I couldn't put it as a percentage difference, but I would say that there are many different opportunities in Oz. The main difference is whether you choose to make the most of them or not.

The opportunities we have here in Melbourne that we didn't have in Watford include being able to drive to ski slopes in 4 hours ish (not done that yet because Pam is pregnant), drive to a beach in 10 minutes (which also has a lovely park with playground and free BBQ's), visit numerous vineyards, scuba dive in Port Philip, see wild dolphins, play world class golf courses without paying an arm and a leg, see spectacular scenery (Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula) within a couple of hours drive. More mundane, we are renting a 3 bed house on a golf course estate with free gym, pool and tennis courts for less than the cost of renting a 2 bed flat in Watford. It may not be for everyone, but we love it (especially as the house comes with a golf membership ).

Australia is not without problems that you could experience in many other countries, but it is a place that can be hugely enjoyable. It depends on whether you want to moan about the lack of prawn cocktail crisps and decent curries, or make a bit of effort and enjoy yourself.

That's one of the most meaningful comments I've read recently and made me think, too.

Those who imagine that moving down under is going to be better in every way will be due for a shock to their systems.

Some things may be better, some may be much worse - things are different and that's the bottom line. It's obvious, really!

australia isn't better, it's just different.

some things are better in the uk, some are better in oz.

on balance, i'd say it's the same.

Agreed. Not much to add really.

we have more time to ourselves as we don't spend as much time commuting-or at work come to that.

Weekends can be same as anywhere- doing house things, but also going out and enjoying reasonably priced activities- beach, parks, bike trails etc

Australia is better because, unlike the UK, everybody doesn't hate each other.

tell that to the serbs and croats in sydney, or the aboriginals that hate the white man, or the toowoomban racists that don't like the immigrants....

All small minorities, exceptions to the rule.

just the same as in the uk then

Rubbish.

Sctots and Welsh hate the English, Northerners hate Southerners. people who talk "posh" are resented by those that don't. Mancs hate Scousers.

The Cornish call everyone who isn't Cornish "emmets".

Every football team has another team they HATE, hate being the operative word. Rangers/Celtic; Utd/City; Pompey/Saints; everyone/Tottenham.

I'm not going to talk about which various races hate each other but that goes on too.

To deny this is naive.

can't disagree with you about these statements, but it depends on how you base your value system. I find it is a better place to be.

(maybe I'm vacant)

Must ask you mean toowoomba when you say racists, just we have new neighbours from toowoomba qld, seemed like a nice lady 50ish and daughter both nurses, we were telling them about a rental house that got trashed, the first question they asked was what race were they ?? When we said australians trashed it the younger aussie turned round and said thats hard to believe we dont rent to poms, blacks or the chinese !! ( partners restraining himself from laughing cause I am quite obviously pom, dont mind like just be rude anyway ) then they go off into a rant about immigrants taking australian jobs. I just could not get the whole situation 2 women nurses so you assume fairly worldly and they carry on like that. Is toowoomba still in the dark ages or something.

Please do a search for the 10,397th thread on this subject.

When you've decided if you fancy the move try searching the 150,756th thread on which city you should choose and then finally move onto,

The 1,167,013th thread on which suburb peeps recommend,

Then and only then can you ask ...

Do they do Cadburys Dairy Milk in Oz.

Hope this helps.

Three Legs

Toowoomba is in what may be referred to as the 'deep north' (Queensland -the state which gave rise to Pauline Hansen, Jo Bjelke Peterson, Russell Heinze et al).

OzTennis

[QUOTE=Three Legs]Please do a search for the 10,397th thread on this subject.

When you've decided if you fancy the move try searching the 150,756th thread on which city you should choose and then finally move onto,

The 1,167,013th thread on which suburb peeps recommend,

Then and only then can you ask ...

Do they do Cadburys Dairy Milk in Oz.

Hope this helps.

Three Legs

Well, we were only asking - isn't that the point of this site?

PS: Will I be able to buy M&S knickers in Oz??? I better be or we're not comin'