomfortable and you cannot really enjoy them as being outside in that heat is unbearable. You have the risk of bush fires at one end of the country and serious flooding at the other. Tasmania can get both. If you are moving for the weather (this seems to be a major life priority for a lot of people, which is quite foreign to me personally) be careful where you go to. * It is impossible to predict prior to leaving what and who you will miss - and how much. You may find yourself missing things more than you think. It is easy to be in Britain, amidst all the British moaning and complaining, and think that there is nothing you will miss. It is very easy to misjudge this and only see the light, so to speak, once you are 10,000 miles away. * If you are in a mixed nationality relationship (which may well be the very reason for the move) you can find yourself feeling quite trapped/stifled by being surrounded by your partner's family/friends constantly, especially when you do not have any of your own around. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by jad n rich
(Post 7963727)
Dont move because by grabbing the atlas and calculator you have decided that each aussie has 28,000 acres of space each compared to one person per inch in the UK.
Especially not if your going to move to Northlakes/fields/meadows/forest ;) where you will be 1metre from your screaming neighbours who love to live outside ( your bedroom window ) :eek: |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Dont move to aus because its only a days flight away - try that freaking flight a few times then say it:lol:
Dont move to aus cause you can always just go back.... ummm , kids, family, spouse loves it you hate it, education, house prices, exchange rate, jobs, economic turmoil, kids wont come with you, spouse wont come with you, divorce, financial ruin...... :lol: |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Dont move to aus because you watched WDU :rofl:
Dont move to aus because its your spouses 'dream' but the idiot has never actually been there. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by willamos
(Post 7963583)
Today in Melbourne is cold and rainy. Very grey looking out the window.
But hey! I'm in Australia! Should be grateful! I could be in the UK! |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by willamos
(Post 7963539)
I've always been puzzled though by the oft stated cliche that Australia has better weather than the UK.
How can folk say this when people can lose everything in bush fires burning uncontrollably and/or major floods sweeping across whole regions? Doesn't make complete sense to me. And why do we as human beings think that really, really hot weather is okay but really cold weather is bad? Again, I don't follow the 'logic' of that. Move here for the weather and the space. Period. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by jimbo_d
(Post 7963753)
But that's Melbourne, the weather is renowned for being shite, the place is either really cold or on fire, everyone knows that before they move. Re: bushfires, yes they happen, but they don't affect 95% of Aussies as they don't live in the bush, most people live in cities
I think that is a bit of a generalisation there. Not everybody 'knows' that before they move. It is simply an opinion of some people. And surely the second part of your statement contradicts the first anyway? The whole of Melbourne is not cold or on fire - as you have pointed out the bushfires don't affect ~95% of us because they do not happen in the city. And(at the risk of getting jumped on by the anti-melbourne brigade ) IMO some of the time it is warm and not on fire. For some people some of the time it is just perfect. Trust me.:) |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Everyone moves to Aus for different reasons so it's daft to suggest any reason is daft:blink:
Be realistic, there are still bills, weather changes, crime, graffiti, traffic, blah, blah, blah...if you manage your own expectations and only listen to your own reasons for moving you'll be OK. Do the research and don't run away from anything. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by jad n rich
(Post 7963727)
Dont move because by grabbing the atlas and calculator you have decided that each aussie has 28,000 acres of space each compared to one person per inch in the UK.
Especially not if your going to move to Northlakes/fields/meadows/forest ;) where you will be 1metre from your screaming neighbours who love to live outside ( your bedroom window ) :eek: Surely if you want to move to somewhere with a low popultation density you could move to the Falkland Islands or Mongolia? If you want better weather and low density try Namibia.;) |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
The weather is not like the UK for example it does not rain alll the time here in Melbourne, in fact we have had drought for over ten years now. Fortunately we are now getting back to a more positive rainfall in late winter early spring and we need that to keep our trees alive through the summer.
We do get frosts but the days are bright and sunny after them and there are not a lot of them. The ground does not freeze here. Fog is not a problem. Damp it is not, dry climate in Melbourne. Australia is different that is why we emigrate is it not for difference, not Britain in the Sun if you want that I guess Spain may be the place. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Yes but they speak Spanish there!;)
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Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by Petals
(Post 7963821)
Australia is different that is why we emigrate is it not for difference, not Britain in the Sun if you want that I guess Spain may be the place.
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Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by Lord_Farquar
(Post 7963816)
Makes me laugh when people use that as an excuse to move to Australia, then go and live in suburbia? Oh but we have a big house and a swimming pool?!.
Surely if you want to move to somewhere with a low popultation density you could move to the Falkland Islands or Mongolia? If you want better weather and low density try Namibia.;) |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by sallyclaire
(Post 7963828)
Yes but they speak Spanish there!;)
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Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by willamos
(Post 7963407)
These are a few things (cautionary tales) I think Brits should be aware of before embarking on life down under. Please add to them if you can think of more things and/or modifications:
* Moving country does not fix all issues in your life. This should be obvious but I get the impression from reading some stuff on here that a lot of people actually believe it will. * Australia is NOT devoid of a large, large number of the UK's problems. If you believe that Australia is a crime-free zone, for example, you may be disappointed. Stuff happens here all the time (Quoll recently reported some fairly random shootings/stabbings near where she is in Canberra on another thread) and the idea that these things are unique to Manchester or London is silly. Where I am there was a mugging at knife-point not three minutes from where I live recently and there is a MAJOR vandalism and 'tagging' problem. It's supposed to be a nice area though, so would hate to be in a dodgy area like Broadmeadows, parts of Frankston, Dandenong or Footscray. * The weather is different in Australia, but not NECESSARILY better. In Melbourne, the climate is surprisingly similar to the UK (unpredictable and often cold and windy) and whilst the summer is longer and warmer than in the UK, the really hot days (40 plus) are very uncomfortable and you cannot really enjoy them as being outside in that heat is unbearable. You have the risk of bush fires at one end of the country and serious flooding at the other. Tasmania can get both. If you are moving for the weather (this seems to be a major life priority for a lot of people, which is quite foreign to me personally) be careful where you go to. * It is impossible to predict prior to leaving what and who you will miss - and how much. You may find yourself missing things more than you think. It is easy to be in Britain, amidst all the British moaning and complaining, and think that there is nothing you will miss. It is very easy to misjudge this and only see the light, so to speak, once you are 10,000 miles away. * If you are in a mixed nationality relationship (which may well be the very reason for the move) you can find yourself feeling quite trapped/stifled by being surrounded by your partner's family/friends constantly, especially when you do not have any of your own around. |
Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Originally Posted by kporte
(Post 7963955)
Good post.
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Re: Things you should know before moving down under...
Things you should also know:
As a new arrival to Australia, you may seek advice from Aussies and other expats. Be aware though that your concerns and complaints can often be met with anything from laughter, eye-rolling and comments like "well, that never happened to me" and then to plain, out and out verbal abuse. Its a big no-no to be a whinging pom in Australia but yet virtually impossible to avoid so if the opportunity arises to point the finger elsewhere and scoff at other poms then you are encouraged to do so. Contrary to what other Brits tell you ('well, that never happened to me'), your accent is music to the salesmens ears - if you look close enough, you will see dollar signs. Be aware that your real estate agent/salesmen/builder will fleece you for every cent so take all the 'bloody oath, mate' stuff with a pinch of salt. I hold this view so firmly that Im tempted to go back into the used car business. :D:D |
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