|
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by talbot
(Post 5938544)
Hi Gildoc,
If you're considering moving to Oz forget about Perth. It's like it's own wee planet. We've been in Melbourne for 2 yrs. now and admittedly it was hard in the beginning, any change is hard. Now we love it here. It's not as hot as Perth, sometimes can have 4 seasons in 1 day, we have 4 definate seasons, in winter we have the snow on the nearby mountains - very good skiing, we're on the way to the Grt. Ocean Rd., this is a very cultural city, there's the beautiful Mornington Peninsula down the road, wineries, Yarra Valley, Grampian Mountains, Tazmania nearby.... Could go on and on. We recently met an expat family who were in Perth, hated it and were considering going back to the UK, but gave Melbourne a try and are staying. Our kids (11 and 10) really love it here. Ok, initially they were bored at school because they'd started earlier in the UK obviously, but soon settled in and we did think they weren't as challenged as in the UK, but hey, they won't be as stressed as some UK kids were. In the Uk we had to pay extra for sports whereas here they do allsorts through the school. My daughter even played lacrosse last winter (something she'd only have played in a public school back home) My son plays softball at school (another thing he wouldn't have played back home) One thing, we do think the kids would be better off not going to a state secondary school (our opinion only). They're going to go to a brilliant Catholic school nearby. No, you don't have to be Catholic to attend. They have excellent reputations and are more academically minded. Well, I think I've covered it all, Good luck in your decision!!! |
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by mumof5
(Post 5940163)
That's great that you get a lot of sport at your children's school, mine is the opposite, we have to pay for everything, it's a state school but certainly not free, we have to pay $60 a term for the children to do Friday afternoon football, this is not an after school club but part of the curriculum. It seems like letters are constantly coming home asking for money, my daughter brought home a letter about joining the school choir on Friday, the cost to join was $80. Is this normal? as it drives me mad. I knew we would have to pay a certain amount to the school for books etc.. but the constant demands for money seem a bit extreme to me. Is this the norm in an Australian State school? Forgot to say that there are no after school clubs at the school:thumbdown:
|
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by quoll
(Post 5940219)
Yes pretty much. Extracurricular activities are usually externally sourced they need to pay for staff, equipment, trips or whatever is required for the program. For something that is part of the curriculum then they recoup the costs of bringing in specialist teachers or the bus that takes them to the footy field etc. These things used to be free, when they occurred at all, but with School Based Management, and a relatively declining budget they have to keep their hands out asking for more from the parents. I know of schools where they have asked kids to bring in toilet rolls and tissues because the budget was being used for more "educational purposes".
|
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by mumof5
(Post 5943776)
We have to take in tissues and wet wipes, I don't mind that so much but it's paying for my children to access the curriculum. We had to pay for family planning;) and my 10 year old hated it!! Ah well it's all an experience and we have learnt a great deal from our trip here, I just can't wait to get home now and enjoy everything that the Uk has to offer. I'm glad I'm not an Aussie as I'd be lobbying the Government for adequate funding for schools it's shocking, especially as Australia is a 'cash rich' country ( or so a doctor told me last week when he was explaining why Australia was better than the UK):eek: Ah well we live and learn.
Was this a bulk billing doctor i wonder? Or one who charged you excessively for the privilege of seeing him ;) |
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by jojosan
(Post 5944071)
Was this a bulk billing doctor i wonder? Or one who charged you excessively for the privilege of seeing him ;)
|
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by mumof5
(Post 5940163)
That's great that you get a lot of sport at your children's school, mine is the opposite, we have to pay for everything, it's a state school but certainly not free, we have to pay $60 a term for the children to do Friday afternoon football, this is not an after school club but part of the curriculum. It seems like letters are constantly coming home asking for money, my daughter brought home a letter about joining the school choir on Friday, the cost to join was $80. Is this normal? as it drives me mad. I knew we would have to pay a certain amount to the school for books etc.. but the constant demands for money seem a bit extreme to me. Is this the norm in an Australian State school? Forgot to say that there are no after school clubs at the school:thumbdown:
Seeing we don't pay council tax here, we don't mind forking out a bit here and there. I reckon I'm on the wrong forum. I'm nae a "Returning Rover" so will obviously defend life here!!!! |
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by talbot
(Post 5946463)
Yes, we do pay a bit extra for sports.
Seeing we don't pay council tax here, we don't mind forking out a bit here and there. I reckon I'm on the wrong forum. I'm nae a "Returning Rover" so will obviously defend life here!!!! |
Re: Best decision ever!!
Not sure why everyone is returning to the UK, but our reason is because we have a 2 year old and a four year old and last July my OH's parents shouted us a holiday over to the UK for a month. On day two we just fell in love with the place - green grass, daylight savings, English pubs, English people, English humour - and the beautiful fields and buildings and history - and of course my OH's family and friends.
When we were visiting it was cool and a little damp and when people found out we were holidaying from Oz they apologised for the weather. We said - no way, we love the weather. It's great because in Brisbane it's too hot to go out during the summer so we stay indoors or do indoor activities. We actually came back with a little sun tan and that's just from being out and about, something we haven't done since we had our children. And don't get me started on the mozzies - can't go out at dusk or when it's rained and the little b#@(d#@s are everwhere and they love me and my two year old the best. Another reason we are able to consider the move is because of the strength of the Australian dollar -it's almost 46p and also the cost of housing in Blighty is on the decline - so for us if we don't do it now, then it may be something we'll never get to do because of the cost. Alas comments from UK family is "you're mad" etc, but it's not enough to deter us because nobody knows how dull Australia is - when you weren't born here - and although a lot of the postings here seem to be from Perth, the other coast isn't any more exciting - just as hot and wet and full of pests! Can't wait until we eventually get to set foot back into the UK...it's the only thing keeping me going some days. |
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by mississippi
(Post 5946632)
Not sure why everyone is returning to the UK, but our reason is because we have a 2 year old and a four year old and last July my OH's parents shouted us a holiday over to the UK for a month. On day two we just fell in love with the place - green grass, daylight savings, English pubs, English people, English humour - and the beautiful fields and buildings and history - and of course my OH's family and friends.
When we were visiting it was cool and a little damp and when people found out we were holidaying from Oz they apologised for the weather. We said - no way, we love the weather. It's great because in Brisbane it's too hot to go out during the summer so we stay indoors or do indoor activities. We actually came back with a little sun tan and that's just from being out and about, something we haven't done since we had our children. And don't get me started on the mozzies - can't go out at dusk or when it's rained and the little b#@(d#@s are everwhere and they love me and my two year old the best. Another reason we are able to consider the move is because of the strength of the Australian dollar -it's almost 46p and also the cost of housing in Blighty is on the decline - so for us if we don't do it now, then it may be something we'll never get to do because of the cost. Alas comments from UK family is "you're mad" etc, but it's not enough to deter us because nobody knows how dull Australia is - when you weren't born here - and although a lot of the postings here seem to be from Perth, the other coast isn't any more exciting - just as hot and wet and full of pests! Can't wait until we eventually get to set foot back into the UK...it's the only thing keeping me going some days. |
Re: Best decision ever!!
Hi, we are new to this bit of the forum, spent our hours previously, on how to get to Canada.
Well 10 weeks in; hubby has no work, funds are depleting and he is in the depth of depression. SO we looked into going HOME; we stand to loose somewhere in the region of £50,000.00, in actually capital, not to mention loss of earning etc. and cost of reccies and immigration costs. We will have to rent as we will be unable to get back on the housing ladder; But hubby is still adamant. So next week we are going to try and sell all our newly purchased funiture and car, put the house in the hands of realtor, book flights and go; back to stay with a variety of relatives until we sort out somewhere to rent. That was a very expensive itch! |
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by mumof5
(Post 5946713)
Know what you mean about it's all that keeps you going!!! I feel like that today, just had enough. I just don't know if I can stay here much longer, I'm a bit low today as I have a meeting with the head at my sons school later. He was reprimanded on Friday, I was called into the school, when the head phoned she was very angry saying that my son had been repeatedly rude to teachers and constantly flouting rules. I was shocked as we have never had any problems, anyway got there, my son was in her office, saw me and burst into tears. The head started rambling on about rules etc..... on and on meanwhile my son was in floods, I managed to interrupt her to ask what exactly he had done, "He will tell you" she growled. My son chocked back the tears to tell me he had been running on the concrete out of his area!!! To say I was appalled is an understatement, turns out he had not been rude at all, had just been playing chase and ran out of his area FFS. Well anyway when we got home he told me he had been shoved and pushed into the office door and made to stand with his face to the door so that everyone could see!! to me that's not acceptable and I just want to let the head know that. So all I want to do today is get back to the UK to our calm head who handled everything in a calm and controlled manner!!
|
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by manghams
(Post 5946780)
Hi, we are new to this bit of the forum, spent our hours previously, on how to get to Canada.
Well 10 weeks in; hubby has no work, funds are depleting and he is in the depth of depression. SO we looked into going HOME; we stand to loose somewhere in the region of £50,000.00, in actually capital, not to mention loss of earning etc. and cost of reccies and immigration costs. We will have to rent as we will be unable to get back on the housing ladder; But hubby is still adamant. So next week we are going to try and sell all our newly purchased funiture and car, put the house in the hands of realtor, book flights and go; back to stay with a variety of relatives until we sort out somewhere to rent. That was a very expensive itch! |
Re: Best decision ever!!
Hi,
I just wanted to say thanks for all the positive comments about the UK. I have heard so many negative reasons why not to move from Qld to UK. We have just sold our house with the intention of moving overseas but have now decided to move back to Hervey Bay Queensland where my family live for a while. The point about mozzies and other biting insects is very true. We are trying to find rental accomodation that will be away from insects because our 2 year old daughter comes up in welts. I am feeling uncertain about many things including the weather. We are moving from Toowoomba which has many cooler days to a place that gets very humid and sticky especially in summer. I hope that the move to the Uk does take place later in the year. I am disappointed that we are not going now but we were concerned that my husband who has British citizenship will have to move over for at least 4 months before the rest of us can secure our settlement visas. The cost for visas alone with be about $6000 as we have 4 children and myself to get them for. This fee is non refundable if we are declined not to mention the airfaire and living and setting up costs that my hubbie would need to spend to set up for us. He is an electrician and I am a newly trained teacher. I hear there is heaps of work for both of us. We would like to move to the Bristol area. Does anyone know about jobs. Is this move just a pipe dream? I am very frustrated and confused at the moment. I need a crystal ball to tell me my future. Rach |
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by jojosan
(Post 5938614)
A few points from our personal experience. The grass isn't greener, it's just a different shade. (Well, in fact most of it is yellow/brown, 'cos there's no bleedin' water!). If you want sports, come here, if you want sportsmanship, stay home. If you bring a wodge of cash over you can maybe live mortgage free, but don't think the cost of living is less here. Unless you're on a good crack over here your budget can quickly be exceeded.
As others have said, TV is crap, advertising is 'in your face' and vulgar. Lots of 'can't get it up', and 'want to last longer' kind of stuff, and no apparent watershed. Oz is very parochial, and although I believe in patriotism and promoting your own goods/services/achievements, they take it way, way too far here. Not trying to put a negative spin on things, just our own views. Anyway, I'll shut up, get me coat, and put me tin hat on now! ;) Mr JJS. |
Re: Best decision ever!!
Originally Posted by jojosan
(Post 5946802)
Sadly, I don't think that's untypical over here. One of our kids was pushed around (only a little) at a surf life saving club she had a try-out session at. When she told a grown-up (as they've always been told to rather that retaliating or lashing out and exacerbating the situation), she was told to push them back. A similar thing happened at school once. Welcome to the 1970's...
|
| All times are GMT -12. The time now is 9:47 am. |
Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.