Forget the bickering about what is worse, the Uk or Australia. It's a personal thing.

The thing I find almost breathtaking, head-shakeningly sad is the fact that people who are negative or unhappy/ have a less than impressed view with their lot in a country....cannot believe that others may be happy in the same place..when they have a different life. It's possible, inevitable even...

and furthermore, this forms the basis of their view/argument.

Never ceases to amaze me...

Oh Badge. surely the whole polarized view thing is part and parcel of BE?

My favourite is the "you only pretend to enjoy it" lot

The "the UK has gone to the dogs" crowd do my head in too.

Can't help but agree with that statement, but having been in those shoes myself, I can actually understand their logic.
I no longer agree with it of course, but sometimes I wince when I compare what I was like to some people that are now very similar to what I was like some 10+ years ago.

Maybe that is why I am now the way I am; I have been round the corner, and seen that nothing is actually black and white after all.

Welcome to BE!

All we can do is share our collective life experience of migrating and hope that everyone finds what they are looking for, no matter where they end up I guess.

I have a polarised view and I know that. But I try to be accepting of the fact that some people hate it whereas I am happy here. Doesn't always pan out that way, but I have a genuine best wishes for anyone who tries their luck migrating no matter the outcome.

Yes - I have no issue with polarisation of opinion. What I find incredible is that people won't believe that others might have a better situation than themselves..in any country and that, ipso facto, they are wrong.

I believe that other people are better off in the UK.

I believe that others don't like Australia - and living like they do, would have the same opinion.

Indeed.

I know what you mean, with this subject people seem to get over defensive of their right to express their views while simultaneously failing to respect the views of others. Strange really.

Both the UK and Australia are great countries but they do have different pros and cons that push different buttons for different people.

...But I know where I want to be.

Noone on BE has ever provided an explanation or been able to expand on a neat philosophy of this!! Lucid explanations get lost in the noise.. It's a utter joke for the old timers..and blows many arguments out of the water..
it's why I'd rather people focus on their opinions without trying to blow up others..a few words each paragraph would calm things down considerably. I also think that some posters at particular stages are likely to post in a particular way, and that allowances can be made for this without outcry and derision.

But it is not a surprise.

I also think there are subtle, or not so subtle, underlying explanations for a lot of the common threads on BE, many not particularly nasty, ulterior - or wrong....which do provide some clarity. Over the years I've noticed common strands..patterns..

Speaking for myself, the last 6 years on BE has been interesting and has made me realise how lucky I have been to live in both places - I took for granted that which some have looked for all their lives, and think only exists in one place - and that there are people who would criticise, even get quite angry, about my good fortune in both whatever their situation.

I think it's down to insecurity. Maybe the "I love Oz/I hate Oz" crowd feel the need to have their opinion validated by other people thinking the exact same thing.

Personally I couldn't give a shit if someone doesn't like the UK or Australia, if it doesn't affect me or my own I'm not overly bothered

It's irritating but it mirrors most arguments down the pub. Don't consider it sad though. People are people, some are dogmatic some aren't. In real life it's easier to have nothing to do with people so with such opposed views to your own. On any discussion forum it's not.

Insecurity...but that is also a loaded word...because then we are likely to blow ourselves up in discussing who is insecure - and then who is the most insecure...and those who point the finger will see many fingers pointing back...and that is before we even establish from which viewpoint people are posting...(aha!)

As to your second point, it does bothers me because I hate to see sad people..people making mistakes..it probably stems from leadership roles and responsibility for people I have had in the past...a certain atavistic quality, it makes me feel guilty..although there is a certain relief too, of course. I can see the train approaching the level crossing, (again) but I'm on not it..

I think this is what it's all about. Imagine several of each type in the same room together at the same time. Considering it this way, it's amazing how harmonious BE actually is

BTW, I like the approaching train on a level crossing analogy, Badge. Others see it too. It's often signalled by comments like: "Popcorn anyone?"

I agree