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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Giddyaunt18 · 12/01/2017 16:02

paid not said

Giddyaunt18 · 12/01/2017 16:08

I know there are cooler parts such as Tasmania but I don't understand why the ferocious sun is such a draw. But then again I can't do more than an hour on a hot beach or by a pool . If you go for that, then you quickly realise you need to keep out of it. What's the point? Give me seasons anyway.I love the changes they bring.

Pluto30 · 12/01/2017 19:30

We have Medicare, Giddy... It's not necessary to have private health insurance, and the majority of people don't.

echt · 12/01/2017 19:45

Er... Australia is a continent as well as a country, and there are climate zones. We also have seasons. In Melbourne we call them spring, summer, autumn and winter, and they are quite distinct.

Giddyaunt18 · 12/01/2017 19:56

Ok , my family live in Queensland. Lots of people move there and Perth in WA for the weather.

thetoothfairywhoforgot · 12/01/2017 22:52

I've been thinking about this thread overnight. Hence a long post!

Better lifestyle isn’t just about weather. For us (and we moved 8 years ago, some of this has changed a lot since then) it means:

Swapping a three hour commute by train for a 30 minute drive.
Being able to drive where we want to go in 30 mins max and park easily when we get there.
Being able to book stuff like swimming lessons, afterschool care, concerts or weekends away at the last minute.
Getting a dr appointment the day we ring up.
Having access to beautiful countryside and beaches within 30 mins.
Not having to deal with British banks or call centres.
The ‘can do attitude’ rather than computer says no. If I have a delivery, they call and tell me when it will arrive rather than saying 8am to 6pm.
Less racism directed at my family.
A family centered social life. We have outdoor space and the weather to use it. We socialise with several families with lots of kids and they can play outside. This would not have been possible in our terrace in the Uk with a tiny garden.
I can leave our scooters or bikes unlocked at the playground and wander off for an hour without fear they will be gone when I get back.
Arriving at the airport 60 mins before a flight and not worrying that I’ll miss it.
Knowing my child will be accepted at our local school because we live in zone. Being able to take her out of school for a holiday without a fine. Our school values overseas experiences for its kids.

I do miss stuff though. Marks and Spencers, British supermarkets, Tesco’s, central heating, old buildings, the countryside, my old friends who have known me for decades.

We are very, very lucky to have the choice between two great countries to live in.

EastMidsMummy · 12/01/2017 22:56

I love this show. It's terrible!

The spinny cards!

The tearful messages!

The "we had a day on the beach with the kids which is much better than going to work at home" logic!

The "my milk bill is cheaper at home" arguments!

Awful yet brilliant yet awful.

Tezza1 · 12/01/2017 22:57

They say it's very Americanised, especially Foxtel.
I had Foxtel for a while and I'm pretty sure that there were at least a couple of channels dedicated to "quality" UK programming, plus free to air TV seems to have an abundance of rubbishy UK lifestyle programmes and endless repeats of things like Morse and Lewis, as well as "better quality" new programmes on the ABC and SBS.

Glastokitty · 13/01/2017 03:24

Can I just try and lay one myth to rest? Australia has seasons! In fact where I am (Perth), the aboriginal Noongar people have identified six seasons, rather than your standard four, and they are actually pretty spot on. The seasons are just as distinct as in the UK, just not as cold. And that's just Perth, Australia is a massive continent with a variety of climates, to say it has no seasons is really pretty silly really. In Melbourne I believe they can even get four seasons in one day! Grin.

As for the tv, we barely watch it, especially in summer. The local channels aren't great, but its easy to get whatever channels you like, so its no biggie.

And you don't need private health care. We have Medicare and don't pay for anything. My local doctors surgery is a 24 hour walk in clinic, all free, it's awesome.

Anyway, all places have their advantages and disadvantages. I'm never quite sure why Oz attracts so much opprobrium from people though, its a bloody fantastic place to live. Wanted Down Under is a silly programme though, its all bollocks really (according to my mate that was on it).

DetMcnulty · 13/01/2017 03:51

I'm going to agree with Glastokitty (pretty sure I always do on these Oz threads), but I emigrated to Perth too, also with no jobs and having never visited before and best thing we ever did. Had been to Sydney a number of times, but believed Perth would suit us better. As a sporty, active family Perth does give us a much better lifestyle. We can drive to a pretty much empty beach, with free parking in 5 mins. I live a fair way out, about 30km, from CBD where I work, but the trains run on time, and regularly, so can be door to door in 30 mins. In mornings they're every 5 mins, coming home every 10 mins.

Working is more relaxed than it was in UK for me, and much, much better paid than I was working in North of England - almost twice as well paid, even taking into consideration higher cost of living. We do have a bigger house, swimming pool, big yard for the kids for about the same as we paid for a 3 bed semi with a tiny back garden, so it is feasible if you're flexible about where you live.

And those are ridiculous stereotypes about Aussie men, I run a team that happens to be all male, and they're all professional, respectful and highly intelligent. Some like sport, but so what, so do I! It's not some weird failing, I've found the Aussie approach to sport, particularly at the level my children are at to be much more healthy and inclusive than when they played soccer in UK.

And yes, it's not year round sunshine, very definite seasons (have been wishing for more sun this past winter). WA itself is such a huge state, even within it the climate is so different. I personally love Margaret river, with the beautiful Boranup forests, vineyards and beaches but slightly cooler, but up North is equally spectacular when you see the Kimberleys etc.

Not to say there aren't issues, I do worry about the use of drugs here that may impact my kids as they grow up, but UK certainly not immune to that problem either, so no regrets here, and you couldn't drag me back to UK.

LarrytheCucumber · 13/01/2017 06:27

Drugs? In wholesome outdoor lifestyle Australia? Shock
I have Sunrise Australia on my Facebook page and as far as I can see Australia has pretty much the same issues as here with added sun - 43 degrees in NSW today. I have seen items on childhood obesity, children spending too much time on phones and internet (presumably when it is too hot to go outside) drivers using mobile phones- with the addition of a spate of swimming pool drownings.
Nowhere is perfect, because people are people.

Pluto30 · 13/01/2017 08:07

Yes, many (most) parts of Australia experience four distinct seasons.

I live in an area that gets snow.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 13/01/2017 08:45

Haven't watched for a while, but I've often thought the couples in question have underlying problems of some sort, and they think everything would be fine if only they could have non stop sun, barbies every other day, and a pool in the garden.
Oh, and a bigger house, but since Aussie prices went as crazy as they are here, that's often just a dream, too, unless they want to live in the back of beyond.

LarrytheCucumber · 13/01/2017 09:26

We met a woman like that in Brisbane. She was moving to Oz to escape the terrible problems in St Albans (UK). DD's assessment - you take your problems with you.

wheatchief · 13/01/2017 11:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CrazyCavalierLady · 15/01/2017 12:04

LarrytheCucumber apologies I missed your post. Yes Tasmania is terribly cold in winter but owing to the large amount of posters who appear to hate the idea of the heat I was trying to offer a State with a cooler climate. Smile

I've actually found this thread really interesting TBH. I'm amazed that so many posters think we suffer from a lack of seasons, medical care, education and television choices (not to mention our poor sports addicted bogan men) Grin

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