Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Feb 24th 2005, 4:26 am
#31
Banned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,551
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by mr mover
You must be the first honest "south sea pom " i have ever had the opertunity of speaking to 
BUT have you tried COOPERS sparkling Ale , 6,9 alc and most kiwis i have worked with, luv it............. 
mm
BUT have you tried COOPERS sparkling Ale , 6,9 alc and most kiwis i have worked with, luv it............. mm
Actually to be quite honest, there are some very good Aussie beers such as james squire pilsner and matilda bay pils (love my pils n lagers), but the standard beers such as Vb and Fosters are pretty crappy and tasteless.
Am quite fond of English BASS beer but find it hard to get hold of
Feb 24th 2005, 4:39 am
#32
Banned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,551
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by cyclemark
Got to agree with some elements of this. Perth is like living in a vacuum. It's incredibly superficial and detached from real life. There is definitely something missing here.
Not sure why it is this way, but to be honest I really don't care. As soon as I'm finished my degree I'm off to the Uk to live. At least people know how to socialise in a friendly, open and relaxed way there, and are welcoming to new faces I found last time I was there. The indifference of people here will eat at your soul if you stay here too long.
Feb 26th 2005, 12:08 am
#33
home again, home again
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Notts to Perth, Perth to Notts
Posts: 1,748
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by odaat
-
We do not regret the move back, then again we landed on our feet on our return and forced others to see that "in our case" - moving back was the right thing to do.
The children, and the good wife rarely even mention Oz these days, people no longer quiz our move back - life moves on and we seek new challenges to occupy us.
odaat
We do not regret the move back, then again we landed on our feet on our return and forced others to see that "in our case" - moving back was the right thing to do.
The children, and the good wife rarely even mention Oz these days, people no longer quiz our move back - life moves on and we seek new challenges to occupy us.
odaat
I thought it was only us that like being back in the UK..I'm glad you are happy about coming back. I hardly ever think about Oz either and our daughter never mentions it. It's funny how things turn out but we are better off now than before we left, we have better jobs a bigger house (more mortgage but hey so what) and we couldn't be happier...oh sorry, happier if we won the lottery of course
Feb 26th 2005, 4:48 pm
#34
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 13
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by MartinC
Hi everyone, I have just discovered this board and thought I would introduce myself and talk about my feelings towards Oz and the UK.
I am 36, married with one child (2) and another due in October. My wife and I have been in Perth (Joondalup) since Nov 2002. We have a 2 bed flat in SE London which we are renting (I am so glad we did not sell it). We bought a 4-bed house in Joondalup for $350K last Nov, 10 mins walk from train station. I work in IT in the city, wife works as part-time secretary and kid goes to daycare 5 days a week.
Sounds idyllic? Well, how come I am not happy? It is strange, we came to Perth for the usual wooly reasons, like "better quality of life" and "better for kids". But honestly, I am not sure that the quality of life is better here for me.
I find the suburbs to be soulless and depressing. The landscape (bush) looks identical wherever you go. I miss the variety of Britain. The hills, mountains, lakes, fields, valleys. I miss the chance to go to Barcelona, Paris, Rome and all the other great European cities.
I miss the culture and history of Britain. I like old buildings. I like the great radio and TV programmes in Britain. Try and find a radio station in Perth that doesn't sound like "Smashy and Nicey".
I miss proper pubs. I never thought I'd say that, but I really do.
Barbies are overrated. Public ones are covered in crap so you need to spend 10 mins cleaning it before using it. I would rather be indoors in the cool than standing sweating round a BBQ.
As for the "laid back lifestyle" myth - baloney. My hours are 8:15 to 5:15, a 40-hours week. In UK it was 35 hours. The work is just as stressful. Deadlines have to be met like anywhere else. Why should Oz be more "laid back"? I also took a pay cut to come here, but on Oz wages things aren't cheaper, including houses.
I honestly think I was having a better time living in London, especially as I find lying on beaches boring!
I also don't buy the argument that Perth is better for kids. I know plenty of kids who spend all day indoors because it is too hot to play outside in the summer. I don't see why kids can't have a great time in the UK. It's up to the parents to ensure that they do!
I feel that Perth also has other problems. The work environment is nepotistic and racism rears it's head in the attitudes of co-workers and the increase in racist graffiti. Aborigines are treated like scum. Isolation breeds intolerance and ignorance.
Oh yes, and taxes are much higher than the UK!
Anyway, what I will probably end up doing is staying until my two years are up so I can get an Ozzie passport and dual citizenship. My wife insists on this. After that I will have to try and persuade her to come back to the UK.
Thanks for listening. Do you have any comments on my feelings?
Martin
I am 36, married with one child (2) and another due in October. My wife and I have been in Perth (Joondalup) since Nov 2002. We have a 2 bed flat in SE London which we are renting (I am so glad we did not sell it). We bought a 4-bed house in Joondalup for $350K last Nov, 10 mins walk from train station. I work in IT in the city, wife works as part-time secretary and kid goes to daycare 5 days a week.
Sounds idyllic? Well, how come I am not happy? It is strange, we came to Perth for the usual wooly reasons, like "better quality of life" and "better for kids". But honestly, I am not sure that the quality of life is better here for me.
I find the suburbs to be soulless and depressing. The landscape (bush) looks identical wherever you go. I miss the variety of Britain. The hills, mountains, lakes, fields, valleys. I miss the chance to go to Barcelona, Paris, Rome and all the other great European cities.
I miss the culture and history of Britain. I like old buildings. I like the great radio and TV programmes in Britain. Try and find a radio station in Perth that doesn't sound like "Smashy and Nicey".
I miss proper pubs. I never thought I'd say that, but I really do.
Barbies are overrated. Public ones are covered in crap so you need to spend 10 mins cleaning it before using it. I would rather be indoors in the cool than standing sweating round a BBQ.
As for the "laid back lifestyle" myth - baloney. My hours are 8:15 to 5:15, a 40-hours week. In UK it was 35 hours. The work is just as stressful. Deadlines have to be met like anywhere else. Why should Oz be more "laid back"? I also took a pay cut to come here, but on Oz wages things aren't cheaper, including houses.
I honestly think I was having a better time living in London, especially as I find lying on beaches boring!
I also don't buy the argument that Perth is better for kids. I know plenty of kids who spend all day indoors because it is too hot to play outside in the summer. I don't see why kids can't have a great time in the UK. It's up to the parents to ensure that they do!
I feel that Perth also has other problems. The work environment is nepotistic and racism rears it's head in the attitudes of co-workers and the increase in racist graffiti. Aborigines are treated like scum. Isolation breeds intolerance and ignorance.
Oh yes, and taxes are much higher than the UK!
Anyway, what I will probably end up doing is staying until my two years are up so I can get an Ozzie passport and dual citizenship. My wife insists on this. After that I will have to try and persuade her to come back to the UK.
Thanks for listening. Do you have any comments on my feelings?
Martin
CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP !
Apart from the suburbs (well the new ones such as joondalup and surrounds) there I agree with you. But if you live (as I do) in an "established" suburb they are not at all soulless.
You want hills - go to kalamunda/lesmurdie, or roleystone/Araluen (very english feeling)
Lakes - mundaring or serpentine ?
Fields - try serpentine, wandi or mundajong.
valleys - chittering ?
Regarding workplace ....
salaries, yep I too took a pay cut (of about 25%) when I got here but my lifesytyle is about 50% better than I had in Kent.
racism, well in the place I work, out of 70 workers 3 are aboriginal (or part aboriginal) and havent noticed any racism to them - TBH I probably get more than they do with the Pommy comments, but its all good fun and I give as good as I get
Lucky you to have only worked 35 hours in UK. Mine were about 45 a week plus about 20 a week traveling.
taxes, - there you have me, they are higher in OZ than I was paying in UK but I am still able to save money each week so its not all bad
regarding travel .....
instead of going to barcelona or Rome or Athens, how about going to bali, or Singapore ? Hong Kong ? Shanghia ? All of these places have lots of architecture and old buildings.
Max a couple of hours flight time difference but 100% different experience and not substantially more cost-wise.
Kids I cant comment on cos mine are all grown up and still living in kent, but apart from that your expereinces and mine are totally different. Maybe its all down to attitude!
Feb 26th 2005, 4:53 pm
#35
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 13
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
PS, when I lived in kent if I want to swim with dolphins I had to drive for 10 hours up to the north of scotland, here I drive for less than 1 hour. If I wanted to go wine tasting I had to drive for 4+ hours to France, here I drive for less than 30 mins.
Feb 26th 2005, 11:43 pm
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Q) How do you know when a plane load of Pommie migrants has landed at Perth airport ?
A) The engine has stopped but you can still hear the Whining!
A) The engine has stopped but you can still hear the Whining!
Feb 27th 2005, 8:38 pm
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by wombat42
WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE,
WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE,
WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE.
WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE,
WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE, WHINGE.
I assume this is the "right" area to do that, the returning expats bit of the Forum.
I think you are needed back on the Australia Forum
Feb 28th 2005, 5:33 am
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by MikeStanton
And concentrate on other really important things. Like cheering England on against France
Feb 28th 2005, 5:34 am
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by mr mover
Why , do you want an Aussie passport , Martin ??. SO when the muslims, make life so unbearable in europe and the UK, with their bombings , and unpredictable killings, you have some were to flee............... MM
MM
Feb 28th 2005, 7:32 am
#40
Banned
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Angle vale Sth Australia
Posts: 5,353
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by Lathlain
Spot on. Yeah when the homocide bombers sweep into the UK even more, but then Australia is a target by the nutters up in Indonesia.
..................... mm
Mar 1st 2005, 7:47 am
#41
Banned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,551
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by Superior
The UK would have to be the most boring place on earth. Give me Australia anyday!
Australia is about stimulating as sitting outside watching cars rust.
Mar 1st 2005, 7:54 am
#42
Banned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,551
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by Superior
You know what? We're not the least worried about Indo mussies. Our security is a little better than backward old europe........
An enemy's complacency is your friend. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Mar 1st 2005, 8:25 am
#43
Banned
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Angle vale Sth Australia
Posts: 5,353
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by kiwichild
You ever heard of "The Nixon Doctrine"? I won't tax your intellect too much, suffice to say, The US basically has no obligation to come to Australia's aid, short of nuclear attack.
An enemy's complacency is your friend. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
An enemy's complacency is your friend. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
"i dont think so", just look what they did for poor old IRAQ .................... mm
Mar 1st 2005, 2:32 pm
#44
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Nappyland
Posts: 2,886
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by Superior
You know what? We're not the least worried about Indo mussies. Our security is a little better than backward old europe........
I'm sure if there were 'no worries' in Oz, you'd be on low-risk security and not spending a fortune shoving anti-terrorism information packs through every mailbox in Australia.
Mar 1st 2005, 3:13 pm
#45
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: An expat Aussie trying to understand why anyone wants to move to Oz.
Posts: 485
Re: Thoughts about Perth and Returning to UK
Originally Posted by HiddenPaw
Oh really? What's your interpretation of the purpose of the latest national security campaign? ("Help Protect Australia From Terrorism").
I'm sure if there were 'no worries' in Oz, you'd be on low-risk security and not spending a fortune shoving anti-terrorism information packs through every mailbox in Australia.
I'm sure if there were 'no worries' in Oz, you'd be on low-risk security and not spending a fortune shoving anti-terrorism information packs through every mailbox in Australia.
Having said that, security isn't that great in Australia once you are there. I've seen abandoned cars in Sydney CBD uncollected for days!