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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Original poster

Australia

57 replies

Flute56 · 11/10/2023 21:55

About 13 years ago I went to Sydney to stay with some relatives. I was not keen on Sydney as I found it to busy. I am from the UK and live on the outskirts of London. Fast forward to this year and this month. I decided to go back to Australia but to a quieter place so I decided on Perth. I have to say that I absolutely loved it. I wasnt staying with controlling relatives so I could do as i wanted. I only spent two weeks in Perth but that was enough to tell me that I wanted to go back. The weather was gorgeous, the people were friendly and it was very easy to get around on bus and train. Since returning, Perth is all I have thught about and all I want to be in. I realise going on holiday to a place is very different from actually living there. Someone said to me that if my life in the UK was wonderful then I would not be dreaming ot Perth and they said what makes you think that my life would be any better in Perth than the UK. I would have to start all over again and make new friends. At least in the UK I already have friends and I think there are more benefits to living in the uK like the NHS and I live in a council house so although i rent, it is very secure and I have lived in this property for 25 years which is very well maintained, I am also aged 60 and most people move abroad when they are much younger.

I do not know how to get over this feeling of Australia is wonderful and the UK especially living close to London is not. I have never liked winter, hate snow and ice and would not get any of that in perth or. I have not seen a great deal of England never been to Devon or Cornwall and once many years ago i travelled through the Cotswolds and thought it was nice. The other thing i want to ask it has anyone heard of anyone moving to Australia and then thought what on earth have I done and returned home to the UK. When I was in Perth I met a guy from London who said he was bored with his job etc and decided to try his luck in Perth and he said he loves it and has been there for 10 years now and has no regrets

I just wanted to rant. I am currently saving up to go back to Australia next year and maybe doing some more of perth and a few days in Adelaide

OP posts:
MrsFezziwig · 14/10/2023 21:53

Flute56 · 14/10/2023 03:57

I also knwo a doctor who was aged 58 who went to work in america and so I think if yu have a skill they take you

So you have a medical degree now?

Davros · 14/10/2023 22:22

@Flute56 but aren't you over 60?
Is bus travel completely free in Perth for everyone?

Tourmalines · 14/10/2023 23:10

Dyslexic .

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 15/10/2023 01:16

Davros · 14/10/2023 22:22

@Flute56 but aren't you over 60?
Is bus travel completely free in Perth for everyone?

I can answer this. The CAT buses in the city centre are free for everyone, and very handy indeed. Outside the city centre there is a charge, but it is very cheap as last year they capped all fares at a 2-zone maximum ( so even if you go nine zones you are only charged for two). For example my bus to work takes about 30 minutes and costs $4.09, about 2 pounds. One Sunday a month all public transport is free. Buses are clean, air-conditioned and reliable.

Blueolivio · 15/10/2023 19:59

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 15/10/2023 01:16

I can answer this. The CAT buses in the city centre are free for everyone, and very handy indeed. Outside the city centre there is a charge, but it is very cheap as last year they capped all fares at a 2-zone maximum ( so even if you go nine zones you are only charged for two). For example my bus to work takes about 30 minutes and costs $4.09, about 2 pounds. One Sunday a month all public transport is free. Buses are clean, air-conditioned and reliable.

Show quote history

All bus journeys where I am are capped at £2. My journey to work is about 20 mins but I could travel 2 hours away for £2 if I wanted. Same for many places in the U.K., hoping this scheme continues!

TreesAtSea · 15/10/2023 22:37

@Blueolivio The £2 bus fare cap has been extended to the end of December 2024.

storminabuttercup · 17/10/2023 07:49

Flute56 · 13/10/2023 10:26

I think I will just have to go back to Australia for a holiday again and forget about living there. I have a lovely council flat which has had a new fitted kitchen and bathroom and it nicely decorated and furnished. I do not know any other country that would offer such accommodation and the rent is cheap compared to privately renting. The only downfall is that I cannot buy my flat because these flats are not for buying. I never tried to purchase a home on the open market but those people I know who had council homes, bought them for a song and lived in them until they could sell them for the market value and buy a home on the open market. If you are as old as me you will have Margaret Thatcher to thank for that because she allowed as prime Minister for people in council accommodation to buy their homes when they culd not otherwise afford to just go into a travel agent and get a home with a sizeable downpayment. A friend of mine inherited her parents 4 bed house but some of us like me never had parents who could leave a home so the council property is the next best thing and I was lucky to get on the list to rent a council home because nowadays they say you need to have a child to get a home and even that is not reliable because they put families in bed and breakfasts. If I gave up this lovely home I would never get another opportnity unless of course I met a man with a house and we got married and then his home would be mine

Your rent is cheap as it's social housing, most people don't qualify for that and no you wouldn't find it that cheap in WA even if you miraculously got a visa.
Hmm

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