What It's Like Living in Australia vs UK 

We'd love to hear what it is you love about both countries in the comments below 👇🏼 Follow us on insta for more of our lives inbetween videos @thebamfamalaminaustralia Have a great Sunday! Much love, Ben, Maz, Lily, Ella, Miakat, Kokopop and Tallulah AKA The BAM Famalam xx

Our Australian family had a lovely year living in Birmingham in 1999. I agree with most of the things mentioned here. Prices for most things were much dearer in the UK at that time, but prices have increased in Australia over the last 20 years. Some of the things that I enjoyed about living the UK in comparison to Australia: historical sites - castles, Roman sites, grand houses - and re-enactments, short distances between tourist sites, easy access to continental Europe. The description in this video is reasonably specific to regional Queensland, as mentioned in the video. Winters are cool in the south, although warmer than the UK (maybe with the exception of Tasmania in comparison to southern UK). Life in Australian cities is more cosmopolitan than described in the video and most of the major cities have large and efficient public transport networks. Here in Melbourne, we have a commuter rail system with 17 lines and 219 stations with 660,000 trips daily, in addition the world's largest tram network, with 24 routes and 1,763 stops, and 364 bus routes. So, not just for day trips.

It's a bit late sorry, but a HUGE WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA. I LOVE to see our latest Aussies enjoying life. These kind of vids inspire and remind me how lucky I am to have grown up in Queensland Australia. I was born at Southport on the Gold coast in the old Southport hospital (no longer there) you're positivity is infectious and we need more people like you guys. It's so great to see you laughing and really enjoying your new home. Thanks for making us smile and I wish you the very best in you life on the beautiful sunshine coast 😃😃😃😃

Returned home from Australia.missed home too much.missed football with the lads,pub with mates ,all of Europe on my door step.and the history and architecture of Europe

Great video guys. Your relaxed and honest style is so refreshing. We're waiting for the borders to open! 😉

I enjoy your videos so much I’m watching them all again!

Love you guys! Thanks for the info! Glad to hear the healthcare over there is just as amazing at the NHS! Xx

Ooh this is another good video. Such a good point about seasons too. Hadn't thought of that too much. I do live autumn....but I love sun more!!!

Loved the Insight! Can’t wait to get over there. If you want to experience changing of the seasons. Melbourne would be fun to visit in Autumn 🍂

Hi guys … you both would be a great asset to any country … your courage and energy would succeed anywhere … best of luck to you and yours …

Enjoy your vids. Very sunny attitudes. 👍

Great video!

Colder areas of Aust do have lovely autumn colour, just depends where you live.

You're a lovely couple, it's nice to have English people moving to Australia, hope to see more. Love the extra bit at the end.👍😊💜

Planning a move from Ireland with my wife and kids within the next year. Covid has held it up. Iv lived in Perth before and excited to do it with the family for a better life. Good to see expats side of things thanks

New Subscriber to your channel. I love your video content. My parents moved here to Australia from the UK back in the 70's ( known as 10 pound poms lol ). I was born here and love being Australian. Would love to visit the UK one day though and experience a White Christmas. It is definitely on my bucket list. Glad you are enjoying our beautiful country and what it has to offer. Best thing about Australia is that it is very multi-cultural and we all just blend in well together. I love the diversity and hope you guys do too. Wishing you a happy life here. All the best to your family 😊💜😊

Hi guys, great info. If you like the seasonal colours why not head inland from Maroochydore & pop up to places like Flaxton & Mapleton. Great food & views to the coast.

Thanks for the video. I am a different vintage to you but have lived across both countries for decades. Australia gets ever more attractive. Growing up in a small Suffolk town I felt stifled by the snobbery as a "council house person" as my school mates described me. It was better later when I worked in the UK as a CEO for a couple of years a decade ago but I could still never persuade the security guards and receptionist not to call me "sir" - I said my first name or "mate" would do. I have never been asked In Australia what school or university I went to - a degree was good enough, but I later discovered I only got an interview in the UK because I went to a particular uni. In my line of business I now find the UK a bit insular and exceptionalist - probably different in other lines. Australia took a long time (decades) to master trading links and business culture with Asia - helped having a PM who could speak Chinese. In my line we have joint ventures in Asia. I once called in on an Asian partner to find a UK delegation there . To my surprise I was invited to do the business dinner. I need not have worried , they had no idea how advanced this Asian company was and were trying to sell them out of date technology. A couple even had poor reactions to some of the banquet dishes on offer. In China you do not tell the Chinese that "post Brexit Global Britain" is looking to re-establish its historic presence in the Far East with a Union Jack on every brochure when 1.8 billion Chinese are taught in school that the British Colonial Opium Wars were a national humiliation which still hurts. So the more relaxed, more socially egalitarian Australia with a future in an increasingly prosperous Asia is definitely the go.

I enjoy your videos. Thank you .Greetings from the U.S.A. 🗽

glad you moved over . a welcome addition to oz. its a massive effort on your part to move to a foreign country 12000 miles from your home country, albeit we both speak english . \brits always fit in well here. i have worked with quite a few brits, jordies and scots . all great contributers and fully welcome.

Lovely video

In Armidale NSW trees are also very colourful....so beautiful there too just like in the UK even the weather is so cold.. sometimes in winter temperature can be -10.

More of your people to Oz please you’ll love it

Live in Brisbane, we’ve been here 3 years. Love it, have so many amazing holidays and trips in Queensland. Weather is stunning. For me yes the health care here is quick paced but expensive I think compared to UK. Insurance and extra Medicare costs can add up significantly. However it’s just so quick to get things sorted. And that wins hands down. Miss some shopping aspects from the UK. Things do take time and you pay a lot for postage. I do miss next day delivery. Great video, look forward to next week. X

You had me laughing at the ´we´re living the hard life eh babe´😂😂. Keep wearing the jeans you love with or without the knees. You rock them🥳🥳. I’m from Denmark so I envy you the weather. In the nicest way of course🤗. I hade our winters🥶. Have a lovely day🙋‍♀️🌹

I'm waiting for my visa to be approved to move over to Brisbane by the end of the year from Scotland. I've wanted to move to Queensland since I was young, the outdoor lifestyle, love of rugby, BBQs and beautiful weather all makes me excited. Scotland will always be my home but I've had a longing to be a Queenslander for well over a decade. I cant wait! Thanks for the informative videos guys, it makes me even more excited to get out there with my fiancé!

Great video again guys. How about doing a few reaction style videos to places you haven’t visited yet? Places like Bunya mountains, Mr Nebo Fraser/Moreton/Stradbroke Islands?

I am from Australia but lived in London for 22years as l am married to a British/Turkish wife. I have been home 5 years now and missing London very much. I miss the history of the place especially. I used to love the hot weather in Melbourne but now not at all as l had a giant pituitary brain tumour in 2000 which damaged my pituitary gland. My body no longer produces hormones so my body no longer vregulates temperature. So l hate the humidity. So because of this. I spend slot of time indoors now. Wheras in London l went out every day and explored. The cold never bothered me. Oh and l miss Nik Naks, pickled onion Monster Munch, Irn Bru and prawn cocktail crisps. I love being home with my sisters but its just this damn heat that kills me.

Be aware Some if that fresh produce in markets CAN BE just the stuff from the main markets like in Brisbane and people go buy from there in bulk - chuck on a price increase then go sell at a local market. Fresh produce and flowers are known for people doing that.

6:47 - When you said ‘Regional Area’ I picked up a bit of an Aussie accent! 👍

You get autumn in NSW, Tasmania & Victoria.

Having lived in both Aus (10 years) and UK (Born here - left for 10 years then returned 3 years ago) I have to say I think the Aussie public transport to be easier to use than here in England! I was based in Melbourne and urban victoria and found their bus timetables more frequent, reliable and easy to decipher. The trains are also cheaper and comfortable. Here trains are quite expensive (northern England) and I hardly use them. In terms of buses, they don’t seem to be as frequent in my county. I also found the Myki system in Victoria to be a great ease.

Just spent 6 weeks in Cairns bloody hot... lovely time, but it's a holiday destination not my home that's the UK. Looking into buying property here as my daughter lives here. But home is green and historic England.

I do agree with everything you both said… I am Australian and my husband is English the big thing we miss is his family (he’s 1 of 8, I’m an only child) which many eventually take us back to England do you guys miss your family.

Hi guys, we are hopefully looking at moving out in August as my husband has landed a job. We were thinking of the gold coast but after watching all your videos (which we have just found) we defo want to come up to the sunshine coast... can't wait. Love your videos... it makes us sooo excited 😊

Both countries have their pros and cons. Australia is far better for outdoorsy things and children (lot more free things to do with them). UK is better for history, pubs, driving.

The train system in Melbourne is really good, I lived there for 1.5 years and thought I would have to buy a car before I arrived, didn't need one, trains go everywhere you would want to go and didn't have to wait long for next one, sydney also has a good train system, though not as good as Melbourne......

Hi Guys, great as usual. If you get time, could you do another new house tour and include pricing 😁😁. Thanks again.

my brother lives in Cairnes North Queensland. The weather is usually around 30c year round but around Christmas it's a bit wet in fact real wet it comes down in buckets full you can't even drive your car around and it's still around 30c so high humidity.

Excellent choice moving to Australia, just a waiting game now for the borders to open up.

Hi Guys, if you miss Autumn around late April or May take trip down the New England Highway to Armidale or Tamworth. I love Queensland but there are some really beautiful places in NSW and the High Country is definitely up there for me. (Provided no lockdowns these days) ☹️☹️

The weather varies a lot across the country. If you like the colours of Autumn, regional NSW/Canberra are quite spectacular (as I'd imagine much of Tas is, but never been there). There's even a 'famous' "Budget Tree" at Parliament House that supposedly is at it's most brilliant come Budget time in May (google "Canberra Autumn Colour" and select images). Some of the trees will literally turn every shade between green and red (and then brown) - often in early Autumn a single tree will display a broad spectrum of colour as its leaves are in a different stage of dying off...

I am a registered nurse in the UK and currently applying for a permanent residency in Aussie. Due to covid it will take double the usual processing time but I am so looking forward to move with my family!

If you want to see the leaves turn in Autumn, then head down to Tassie or the Victorian High Country - Bright, Mount Beauty in April/ May.

Have you been to NSW in the autumn time? If you want to see the autumn colours in the leaves, go to Canberra or any part of Sydney... not sure about the rest of Aus...

With regard to trains. I think it depends on where you live. The Sunshine coast may not have a lot of options with regards to public transport, that's probably because it doesn't have a large enough population based at the moment to justify it. But any of the major cities and surrounding suburbs are pretty well catered for. For example I'm living in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, about 50 klms from Melbourne and during peak hour there is a train into the city about every 15 minutes. And most of them are express at least half of the way. They are less frequent during non peak periods, maybe every 35 minutes and they stop at most stations. Add to that the bus and tram networks and Melbourne and surrounding suburbs is reasonably well catered for. I think you have to bear in mind population density is always going to be a driver for public infrastructure investment and development. As Sunshine Coast's population grows no doubt public transport investment will become more of a priority.

Don't forget that in Australia you can shop around for a Doctor you like. You are not locked in to the nearest one.

My husband has family in Australia. I was going to move there when I was about 9 but we went to Perth and hated it so we didn't move. I think if my family went to somewhere different we likely would have. My husband aunties lived there for 25yrs and loved it. My husband an I have 2 daughters together and a stepson. We live with my entire family on a private estate in Berkshire. We're obviously very close and all our kids are more like siblings.13 of them. But my husband and I still dream of the Australia life for us and our kids. The weather here really impacts both of our mental health tbh and our eldest daughter has autism so being stuck inside for near 7 months of the year is draining for the whole family. Fresh air. Beautiful scenery. The sun. Open spaces. Friendly people. We feel the Australia vibe lifestyle may suit us better.....when do you take the leap though....the pain of not seeing my stepson seems too much to bare so for now it is just a dream. Perhaps when the kids are older and decisions can be made regards travel etc. I'd happily ask my stepsons Mums family to come with us but I'm not sure they'd be game...a few years...see where the world is. We're 30 next Yr and done having kids so we're still young with lots of possibilities, I hope x So grateful for your channel guys xoxo

don't forget to take what kind of job you are looking for when you are looking at where you are going to live you may need to think about Sydney or Melbourne or Perth more work usually in those places but the housing is quite a bit dearer too . Unless you don't mind travelling to work for a few hours so you can buy a cheaper house. i have had jobs that as taken me driving for 2 hours there and of course 2 hours back in traffic

I enjoy all your videos. Your family has been a great addition to Australia. UK please send more families like these lovely people!

Great video there, l love it. I’m trying to apply for permanent residency. Have you any idea how long it would take me to buy a house when l have permanent residency and bring in enough deposit.

Please don't say the petrols cheap , head through the outback and you will see a serous jump in prices ,I don't even think fuel on the Sunny coast is what I'd call cheap . Glad your liking it here the sunshine coast is a great spot to live.

I’m in NY (of Italian decent ) I eat a lot of veggies (organic) any good Italian restaurants ? Do one on shopping and food /restaurants

One side of my family was chucked out of Scotland for being crofters the other side came from Ireland on a prison ship. They really did not have a choice so they stayed. I am glad they did and I am glad you too like living in Oz. On Ya! Mike (PS I have English, Irish, Scottish, Norse, American, Canadian and New Zealand in my background that I know of. My grand children have added Swiss to the mix. Pretty cosmopolitan lot here in Oz.)

Isnt it strange how people work. I was born and bred in Melbourne but would give anything to live in the UK. lol

Hi Guys, try Canberra. I have lived here since 1969 and if you want four distinct seasons this is the place to be. Summer can get up to 40 deg, and sometimes over and the coast is only two hours away. Autumn here is full of reds an yellows and is the time of year we celebrate our birthday (Canberra day). Winter can get down to as low as -10 deg. with occasional snow in the city and the mountain range beyond the city is quite often snow covered. The great Australian snowfields are also only two hours away. Spring is the time of flowers and birds here in this garden city when we have our spectacular Floriade exhibition. Could not see me living any where else in the world. I leave all the other places as great places to holiday at.

We are planning on putting in for our visa next year to move to Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast is our aim but could you name some good family areas to look at moving too thank you!

Great

As a born Australian, we have a lot of earthquakes, we had a 5.0 last Sunday at 2.10 am. With aftershocks.

I'm sat here freezing in my lounge in the UK... Definitely would be the weather that makes us want to move there.. Just worried about leaving my parents in uk.. 💔 I'm 32 and an only child..

Ok Just stopped laughing Yes yous look comfy.dont come down here to Adelaide in summer 40s day after day.but right now its the best!

Green Grocers sell fruit and vegetables. A bit more expensive but much fresher than supermarket. Also butchers have better meat.

the high streets are full of chain stores - just different names to UK

In 1976 my house, approximately 30 klms west of Sydney cost $32,000. Now it's worth close to a million dollars! My pay didn't rise by the same 3100% though--Close to city living is near unaffordable to the average family.

Aussie here. I'm surprised you didn't mention long service leave,and holidays can be banked to build up for a longer holiday. Perhaps Britains work rules have changed since I visited years ago. Oh,and our beaches are sand not pebbles...lol..very enjoyable video,thank you.❤🇦🇺

The Sunshine Coast is not the Tropics. Tropic of Capricorn starts at Rockhampton.

Trains are much different in Sydney and inner Melbourne

Hi guys, l liked your video 👍 it makes me want to move to down under even more I just have one question which is about car/vechile prices? I will be looking to get a car or a bike and could you suggest which would be better please? Thanks guys

What do you both do for work? Im intrigued because you have almost a full blown aussie accent compared to your husband. Are you surrounded by aussies all day? Ive just moved to Canada and noticed my partner is getting a canadian twang whereas my acccent hasnt changed at all, but he works with canadians whereas i work freelance/ alone!

Why do people always think hot weather is preferable ,I prefer cold weather even in U.K. I’d rather have winter than summer.

Primark have a great offer on ladies jeans Maz

Another fun video. A couple of comments Variety of Shopping. Britain was in the single market with the EU so had the goods from all those countries, may be different now after Brexit Housing - there was a rumour going around once that Neighbours and Home and Away were so popular in Britain because the Brits had kitchen envy of Australian houses. Apparently Britain has the highest density living in Europe. Was pretty amazed when I went through England, Wales and Scotland the density of the housing. NHS and Medicare. The great thing about both health care is they have reciprocal rights. I broke my foot in Edinburgh and went to Casualty. All I had to do was show my Medicare card and fill out some forms, wait a bit, got an ex-ray and seen to by a doctor for free. Had to pay for the boot, but that is the same in Australia. Bloody excellent. I live in Melbourne so don't mention weather

@thebamfamalam do you still agree with all the points you made two years on?

As someone currently living in the uk looking to move to Oz, what’s the situation with regards to driving licences do I have to retake my test in Oz or can I just transfer my full uk driving license over 😅

L O V E the jeans bbe.bang on trend xx ❤

I to live on the Sunshine coast A night out in England is far better than a night out here Pubs here are more family dining areas where you go for dinner let the kids play for an hr , waste $50 on the pokies and you are home by 8

Watching your videos, I feel like I will be loved more and more, so my heart is very happy. Your video on RU-vid that an algorithm has guided me. I sincerely thank you for your precious relationship. Watch the video and take a sip of coffee. Before the channel opened, I had a good foreboding at the unknown excitement at the door. How did you have such a wonderful talent that is full of the mysterious charm of your video? Well done. The video I'm watching right now is the best and the best. In the future, positive energy will surely rush towards you, so please make more good videos of you in the future.

What do your children think especially about school in Aus. ?

UK: better education system (more well rounded, less private schools, better state education for all, better childcare, nicer schools), more culture, more museums, more art galleries, nicer public parks, better transport (UK is covered with public transport unlike Australia), universally walkable (Australia is car dominated unlike the UK), free healthcare, more polite people. Better TV and media too. Australians are friendly but very difficult to make friends. An average Australian is a close minded bogan.

Looks like a lot are getting distressed by your distressed jeans! Called fashion people. I could write a book here. Just discovered your channel. Great stuff taking the punt moving across the world. Many have taken the chance over half a century and haven't regretted it especially escaping 1 thing in particular... the Cold...bbrrr... Good points made here re your location (Sunshine Coast is about hour or so drive north of Brisbane), house prices, weather. Sydney has a huge diversity of housing from high density in Paddington to larger block sizes further out but closer in obviously more expensive especially close to the harbour (or any water. i.e beach). Lots to do but traffic is bad and unless you have a really good paying job, it's just an expensive place to live. Melbourne has a real diverse culture and lifestyle but is nearly as expensive and if coming from the UK and you want to escape from the cold, it's not great for 4 months (mid May to mid Sept). Freezing to 12C on many days with no sun. Many escape to Cairns for a holiday then. Melbourne has a good train network. Brisbane is very good but most even the locals don't thrive on 4 months of 30C plus heat and humidity in summer. Some acclamitise to it but if working outside in it,will test your tolerance if you're not used to it. Brisbane is really nice though from April to May and Sept to Nov. Beautiful mild sunny low 20C days in winter but cool in the shade and at night (10C but can be cooler (6C)). Adelaide has a temperate climate (think south Spain and Greece) but like Perth and Melbourne can get blistering heat waves of dry 40C plus days in a row. Only 2 weeks total. Most days are 25C to 33C dry and sunny with comfortable mild nights. The city has winters similar to Melbourne but a few degress warmer (ave 16C). Smaller city of about 1.3M spread over 80 kms down the coast (40 kms either side) and 20 to 30 kms wide from coast to the hills (Mt Lofty Ranges). Block sizes are large (generally 700 to 1000 sqm). Get a good quality 3 or 4 bedroom 2 bathroom house 8 kms from the city in a middle class suburb for 600k to 700k. Adelaide only has 1 sq mile CBD. Lots of regional metro shopping centres though. Perth on the west coast is very isolated (5 hours from Brisbane flight) but a great city with cosmo lifestyle,good shopping,great cafes and restaurants etc. Has a beautiful large park (Kings Park) across the Swan river next to the CBD. Unless you like it ultra hot I wouldn't head to Cairns or Darwin. Good place for a holiday not to live! The Gold Coast is really good alternative to the Sunshine Coast. A 42 kms strip south of Brisbane and the start at Surfers Paradise is only 45 mins on the toll highway to the city. Many commute. Good light rail. Has a developed canal waterway running through the area. Great hinterland like the Sunshine Coast for hiking, scenic drives etc. A few degrees cooler than the Sunshine Coast but still quite uncomfortable in summer.

What are convenience foods? TV dinners?

What is it like to work in Australia

Random but did you show a pic of Canterbury...?? lol

when you get the chance ,it might be good for you to travel around Australia ,cities , country towns ,different climates .its endless .In 20 years you would have a better perspective .best of luck to you.

Lol tell people living in inner Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne who catch the train every day to work that it’s a “treat”

Do you guys plan on visiting your relatives in Kimberly, BC once normal travel opens up again? If you do go, try to visit as much of BC, including Vancouver Island and Van City. I'd love to see you do a comparison of life in BC (Canada) and Australia after you return. The gas prices look almost identical. Once again, another great and informative video!

Having lived in the UK for 7 years I found the variety in the supermarkets much less than Australia. Maybe that’s just inner city supermarkets in London.

enjoy hearing about Australia from a outsider point of view, after watching your videos it makes me appreciate thing i have always taken for granted, on the medical side i have learned a lot about Medicare v NHS from a uk doctor who moved here "Today With Dr Lucia" on RU-vid, even though we have to pay for some things verses the uk not being able to choose or change your doctor would sway me to Medicare

Where not saying how cheap petrol is now

Petrol in australia is $2.10 per ltr now. Highest its ever been .

Fuel in UK is now over 2 Pounds per L at certain stations! Travel is also becoming difficult in UK with the number of tube strikes and airlines being understaffed - travel to Europe is no longer "easy" per say, heaps of flights being cancelled, etc...

Re wages, don’t forget that in Australia we don’t tip.

hi good morning ❤💜💚💙💛

UK has a more homelier feel though. I bet you move back in 10-15 years. Australia doesn't have that soul like UK has. I just felt during my time there was no real identity. Its so densely populated too which is crazy. Visas are only getting harder too so its more isolated its going to get which is not good.

Great video guys, fyi the rest of Aus is not like QLD 😁

Is Australia diverse with different nationalities namely Pakistani/Indian?

I think a lot of the things that are positive with the UK come puerly from the higher population and the closeness to the rest of the world . Personally I dont think I would like those few positives compared to the population density. I like my wide open spaces and lack of high rises.

House prices in Jersey are insane…three bedroom house about £835,000….anything like a four bedroom place is £1.2m……guess nobody emigrates to my ultra expensive island…right where’s me passport and visa….hehe

One constant in all your comments is a failure to recognise 'distance'. Australia is the size of Europe and has just 27million people. It is a long way away in the Southern Hemisphere. By comparison Britain is the size of an average Australian sheep paddock and has a population of 68million people. And it's in the right there in Europe with many other countries nearby. Thus food and transport are heavily affected by distances in regard to availability and cost.

I know houses are a lot bigger in Australia, but do you see house geckos in Australian homes? I'm terrified of them! There are none in the UK homes. That's a plus for me.