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Is Perth or Australia this bad ...


IamInACT

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I don't know the full story ... but People I know have returned to SA after 3 months, He had a job in the Gov. They have made statements like:

1. The Government is so corrupt.

2. Far too much drugs, they picked up many needles.

3. You are not encouraged to think out the box ... if you are a train driver that's all you will ever be...

I'm going to ACT but hell this does not impress my wife ... don't wanna go from hell to purgatory.... I was looking to be a little closer to heaven ...

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My 2 cents worth (MY OPINION)

I have only been in Australia (Sydney) 2 months - still an "Aussie Virgin"! :) Anyway, the last few weeks there have been what some would call, "Disturbing & Alarming" amounts of criminal activities in Sydney. Gang violence, random shootings, murders & bouncers beating a guy to death. I think I've counted 12 cases on the news about deaths releated to crime, gangs & drugs this year already, and we only mid Feb. So for those who are still on there way - there is crime in Australia, but we all knew that (right?).

So where am I going with this?

1) When I heard the reports about the murders, etc., I was "kinda" shocked but moved on quite quickly about it all - "Ya, so what - happens in SA all the time!". Yet those Australians living here were shocked & demanded something get done about the rising crime in Sydney (not that we don't in SA, but it falls on deaf ears). Police are all over the incidents here & treat every case as if it's their only case. So yes, crime happens here but things get done about it, police ensure those who commit are caught & locked up. What worried me was my attitude towards it, "Ya, so what....". That is what living with crime rate as high as it is in SA all these years has done, and I'm sure many many more living in SA feel the same. Only when it happens to you, do you decide it's not right & time to move. Thank goodness in my 32 years living in SA, I never once had anything happen to me or my family *touch wood*, so I class myself as one of the very few & lucky ones.

2) I find people who make the "Groot Trek" from SA to AUS purely based on crime, will have a hard time adjusting to life in AUS. They build these fantastic images in their heads that there is no crime, or very little crime in AUS. Honestly, I think the AUS government does a good job to ensure violent crime stats do not get out of AUS (want to keep that great image in tact). In fairness (MY OPINION), a lot of SAffers in AUS create this vision of utopia, becuase it makes them feel good about their move to AUS & leaving their families back in SA. Justifies their move in a more positive light for themselves (somewhat selfish if you ask me). Again, not ALL SAffers, but there are those who think & supply information this way. If you can get your head around this, you'll be fine. You'll soon realise it's in certain areas I wouldn't walk thru at night with a police escort & a loaded sub machine gun - but you get those areas in EVERY city in the world? Sure you do. So if you are going to make the move purely based on crime, understand & realise that you will hear of crime (at times violent) in Australia. But NOWHERE near as much as in SA.

3) Drug abuse - Sydney is drug capital of Australia, but I have not heard/read any cases where guys high on TIK are breaking into houses, killing people in their beds to only take a few items to pay for more drugs. The level of crime commited in Australia is far less violent than in SA.

4) I would have no worries about travelling back to SA (Cape Town) for a visit. Crime in SA is bad - sure, but you need to adjust & ensure you protect yourself.

5) I found living in SA that crime got worse the more north of the country you went. I LOVE Cape Town - will ALWAYS love Cape Town. The violence in CPT was move area spesific than JHB/PTA, like it is in Sydney - area spesific. We lived in Durbanville & my brothers & mom live in Fish Hoek. They had their fair share of crimes, but nothing like what I've heard of in JHB/PTA. So you'll find those who what to move away from SA based on crime, and have nothing good to say about SA, are generally from/lived in JHB/PTA.

6) I found it hard to move away from Cape Town. We had a good life & never had any issues there. But we now have a good life in Sydney to, and we are loving it. I did not make the move based on crime alone, as I had not experienced it to the extent as some of those who made the move based on crime. I made the move due to lack of leadership, education & opportunities. As much as I miss my family & friends, I know that long term my son (and future kids) will get a good education here & have opportunities based on merit/education/experience. I lost all faith in the current leadership, who would rather not keeps things at a level whereby those have to work harder to achieve, they make things easier so everyone can achieve things.....easily. Not how I was brought up, and not how I plan to bring up my kids either. My dad installed in me that ambition & hard work gets you things in life....not standing in the streets shouting, turning over bins & running amok. I find more & more people in SA feel they deserve things before they are prepared to work for it.

So, if you are/have left SA for "Greener Pastures", make sure you make the move for the right reasons for you & your family. Not purely on what you hear/read from others - do the research, investigations & spend the time making sure the move is right for you. Ask questions, many questions & build your own checklist for wanting to move. It'll make your adjustment to life in Australia far less stressful & in the end, you can only blame yourself for making the right/wrong choice in moving - not anyone else. Those who go back to SA after several months in AUS, woudln't make it in any country - and they would be bad mouthing that country too. Those who move for the right reasons, & get there head around how things are & work in AUS (any country) will find it quite easy to settle in & adjust to life in AUS.

YES - you can walk the city streets at night, but there are areas to stay away from.

YES - your kids can walk & play in the park - ALONE!!

YES - it's safe to catch a bus/train home at night & walk to your house from the station - ALONE!!

YES - the beaches are clean & gas braai's are generally free....AND CLEAN. The gas braai's & bottles never get touched.

YES - the are opportunities you'll only realise when you living here, for you & your children.

YES - the Aussie are as mad about sport & fitness as we are in SA.

YES - the Aussies are a proud nation, as we are in SA.

YES - I can't wait for the Bokke to beat the Aussies at the RWC (can dream, can't I)

I played golf last weekend at a public course in Mona Vale - no fencing. Water pumps open for anyone to steal, yet they remain there for years & years. How bad is this - I could not get my head around the golf trollies being left outside, not chained only meters from the street - AT NIGHT!! I had to laugh at myself.

Loving my new home away from home.....Sydney, my Cape Town in Australia. :)

Actually, there is something I hate about Australia......English Premier & European Football, Super 15 games played in SA, Formula 1 & Moto GP all take place at stupid godly hours of the morning. :) That is what I have had to get my head around. Hahahahah!

Again, this is my own opinion. Make the move for the right decisions and you'll love every minute here - anywhere in the world for that matter.

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This is a terrible place. There are too many Saffers, and definately too many Blue bull supporters.

Don't move here, it's really awful. The Grafiti will make you long for the gun-wielding jobless masses in good old SA. You have to clean your own house and iron your own clothes. The magpies attack you for no good reason, the crows make wierd noises that will bring fear back into in your heart, and you will long for the peaceful squatter camps where immigrants are not tolerated so easily.

Bring me my machine gun... :ilikeit:

Get over yourself Billtongboer!

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My family survived an attempted hi-jacking in Somerset West yesterday at my folks' place, whilst we were visiting. A Sunday. 16h00 in the afternoon. A supposedly rustige area.

I am so out of here...........

Hi there Oryx!

I definitly agree with you! The crime and violence in this Country have def increased! Luckily I saw two incidents this weekend that alteast gave a glimmer of hope that the people are beginning to stand up to all the skelms out there! On Friday I saw an attempted smash and grab in front of Irene Village Mall, but luckily two men in a car behind the woman's car (who was being targeted) got out of their car and apprehended the man and tied his hands behind his back with cable ties and called the police! Absolutely great to have seen this! All damage the woman had suffered was two broken windows - Better than a stolen purse or car!

The second incident, was this morning on my way to work, police caught a man that had stolen a car, hand cuffed him and (I suspect they will be giving the car back to it's rightfull owner)

Seeing this makes me abit more positive about S.A's future, but unfortunatly I don't think this will be enough to make a difference! Because on the news you will hear atleast 5 stories of crime and violence that had happend!

But I'm happy to see that South Africans are finally taking a stand against the crime and helping each other out, where as in the past no one even looked at you if you were being smashed and grabbed / robbed or what ever situation you might be in!

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We have been here two and a half years and my only regret is that I did not come ten years ago.

Comparing Australia with South Africa is a pointless and futile exercise, South Africa is a mess and on the verge of becoming the next African slum without any hope of a future.

An electrician came to my house yesterday and realised he had left his mobile somewhere.

He asked to use my phone and to call his own number, he fully expected someone to answer the phone and tell him where he had left it so he could go pick it up.

Somebody did answer and he did get his phone back and it was not a big deal to anybody except me.

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So I got to actually talked to the guy that was saying these things over the weekend and he could not stop slating Australia. His wife too.

He went on a 457 and was offered a contract for 120K at a Job just past Rockingham. When he got there, the Company wanted to move him 200Km from that location at 85K per year. So he was :santa: , it appears.

He does not know that I am moving but these are some of the the things he had to say to me:

1. Drugs, MASSIVE problem, I think though that this was his first trip to Aus and the shock of the needle bins and the UV lights made the problem HUGE. He also said whilst they have fantastic park facilities you can't use them as you will get poked by needles.

2. Crime, HUGE, In Aus the press is "barred" from reporting crime and they don't report on rape, only "penetration with out consent". He likened it to the pre 1994 government control of the media, and referred to the Bike Path' Attackers in Brisbane.

3. He blames Saffers for the the plight of the 457 visa holders returning to SA. exSaffers are recruiting Saffers for commission only to allow them to be :santa: later.

4. He was also of the opinion that most Saffers want to come home but are all TOO proud to pack for Pretoria and rather suffer then return home. He also said that we have a fear of returning home and having to start from scratch again.

But having dealt with him before he went over to Aus, I can see why he is being this way. Difficult chap but again everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Why can't people just admit that Pert/Australia is not for them, instead of bad mouthing the place. What were his reasons for leaving SA in the first place? I bet he was just to eager to get out of South Africa and propably bad mouthed SA as well.

I live in Perth and in the 4+ years I have lived here, either I have my head buried in the sand or I/my family & friends have been the lucky ones that managed to step over the needles in the park. Every country has a drug problem but at least Australia are aware that they have a problem and try and make it as safe as possible for us all to live.

Anyway this guy will have to take himself with himself wherever he lives in the world and I wonder if he will ever be happy.

Perth is a wonderful city that grows on you from year to year.

Noele

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Im not sure what you mean by the temporary visa thing..we came out on PR...it is however sad when people come here on temp visas and things dont work out..they want to stay but cant and have to go back to SA to do the PR thing because they dont find a new sponsor in time..

Then of course we get those who have their PR and go back to SA because its so horrible here in oz, yet in the same breath they state how relieved they are that they have a "back door"..

Every country has its problems..u just swapping them when u immigrate..the risk involved is that u dont know or understand a country's problems until you have lived in it..and i think some come here with the idea that it will be flawless...there is no such place in my opinion, but i believe australia is as good as u are prepared to make it...if you not emotionally right/ready to migrate, you will run into problems, no matter where you go (be it UK,canada etc)

At the end of the day..ask and listen, read and research..then make an educated guess...until you are here you wont know whether you prefer australia over SA.

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Oh yeah, we went to Manly Beach on Sun morning to watch husband surf and I test drove all the public toilets in the area (baby sitting on bladder) and they were absolutely spotless, every last one, like in sparkling. Yes, who in RSA still use public loos!? Anyway, hubby is extremely scatty and walking back to the car (with surfboard on roof rack) he couldnt find the car keys in his pockets. Only to find them in the ignition of the completely unlocked car! My visiting aunt commented that we have become way to soft to ever go back to live in RSA, they would have us for breakfast.

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So glad this guy is back in SA, we don't need people like that in Aus. Just sad about the bad things he has to say about Aus.

We have been in Aus now for 18 months and must admit it's not been easy every day, especially if you take into consideration our age, me 49 and husband 54, but can really say we are very happy and wont by any change consider going back to SA.

Linda

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We have been in melbourne 3 months now..the first 6 weeks we were in st kilda...the red light district with lots of weird and wonderful artists,muso's and so on...even a weed smell wafting down the passage in the flats we stayed in..and i never saw a needle...my daughter and i palyed in the nearby parks...never saw a needle...walked on the beach..no needles...

There is a graffiti problem in some areas and they are warning people not to leave valuables in their cars...that being said..we forgot our garage open last last night for the first time and not a single thing is missing!

Everyone justifies their decisions to themselves...and like laura says, immi is not for everyone...let him badmouth oz for all its worth, we at least still here in the land of milk and honey!

Grafitti yes it grinds me too but I'll bet it is in Joburg too, pity we did not venture too far from our fortresses!

Sharps, well we walk a lot to the river next to the railway line which may be a place to find stuff like this. In 2 years I have yet to find a condom or a needle

anywhere here. I bet none of us has ever walked around Joburg for a very long time? Would be interetsing to see what we would actually find.

Temp visa well that means just that, temporary unfortunately. I would never have come to Oz on temp visa, no way. Just way too risky. Do the hard yards and Oz will look after you. Get involved and lose that SA attitude and people will admire you for what you have done to come to Oz. We came here out of choice so I reckon we should fit or f..k off. Just my opinion. The world is full of awful people everywhere but also great people too.

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So glad this guy is back in SA, we don't need people like that in Aus. Just sad about the bad things he has to say about Aus.

We have been in Aus now for 18 months and must admit it's not been easy every day, especially if you take into consideration our age, me 49 and husband 54, but can really say we are very happy and wont by any change consider going back to SA.

Linda

Hi there I am 43 going on 44 and my other half 51 so I know that it is hard moving at our age but nobody here seems to notice. You do your job and fit in best you can and society accepts you. We also have young kids so that is a good reason to stay

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You know what...? I took the children to the park ALL ON MY OWN last week (and not only once), I had my handbag with me (with our passports in it, AND some money, my cell phone etc), and I was wearing my expensive wedding and other diamond ring (didn't leave it at home). We were at the park all on our own as well - not a soul there (all working I guess), and not once did I feel the need to hide my handbag underneath a jersey, or to lock it in the car and have only my cell phone in my pocket for an emergency situation. The children were running around, and I was reading a book, not scouting the area to make sure nobody was lurking around, waiting to grab my bag, or drag me or my daughter into the bush....

And we also went to the loo there - spotless, and with toilet paper (good quality, not like newspaper!), and everything works!

I still sometimes catch myself wanting to lock the car doors when I get in, but I stop myself, will probably take a while before I will lose that habit.

And in our local newspaper 2 weeks ago: a notice from the local police station - lost items that were handed in at the police station - please come and collect - get this...:

a handbag with everything still in it, a boys bicycle, a wallet (with money in it!), and some other valuables that I can't recall now.

The children (11 and 8) walked around to the back of our block last night to find the owners of a ball that ended up in our backyard somewhere along the line - all on their own!

Tonight hubby is sleeping away for work, and the children and I will not be locked in behind exterior door and inside passage security gates, with the paintball gun next to the bed loaded with pepper balls incase someone gets into our house past our 2 big dogs, and the cell phone panick button right by my head next to my pillow....

We go for walks, and are looking at buying bicycles for the whole family so that we can go do the old rail track cycle rides in Victoria - in the middle of nowhere, but completely safe.

My hubby gets paid reasonabley well and even though he had to take 2 steps down from his position he had in South Africa, without armed response bills, high medical aid and house and car insurance payments, etc etc, we are pretty much on par with what we could and could not afford there. And his company looks after him very well in terms of work-life balance. Unpaid overtime is not seen as a way to prove your loyalty to your company, so there is no need or expectation for him to work more than he is paid for.

And I no longer really talk about 'back home', because this is now our home. We are hanging in there waiting for our PR, because we do not want to go back to where we came from. And when our container arrives, it will even be a bit more of our home, even though we live in a rental :censored:.

I often look around me and realise that I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to live here. It is not perfect, but then nowhere is. It just has a heck of a lot going for it, and at least you are free to make what you want of living here.

My 2 cents worth...

Y

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Does this guy even live in SA? Or does he walk around with rosy coloured glasses? He's clearly avoiding the obvious. Guess he's happy sitting for hours in traffic, hiding behind electrified fencing and burglar bars and safety gates and armed response, not letting his kids play outside, not watching the news as yet another politician steals money from the poorest of the poor. I'm sorry he's so bitter and didn't try to find a better sponsor and make Aus work. I guess immi isn't for everyone.

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Does this guy even live in SA? Or does he walk around with rosy coloured glasses? He's clearly avoiding the obvious. Guess he's happy sitting for hours in traffic, hiding behind electrified fencing and burglar bars and safety gates and armed response, not letting his kids play outside, not watching the news as yet another politician steals money from the poorest of the poor. I'm sorry he's so bitter and didn't try to find a better sponsor and make Aus work. I guess immi isn't for everyone.

He used to work for the eThekwini Municipality and knows very well about the corruption and the bad things but hey who knows what he was thinking.

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Get over yourself Billtongboer!

:santa: Ha! Ha! :holy: Billieboer, I enjoyed your comment.............. straight to the point......... :ilikeit:

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Bring me my machine gun... :santa:

Umshini wami, Umshini wami. Julius for President!

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This is a terrible place. There are too many Saffers, and definately too many Blue bull supporters.

Don't move here, it's really awful. The Grafiti will make you long for the gun-wielding jobless masses in good old SA. You have to clean your own house and iron your own clothes. The magpies attack you for no good reason, the crows make wierd noises that will bring fear back into in your heart, and you will long for the peaceful squatter camps where immigrants are not tolerated so easily.

Bring me my machine gun... :santa:

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I had people telling me and scared me about the same stuff before we came................ Now that we are here (1 month now) I personally don’t think any of that is true. I can just hope and pray that we can stay in Oz........ its much better than I ever thought :-)

Still looking for a Job though but believe that God will provide.....Amen!!

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My personal opinion is if I ever feel unhappy in a place, I'll do some research and travelling because chances are there's a spot in Aus where I'll be able to settle in and be happy. It's difficult moving to a new country and chances are you might not be happy in the first city you settle in. But to move interstate is far easier, not to mention less traumatic. But if your heart and happiness lies in SA, then go for it. There is no point living somewhere that makes you miserable.

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We have been here 3.5 years and I still marvel everyday at the small things that make life such a pleasure in Australia.

One thing seldom mentioned is that kids at school get free dental from ages 5 to 17 (in WA not sure about the other states). Some schools even have a dental clinic on site which is shared with the other schools. A dentist will see your child at their school quite a few times during their first few years. Sadly the free care does not include orthodontics.

Michael

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Hi,

I have been in South Africa since thursday and I miss Australia already. Everybody has their problems but for me the biggest wake up call was to visit South Africa after 10 months in Australia. We all battle in the begining but Australia is still the best place to live in.

Diveup

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As an old-timer, I can comfortably and succinctly summarise my comments to the above statements thus:- Bollocks.

Sour Grapes, I say. If you look hard enough you will find fault. Has this person mentioned all the postive he has seen or heard. I would guess not. On a positive note, at least there are the opportunities for the challenged academic or less ambitious person to earn a living, ie train drivers, street sweepers etc. With regard to drugs, yes they are around, just like they are on the streets of South Africa. With regard to the corrupt Govt, of course yes, but when they are caught out, which 9/10 they are, they are sacked, not just shifted to another portfolio. Perth is not Utopia, but I love it and am happy to call it home.

Tookie

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They have made statements like:

1. The Government is so corrupt.

2. Far too much drugs, they picked up many needles.

3. You are not encouraged to think out the box ... if you are a train driver that's all you will ever be...

As an old-timer, I can comfortably and succinctly summarise my comments to the above statements thus:- Bollocks.

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For what it's worth, keeping in mind i have not been there

There is no chance that it's going to be like SA :ilikeit:

Possibly there is corruption but it will be only a small fraction compared to here.

Did it ever cross your mind that these ppl leaving are in fact leaving with sour grapes because things didn't work out for them?? I know of someone who has just come back after about 6 months - they did nothing but bad mouth the place! Truth came out, they just coudn't cut it and were not ready for the move, mentally and physically.

Looking forward to other replies on this one though

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