Does anybody know at what point Australia started turning its pubs into pokie filled aircraft hangers?

Hi

No your not sad. I did the same thing I was fed up of me and my english friend getting a hard time about how much we were spending at the supermarket. So I did the same thing (I found it cheaper also) and probably better quality, obviously it was blown off has being rubbish by OH. Yeah the petrol cheaper but I travel far more distances to get anywhere, he earns more but taxed more, we used to just have heating bills in UK, now heating and air con. I know from speaking to others even aussies who have lived a while in UK, its swings and roundabouts not much different in living cost. You might have a bigger mortgage but at least you have not got expensive flights to think about.

I think it was about ten years ago, but speaking to some aussies they reckon that the pokies have ruined the pubs they used to better before their arrival.

I can't think of a more effective way of fleecing the punters than combining beer and fruit machines... its no wonder the pubs are packed with them.

I totally get that and don't think I could cope if I felt like that. I genuinely hope you find happiness in your world.

yeah I know sad but in truth I grew up there so bit of a soft spot that said Notts is where I love to be

I wonder if it is actually easier going to Australia when you are in your 20's when you are still building up your life and harder in your mid 30's 40's after you have built up some sort of life. It would be interesting to see what ages some of the posters are on here who don't like Australia. Are people trying to capture their lives that they had in UK, or did they want a totally different one? Just interested.

For my part.. mid 40's. We came for the life experience.. which has turned out to be a bit dull for me and lonely for my wife.

Pretty good question. I came when I was 23, am now 41. Married fairly young (to an Aussie)had kids, then my wife decided she wanted a divorce, and that really really cost me any chance of owning a house here. After some time away in Argentina and Colombia I realised there is much more to life than 'stuff'.

However I have new wife new (not Aussie or Brit) and we are travelling ok money wise, but have different opinions on where is best.

I think for me the things that have always irritated me about the Aussies (arrogance, lack of culture, sport, beer, v8 obsession etc) have now become more prominent, because my wife and I are on the verge of starting the life that most couples start in their early 30s, and I don't want that life to be here. Too much 'bad stuff' has happened to me here to ever want to settle and buy a piece of it.

I want to buy a house (pretty easy done for us now) be content with our bit of wherever. But the way I see it, at my age (wife is 33) we have one shot at happiness with our deposit and plans etc. And Oz has had enough chances to show me it's good side and has always come up short.

Somewhere else is getting that shot, seeing as realistically it will be our only one. Not sure if that answers your question.

Everyone's story is different I guess.

I think theres probably a lot of truth in that - generally speaking the younger you are, the more adaptable you are too, so the more likely you are to be able to fit onto a new lifestyle. As you get older, you naturally become more set in your ways, and more accustomed to familiar things at home.

You can't do that here can you, you have to actually enter those scruffy, filthy places. Those trollies, yuk, disgusting most of them, I cringe every time I have to wrestle one of those things.

Yes that is true. I am having to force myself otherwise I will be come totally isolated.I think most people do the same here anyway.

I was too old to move again(wrong side of 40) it is harder.I have litle in common really with most women I've met.If I do pull Britain apart it tends to work okay though.Can't be bothered.

I also suffer frombieng lonely.It is difficult to old to fit in perhaps.I haven't got any great suggestions. I just feel for her.

There doesn't sem to be any dart teams etc.Was it always that way?