The totally off-topic thread

[Pukka]

Interesting story about a UK couple moving to Australia and heading back after 2 months.
Family who swapped Hull for life of luxury in Australia return home two months later in shock from cost of living and lack of Robinson's fruit juice | Mail Online

That's just pathetic

 

[Must...Fly!]

Wait...

They were shocked at the cost of living in ADELAIDE?

 

[Mal]

That's just pathetic

Yep. Plenty of big changes when moving between countries. However you just have to grin and live with them. That family just seem like massive whingers who didn't do their research before heading to OZ... They aren't alone BTW.
I discuss Australia quite a bit with people in London. I'm more than happy to tell people it isn't the happy place that Neighbours and Home&Away portrays and that inflation is out of control. As well, I am vocal about how Australia escaped the GFC and how it will happen... Just has been delayed and masked by the mining boom.

 

[JohnK]

Now I'm waiting anxiously for JohnK to tell us what he did in Brisvegas last weekend?

Nothing much. Played golf on Saturday and Sunday. A little windy and cold on Saturday but yesterday was really nice.

 

[Flashback]

Yep. Plenty of big changes when moving between countries. However you just have to grin and live with them. That family just seem like massive whingers who didn't do their research before heading to OZ... They aren't alone BTW.
I discuss Australia quite a bit with people in London. I'm more than happy to tell people it isn't the happy place that Neighbours and Home&Away portrays and that inflation is out of control. As well, I am vocal about how Australia escaped the GFC and how it will happen... Just has been delayed and masked by the mining boom.

... and the mining boom is starting to ease again ... the time in between the ease and picking up again seems to be dropping, which is not a good sign, we could finally be past the good days ...

 

[Must...Fly!]

... and the mining boom is starting to ease again ... the time in between the ease and picking up again seems to be dropping, which is not a good sign, we could finally be past the good days ...

I'm not in to calling things too early but this certainly seems like it could be a slow down of sorts, which is slightly concerning as someone who is about to graduate university. Them's the breaks.

Going back to cost of living in Adelaide...every time I go there I am shocked when I get change from my $20 for a pub lunch and pint. Sometimes even in note form!!!

 

[Flashback]

I'm not in to calling things too early but this certainly seems like it could be a slow down of sorts, which is slightly concerning as someone who is about to graduate university. Them's the breaks.

Going back to cost of living in Adelaide...every time I go there I am shocked when I get change from my $20 for a pub lunch and pint. Sometimes even in note form!!!

That is why you see a lot of natural resources workers with Masters, PhDs, etc. When the downturns happen, they often go back and study to kill the time........ (or flip burgers ) time to book in that postgrad course maybe? :mrgreen:

 

[anat0l]

... and the mining boom is starting to ease again ... the time in between the ease and picking up again seems to be dropping, which is not a good sign, we could finally be past the good days ...

Of course, the big problem is that the mining industry has been going at it so gung-ho that they are completely sensitive to all of these ups and downs, and they react rashly as such. Of course, the effort of rehiring people if we get an upturn is immaterial to them, though it doesn't resonate nicely in a social and moral sense.

I'm not in to calling things too early but this certainly seems like it could be a slow down of sorts, which is slightly concerning as someone who is about to graduate university. Them's the breaks.

Some select niches in the industry won't go away; for example, exploration and geology (as long as you can hit some pay dirt, with a higher bar this time).

Other than that, it may be time to try going overseas, even if they won't pay as well as in Australia.

Going back to cost of living in Adelaide...every time I go there I am shocked when I get change from my $20 for a pub lunch and pint. Sometimes even in note form!!!

I know I can easily get a note back if I pay for a pub lunch in Brisbane. As for pub lunch plus a pint, I may not be so lucky.

 

[Flashback]

Some select niches in the industry won't go away; for example, exploration and geology (as long as you can hit some pay dirt, with a higher bar this time).

Guess it depends really. Often projects are the first to go, so there goes your exploration and geos! :shock:

 

[Mal]

I know I can easily get a note back if I pay for a pub lunch in Brisbane. As for pub lunch plus a pint, I may not be so lucky.

4.xx pounds is the most ive paid for a pint in The UK. And out of a 20 quid note, I'm likely to get a tenner plus coins back for a pub lunch usually including a pint of selected beers.

 

[Must...Fly!]

That is why you see a lot of natural resources workers with Masters, PhDs, etc. When the downturns happen, they often go back and study to kill the time........ (or flip burgers ) time to book in that postgrad course maybe? :mrgreen:

Good point, however I think I'd rather flip a burger than do anything postgrad! At this stage anyway...

I shall keep looking on seek and apply if something takes my fancy. I haven't bothered with Graduate programs.

Some select niches in the industry won't go away; for example, exploration and geology (as long as you can hit some pay dirt, with a higher bar this time).

Other than that, it may be time to try going overseas, even if they won't pay as well as in Australia.

If I had saved up some decent money during my studies I would be doing just that - however facts as they are, I didn't work a lot during this time and when I did earn, I spent a fair bit of it rather quickly (but not on rubbish - almost all on travelling )

I know I can easily get a note back if I pay for a pub lunch in Brisbane. As for pub lunch plus a pint, I may not be so lucky.

The shock of the barman "saying $6.50 please" after ordering some Coopers never abates.

I paid $9 for a freaking schooner of rubbish the other day. (which I think at this establishment was the 425mL version of schooner...may have been less though, I was confused)

 

[Flashback]

4.xx pounds is the most ive paid for a pint in The UK. And out of a 20 quid note, I'm likely to get a tenner plus coins back for a pub lunch usually including a pint of selected beers.

'aint that the truth! :mrgreen:

 

[Flashback]

Good point, however I think I'd rather flip a burger than do anything postgrad! At this stage anyway...

Come and work for a few years, you'll be itching to get back to study although the money is a big thing... if you're OK financially, study wins every time!

The shock of the barman "saying $6.50 please" after ordering some Coopers never abates.

I paid $9 for a freaking schooner of rubbish the other day. (which I think at this establishment was the 425mL version of schooner...may have been less though, I was confused)

Really? That's cheap. I was lucky to find something under $10/pint last time I was in Perth...

 

[anat0l]

Guess it depends really. Often projects are the first to go, so there goes your exploration and geos! :shock:

In a sense yes and no. It's a balancing act.

Projects are the first to go, but whatever they have already... some of those reserves they need geotechnical analysis, i.e. block and stockpile planning. Downtimes are not a bad time to do it because most of the time at full steam ahead, the production waves the flag audaciously and often too fast to really consider the most optimal way to process a block.

Also, whilst projects may stop, leases don't. Some companies have to explore or do something on a lease or give it up, which will be hell when the upturn is required again.

4.xx pounds is the most ive paid for a pint in The UK. And out of a 20 quid note, I'm likely to get a tenner plus coins back for a pub lunch usually including a pint of selected beers.

One thing I definitely like about the UK!

Pub lunch in Brisbane is typically $10-$12; a beer on top of that can reduce your change from polymer to shrapnel, let alone a pint.

Good point, however I think I'd rather flip a burger than do anything postgrad!

I've stooped low but I do not intend to start flipping burgers.

Engineering consultancies are another "gimmie" job. It doesn't pay as well as industry, the work can be a bit more boring (or a lot), but it's better than nothing sometimes. They also often turn up to graduate programme info sessions (or vac work sessions).

You could also "dance with the devil" a bit - oil and gas, CSG......

 

[Mal]

The shock of the barman "saying $6.50 please" after ordering some Coopers never abates.

I am always shocked when I see coopers in a bar in the UK. Oh and the price is a killer... (Special). Previously when I was in the UK I found a small pub near SOHO that sold coopers for £2 a bottle. Price has gone up now. But I still regularly see it for around £3. At the train stations (Waterloo for example) they do sell it at rail station marked up prices... But thanks to a free discount Card called "BITE" it isn't much more than £3 for a bottle after the 20% discount.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Come and work for a few years, you'll be itching to get back to study although the money is a big thing... if you're OK financially, study wins every time!

Really? That's cheap. I was lucky to find something under $10/pint last time I was in Perth...

I'm ok financially, living at home which helps a LOT. I'm just done with study, didn't take a break after high school. Just want to work and be challenged in practical ways where I can make a difference....

That $9 was one place and wasn't a pint. I got a pint of Toohey's Extra Dry at another bar later. $11.70. FOR TOOHEY'S.

I've stooped low but I do not intend to start flipping burgers.

Engineering consultancies are another "gimmie" job. It doesn't pay as well as industry, the work can be a bit more boring (or a lot), but it's better than nothing sometimes. They also often turn up to graduate programme info sessions (or vac work sessions).

You could also "dance with the devil" a bit - oil and gas, CSG......

Doing a Commerce degree - so while not specific in terms of future employment, it's broadness does afford a certain flexibility. I just have to find something I like - only way to do that is to apply for work!

 

[tuapekastar]

4.xx pounds is the most ive paid for a pint in The UK. And out of a 20 quid note, I'm likely to get a tenner plus coins back for a pub lunch usually including a pint of selected beers.

I wish I had have noted it at the time(s), but English pub menus on my last trip seemed to me to be fairly much the same wherever I went, and as such boring, and the food very disappointing. I think generally we are spoilt here in comparison, regardless of the cost. First and foremost I want something well-cooked and tasty.

 

[JohnK]

Researching planned travel can take up hours and hours of time and by and large it is a fun way to pass the time.

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. But there is no greater satisfaction than stumbling upon a super bargain.

 

[Flashback]

I wish I had have noted it at the time(s), but English pub menus on my last trip seemed to me to be fairly much the same wherever I went, and as such boring, and the food very disappointing. I think generally we are spoilt here in comparison, regardless of the cost. First and foremost I want something well-cooked and tasty.

Indeed, but again depends on where you eat. If you stray from the non-chain pubs then you are often well versed for a good meal!

Researching planned travel can take up hours and hours of time and by and large it is a fun way to pass the time.

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. But there is no greater satisfaction than stumbling upon a super bargain.

Spill the beans then, what did you find? :mrgreen: I've found online supermarket shopping to take up more time than I'd like.....

 

[Mal]

I wish I had have noted it at the time(s), but English pub menus on my last trip seemed to me to be fairly much the same wherever I went, and as such boring, and the food very disappointing. I think generally we are spoilt here in comparison, regardless of the cost. First and foremost I want something well-cooked and tasty.

Good comment. I posted about this in one of the AFF London meet up threads. The real issue is that particularly in central London the vast majority of pubs are locked to a brewery or a pub chain owner. It is surprising how many places around the touristy parts of London have exactly the same menu. And generally I despise those places. But sometimes they have to be used.

You can find well cooked and tasty meals in London pubs... Just when you are in the centre of London it does become a challenge.