Why do think Oz will be better than the UK?

[mandisfam]

Hi all, Well its been nearly a week since my husband came home and said he really wanted to look into living in oz. It is all we have been thinking and talking about in the last week. But the last couple of days we are beginning to wonder whether our reasons for going are justified enough.

Been reading through the thread about Why you are leaving and most people are of the same opinion. That's things are generally better out in oz. Everyone uses the better this and better that. Another big reason, which one of our big reason is that it will give our kids are better life.

I am curious to know especially those of who have kids, what it so bad about your childs life/future in the UK and how do you come to conclusion that it will be better in Oz. What back's up this belief?

One our biggest concerns is the rise of violent crime in the UK especially among the young. The weapons that are taken into schools, the gangs the gather outside shops and you feel threaten just walking pass, the fact that you can't protect your own property without the risk of getting a beating or worse. Does Oz have the same/similar problems? I know there is plenty of crime in Oz, I have been reading the online papers and other threads and forums. But it is as worrying and alarming as it seems to be in the UK?

Another reason for leaving that people seem to state is that the UK is messed up (to put it politely). In what way do you think it is messed up??? How do you know or believe that Oz does not have the same problems????

Another concern of ours is the british pride has gone. The government seem hell bent of supporting single parents families and laid about families.. I don't mean the small minority of single parents or low income families who work really hard to earn money and provide a stable life for their kids but I mean the those who refused to work because they are better off on benefits and hence develop a don't care attitude to life and their kids who end up joining the other down and outs on the streets. Does this problem exist in oz, Im not saying I wouldn't expect poor families but do they behave in same manner as those in the UK.

Well I think I have waffle enough for one thread but no doubt I will back asking more.......

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your replies.

Best regards
Mandisfam

[BrisbaneReturners]

hi, I grew up in the UK and moved to oz with my parents at 13. I lived in Queensland, met and married an Irish man and moved to live in Ireland at 31. I'm now 35 with two small children and we're moving back to Queensland in 10 weeks (can't wait!). Anyway, having been a parent and child in both countries.. I can honstly answer you questions..

re the crime.. from my personal experience.. it IS much worse than in oz.. it is, of course, relative to where you live, but there is quite a lot of violent crime in the UK/Ireland and we've noticed it in a big way. we don't want to live in that sort of environment but my theory is that it's a worldwide thing and Oz.. like with most things.. is slower on the uptake so it may just be matter of time before it gets as bad as the UK.

Re a better place to bring up kids.. I hate to think what would have happened to me had my parents not taken me to oz. I had a great time in australia and highly recommend it for kids of all ages. grewing up i spent so much time on the beach, swimming, playing outdoor sports, socialising etc etc.. i went to university in queensland and did and saw so much... the most important thing I noticed re oz for myself as a child/teenager and my parents is opportunities.. there are just so many opportunities there for everybody re work/study/lifestyle.. i just don't see those here. my kids spend all day every day indoors as, where we live, there are no swings or parks and the weather is too bad to take them outside. can't wait to get them to oz so they can play/swim and get healthy!

re dole bludgers (as they are called in oz.. those that live off welfare).. they are, sadly, heaps of them in oz as well.. except they spend all day on the beach! there is one thing they do though.. you are far more accountable there.. you have to fill in a dole diary to say where you've looked for work etc.. and they review you all the time.. if you want to bludge on the dole it's pretty much a full time occupation making sure you keep getting it! lol!

[deebbzz]

hi
we are planning to move to oz, in the middle of forms to get visa.
We have a 4 year old and our main concern is for him to have a better future.
lets point out the facts yes oz has crime which country doesnt. however oz has pride they respect thier country and people where as england does not.
you used to be proud to say you where british now you cant.
the reasons for this is that this country is run by holligans (kids in hoodies)beating up anyone for no reason what so ever, coz they know they can get away with it as the government dont care, they will get a slap on the hand and told not to do it again.
there is also the fact that this gov is allowing illegal imagrants in the counrty and terroists to do what they want coz they are to scared to hurt their feels ( if they dont like the way the country runs do-one and move back to there own country). there are some imagrants wanting to make the most of britian how ever the ones who dont spoil it for them and us.
you dont see the oz gov putting up with things like that for example the pedo they sent back to engalnd just show they dont want trash in there country. where as the britsh gov opened there arms and given him a life of luxury.
oz does have problems but i am willing to rule them out for the future of my son. as i dont want him to grow up like the future of british kids, great excitment.
what more could you want outdoor life sunshine most of the year. your kids growing up to respect themselves and others including the country.
just way up the facts , oz wins all the way
debs

[misschief]

Hi there - great thread!!
Why do we want to go?
i think being ex army we do have a bit of the old itchy feet syndrome, but we have also lived all over the place and i can honestly say, hand on heart, if i really had to choose where to live, and could live anywhere, England / UK would be quite a way down the bottom of the list. Sad huh!
We chose Australia because:
a: the work is there for my OH.
b: a more relaxed lifestyle
c: the kids will be able to get out more than they do here - they love being outside!!
d:house wise we can get 4 beds so the kids have their own space - we can't have that over here!!
e: friendlier people from what i have heard!
f: will only have to see the mother-in-law every few years!!!!!!!
We have looked at the costs of things in great depth and yeah sure some things are a better deal, but others are not. It's swings and roundabouts really.
The crunch for us was my Dad telling us we only have one life - live it! If it goes belly up, we can come home but who wants to be 70 years old and saying "i wish we had" .
I for one do not intend to live with a regret that big!!

[Pingpongpom]

Hi Mandisfam and Welcome!..this is such a big question and i believe so very different for everyone..yes i think many are leaving because they feel Australia will offer their families, especially younger children much more than the culture in Britain now..i have grown up children who were mainly brought up in England and have done well, but now have to make their own choices..we also had another child many years after and i would say i understand the fears many people have about bringing up their children in Britain..it has changed so much..i can't say i have the same foreboding about Australia..it has it's problems like anywhere because i think that is universal..and also if you have the chance to live in Australia, because not everyone can i would grab it with both hands..even it you just try it out it is an experience you wont forget and we only live once!..it is a huge decision and you have to research, but whether it works for you or not nobody can tell you..i believe the experience is just worth it in itself and if you end up making it your home what an added bonus..
Pingpongor Tess

[DebsX]

Wow. i'm sure you'll get loads of replies to this one.

I can't comment about the kiddies though because I don't have any.

Me and my hubby decided to come here because we were bored with our lives in the UK.

We were tired of being in the same old rut and we got to the crossroads in our lives where we wanted to do something different.

We had good lives and good jobs in the Uk. We basically wanted for nothing. We gave all that up for the gamble of a new life and new experiences. I guess it was slightly easier for us because we only had ourselves to please and didn't have the worry of any children.

I hated the cold, damp winters. I hated the greyness of the country and I hated the lack of a decent summer to break up the miserable winters. Maybe I have SAD. I don't know. All I do know is I was very miserable and very depressed most of the time.

I got up every morning and plodded through every day always thinking that there had to be something more to life than this. Life is too short to sit and watch it pass you by.

I can truly say coming to Australia was one of the best decisions we have ever made in our lives. yes it was scary coming out from my comfort zone. Yes there were times when I thought to myself what the hell have we done.

It's difficult to put into words how it is better over here.

These days I get up and look forward to the day. Everyday is colourful and beautiful. Everday is filled with great friendly people. Everyday is good.

Yeah you still have to work to pay the bills but the sun still shines :)

I was tired out and worn out and so stressed out in the UK. Here life is just different. I can't speak for other parts of OZ but up here life is chilled out and relaxed.

In the UK I was a I need it doing now or even yesterday if that's possible. Up here if someone says they will call you on Friday you have to ask them if that's the Friday of this week or next month or even next year :) A FNQ 10 mins is usually a 10 hour 10 mins if you're lucky.

It was a little frustrating at first but I'm kind of used to it now. The relaxed laid back attitude up here in turn makes me more relaxed and laid back.

I don't think Australia is for everyone but so far she has been kind to me.

I feel lucky and blessed to be able to have the opportunity to experience what this country has to offer me. Not everyone is this lucky.

I don't think this helps you at all. I think it's maybe one of those things you have to experience for yourself to appreciate it for yourselves.

I was chatting to a guy today who's lived here for 20 years. I asked him if he would ever leave here. His answer "Why would I want to do that"?

I guess that sort of sums it up really. :)

Regards

Debs x x

[maxxangel]

So many reasons for everyone I guess. The reason why I think the future is brighter for my children (besides more time outdoors instead of glued to the TV) is to do with the way jobs are going in this country. In the public sector (government) the NHS is a good example of how things are going. Jobs are being cut and those who don't lose their jobs are having more hours and more work piled onto them for the same pay. In the private sector, companies (particularly ones that export goods) are moving to Eastern Europe so that they can pay lower wages and make more profit. While all this is going on, the population in the UK is increasing and I think that by the time my children reach working age they will have two main choices, no work or highly stressful work.

I also like change and adventure, so what's to lose?
Cara

[Tracey from Braintree]

Hi Mandisfam,
We have 2 main reasons for wanting to go (if you don't count the weather). My husband works long hours - not just for the money but because of the nature of his work. He would love to work regular hours even for lower money. He could do it here in the UK however we feel he never will as he will never turn down a deal!!!!!! (He is an accountant and company director and he and his partners buy and sell businesses) He's in a bit of a catch 22. So moving 10000 miles or so should remove temptation!
Our main reason though is the kids. I have read in many books/reports/threads about how polite and good natured the children are in Oz. It seems to be the norm there yet the exception here! When I grew up it was the norm here. I love the idea of the kids (and us) having a more outdoor orientated lifestyle. I think it will be healthier for them and us. The education system is probably similar in standard if not better over there from what I have read. The chance to experience the wildlife excites me. Having enough land for a horse (as well as our Newfoundland) if the kids get into that sort of thing. Cycle tracks in abundance (in Brisbane at least - don't know of other areas) and the weather to cycle. Beaches nearby that you can actually use.

I could go on.

I don't dislike the UK. In fact I love it. I just think I might love Australia more.

You just have to do what's right for you and your family. I just think it's worth a go and if we don't like it we can always come back!

Good Luck whatever you decide.

Tracey.

[EvieB]

I don't live there yet, so I can't talk from experience, but my sister lives in Melbourne and we talk all the time about the differences between the two countries. She's lived in Oz for 13 years now and can hardly believe how much the UK has changed - and not for the better. For every beef and gripe she has about Australia (and believe me, we all moan about things - even aussies!) we can better it. She says that they are up in arms about the price of petrol - but it costs twice as much here. She complains about her council rates - but they cost the same there for 3 months as we pay for 1 month...I could go on... As for children, she has two step-sons aged 10 and 12 yrs. They are well-mannered, polite and considerate. I've no idea if they are typical, but from what I have seen and heard I would say that they are certainly not unusual. The area she lives in at the moment is not considered to be a 'good' area - they are saving up to move. But it is no where near as bad as a 'not good' area in the UK. It's all relative, but I would say in terms of petty crime, hoodlums on the streets etc, they are about 10 years behind us.

[saunders clan]

In my opinion, wherever you live in the world you will have to work, face crime and immigration issues. Have days when the weather drives you mad and many of the other same hassles and problems that you face in England and probably new ones for that matter. But the big factor that's making me leave England is the fact that my kids can be kids in Australia. And it's encouraged. Here they are almost forced to start school at a ridiculously young age (4) and grow up too fast. Where doing well is all that's important to hit the school's targets and tick the right boxes to get them high up on the league tables. They can hardly go out and play and explore because of the poxy weather, which I think is the best way to learn, passively through play and exploration.
The other major issue for us is the fact that if you are in the majority here you are almost frowned upon. Forget bring British. It means nothing anymore. I was always so proud and patriotic but now you can't say anything without it being racist. You can't sing baa baa black sheep. Christmas is being considered for change as it's racist. What??????????