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.
My name is Gavin and I am new to PomsinOz having stumbled upon the site whilst browsing the web. It looks like a friendly place to be with some good advice on offer and I also like Breakout in the Arcade section!
My situation is that I am contemplating a move to Australia in the 'future' (the future being 2/3 yrs away) with my long-term partner and daughter (who is 1 next month). I run my own business (recruitment), which I have been doing full-time since Aug 2002. I currently work from home but am planning on a modest expansion by getting an office in the next few months and the 'missus' is joining the business; having decided not to return to work after the birth of our daughter (plus I could do with the help!). I have already done some recruitment work for Australian companies and am currently in the middle of some more so my business is transferable.
It appears everything is set up for a move in the coming years after my business has become more established in the UK, i.e. not just me working on it, and my daughter has got a few solid years under her belt.
I am the kind of person who tries to plan EVERYTHING and this is eating away at me when I think about a move to Australia. I don't particularly like the UK but don't dislike it either. I live in a rural place which is quiet and clean and the Blair years have been relatively successful for me (but mostly because of me I believe; not Tony!). I do despise the growing yob culture, the lack of discipline, the weak penal system unaided by the over-flowing prisons, the over-population, the nancy state favouring the work-shy, the tiny houses in ridiculous locations at big prices (I used to live in a house that was 1 min walk from the hard shoulder of the M3!), the suffocating taxes, the class conscious and the selfishness of British society and the increasing loss of identity.
I could go on but don't want to sound like Victor Meldrew! The weather, although grim for 6 months out of 12, doesn't bother me that much and there are also lots of good stuff I could write about Britain (the countryside, the people generally, the fact that places aren't too far away from each other, etc). If I'm honest though, I do worry about the BIG issues - house prices, the congestion charges that are going to be rolled out across the countries motorways and the continued erosion of normal, everyday British values. I often wonder what the country will be like in 15 years time when my daughter turns 16!?!
The classic million pound (or Aussie dollar) question is - is the grass necessarily greener elsewhere??? I am a restless person by nature and I wonder that if I up sticks and go to the other side of the world, is the situation going to be the same just because it is in my nature to move about and try new things. 10 years ago (I am 33), I would have packed a suitcase and gone and thought nothing of it but now there are a number of factors at play and sometimes I feel like I am spinning plates to keep everyone happy.
I have never been to Australia but am planning a trip over during Christmas and New Year 2008 but, until then, I would appreciate anybody's advice, help or comment.
welcome to poms in oz.
I also stumbled upon this site and am glad to say that you will get a great welcome and some useful info thrown in too :)
I share the same views as you in respect of the uk and although this is an ideal arena for debate, I guess there will be a lot of other people who also agree.
it is a hard decision to make, especially as you have a business and I can relate to that feeling of "is the grass greener"
well anyway, good luck with your decision and keep us updated
bec
Location: kidderminster / Living in perth wa (Secert Harbour for now) from 26th April 2008
Posts: 664
Hi Gavin welcome 2 pio u will get lots of info off here as i have.
We went 2 Perth in 2005 2 visit friends that have migrated but we did not go to look at migrating ourselfs but 2 b frank we just fell in love with the place and when we got back my first day back at work and i had been made redundant, so really that and other things like u have mentioned in your post decided 4 us to make the big more and we r half way through.
Hi welcome,we were watching one of the many programmes on t.v about emigrating to australia,and a lady made a comment about bringing up children,she said that she feels that in oz,she can bring her kids up the way she was brought up 20 years ago.
gavin
You have to balance it out mate,you seem like a very intelligent person it's all about pluses and minuses and quality of life.Without getting too heavy, you know the way england is going and what is is store for our children and you have to say to yourself do you want this for your kids and indeed for yourself and your partner.
You seem to be in an ideal position with a connection to oz and a trade that is compatable so over the next couple of years just do your research and form an opinion.
Oh!! and keep looking at poms in oz you will find all you need to know on here.
I am a little concerned that you've only done one post and already addicted to our arcade games - I think that must be some sort of record.
We were a little like you - we're not big risk takers and like to know what's round the corner. We had a good life in the UK and had we stayed would have continued to do so.
We visited Oz first (albeit not the part we're living in), liked the lifestyle anddecided to go for it. We've only been here since January '07 but we haven't regretted coming for one min. We both still work hard but our family time is so much better and relaxed. The kids love it and have settled in at school.
Good luck
Ali
__________________
"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
Hi Gavin
Welcome to the site. You'll find it invaluable for finding out all sorts of information and balanced opinions (usually!) on all things Oz.
You seem to be very level headed in that you aren't rushing into things automatically assuming the grass is greener in Oz and want to weigh things up and make informed choices. The business that you are in is huge in Oz, as you probably already know if you have connections here already. We moved to Sydney 8 1/2 months ago and my daughter is in recruitment, presently working for a company that specialises in IT recruitment and she absolutely loves it. She fell into it rather than sought it out and is pleasantly surprised how much she enjoys it, it's hard work but can be very lucrative and rewarding - she's hoping her company will sponsor her shortly.
I would suggest you come out here as you plan and have a look around, perhaps speak to a few companies with whom you have business connections and then decide whether you think you'd be better off here! I'm not a huge risk taker either although my situation is somewhat different as I'm older and my children are grown up but still it was a huge decision for me for many reasons and even though it's been hard because I miss family/friends I don't regret the decision and quite honestly wish I had come here years ago when I could have brought my children up here. You may work just as hard as you do in UK but believe me the lifestyle is far superior to UK...
Good luck with your decision, and let us all know how the thought process is going
We left a nice house, good schools, friends etc for the unknown - never visited, and 'cos I wasn't fussed about coming, I only knew the basics relating to our new life. But this was something my family wanted very much, you only have one life, and it's sometimes a good idea to step right out of your comfort zone. IMHO, anyway.
We now have a nice house, good schools, friends etc and have never regretted coming, although I do still miss my friends in the UK of course. Would I do it again? Definately! Do I regret it / wonder what we've gained from such a radical change to our lives? No...but it has to be said, I'm not really that deep either
Probably didn't help one bit! Good luck whatever you decide, and yaay PiO! Welcome to a great site, full of optimistic/realistic people with fab advice* and a wonderful sense of humour.
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Good luck whatever you decide, and yaay PiO! Welcome to a great site, full of optimistic/realistic people with fab advice* and a wonderful sense of humour.
