The UK doesn't have the same weather as Australia? Amazing, the things you learn on here.

What about the wildlife though?...........surely that's the same.....

Fair comment. I have actually put on a stone since being in Perth. In England I walked my dogs every day, mainly in beautiful pine forests or along the beach, swim 3-4 times a week in the leisure centre I worked in, and worked out at my local Curves (fitness centre) 3-4 times a week. I realise that Perth is hardly responsible for my weight gain, but it's the fact that I have very little motivation to excercise when I have to do everything on my own. That may sound like a very feeble excuse, but I always had friends to do things with in the UK.

As to building up a social network. You are right that it takes time to build it up, but I reckon 10 - 15 years working at it out here is a bit longer than I want to take - I'll be in my 60's by then, and would prefer to be around people who I am already close to and who will be there for me in later life. In other words, back in the UK.

I don't really think you can blame the UK for having a winter - it's always had a winter and it's always gotten dark earlier during those months. Not forgetting those wet and windy days, they too will be no surprise to people moving back to the UK, surely. There are really only a few days each year when it's uncomfortable to be outside (for some).
Millions of us find things for our children to do each and every day throughout the year, with or without sunshine. But I suppose we're more familiar with the many places to go / things to do, when we don't feel like being outdoors.

Well said and actually I miss that real winter when some days are sunny but frosty and there is a nip in the air as opposed to winter here which is just rainy and windy and I know it's no fault of Australia but I miss winter at Christmas-time. Horses for courses and this horse knows which course is for her and is going back with no regrets. No money either .

I couldn't agree with you more - this is SO true, at least for us anyway! I have NEVER had a problem making friends, until I came here. I have lived in many different places and also travelled a lot. But I've never experienced anything like Perth before! We have tried and tried to get some kind of consistency going with a social life but to no avail. For a while I wondered if it was just because Perth is a sprawling mass of suburbs which in my opinion just makes for a lonely existance especially for newcomers, but just look around and ask yourself 'Where is the life?'. Empty streets, empty houses, no-one chatting to neighbours, practically no kids playing in the streets or gardens, no-one sitting on their balconies - (in Sydney we used to sit on our balcony with neighbours on either side, exchanging glasses of wine, conversation and laughter).

In England, never a day went by without seeing someone I knew passing by the house, up the shop, down in town, out walking the dogs. There was always someone to chat to. Where I work now (in Cottesloe) most people who I see almost every day, pretend they don't know me and look the other way! The same people come in to my cafe time and again, but still make out as though they don't know who I am! I always greet everyone with a big smile and a friendly welcome, so it's not as though I am ever hostile to anyone!

But aside from this, we have a number of friends and acquaintances who live very close to us (walking distance in some cases), but despite countless occasions when we have had bbq's, parties, almost everyone we know out on our boat, arranged w/ends away, had people staying with us between house moves, and so on..... unless we do ALL the organising and arranging ourselves, we would never see or hear from anyone. I'm afraid I feel like giving up. I'm just bored of it now!

And let's face it - most people have gone to bed by 8pm!

[QUOTE=Beryl the Peril;4336115]I couldn't agree with you more - this is SO true, at least for us anyway! I have NEVER had a problem making friends, until I came here. QUOTE]

Ditto. We moved when I was 11 and I had to go to a different "big school" than all my friends. That wasn't much fun at first, but ended up so good I can't imagine my life without having done that. That's why I was so accepting - at first - of the idea of coming to oz. I just assumed I'd make new friends, like I always seemed to be able to do.

Big mistake!

Awwwww, that is so sad. I know what you mean though, I get on brilliantly with the lady in McDonalds (she's Portuguese) but it doesn't help me in my own street.

Even sadder is the fact that I remember it as though it were yesterday and haven't had a really good belly laugh since!

Oh no, you have to laugh at least once every day cos if you don't then you will go potty. I was laughing at some young boys dancing to Madonna in Subway, they looked sooooo funny - no shoes, undies hanging out of their pants, tiny ponytail on the back of their heads - made me chuckle anyway

As a young adult in NZ we would organise (often taking turns) social ge togethers (sometimes something just as simple as a group of us going to a movie and a coffee after). Also we would drop by and visit each other on an impromptu basis.

The guys often putting round with their cars and the girls having/going for a coffee or tea or going for a stroll or some window shopping. Other times we'd just all sit around our friends place we visited and chat etc. Was never a big deal where you had to be 'penciled in' for a visit. If they were busy, we'd catch up with them later, and just shoot off and visit someone else

Do you pop into McDonalds alot then D'?

Only for a coffee if we're early for school
I keep a look out for Jamie Oliver in case he's spying on me.