MartinLuther

Not born an bred Londoner but I did live there for 17 years most of them in SE16 Bermondsey and Surrey Docks/Quays.

Vash the Stampede

I totally agree. This is an extremely valid point and too frequently overlooked IMHO.

moneypenny20

There are many people who have a similar relationship with their families that you mention, infact their families are even further away and believe being in Aus will not be a problem. BUT they find, after they've moved that they miss them desperately and that instead of seeing them monthly or bi-annually they can now only see them every few years and it's not worth the lifestyle/weather to be so far away.

Emotion is a funny thing and no amount of research can prepare you for the shock of people sickness.

Me, 12,000 still doesn't seem far enough

rinkerdink

Spooky,

The family home is in Rainham kent but I work out of a flat just off Surrey Canal Road. Spent my formative years in Brockley, or Brackley as the yout's insist on calling it, the same knobs that call Deptford... Deckford. Grrrrr, can't wait to get away from all that urban twang/ slang crap

JackTheLad

Really? So every day you book an undertaker, order a coffin, cut up your credit cards, tell the boss he can stuff his job, hug the kids, and sob uncontrollably and then go to bed?

Only to be bitterly disappointed in the morning that you are still alive, and repeat the process all over again.

Bit of a crap way to live if you ask me.

JTL

SamSi

Ditto if you are passionate about hot cross buns. Our local Bakers Delight is selling them for the scandalous price of $1.50 per bun so it's vital that you factor this in also. Could be a deal breaker for some...

sel

Or as in my case ... family members that you only used to see for a couple of weeks a year are suddenly staying with you for 3 & 6 months at a time. Out of the nearly 3 years I have lived in Aus when I add up into one lump all the visits it amounts to just under TWO years of permanent visitors.

paulry

That's a good point. I had also been thinking that.

paulry

I'd completely boycott a baker who charges prices like that. I picked up half a dozen in Tescos the other day for 25p

SamSi

And I bet it was buy one get one free at that! Think is one of those weird random differences, everything else seems to be much the same price on average, it's just this hot cross buns thing that I've noticed. Oh well, just one of those things I guess.

asprilla

I agree... I think many of us (myself included) assume that those with close family ties will end up dealing with more homesickness issues than those who did not see their family too often in the UK.... but who's to say that's really the case?

BadgeIsBack

Have to admit, I reckon people do need to use the old loaf - and doing it for the sake of it, or 'why not?' is not now a good enough reason. This country is getting on for being too hard now and it is not the cushy skive it might have been seen as 10 years ago. (The only exception is for professional adventurers, seasoned expats or hardy souls who perhaps have spent all their adult lives away from 'home', or people who want a very, very specific lifestyle and cannot get it for love or money in the UK.)

People come here and make huge mistakes. Others come here and like it, but infact, not enough, and meanwhile, the pull of the UK gets stronger and stronger.

Vash the Stampede

Very wise words. The current exchange rate doesn't help either.

paulry

Sorry, it was 30p a pack (not buy one get one free). OH bought some earlier.

Something which I used to enjoy in South Africa on Sunday mornings was going to the local bakery (they have them in the mini supermarkets there) and buying a dozen hot bread rolls for breakfast. .....mmmmm .....m. I'm hoping Australia is the same.