Re: How to stop dithering?
 

An official link would be good. :)

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

To be honest it really isn't hard to find out when the recession ended, a Google search gave me the exact answer in about 2 minutes.

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

Google is too complex. :D

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

:lol:

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

:lol: Bloody hell how old are you. :rofl:

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

Well I ask it a question and I get a million answers. It takes days to read them all!

I dunno how Chris does it in two minutes. :lol:

I'm 45 btw.

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

:lol:

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

Well I have a few years on you and I just read the first 5 ;)

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

Might not still be in recession (tho 2012's another story), but 0-1.5% annual growth (compared to 4% in Aus), an economy which remains smaller than in 2007, a currency less valuable than toilet paper and 5% inflation against virtually nil wage growth will sure feel like one for most folk.

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

Growth in comparison to other countries is irrelevant, isn't China growing at something like 9% ? I don't know anyone who hasn't had a pay rise, the UK's 4.8% inflation is hardly horrendous compared to Australia's 3.6 really.
Can I ask why you are thinking/planning of going back if things are so bad ?

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

You've gone from quoting stats when that supports the argument to saying "I don't know anyone who hasn't had a pay rise". A 2% payrise is no use when inflation is more than twice that.

UK wages, on average, are not rising at anything like 4.8%. Australia's are keeping up with inflation. Big difference. It means most people in the UK are relatively poorer than they used to be.

I'm not sure why you would say, on an Expat Forum, that relative growth rates are irrelevant. If Australia's economy keeps growing at 3-4% for a decade whilst the UK's languishes then clearly that is going to be relevant to a lot of expats.

The short answer to your question is because my folks, friends and former (and potentially future) employers live there.

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

That would be true if everyone here got at least a 3.6% pay rise here which of course they don't. The opposite is also true, it certainly isnt true to say that everyone or even the majority in the UK are getting zero wage rise.
I have lived in Brisbane 10 years and everyone I know says the same thing, it is getting more and more expensive to live here. If wages were keeping pace then the rises we are seeing wouldn't be an issue. Why are charities stretched to the limit ?
I dare say no one knows whether this economy or indeed any other will continue growing at 3-4% for the next decade, they are constantly downgrading the growth rate almost quarterly as it is. My thoughts are that people in both countries and indeed most other countries have seen their standard of living slipping back.
The growth rate of either country has never and will never have even the slightest affect on my decision where to live. Life is too short to worry about that sort of thing. Just get out there and live where you want to :thumbup:

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

I can certainly agree that individual circumstances are not necessarily reflected by economic stats. Individual circumstances warrant individual decisions.

The price of housing here has become absurd, and is perhaps not reflected fully in inflation stats.

Sadly, I have read that a lot of the demand for charity services in Qld comes from Kiwis who fall on hard times and aren't eligible for govt assistance (or Aus citizenship).

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

At the end of the day if anyone wants to move to another country then just do it and forget the statistics and rhetoric.
I'm not sure about your last point, scapegoats maybe ?

Re: How to stop dithering?
 

No, just a direct response to your question about charities.