We Moved to Australia and Our Neighbours Ignored Us | Here's Why
Are Australians The Best Neighbours?
You've seen the sun, the beaches, and the wildlife, but what about the people? This video explores the reputation of Australians as friendly and welcoming neighbors, examining the common stereotypes and revealing the real experiences of those living alongside them
We grew up in the UK watching Neighbours and Home and Away, imagining Aussie streets full of friendly faces, backyard BBQs, and warm welcomes. But when we actually moved to Australia… things didn’t quite go as expected.
In this video, we compare how neighbours welcome you across three countries — the UK, Japan, and Australia. From British cake and welcome cards, to Japan’s thoughtful ‘Soshina’ gift tradition, to the quiet kindness of Aussie neighbours, we explore the surprising differences in how people connect when someone new moves in.
We also share the true story of how one knock completely changed our life in Australia, and uncover the ancient roots of the word “neighbour” — what it meant then, and what it means now in a modern world of fences, flats, and fast-paced lives.
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Timestamps
0:00 – Friendly Fantasies vs Reality
0:56 – The UK: Street Parties and Welcome Cards
1:53 – Our Knock That Changed Everything
4:05 – Why Aussie Neighbours Stay Distant
8:52 – The Origin of Neighbour in Ancient Britain
10:30 – UK vs AUS: Who Are the Worst Neighbours?
11:46 – Japan’s “Soshina” Gift Tradition
13:15 – Final Thoughts: Be the One Who Knocks
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