A young British woman has revealed what she hates most about every Australian city after moving Down Under in search of a better life, only to be left feeling hugely disappointed with the reality.
The expat took to the internet to vent about her problems with some of the country’s major cities and it seemed like thousands of people agreed with her and many had their own reasons to add to the list.
He said Melbourne was too similar to the UK, Sydney was too expensive, Perth required a car to get around and the Gold Coast was fiercely competitive for jobs and housing.
The Londoner added that Melbourne and Brisbane also lack easy access to good beaches, which is why many Brits come to Australia in the first place.
The port city, with its array of surf spots, remained a difficult destination for beach-loving Britons, who said the cost of living there was too high.
He said rental prices in the New South Wales capital are on a par with those in London.
“If you’re working a seasonal job in the Sydney hospitality industry, I don’t know if that would give you enough money to live a good life,” he said.
Melbourne is too far from good surfing beaches, has a “crazy” public transport system and a “psychotic” climate according to some
The expat said life on Australia’s west coast, which is “quiet” and has the appeal of some of the country’s most stunning beaches, still has one flaw.
“It’s all pretty spread out, so you really need a car to get around, which is pretty annoying,” he said.
Others who agreed that Australian cities were not all they seemed added a few things to the list and said they were common to all major cities.
A widespread problem in Australia is that cafes close around 3pm, compared to global cities like London where bars, cafes and restaurants are open at all hours.
“In Australia all the coffee shops and cafes close at 2pm, it’s like they don’t want to make money. That’s my ideal time to go and sit in a cafe. Why?” asked one.
People complained that Sydney is expensive, exclusive and everything closes too early for it to be considered a fun place.
And many said that the beach lifestyle, especially in Sydney, is not even as accessible as it first appears and that only a certain part of it can be enjoyed.
“Despite the much-hyped beach lifestyle, most are a real pain to get to unless you live nearby; Cronulla is the only one you can get to by train,” said one.
“It sounds controversial, but I actually found the beach very boring, as if one could only go and sit on the beach a limited number of times,” added another.
Others said Melbourne’s “psychotic” weather had eventually put them off living there and then in spring many are struck down by “ferocious” allergies.
“In one day it can rain, be sunny, windy and humid: there are four seasons,” said one.
The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast have perfect beaches and weather, but the current rental and employment market makes it too competitive for some to consider.
“I had so much hay fever in Melbourne I will never live there again,” added another.
And the young Brit is not the first person in the UK to be lured from London with the promise of paradise and then wonder why they ever got on a plane.
Owen Willis, a British expat who moved to Australia, listed the five things he hated about Australia.
After spending time living in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, she concluded that the Australian experience did not live up to the hype generated on social media.
“Australia is not going to solve all of its problems. I actually don’t think Australia is everything that people think it is,” he said in a video.
Mr Willis was expecting a “utopian paradise” when he moved to the lucky country, but instead found a cold, boring and expensive place where it is hard to get a job.
Owen said the weather isn’t that great, the cost of living is crazy, skilled jobs are hard to find, the lifestyle is “really boring” and everyone knows everyone.
‘The traveller warned people that moving to Australia was not the answer to everything, as problems would only haunt them – they would just be depressed on the beach, or anxious on the beach,’ he said.
“Yes, as an Australian I am also quite disappointed with our country,” another agreed.