Originally Posted by Beryl the Peril

I have to agree. I have never been so bored in my entire life than I am 'existing' in Perth. If, when I finally get to leave, anyone asks what I remember most about my time in Perth, BOREDOM will definitely be the answer. It is cripplingly boring, predictable, and utterly stagnant. Life is too easy, too manicured, too lacking in any atmosphere and too boring for words. Give me some 'grit' - even some gossip would do!! And hey, what's this 'Neighbours' image of Oz. Do me a favour! I haven't seen mine for literally 8 months. I'm beginning to wonder if they're dead!

Originally Posted by paulrachel

Beryl you took the words right out of my mouth..but for some people they won't allow you to speak the truth.
But i refuse to lie..it was my b'day y'day and had a great boring time here in Perth..all my friends and rellies in UK ringing me up and wishing me well..i couldn't face the truth for the first time since i have been here. Shame on me!!
I'm also beginning to wonder where my neighbours are??? so many houses...no souls

Originally Posted by Mercedes

I think those who are used to the bustle of Manchester and London probably will find it boring. I liked it for a few months, but I would have got bored of it, and it's too far from anywhere if you want to explore another City. For those going there I would probably rethink and look at Sydney or Melbourne, they may suit you better. Long way and an expensive trial and error if it doesn't suit. I think people have to look at their lives in Uk and look what they really do like and don't and make sure it ticks all the right boxes for you when you move. Family and friends are a serious consideration, how much are they in your lives and can you really go not seeing them for short periods every couple of years or so?

Originally Posted by mazi

Who had a nice house in Neighbours?

Originally Posted by ShozInOz

There was no single point, just a creeping, engulfing sense of boredom with Australia, and some disillusionment after 16 years of dreaming about Aus rather than experiencing the best of the UK. To me the benefits of Australia were nowhere near enough to justify a permenant separation from the UK... The decision was still immense though, and we changed our mind about one hundred million times. It was so much harder than the decision to go in the first place because of fear. We wondered what we might be losing. In the end, we lost nothing, and gained everything. When people ask me know what I miss most, "flat white" honestly comes to mind first, then a few other things, like the Spring and Autumn weather, the bluer skies. But apart from a small number of friends, we left nothing that really meant anything. For everything that we left and liked, and can list three other things that we gained and love on return. For everything that I dislike about the UK, and can list something I disliked about Australia. Now we are back, though in a different part of the UK, we feel alive again. It is amazing to feel at home again, and to know where home is. Home is really a state of mind, but it is one that I have wherever I am in the UK, and can feel even in Europe, and one that I never had in Australia. A symptom of that is that I rarely think about Australia much now, but when I was there I thought about the UK every day.

Originally Posted by Rosie Cheeks

Just love this post.
Excellent, excellent, excellent.

Thank you so much for writing this.

Originally Posted by ShozInOz

There was no single point, just a creeping, engulfing sense of boredom with Australia, and some disillusionment after 16 years of dreaming about Aus rather than experiencing the best of the UK. To me the benefits of Australia were nowhere near enough to justify a permenant separation from the UK... The decision was still immense though, and we changed our mind about one hundred million times. It was so much harder than the decision to go in the first place because of fear. We wondered what we might be losing. In the end, we lost nothing, and gained everything. When people ask me know what I miss most, "flat white" honestly comes to mind first, then a few other things, like the Spring and Autumn weather, the bluer skies. But apart from a small number of friends, we left nothing that really meant anything. For everything that we left and liked, and can list three other things that we gained and love on return. For everything that I dislike about the UK, and can list something I disliked about Australia. Now we are back, though in a different part of the UK, we feel alive again. It is amazing to feel at home again, and to know where home is. Home is really a state of mind, but it is one that I have wherever I am in the UK, and can feel even in Europe, and one that I never had in Australia. A symptom of that is that I rarely think about Australia much now, but when I was there I thought about the UK every day.

Originally Posted by Hayley

It is really spot on to how I feel even though I replace oz references for the US, it's always lovely when people who have returned post on here to say how they love it- unfortunately lots just drop off- but I can't blame them -they just don't need the support network that this site offers when they are back in england.

(I'm wondering when I return how much I'll want to post- but I like to think I'll try and keep an eye out for people who are in similar dilemmas as myself now and post every now and again. )

The point is that we get a very bleak overall picture of the uk which fuels our fears about losing material things and returning to a chavvy Britain- but I really don't think that's how the majority of people feel when they return.

Originally Posted by Budowsky

At what point did you walk into the travel agent and book your ticket? Was it a well thought out plan, or a spur of the moment decision. Have you regretted it?

I have really come to a cross-roads now, where I am seriously thinking about doing it. For me, the main one is jobs, culture and family.

Im in NZ at the moment and wondering whether to go to OZ, the UK or remain in NZ.

Originally Posted by RooksieJ

i will never forget the feeling i had when we were driving back to torquay from the airport. nothing but nothing could wipe the smile off my face. i wanted to kiss all the cows in the fields. i remember looking behind me at our eldest daughter in the back seat and just sharing a knowing smile - bliss

Originally Posted by milligano

Final straw? Reading this website! I can't believe how many of us are unhappy about where we live. Life is too short. Certainly helped us make up our minds. We're looking to book any day to be back by the end of January latest.

Originally Posted by Beryl the Peril

I have to agree. I have never been so bored in my entire life than I am 'existing' in Perth. If, when I finally get to leave, anyone asks what I remember most about my time in Perth, BOREDOM will definitely be the answer. It is cripplingly boring, predictable, and utterly stagnant. Life is too easy, too manicured, too lacking in any atmosphere and too boring for words. Give me some 'grit' - even some gossip would do!! And hey, what's this 'Neighbours' image of Oz. Do me a favour! I haven't seen mine for literally 8 months. I'm beginning to wonder if they're dead!