I am so sorry to the OP that you think the prevailing tone here is one of negativity, I dont think that is really the case and far more people are having a good time and not regretting their moves one bit. If you come here with a reasonable amount of money, a preparedness to let go of what you have had and resilience+++ then you will most likely be fine here.
Of course, anyone is going to find it a bit tough from time to time - it isnt easy if you cant pop next door to have Aunty Susie do a spot of casual baby sitting or get Cousin John to drive you into town because your car is st*ffed. But if you are resilient you will manage without that support base. Communication with those you have left behind has never been so easy what with skype and email - it was a whole lot harder in the days of L1 a minute phone calls and airmail letters believe me.
There is a lot on offer and because you will be new here, you are probably going to seek it out - there is probably a lot on offer where you are but familiarity has bred contempt and you probably miss a lot of it.
This is a different place, if you come here with an open mind and not expect some things to be the same as in UK then that will help - we pay for medical appointments, dentists cost money, schools dont generally do testing, people hate it when you start every sentence with "back home we ....." so you do have to bite your tongue just a bit and go with the flow.
Of course we have crime - it isnt that much different from UK in that respect. Our police wear guns and they occasionally shoot people too! Our young people drink a lot - the govt has just announced a $53million campaign to combat binge drinking. In some cities the gangs rule the night and there are places you do not want to go. Some of our politicians are corrupt and others are just plain old incompetent. Hospitals have huge waiting lists and we seem to need to bring in doctors from other countries. So much is the same.
On the plus side if you want a holiday lifestyle with beach, sun and surf then you should be happy. If you want more than that then you probably wont. Bottom line is that it is just another place to live your life in and your life is what you make it.
This is a really interesting thread as I have felt the negativity on this from time to time a little daunting. Yet equally, you can't always hear the positives because it would be a huge shock if it doesn't work out. I think sometimes you focus on what you want - one week it could be the positives and the next - the negatives.
So what makes it work for one family and not for the other??
Is it expectations? Not enough research?? Age?? Guilt?? Lifestyle choices??
If someone could just give me the questionnaire to fill out which will tell me if I am making the right choice - can they hurry up because one day in the next 15 months I might actually get my visa.
__________________ TRA Ack 22/06/07, TRA 19/07/07 Visa lodged 30/08/07 PC sent 08/01/08 Pre-ack - 12/12/07. Meds 21/02/08 arrived in Oz 14/03/08 VISA - 30/04/08
We've been here since Jan 07 and love it here in WA. We both had jobs to come to which helped us get into 'normal life' mode rather than holiday mode very quickly and I really do think that this helped us settle. The kids are happy and love school and have settled.
Everyone will have an up or down day just as they did in the UK. The meets that are happening now in all the states (Well done PIOzzers for organising those), are great as people can chat and reinforce why they came and just talk about how hard it was to get here - they're a great way to meet people and have a dose of British Humour lol
I think PIO strikes a good balance of peoples experiences I don't think it's a case of positive or negative views just 'this is how it is for me'. I've said previously, that I used to like reading posts where people found it difficult to settle in oz so that I could then consider what we'd do if faced with the same circumstances, and it certainly helps to make the rose coloured specs a bit clearer before you come here. I certainly don't think the posts are designed to put people off - rather just give food for thought.
Ali
Ali x
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"POZZIE" - HAPPY AND LOVIN IT!
I'm sick of following my dreams, I'm just going to ask them where they're going and hook up with them later
Personally, we are very settled here BUT work for trades isn't all its cracked up to be - to say the least!! Hours are just as long - if not longer!
COL expensive, food, petrol (going to hit $1.50 over Easter), school costs, utility bills all expensive when you earn in $$$ !! Unless you have a big lump of money and permanent employment think carefully!! As Graham&Kim says you need $65 pa minimum!!
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Attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference
I too feel a bit confused. How can we be sure thats where we want to be when we havent even visited the country before. I know what your saying about having to go to work and pay bills etc just the same as you did in the UK. Does OZ have much crime and is there a problem with youths drinking alchol. Do you adjust to the heat. We are thinking of Adelaide coz I think there might be a better chance of hubby getting a job there-is a bit cooler than other places.
We would love to hear your answers
Lynne Anton & Molly aged 4
Hi Lynne I had not vistited Australia before I came to live here & at first it is rather like a extended holiday - of course there is crime here, much the same as the uk good & bad areas, of course theres a drinking problem with youths - all thses things are world wide thing !!! Having lived in Spain for a while myself (with 40 plus days of heat constant through the spanish summer) i myself may of found it easier to deal with the aussie heat, but there are days when the heat gets too much for me, today for example in NSW is 30c - Adelaide is very hot during the summer today there it is 39c but much cooler in the winter months all the best gizmo
__________________ ** Here There,Where Ever Be Happy**
Mark and I landed here on 9th Feb 2005. We have had three years here and we still love every single second of it. We had never been here before living here but came with the attitude of "having a 2 year adventure" and seeing what happened!
We went about it different ways. Mark researched EVERYTHING! The internet was his new home and Real Estate, Property, Land and Homes for Sale, lease and rent - realestate.com.au was his second home! I was the opposite. I didnt want to know anything. That way i had nothing to compare it to and i couldnt be disappointed. Risky some might say but worked for me!
After our first week here, mark and I looked at each other and smiled! We didnt have to say anything, we knew it was right for us. I started work as an RN 2 days after landing so had no time to get jet lag until about May!!! Mark started work as a bus driver a few weeks later.
I earn the same as UK and work less hours. Mark earns the same as the UK and works about 10hours more per week so I guess it evens itself out.
We have our off days where we think about family. Sometimes all it can take is hearing a song and knowing that its someones favourite can start you thinking of home. You move past that. If you want to get on in life you have to! After all, we chose this life and to leave our loved ones so as far as we were concerned there was no point moaning about it!!!!
We settled into our new life and things are great. Yes, you pay bills and do chores, and go shopping for food etc etc etc but sometimes it is not what you do its the quality of time that you have.
After three years here Mark and I have a roster that means we are together 12 days out of every 14. We have the same days off together EVERY WEEK! We had never had that in the UK in 13 years! Our quality of life and change of lifestyle is what we came for and we achieved it big time!
You will have good and bad here. It all depends on your views in life & what you are looking for once you are here.
Look forward, look for the good and be positive and the world will go your way!
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Joanne
Brisbane since Feb 2005.
"POZZIE" - HAPPY AND LOVIN` IT
I too feel a bit confused. How can we be sure thats where we want to be when we havent even visited the country before. I know what your saying about having to go to work and pay bills etc just the same as you did in the UK. Does OZ have much crime and is there a problem with youths drinking alchol. Do you adjust to the heat. We are thinking of Adelaide coz I think there might be a better chance of hubby getting a job there-is a bit cooler than other places.
We would love to hear your answers
Lynne Anton & Molly aged 4
In Perth were I live there is anti-social-behavior crime and youths drinking to much...yes....some intresting graffiti as well.
I have also found that when i go clubbing the ossies when drunk really like to fight....I mean like a western bar-room fight...it can be fun watching.
You move past that. If you want to get on in life you have to! After all, we chose this life and to leave our loved ones so as far as we were concerned there was no point moaning about it!!!!
We settled into our new life and things are great. Yes, you pay bills and do chores, and go shopping for food etc etc etc but sometimes it is not what you do its the quality of time that you have.
I agree with you....if you chose to go stop moaning and get on with it or leave!
Yes it seems to me that alot of people some how forget all the reasons they went in the first place !!
An aussie was telling me how they have a sign, i think on the back of a van in oz that is perfect i feel...it reads...
You Wanted To Come Here,
We Welcomed You In,
If You Don't Like It,
F**k Off !!
You should go to another country i feel and fit in with them not go and expect them to change for you...
Thats the reason the uk is in the mess it is....we spend to much time, money and energy trying to please others that come to live here to the point that it's no longer England !!
The England that we all loved and wanted to protect no longer exsits!!
Oz may not be the paradise that seems people think it is.....
But life would be pretty boring if everything was as you expected...
Ive read people saying that the aussies should join the 21st centry and how behind the times they are....
Who the hell do we think we are...why should they change for us !!
Like the sign says....we asked to go there....if you dont like it dont complain like your getting the rough deal, get out and go back to the place you tried so hard to get out of !!!
Sorry to go on but well..... if the uk acted like oz then maybe thousands of britts wouldnt be leaving each week to seek a better life !!!!
Are there that many aussies trying to get away from oz.....?????????
Lol ...guess i got out of bed the wrong side today
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It's not the things you do you live to regret, It's the things you don't do....
I have also found that when i go clubbing the ossies when drunk really like to fight....I mean like a western bar-room fight...it can be fun watching.
I left WA nearly 40 years ago when I was about twenty and the same thing used to happen. In fact all the restaurant type bars used to have tables and chairs that were designed to survive punch ups and not do damage to other customers. The drinking glasses also used to be made of glass that would shatter into tiny pellets. I don't think they use that anymore but it used to do it's job. I always remember, vividly, a beer mug coming through the air and smashing on a pillar next to where I was standing. I enjoyed my time there but never regret returning to the UK.
I left WA nearly 40 years ago when I was about twenty and the same thing used to happen. In fact all the restaurant type bars used to have tables and chairs that were designed to survive punch ups and not do damage to other customers. The drinking glasses also used to be made of glass that would shatter into tiny pellets. I don't think they use that anymore but it used to do it's job. I always remember, vividly, a beer mug coming through the air and smashing on a pillar next to where I was standing. I enjoyed my time there but never regret returning to the UK.
Did you ever dare to go the Hippy Club? worst club in the city, and most likely the country. Under no circumstances should no Brit go here unless you want to witness everything horrible about the disturbing concoction of excessive drunkeness, filth and plain sleezy scumbags who if they hear your accent will just punch you for a laugh.
My turn..........
