Oz: Perception of distance
Sep 10th 2008 | 11:51 am
#16
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 514
From: Sydney, Australia, but home to EU in 2009 for good!
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
When I first came to Sydney I was 10k from the CBD but it took me 2 hours and 2 trains to get to work and the same back (worked in Parramatta and lived south of Sydney). Nipping out meant a train ride to the nearest shops and would usually take 1 to 2 hours (because of the waiting for trains).
I solved that problem by moving into the CBD and moving jobs, I now take 2 min to walk to work (my apartment building is next to my office building) and I go home for lunch, means I get to sleep in and get home early too. I haven’t seen a train in months and don’t think I could ever do the commute again. Also save on transport now seeing as I don't have any, lol.
Mikey
I solved that problem by moving into the CBD and moving jobs, I now take 2 min to walk to work (my apartment building is next to my office building) and I go home for lunch, means I get to sleep in and get home early too. I haven’t seen a train in months and don’t think I could ever do the commute again. Also save on transport now seeing as I don't have any, lol.
Mikey
Sep 15th 2008 | 12:05 pm
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 73
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
I disagree with this. 
In our experience, we are the only ones who travel 45 mins to a beach and all the rellies stay in the same little patch and never do anything different. We have moved from being 15 mins away to 30 mins away and we rarely see them now unless we drive to them.
In WA it's all NOR SOR bulls**t and it makes no sense cos you could drive as far east/west as north/south but they don't see that.
I used to drive 50 mins to work in UK but don't know of anyone who does the same here. i am sure there are some, i just don't know of any. They catch the train, sure, but they wont drive it.
I find I am willing to drive a good distance for a day out cos i am wanting to see different places. We used to drive 4/5 hours to see in laws in UK for 36 hours. Again rellies here are like " it's a long way to Geraldton you know"........what? 5 hours.........................
In our experience, we are the only ones who travel 45 mins to a beach and all the rellies stay in the same little patch and never do anything different. We have moved from being 15 mins away to 30 mins away and we rarely see them now unless we drive to them.
In WA it's all NOR SOR bulls**t and it makes no sense cos you could drive as far east/west as north/south but they don't see that.
I used to drive 50 mins to work in UK but don't know of anyone who does the same here. i am sure there are some, i just don't know of any. They catch the train, sure, but they wont drive it.
I find I am willing to drive a good distance for a day out cos i am wanting to see different places. We used to drive 4/5 hours to see in laws in UK for 36 hours. Again rellies here are like " it's a long way to Geraldton you know"........what? 5 hours.........................
Sep 15th 2008 | 12:21 pm
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
It does depend on where you live.
When I was living in one part of the UK, it was a 20 minute drive to get to the decent shops.
Now .. well, as an example:
I can get to the local shops and home again in 18 minutes, BUT...
During that 18 minutes, on Saturday night at about 9pm, I fitted in:
Ringing the doctors surgery in the shopping centre area, to check they were open.
driving to the doctors
waiting for the doctor who had a patient ahead of me
seeing the doctor
getting a prescription
driving home
I was told that the nearest open chemist was 10 minutes away, but decided to leave it till the next day, as that was too far to go.
I think I have become a Queenslander
When I was living in one part of the UK, it was a 20 minute drive to get to the decent shops.
Now .. well, as an example:
I can get to the local shops and home again in 18 minutes, BUT...
During that 18 minutes, on Saturday night at about 9pm, I fitted in:
Ringing the doctors surgery in the shopping centre area, to check they were open.
driving to the doctors
waiting for the doctor who had a patient ahead of me
seeing the doctor
getting a prescription
driving home
I was told that the nearest open chemist was 10 minutes away, but decided to leave it till the next day, as that was too far to go.
I think I have become a Queenslander
Sep 15th 2008 | 6:34 pm
#19
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,066
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
One advantage of having an Aussie view of distance is that when you go home for a holiday you can do a hell of a lot! Last month we drove about 2500 miles and didnt really make an effort. I'd think nothing of driving from Cambridge to Edinburgh for a couple of days and actually I did enjoy driving in UK immensely - the variation in scenery over 100 miles was just awesome. When you are on holiday even the traffic jams arent an issue cos it just gives you more time to contemplate the gorgeous scenery. Contrast that with the 5+ hour drive to my granddaughter's birthday party at the weekend with very little variation in scenery and a good deal of it along dirt roads - nah.
Sep 15th 2008 | 6:52 pm
#20
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7
From: Malvern
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
Hmm. I had it the other way, Portsmouth to London on the train - door to door it was 2 hours. I am still waiting to get a job, so can't comment on my commute now, but if I work in the CBD it will be well under an hour. My fiance's dad and step mum lived in the UK for about a year, and while all 4 of us were over there would meet up, they couldn't understand the amount that British people were prepared to commute for their jobs; while they were happy enough to drive for miles to go for lunch.
We drove from Melbourne to Brisbane on my first trip out here, took 4 days to do it, driving from Lands End to John O'Groats in mileage everyday, again we didn't bat an eyelid doing it. I know it is all relative, but I think it depends on what you do outside of work that has the main impact on your day, the standard of living is so much better over here, (in 2 weeks I've noticed that!).
We drove from Melbourne to Brisbane on my first trip out here, took 4 days to do it, driving from Lands End to John O'Groats in mileage everyday, again we didn't bat an eyelid doing it. I know it is all relative, but I think it depends on what you do outside of work that has the main impact on your day, the standard of living is so much better over here, (in 2 weeks I've noticed that!).
Sep 15th 2008 | 7:50 pm
#21
Citizen Of The World
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 592
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
Takes me 40-45 minutes right now in the UK. When we get to Perth (37 days and counting) I'll be working from home for the first couple of months. So a zero time commute 
Actually, after that I'm likely to have to commute to the CBD, but anything under 45 minutes isn't an issue (and it'll probably be less than that). And I can't believe the fact that they call the slow traffic on the Mitchell Freeway a "jam" - have they never seen the M56 in the morning?
Cheers
b
Actually, after that I'm likely to have to commute to the CBD, but anything under 45 minutes isn't an issue (and it'll probably be less than that). And I can't believe the fact that they call the slow traffic on the Mitchell Freeway a "jam" - have they never seen the M56 in the morning?
Cheers
b
Sep 15th 2008 | 7:56 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 73
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
Takes me 40-45 minutes right now in the UK. When we get to Perth (37 days and counting) I'll be working from home for the first couple of months. So a zero time commute
Actually, after that I'm likely to have to commute to the CBD, but anything under 45 minutes isn't an issue (and it'll probably be less than that). And I can't believe the fact that they call the slow traffic on the Mitchell Freeway a "jam" - have they never seen the M56 in the morning?
Cheers
b
Actually, after that I'm likely to have to commute to the CBD, but anything under 45 minutes isn't an issue (and it'll probably be less than that). And I can't believe the fact that they call the slow traffic on the Mitchell Freeway a "jam" - have they never seen the M56 in the morning?
Cheers
b
Sep 15th 2008 | 8:01 pm
#23
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
Maybe there's a difference between states.
Here I find Aussies don't want a commute more than 30-45 minutes but the Brits are prepared (or maybe used to) longer commutes. I reckon this is why you get so many poms in Frankston, Mt Eliza and Mornington.
Down here I've only come across Brits describing 30-40 minutes drive to the beach as close to the beach. I'm 20 minutes from the beach and nobody around here would describe it as close to the beach (including me).
On the other hand Aussies seem to think nothing of driving long distances for holidays.
Here I find Aussies don't want a commute more than 30-45 minutes but the Brits are prepared (or maybe used to) longer commutes. I reckon this is why you get so many poms in Frankston, Mt Eliza and Mornington.
Down here I've only come across Brits describing 30-40 minutes drive to the beach as close to the beach. I'm 20 minutes from the beach and nobody around here would describe it as close to the beach (including me).
On the other hand Aussies seem to think nothing of driving long distances for holidays.
Sep 15th 2008 | 8:10 pm
#24
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 20,690
From: in the Sydney asylum
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
I live south Sydney in the shopping centre and 2 mins walk from the beach its ace 
Sep 15th 2008 | 9:14 pm
#26
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 757
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
Found myself thinking about the perception of distances in Oz.
In the UK I live within 45 mins drive of one of the UK’s most vibrant seaside towns.
If someone told me they wanted to move to the UK and loved the seaside I wouldn’t suggest that they moved to my area.
I’d tell them to go and live within 10 minutes of the sea.
Yet in Oz people will say this is a great area and only 45 mins to the beach.
(Feel free to insert all puns regarding the comparison of the UK and Oz beach here).
It still amuses me whilst I’m visiting my relatives in Oz that occasionally one will ask if anyone would like any donuts because they’ll nip out and get some.
They’ll nip out and be gone for an hour! My relatives do not bat an eye lid.
Nipping out to me is walking down the road to the shops!
Same for commuting distances.
Commutes of an hour plus seem far more acceptable in the Oz city psyche than they do in the UK.
I understand the why, big country, cheap petrol etc (same mind set in the US).
I guess I’m wondering when does the switch flick for Brits moving to Oz?
When do you go from “there’s no way I’ll drive 30 mins to buy my favourite brand of cheese†to “get off the highway ‘cos here comes my 4x4â€.
Is there anyone out there still suffering with the distances or anyone like to say how long it takes to embrace the Ozzie mind-set on this one?
In the UK I live within 45 mins drive of one of the UK’s most vibrant seaside towns.
If someone told me they wanted to move to the UK and loved the seaside I wouldn’t suggest that they moved to my area.
I’d tell them to go and live within 10 minutes of the sea.
Yet in Oz people will say this is a great area and only 45 mins to the beach.
(Feel free to insert all puns regarding the comparison of the UK and Oz beach here).
It still amuses me whilst I’m visiting my relatives in Oz that occasionally one will ask if anyone would like any donuts because they’ll nip out and get some.
They’ll nip out and be gone for an hour! My relatives do not bat an eye lid.
Nipping out to me is walking down the road to the shops!
Same for commuting distances.
Commutes of an hour plus seem far more acceptable in the Oz city psyche than they do in the UK.
I understand the why, big country, cheap petrol etc (same mind set in the US).
I guess I’m wondering when does the switch flick for Brits moving to Oz?
When do you go from “there’s no way I’ll drive 30 mins to buy my favourite brand of cheese†to “get off the highway ‘cos here comes my 4x4â€.
Is there anyone out there still suffering with the distances or anyone like to say how long it takes to embrace the Ozzie mind-set on this one?
Can't wait to just take off and travel though
Sep 15th 2008 | 9:31 pm
#27
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7
From: Malvern
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
Talking of traffic jams, did you see any of the pictures of the tail back from Dover after the Channel Tunnel fire? The stupid bint on Channel 9 was saying that it can't be as bad as the traffic in Melbourne! They have NO idea what a traffic jam is do they really?!
I drove from Portsmouth to Camberley every Monday morning, and would have to be at my desk by 7.30am otherwise it could take me over 2 hours just sitting in first or second gear, banging my head on the steering wheel...
I drove from Portsmouth to Camberley every Monday morning, and would have to be at my desk by 7.30am otherwise it could take me over 2 hours just sitting in first or second gear, banging my head on the steering wheel...
Sep 15th 2008 | 9:39 pm
#28
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
These days a bad traffic jam for me is 20 cars in front of me at the lights !!
And yes, I do remember driving around the M25 car park.
Funny how we change
And yes, I do remember driving around the M25 car park.
Funny how we change
Sep 17th 2008 | 11:47 pm
#29
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,623
From: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
I find there are reasonable scenery changes here, dramatic in different ways to UK though and occasionally there are even UK style rolling hills. It depends if you are looking for UK scenery Aus is the wrong place as even the Aus idea of a Mountain isn't the same height as UK but then again we didn't have lots of local volcanic plugs that look impressive in the UK.
Most states have mountains twice or 1.5 times the height of Mt Snowdon. The High Country...
Maybe there's a difference between states.
Here I find Aussies don't want a commute more than 30-45 minutes but the Brits are prepared (or maybe used to) longer commutes. I reckon this is why you get so many poms in Frankston, Mt Eliza and Mornington.
Down here I've only come across Brits describing 30-40 minutes drive to the beach as close to the beach. I'm 20 minutes from the beach and nobody around here would describe it as close to the beach (including me).
On the other hand Aussies seem to think nothing of driving long distances for holidays.
Here I find Aussies don't want a commute more than 30-45 minutes but the Brits are prepared (or maybe used to) longer commutes. I reckon this is why you get so many poms in Frankston, Mt Eliza and Mornington.
Down here I've only come across Brits describing 30-40 minutes drive to the beach as close to the beach. I'm 20 minutes from the beach and nobody around here would describe it as close to the beach (including me).
On the other hand Aussies seem to think nothing of driving long distances for holidays.
Sep 18th 2008 | 9:42 am
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Oz: Perception of distance
That made me laugh, as yesterday, when I was heading for the school, I took a detour, to avoid a junction that I know has about 3 or 4 cars waiting to get out, at about that time of day. I took the detour as I now hate traffic queues.
