Funkii Munkii

Congratulations Markus


With Regards to the Expats forum, I would be a little cautious, just like any forum you dont know who's posting and everone's experience is different.

I started reading it a couple of years back and asked the odd question with regards to our move, what I found was you'd get answers from those that loved the place, all very positive and helpful and answers from those that hated it or hated Aussies (add country as applicable) and gave very moany negative response, you usually found these were the one's who couldn't wouldn't intergrate or were desperately home sick and would use the forum as a crutch.

Imo intergration is everything, when we first moved in all the neighbours were welcoming and always say hello if they see you across the street, that didn't happen in the UK.

So drinking beer and chatting with my neighbours in our Cul de Sac and having BBQ's is a bit of a bitch but you adapt + they speak the same language, drive on the same side of the road, their winter is the same as our summer most of the time, they show Premiership Footy and Cricket Live from the UK.

It's been hard but im learning to cope with this lifestyle

coolangatta

I left the UK around 7 years ago
There are things that I miss (proper bacon butty is one ), but not enough things to make me want to return
Starting a new life in a different country is always going to bring some difficulties. Mine however were few and far between. Local help smoothed the way considerably
I visit the UK infrequently and, to be honest, I enjoy the flight out most.

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

Have you not gone yet ?

Easy decision IMO

David Lock

I would go and spend 3 weeks in the Seychelles, get to know the place, and check out the prices of small villas - say some rooms for you and two separate flats and let them out to European holiday makers. I don't think villas are as expensive as you might imagine. Get one near the coast and offer a complete package. Get a boat and offer island trips, game fishing and visits to marine national park. Enough to earn you an income and keep you busy plus the sheer joy of living on a beautiful island with beaches which are just superb.

dl

Funkii Munkii

An Aussie beach, better than any Seychelles/Mauritius/Rio/Goa/Sri Lankan/African/American/European beach I've been too imo, taken on Easter Sunday, too many beaches not enough people down here, hardly Brighton on a hot day eh
Take your pick

Hyams Beach NSW


Brighton

hodgy0_2

I remember reading once that of the top 15 most dangerous species in the world 10 of them are exclusive to Australia (and that doesn't include the Aussies themselves!!!!)

actually good on you

I have dual UK New Zealand citizenship -- but doubt I will ever emmigrate

David Lock

No sharks or salt water crocs in Seychelles

d

yoza

Ah yes, but there was nobody on Hyams beach because the day before 4 people were eaten by sharks, and on guy dies stepping on a prickly thigie me bob....


HODGY BEAT ME TO IT...

Funkii Munkii

Plenty of sea cucumbers though, not likely to eat you alive though, not that i've seen a croc in the sea nor a shark come to think of it, i wont go any deeper than my nuts

hodgy0_2

most shark attacks happen in less than 3 feet of water

yoza

{Goes to measure water depth in toilet}

Klaatu

You are not wrong!! 10 of the most deadliest "creatures" are indigeonous to Aus. But your pics made ma laugh, not seen a shark at a beach yet, and they do pop the odd surfer, more fool them IMO. But more people get stung by bluebottles and other jelly fish than are taken by sharks. But still, as Funkii Munkii points out, there are beaches like that here in NSW, not Bondi or Coogee etc, but you can find 'em....plenty of coastline to explore, just in NSW, which is bigger than Texas actually.

Klaatu

So you did the move after all. Kewl! Welcome to NSW, and ****knucle drivers!

Funkii Munkii

Lol I'd like to see a great white in 3 ft of water, it would be beached !

Funkii Munkii

I'm over the drivers now, you adapt, or become like them not sure which yet

My favourite manouvre to witness is the one when they indicate and immediately change lanes irrespective of whether the gap is there or not and if you dont hit the anchors to let them in they get a bit upset, then there's the f*ck it i'll pull out onto the roundabout irrespective of whether your on it or not, the multiple lane changing technique on the Princes Highway is always good viewing of a morning, I guess the "P" on the P plates stands for ***** ?

And they wonder why the death rate is so high

Klaatu

Nail, head, hammer.

Yeah, most don't realise the road markings that define the give way rules, just seems in NSW, a single "wink" on the indicator means you give way. **** I wish I had an old Land Rover...

No the P on the "P" plate just means they have paid the "P"rice for that bit of plastic.

I won't go into why my wife's 75hrs "professional L" training still does not result in the ability to make a safe lane changes.

davegtt

I say go for it. Live the life you want, not the life thats easiest.

yoza

I was talking to my mate on Skype the other night, and he sent me a couple of pictures of his Truck and Pickup, known as a Yute (sp) I think, anyway, he told me in NZ car insurance is an option...

You can take it or leave it, whats that all about ?

davegtt

Same in Oz as I understand it. Obviously if you have a crash and you are at fault you are still liable to pay out for the repairs

Funkii Munkii

3rd party is compulsary, protects the inocent, all linked to your tax disc, it's a bit complicated to explain but it works Otther than that you dont have to insure yourself.

Yoza it's Ute as in Utility vehicle, As any redneck Aussie will tell you "real Aussies drive Ute's", how f*cking gay

Klaatu

Ute, is the correct term in both Australia and NZ (Short for utility). With the insurance thing, you are not required (Meaning it's not illegal) to have your own driver/vehicle insurance (Although that is being reviewed in NZ) in both Aus and NZ, although it is sensible to have it. In NZ (And Aus is considering a similar system) you have ACC. When you "register" your vehicle (Like paying for your tax disk) you pay an ACC levy. When you buy petrol, you pay an ACC "levy" on that fuel too, pay-as-you-go. ACC is basically a "nationalised", no fault, insurance system (Read taxpayer funded. Yes that is ACC "levies").

In Australia you need CTP insurance, Compulsory Third-part Personal Insurance, as part of your "registration" process. And I don't want to go into the "other" insurances people are encouraged to take out, it's silly.

yoza

Clearer now, cheers....Ute.