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Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by chris955
(Post 10533040)
I grew up in Geelong and spent the last 12 years in Brisbane, for me at least there is absolutely no contest and Geelong doesnt do well :D
BB |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Culture?
Europe beats Oz 'hands down'. Yes you can go to the opera and classical concerts, but there is nothing of much interest before 1788. Social life outside of the big cities, revolves around the local bowls club, with its restaurant, gambling machines and 'open mic' nights. VERY BORING!!!!! TV? Fantastic if you like sport (and you'll soon hate hearing continually about how good Ozies are!!!). 30 year old program's, and adds seemingly every five minutes. Another thing, why do they go on about places being 'inundated', don't they know that the descriptive word is 'flooded':devil_smile: |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by chris955
(Post 10533040)
I grew up in Geelong and spent the last 12 years in Brisbane, for me at least there is absolutely no contest and Geelong doesnt do well :D
Originally Posted by Saxy
(Post 10533394)
Culture?
Europe beats Oz 'hands down'. Yes you can go to the opera and classical concerts, but there is nothing of much interest before 1788. Social life outside of the big cities, revolves around the local bowls club, with its restaurant, gambling machines and 'open mic' nights. VERY BORING!!!!! TV? Fantastic if you like sport (and you'll soon hate hearing continually about how good Ozies are!!!). 30 year old program's, and adds seemingly every five minutes. Another thing, why do they go on about places being 'inundated', don't they know that the descriptive word is 'flooded':devil_smile: And the old movies on Gem, and the second channels are great, I find. It's like a UK Gold type channel. You may be right about outside the big cities - I am not sure if I could manage it. You just need to get in with an intelligent crowd, I'm guessing. In my books, many UK people are not that interested in what happened before 1960. You have to remember that even Australia has history that goes back to the 18th century - even if you pick up the paper at the weekend you can get into it bits of it. Also people have a habit of focusing on UK people- for example we had Shackleton and Captain Scott - Australia had Mawson. There's a whole genre there. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Saxy
(Post 10533394)
TV?
Fantastic if you like sport (and you'll soon hate hearing continually about how good Ozies are!!!). 30 year old program's, and adds seemingly every five minutes. Another thing, why do they go on about places being 'inundated', don't they know that the descriptive word is 'flooded':devil_smile: Yeah, the adverts are a pain but we record them and fast forward through the ads (just the same as we did in the UK) I don't get why people constantly bang on about culture (or the lack of it) - it doesn't really feature much in most people's day to day lives and if European culture DOES feature heavily in your day to day life then you wouldn't really come to live in Australia. Or anywhere that wasn't Europe. Simple. Is culture synonymous with having vast swathes of history? Is that what people mean when they talk about culture? What do people mean when they talk about culture? No, I don't want some wikipedia or dictionary definition of the word, just what it means to people. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Dreamy
(Post 10533487)
Seriously, what on earth are you on about with the 30 year old programmes? Yes, you can find 30 year old programmes if you really want to but there are a lot of fast tracked shows from the US and UK (if those are more your thing) and even some fairly reasonable Australian made shows.
Yeah, the adverts are a pain but we record them and fast forward through the ads (just the same as we did in the UK) I don't get why people constantly bang on about culture (or the lack of it) - it doesn't really feature much in most people's day to day lives and if European culture DOES feature heavily in your day to day life then you wouldn't really come to live in Australia. Or anywhere that wasn't Europe. Simple. Is culture synonymous with having vast swathes of history? Is that what people mean when they talk about culture? What do people mean when they talk about culture? No, I don't want some wikipedia or dictionary definition of the word, just what it means to people. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Dreamy
(Post 10533487)
Seriously, what on earth are you on about with the 30 year old programmes? Yes, you can find 30 year old programmes if you really want to but there are a lot of fast tracked shows from the US and UK (if those are more your thing) and even some fairly reasonable Australian made shows.
Yeah, the adverts are a pain but we record them and fast forward through the ads (just the same as we did in the UK) |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
The other question that was asked, was about violence in Oz.
Since arriving in December, there have been fatal stabbings and shootings in Sydney just about every week! I must say that my moaning about Oz, is just the way I feel about it. I think that the things that annoy me now, will increasingly get under my skin. That's why it's not for me! I think that it's vital to come and 'Look before you jump!' Regarding TV, I have mentioned in another post about 'FilmOn HD'. With this program you can watch, or record to your hard drive all U.K. (NOT SKY) program's (I use it in Spain). Check out the free 'FilmOn SD' version. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Dorothy
(Post 10533496)
I often wonder that, too. The people who go on about Australia (or where ever else they emigrate) not having culture. Do they spend their free time in the UK going to museums and historical sites? I'm not sure exactly what it is that people are looking for. Of course Australia has culture...Every country has its own culture. Australian culture is not European, but it's still its own culture.
Perth Fringe going on at the moment with plenty to see and do. We went to the Faulty Towers dinner show (part of the Fringe) last weekend and it was brilliant - an Aussie company too. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Saxy
(Post 10533394)
Culture?
Europe beats Oz 'hands down'. Yes you can go to the opera and classical concerts, but there is nothing of much interest before 1788. Social life outside of the big cities, revolves around the local bowls club, with its restaurant, gambling machines and 'open mic' nights. VERY BORING!!!!! TV? Fantastic if you like sport (and you'll soon hate hearing continually about how good Ozies are!!!). 30 year old program's, and adds seemingly every five minutes. Another thing, why do they go on about places being 'inundated', don't they know that the descriptive word is 'flooded':devil_smile: |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Dreamy
(Post 10533487)
Seriously, what on earth are you on about with the 30 year old programmes? Yes, you can find 30 year old programmes if you really want to but there are a lot of fast tracked shows from the US and UK (if those are more your thing) and even some fairly reasonable Australian made shows.
Yeah, the adverts are a pain but we record them and fast forward through the ads (just the same as we did in the UK) I don't get why people constantly bang on about culture (or the lack of it) - it doesn't really feature much in most people's day to day lives and if European culture DOES feature heavily in your day to day life then you wouldn't really come to live in Australia. Or anywhere that wasn't Europe. Simple.
Originally Posted by Dorothy
(Post 10533496)
I often wonder that, too. The people who go on about Australia (or where ever else they emigrate) not having culture. Do they spend their free time in the UK going to museums and historical sites? I'm not sure exactly what it is that people are looking for. Of course Australia has culture...Every country has its own culture. Australian culture is not European, but it's still its own culture.
I have noticed though that the good thing about some people returning to the UK is that in a few reported cases they do get out of the houses where they were formerly trapped by rain, experience some sort of renaissance and get a few tours in around the county looking at National Trust houses.... I wonder how long that lasts! |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Amazulu
(Post 10533523)
I'm glad your life in Spain is perfect but then why did you look at moving to Australia?
We came here to visit the family and to see if things had changed since we were here eight years ago. We were thinking of coming here then, but decided against it in favour of Spain :thumbsup: That decision proved to be the right one. Australia just doesn't do it for us, devastating floods (sorry, inundation :eek:), and fires across the country that have ruined thousands of people's lives, leaving them with nothing, because the insurance companies (if they could get insurance after the last lot), are refusing to pay out! The other thing, is Australia's increasing involvement/imports from Asia (cheap labour will cost Ozie jobs!!!). That of course is only the way I see it. It isn't the best place in the world for us. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Saxy
(Post 10533846)
devastating floods (sorry, inundation :eek:), and fires across the country that have ruined thousands of people's lives, leaving them with nothing, because the insurance companies (if they could get insurance after the last lot), are refusing to pay out!.
BB |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
(Post 10533866)
I don't think this is correct.
BB I think there was a situation where some paid out, and some didn't. To do with flood levels arising from rivers bursting banks or rising water levels due to rainfall (I may not have the terminology right). |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
(Post 10533256)
Yeh if I had to choose between Geelong and Brisbane I would probably choose Brisbane although Geelong has REALLY come up in the world over the last few years - the waterfront is really nice, there are some lovely new suburbs with some stunning houses and of course the proximity to the beaches of the Bellarine and the Great Ocean Road is very handy!
BB |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Saxy
(Post 10533846)
Our family live here :p
We came here to visit the family and to see if things had changed since we were here eight years ago. We were thinking of coming here then, but decided against it in favour of Spain :thumbsup: That decision proved to be the right one. Australia just doesn't do it for us, devastating floods (sorry, inundation :eek:), and fires across the country that have ruined thousands of people's lives, leaving them with nothing, because the insurance companies (if they could get insurance after the last lot), are refusing to pay out! The other thing, is Australia's increasing involvement/imports from Asia (cheap labour will cost Ozie jobs!!!). That of course is only the way I see it. It isn't the best place in the world for us. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
(Post 10533866)
I don't think this is correct.
BB |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee
(Post 10533866)
I don't think this is correct.
BB I don't think so! Many of them had just finished rebuilding after the last lot and couldn't get insurance again :frown: |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Amazulu
(Post 10533892)
Spain - the economic powerhouse of Europe with zero Asian imports
Also Spain does have the second best health service in Europe, (France is number One!!!). Where I live we average 300 days of sunshine a year, with miles of beautiful beaches, promenades and restaurants (the beaches are cleaned every day). Also the refuse is collected every day (Australians don't appear to mind leaving piles of unsightly junk on their front lawns! :thumbdown:). So you see, as far as I'm concerned, Australia isn't even in the running. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
If you're retired and don't care about the state of the economy, why do you care if Australian jobs will go to Asia? Can't have it both ways.
The culture thing... I couldn't cope with being stuck in some small town Australian places but then I couldn't cope with being stuck in some small town UK places either. Besides, the majority of expats on here seem to move to the big cities (although not all). In Melbourne we used to love the comedy festival, went to Booktown the last couple of years which I absolutely adored, I regularly went to the design markets at Fed Square/Exhibition Buildings, we went to Melbourne Open House, frequently went to fantastic restaurants. I was really disappointed not to be able to get a ticket to hear Bill Bryson speak last year, sold out. I'm not really into music, went to one really good gig but my partner went fairly often to see some acts that he loved (not particularly mainstream). It's cool if Australia isn't for you, we left too, but not because we hated it. I just don't think you can dismiss the entire country just because it didn't suit you. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Saxy
(Post 10533908)
Are you saying that the people that I have seen interviewed on The TV news program's over the last weeks, some of them sobbing their hearts out, are telling 'Porky Pies'?
I don't think so! Many of them had just finished rebuilding after the last lot and couldn't get insurance again :frown: However, as with Tasha, this is very early days so far. most of the insurance wrangling hasn't actually started yet and the figures may rise over the next few weeks. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 10534225)
Tis very true. Some of those flooded after TC Tasha have not been able to get insurance again, or have been unable to afford the hiked up premiums. I would say it might be in the hundreds, unlikely to be thousands. Many of the worst areas hit by T C Oswald were not impacted in Tasha - eg most of Bundaberg - and so a lot of those are covered by insurance.
However, as with Tasha, this is very early days so far. most of the insurance wrangling hasn't actually started yet and the figures may rise over the next few weeks. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by chris955
(Post 10534346)
Yes there are definitely people who havent be able reinsure because of being too high risk or as you unable to because of cost. Any that have been hit twice will no doubt definitely be too high risk when renewal time comes around.
Windsor, inner north Brisbane, is a good example. There are properties here that flood every time there is a mega-high tide, because of the way the creeks rise. However there are also streets in the suburb like mine, right on top of the hill, and if we go under then most of Brisbane and the Gold Coast is history!! Yet we share the postcode and suburb name, hence share the insurance premium. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by pomikev
(Post 10531445)
Maybe find a way to watch a few hours of Australian commercial TV online from there, then see if you still want to come. because it will give you a very good idea of what is considered culture and entertainment here and I'm pretty sure you will be astounded. It's like being stuck in a badly written and poorly acted high school play, and that's just the news.
Oh and if you do come for a holiday, don't stay in a 4 star hotel in sydney and do all the tourist things, go book a motel in dubbo or cowra or grafton or gympie or winton or geraldton or somewhere like that. That will give you an idea of what life will be like here once you've seen the opera house and the beach at surfers paradise, (well maybe a week at surfers would be an idea too, it's a shit hole). And the person above hit the nail on the head with the "It's the best (fill in blank) in the world" comments all the time, Australians who have never been to another country will continualy boast that everything here is the best in the world, constantly, after the first 30 mins it starts to grate on you, after 25 years one almost becomes suicidal every time one hears it. And if you don't like sport and halfwit commentators who scream at an excited fever pitch at everything including lawn bowls (I'm not kidding)..... OK I'll stop, but if you are an educated couple with any kind of appreciation for intelligence at all you probably won't like it here. Most people with a brain don't spend life watching the idiot box. God let me meet one Pom that doesn't complain all the time, "NO" not going to happen. I wish people would just go back to where they came from instead of sitting around bad mouthing another country, oh that's right UK is now called India, and oh let's not forget Foot and Mouth oops did I forget to mention that your country is so great that you left in the first place. To anyone wanting to go to Australia, go for a holiday, don't spend your time watching TV!!! If it's not for you then that's ok. Just watch out for nasty Poms, that tailgate back in the UK too. Realllllyyyyyy get a life and grow up. When traveling to any country just remember one thing, people are not put on this earth to please you, every person has good and bad faults, a good and wise person who can accept this fact is rewarded with true friendships.... |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Scottishjam
(Post 10534504)
Do you actually do anything with your life other than complaining all the time.
Most people with a brain don't spend life watching the idiot box. God let me meet one Pom that doesn't complain all the time, "NO" not going to happen. I wish people would just go back to where they came from instead of sitting around bad mouthing another country, oh that's right UK is now called India, and oh let's not forget Foot and Mouth oops did I forget to mention that your country is so great that you left in the first place. To anyone wanting to go to Australia, go for a holiday, don't spend your time watching TV!!! If it's not for you then that's ok. Just watch out for nasty Poms, that tailgate back in the UK too. Realllllyyyyyy get a life and grow up. When traveling to any country just remember one thing, people are not put on this earth to please you, every person has good and bad faults, a good and wise person who can accept this fact is rewarded with true friendships.... |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
:thumbsup::huh::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 10534770)
well you're one new member who is going to make lots of friends on here, aren't you ;)
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Re: Thinking of a life down under
Hahaha, yeh right, like I care, it just proves my point, the truth hurts.
Im not asking for approval, or trying to Make friends, people who continuously have problems with other countries should just leave and no go back to where they came from. Oops only these people were the ones who disliked, couldn't get what they wanted from UK so they decided to go to Australia and pollute the rest of the world with, Australian TV is s...t, they tailgate when your driving etc etc, booh hooh. Give me a tissue. I'm not interested in people who |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Scottishjam
(Post 10534851)
Hahaha, yeh right, like I care, it just proves my point, the truth hurts.
Im not asking for approval, or trying to Make friends, people who continuously have problems with other countries should just leave and no go back to where they came from. Oops only these people were the ones who disliked, couldn't get what they wanted from UK so they decided to go to Australia and pollute the rest of the world with, Australian TV is s...t, they tailgate when your driving etc etc, booh hooh. Give me a tissue. I'm not interested in people who See ya. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 10534861)
And funnily enough BE isn't interested in people who just join to stir trouble.
See ya. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 10534861)
And funnily enough BE isn't interested in people who just join to stir trouble.
See ya. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Saxy
(Post 10533394)
Culture?
Europe beats Oz 'hands down'. Yes you can go to the opera and classical concerts, but there is nothing of much interest before 1788. Social life outside of the big cities, revolves around the local bowls club, with its restaurant, gambling machines and 'open mic' nights. VERY BORING!!!!! TV? |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Pollyana
(Post 10534861)
And funnily enough BE isn't interested in people who just join to stir trouble.
See ya. |
Re: Thinking of a life down under
Originally Posted by Saxy
(Post 10535187)
Don't worry about it, he's only the 'Proof of the Puding'!
Now lets try and keep this vaguely on topic... Z |
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