Has anyone noticed how boring Oz is?

Well, we've been here 24 years now and in all that time, not much has changed. At first it felt like being on holiday, in fact for about the first 7 years. Then we had kids and it was a case of 'getting on with it'. We'd have gone home but everyone was giving us the 'country's gone to the dogs' routine even back then!

The last few years I've wanted to get back - it's bloody hard work making friends out here. Finally we gave up and have now a wonderful set of Brit friends, plus some well-travelled Aussies, South Africans and Chinese. Some days I just cry as our children are now older teens, there's a recession on and our chances have just about been blown.

I miss wider family, knowing that our children will never know them. I miss the culture of whacky English traditions, village life, the countryside, the seasons but most of all I am crying out for humour, wit and intelligence. If all you want in life is sun, beaches and lazing by the pool, good shops and eating out, then honestly, Australia is a fabulous destination and THE best and safest place to raise children. But if you enjoy more intellectual pursuits, love history and culture and prefer a walk on a crisp Autumn day to sweating in 40C heat, then you're going to be pretty miserable in Oz.

So Australia can be Heaven or Hell depending on what you want out of life and the sort of person you are.

Sally Anne said:

what do you think you're missing the most about england ezzie? It's just taken me a year to convince my husband that Australia will be wonderful!!

Click to expand...

Hi,

Why don't you just move to another part of Australia? With 4 seasons, etc...
Also, if you miss something, anything, it is likely other people feel the same, why don't you create it?
If you miss theatre, create a group, if it's interesting talking create a book group, or a history group, etc, just get together with people who feel the same, create a local meet up for Brit. expats, etc....

We want a milder climate, so at this point we have shortlisted: SA, Victoria and Queensland Tablelands.
The plan is visiting next month and decide in November.

We've been looking at things we both like to do, and deciding how to get that there.

The UK has great things, it's true, but the winter can drag itself for 4 seasons sometimes, nowhere is perfect.
Also if you miss the UK so much, maybe you could come to live here, or at least retire here in a few years time when your kids leave home.

I struggle with the UK, don't find people very friendly, do not like the weather, and culture, well I know it exist but with 3 kids under 7, it's more CBeebies and playgroups for us...

Best wishes,
Busyte

I moved to Brisbane 3 years ago now with nothing but my suitcase and my 457 VISA (benefits of being 'young' and single I guess, you dont have to worry about too many people besides yourself and your closest family). Initially it was like a holiday, especially moving from Danish November weather to Australian November weather... but once Id gotten used to the weather I started to notice that the entire way of life was different in OZ. People were a lot more laid-back and everything didnt seem as rushed as it did back home.

After 1 year in Brissy work moved me to Sydney and despite the lifestyle being a bit more hectiv I still found that I had the best time ever, whether it was working or hanging out with my mates on the weekends. The only thing I started to notice eventually was that a lot of my activities involved alcohol? Not sure if thats a OZ thing only or not...

I then made the terrible mistake of accepting a job in Dubai in early 2009 and have been here since February... If you think OZ is boring, come live in Dubai for more than 1 week ! Ive quit my job and am now moving back to Sydney end of December... Cant wait to get back !!!