WelcomeIf you are new to Poms In Oz and migrating to Australia or currently living in Australia feel free to say hi to all the other either in or moving to Oz.
Hello! I'm completely new to the site been reading for a few months and I finally have the Visa forms in front of me ready to sign up to what seems like a very exciting process, and very stressful!
Just wanted to ask, I hear all the time that the "lifestyle" in oz is so much better than the UK, could someone or a few people outline the Key differences, we have a 3 year old and a new baby due in august so planning the move when new baby is a year, hence the vias appplications now...
I want to know what defines the great Oz lifestyle... I'm thinking the schooling? weather, housing, beaches, people, attitudes, living costs, freedom, if I were to write a list to compare these are my preconceptions? could anyone confirm or dispell any myths??
The weather in Perth is fabulous most of the time-it feels like you are on holiday every weekend. All the states have different weather patterns so you can pretty much find what you like.
The schools are good, lots of choice and from our experience the kids have their education pitched at their level, not a class level where some kids struggle to keep up. If kids are not academic, that's ok, they will be encouraged in sports, music or whatever else they have a passion for.
Housing, all australians dream of owning their little bit of paradise. The average family can have a 4 bedroom house with a pool, it's not just the millionaires.
For us it's the best move we ever made, we came here when our son was 17 months to give him better opportunities and I think we areachieving that.
Living costs, on the whole the cost of living is still less. Luxury things are still expensive but food and petrol are cheap (not as cheap as they used to be but still cheaper than the UK)
Wages, when we first moved we took a drop in wages, and that annoyed us but we didn't have any experience here and quickly managed to move up the ranks to earn more than we did in the UK. We spent the first 6 months converting everything to pounds, but we don't earn pounds so stopped doing that that made more sense of things.
We have found Australian's very family orientated and we like their attitude that children are valued members of our society and should be treated so. Kids are encouraged to speak their mind, value their own opinions and be confident.......something some people think is arrogance in Aussies. I think confidence is one of the best things you can give someone.
Attitudes.................aussies are positive, it was such nice change from the negative attitudes of many people in the UK. Everyone gets a fair go....
We've been here since august 03. Lived in Perth for most of it but have moved to country victoria with hubbies work in October. Living in the country is certainly different from the city,but aussies are so friendly we have settled here really well. I feel at home in Australia now. Going back to Scotland on a visit in May so that will be interesting
The weather in Perth is fabulous most of the time-it feels like you are on holiday every weekend. All the states have different weather patterns so you can pretty much find what you like.
The schools are good, lots of choice and from our experience the kids have their education pitched at their level, not a class level where some kids struggle to keep up. If kids are not academic, that's ok, they will be encouraged in sports, music or whatever else they have a passion for.
Housing, all australians dream of owning their little bit of paradise. The average family can have a 4 bedroom house with a pool, it's not just the millionaires.
For us it's the best move we ever made, we came here when our son was 17 months to give him better opportunities and I think we areachieving that.
Living costs, on the whole the cost of living is still less. Luxury things are still expensive but food and petrol are cheap (not as cheap as they used to be but still cheaper than the UK)
Wages, when we first moved we took a drop in wages, and that annoyed us but we didn't have any experience here and quickly managed to move up the ranks to earn more than we did in the UK. We spent the first 6 months converting everything to pounds, but we don't earn pounds so stopped doing that that made more sense of things.
We have found Australian's very family orientated and we like their attitude that children are valued members of our society and should be treated so. Kids are encouraged to speak their mind, value their own opinions and be confident.......something some people think is arrogance in Aussies. I think confidence is one of the best things you can give someone.
Attitudes.................aussies are positive, it was such nice change from the negative attitudes of many people in the UK. Everyone gets a fair go....
Excellent post, a very rounded opinion. Thank you xx
For my fisrt post it was lovely to have such a great postive reply, thank you for taking the time.. we have just signed and sent off our application, ours is a bit hit & miss as to wheter we will get it or not but if you don't try!!
