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.
We are in the process of visa application and have absolutely no idea where to move to in au. We are not city folk and currently live in a small country town in Kent. We have 2 young children and are both registered mental health nurses. We like the outdoor life and rural, although by this we mean UK rural, not AU rural. We are financially restricted and are looking for an area that is friendly, good for kids with opportunities, good standard of living for nurses and not too far from the coast (as does everyone). We were kinda thinking SA and Vic, although not exactly sure why. Ruled out NT as too remote. Ruled out Queensland as too hot, heard theres a big termite problem as well, Ruled out NSW as too expensive. Been told WA too remote but initially we had thought of this. Can anyone please enlighten us to the realities of the different areas so that we can make a decision, unfortunatley we are unable to make a visit before we come. We have researched so much, but there is only so much you can get from reading and pictures (and watching 'Australias deadliest destinations' on the telly!!!!) We feel we know so much but actually know so little. General questions we have seen before we know but we don't seem to be able to find anyone who is able to give us some honest opinions of daily living in certain areas if you are 2 working nurses with 2 young children. OR should we just go where the best job offer is?
Cheers
Jean and Paul
P.S Our daughter is called Sidney - is this likely to be a difficulty for her?
We are in the process of visa application and have absolutely no idea where to move to in au. We are not city folk and currently live in a small country town in Kent. We have 2 young children and are both registered mental health nurses. We like the outdoor life and rural, although by this we mean UK rural, not AU rural. We are financially restricted and are looking for an area that is friendly, good for kids with opportunities, good standard of living for nurses and not too far from the coast (as does everyone). We were kinda thinking SA and Vic, although not exactly sure why. Ruled out NT as too remote. Ruled out Queensland as too hot, heard theres a big termite problem as well, Ruled out NSW as too expensive. Been told WA too remote but initially we had thought of this. Can anyone please enlighten us to the realities of the different areas so that we can make a decision, unfortunatley we are unable to make a visit before we come. We have researched so much, but there is only so much you can get from reading and pictures (and watching 'Australias deadliest destinations' on the telly!!!!) We feel we know so much but actually know so little. General questions we have seen before we know but we don't seem to be able to find anyone who is able to give us some honest opinions of daily living in certain areas if you are 2 working nurses with 2 young children. OR should we just go where the best job offer is?
Cheers
Jean and Paul
P.S Our daughter is called Sidney - is this likely to be a difficulty for her?
Hi
We currently live in rural Wales, we're a good hour away from any decent cities. We want to live somewhere similar in Oz.
We have decided on Secret Harbour in WA. Its within commuting distance from Perth (as advised by members on here, not my personal experience), is on the coast, house prices are reasonable and every post i've read has been positive. It seems to be a really good area for young families, we have a 3 yr old and a 5 month old.
Hi
First of all you are right about Sydney. it is a rat race and very expensive (sorry not your daughter)
Melbourne is my home town and i love it people may say Geelong etc if you want counrty town feel these places may not be right for you? out of all i would say S.A is for you! its an over grown country town feel, very relaxed.
Have you thought about Tasmania? great little place it is an Island off the mainland, only an hour away by plane to Melbourne, or an overnight trip by boat. Well worth the trip. Very much like the Uk snow in winter hot in summer not that hot though! you have Hobart, Launseston (wrong spelling) Devonport and Burnie. All main towns along the coast. prices are alot cheaper in tassie so you may get what you are after. sorry to add extra to your plate. if you want anymore info just ask
Geoffrey
By the way your daughters name will not be a bother.
__________________
Kind Regards
Geoffrey (32, an aussie!!), Tracy (35), Jake (7), Jessica (2) & Joseph (1) :jiggy:
We currently live in rural Wales, we're a good hour away from any decent cities. We want to live somewhere similar in Oz.
We have decided on Secret Harbour in WA. Its within commuting distance from Perth (as advised by members on here, not my personal experience), is on the coast, house prices are reasonable and every post i've read has been positive. It seems to be a really good area for young families, we have a 3 yr old and a 5 month old.
Laura
Situation sounds similar to us. Our children are 3 1/2 and 9mths. Have you been to AU? What are the bad points?
Thanks
Jean and Paul
Hi
First of all you are right about Sydney. it is a rat race and very expensive (sorry not your daughter)
Melbourne is my home town and i love it people may say Geelong etc if you want counrty town feel these places may not be right for you? out of all i would say S.A is for you! its an over grown country town feel, very relaxed.
Have you thought about Tasmania? great little place it is an Island off the mainland, only an hour away by plane to Melbourne, or an overnight trip by boat. Well worth the trip. Very much like the Uk snow in winter hot in summer not that hot though! you have Hobart, Launseston (wrong spelling) Devonport and Burnie. All main towns along the coast. prices are alot cheaper in tassie so you may get what you are after. sorry to add extra to your plate. if you want anymore info just ask
Geoffrey
By the way your daughters name will not be a bother.
Thanks for that, confused us even more!!!! We did look at Tasmania but thought it would be 1. difficult to get jobs, 2. probably mean our kids would leave us when they got older and not as good weather. We did hear that SA is very religiously orientated, is this so, as we are most definately not. Can you give us a realistic view of life in AU. Whenever we ask anyone we get 'fabulous, great weather, fab people, laid back lifestyle, paradise' and i'm sure their must be some negatives in there somewhere. We would like to be realistically prepared for the move. Have heard that drugs are a problem and cost of living in some areas is high. Whats the view of Perth, is it little britain?
Look forward to hearing from you
Jean, Paul and Sidney (i would not be able to stop myself laughing if someone emigrated to the UK with a daughter called London or Manchester). Poor girl, what have i done to her.
Thanks for that, confused us even more!!!! We did look at Tasmania but thought it would be 1. difficult to get jobs, 2. probably mean our kids would leave us when they got older and not as good weather. We did hear that SA is very religiously orientated, is this so, as we are most definately not. Can you give us a realistic view of life in AU. Whenever we ask anyone we get 'fabulous, great weather, fab people, laid back lifestyle, paradise' and i'm sure their must be some negatives in there somewhere. We would like to be realistically prepared for the move. Have heard that drugs are a problem and cost of living in some areas is high. Whats the view of Perth, is it little britain?
Look forward to hearing from you
Jean, Paul and Sidney (i would not be able to stop myself laughing if someone emigrated to the UK with a daughter called London or Manchester). Poor girl, what have i done to her.
Hi (deep breath)
Ok I only spent a short spell in SA and holidays and the time i spent there was great but holidays are holidays.
The last 2 yrs I was in Melbourne i worked really long hours (leave on a Sunday get home on a Saturday) but i wanted to get somewhere in life (a divorce) But i can honestly say i enjoyed my time as i enjoyed my work.
Prior to that when i started out about 12 years ago. I bought a house in Sth Melton (Victoria) ment to be a rough area?! I found it fine, my ex wife and i worked normal hours our son was in child care and we had enough money to live on + go out. But it was a cheap area of Victoria. If i was going back to Victoria tomorrow i would move to the west and rent. We all hope property is going to crash why do we need to buy straight away? we have are whole life ahead of us.
The bad points? Personally i dont see any as i grew up with it!
You could say the graffiti. but does that really hurt you? I dont feel un safe to walk past it! yes it brings the place down but it doesn't hurt you.
Drugs, i dont do drugs never smoked weed (silly enough as i am, without that!) I have never seen a drug dealer but i wouldn't know what im looking for!
The thing i like most about Australia is the life style. finishing work on a friday/saturday going around to a mates house and having a beer.
Finishing work after a long hot day picking up the kids and heading off to the beach for a few hours buying some hot chips for $4 or $5 dollars and chilling out while the kids play.
You dont need a nice house to live a great life. My brother would buy a cooked chicken take a salad and rolls with a bottle of wine and head off to the beach and sit there and eat like a king and have a great view no booking ahead required...
I dont think i can answer your question about the cost of living as i have been away for 4 yrs, but i was talking to my Mum who told me she paid $20 for fish and chips at a restaurant, i almost fell over. but its only £10 she did say she could find cheaper but it was a special occasion.
Sorry i know im going on a bit but what im trying to say is life is what you make it.
Go out to Australia rent a while get a feel for the place.
I still would not right off Tassie, it is a great little Island and has some wonderful hospitals. the kids im sure will grow to love the place.
Sorry if ive gone on a bit.
Geoffrey
__________________
Kind Regards
Geoffrey (32, an aussie!!), Tracy (35), Jake (7), Jessica (2) & Joseph (1) :jiggy:
At least you have good skills to sell but I dont know what the market is for mental health nurses - you could try Eastern Gippsland - Orbost, Bairnsdale sort of area or perhaps down the southern NSW coast - Narooma, Moruya. There are base hospitals in some of those places but I dont know if they need MH nurses. Some of the smaller Victorian towns would be good - like Ballarat or Bendigo but they dont have a beach!!! Could also put in a plug for Canberra - we need MH nurses but we dont have a beach either
Thanks Geoffrey, that has been honest and insightful. I've been on the Brits returning home section (thought we might get to hear some negative there - and we did). We have an urge to come to AU, hope we'll love it but keeping a back up plan back here for a while. What you described is what we want. We have a comfortable life here in the UK but were are not materialistic and use our income to support good times rather than nice things. What we both struggle with her is the snobery. The UK is beautiful but the government and society has gone tits up ('cuse the expression). It is frowned upon to not be materialistic and i really don't want my children growing up in a society that disrespects people because they don't possess the right things. If you do not have the newest car or latest flat screen TV or wearing designer clothes you must be a pauper and therefore a layabout with no brains. Society here is so judgemental and we would like to leave this behind. Please, please tell me that AU society is less judgemental. Also, whats the real view of these damn poms invading the country?
Jean RY
And you think you waffled!
Thanks Geoffrey, that has been honest and insightful. I've been on the Brits returning home section (thought we might get to hear some negative there - and we did). We have an urge to come to AU, hope we'll love it but keeping a back up plan back here for a while. What you described is what we want. We have a comfortable life here in the UK but were are not materialistic and use our income to support good times rather than nice things. What we both struggle with her is the snobery. The UK is beautiful but the government and society has gone tits up ('cuse the expression). It is frowned upon to not be materialistic and i really don't want my children growing up in a society that disrespects people because they don't possess the right things. If you do not have the newest car or latest flat screen TV or wearing designer clothes you must be a pauper and therefore a layabout with no brains. Society here is so judgemental and we would like to leave this behind. Please, please tell me that AU society is less judgemental. Also, whats the real view of these damn poms invading the country?
Jean RY
And you think you waffled!
I hesitate to say this for fear of being shot down in flames - materialism is probably just about the same except that we dont have quite the range to be materialistic about (a lot of Poms bemoan the lack of variety here when they first arrive). There is a certain something about owning a plasma tv and living in a McMansion. Kids at school have always been picked on for not wearing Nikes but something bought on sale from Kmart! (so that's nothing new!) We are probably not quite as snobby about cars although that is increasing, it used to be that you aspired to a Commodore or a Falcon but there are more fancy things driving around these days especially in Sydney.
We live in a three bed weatherboard house with a tin roof but all around us are new developments where people have bulldozed the three beddie weatherboard and built Macmansions or units. We even have people who have been homeless turning down houses like this because they dont have an ensuite and a family room! People are well overstretched with their mortgages and reposessions are beginning to occur but not quite in the same numbers as in UK.
I doubt the Aussies could give a stuff about the Poms invading - unless one of them has taken their job, bought the house they wanted or spouted off how wonderful things are back home, the run of the mill Aussie isnt even going to notice - there are other immigrant groups which are the focus of the national xenophobia at the moment. There is also a tendency for ethnic groups to gather together (didnt used to be that way for the Poms but I notice it is the way now) - so much for the much touted multiculturalism.
Judgemental??? well, I actually find Aus has a certain insularity which does come across as judgemental of those who may have a different life view. We also have absolutely ingrained political correctness which no one dare comment on these days.
We also have a new government which has more than a flavour of being a Blairwannabee and which could see some changes which wont necessarily appeal to the Poms coming here (the ALP has always had more of a thing about Asia which has advantaged Asian migration over european migration and that may happen again)
However, if you want a life change and fancy a beach then the world is your oyster really. We are short of nurses all over so getting a job wouldnt be hard. And bottom line is that people are people all over the world so everyone is going to be an individual and to some degree you can choose the individuals that you hang out with so you should be fine.
Thanks Geoffrey, that has been honest and insightful. I've been on the Brits returning home section (thought we might get to hear some negative there - and we did). We have an urge to come to AU, hope we'll love it but keeping a back up plan back here for a while. What you described is what we want. We have a comfortable life here in the UK but were are not materialistic and use our income to support good times rather than nice things. What we both struggle with her is the snobery. The UK is beautiful but the government and society has gone tits up ('cuse the expression). It is frowned upon to not be materialistic and i really don't want my children growing up in a society that disrespects people because they don't possess the right things. If you do not have the newest car or latest flat screen TV or wearing designer clothes you must be a pauper and therefore a layabout with no brains. Society here is so judgemental and we would like to leave this behind. Please, please tell me that AU society is less judgemental. Also, whats the real view of these damn poms invading the country?
Jean RY
And you think you waffled!
Hi Jean,
Yes I know exactly what you mean. We too have had enough of the UK and are looking to move to OZ. We are looking for jobs in the IT & Admin sectors and have 2 children 5 & 13 so again don't know where to settle keep debating between Perth & Melbourne, can anyone give advice on good areas to live, jobs and schools.
where oh where oh where??????
We are in the process of visa application and have absolutely no idea where to move to in au. We are not city folk and currently live in a small country town in Kent. We have 2 young children and are both registered mental health nurses. We like the outdoor life and rural, although by this we mean UK rural, not AU rural. We are financially restricted and are looking for an area that is friendly, good for kids with opportunities, good standard of living for nurses and not too far from the coast (as does everyone). We were kinda thinking SA and Vic, although not exactly sure why. Ruled out NT as too remote. Ruled out Queensland as too hot, heard theres a big termite problem as well, Ruled out NSW as too expensive. Been told WA too remote but initially we had thought of this. Can anyone please enlighten us to the realities of the different areas so that we can make a decision, unfortunatley we are unable to make a visit before we come. We have researched so much, but there is only so much you can get from reading and pictures (and watching 'Australias deadliest destinations' on the telly!!!!) We feel we know so much but actually know so little. General questions we have seen before we know but we don't seem to be able to find anyone who is able to give us some honest opinions of daily living in certain areas if you are 2 working nurses with 2 young children. OR should we just go where the best job offer is?
