[QUOTE=Sean101;5888072 These are Mancunians though.


I wouldn't trust them then Sean.

[QUOTE=manc1;5890935][QUOTE=Sean101;5888072 These are Mancunians though.


I wouldn't trust them then Sean. [/QUOTE]

I dunno - they always return my guns when they've been shopping.

Sorry, but I'm not sticking it out; started to seriously go doo-lally so we've booked tickets for August - after one year of being here. (To get kids into new school year in Sept in UK).

For me, Australia is a lovely holiday destination not a long term home. I need my sanity back.

Now Rob, I thought there had been an element of Godzoning in your past posts!!!!

Hmmm?

I ditto that.

Good for you! We are leaving July, have a wedding that we were going to visit for anyway......I really would love to see BBC do a true to life doc on 12 months out here, rather than a week or month or whatever!! Might save a few making the big move.....and spending sooo much to move here.
They really are just like the devil in disguise!
We were out here for a month before we looked to move perm, but even then a month doesnt give you a true impression of what its all about.
Where you going back to then have you decided?
We are torn at mo, as my family in south east, OH family in Norfolk used to think that was far!!! ha ha!! HA HA!!! HA HA!!! Know what you mean about the sanity!! Have you started saying "yeahhhh" all the time yet? Folk round here use it to fill in the gaps that they dont really have an answer or opinion on! or because they just like saying it? Yeahhh!

just back to the op for a sec. having been a bobby in GMP, 10yrs, now in Edmonton canada, have not noticed a huge difference in some areas, lower in others, actually higher in some areas.

i'll explain.
same: soft drug use, hard drug use, both when dealt. car crime, of and from. domestic assault/incidents. assaults. murder rate/gang related crimes.

lower: domestic/commercial burglary, personal robbery. alcohol related brawls/pub disturbances. minor theft-shoplifting.

higher:crime involving knives being carried or used. gun related crimes. people wanted on warrants(seems they have far more chances here to avoid court/sentencing) drunk driving, cannabis production.

so is this the fear of crime so populated by the media and various crime surveys. possibly, and no doubt due in part to all the media and crime surveys. ignorance is bliss. does not stop me missing home though, or thinking about a move.

Great and honest post by one at the sharp end.

Fear of crime is infinitely greater than the reality. No country is safe from crime, so wherever you go there will be risks. Try and evaluate the risk sensibly.

It's not easy I know, but the risk of being involved in a crime is pretty low, especially if you are careful where and how you live.

That's a very realistic viewpoint in my opinion. In post #235 on this thread I wrote about my experiences of crime/fear. The last 24 hours in our nice little village have left me in a dilemma, which I assume would be the same in Oz or USA or elsewhere...

My OH is a brave, dedicated nurse who deals with psychotic/ drug-addled/ psychopathic/ violent/ manic patients on a daily basis. Yesterday afternoon in bright daylight (in uniform) she got off the bus and refused my offer of a lift - prefering a stroll across the field. Three young men in identical clothing followed her and chased her acroos the field, shouting abuse and acting in a threatening manner. Fortunately she reached the main road before they caught up with her. On arriving home (looking worried) she waited for half an hour before telling me what had happened. She is very wise.

Today, daylight, and only a bit deterred she walked home again but took the much longer way round. About to reach the short but very secluded path to the back of our house she spotted through the trees a very suspicious character, a man without dog, or camera, or other obvious hobby. He was definitely lurking and looking furtive and generally odd. After a period of careful observation she went the long way round - an extra mile.

In each case she did not ring the police. For the first she was busy running, for the second she spotted the risk and avoided. In either case the police would have had trouble finding her quickly (even if nearby). Plus a prosecution for the first group would have been very unlikely. She did not ring me, although I could have been at either location within 2 minutes.

I'm a pacifist by nature but a phone call from my OH in fear of attack would have caused my adrenaline and sense of outrage to blur my usual calmness. Had I arrived to the first group their only hope would have been to run away. Given their boldness and numbers I suspect they would stay - at which point there could have been trouble, with me (possibly) ending up as a convicted criminal. Not a good outcome for a pacifist!

This could happen anywhere, but short of moving away from populated areas or becoming hermits what can we do? I really don't know.

Look... 30yrs ago I was dragged into a bush in a park and violently attacked. Of course it had an effect on me for quite sometime.

Here's a fact of life. You got 2 choices.
You either get over your fears, live your life to the fullest and deal with what comes your way, be it good or bad.

OR

You live a stunted unfulfilled existance worrying about crap that hasnt even happened and probably never will, meaning you miss out on opportunities and potentially great life experiences.

Near enough the worst that can happen HAS happened to me, therefore I have no fear anymore. It happened, I survived, I moved on. What was I supposed to do for the next 30yrs? Hide under my bed?

For goodness sake. LIVE your life and do what your heart desires, whatever that may be!! You aint getting a second shot at it.

And I am sure there are women out there in every single country in the world who have had similar experiences to me, so i wont ever say one place is safer than the other because its bullsh*t

I fully agree with your sentiments, and I appreciate your taking the time to post. I like the first choice!

However, taking that path requires that I advise my OH to take the same (now seemingly dangerous) route home tomorrow.

I suppose it boils down to realism versus idealism. I'm truly sorry to hear of your negative experience (I've been served a few grief burgers too) but I cannot imagine that you would have made that particular journey if there was an obvious risk. But of course I don't really know you, and maybe you are of the character or mindset that would permit you to walk carefree along a path with a male lurker in the trees. If so, you are stronger than me, and the best of luck to you in your endeavours.

Never a truer word said!

Ooops!!

Sincere appologies Sean. I can see why you thought my post was aimed at you personally as it came straight after yours, but i was making more of a general point regarding the main focus of the thread. Certainly was not casting aspersions on yourself or your wife, and i agree you both have good cause for worry and regard for your safety

Have you looked into sorting out schools yet? Not as easy as here!! Have to be in catchment areas.....hope you get it all sorted. Have you got anything planned during your last few months here? (god that sounds ages!)

If we didn't have to sort the dog out...i think id go sooner. x