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Re: UK is not that bad
Spot on advice, and I'm an Aussie lover. One thing though, I'm not convinced on the exposure being different to Alcohol over here as compared to the UK. Marujuana is a different story though, as it is so easy to grow here.
People have to position themselves and adjust very well to become better off here than the UK. I personally Doubt if my wife and I would be Financially better of in the UK. Reason being I'm non skilled, and am now 50 years old, yet work in the relatively easy and well paid environment of Aussie post. Which BTW pays about 25 to 35 pct more than British post. My wifes Nursing credentials wouldn't be recognised at the same level in the UK either. What I'm saying it is all relative, although I will admit, that it would probably take longer, on average, coming this way, than vice-versa, to achieve the level and income that one had in the UK. Family and freinds, well yes I admit thats a major point, It was 16 years between visits for me, One visit my brother was just out of his teenage years at 23, next time I visited he almost looked as old as me at 40, 10 years my junior. One does give up a lot when we migrate, and for some it just isn't worth it. I'm now convinced after my recent visit, and now with my daughter residing in the UK, that Britian is far more aggressive than aussie though, and that counts for a lot. |
Re: UK is not that bad
:D
Originally Posted by lucky
Just a point to note - where you live may be governed by your choice of school. There are not that many decent high schools here - we have chosen Balwyn High as it has a good reputation. Because of its demand - there is a strict zone ruling that they apply - even a 3 bedroom townhouse with no garden in the zone cost at least $500k - with the average price around $750k. so potential readers of this forum should be aware that you may not necessarily get something in a good catchment area for the prices you have quoted.
. I really didn't like Melbourne to start with but 2 1/2 years on it is a fond place in my heart. There are plenty of places to go and many that I will miss dearly. We to are contemplating returning to the UK for family and finances but it will be a very hard decision to make. Where we live like many in Melbourne have several choices of high schools. They all offer different things and the choices are amazing. Far better than the standard UK education. I wish you luck! Ohh and you should be OK to hold out for the citizenship :D |
Re: UK is not that bad
Originally Posted by wmoore
According to http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339829 the changes are not likely to come into effect before next July. It's definitely worth considering, even if it disrupts your plans a little.
Also as someone else suggested, take a look at the Moving back to the UK forum. Thanks to you and all the others who have replied - I really do appreciate the links you have sent. Was surprised to learn about the July date as I only rang the citizenship line last friday and the lady said that the bill was being discussed before christmas and could be law pretty soon - the july deadline is good as it will enable me to miss the UK winter and get the citizenship in the event the kids ever decide to come to aus. |
Re: UK is not that bad
Originally Posted by lucky
- wildlife - insects/spiders - are not only in the wild - i have killed countless spiders in the house and I keep the place spotless.
Originally Posted by lucky
Just a point to note - where you live may be governed by your choice of school. There are not that many decent high schools here - we have chosen Balwyn High as it has a good reputation
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Re: UK is not that bad
Hi Lucky
I could have written your thread myself thats why we are returning to UK 10th Dec even though I really like it here in Perth there is just too much that I can't live with here and can live with in UK. If I could put a bit of Australia in with a lot of UK it would make a wonderful place. But then nowhere is perfect is it? Thats what makes this great world of ours unique. Enjoy your time here while you can and at least you have given it a good go. Good luck Plants |
Re: UK is not that bad
Sorry to see another one leaving and coming back to Blighty!
We can debate the pros and cons of life down under V's life in the UK, til the cows come home, but IMHO it all boils down to one simple idea at the end of the day: "Horses for courses"....................... Good luck in whatever you decide and hope you find your happiness! |
Re: UK is not that bad
Originally Posted by thatsnotquiteright
the concept of schoolies is outwardly very 'American', isn't it? but gangs of UK school leavers go off to Med resorts to do exactly the same maybe because 'beach culture' is not so developed in the UK.
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Re: UK is not that bad
Originally Posted by lucky
Australia is a great place - open, outdoor life and in many respects wonderful.
My story is that I emigrated to melbourne in Apr 2004 - got lucky - a good job paying almost 70% of what I got in UK and very good by local standards - kids got into school. Good luck with whatever decision you make - but before you leave your friends and family - think really hard as you might well find that they are irreplaceable!!! The true sign of a whinging POM is bagging the hell out of the UK before they left, with comments like "it can't be worse than the UK"(oh yes it can)-then bagging Oz when it didnt work out! With unfair barbs like-its far away(like we could move it closer if we wanted) or its got no culture(200 yrs old, settled by convicts and prison guards). My ancestors had no say in coming out to Australia, but made the best of it. Australia doesnt exist to be better than the UK. Australians do the best they can and have a positive attitude to everything. We are not going to recreate Paris or London brick by brick for anyones pleasure-although I have heard M&S is planning a move into Oz. |
Re: UK is not that bad
Originally Posted by lucky
If in doubt - ask yourself what is the equivalent of the "Schoolies week" in UK and you find there isnt one.
At least in Australia it's only once a year. |
Re: UK is not that bad
I see many similarities between the OP's of the 'UK is not that bad' and 'We don't like it in Sydney' threads. 'Horses for courses' and it just seems to me that both these horses don't like the ground anywhere but their home track metaphorically speaking. Fair enough and each to their own. However, I do feel the 'Sydney horse' just seemed to dislike the track from the float and has hardly set foot on the track! They'd be cannon fodder for the likes of New Life Down Under.
OzTennis :) |
Re: UK is not that bad
Originally Posted by lucky
Australia is a great place - open, outdoor life and in many respects wonderful.
My story is that I emigrated to melbourne in Apr 2004 - got lucky - a good job paying almost 70% of what I got in UK and very good by local standards - kids got into school. That said - I am in the process of returning to UK without a job etc. You may wonder why. In no particular order: - Really miss my friends/family - it takes time to make friends and I have made them but sadly I prefer my friends back home - they have the same sense of humour and common interest. You just need to watch an episode of Merrick and Rosso and you realise how poor Aussie humor really is. - The beach is fine - but unless you like spending all day in the sun - it can be nice to look at and swim but after a couple of hours - i need something more. - it is really too far away - having just come back from a holiday in UK - i realised that friends are not really keen to come all the way to Aus - the fact that it takes approx 2 days getting here and then another couple of days with jet lag - people will not really take the trouble of visiting as it is pretty hard to get 4 weeks leave - and that is what you need come this far. - there seems to be much more acceptance of alcohol in teenagers here - also they have a much greater drug culture. If in doubt - ask yourself what is the equivalent of the "Schoolies week" in UK and you find there isnt one. For the unitiated - schoolies week is after kids finish their high school - they all seem to go on a week long bender. I have kids and have concluded that UK is probably better as there is less exposure to alchohol and soft/hard drugs. - property prices here are ridiculous when compared to the salary levels- average salaries are approx $50-70k - but houses in decent areas cost upwards of $500k. The only reason I am writing this is to advise others that be careful what you wish for - you may not always want what you wish for. I visitied Australia a few times and each time - it looked great - but living here is different. So my advice to anyone coming: - do not sell your home - rent it out for at least a couple of years so that you really get to know what Aus is like - otherwise you will find that you may be unable to return - people say give it time - I felt like returning after 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months so after a bit of time - you think if unhappy - it is better to bite the bullet and return - and have a happy life rather than feel obligated to stick it out - it may sound morbid - but since I do not know how much longer I am going to live for ( am 42) - i have decided that life is too precious to waste on sticking out a place that whilst nice - is not home and does not ever appear to be like home. - it might be great to have warm weather - but when it get hot here - it is very uncomfortable - at least with the cold you can wrap up. when it gets hot - you just feel lethargic and drained. - wildlife - insects/spiders - are not only in the wild - i have killed countless spiders in the house and I keep the place spotless. Good luck with whatever decision you make - but before you leave your friends and family - think really hard as you might well find that they are irreplaceable!!! A very good ,honest thread with a lot of valid points i guess. I may think you may pine for OZ after 12 months back in this socialist hole called Britain wit hall its obvious failings. Dave |
Re: UK is not that bad
I totally agree with everyone else - it's a very personal decision and if you're not happy, then head back to the UK and the circle of friends you clearly miss so much. However I really must take issue when you say things like "much more acceptance of alcohol in teenagers here - also they have a much greater drug culture".
Not sure if you made a mistake in your post and actually emigrated in 1954, not 2004, but there are massive problems with alcohol and teenagers in the UK and drugs are so mainstream and prevelant that the 'softer' varieties, such as cannabis, grass or ecstacy are seen as perfectly normal additions to a weekend on the beer. As to the week long bender the kids go on after high school - most of my generation spent the first two years of a three year degree in a near constant state of drunkeness, let alone what we got up to in the sixth form. Fact is booze and drugs are part and parcel of modern life and the best you can do is hope to inform your offspring sufficently for them to make sensible choices about it when they come into contact with it because you sure as hell can't insulate them from it here, or in Oz. Incidentally - I think the most telling thing you said was 'it is really too far away'. Sounds like you never really left blighty, to be honest. |
Re: UK is not that bad
Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede
The flip side of the coin is that UK teenagers behave like this every Friday night.
At least in Australia it's only once a year. They will say we are over-patriotic and jingoistic. Most of them are looking to rule-the-roost and go somewhere they can feel superior and relive the old empire days. They bagged the UK, then bagged Oz with upturned noses-and if it makes them feel better I am all for it. I have lived in Oz the Uk and two other places and what it has taught me is it doesnt matter where you live, its what you do. And the worst trap of all is to fall into the 'victim status' mentality. Going on about the 'guvment' and 'asylum seekers' and persecuted middle class white Christians. Oz gives everyone a chance-and thats about it. |
Re: UK is not that bad
Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede
The flip side of the coin is that UK teenagers behave like this every Friday night.
At least in Australia it's only once a year. |
Re: UK is not that bad
Originally Posted by Hutch
I totally agree with everyone else - it's a very personal decision and if you're not happy, then head back to the UK and the circle of friends you clearly miss so much. However I really must take issue when you say things like "much more acceptance of alcohol in teenagers here - also they have a much greater drug culture".
Not sure if you made a mistake in your post and actually emigrated in 1954, not 2004, but there are massive problems with alcohol and teenagers in the UK and drugs are so mainstream and prevelant that the 'softer' varieties, such as cannabis, grass or ecstacy are seen as perfectly normal additions to a weekend on the beer. As to the week long bender the kids go on after high school - most of my generation spent the first two years of a three year degree in a near constant state of drunkeness, let alone what we got up to in the sixth form. Fact is booze and drugs are part and parcel of modern life and the best you can do is hope to inform your offspring sufficently for them to make sensible choices about it when they come into contact with it because you sure as hell can't insulate them from it here, or in Oz. Incidentally - I think the most telling thing you said was 'it is really too far away'. Sounds like you never really left blighty, to be honest. |
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