uk return
 

Well not long now before we return to the UK. Perth (WA) has been a great disappiontment, poor education , poor working conditions, poor housing, and believe it or not quite poor weather.
Standards are very low compared to the UK and the most used Phrase out here must be "GIVE IT TIME YOU WILL GET USED TO IT".

But why would you want to get used to putting up with second best all the time?

Some things are better than theUK but on balance we took a big step backwards comming here.
before I am slated for my views i might just add that the return flight is full and a large poportion of the people on board will also be returning back.

The one major disadvantage of these type of message boards are by the time most poeple have decided to return they have long since finished posting on the internet.
We are far from alone in our view of WA.

Anyway good luck to anyone migrating over i`m sure if you give it time you will get used to it ;)

Re: uk return
 

Not every State is suitable for everyone. I tried NSW, but much prefer QLD. I've never been to WA, but hear from many that it is very nice.

It does depend, of course, on what you are comparing it to, and what your expectations are.

How long have you been out here ?

What UK area are you returning to ?

Re: uk return
 

Hi,

Don't mean to be nosy but have you been anywhere else in Australia? Just wondering if you have considered trying a different state as they are all so different. It may be worthwhile to try somewhere else first before going back to the UK as you may find you will be able to settle somewhere else.

Hope you settle well wherever you choose.
Marie

Re: uk return
 

I agree with a lot of this.
Questionable education and poor housing in particular. You've actually missed quite a lot of other 'poors' also!!

However, on balance it is a great place to be for a few years - at least 5 in our case - the kids in particular have really enjoyed the outdoors life.

Your case serves to remind would be migrants of a few key points...

1. Australia is not better than the UK in many areas (and is actually worse).

2. Unless you are absolutely convinced that Australia is for you (and how many can say that from the UK?), you should make a great efforts to leave the door open for your return. Think about renting your house out.

Re: uk return
 

Gawd...I dont wanna bite my tongue on this one....but even i aint that harsh!

If Australia doesnt come up to your 'Standards' then perhaps going home is the best for everyone!!

Enjoy all that you left behind and enjoy returning to the old life that for some reason you wanted to leave.

:)

Re: uk return
 

Sponge Bob
Your comments are reasonable enough but so are everyone else's above.
Horses for courses etc.
Australia is 80% the size of the US. Imagine the difference in States there! Even if you return to a different county in England, you may not like it.
PS: Did the airline tell you that the plane was full of returning poms? That's a bit far fetched now!
Safe journey and good luck for the future

Andrew

Re: uk return
 

Good luck to you Sponge Bob!!

However, I would say that if it was me I would have tried a different state before returning to blighty.

We are in Queensland and we have found completly the opposite to what you have found in WA. We get much more for our money in terms of housing than in the UK, the schools that my kids go to have been far superior to the schools they were in in the UK. They are far more confident and outgoing than they ever were in the UK and I don't think you can put a price on that.

We definately have not accepted second best in coming to QLD - we live a much better life over all :D

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Sorry it didnt work out for you, I'm curious how you know that the return flight will have a large proportion moving back to the UK though?

Re: uk return
 

Would just like to say, be happy with whatever you chose to do with your life. If that means UK so be it. Aus is not for everyone, but neither is the UK.

I do have to question this statement though:
My flight out here was full too ;) I don't believe every single one was migrating. Quite possibly it was only me and mine. Therefore I don't believe that everyone on your flight back are moving back to the UK after not liking the place.

Anyway, sure you only put that bit in to wind people up. Hope the UK is everything you want it to be.

Re: uk return
 

Hi
We are considering Perth

Can you give us some examples of things that were bad, it might help our decision.
Thanks

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there are LOADS of people on the forum moving from oz back to the uk - you are just on the wrong sub forum, dont go to the oz one, go to the Moving Back to the UK forum.
you will see loads who agree and are doing the same as you, and those who want to know why sponge bob is leaving might want a look there too!
good luck with your move, see you in the other forum
c

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Sorry it did not work out for you and good luck back in Blighty :beer:

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Like Billabong said finding QLD quite liveable and not getting any urges to return.

The social worker I worked with for a full 3 days of her first working job is returning after only months in the country, think she did not give the country a chance at all. She said missing family but that eases... and are all the family rushing here cause they are missing you???

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Sorry to hear things have not worked out we have been here a just over a year and I have too say it can feel a little like we are going backwards.We are living in Melbourne and I think it must of grew on me cause I hated it at first now it is starting to feel like home.It may well be worth looking into trying another state and Melbourne is a very livable city to settle in at least I think so anyway ;)

Re: uk return
 

I would agree with other posters on here who have tried other parts of Australia & found them better. We had a look at Queensland last year & thought it was a complete craphole. We moved to WA instead & love it. I can understand why some people don't like it here though. Maybe try somewhere else here first.

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Just had a quick look at the Moving Back to UK forum - Christ what a depressing place that is!

Re: uk return
 

poor education , poor working conditions, poor housing,
Standards are very low compared to the UK

But why would you want to get used to putting up with second best all the time?


The one major disadvantage of these type of message boards are by the time most poeple have decided to return they have long since finished posting on the internet.

I don't post very often but couldn't bite my lip. We have been in Melbourne since June 05 and the move has been the best thing we have ever done.

My son is 8 years old and is doing much better in School since he got away from the pressure of UK SATS. Their is too much pressure on kids in Primary School in the UK, learning has to be fun as well. The UK has lost its innocense with kids, teachers here are friends with the kids and create better relationships.

I disagree with the comment of poor working conditions, maybe I'm lucky but I am earning more in Oz, working in better conditions and work with great people. The people here are so much more friendly.

As for poor housing, we are having a house built on a Golf Course, twice as big as in the UK and a fraction of the mortgage. A lifestyle I could never have had in England.

We all feel safer here than we ever did. More importantly my son loves it, the weather allows him to play cricket, play golf, he is also in a swimming club and taking skating lessons.

Life is great here, I go around with a permanent smile on my face.

Things are not the same as in the UK but you don't expect it to be. We are at the other side of the world, in a totally different culture...... you just have to embrace it!!!

I know it isn't perfect for everyone but I think a lot of it is about the attitude you come with. If you come with a totally open attitude you can make it work.

Anyway enough of raving, I just wanted people who are looking to come across to know it can be everything you dreamed.

Hector

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Great post Hector, Karma sent.

Where abouts in Melbourne are you? It would be good if you felt able to share some more of your experiences.

Cheers

Buzzy

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Hi Buzzy,

We are currently renting in Point Cook on the western side. Our house has its ground breaking ceremony next week on Sanctuary Lakes. Hopefully the house will be built for July.

Point Cook has mixed reviews on here but we think its great. We wanted the Floridian type lifestyle.....gated community, golf course, communal pool, tennis courts and gym. It has everything we wanted. I am buying a boat when the house is built and we will be 10 minutes away from the boat ramp. But each to their own, a lot of people don't like new houses and estates however, we do!!!

We are 15-20 minutes from the centre of Melbourne and have been to see Melbourne Storm, World Series Cricket, Green Day, Boxing Day Test, Lion King, Dirty Dancing, Oz World Cup Soccer Qualifier... we are going to Oz Tennis Open, Grand Prix, Commonwealth Games and are going to the Gold Coast Theme Parks on holiday in March. Melbourne has lots to do, you are never bored.

We came in Winter and although its cooler, we were going to the Zoo with T-Shirts on and shorts. Melburnians think we are crazy :D but its the best time to visit attractions, no tourists, no bugs and not too hot.

It took me 3 months to find a job but when it happened I was offered 3, it was great to have the choice. I normally travel 1 night per week and have been to Perth, Brisbane, Newcastle, Auckland and Sydney several times. Its very easy to get around Oz. With MSN Messenger and SkyPE the UK doesn't seem to far away.

I have a website with loads of Melbourne photos on, if you email me I'll send you the link.

Hector

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Yeah,

I bloody love it here too! Never want to live anywhere else.