Australia - Has anyone hated it?

veryangryman

I see that for some time now, the Oz Gap Year is hugely popular and lots of people have lots of good things to say about it.

However, i regard myself as a bit of a negative neddie (e.g. I was the only audience member to not laugh at Meet The Fockers when it was at the cinema). I just think that all those smiley "pseudo-gay" faces around me would drive me insane within a week, never mind a year. And i also am not a big fan of the heat.

Anyway, i just want to see, did anyone enjoy themselves there, make friends with lots of new people (note that by new, i mean with the locals, not with other members of the irish travelling colony). I say this because i spent a summer in England a few years back. While i had a good time, i did notice myself, and others just sticking to our own groups as time went on. I wouldnt like this over a year.

Anyways, just want to get a consensus opinion. Is it worth the hassle? FYI Im 25 year old whose just bought a house, decent job, car and gf. I could still jump ship a-la renting the house out, selling the car and bringing the gf along, but would like to know if its worth the hassle.

Thanks in advance for advice :eek:

veryangryman

And yes i know my spelling is atroshus!

biko

veryangryman wrote: »

Thanks in advance for advice :eek:

What's the :eek: for

OT: I never met anyone who regretted going to Oz. You're more likely to meet new friends if you go to smaller places. If you ask gf to come you already know someone. G'luck.

jameshayes

veryangryman wrote: »

FYI Im 25 year old whose just bought a house, decent job, car and gf.

You bought your GF? :eek:

OT; Go for it, I've always wanted to do it but dont have the stones! I've met one person who didn't like it and came back after 2 weeks, but he's a bit funny!

Jumpy

James, I am willing to be that was his first long term trip. In that case he would come back from anywhere after 2 weeks. People panic.
It is bar none one of the best places on the planet. Peaceful (as long as you avoid areas in Sydney) cheap, well organised, and beautiful.
Just dont drive like an irishman, or you will be in trouble fairly sharpish (traffic cops are very on the ball over there, and unlike here, all the rules are enforced).

youcancallmeal

jameshayes wrote: »

You bought your GF? :eek:

I was thinking the same thing?

Anyway I'm planning on going travelling this time next year and instead of working for 6 months or so in oz and then travelling the world for another 6 months I'm just going to do pure travel for 6 months. A few people have told me they have actually lost money from working in oz so just pure travelling can be a better idea. This is only just what some people have said to me, I'm sure there are others who have worked there and loved it?

BuffyBot

You also need to learn to post in the correct forum. I'm pretty sure this isn;t the first thread I've had to move about

bottletops

veryangryman wrote: »

However, i regard myself as a bit of a negative neddie (e.g. I was the only audience member to not laugh at Meet The Fockers when it was at the cinema). I just think that all those smiley "pseudo-gay" faces around me would drive me insane within a week, never mind a year. And i also am not a big fan of the heat.

Stay at home. If you don't try to be happy and enjoy things there is no point in leaving your house. Do you expect people will walk up to you and offer you the time of your life... cause that will never happen. (Except in some parts of Asia :eek:)

I went to Oz for a year and everyday I want to drive to the airport and get on a plane back there. We met some brilliant people who are still friends and they are from all over the world. You have to make the effort though. No-one will bother will you if you are being a Negitive Neddie.

TestTransmission

Im back about 2 months from Oz,went with the missus for the year,best year of my life.Its not just the weather i miss,its the total lifestyle over there.I left a very good job,and i left my car over here and not for one second do i regret it,even tho i dont have a penny to my name

greatdeeds

I couldnt agree more, 'Paddys on tour' can be a very hard thing to stomach....fast geting the rep similar to that of our friends across the pond:(

U sound like a level headed guy and going with your girlfriend i would imagine might make it easier to break away and do your own thing unlike the Iriosh at Bondi...!

Btw, in agreement on Meet the Fockers, it was fairly poxy..!

okely dokely

I loved it - cant wait to go back and next time I hope will be permanent,
my sister is there now SOooooo jealous :D:D

seriously though . . . . Has anyone disliked the place??

I haven't been but I know loads of people who hated it.

sioda

I am travelling around the world for a year with the GF and chucked in the job and rented the gaff.

I would recommend it to anyone. I oz at the mo its a bit warm 46 degrees last week but its a great place.

If your gonna come this far hit SE Asia on the way you cant beat a glass of beer in Vietnam for 12 cent. Be happy to give any recomendations.

Budget well and get the one year work visa for Oz in case you want to top up the funds

irelandsown

Sioda. I'm planning on doing the same in October (minus the gf part ). Cant bloody wait. I've never met anyone that has a bad word to say about Oz.

deemy

Its been over 7 years since I we were in oz and I still think of it every day. Loved every minute of it. Just stay away from the paddys on tour and sydney and make friends with the locals. Would love to move back permanant but don't have the balls to do so. Thinking up many excuses of why we cant go even though I know there are many more on the why we should go. Melbourne was our fav city

Sammag

I live here and love it - now - I didn't when I moved here first - took me nearly a year to settle as I knew I was here for the long-haul. That's very different to being here on holiday or the 1 year visa.
Every country has it's pros and cons. What bugged me the most is how conservative a lot of Aussies are. There's also a lot of male chauvinistic pigs here - not all - but there's a fair whack of them. I've come across my fair share in work who - let's just say don't like a woman with an opinion.
At the same time you meet a lot of very insecure women who seem to have an attitude of 'Nab your man, reel him in and God forbid you let any woman who's in anyway remotely attractive even clap eyes on him lest try to even casually chat to him' - Gets a bit tedious after a while (note I am happily married).

I also find there's a fair amount of aggression here, I'm in Mellers and am quite surprised at the amount of stories I hear of anger and violence that goes on late at night esp. at the weekends in the CBD and such.
People being killed over road rage fights, one man was topped in a fight over a garden hose last year in Sydney (!) etc etc... I know it's a big city and larger than my original Dublin and all that, but I've made comment on it many a time.

Apart from that it's a great place altogether. I wish it didn't take so bloody long to travel to every other country on the planet and I'd be well chuffed if they'd do us all a favour and open up some branches of Marks and Spencers and had decent sausages.

I've only ever met one person who hated the place. An old mate of mine. Mind you he did meet an Aussie girl, popped the question 2 weeks later, moved out lock, stock and barrel to her hometown of Toowoomba QLD - aka middle of f*cking nowhere and then suddenly came to his senses when within 3 months of knowing her he living with her folks and they were buying them washing machines and the like as wedding presents. Needless to say, he came to his senses fairly quickly and is happily living and working in London now...

seachto7

I've met quite a few people who didn't like the Australians at all.

Notch000

a friend of mine came home from australia and announced that the aussies arrogant and the big pack of A-holes he ever met, i said its more than likely your the real asshole.
End of conversation.......:)

jank

In fairness the Ozzies do have a growing rep of being loud, maybe im settling into NZ too well!

Paddy Samurai

Yes absolutely, them and their.........................Bloody boomerangs

helpwanted1

It makes me laugh that people that visit another country can insult its citizens when most of the people who go there want to take their jobs or end up become drunk tourists. I am Irish and if went to Australia I think the least I could do was to show some of their natives some respect.

Imagine how insulted you would be if the Polish went back and said we were the biggest a-holes ever!

Just a thought...:rolleyes:

Sammag

Jank - how do you put up with that God-awful Kiwi accent? Do they have the ads on TV at the moment over there for that 'Outrageous Fortune' show like the do here with that blonde twat sitting in her knickers on the edge of the bed shrieking "Sux, sux, sux, that's all the blaady think about is SUX!"

*Aaargh* :mad::mad::mad:

jank

The accent doesnt bother me. Some have it quite strong while others its very mild. Maybe it worse up the North Island as in the South Island it was mostly settled by Scottish so maybe there is a bit of diluation going on.
Maybe I dont know what I am talking about aswell!:pac:

There is a crazy ad here alright. Some one with mad eye and big mouth trying to sell beds and similar products. Cant think of the company now

Sammag

Jank - it's for this TV show: http://www.outrageousfortune.co.nz

The whole 'Fush and Chups' and general exchanging of 'I's to 'U's which drives me barmy...

seachto7

helpwanted1 wrote: »

It makes me laugh that people that visit another country can insult its citizens when most of the people who go there want to take their jobs or end up become drunk tourists. I am Irish and if went to Australia I think the least I could do was to show some of their natives some respect.

Not necessarily. If people are pr1cks, they're pr1cks. I know a guy who lived there, loved the country and the nature but didn't like the people. I also know one guy who has been there for the last 5 years, and will probably stay there, and he always gives out about the Australians. I say:"Come home then!!!"

I had no major problems with Aussies and find you'll end up meeting like minded people if you want, anywhere in the world...

jank

Never saw it. Will have to keep an eye out.

Mobooo

Ozys arent the nicest people but its like anywhere youl find really nice people here just not as many as you would expect from a people with no worries financely speaking

Zambia

veryangryman wrote: »

Anyways, just want to get a consensus opinion. Is it worth the hassle? FYI Im 25 year old whose just bought a house, decent job, car and gf. I could still jump ship a-la renting the house out, selling the car and bringing the gf along, but would like to know if its worth the hassle.

Thanks in advance for advice :eek:

I would say its not you sound pretty well anchored at present, save up some time off and cash and take a 4 week trip around Oz with your GF.

shane86

Notch000 wrote: »

a friend of mine came home from australia and announced that the aussies arrogant and the big pack of A-holes he ever met, i said its more than likely your the real asshole.
End of conversation.......:)

Have to admit, on my holiday there I was astounded by how friendly the staff were in shops. Genuine friendly, not that have a nice day sir yank crap. I think the good weather keeps them cheerful

Apart from shop staff and my mates girlfriend I didnt really meet any Aussies! Most of the nightclubs I went to were full of non Aussies (and no, not Irish. I was very surprised at how few Irish there actually were apart from in the Irish bars, I only met about 7 in my hostel during my entire month there).

Having said all that my mate did his countryside stint, he said there alot of oddball rednecks out there. League of Gentlemen local shop for local people types :pac:

Diamondmaker

I have heard all sorts of varying repoprts and you havtake them with a pinch of salt.

Ones pepective of anoher person or a group of person is dependant on that individual. My GF and I are very open minded frinedly and welcomoning people.
Wer have found we have been treated in that very manner, that I treated Eastern Europeans co workers at home, since I got here.

I would say been treated even better actually. I have been taken under the wing and made some great frineds with the locals. Many are even making the flight to Ireland for my wedding in Sept.

I have found Queenslanders to completly buck the trend of any negativity and have found them to be so frinedly chilled out and decent people.

Bogans are bogans and skangers are skangers wherever you go and the prevelance here of local media means you hear much more of local incidents than we do on the 6.01 news at home. ie as all the news station are regionalsied on TV with Qld even having a differenct head line news from Townwsville to Brizzy, you hear of < relative > minor incidents that we would not hear of on the news at home, but only read in your local paper.

If you come over here with an open mind, acceptance that you are in someone elses home and not all things will be to your liking and a wilingness to get involved in local activities, you will be fine.

Come over, stick to mobs of Irish down Finnegan O Dooleys or whatever and whinge that its too hot, or the sausies are crap, or you miss Taytoo, or you hate the TV you probably wont fit in as well. We are always flowing with our compliments, for our new home and love for the place and you can always sense the locals warming to you instantly as a result.

I think its best summarised by replacing beauty with; your experience will lie in the eye of the beholder.

My mate came back from Perth hating Oz, it was all his own making though:

A. he is normaly an antisocial quiet guy anyway
B. he got involved in a situation he should not have, which affected his whole attitude to the latter part of his stay, where the 2 of us went on want should have been a road trip of a life time 0 2 best mates.....

Diamondmaker

veryangryman wrote: »

Anyways, just want to get a consensus opinion. Is it worth the hassle? FYI Im 25 year old whose just bought a house, decent job, car and gf. I could still jump ship a-la renting the house out, selling the car and bringing the gf along, but would like to know if its worth the hassle.

Thanks in advance for advice :eek:

Im 30, have my own house, now rented, have a GF that is here with me and now my fiancee, we had bought another house before we left and have also rented it, sold the nice car ( BMW coupe and I now drive 98 Falcon :eek: as I just have better things to spend money on now than a car and there is not the same attitude over here in that regard ) and left the very good job, that for the record, I would still be in despite the recession.

All this to chase the dream and quality of life that I knew existed but we did not enjoy in Dublin.

Now I have a good job that is relatively secure ( it will be different only coming over now I guess. )we rent in a fab place in a great area, pool out back and close to everything and importantly I am able to be in work in 10 mins, hail or shine - unlike home.
As a result I have ~ 2 hours A DAY !! more to my self, now I am here.

We have to send money home for a few more months to supplement our mortagages, but my cost of living here in Brizzy ( note you must not go to Sydney or Melbourne to make such financial gains on your move ) is so much less than Dublin I have calculated we are still living for cheaper, spending more on beach w/e, meals out and leisure and still saving more.

I have no plans to go home and as we are exposed to property risks at home, that is something I am prepared to live with, as my life is far better than it was at home. Health, leisure, stress, happiness...............

Take it from me, one who has overcome and given up far more than the average person who comes over, if you think you can make your life better, do it. If the weather and oudoor experince is what comletes your life do it, if life in shorts and dier on the BBQ on your balcony is one of the little things that makes the day worth living then come....

Of course a 1 year trial is a great idea, not huge risk in renting a place for a year and coming over.

Zambia

Dianond Mate are you permanent or just on a year out?

hawkmoon269

Deleted User wrote: »

I loved it - cant wait to go back and next time I hope will be permanent,
my sister is there now SOooooo jealous :D:D

seriously though . . . . Has anyone disliked the place??

I wouldn't say I disliked Australia, but I would say that I much preferred New Zealand.

Diamondmaker

Zambia232 wrote: »

Dianond Mate are you permanent or just on a year out?

Im a year away from permanency, currently sponsored and pretty secure where I am.

My worst case scenario is to attend Uni. I came over here prior to turning 31, instead of doing my final year, of a part time Bsc. So I plan to do that here, possibly while at work.
Back up plan in a fall out Boy, Pete Tong, tits up, pare shaped scenario. It will allow me stay while I do it and then apply for a graduate visa on completion. win win solution for my scenario.

Low interest rates are really helping my situation at home too but at the end of the year circumstances change far for the better also and things will be easier. No matter what I want and intend to stay with my other half and I am very much a solutions kind guy and little issues like 20 year mortgages at home wont stop me

seachto7

Diamonmaker. Interesting scenario you descrined there. I was thinking of coming as well on the WHV but would have to rent the house out in Ire. At the moment, I have put it on the back burner, as I feel it would be far better to come out maybe on a skilled visa. Either way, I'll hold off this year. Unfortunaelty I'll be gone above the WHV age, but I suppose where there's a will, there's a way.

DId it ever wreck your head trying to keep the house in Ireland sorted/paid for, even with the exchange rate being so bad?

Diamondmaker

seachto7 wrote: »

DId it ever wreck your head trying to keep the house in Ireland sorted/paid for, even with the exchange rate being so bad?

Yes ! :mad:

Come on he SMV taks a lot of pressure of you and makes finding work easier.

But you can come on a WHV while you wait for that you see.....

Shutuplaura

Yeah back to the original question, everything is what you make of it. I went on a j1 to the states and really disliked it but enjoyed my two years in Australia.

I've reluctantly decided to go back to ireland for family reasons but I d wouldn't be surprised if I come back here permenantly in a few years. I came over at 27 and did find myself somewhat too old for the backpacker life so I got a decent job pretty quicklty and was lucky enough to get sponsership. I've tried to avoid the Irish backpacker scene and make some australian friends but to be honest do find myself hanging out with Irish people more these days.

Ohj, and oddly enough, I like aussies! A bit arrogant but sure its all a pose, they are kittens under it all.

Mobooo

Ah you need a few of your own every now and then the match was the first time i talked to an irish person in a month and a half it made me feel good now i must say

Zambia

Diamondmaker wrote: »

Im a year away from permanency, currently sponsored and pretty secure where I am.

My worst case scenario is to attend Uni. I came over here prior to turning 31, instead of doing my final year, of a part time Bsc. So I plan to do that here, possibly while at work.
Back up plan in a fall out Boy, Pete Tong, tits up, pare shaped scenario. It will allow me stay while I do it and then apply for a graduate visa on completion. win win solution for my scenario.

Low interest rates are really helping my situation at home too but at the end of the year circumstances change far for the better also and things will be easier. No matter what I want and intend to stay with my other half and I am very much a solutions kind guy and little issues like 20 year mortgages at home wont stop me

Yeah you see your planning on not leaving so in your case it makes sense. Plus you sound like you have several back up options and the cash to chase them.

In the OPs case I think now is not the time to take a trip to Oz for a year leaving a fairly secure situation in Ireland. Its the sensible thing to do but far from the fun thing.:(

WhiteWashMan

greatdeeds wrote: »

I couldnt agree more, 'Paddys on tour' can be a very hard thing to stomach.

ahhhhh jaysus!!!!! yer oirish! whereya from loike? im from ballygobadbarnet, do you know sinead ni tricolor? we went to school together, us oirish have to stay toether loike dont we? its too hot isnt it loike? its not loike back home, i miss the mammy, and i wish to go-od that we could get some bloody club orange and some lyons tea, and dont you just hate those smiley "pseudo-gay" faceson everyone here, and i miss corrie, and jasus have you ever been to........


fúck off.

Coileach dearg

WhiteWashMan wrote: »

ahhhhh jaysus!!!!! yer oirish! whereya from loike? im from ballygobadbarnet, do you know sinead ni tricolor? we went to school together, us oirish have to stay toether loike dont we? its too hot isnt it loike? its not loike back home, i miss the mammy, and i wish to go-od that we could get some bloody club orange and some lyons tea, and dont you just hate those smiley "pseudo-gay" faceson everyone here, and i miss corrie, and jasus have you ever been to........


fúck off.

The Sweeper

WWMan is describing what "Paddys on tour" are like.

Highsider

Heard as many bad stories about the place as good. Hell of a lot of drunken fools over there on tour and jobs are hard to come by now..But's that's only what i've heard.

Jagera

veryangryman wrote: »

I just think that all those smiley "pseudo-gay" faces around me would drive me insane within a week, never mind a year. And i also am not a big fan of the heat.

Why on earth are you even considering going?

To be honest OP. Don't waste your time. You're negative neddie attitude already has you on the wrong foot. Go to Kerry instead, the ring of Kerry in unreal, but specifically for your tastes it is cold and you will see plenty of "pale-faced frowns", which means you won't have to see any pseudo-gay smiles - whatever the F that is. Save your money and keep your attitude at home.

Coileach dearg

What the hell is a "pseudo-gay" face?

Reckon the charter should be modified so that anybody making a generalistation should be banned. This thread is riddled with them,there's nothing more ignorant.

shane86

WhiteWashMan wrote: »

ahhhhh jaysus!!!!! yer oirish! whereya from loike? im from ballygobadbarnet, do you know sinead ni tricolor? we went to school together,

Jaysus yeah. You think thats bad, what about all those English I ran into "oh yeah I was in Dublin 3 years ago, ya know x y z nightclub do ya?". How dare they try to construct conversation with me. Like I care where they have been.

And that French lad I ran into, jaysus, "yeah I worked in Dublin for a few months, I used to watch zee Ligue 1 in eh, you know Frasers?"

I should have took your attitude, "its called Murrays now, now piss off with your emerald oisle stories".

its too hot isnt it loike? its not loike back home

And Tooheys New is a sh1te beer. And some Sydney railway stations have signposts to toilets/station exits that have been bricked off. And the police really ought to do something with the way junkies and alcos can sit around main city areas in a manner which wouldnt be tolerated in Dublin. And the up country trains often dont adaquately announce what station you have arrived at. And drinking beer out of a schooner is like drinking champagne from a can. And drinking goon wine from a bag is plain pikey.

Oz is a great country, but **** if people arent going to call out its numerous bad points.

and jasus have you ever been to........

Me "No, never been to Frankfurt, bar the airport"...Her "when you are settled back in Ireland permanently you should come to Frankfurt and give me a shout! There is this great rave club.....". Not to mention the Welsh lads inviting me to keep in contact to go on the lash in Swansea whenever we all end up back on these isles.

Exactly what the fcuk is wrong with getting to know fellow Irish people abroad in the same manner you chat to foreign people? What is wrong with Irish pubs?

Mind you, recalling your posts before the Ireland vs San Marino match I am not surprised at the self hatred

WWMan is describing what "Paddys on tour" are like

Friendly and up for a banter?

Im not surprised he hates them, they probably didnt have a high opinion of him either after having the neck to talk to him in their tweedle dee accents.

WhiteWashMan

shane86 wrote: »

Jaysus yeah. You think thats bad, what about all those English I ran into "oh yeah I was in Dublin 3 years ago, ya know x y z nightclub do ya?". How dare they try to construct conversation with me. Like I care where they have been.

And that French lad I ran into, jaysus, "yeah I worked in Dublin for a few months, I used to watch zee Ligue 1 in eh, you know Frasers?"

I should have took your attitude, "its called Murrays now, now piss off with your emerald oisle stories".



And Tooheys New is a sh1te beer. And some Sydney railway stations have signposts to toilets/station exits that have been bricked off. And the police really ought to do something with the way junkies and alcos can sit around main city areas in a manner which wouldnt be tolerated in Dublin. And the up country trains often dont adaquately announce what station you have arrived at. And drinking beer out of a schooner is like drinking champagne from a can. And drinking goon wine from a bag is plain pikey.

Oz is a great country, but **** if people arent going to call out its numerous bad points.



Me "No, never been to Frankfurt, bar the airport"...Her "when you are settled back in Ireland permanently you should come to Frankfurt and give me a shout! There is this great rave club.....". Not to mention the Welsh lads inviting me to keep in contact to go on the lash in Swansea whenever we all end up back on these isles.

Exactly what the fcuk is wrong with getting to know fellow Irish people abroad in the same manner you chat to foreign people? What is wrong with Irish pubs?

Mind you, recalling your posts before the Ireland vs San Marino match I am not surprised at the self hatred



Friendly and up for a banter?

Im not surprised he hates them, they probably didnt have a high opinion of him either after having the neck to talk to him in their tweedle dee accents.

indeed.

it would appear that you have me banged to rights.

One Cold Hand

shane86 wrote: »

Exactly what the fcuk is wrong with getting to know fellow Irish people abroad in the same manner you chat to foreign people? What is wrong with Irish pubs?

What I dislike is when Irish people fly all the way over here, and then ONLY go to irish pubs. They're off the building site at 3, then it's home, throw on the Munster jersey and hit the Irish bar for the night. They basically make no effort to go to Aussie Bars and meet Aussies.
Don't get me wrong, I couldn't give a sh1t what they do, it doesn't affect me at all, I just don't understand it...they could stay in Ireland and do that.

shane86

One Cold Hand wrote: »

What I dislike is when Irish people fly all the way over here, and then ONLY go to irish pubs. They're off the building site at 3, then it's home, throw on the Munster jersey and hit the Irish bar for the night. They basically make no effort to go to Aussie Bars and meet Aussies.
Don't get me wrong, I couldn't give a sh1t what they do, it doesn't affect me at all, I just don't understand it...they could stay in Ireland and do that.

tbh Irish bars abroad have a sense of community that you dont get in Irish pubs in Ireland itself. Probably because they are now less packed due to the high cost of a pint in Dublin, but I thought it was great the way my mate never walked into one without getting into convo with at least 3 people he knew, every single time we went without fail. Some he knew from the sites, others he just go to know from drinking there, and I myself got into convo with loads of randomers every time we went. Alot friendlier than the sh1te back here, and for half the price.

I was in a few Aussie bars, after work type places for office workers. Far less people in them than the Irish pubs, and everyone keeping to their own group in their own corner. Certainly not get to know each other type places.

hussey

shane86 wrote: »

tbh Irish bars abroad have a sense of community that you dont get in Irish pubs in Ireland itself. Probably because they are now less packed due to the high cost of a pint in Dublin, but I thought it was great the way my mate never walked into one without getting into convo with at least 3 people he knew, every single time we went without fail. Some he knew from the sites, others he just go to know from drinking there, and I myself got into convo with loads of randomers every time we went. Alot friendlier than the sh1te back here, and for half the price.

I was in a few Aussie bars, after work type places for office workers. Far less people in them than the Irish pubs, and everyone keeping to their own group in their own corner. Certainly not get to know each other type places.

I have to agree and disagree with this, I agree that when I can walk into some bars and start a conversation very quickly, people who would be friends of friends at home suddenly become very good friends over here,
but I think aussie bars are also excellent, and after drinks on friday have been some of better nights out for me, Ryans bar on a good friday is unlike anything you'll see

Jagera

I agree with hussey's agreeing and disagreeing. I used to spend the odd time in Aussie bars in London, mostly to watch big matches & to mix with some of my own for a bit.

Most people I know who travelled overseas, initially spent a lot of time hanging out with other australians. It's that comfort factor of landing in a totally different community, and the easiest community to get into is the expats - other people like yourself who've been thrust into a different world.

After a while, you get sick of it, you meet some locals through work or whatever, then you're out & about doing what locals do - and at the same time giving sh1t to "all the aussies who just come here and drink in aussie pubs"

Same goes for Irish/English/whomever I reckon.