Why do we have such a low standard of living compared with Australia or New Zealand?

[Iggypoppie]

Disclaimer - never actually been but have watched a lot of Wanted Down Under

Just watched an episode of Wanted Down Under where the woman was told she could earn up to £40k pa working in a bridal dress shop. (£s not $s). And even after higher costs would be loads better off than in the UK.

This has been the case for most who are on the programme - including health and education workers.

So if the UK is a wealth country, why do we have such a low standard of living compared with these countries? (Assuming that the programme is accurate).

Am I missing something?

NZ has the highest Rate of domestic violence in the "western" world. Also very high suicide rates. NZ have legalised prostitution creating a dreadful dreadful situation for woman in an already hugely macho culture. It's very common for men to visit a prostitute at lunchtime or on way home from work. Trafficking & Racism is endemic within and all hidden behind the legality. It's also hugely "woke" and promotes men into women's sport.

It's really not a great place to be a woman.

What happens when your health deteriorates or you need even entry level care?

Meant for polyglot

I agree TheClitterati when we were in NZ we were gobsmacked to see huge billboard ads explaining that it’s not ok to beat your wife and kids, and the TV ads having to explain the same! It did appear to be linked to the macho culture and strong gender stereotyping. It’s one of the reasons we chose to come back to the UK, I wasn’t happy with ds growing up with those influences around him - particularly in school where the macho culture was huge. I remember trying to explain to the headteacher that ds was more a bookish / sensitive type than a rugby hero and the head smirking and sneering at me

I have relatives who live in a suburb of Perth and when I visited I was very surprised at how tightly packed together all the houses were. It also felt very American where everything was a drive away such as the park, local shops and school. That said the train into Perth was very convenient and I wish our railways were like it!

@PenelopeFlintstone
I used to earn $35 plus perks and tips 20 years ago!
(Outback WA bar work)

I used to earn $35 plus perks and tips 20 years ago! (Outback WA bar work)
That’s great but I’m WAY past that work! I’m pretty sure I know what those tips were for. 👙👀 My pay is excellent for admin plenty of people earn $25-30 in private enterprise. It’s pretty easy work.

I just thought of something that might surprise those who hadn’t been to Australia before. Despite the huge size of the country and distances between locations the only place you can travel at 130km an hour is some highways in the Northern Territory. Everywhere else 110km an hour is the maximum and the Police are very strict on speed limits and fines are very high.

Everywhere else 110km an hour is the maximum and the Police are very strict on speed limits and fines are very high.

Ah yes, not been a mention of the nanny state that is Australia. When i went on holiday with two English friends they said the two biggest things they took away that they weren't expecting was 1. Putting your hand in your pocket for everything 2. Nanny state controls on almost everything

Well I am definitely surprised to get to Northern Ireland and find the speed limit is 70 mile an hour! That's over 110km an hour on dangerous country roads

What happens when your health deteriorates or you need even entry level care?
It’s free.

I don't mean the cost of care etc, I mean access to people to help you out and do caring work if you live very remotely

I'm Australian. I have to say I'm often a bit appalled when someone posts a UK property on here and they look so poky and cramped. Otherwise, wages are not always high and I very much doubt that lady would be earning 80k (AUD)just for working at a bridal shop - she would have to be designing, stitching etc.

I'm having a quiet chuckle at the idea of Auckland being wet and having shit weather.

It's been over 20c since mid December and we're in the middle of a serious drought. I think it has rained twice since the start of Jan. Even in winter
we don't get days of unbroken drizzle.

The weather really does make life better.

The first time I visited Auckland it rained solidly and they had floods in North Island. Didn't put me off though, have been back a few times, beautiful country

As a new arrival to London from Sydney, and if I'm only comparing salary, housing and cost of living. My opinion is Sydney is better.

My husband earned about 40% more when you convert AUD to GBP. I earned amazing money and now can't find a job (mostly thanks to being pregnant and no one willing to entertain that I might be a valuable contributor - as soon as you start to use your uterus a lot of people start closing doors - funny that).

In terms if housing we had a massive place on Sydney harbour, here we have a tiny 2 bedroom cottage with no storage for the same money.

I will say this though, The NHS compared to Australia's public health system is absolutely amazing. But honestly I think I would prefer my old salary, house, and the weather.

I'm so sick of mud! Ahhhh

Living costs are much more in Australia but that is also reflected in the wages, I earn $80,000 doing daycare

It’s only 70mph in NI on the motorways surely? Def not on wee country roads.

Yes. NI has the same road rules as the rest of the UK. Only 70 for motorways.

Hmm well there are definitely roads around where I live that are 70. The sign is a white circle with a black diagonal line through it isn't it? Certainly not the single lane roads but normal double lane roads that aren't motorways as such but the main road between towns iykwim.

oh so that sign means different things.. depending on the road it may be 60 or 70.. my bad! I'm glad though because 70 does seem way too fast

It means National Speed Limit which varies according to the type of road