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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to just not understand 'Wanted Down Under'

216 replies

AtYourCervix · 20/01/2011 09:24

All these people wanting to move 'To improve the quality of life'

but every one has older children refusing to go, partners with 'major concerns' and extended families devastated at the thought of families so far away.

Why? I don't get how this could Improve their lives.

Enlighten me.....

OP posts:
BillBrysonsRucksack · 20/01/2011 09:44

Sorry, Aussie just realised what I put in my previous post generalises a bit. I really meant people like the ones on the prog who seem to have decided in about 2 seconds that moving to Aus is a good idea.

TheCrackFox · 20/01/2011 09:44

They invariably live in a shit hole in the UK and are always stunned that all they will be able to afford in Australia is another shit hole. Do none of them have internet connection? A lot of this research could be done at home.

One bloke last week thought nothing of leaving his 16 year old son from a previous marriage behind. He was the most selfish individual I have seen for a long time and I am stunned that he managed to con some other poor sap into marrying him.

LittleMissHissyFit · 20/01/2011 09:45

Nah Bill, tis not actually like that. It's a huge testament to the upbringing of a parent that the children feel they can spread their wings.

THAT SAID.... I lived abroad aged 20/21 on my own and it was great, but it was never going to be permanent.

Went out to Egypt in 2006 with 'H' and DS and it was an utter disaster. Partly due to culture shock, but seriously exacerbated by STBXH EA and cruelty/reverting to local type.

Only when you end up that far from home do you really understand the meaning of the word Lonely.

My sis was in USA, and SHE said the time difference was isolating... Imagine Oz!

lulalullabye · 20/01/2011 09:46

We lived in Melbourne for a year in 2009. We came back to the Uk in Feb last year because the pull of family was stronger that all the fantastic things we experienced and could have in Aus. We were wrong and we are going back there in April. It is not as simple as just leaving your family because of something better and any caring family will see that when you tell them that you are going.

You can get houses that are huge for the price of a two bed house in the midlands but you will have to live away from the sea in the cheaper areas of cities etc.

Aussieng · 20/01/2011 09:47

Grin ha ha BillBryson "no worries"

And just to clarify I did not mean that I am desperate to leave the uk when I said "hopefully the lower end of the scale" - just thinking in terms of upheaval for DS1.

HopeEternal · 20/01/2011 09:52

I hate this show in its new format. I can't believe that none of the participants appear to have done none of their own research on anything! IIRC, it used to be presented by Nadia Sawalha in a slightly different format and I did enjoy watching those.

BillBrysonsRucksack · 20/01/2011 09:52

Grin Aussie, thanks. I feel the need to be treated gently today (very un-mumsnetty) so should probably think twice before I post!

thefirstMrsDeVere · 20/01/2011 09:53

My mum and dad moved to Australia in 1960s when I was a teeny baby.

They lasted a whole year. I could have saved the trouble and told them they would last Hmm

Well if I had a time machine I could (this is getting complicated...)

Mum being mum has decided that it was my fault they couldnt stay because I got so ill.
Hmm again.

thefirstMrsDeVere · 20/01/2011 09:54

wouldnt last doh!

LittleMissHissyFit · 20/01/2011 09:56

CrffackFox Yes, that bloke was AWFUL!!! leaving his DS1 and ffing off to Oz with the new wife and DC.... I was livid with him.

LittleMissHissyFit · 20/01/2011 09:57

CrackFox... Blush NO idea what happened there!

KangarooCaught · 20/01/2011 09:57

one chap went and 'discovered' his job didn't give him enough points for admission into Australia Hmm

2rebecca · 20/01/2011 09:59

I think some of the couple angst must be put on for the cameras, after all both the couple must have agreed to write to the TV programme and signed contracts before the filming even starts, so it seems a bit false to me, much like women in wifeswap who moan on camera that they won't cope without their husband for 2 weeks.
I find some of the extended family reactions very selfish. There was one able bodied woman in her 50s who was begging her daughter in a film shown to the couple not to go as "my family are my life". Suspect the son in law was desperate to escape.
If my kids moved abroad I'd feel proud that I'd given them the confidence to travel and flee the nest.
It doesn't have to be stay in the UK or move forever either. My ex and I lived and worked in New Zealand for a year and just rented out our house and had temporary jobs. We went prekids though which makes it easier. Both our families were very supportive, although they were please when we returned.

BillBrysonsRucksack · 20/01/2011 09:59

Fab, Homes under the Hammer next!

justonemorethen · 20/01/2011 10:02

Think you're all being a bit harsh.
I don't get why people come to this country for a better life to be honest. Granted it's better then some war torn hell hole but's it's bloody expensive, the weather is well we all know about that and generally you'll be worked like a dog.There are quite a few women in my town who have left their kids in the Philipines or Pakistan and you think really...? They think it's the right choice though so I don't see Brits going down under is any different.

BillBrysonsRucksack · 20/01/2011 10:04

justonemore I don't think anyone is saying people shouldn't move to Oz, just that the people on the programme blatantly haven't thought it through.

jonicomelately · 20/01/2011 10:07

I don't like it when they force their kids to chosse between sunshine or a parent/grandparent they'll leave behind.

I think it's also really bad they don't give an update. OK they tell us what the family are hoping to do but they never say if they did iyswim.
I bet it's because none of them ever actually do move to OZ.

Original poster
AtYourCervix · 20/01/2011 10:15

can't bear any more daytime TV crapology - need a sleep before work.

OP posts:
ninedragons · 20/01/2011 10:16

I think it's Home & Away syndrome.

People see all these working-class people living in "Summer Bay", but in real life it's filmed in Palm Beach and the median house price for the suburb (and we're talking beach shack here) is a million quid.

I have to say as an Aussie sometimes it comes across that after 200 years UK still hasn't got out of the habit of sending its dross over here. Sometimes the people are truly awful.

BeenBeta · 20/01/2011 10:18

I came across 'Wanted Down Under' by accident just the other day. I only watched one episode but it was interesting because all the questions, calculations and issues with children are all tings we are considering as we prepare to move to NZ in July.

Its actually quite accurate, although as others say, obviously people should consider these issues before they get there.

The only thing we dont have to consider is parents turning on the tears and emotional blackmail. Mine have never visited us in over 20 years so moving to the other side of the planet will make no difference.... they might even decide to come for a holiday.

PILs are already planning a two month trip. Hmm

thefurryone · 20/01/2011 10:20

jonicomelately there were some updates from earlier series when this was shown last year, for those that do decide to move it can take quite a while to get the logistics in place I think.

Aussieng as someone who was moved around by their parents A LOT I would say that when I was in primary school the moves were pretty ok and easy to adapt to, but those whilst I was in secondary school were pretty crap, I still have the odd bitter and twisted moment about being made to move when I was 14 (20 years ago) and that was to two different places within England! Of course this is a wild generalisation as a lot will depend on the personality and needs of your child but I do think that what is a bit adventure when you're 8 can traumatic when you're a sensitive teenager trying to find their place in the world.

TheEvilDead2 · 20/01/2011 10:20

If one partner doesn't wnat to live in the UK don't they have just as much as right to be happy somewhere else?

jonicomelately · 20/01/2011 10:24

Why can't they say the family are in the process of applying etc.
They want us to care about their fate and then don't bother telling us what happens.

KangarooCaught · 20/01/2011 12:38

I joke we live in a 1950s rural backwater & I hear quite often that NZ is quite 1950s - what do they actually mean by that??

LittleMissHissyFit · 20/01/2011 14:18

And you thought THAT was bad..... ITV's May the best house win..... God help me...