Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
#241
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
I live across the road from a play park - always loads of kids running around beside my place. Although I feel like washing some of their mouths out with soapy water some days, shame their parents cant hear them!
#242
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
I think a lot of these things are relative to your own personal experiences and also where you live in either country.
I was born and raised in London. I have lived in Sydney for 3yrs. I was recently back in UK for 3mths staying with my daughter in rural Essex.
Car parking.. I have just been for a swim at Cook and Philip aquatic centre here in Sydney. Cost me $7 to park the car. At the local leisure centre in Essex all free. We went to Lakeside shopping mall several times. Again free parking. In the village free parking!! Go into the city in either London or Sydney you need a mortgage to park the car and the over zealous traffic wardens are the same world over.
Retail service I find BETTER in UK. I had far more friendly conversations with staff than i ever do here probably because there is more of a mixed age group in UK working in retail. Here it seems to be predominently under 25s who really dont have the social skills. I also noticed in UK that many stores selling larger goods offer FREE delivery. I am yet to ever see this in Australia.
(no doubt someone will say they have)
For me, UK has far more choice range and diversity and I also feel that when you take into consideration the earnings to spending ratio, UK often works out a better deal in many things!
Online shopping in UK is eons ahead of Australia too. Most major stores offer a good online service. This meand you actually can SEE their products and prices on your computer unlike Aus where most business websites are p*ss poor quite frankly! It was a pleasure and a luxury to go to clothes shops and when they didnt have my size or right colour i was told to go home and buy it online from their central stock.
Just my opinions and of course others have different experiences.
I was born and raised in London. I have lived in Sydney for 3yrs. I was recently back in UK for 3mths staying with my daughter in rural Essex.
Car parking.. I have just been for a swim at Cook and Philip aquatic centre here in Sydney. Cost me $7 to park the car. At the local leisure centre in Essex all free. We went to Lakeside shopping mall several times. Again free parking. In the village free parking!! Go into the city in either London or Sydney you need a mortgage to park the car and the over zealous traffic wardens are the same world over.
Retail service I find BETTER in UK. I had far more friendly conversations with staff than i ever do here probably because there is more of a mixed age group in UK working in retail. Here it seems to be predominently under 25s who really dont have the social skills. I also noticed in UK that many stores selling larger goods offer FREE delivery. I am yet to ever see this in Australia.
(no doubt someone will say they have)
For me, UK has far more choice range and diversity and I also feel that when you take into consideration the earnings to spending ratio, UK often works out a better deal in many things!
Online shopping in UK is eons ahead of Australia too. Most major stores offer a good online service. This meand you actually can SEE their products and prices on your computer unlike Aus where most business websites are p*ss poor quite frankly! It was a pleasure and a luxury to go to clothes shops and when they didnt have my size or right colour i was told to go home and buy it online from their central stock.
Just my opinions and of course others have different experiences.
#243
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
Fair enough, although i go back every three months (sometimes 2) for work and holiday and last time I saw no change. My mates over there still complain about lack of service. They all maintain that it is just 'Rip off Britain' through and through. Most people carry on paying for things even though the service does not get better they don't know how much cheaper the rest of the world has some things (not all mind- some).
Public transport for instance only goes up and up yet you see no improvement in the service. Mind you Sydney is also a shambles hence why I run into work and back. This would only be feasible in the Uk for about 4 days a year.
Just a question ST georges girl- after all your negative thoughts of Perth, do you think it is just the isolation and heat of WA that gets you. Would you have been happier in Sydney or melbourne? Just a thought..
Public transport for instance only goes up and up yet you see no improvement in the service. Mind you Sydney is also a shambles hence why I run into work and back. This would only be feasible in the Uk for about 4 days a year.
Just a question ST georges girl- after all your negative thoughts of Perth, do you think it is just the isolation and heat of WA that gets you. Would you have been happier in Sydney or melbourne? Just a thought..
As for your mates saying "Rip off Britain", that was being said years ago, way before we left it's shores. It's human nature to complain, especially about bad service, but I can assure you that I've had extremely bad service here and imo, the warranty law is an absolute disgrace. We can all complain about things 'til the cows come home, no matter where in the world we live. Nowhere is perfect.
Last edited by St.Georges Girl; Jan 2nd 2008 at 6:07 am.
#244
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
Absolutely right on the 'chat in shops'. I hate the Sydney daily drivel of 'how are you' and 'have a nice day' when they really couldn't give a stuff. I loved walking into the newsagents back in the UK and get a bit of conversation and cheerful 'personalised' comments...not too happy about all the pictures of naked bossoms on show in the mags though. That's something I really appreciate not having here in Oz. We watched some Saturday morning kids/teens TV in the UK and were pretty shocked at the language and erm....adult content. I think that's what I worry about returning to the UK most concerning the kids, that kids seem to be kids for longer here.
I think a lot of these things are relative to your own personal experiences and also where you live in either country.
I was born and raised in London. I have lived in Sydney for 3yrs. I was recently back in UK for 3mths staying with my daughter in rural Essex.
Car parking.. I have just been for a swim at Cook and Philip aquatic centre here in Sydney. Cost me $7 to park the car. At the local leisure centre in Essex all free. We went to Lakeside shopping mall several times. Again free parking. In the village free parking!! Go into the city in either London or Sydney you need a mortgage to park the car and the over zealous traffic wardens are the same world over.
Retail service I find BETTER in UK. I had far more friendly conversations with staff than i ever do here probably because there is more of a mixed age group in UK working in retail. Here it seems to be predominently under 25s who really dont have the social skills. I also noticed in UK that many stores selling larger goods offer FREE delivery. I am yet to ever see this in Australia.
(no doubt someone will say they have)
For me, UK has far more choice range and diversity and I also feel that when you take into consideration the earnings to spending ratio, UK often works out a better deal in many things!
Online shopping in UK is eons ahead of Australia too. Most major stores offer a good online service. This meand you actually can SEE their products and prices on your computer unlike Aus where most business websites are p*ss poor quite frankly! It was a pleasure and a luxury to go to clothes shops and when they didnt have my size or right colour i was told to go home and buy it online from their central stock.
Just my opinions and of course others have different experiences.
I was born and raised in London. I have lived in Sydney for 3yrs. I was recently back in UK for 3mths staying with my daughter in rural Essex.
Car parking.. I have just been for a swim at Cook and Philip aquatic centre here in Sydney. Cost me $7 to park the car. At the local leisure centre in Essex all free. We went to Lakeside shopping mall several times. Again free parking. In the village free parking!! Go into the city in either London or Sydney you need a mortgage to park the car and the over zealous traffic wardens are the same world over.
Retail service I find BETTER in UK. I had far more friendly conversations with staff than i ever do here probably because there is more of a mixed age group in UK working in retail. Here it seems to be predominently under 25s who really dont have the social skills. I also noticed in UK that many stores selling larger goods offer FREE delivery. I am yet to ever see this in Australia.
(no doubt someone will say they have)
For me, UK has far more choice range and diversity and I also feel that when you take into consideration the earnings to spending ratio, UK often works out a better deal in many things!
Online shopping in UK is eons ahead of Australia too. Most major stores offer a good online service. This meand you actually can SEE their products and prices on your computer unlike Aus where most business websites are p*ss poor quite frankly! It was a pleasure and a luxury to go to clothes shops and when they didnt have my size or right colour i was told to go home and buy it online from their central stock.
Just my opinions and of course others have different experiences.
#245
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
Absolutely right on the 'chat in shops'. I hate the Sydney daily drivel of 'how are you' and 'have a nice day' when they really couldn't give a stuff. I loved walking into the newsagents back in the UK and get a bit of conversation and cheerful 'personalised' comments...not too happy about all the pictures of naked bossoms on show in the mags though. That's something I really appreciate not having here in Oz. We watched some Saturday morning kids/teens TV in the UK and were pretty shocked at the language and erm....adult content. I think that's what I worry about returning to the UK most concerning the kids, that kids seem to be kids for longer here.
However with regard the boobs on display ... what about the numerous ads here - on morning radio, tv, everywhere it seems - about erectile dysfunction ("wanna be a tiger in bed?","can't get it up?" etc). Morning radio can be pretty close to the knuckle, every second word is swearing (particularly on phone ins). Drive a bit out from the city, there plenty of billboards of scantily clad ladies suggestively posing advertising everything from pies to utes.
Also - the slew of strip clubs ... I can't get over that there are two in Brisbane City (Queen Street) mall. Not exactly the best of impressions for visitors to the city (neon sign: 'Hooters' - I kid you not). I don't have a prob with strip clubs, but not in the mall, it downgrades the city IMO.
Swings and roundabouts on that front I reckon.
#246
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,533
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
'A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY, DECISIVE, FRIGGING NEW YEAR'.
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/2125/meeeepx3.gif
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/2125/meeeepx3.gif
Ha ha ha ha
#247
Life is more than a dream
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Kings Moss, UK - it's a bit like Emmerdale
Posts: 1,389
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
My mates over there still complain about lack of service. They all maintain that it is just 'Rip off Britain' through and through. Most people carry on paying for things even though the service does not get better they don't know how much cheaper the rest of the world has some things (not all mind- some).
The reality of it is that you get taxed everywhere - as said above it's swings and roundabouts - different country, different systems - they all like taking our hard earned cash one way or another.
#248
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,913
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
Rip off Britain give me a break wiil ya!!
Since living in OZ, i now realise how Britain is NOT such a rip off afterall. Tax is higher in OZ too, so no comparison there.
As for public transport....omg, the lack of it in Perth is dire. Thankgod i have a car, that's all i can say.
Since living in OZ, i now realise how Britain is NOT such a rip off afterall. Tax is higher in OZ too, so no comparison there.
As for public transport....omg, the lack of it in Perth is dire. Thankgod i have a car, that's all i can say.
#249
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
I know it sounds like a cliche but although it was the most difficult time our realtionsnhip has ever had it has definitely made our marriage stronger and now we are just dandy!
#250
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
I know, awful aren't they...my kids all yell 'eeugggh!" and change the radio channel!
I agree with what you say about the kids being kids longer.
However with regard the boobs on display ... what about the numerous ads here - on morning radio, tv, everywhere it seems - about erectile dysfunction ("wanna be a tiger in bed?","can't get it up?" etc). Morning radio can be pretty close to the knuckle, every second word is swearing (particularly on phone ins). Drive a bit out from the city, there plenty of billboards of scantily clad ladies suggestively posing advertising everything from pies to utes.
Also - the slew of strip clubs ... I can't get over that there are two in Brisbane City (Queen Street) mall. Not exactly the best of impressions for visitors to the city (neon sign: 'Hooters' - I kid you not). I don't have a prob with strip clubs, but not in the mall, it downgrades the city IMO.
Swings and roundabouts on that front I reckon.
However with regard the boobs on display ... what about the numerous ads here - on morning radio, tv, everywhere it seems - about erectile dysfunction ("wanna be a tiger in bed?","can't get it up?" etc). Morning radio can be pretty close to the knuckle, every second word is swearing (particularly on phone ins). Drive a bit out from the city, there plenty of billboards of scantily clad ladies suggestively posing advertising everything from pies to utes.
Also - the slew of strip clubs ... I can't get over that there are two in Brisbane City (Queen Street) mall. Not exactly the best of impressions for visitors to the city (neon sign: 'Hooters' - I kid you not). I don't have a prob with strip clubs, but not in the mall, it downgrades the city IMO.
Swings and roundabouts on that front I reckon.
#251
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
I went back in May myself and I fully appreciate what you say about things that irk you about both places (and the stuff you like in both places too) and the continual weighing up of the pros and cons. I wrote this when I first got back: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=452748.
I usually get back to Aus dead set on making it work, and within a few weeks I'm back to square one again in terms of which place is the right one!
#252
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
Such a brilliant post rabsody...my findings also...although I found clothes more expensive in the UK...probably because I'm a K-mart girl here!
My kids are 14 & 12 and (nearly 15 & 13) and really wish we'd gone back two years ago...so many ties once they're at high school.
My big reason for returning is that I just can't see that Oz has anything for me or hubby once the kids have left home, whereas in the UK I'd join a rambling club and would probably be a National Trust volunteer, help organise local fetes etc as I love doing that sort of thing.
The problem we have is that (a) we're all about to suffer an econonomic downturn and (b) hubby is nearly 48...we've heard it's much harder to get jobs when you're approaching 50 in the UK.
I really am panicking about schools - our kids are at fabulous schools here and were horrified when they spent a day at a UK school and found the work to be hideously below the level they're used to. I've got an awful lot of work to do sorting out if we can get pensions, National Health etc as we both left before really working. Hubby left after his Masters and I left after just 4 years work in nursing.
It feels like I'm in a bit of a nightmare at the moment to be honest. I swing wildly in my loyalties. When I'm here, I want to be there and whilst I'm there, I want to be there but miss so much of what Oz has to offer and really fret about the impact my decisions will have on the kids.
My kids are 14 & 12 and (nearly 15 & 13) and really wish we'd gone back two years ago...so many ties once they're at high school.
My big reason for returning is that I just can't see that Oz has anything for me or hubby once the kids have left home, whereas in the UK I'd join a rambling club and would probably be a National Trust volunteer, help organise local fetes etc as I love doing that sort of thing.
The problem we have is that (a) we're all about to suffer an econonomic downturn and (b) hubby is nearly 48...we've heard it's much harder to get jobs when you're approaching 50 in the UK.
I really am panicking about schools - our kids are at fabulous schools here and were horrified when they spent a day at a UK school and found the work to be hideously below the level they're used to. I've got an awful lot of work to do sorting out if we can get pensions, National Health etc as we both left before really working. Hubby left after his Masters and I left after just 4 years work in nursing.
It feels like I'm in a bit of a nightmare at the moment to be honest. I swing wildly in my loyalties. When I'm here, I want to be there and whilst I'm there, I want to be there but miss so much of what Oz has to offer and really fret about the impact my decisions will have on the kids.
we do too!
I went back in May myself and I fully appreciate what you say about things that irk you about both places (and the stuff you like in both places too) and the continual weighing up of the pros and cons. I wrote this when I first got back: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=452748.
I usually get back to Aus dead set on making it work, and within a few weeks I'm back to square one again in terms of which place is the right one!
I went back in May myself and I fully appreciate what you say about things that irk you about both places (and the stuff you like in both places too) and the continual weighing up of the pros and cons. I wrote this when I first got back: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=452748.
I usually get back to Aus dead set on making it work, and within a few weeks I'm back to square one again in terms of which place is the right one!
#253
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 136
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
Where have you seen me post negatives about Perth and where have I said I think negatively about Perth?
As for your mates saying "Rip off Britain", that was being said years ago, way before we left it's shores. It's human nature to complain, especially about bad service, but I can assure you that I've had extremely bad service here and imo, the warranty law is an absolute disgrace. We can all complain about things 'til the cows come home, no matter where in the world we live. Nowhere is perfect.
As for your mates saying "Rip off Britain", that was being said years ago, way before we left it's shores. It's human nature to complain, especially about bad service, but I can assure you that I've had extremely bad service here and imo, the warranty law is an absolute disgrace. We can all complain about things 'til the cows come home, no matter where in the world we live. Nowhere is perfect.
#254
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 436
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
Such a brilliant post rabsody...my findings also...although I found clothes more expensive in the UK...probably because I'm a K-mart girl here!
My kids are 14 & 12 and (nearly 15 & 13) and really wish we'd gone back two years ago...so many ties once they're at high school.
My big reason for returning is that I just can't see that Oz has anything for me or hubby once the kids have left home, whereas in the UK I'd join a rambling club and would probably be a National Trust volunteer, help organise local fetes etc as I love doing that sort of thing.
The problem we have is that (a) we're all about to suffer an econonomic downturn and (b) hubby is nearly 48...we've heard it's much harder to get jobs when you're approaching 50 in the UK.
I really am panicking about schools - our kids are at fabulous schools here and were horrified when they spent a day at a UK school and found the work to be hideously below the level they're used to. I've got an awful lot of work to do sorting out if we can get pensions, National Health etc as we both left before really working. Hubby left after his Masters and I left after just 4 years work in nursing.
It feels like I'm in a bit of a nightmare at the moment to be honest. I swing wildly in my loyalties. When I'm here, I want to be there and whilst I'm there, I want to be there but miss so much of what Oz has to offer and really fret about the impact my decisions will have on the kids.
My kids are 14 & 12 and (nearly 15 & 13) and really wish we'd gone back two years ago...so many ties once they're at high school.
My big reason for returning is that I just can't see that Oz has anything for me or hubby once the kids have left home, whereas in the UK I'd join a rambling club and would probably be a National Trust volunteer, help organise local fetes etc as I love doing that sort of thing.
The problem we have is that (a) we're all about to suffer an econonomic downturn and (b) hubby is nearly 48...we've heard it's much harder to get jobs when you're approaching 50 in the UK.
I really am panicking about schools - our kids are at fabulous schools here and were horrified when they spent a day at a UK school and found the work to be hideously below the level they're used to. I've got an awful lot of work to do sorting out if we can get pensions, National Health etc as we both left before really working. Hubby left after his Masters and I left after just 4 years work in nursing.
It feels like I'm in a bit of a nightmare at the moment to be honest. I swing wildly in my loyalties. When I'm here, I want to be there and whilst I'm there, I want to be there but miss so much of what Oz has to offer and really fret about the impact my decisions will have on the kids.
I not sure where you are looking to move back to in the UK, but the south of England is still pretty good for work. Being over 50 is not a problem today in the UK. The job market is much more flexible and I have noticed that in the company I work for are many new staff are 50+(i.e Engineers/technical staff).
I am finding it hard to recruit due to the fact in the area I live in Oxfordshire unemployment is 0.9%. I returned to the UK at 39 from Canada and had a £50K+ job within 3 weeks.
My sons did not have any problem with UK schooling, but where young then 11 & 12 years old. At 15 my eldest son will do his GSCE's, but most are 16 when they do the first set exams. How different is UK schooling to Australia?
A'Levels are more important, so you children will have enough time to get qualifications for college or uni entrance.
Whats you husbands master degree in? Have you checked out www.jobsite.co.uk to see what work is available
BBC report 27th Dec 2007
Employment and immigration
The Halifax said house price growth in Scotland and south-east England reflected a "robust employment market and record levels of net international migration".
Its report noted that employment in Scotland had risen by 125,000 during the last five years, while in 2006 immigration increased the population by 22,000.
Strong economic conditions, highlighted by high employment levels, have boosted housing demand and driven up prices
Martin Ellis
Halifax Estate Agents
It added that property had been "relatively affordable in Scotland" which provided "a springboard for further significant house price growth".
Meanwhile, in south-east England, unemployment remained low - with 27 areas having unemployment rates below 1%.
Martin Ellis, chief economist for Halifax Estate Agents, said: "Strong economic conditions, highlighted by high employment levels, have boosted housing demand and driven up prices.
#255
Re: Do you worry about raising your kids in the UK?
Agreed- even though Sydney is expensive, I also find service here better than the UK. Even at a dingy bar they still give you a bowl for your crisps and even the hardest pubs in Sydney are still ten times better than some of the hardest ones in the UK. At least the ones here ackonwledge that there will be trouble and hence have proper security along with body searches.
Delivery here is also much better- we had stuff delivered the next day (Sunday) from IKEA at the same price as the week. In UK we would have had to wait 3 years till the next waning of a blue moon for that service. Agreed on the parking too- I hate being ripped off or fined to park for a few minutes.
Delivery here is also much better- we had stuff delivered the next day (Sunday) from IKEA at the same price as the week. In UK we would have had to wait 3 years till the next waning of a blue moon for that service. Agreed on the parking too- I hate being ripped off or fined to park for a few minutes.
Oz's on-line services are few and far between. Try and get Ikea delivered 100km from Sydney.
Either your mates don't get out much or fell into Dr Who's Tardis and were whisked back to the early 1980s. Which would still place them 10 years ahead of Oz.