Yes I would do it all again, a lot has happened in our 3 years here but I think we are stronger for it and I do not regret moving here, met some fantastic people and would do it all again in a heartbeat.

I think you are right - I was actually quite surprised when I started to say how I was feeling and people heaved a huge sigh and gave their stories as well. Of my acquaintance of long time expats, I'd say that it is about 1/3 stay in paradise to 2/3 get me out of this hell hole (except there are mortgages, kids, grandkids, pensions etc to take into consideration). Even some folk that I had pegged as being true blue Aussies are hiding quite a bit and they dont talk about it because, like the rest of us, they are just getting on with it - but wishing they were elsewhere.

You would expect BE to have some different demographics because the cohort is largely people who are embarking upon or who hope to embark upon their migration and are actually attracted to the site for different reasons - essentially positive towards the country they are moving to so if anything the numbers probably under represent those who would want to return.

For my OH and I it was the same in the UK: Getting on with it but wishing we were elsewhere. Now that we're in Australia we're not yet at the stage of wanting to be elsewhere - hopefully that'll never happen, but I do sometimes wonder what all of the excitement to get here was all about.

Told ya, just another first world country with first world benefits and first world problems!

Yes, but hotter, filled with killer creatures and miles from anywhere else.

Hotter?

Balmy 12 degrees here tonight

Lovely day in London,unfortunately im being paid a lot of money to babysit,.bored bored bored !!!!

There really is no happy medium in that place is there Having a nice pint of cider in the darkness here, throwing bits of apple to passing possoms

Is it? I haven't made it out of bed today after rolling in from a club at 6.30 am. Loving being in London. In comparison Oz feels like complete sensory deprivation.

It is !!!

Yeah, ***** it! Can someone pop up to Cairns and collect my stuff. I'm staying.

nI know just how you feel, its like I'm in limbo here wiating for my next trip to the sane side of the world

Consider it done, I shall of course have to deliver it personally...what an excellent excuse for a trip home

Just read the whole thread.

Some odd opinions. It seems people feel financially trapped here, and as such, are unhappy.

Chav or redneck ?? Huh ? Thats an odd comment. The red neck will sit down & chat over a beer, treat you like a friend until you show yourself otherwise(my experience).

The Chav will stick a knife in your throat & steal your phone.

And it turns out the red neck is earning a lot more than you. Something I love about oz, you cant judge by appearances. MD's & CEO's walk around in grubby jeans & t-shirts, as well as suits.

Myself & my wife earnt more in Ireland than we do here, but instead of paying off credit card bills, and car loans, we are saving lots of money, but dont feel we are missing out.

I think a lot of it has to do with the circumstances your in at the moment. I wasnt happy a few weeks ago, so I quit im job & im moving on. But we are not trapped and have those options, perhaps I wouldnt be as happy if I didnt feel I had options.

Perhaps I just feel I have more control over my situation & I tend to think positively & plan for all circumstances.

Im not getting at anyone, sometimes its just different strokes for different folks, at different times.

You would expect BE to have some different demographics because the cohort is largely people who are embarking upon or who hope to embark upon their migration and are actually attracted to the site for different reasons - essentially positive towards the country they are moving to so if anything the numbers probably under represent those who would want to return.[/QUOTE]

In my experience it is the opposite, it sems that most of the people who frequently post on here are the ones that don't like being in Oz so are attracted to this site and other fellow dislikers.

If you are enjoying your life and getting on with it then you don't have the need to be on this site all the time!