Australia vs The UK: Things I didn't expect to miss!

[@listohan]

The appeal of cold winter weather and short days is an acquired taste. Brilliant blue skies especially in winter should not take long to appreciate.

[@musicalneptunian]

Yes, but also bear in mind how much brighter and stronger the sun is in Australia; when the first settlers came they painted the Australian light like it was dimmer and European. I'd also expect they would burn as badly as I do here: please put on full factor sunscreen!

[@listohan]

@@musicalneptunian and a hat!

[@kimberleylucas]

theres no denying I appreciate them, as I said in my video :) we definitely had lighter nights for longer in the UK, that's something i should have mentioned actually!

[@Sydneysider1310]

@@kimberleylucas the further away from the equator the more extreme are the times that the sun rises and sets. The closer to the equator the reverse is true. If you live on or around the equator the sun rises and sets at 7am to 7pm year round. 😊

[@wallywombat164]

Hey Kimbo. Iv'e liked and subscibed to you since your first vid. Love to You, You And the Kuds. ❤❤❤❤

[@kimberleylucas]

you are an original!

[@StephanieRamsay-zl8iy]

Me again! A video I would love to see is on Aussie food! Loved your video comparing Aussie snacks when you first loved but would be fun to see what other snacks/food you’ve found and enjoy. Totally foodie here! 😂 x

[@kimberleylucas]

oh yes, i can absolutely do this! :)

[@bearclaire]

On that note, has your diet changed since moving (diet as in way of eating not weight related). Do you eat the same type of things and amounts for breakfast lunch dinner snacks etc and around the same times as you did in uk, or do you find yourself eating quite differently perhaps because of change in weather, products or waking/sleeping at different times

[@chrismottershead7165]

We have a 4 year old (first two years taken by COVID) and I have taken her back to the UK 4 times already to make up for the lost time. The problem is when we’re together it’s very full on and nobody gets a break so it really is a feast or famine situation. Thanks for also acknowledging the strain it puts on a relationship. Having no help is the biggest challenge out of everything you mentioned. Unfortunately the UK has become a poor country with a lot of Rich people living there and unless you’re in a very comfortable financial position, living in Australia will offer a much better quality of life which for us outweighs the thought of having family near by. It breaks my heart but that’s the reality.

[@kimberleylucas]

I really appreciate this comment, thank you. The biggest strain on our relationship is absolutely caused by having no 'break' we're both tired and trying to juggle work commitments/parenting and also building a life for ourselves in a country far away from family support... all whilst trying to be a husband & wife and take time for 'ourselves'... theres a reason that there is a saying 'it takes a village' Would you recommend a trip back to the UK before making any final decisions? its so expensive hence why i'm asking for an honest opinion on it.

[@chrismottershead7165]

​@@kimberleylucas I would take a trip to the UK during an "off peak" time and by that I mean not in the middle of summer or Xmas when everyone is vibing as I used to always go around then and be like "damn I should just come back here life would be like this everyday". It's not and in reality you need to think about what your life as a family of four would be like day to day, what you'd do for work, how much is your weekly shop, whether you'd be happy with grim weather, what you'd do to entertain yourselves whilst your friends and family are busy etc. We did it last year where we tried to simulate a 2 week experience. We got an Air B&B close to family but where there when people had to carry on with their lives and after the two weeks we felt more validated in our decision to be living in Sydney on the basis we knew our job prospects were better and our child would grow up in a better environment. The biggest downside remains the strain on the relationship so I'd welcome any hacks on how to solve for that!! We recently started hanging out with other expat families but sometimes that can be a bit of a downer as we all end up talking about the same problems - 😅

[@JoelJackman-r7l]

Love this reply ❤​@@chrismottershead7165

[@truetoskyblue6952]

My wife is Italian (now an Aussie!) and I'm Australian. She's been here for 20 years. The first few years for her were very difficult especially as it was the time of raising our two young children. It sounds like a very similar situation to yours, but as time goes by it gets a lot easier. Sometimes the right approach is to just 'hang in there.' As the kids move into school, you make friends with the parents of your kids friends, it's a gamechanger. Funnily enough, we live on the central coast too and my children have loved being raised on the coast. Who knows, might bump into you oneday down at Tezza beach!

[@aye70aye]

I can fully understand all you miss, 100%. The U.K is definitely getting hotter, this summer and just last week even we have had regular temps into the early 30's!! Its hell, this week it's in the mid 20's and feels SO much cooler thankfully. We are not set up with air con obviously here in the U.K. so every room has a fan but still makes sleeping tough when it hasn't dipped below 22 at night. Re couple time/family - unfortunately I have never had a supportive family so never got any baby sitting - what we did was just take them with us everywhere! Cinemas, theatres, concerts, festivals, F1 racing, city breaks! They look back at those times so fondly now. My hubby is American and moved to the U.K for me, we have been together 19yrs now and yes his family do visit,(his Dad comes yearly) we have been back there only twice cos its too expensive. Your family can still experience you Kim wherever you are, remember that. The way you connect with them doesn't change, just the methods do. Thanks for sharing, still wish I was there though lol, love Jessie x

[@kimberleylucas]

uhhh i know we love to complain about the weather but there really is nothing worse than trying to sleep at night when its been hot and you have no air-con! i'm sending you hugs! But also, enjoy that sunshine while it lasts!! Looks beautiful just now and i'm so glad you are getting some nice weather - especially since its summer! Thank you for all your support - your comments are always very much welcomed! x

[@BellaBella284]

I wonder where in the UK you live, as someone in Scotland we have not had a great summer aside from a few days here and there 🙈

[@aye70aye]

@BellaBella284 I'm in Worcestershire and it's been brutally hot here! Thankfully it's like 10 degrees cooler now!

[@ShannonDent]

@@BellaBella284I was going to say the same!! We’re East Yorkshire & had the Crappest summer EVER!! I think I can count on 1 hand how many nice days we’ve had since October!! - yes really hot when it is but brutally hot the day after cold weather and rain 🥸🤣 and when it is hot majority of the time it’s over cast still and still get rain 😅

[@BellaBella284]

@@ShannonDent exactly, I don’t think we get distinct seasons in the UK either, it’s all just variations of winter 😂

[@krisjames4276]

I honestly have no regrets moving back to the UK after 17 years. Beautiful countryside, seasons, lovely seaside resorts etc We are loving jumping on a ferry and exploring Europe. We actually love the seasons and cosy winter evenings!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@thereseelizabethries1083]

Spring 🌼🌱 is on the horizon Kim look forward to that.

[@kimberleylucas]

I'm very much looking forward to feeling warm again 😊😊 not long!

[@HeartMandy]

I completely agree. Australia is such an incredible country, and I'm so jealous of people that have family here. I also feel the pull to go back to the UK but my husband wants to stay. We've been here a year and I'm feeling exactly the same way as you do

[@kimberleylucas]

this is the exact reason i do these videos, it may seem silly to some people but others GET it and its hard to explain these feelings. I think its much different for females and i know my feelings for missing home are different to my husbands and i honestly think its just because we are male/female! making the final decision is the hardest part!

[@HeartMandy]

@kimberleylucas so true. We also have 2 kids aged 4 and 2, and I'm with them constantly. I'm happy I get all this extra time with them, but the isolation is difficult. It is also hard making mum friends. I hope it gets easier for all of us!

[@StephanieRamsay-zl8iy]

Aw Kim those videos of your dad and Isla! 😞 I know 100% I would not be able to get over leaving the grandparents. Not even for the support but those moments you mentioned. We’ve hardly had a summer in Scotland but I am so ready for autumn to start!! 😂 by winter I’ll be searching visas and flights to Australia again. Having Europe on your doorstep in the Uk is amazing however overtime you will become more familiar with areas nearby for equally amazing staycations. Also travelling by car is more fun than flying 😊 One question I have wondered about is how welcoming are Australians in the area you live in? Aussies are know for being friendly but with so many opinions on immigration and the rental crisis etc do you feel that there is a positive reception to immigrants? Xx

[@kimberleylucas]

i know - it really kills me as we spent a lot of time with my dad and he entertained the kids A LOT - usually whilst i had my hot cuppa and breakfast! its little things that we CAN appreciate right now however are choosing not too and i think thats the part that really bothers me... there will come a time when you dont have a choice between the two :( oh my goodness i am seriously jealous for autumn coming up! my fave season and so beautiful in the uk (decor/leaves/halloween etc) I do think Australians are friendly however my honest opinion is that Scottish people are friendlier. I appreciate if you are from anywhere else in the world you may not have a fair comparison but thats just my opinion. Finally, i believe Australia has the largest population ratio to immigrants - i haven't ever felt unwelcomed however my tiktok will tell you different! haha xx

[@hannahdickinson5106]

I've been in Aus for almost 10 years, both my children born here, I would never recommend anyone leave supportive family to do it alone - I wish we could go back to the UK, just a little harder with spouse visa requirements for my Aus partner - starting to seriously look into it now, life is short, I want my family close to me, my parents won't be around forever and I'm missing out on them x

[@rebeccan.8235]

I like watching your videos as you seem to share my thoughts and feelings about living in Oz from Scotland. My kids were born here and oldest is now 8 and I still am constantly going back and forth, it's not a healthy head space to be. We know Australia is a better way of life but then really miss family and home comforts. I have been here for 12 years now and have decided to go back to glasgow in september for 3 months to give it a try and see how we feel, means we won't have to completely give up life here. The problem is I think my version of the UK that I grew up in no longer exists so it's not really like moving back to the same place. Also, the houses in Queensland are an absolute shocker 😂!

[@kimberleylucas]

Thank you for this, im glad you find comfort in the fact you are not alone. Respectfully, this is my biggest fear.. that in 10 years time I still won't feel settled, and like you said, its really not a good head space to be in! (i'm only 16 months in and im in need of a break from my head! haha) we are currently in the decision process of going home for a holiday to remind ourselves of what it's really like to live there but its just so expensive and its money we could be using to apply for PR... its just deciding which one takes priority right now. I definitely don't think its the same place as it used to be BUT what I have learnt from being away from Scotland is that its simply not just about the weather, theres so much more in that country that Australia just cannot give me. And some of these things wont be here forever and im scared of that! x

[@rebeccan.8235]

@@kimberleylucas yes going home is super expensive, before covid we used to go back and visit every year and can no longer do that due to the cost. Think that has been a huge change as when we could go visit regularly it worked well. Totally agree with the things you have said, I really hope you start to feel settled and don't end up like me 🤣. A trip home would probably help you in your decisions one way or another. Look forward to seeing where the journey takes you!

[@Ben_3113]

We also went back to England for 3 months at the end of 2022 (We moved to AUS in 2007), we went with the view of seeing what it would be like to live there again and perhaps moving back at some stage but we all decided in the end that Australia is our home. We loved being in England and with family but we have changed and so has the place, Australia feels more like home now.

[@allanahquinn7277]

Another interesting video Kimberley. I would highly recommend ducted air conditioning if you rent again. I think it is essential in Australia. I know you have visited the NSW highlands which is a favourite place for English and Scottish people to settle as it has all the seasons (including light snow occasionally). My daughter and her English husband have moved there recently and he said it’s like the UK but warmer and less wet. Unfortunately it is an hour from the beaches so 🤷‍♀️

[@listohan]

In winter in Australia, it is often warmer outside than inside.

[@kimberleylucas]

our current rental only has 1 air con unit so ABSOLUTELY agree with your comment on looking for ducted next time! haha

[@kimberleylucas]

@@listohan I can 100% relate to this! I usually sit outside and have my lunch as its about 10 degrees warmer than my house 4 steps away! haha

[@louisaklimentos7583]

I couldn’t careless about Europe . In summer they are over crowded by tourists . How do people enjoy that ? I have been to places in Australia that are remote and you have the whole place to yourself . I know it has been tough for you but just take each day as it comes and it will get better . Make sure you do video chats with your relatives in the UK . All new houses have to have insulation in them and I have full duct air conditioning in my house . I noticed when I visited England twice , most relatives didn’t take us anywhere but a couple did . They would show us London and maybe drive an hour to show us the countryside. How ever when these relatives from the UK visited us in Australia , we took them everywhere . We drove them from Sydney to the Whitsundays in Queensland . We kept being asked “Are we there yet ? “ lol . I wish you all the best in Australia . God bless you and your family .

[@kimberleylucas]

I think once you've experienced Sydney then nothing else seems 'over crowded!' haha we never visited cities in peak holiday times as everything was more expensive and busier. off peak meant you got cheap flights and quiet streets! Europe is beautiful & full of history & charm! :) thats good to know about the new houses, i'll keep this in mind! Its not long now until spring/summer and i'm very much looking forward to days at the beach! :)

[@louisaklimentos7583]

@@kimberleylucas I hope you do enjoy this summer . Sydney can be busy but London is even busier .I live in Sydney but in a few years time , I will be moving to the South Coast of NSW . If not on the coast , I would move to Kangaroo Valley . I heard their are cheap fights from the UK to Europe called the Red Eye . A lot of people take these fights for a weekend away in Europe . Maybe you have done that . A weekend away in Spain must sound exciting .lol

[@LauraCooper-b5o]

I agree with your opinions comparing UK to Australia. I definitely missed family. And a luxury supermarket / store I really missed was marks and Spencer 🤣😂

[@kimberleylucas]

M&S YES!! absolutely agree with that one. I miss morrisons too but i think again, its just familiarity and the salad bar! haha

[@daisyp5186]

Hi Kim, I understand every word you said and feel the emotions! Currently in the UK but booked to fly back next month as my partner had a job offer out of the blue. He’s super keen to go he absolutely thrives in Sydney. Me not so much! It’s a 2 to 5 year plan in order to take early retirement then I get to chose where we live next. We’re renting our property out as house prices still aren’t what they used to be. We’re from England but have Scottish heritage my partners folks are from Glasgow. I woke up this morning to feelings of I’m not going! so watch this space! I recall your folks will be visiting soon, be careful not to make a snap decision when they leave to move back as your emotions will be super heightened. I do hope you gain PR before making any decisions that at this moment you think you won’t regret but quite well could do further down the line. You will have changed more than you realise and see things differently back home which may make it harder to settle back in.

[@musicalneptunian]

Kimberley and family My family did the same thing in the 1970s. Only difference was our origins from North England rather than Scotland. I was the child at your child's age when we relocated to across the other side of the world. Our reason was the dire employment in the UK in my family's line of work; they applied for jobs in many countries but Australia offered in the end. I can relate to everything you've said times a million. Thus in a way I am, to risk Science fiction melodrama, where you might be decades later: how you might end up feeling decades later. A big future point for you is going to be when any relatives back home pass on. That will tug at you a lot and you will want to be home for that. Yes, Australia is great in many ways. There is no crime or pollution by world standards. People have blown me away by how helpful they have been; I was lost once at night by catching the wrong train. People helped me get a taxi. Australia is a quite simple country with no historical enmities found in older countries. Looking back at my family's choices, we made a pivotal decision to stay about 3 years in. For better or worse. If you decide to go back home people should respect you 100%. You are not a "failure" at all to do so. I would estimate 3 or 4 years in a new country seems to be the choice in the road. A lot more I could say. This deserves a longer conversation than YT comments. All the best to you and your family.

[@listohan]

People from countries that were at their neighbours' throats find peace here as in the Snowy Mountains time? Don't believe people in the UK who say multiculturalism does not work. Why is "I am Australian" such a popular song?

[@kimberleylucas]

This is a lovely comment to read, thank you for taking the time to write it out. Its lovely to read that you were a child when you moved and still loving Aussie life! Its a great life for kids to grow up in and like you said - a lot safer than many other places! I also appreciate your comment about not being a 'failure' if we decide to go home, its definitely a huge decision to make and one that could go either way right now! Thanks again and I wish you all the best too! :)

[@wallywombat164]

I completely understand you missing the proximity to parts of Europe Kimbo.

[@daniellejra]

We have been here since November and echo all of these thoughts! It’s so incredibly difficult to know what the best decision is for your family, I feel like we’re waiting for this lightbulb moment to know which is the right decision - but I’m not sure that will come! How to decide 🤷🏻‍♀️ X

[@wallywombat164]

Kimbo, Aust does have the odd rabbit or two, plus a sheep baaaing around the paddocks and if you keep your eye oot you may see a foul fowl. I understand the close proximity of the Europe bit though. ❤❤❤ and a handshake for YOU AND.

[@Ergo-ji8dn]

Good to hear your thoughts and feelings on these topics. I have travelled overseas for lengthy periods in the past but always knew I would eventually come home to Australia. I do recognise some of the issues you discussed including a sense of unfamiliarity, weather differences, missing close family and friends at times, differences in housing and the like. Here are some random thoughts - do you have any means of heating your house in winter as I imagine you had heating on in Scotland in winter. I live further north than you but we still sometimes use heating in the early mornings and evenings. When we have sunny days here, our house heats up nicely during the morning and stays warm but on cloudy or rainy days, I might need the heating on more. I also find it is warmer outside in a sunny spot like a verandah or patio during the day so try to spend some time there. When working here, offices and shops are all heated during the day so I don’t feel cold at work. Perhaps because you are home more during the day, you are feeling cold more or perhaps your house does not have an adequate heating system? Yes, the unfamiliarity is there and I imagine it is more impactful the first time you have lived away from home. I travelled for a year or so at a time when young so became used to that feeling. Yes, the seasons are switched around and not as pronounced in much of Oz. However, further south and inland they have a more defined autumn and spring feeling but also a colder winter of course! If you ever have time and resources it might be worth a visit to Canberra, the southern highlands of NSW, Victoria or Tasmania in these seasons for more of the autumn leaves and new shoots of spring experience. We cannot move Easter to spring though! From talking to various people who moved to Oz from several different countries, some said they found missing family and friends the hardest and others said that it was hard at first but became easier over time, especially after they had found their “tribe” here. This also allowed them to share some babysitting with other couples so each could have some short breaks. One actually said they liked having some distance from their family of origin! So it is obviously a very personal experience and probably depends a lot on how one was raised, one’s life experiences as young adults and one’s own priorities. You just need to make whatever decision feels right for you and your family and only you will know what that is. You are right to say Australia will always be here but you may not always have your family of origin. If (and I am not saying you would want to) you think you might want to come back to Australia in 10 or 15 years, then try to obtain permanent residency and citizenship before you leave as it will most likely be much more difficult, if not impossible, to immigrate again when you reach the age of 45, unless the rules change drastically in the meantime. Best wishes with your journey, wherever it takes you.

[@kimberleylucas]

Thank you for taking the time to write this - our rental only has one air con unit on our living room wall and there are A LOT of gaps around our doors/windows so lets just say i am very much looking forward to spring/summer! haha yes, i agree things will start to settle in time - i enjoy sharing our experience and feelings so far. Australia is still beautiful and of course different to the UK! I also agree on obtaining PR , i think thats sensible decision!

[@rajivmurkejee7498]

The further south you live in Australia the more there are four distinct seasons

[@kimberleylucas]

this is interesting to know, thank you!

[@maggief1137]

OZ is not for everyone I understand with family and children you try to keep the bond strong but it can be difficult living on the other side of the world, if I was closer to you I would watch the kids for you so you can have date night 👍💕💜

[@kimberleylucas]

This is so kind, thank you! Its definitely hard, until you experience it I don't think people appreciate just how hard it is! I wish you were here too! haha

[@StephenKiely-y3j]

I could listen to your beautiful Scottish accent all day cheers from Sydney

[@kimberleylucas]

thank you for this lovely comment :)

[@shanearmstrong9400]

😂😢😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@stephentrott587]

we have seasons here you go out to farmlands you can see lambs snow in aus snowy mtns more snow than Switzerland watched since you came here you look so much fitter and tanned do you know that is destroying your country is brexit yes we are having probs here but so is the rest of the world and UK even worst again because brexit last year over there so many shops closed in London sorry but I thing would be crazy to go back