Shellfish

No worries - I shouldn't have made the boring people crack because, yes, I have been bored before. I do feel though that there is so much to do in Melbourne that it can't be referred to as boring suburbia - I think it's far from it. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea and some people crave 'more' but my post specifically referred to a place to raise children. Believe it or not, some people consider Melbourne a buzzing Metropolis

aaron8123

I have a 2.5 year old and he has done the museum 2-3 times, melbourne zoo twice, the aquarium once, abbotsford childrens farm twice, Dandedong ranges, St Kilda beach (5-6 times in the summer) we have lots of parks surrounding us and we go 3 times a week, but guess what nobody else is ever there, we go to music classes, gymbaroo, story time at the library and all this in 6 months. Even my little one is getting bored with this. We would like to travel around australia a lot more, but do not wish to fly everywhere, as it works out quite expensive. There is not much else to do in melbourne, if there is please let me know.

However, I agree with you woody, back in UK you have loads to do in london, and being in the south east we are close to lots of things which are all achieveable in a day. (Of course we don't always have the weather to do these things, but that's another story ) My son can still do these activities in the day, but can still have the option of travelling to many other places of interest. I cannot bear to visit the same places in melbourne again, for at least another few years.

northernbird

What did you think Australia would be like?? Did you not look at an Atlas and realise that you would have to fly or take a very long drive to places that were not in your immediate vicinity. It is only now in the last few years that airfares in Europe have become so affordable. when I lived in London in the early 90's we took a long weekend in Paris. The airfare was 350GBP each, you can probably fly there now for less than 50 quid. Why can't you and all the other anti wherever they live lot just say you don't like it, it doesn't offer you what you thought it would and move on instead of blaming it on the town, country etc etc.

Exile

With all respect, a lot of the people who post on here are in the process of doing just that. This is the moving back to the UK forum, where some people like to discuss issues related to that, and their reasons why. I'm not sure why you feel the need to be so defensive.

aaron8123

It is not so black and white, there are things I do like, and things I don't, but I have to give my reasons for this. You cannot just say it is not for me, people will want to know why on this forum. I like a few other people came out here without ever visiting and believed all this hype about melbourne being the worlds most liveable city. Unfortunatley, it isn't in my books. In my opnion the reasons I have given for not liking certain things is very much due to my surroundings, it has to be, surely??

Me and the other "anti wherever they live lot" feel it is our duty to post our opinions on this moving back to UK forum, so that 1) the people out here who also feel they do not like it know they are not alone and 2) the folks back home have some real experiences, everybody needs to hear the positives and the negatives. (you must remember that the people who really love oz do not have time to come on here and post their experiences, they are too busy surfin, having barbies or whatever)

I don't think anybody uses this board to make their final decision, just to gain other peoples opinions which is what we are all giving. It might not be want some people want to hear (and this applies to both people out here and yet to make the trip) but they are valid opinions nonetheless

Oh yeah, and we need to give you anti UK lot a run for your money

northernbird

it just makes me cross, don't know why because I know it shouldn't. I will stop my anger getting the better of me and refrain from posting. Anyhow, I wish everyone who is in the throes of making these decisions all the best.

aaron8123

By the same token, a lot of people on this forum get cross with people belittling the UK and all it has to offer, especially when they have not even been out here yet, I know you are not in this category.

Lets all take deep breaths....inhale.....exhale

aaron8123

After reading my post on melbourne, it does seem a bit harsh. I think I should explain myself (if anybody cares to listen) It is not melbourne's fault I have done it to death, when we came out here, remember there is no family/close friends, so no weddings, parties, dinners etc to occupy our time, therefore we went a bit mad and did lots of everthing that melbourne had to offer like all the above, great ocean road, philip island, geelong, yu yangs as we had nowhere else to go on the weekends and it was also to make up for the loneliness we felt. Everywhere we went was good and we enjoyed these family days out.

My only worry is that when the summer comes round again, not sure if we would want to do it all again, firstly due to the expense, but secondly it is not exciting the second/third time round. It is entirely our fault we did most of what melbourne has to offer in 6 months. That's why we are feeling a little bored, as do not want to fly anywhere else due to the expense, and we have many weekends to fill once summer comes. We may not have to cross that bridge as could well be going home in August.

aaron8123

Oh boy, it still seems harsh, ah well...

Exile

Not really. I've seen worse. I've written worse, in fact, about my life in Perth. You can only write as you find it. We shouldn't need to qualify everything we write, as it goes without saying that these are our own experiences and wont be the same for everyone.

aaron8123

I know, but I like to be constructive with my writing and not take the mickey. Anyway got to go now, I am very excited, my son has just come home from school and he said he's leant his ABC..........


did I mention he was 12

karaokeM

Hi

I live in Melbourne too, in the Dandenong ranges. I had this very arguement with my husband last night. I have decided I would like to go back UK after 7 yrs in NZ nearly five here. He said there's loads to do here! I said what?, I said there is nothing to do here unless it involves eating out. And if there is so much to do how come we end up going to the same places when people visit. Healesville, aquarium, crown casino, sovereign hill, etc, It's a novelty at first, but after five years its worn a bit thin :confused I'm glad I saw your thread, he makes out it's me, and I have a complete downer on OZ, which is not true, I just see the reality..God know what he sees..

karaokeM

Hi

I live in Melbourne too, in the Dandenong ranges. I had this very arguement with my husband last night. I have decided I would like to go back UK after 7 yrs in NZ nearly five here. He said there's loads to do here! I said what?, I said there is nothing to do here unless it involves eating out. And if there is so much to do how come we end up going to the same places when people visit. Healesville, aquarium, crown casino, sovereign hill, etc, It's a novelty at first, but after five years its worn a bit thin I'm glad I saw your thread, he makes out it's me, and I have a complete downer on OZ, which is not true, I just see the reality..God know what he sees..

woodyinoz

Where abouts are you in the Dandenong ranges??

aaron8123

I am glad you agree. The thing that bugs me is that it is meant to be the worlds most liveable city! The fact that most expats (especially on here) seem to move to perth or brissy means you can take that with a pinch of salt. You are absolutely right in saying that all there is to do is eat out, unfortunately cannot make the most of it with my LO, but from what I have experienced it is not as good as UK, cheap yes, but not as good. Mind you, all we do in UK is go to the pub Hell, sounds good to me (smacking lips at the thought of a ploughmans on a warm sunny afternoon) Yes it does get warm in the UK (sometimes)