Going it alone??

[racherag]

Hi, I'm new to Poms in Oz - and just love this site.

I would like to know if anyone has moved over to Oz on their own and how you found it.

My story so far......

I'm in my early 30's and single. This time last year I was in planning stages of applying for a Diploma course /student visa for Feb 08 to retrain - like most with the hope at the end of 2yrs of being accepted for PR. due to various personal circumstances (finance being one of them) it was impossible for me do it, I'm a big believer in everything happens for a reason and thought 'it just wasn't meant to be'. Life has plodded along quite nicely, but I just can't get a move to Oz out of my head. So I'm looking at courses for Feb 09.

The problem now is I've lost my nerve a little....
I've lived abroad before - 12months working visa in Oz, (which started me wanting to move over there in the first place) I went out on my own, but was never on my own met some fantastic people on my travels around.

I've also lived and worked in HK for 18 months, where I realised that if your not going from hostel to hostel oz style, it's a lot harder to meet people. Hence I'm concerned it will be hard to make friends in Oz and as a student I won't be able to come back to the UK 3-4 times a year - to get a 'family and friends fix' as I could when in HK
most people I've seen on this site who have moved / planning to move are families, so automatically have a support (I know it's still hard).

the other thing is.....I got a lot of stick last year from family and friends, asking how I could leave my parents we are very close and I'm their only child (I'll always be a baby in their eyes!!!!!) still living close by - my brother and his family moved to Ireland last year. I get a sense that people think that it's acceptable for a 'family' to want to move away to achieve a better lifestyle, but not a single person as my brother didn't get any stick at all.

anyhoo - Thats where I'm at - I'm setting the ball rolling 'quietly' - my house goes on the market next week.

would love to hear peoples thoughts, experiences, opinions, etc

[jon]

Hi Rache

There is one piece of advice I will give you, GO FOR IT!!

I moved to WA from Warrington in Feb last year and I did it on my own too. I have to admit that the weeks immediately prior to my move when I was completing the sale of my house and leaving my job (last day at work and completion fell on the same day!!) were an emotional roller coaster. When I got here there were also a couple of times, early on, when I thought "why did I do it" but that was mainly cos I was dealing with estate agents!!

In short I love it here, I have made friends and so far have no intention of going back to the UK apart from a holiday every now and again.

The way I looked at it before coming out was that if I didn't try I would always think "what if.." and if I did it and decided it wasn't for me I would have had a great experience.

Go for it!!

Jon

[TaniaColin]

Hi Rache just wanted to say hi and welcome to PIO and best wishes for the future
Tania X

[suzy+1]

Hi,
I moved to Perth in Feb this year and class my self as 'coming alone' although i have my 3 yr old daughter with me! Have also done the backpacking thing so can relate to the fact that yes it is harder to meet people if not staying in a hostel every night, however-it can be done. A bit harder for me as cant get out too many evenings but if you put the effort in you can definatly meet people. I have met several people off of similar forums to this one. And of course there is always the poeple you work with too. It helps that most people are friendly here so im sure you will be fine.

[paulspeg]

Hey Rache

I came over to Australia on my own in January 08 to do a TAFE course. I must admit I had the similar feelings to you as regards family. I was living with just my mam and people were saying how can you leave her on her own. Luckily my mam is 100% behind me and realises I have my own life to live although it doesn't make it easier. Once you get out here and get into your course and pick up some work things start working out and you realise this is where you wanna be.

I also did the backpacking thing and also had a holiday out here and decided this is the place for me. I'm 30 and currently living in Melbourne. You obviously have hard times but all I will say to you is you have to have the nerve to get on the plane cos you will regret it otherwise.

I have found meeting people fairly good although i'm quite shy. The people I work with and go to school with are all really great. i also house share with an aussie who has introduced me to some of there friends.

Hope this info is useful and good luck

Paul

P.S. webcams are a lifesaver in the hard times

[kitkat1]

Hi
Reading your post is feels like i wrote it myself! Im a single mum too with a six year old and have had moving to oz in the back of my mind for years and years! At the moment I am trying to persuade my mum to come with me as she is on her own and doesnt think she wold be able to cope if we moved to the other side of the world!!!!Luckily she does seem keen on the idea at the mo! I can completly relate to how hard it must be getting to have a social life in the evenings but like you I am a true believer in things happen for a reason and the people I will meet over there will be those im ment to meet (if that makes sense!) We are going over next year for a month to get a feel for the place but i think ive made my mind up already! crazy as that might be!!
Best of luck with everything You can do it!!