Going back .. should we do it?

[Guest BraduZ]

Originally Posted by weesp

I would just like to my two penneth in.

 

We have been here for 7 months now. At first I was enjoying it, positive, its a new country, going to be different etc etc and yes we have spent, spent, spent, spent and spent.

 

Now the holiday feeling has worn off, not sure that I want to raise my kids here.

 

Firstly, I can't give the kids what they had in the UK nowhere near it, I'm forever saying NO. We are struggling like we was 20 years ago! My OH is a painter & decorator on s**t wages, I work partime and still we struggle. My 3 boys are into football which the fees are totally extortionate 3 times more expensive than the UK. The Aussies think that our tradesmen are only good for digging holes and he's been told that by one! My OH is a fully qualified P&D had his own business for 4 years in the UK. How does that work that you can get $25 for cleaning and $24/28 for a skilled electrician or tradie!!!!!!!! Yeah the beaches are good when u can swim in them if theyve not been closed due to SHARKS. The barbies are great but beer and wine every weekend costs a fortune, money we aint got. Our food bill is above the UK. Somebody else mentioned the drivers here, that u take your life into your own hands. There is crime here, it goes on all the time, they just dont print it thats why it seems lower. My kids are on the street and see what goes on. There was a stabbing, fights and a rape on NYE at Glenelg and that was a good one!!!!!!!!

 

U dont need a crystal ball to see that you'll always be broke here. I know the UK is in depression, but least u get free schooling, free medicare.

 

I knew it would be hard, but truely not this hard, we're on the 495 temp so get no help, we are friendly people and have made some great friends all English, our Aussie neighbours dont want to mingle with us brits. Our friends, who have lived in Sydney and Perth, said that SA is the most racist towards the brits!!!! Really dont want to stay in Adelaide are thinking of going to Perth where it is more modern and people are more friendly.

 

Lynn

 

I felt I had to reply to this I am an electrician and dont know where you get your wages from but I earn more than the wages you put for sparkies as for unfriendly aussies I have found it the complete opposite and have quite a few aussie friends from the building sites I have worked on yes over here we have to dig trenches but so do the aussie sparks we dug one the other day me and an aussie spark as for p&d wages the ones I have worked with earn nearly as much as me and I am earning more than I was in the uk with more fringe benefits

Its not all doom and gloom I actually look forward to going to work now and the day flies past I have had no racism towards me yea sure we take the pee out of each other but its friendly banter and no malice in it

some things are more expensive here yes shopping for one

as for crime we go out quite a lot and have not seen any yes it goes on but not nearly as much as in the uk

So all in all we are loving our new life in australia and have been here for 8 months now and a lot more years to come I hope

 

 

My OH got the wages from the Union board, and I know lots of sparkies who are on this wage. You must be very lucky that you are on a good wage, I think that you are in a minority though. But well done.

 

Lynn (weesp)

[Guest BraduZ]

I've chopped the text but I love that statement :notworthy:

 

 

 

Hence why we said that we was looking at PERTH!

 

Lynn (weesp)

[Guest BraduZ]

I think if it was only adopting to a different way of life,that would be ok, but when people have to decide between food and medical treatment for themselves and their family that is an entirely different matter.

 

As i said earlier there but for the grace of god go you.

Imagine if one of you through ill health suddenly wasnt able to work and you didnt have the money to buy your child antibiotics or food,are you not going to feel very distressed.I very much doubt it.That wouldnt happen in the UK,it could easily here.

 

My husband works with people who literally can hardly walk because they have had surgery in the past and were never able to afford the follow up physio,how tragic is that.I am sure those sunny beaches make up for that.Get real.

 

Just because you arent experiencing it now doesnt mean you wont in the future and then and probably only then would you see the big picture.

 

In the meantime for those with the usual smug, condascending attitudes try and have a little humility for others.

 

As Cazzie said with all the best plans things dont always pan out,no matter how hard people try..

 

To go back 20 yrs financially is a very harsh blow.If i can make anyone think a little bit more carefully about what they may have to lose than i will be happy.

 

Sue

 

 

Thank you Sue for talking some reason. I can't understand why i am getting soooo much stick over talking about MY experience. One day, some of these people might realise where Im coming from. But thank you again.

 

Lynn (weesp)

 

[Guest BraduZ]

As as Local living in the UK i have been following this forum for some time, i think it is wonderful and very helpful.

 

It does get my goat up some times when a very very small percentage speak before thinking. A forum is not meant to be offensive and i find the above offensive and well, small minded.

 

Therefore this has prompted me to add a quote from an Aussie news paper, which all brits should read and make there final decision before buying their one way tickets!

 

Regards

BB

 

 

Actually, I think you actually wrote this post to yourself, perhaps you should think before you speak in future and especially about things you certainly know nothing about. Try leaving your comfort zone and moving your whole family to the other side of the world, have the troubles that we have had, then YOU come and talk to me!!!

 

 

 

Lynnn(weesp)

 

 

[Guest Nick11]

I have to admit the sparkies we know are on $26 an hour and the cleaners are on $27 - however the cleaners do run their own business.

 

Its not all skittles and roses living here - but then again that's why we left the uk.

The future does worry me in terms of financial security - i.e not being able to afford medical care - but there are safety nets in place here for that - will just take me 4 years to get it on a 495 visa!

 

I truely hope things get better for you.

Nick

x

[Guest Kazzarazza]

 

was openly referred to as Chocco,I am sorry but i find that disgusting.

 

I think you need to stop being SO BRITISH and lighten up. You have all been brainwawshed by the PC brigade. Thank God I got out in 1990.

 

Chocco is not racist - hell, the manager of the Port Adelaide FC is called Chocco. They call him Chocco when interviewing him on the news, he even calls himself Chocco. There is nothing racist about it at all. I have never come across any form of racism in all the time I've been in Adelaide. How can you think POMS (you probably think that is a racist term) would be treated bad because of their "race" - about 45% of Adelaide is from the UK, or UK stock.

 

I think a lot of problems are caused by attitude - not coming with the right one!! Some people seem to come here and then not embrace it, try to change it back to exactly what they have just left. It's not going to work.

 

I understand a lot of you newer arrivals are stuggling more than you expected to and I do appreciate that. But the problem is not with Australians or lack of material things. It's due to the type of visa you are on. The 457 and 475 is a short cut to get here quicker. I promise you all when you are permanent residents, its will be better. I've never paid anything to go to the doctors, or to hospital. If Aus did what the UK did and opened up social security to everyone, the first day they arrived from a foreign country - what would you have - another Britain, broke and going down the drain.

 

I hope the people struggling on here do get a break soon because Adelaide is a wonderful place to live and can give you a fantastic life - if you just let it.

[Guest katsmajic]

Its getting a bit heated now....

 

Im in the loving it brigade, but ive never said its easy!

 

It is damn hard work rebuilding our lives here, it would be anywhere - people speaking english makes it a whole lot easier i think than in another foreign country - we've pretty much started from scratch here, with very little money - we didnt have a house to sell (we saved for this adventure), with teens who hated us for bringing them here and who set out to cause the upmost upset they possibly could, my hub has been laid off work twice - there is virtually no work here in manufacturing yet its still on the modl list/critical list - im now working, sooner than i planned and not doing what i planned - taken a 10year career stepbackwards, back to being a chef.

If something could go tits up then mark my words - itl happen to us! We've had "the" call back to the uk, seen the inside of too many police cells, suffered extreme money worries, been in A&E with the kids, had medical problems, life & death.....

 

But I know im happy here, my teens say they want to return to the uk for a cple of weeks but they want to stay here - that alone bought tears to my eyes, my lil kids are very happy, they love school, they have loads of friends, they love the life here - our fun is usually free fun - family time out together - which is the best and most valuable kind of fun.

Rome wasnt built in a day - and i cant rebuild my old life in weeks/months - it took years to make the life i had and the friends i had. I've been amazingly fortunate to have made wonderful friends here, and i feel blessed that even though life has been extremely hard here its still amazing!

 

I cry most days for my family in the uk - but distance doesnt change a thing - theres nothing really i could do there that i cant do here (cept a hug) - before my nephew died i didnt get upset about family - sounds harsh but its true.

[Guest njacinthebox]

Urmmm you would really know what its all about living in the UK !!!! I would reserve your judgements until you experience it yourself.

[sduffy]

KAZZARAZZA,please forgive my ignorance i had not realised that the manager of Port Adelaide was a young indian lad,which was the example i was providing.If treating people with dignity and respect is British, then British i will be any day.

 

You are right i do have the wrong attitude, because i am not prepared to be here and accept that it is ok for my husband being treated like dirt in a backward industry.He has tried and tried to see the bright side but it doesnt exist .He worked for someone who was born in Australia ,but who came from a european background and was treated appallingly in trades here because of it. You should hearhis views on racism and he was born here.

 

Like anywhere peop0le will see what they want to see.

 

My husband is no wallflower and comes from one of the poorest and roughest areas of Glasgow and even he has been worn down by the degradation and humiliation he has been subjected to here.Until you have lived it you dont know.We came for a quality of life not a much worse one.

 

We have been on PR since we came and as we didnt want to throw in the towel we became citizens,so even if you are on permanent visas it isnt always a picnic.

 

It is not a case of material things it is a case of bloody food on the table.

 

Sue

[Guest njacinthebox]

Thanks Denise, I've never been called Fiesty before will take that as a compliment, Cheers ! :-)

[Guest njacinthebox]

My OH is a 51 year old permanent resident of Australia, qualified electrician all his life,with an aussie electrical licence for which he went to Tafe with all the 17 year olds to achieve, never been out of work until he came here. Went for an interview today, he was asked many technical questions of which he answered, then he was told the job was dirty, and hour drive to work, an hour back, unpaid, would have to do loads of training etc etc . and for that he would be paid $20 an hour, when he said he was earning more than that in Sydney 5 years ago and in the UK 20 years ago the guy interviewing said is that an issue .......... Ummm lets think about that?? How degrading ! Book my flight I'm outta here. Good on the people who speak the truth, and what the teenagers are experiencing on the streets I would say is what is really happening because they are out there living it, so I have alot of time for people sharing that information on here, its important !!

[Guest Nick11]

My OH is a 51 year old permanent resident of Australia, qualified electrician all his life,with an aussie electrical licence for which he went to Tafe with all the 17 year olds to achieve, never been out of work until he came here. Went for an interview today, he was asked many technical questions of which he answered, then he was told the job was dirty, and hour drive to work, an hour back, unpaid, would have to do loads of training etc etc . and for that he would be paid $20 an hour, when he said he was earning more than that in Sydney 5 years ago and in the UK 20 years ago the guy interviewing said is that an issue .......... Ummm lets think about that?? How degrading ! Book my flight I'm outta here. Good on the people who speak the truth, and what the teenagers are experiencing on the streets I would say is what is really happening because they are out there living it, so I have alot of time for people sharing that information on here, its important !!

 

Many of us have had to take backward steps. I was a teacher for 17 years back in the u.k - 25 quid an hour- am now wiping kids backsides for a living at $24 an hour !!!!

I live in the hope it won't be forever:biglaugh:

I'm still lovin livin here after 18 months and have seen how many people have come over to start on a much much lower wage, but in time get a good job. My hubby is a perfect example. Qualified electrician and print finisher. Got a job doing print finishing on $16, moved onto 2 better jobs and is now on double that wage. It's all about who you know in Adelaide, not what you know.

[Guest Guest75]

As for racism.............wait until you hear the word "wog" used for the first time here.

 

It means person of swarthy skin /Mediterranean looks.

I get pretty brown in summer and have been called a wog.

 

Cracked me up something rotten:biglaugh:

 

Perhaps it's my open mindedness that caused me to laugh and accept it rather than question it in an "English PC" manner.

 

It looks like we fall into 2 camps here.

Nothing to do with money (well it does help but....),seems to be the attitude.

 

As said before I just can't put my finger on why this should be.......personalities???

 

After 8 years I still can't get over the place and the generous nature and spirit of the people.

For example...today I called into my local fishing tackle shop.I had a rod for sale with them on consignment as I'd never managed to work the reel properly (long story).One of the guys said,let's have a look at it.

He literally spent 30 minutes giving it a strip down and service as he said it did not feel right.

After this it felt fantastic and I'm keeping it now.Asked the tackle store guy what I owed him......."Nothing mate - had fun doing it"

 

That floored me.

 

And I'm out flicking that rod tomorrow.

 

I have pointedly asked Aussies what they think we think of them.............. Naive is mentioned a lot.

I supposed the values can be seen as old fashioned here.Mateship and expecting nothing in return are common here.

 

Once only have I had any sort of anti pom thing happen.Drunken old ex Nam' Vet had a go at me saying we are taking all their jobs - does not bother me as I'm self employed!

I did tell him he was only born here - I had to go through a selection process and be worthy of being here.

That's the only time I've pulled that card.

 

I just don't know where these nasty and racialist Aussies are.

They do take the mickey and sometimes you have to have a thicker skin but it's all in FUN - they are testing you - give as good as you get.

 

I've seen this on another forum and reserve the right to defend the Aussies as I've seen nearly nothing but good and acceptance.

[Guest Nick11]

Great post Tyke.

[Guest Kazzarazza]

Thanks Tyke - great post - that's our Adelaide too.

[sduffy]

back..should we do it.

[sduffy]

Tyke,i do not believe that all aussies are rascists at all, but there is a more ignorant element in that sense here than i have ever found in the uk. There is a world of differance between friendly banter and overt rascism.I have had plenty of stick over the yrs from my hubbies scottish relatives.

 

I read an article not long ago saying that bullying and rascism was a serious issue in the employment field here,so it isnt just me being a namby pamby.Small businesses are answerable to no one and therein lies a lot of probs here.

 

In addition i think anyone who is self employed is surely in a better position to dictate his own flexibility and people he has to work with on a dasily basis. I have a cousin who came here worked for various places, hated the inflexibility and treatment, he now by contrast can dictate his own work hrs ,holidays and has a very successful and happy life here, due to his own business.Would never work for an employer here again..

 

Hubby worked in Queensland over twenty yrs ago and was on better money and hols than he has ever had here.

 

If wanting some hols and to take your sick daughter on a hosp appt gets you the sack then that is abhorrent in my view and abusive.

 

I too know a lot of lovely people here,aussies,but that doesnt mean treating some people like serfs is acceptable.

 

Sue

[Guest stufi1997]

I can't help myself I just have to jump in too,

I too was floored the first time I heard a neighbour calling our other neighbour "sambo". (I had a mild panic attack!!!)Within a week of arriving actually, BUT he said it without malice and thought nothing of it....a friendly jibe apparently, as I might add did the african student....racism is to do with attitude in my opinion....IF someone calls a spade a spade but means no harm by it....who's offended by it? My husband is called scottie at work continuously gets jibed about being a tight scotsman and I get told to speak english!!!!we are who we are! and I know that i'm leaving myself wide open to huge critisism but ...keep the political correctness in the UK!!! Fiona xx

[Guest cornish Busdriver]

D'day weesp.

That statment by BB was acually a statement by John Howerd whe he was PM

[Scousemouse]

Good on ya Matt for pointing it out!

 

I thought this forum was an advisory/support/ make friends networking type of place, not somewhere to get airiated,spiteful and then compound some poor buggers misery with your own horror stories type of thing!

 

God love the poor buggers having it tough, my heart aches for you; for those of us with more positive experiences, dont feel you have to apologise!!!

 

At the risk of upsetting the p.c brigade........racism works both ways, you know, i had black and asian colleagues call me "spook"; did i cry? did i run home and hide sharp instruments? NO I bleeding didnt. Colleagues give each other nicknames................and sometimes name themselves disparaging names just to be fun and a bit off notice. i get MOO (cypriot slang for darling) at home, but if anyone asks, i tell, it's cause im a cow!!!!!!

 

LEAVE IT HERE PLEASE

[Guest cornish Busdriver]

Nice one Jane.

If people knew what Theater, recovery nurses are like behind closed doors the pc-brigade would have a total meltdown lol lol.

Why is it some people find it harder than others to adapt to the Australian lifestyle, attitude and way of life or why are people surprised to find out that you pay for medical treatment.

Did only a few of us research this before we came over?

There seems are a lot of different attitudes to how people find and get on with aussies.

Some on here calling out racism for the way aussies talk and joke. Give it a rest; this isn’t the UK and you just got to live with and get used to it.

How many people do you know in the UK who have complained about immigrant coming over and not adapting to the UK way of life, i have and i admit to it.

My neighbours and i have great slanging matches but nothings meant by it, it’s just friendly banter which probably would land us both in court in the UK.

So far all the Australians i have met, had a drink with and gone fishing with have been brilliant and i fail to see what people have to complain about.

The only one that i have met that’s been given people attitude has been Pommes on the beer.

Yes money can be tight but as long as you can pay your way and put food on the table what have you got to complain about and yes some jobs don’t pay as well as the UK but if you researched before you came you would have found this out anyway.

Please leave the up-tight, PC brigade; I’m British, nanny state attitudes and politics back in the UK where they belong and please just get on and make the most of life here.

Let it end here

[Guest cornish Busdriver]

Just been sent this from the missus mum.

If you find it offensive; sorry but "chill out"

 

Australian politics

 

 

One thing about Australians is that their hearts and humour are always in the right place!

 

 

 

T. B. Bechtel, a part-time City Councilman from Newcastle, NSW was askedon a local live radio talk show, just what he thought of the allegations of torture of the Iraqi prisoners.

 

His reply prompted his ejection fromthe studio, but to thunderous applause from the audience.

 

 

 

HIS STATEMENT:

 

'If hooking up an Iraqi prisoner's nuts to a car's batterycables will save just one Australian's life, then I have just three things to say,'

 

 

'Red is positive,black is negative and make sure his nuts are wet.'

[Guest Guest75]

Just been sent this from the missus mum.

If you find it offensive; sorry but "chill out"

 

Australian politics

 

 

One thing about Australians is that their hearts and humour are always in the right place!

 

 

 

T. B. Bechtel, a part-time City Councilman from Newcastle, NSW was askedon a local live radio talk show, just what he thought of the allegations of torture of the Iraqi prisoners.

 

His reply prompted his ejection fromthe studio, but to thunderous applause from the audience.

 

 

 

HIS STATEMENT:

 

'If hooking up an Iraqi prisoner's nuts to a car's batterycables will save just one Australian's life, then I have just three things to say,'

 

 

'Red is positive,black is negative and make sure his nuts are wet.'

 

 

That's a weird coincidence........... Just read that somewhere else.

 

My "hobby" forum:)

[Guest caoimhe]

Well I was for having an early night but it has taken me over an hour to read through everything.

 

Everyone's opinion is different and everyone is entilted to their different opinion, heres mine- We are only here 6 weeks and I can honestly say I neither love nor hate it. I am having a lovely time but have no structure to our lives yet and am finding that very strange (neither of us have jobs yet) but even though we came out here determined to stick it for a minimum of 3 years (we feel it will take that long to re-establish ourselves) if I felt as vehemently about Adelaide as some of the people who have posted on this thread I would head straight back home to Belfast without thought.

 

At the end of the day it is the Australians country, we are the immigrants-should they leave their home because of us? like so many complain is part of their reason for leaving the UK. We have to adjust- NOT THEM, if we don't like it we can go home

[Guest Bee]

I have been following this post for a few days now....and it seems to me that what everyone is saying on here is right in a way.

 

I live in the UK atm, I am a teenager (although admittedly won't be for much longer) and I am out and about both in work and education. There is a lot of talk here that could be called racist. I myself have said things such a spazz and retard. I am aware that they could be offensive, and I would never dream of saying such things to people I didn't know, but I use them with my friends and my friends know that I am not meaning to be offensive, we are just joking around.

For people who are picking up on what other people are saying and calling it racist, maybe its not? Maybe they know each other and are messing around? Or maybe it's accepted.

 

However, if you experience 'racist' slang that is aimed at you, and you do not take it to be in a joking way, you have every right to be offended and shouldn't put up with it!

 

As with unfriendly people, I have come across lots in the UK!! But then I have come across lots of wonderful, friendly, helpful people who I love dearly.

 

The point I am trying to make is that yes, everyone has different experiences. And many will have heard racist comments or 'unfriendly' remarks but it is in the way they are said and what is meant by them that makes them offensive surely? So some people will be fine with it cuz its all in the name of fun, and some won't be because they know that it was meant to be offensive.

It is like that in the UK, and from what I have read on this post it is like that in AUS, and I'm willing to bet it is like that in every country in the world.

 

I have a lot of sympathy for those not enjoying their life at the moment, or those struggling, and I hope they make the right decision for them and that things get better. As for those of you enjoying it, i'm very happy you have found the right place for you! And I hope to be joining you out there in a few years and finding it's the right place for me too