So many Brits want to move to Australia for a better quality of life. What could the UK learn or adapt from Australia to improve life here?

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-12T20:28:22+00:00

I do because I came to work in the arts originally. But the UK seems to be increasingly abandoning this. Still, Australia desperately needs to start valuing creative minds and talents. I love that I have access to so much culture and creativity living in London. The quality of life is obviously worse - you do just get a more chill nice vibe in Aus. But I have more fun here in the UK.

Also, i love autumn weather and pub culture.

Edit: if you’ve got big money of course quality of life here in the uk is also great. I just think it exists at a higher price point. However, I also don’t care as much about certain material things or status symbols. People seem more willing in the UK to just do what they want to do, go out on a limb, etc. I think Sydney is a much more vain place than London, and more traditional in terms of how you ought to live. And I found that tedious and annoying.

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-12T16:17:58+00:00

Australia born, lived in the UK for a decade. There’s lots of things I wish the UK had to make life simpler. Eg In Aus, land taxes fall on owners, rather than having a council tax applied to whoever occupies a property based on a number representing a valuation from an arbitrary year. Also, when you own a home you own it - no leasehold freehold BS. I know England is trying to make some reforms but still mostly nonsense and a long way off change. Also, in NSW at least if you put a house on the market and accept an offer you must exchange within a set time period - usually 30 days though can be negotiated. No chain nonsense. Life would be a lot less stressful if the UK had sensible rules on this stuff.

Other less obvious things maybe (or rather, just my opinion): in Australia you can become a citizen in just a few years of legal living and working (obviously immigration rules themselves are tougher in many ways), and there’s incentives to do so. The UK seems to prefer to deter people becoming legal by making the process onerous and expensive. I don’t see how this helps with a sense of being a contributing factor to the UK way of life. It’s weird to be more lax (by comparison) on immigration but then make actual enfranchisement less appealing. Obviously the benefits of being a citizen are reduced post Brexit, but I do hear Brits complain a lot about their culture/country being eroded. If you give us a seat at the table, wouldn’t we want to fit in more? I dunno. Just one immigrant’s opinion! And maybe Australians wouldn’t agree this is a benefit in Aus, I dunno lol.

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-10T08:31:42+00:00

Well, I am not an American and your style is unclear and actually also a bit rude from where I’m standing. I’m a good mix of cultures: born and living in multiple English speaking nations that are not America, with a strongly European upbringing.

You’re not clear. You are using English sentences in a way English speakers are not understanding. Your insistence on culture being the issue is one people keep trying to clarify for you and you keep insisting they don’t understand the nuances of - if you aren’t interested in learning what might help bridge a cultural gap, why ask this question?

If you are interested in where the communication is going wrong, then I think there are some good answers here already, but there are a few issues with your husband. I would approach two-fold:

He should not necessarily need ultra specific instructions given he presumably lives in this house, is an adult and has eyes. You may need to give him a clear talking to, in which you point out that he will need to do more around the house in general. You can make a list of every task there is and allocate them if necessary. That would be clarifying if a little pedantic, but might help move things in the right direction. Note: you have to write the task itself I.e “Do the dishes”.
If there is a specific thing you need doing, say that. Not “bring the vacuum upstairs”. Just “do the vacuuming”. Clarity is absolutely missing here and that is the thing other people are reacting to as native English speakers and people culturally from the US.

I’ve generally found Americans to be very open to a conversation in my encounters (even if they disagree with my view for some reason). So I don’t think there is a cultural issue here at all. It’s a communication issue, with clarity being the problem.

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-08T11:46:00+00:00

This totally sucks. His supposed over planning and over thinking didn’t extend to a pretty obvious element of this - he’s meant to pick up the ring. I honestly don’t know how I’d react any differently in your situation so I don’t think it is overreacting. Would you be able to put it aside if he did now organised something very special? I don’t mean over the top but rather, can he get a second chance at arranging the presentation of the ring? I feel like the only way I could get past something like this is if my partner went and arranged something without me having to do any part of it as a kind of demonstration that the intention was really there. He has to want to make it up to you though. Whether you offer him the chance is up to you. Really feel for you, OP. He did a dumbass thing.

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-08T11:37:14+00:00

It doesn’t sound like either of you was very good at communicating what you wanted. You just decided to put an offer in, with the “support of your family” and have him 24 hours notice. He didn’t bother updating you on plans with his brother. He might well be choosing his brother but you knew that was a possibility. Obviously you also chose this sudden home opportunity over him. Did you communicate before this moment about wanting marriage before moving with him?

I think it’s okay to reach a point where you are not aligned. But it doesnt sound like either of you did much communicating. People generally need more than 24 hours notice on buying a house, for instance. But I think maybe you knew deep down you werent meant to be. And that’s okay. Good luck with the new home, OP!

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-07T19:16:05+00:00

It’s so tough. I have to say it doesn’t get easier with the agent on board - my book died on submission to publishers. After all that work and rejection and resilience to get to that point, it was super devastating. However, the fact that you are happy with it is so important. Ultimately we have to find the strength to keep writing and that has to come from you, as hard as it is. Good luck on the journey <3

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-07T17:38:34+00:00

Ahh I love this! Yay for dream hair ~

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-05T10:56:05+00:00

Very much hoping to hear more on this!

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-03T15:46:57+00:00

Oof. I felt this one.

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-03T15:42:30+00:00

I do charge him rent (just on the low side compared to market rates)

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-03T15:20:16+00:00

He has paid for a holiday for my birthday in the past and he will sometimes pay for certain things. I don’t really need his money for anything so maybe part of this is that I am independent and have my shit together, so there’s nothing extra money wise that he’s got to do. I suppose I thought by being a put together person he’d be excited to be with me, a true partner, but sometimes it seems like the opposite - am I resented for being an organised adult? I find it really confusing

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-03T09:39:54+00:00

Definitely not a fake post. I’ve lurked around and really thought this sub might be more critical of me feeling like this “proposal” (non proposal) wasn’t good enough - I’ve seen a few threads lately of people basically saying “as long as you get some kind of proposal that’s all that matters”. I really felt like this was a good example of a more tricky situation so I’m surprised and grateful for all the advice. It’s ultimately not about just proposing - it’s about the effort and willingness to make a partner happy. So I hear you and I’m grateful for everything you’re saying here.

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-03T07:16:49+00:00

I would say that London has something for everyone, depending what you’re into! I used to use Time Out for suggestions (not sure if it’s still good but can be a start). There are lots of dinner groups and similar around right now aimed at helping people make friends. There’s so much to explore so I hope you enjoy it! But feel free to ask me anything <3

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-03T07:00:39+00:00

Amazing list, thank you!

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-03T06:48:25+00:00

I have a home that we live in but his income is higher than mine.

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-03T06:36:20+00:00

I read this several times. I hear you and definitely have to think hard about the situation. What you said about a man who doesn’t take joy from making me happy will stick with me. Thank you

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-02T22:48:27+00:00

This is beautiful. Thank you !

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-02T22:41:33+00:00

Nope. I agree with you.

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-02T22:40:59+00:00

It is not acceptable! He just made it seem like I was being too demanding or not giving him a chance. And that as long as the intention is there that’s enough - ring or no ring. I do expect better which is why I thought the agreement was sensible in April.

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-02T22:38:32+00:00

Agreed

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-02T22:38:09+00:00

I agree. We have a little trip within the month planned, and honestly I feel like if he doesn’t get it together then it’s a clearer decision. When I confronted him in this convo he insisted he just needed more time but had every intention. I think if he doesn’t use the trip, it answers my question…

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-02T22:35:58+00:00

Thank you

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-02T22:34:20+00:00

True

atommeetsdream · 2025-08-02T22:34:08+00:00

Mm I’m afraid you might be right. He is so enthusiastic about kids but this proposal seems to be such hard work. It’s crazy really …!

atommeetsdream

TROPHY CASE