British Expats

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-   -   Thinking of a life down under (https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/thinking-life-down-under-786621/)

Amazulu Feb 8th 2013 11:32 am

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)

You beat me to it on the TV issue. I don't watch 7, 9 and 10 but they are pretty much up to date with the 'latest' shows.

Saxy Feb 8th 2013 11:34 am

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.

Amazulu Feb 8th 2013 11:35 am

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.

+1

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.

Amazulu Feb 8th 2013 11:36 am

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:

I'm glad your life in Spain is perfect but then why did you look at moving to Australia?

BadgeIsBack Feb 8th 2013 12:37 pm

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.

Agreed on all counts you've both made. And if someone wants to take a potshot at low-life culture in Australia - be my guest!

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!

Saxy Feb 8th 2013 4:44 pm

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?

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.

Buzzy--Bee Feb 8th 2013 5:22 pm

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!.

I don't think this is correct.

BB

BadgeIsBack Feb 8th 2013 5:31 pm

Re: Thinking of a life down under
 

Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee (Post 10533866)
I don't think this is correct.

BB

After the first flood, in 2010 (not Noah's)
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).

chris955 Feb 8th 2013 5:43 pm

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

We visited not long before we came here and wild horses wouldnt take me back to Geelong, if I didnt have family there I would never see Geelong again. It just seems depressing to me. As we drove in from Melbourne we both realised why we had moved to Brisbane BUT it would be very boring if we all thought the same.

Amazulu Feb 8th 2013 6:00 pm

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.

Spain - the economic powerhouse of Europe with zero Asian imports

Amazulu Feb 8th 2013 6:01 pm

Re: Thinking of a life down under
 

Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee (Post 10533866)
I don't think this is correct.

BB

yep

Saxy Feb 8th 2013 6:27 pm

Re: Thinking of a life down under
 

Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee (Post 10533866)
I don't think this is correct.

BB

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:

Saxy Feb 8th 2013 7:09 pm

Re: Thinking of a life down under
 

Originally Posted by Amazulu (Post 10533892)
Spain - the economic powerhouse of Europe with zero Asian imports

The economic state of the country doesn't bother me, I'm retired, with good pensions/investments, and live on a golf complex with wonderful Spanish neighbours (the family unit is still very strong here).
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.

Almo Feb 8th 2013 8:58 pm

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.

Pollyana Feb 8th 2013 11:43 pm

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:

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.


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