What do you like/loathe about living in Australia?

[ODearMe]

We are contemplating a move to Perth for a couple of years to experience a new chapter in our lives.
Just curious to hear what you like and loathe about Australia for those who live there?

[WhataSook]

Maybe you should search the old threads as this really has been done to death...

Not helpful I know but really not looking forward to another bunfight about racism/culture etc. A place is what you make of it, you are going to get extremes on here, people who are homesick, who didnt realise Australia was on the other side of the world, people who thought they could live like millionaires on a basic salary, those who thought the sun would shine 360 days of the year, but hate not having seasons...then those that will defend the place and not notice its shortfalls (and just like any country there are many).

Just decide if you are looking for an adventure or not and if you are, go for it! It's better to regret something you have done rather than something you haven't.

[ODearMe]

Bump

[ODearMe]

Thanks for your post, wasn't wanting to start a bun fight, just wanted some insight, I'm just curious and I guess, in search of reassurance

[ifink]

WhataSook is right, it does always turn into a bunfight! In one of those threads I think I said I was indifferent to living in Australia, think I'd been here less than a year - on the negatives it was lonely, hardwork finding where everything was, surprisingly expensive, food and goods seemed so limited (no M&S, no tesco etc), every shopping mall contained the same shops, I only seemed to meet british expats and no australians, friendships seemed to take ages to get going, annoyances like not getting kids into kindys for ages etc (all full up) but the positives from the outset were the excellent kids facilities/parks etc, coffee culture, picnics in beautiful weather nearly every day, weekend beach visits, getting the kids swimming etc.

NOW two years into living in QLD and I love it, and the negatives have gradually gone away or become 'normal'....I have proper friends both expat and local, my eldest is in a great school, youngest in a wonderful kindy, got used to shopping for in season produce and living without ready meals, using free international delivery offers whenever they come up!, i've taken up new hobbies which fit in with the climate etc. Amazing how your perception of a place can change so quickly when you feel good about yourself. So if you are open minded, prepared for the ups and downs and like an adventure, you will have a brilliant experience.

[echt]

On Page 2 of Living Overseas there are two threads, and one on Page 3.

[echt]

Also conversations on Pages 4,6 and 8.

The one on 6 is about Perth, and I expect Mosman will be along soon.

What was said upthread is true; no other country attracts such vilification. Those asking for info on the US are never told not to go because its racism or role as general warmonger. Go figure.

[Napsalot]

Like:
Sunshine
Beaches
Ability for kids to play outdoors in fresh air year round
Living in a house/suburbs instead of apartment/city living

Less appealing:
Online shopping not as advanced as elsewhere (clothes etc)
Flights are far when wanting to travel to N. America/Europe
Can be hard work getting to know a new place, schools, find friends etc but that is not necessarily specific to Australia

Hope that helps!

[OccamsRaiser]

We moved from SE London/Kent to Brisbane at the end of 2013, and it's only just now (5 months later) that we're really starting to feel settled.

In terms of likes/loathes, it's such a personal thing. I loathe the fact that our freezer grows mould on the outside during monsoonal rain! There are a million bugs/ants/Mosquitos/fruit flies here at the moment. I love the fact that there are plenty of new experiences, and it is possible to go for a really active lifestyle (though my DH and I were into that in the UK as well, so it's not like a personality transplant!)

But it really does depend a lot on where you move to, time of year, what you'll be doing etc. For every person moaning about the heat or humidity in summer, there's someone loving the mid-20s days throughout winter.

It's expensive. No getting around that - food, some clothes, travel etc are pretty pricey. We budget carefully (from when we were surviving on one income) and after our rent/childcare expenses, spent around $300/week, to cover food, petrol, car insurance and entertainment. So not cheap, but doable.

It's been tough for me to find work in a fairly specialised industry, but part of that may have also been the timing (everything seemed to shut down for Christmas!) and now I've found a good role it seems there are opportunities opening up everywhere... but on the other hand my husband literally walked into a job within a few days.

We were worried about meeting new people, but in the end decided to rent a townhouse in a complex with facilities (pool etc) that has meant we've met quite a few neighbours, many of whom are in similar relocation situations (ie next door have moved here from South Australia, the people two doors down are from Malaysia... Plenty of people looking to meet others if you look for it) We also joined various Meetup groups, parents groups and sports teams, which has been great in widening the social circle.

I found a nursery place for DS (10mo) after quite a bit of calling around... He does 4 days a week at one nursery, and 1 at another, but hoping that a F/T place will come through. It doesn't seem to bother him though, just twice as many new toys to play with.

I'd say that to make a move work, you have to be realistic. Like Whatasook said, there are people who expect 360 days sunshine but not too hot, or to live like a king on a pauper's wage. But generally, if you do your homework before you go, I think the adjustment period is a lot easier. It took us about 5 months, and a couple of fairly stressful periods, but my DH and I are probably happier than ever now. Good luck to you with your contemplations!

[HerRoyalNotness]

You know what, I'm a kiwi and have lived in Brisbane, Newcastle and a small town in Qld north. And I loved it. I found it easy to live there, people friendly And just had an enjoyable time. I'd go back but DH (English) is not keen. From what I hear though from colleagues is that Oz is now more expensive in the major cities than London. If you are in engineering, construction or other associated professions you'll probably earn enough to live well there. Although projects are starting to slow down.

If you are thinking short term, go for it, view it as a chance to see that part of the world, plan lots of travels, and go with an open mind

[HerRoyalNotness]

Ok so I've just asked DH again why he wouldn't go to oz, and I've asked him this many times before and never got an answer, just a shrug. And his answer? Spiders ..... That can kill you. I am a big arachnophobe and I feel squeamish thinking about it, but in the 5 years I lived there I only had 2 incidents which is not bad really.

[echt]

Meh, in any suburb you can get to a hospital where you'll get anti venin stat,as they say. I've been bitten twice by spiders in plant pot -related encounters, no sweat. If it's going to be unpleasant it will kick in soon enough; lots of time to get to A&E.

Snakes....hmmm they're more or less all deadly, but also hospitals well kitted- up.

I don't loathe anything about Australia; it has its less good moments/places/times, but the same could be said about anywhere else.

It IS expensive, but then you knew that. As noted upthread, go with an open mind. I hope you enjoy it

[saffronwblue]

Trying not to get drawn in as this really has been a well discussed topic but just want to say that there is a lot of talk now about climate change and extreme weather. Hot, hot dry summers in the south and flooding and torrential rain in Queensland. In the last few years all the records been broken and on the news tonight they were talking about "climate events on steroids".
Worth thinking about.

[Mosman]

I've had an up and down time in Perth to say the least, I think i'm finally settling though.
It's been hot this year but not as unbearable as people suggested, even the Aussies.
Overall it's a good clean place to live, very expensive and you'll be using the internet alot to bring over clothes, shoes etc.

[samuelwhiskers]

We used to live in Melbourne and to be honest I hated the place. Hated the grid system of roads and the suburbs that looked like the next one. St Kilda Beach might be nice and also some other parts but it is a huge sprawling city and it depressed me no end. I had one child in kindy and met some nice mums but it was hard work. Properties are so expensive in the nice areas. Good things are wonderful markets with fab veg and meat, good summers but looking back I am finding it hard to be enthusiastic at all about the place. However, loved Sydney although very expensive and the best place of all was Queensland - around Cairns. Totally different to Melbourne.

[ODearMe]

Thank you all for providing a glimpse of your experiences with Oz, really appreciate it