Dazed and confused

adam · 07-01-2008, 08:29 PM

Hello everyone,
Well this is to be the month that I was to start the ball rolling with the visas for myself and my family. We know a couple with young children in perth and a the husband has the same trade as myself, bricklayer. After long talks we decided on the same destination. Especially when I could walk straight into a job
However the wind has been taken out of are sails as they have just told us they are returning to the uk, after being in oz for just over a year. They have told us their reasons, but I would like from you guys a broader, warts and all description of what to expect.
I'd especially like to hear from fellow brickies. I also have a concern about my wife. That she would not find a part time job that she could enjoy like she has here.
Plus even thought we have had long talks about this I still have concerns that my wife may become unhappy with the loss of the support from her parents. Especially regarding the children.
Any advise will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

keily · 07-01-2008, 08:36 PM

hi adam
the man u want to talk to is billybraveheart hes a bricky in perth send him a pm
im sure he wont mind answering any questions u have cheers keily ..

07-01-2008, 08:43 PM

Hi!..it must be so unsettling for you, finding your friends are returning to the uk and your starting the process..there are lots of things to consider when you make a big move like this & i think it is all part of the process towards actually going and leaving friends and loved one's behind..everyone has unique circumstances in their migration process, so even though you may take your friends reasons into consideration..they are not you and your situation..i think you can only weigh up your decision and sift it through as much as you can with the pro's and con's..and this site is a great help in doing that and very supportive as you go through it..even though ultimately the decision is always ours..
Pingpongor Tess

Gollywobbler · 07-01-2008, 09:07 PM

Hi Adam

I completely agree with both Keily and with Tess (Pingpongpom.)

billy braveheart can tell you about bricklaying in Perth. His wife Janette can tell you all about settling in to the lifestyle in and around Perth. They are from Scotland so she has been on food-hunts to source Scottish products for their children and so forth.

Janette can also discuss the possibility of part time jobs for the ladies with your Missus.

Tess is right in saying that what suits one family down to the ground will not necessarily suit the next family as well - and vice versa. For some people, leaving family, friends and familiarity behind is too much to deal with. For others, it is a huge adventure and their family and friends can't wait to go and visit them.

DIAC are very generous about allowing British Parents to make extended visits to Australia. They do understand that it is good for children to stay in touch with their grandparents, and they also understand how much parents and grandparents can do to help their children and grandchildren to settle in Australia successfully and happily.

Have you visited Perth at all? If not, do you think it might be an idea to try to go there for a visit for, say, 3 weeks or so before you decide about whether or not to apply for a visa?

Best wishes

Gill

hays · 07-01-2008, 09:12 PM

Hi, i just wanted to mirror what the others have said, take a holiday there if you can, try billy braveheart, or mrs braveheart for that matter! and remember that you are not your friends. Its a huge move, and needs alot of consideration, but if you want to give it a go, go for you and yours.
I hope you can get all the info you need, fingers crossed for you!
hays

jogrant3232 · 07-01-2008, 11:42 PM

Just give it a try or you will never know! Better to have regret something you have done, than regret something you havent done...

ali · 08-01-2008, 12:00 AM

Hi, We've been in Perth a year and have settled very quickly. My husband and I both work full time here (as we did in the UK), We can of course only speak for ourselves, but we've found we're more relaxed here, we spend more time together as a family and are comfortable and content. We have two children who settled in very quickly and have made lots of friends. My son (8), was surely an australian in a previous life and all our aussie neighbours comment on it.

It's important to consider why your friends are moving back and ask what you would do if those situations/circumstances arose. I think it was Skippy (sorry if it was someone else), who wrote on a post that when you come you have to concentrate on making a life for your family unit, remember it will take you a while to develop the same sorts of friendships you had in the Uk and which have developed over time. There is no reason why you're wife won't be able to find a part time job she enjoys.

Australia isn't for everyone - but unless you try it - you won't ever know.

Ali

dizzy blonde · 08-01-2008, 12:25 AM

Hi Adam, we have been in Perth for 4 months now and really love it. I totally understand your concerns and worries and it isn't always easy. I found it really hard at first as I had a good family/friend support network in UK and didn't realise how much I took that for granted until we moved, But saying that I still keep in touch with everyone really easily and am now starting to slowly build friendships here. I have just started looking for work (worked f/t in UK) and depending on what your wife does there does not seem to be any shortage in jobs in any profession. If it helps at all we were out with some friends at the weekend who have been out over 8 years and they were saying that the majority of people they met at the beginning are still here! I think as other people have commented everyone's reasons for coming or leaving are so personal to their own circumstances/situation that you can't judge it by that. I have also done a blog about our first 4 months, so more info on that. If I can help at all please PM me with any questions.

Lynne

adam · 12-01-2008, 03:09 PM

Hello everyone,
Just a quick one to say thank you to all who replied. The visa is on hold at present. More time to revaluate and to be 100%. Thanks again

Bobcat · 12-01-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam

Hello everyone,
Well this is to be the month that I was to start the ball rolling with the visas for myself and my family. We know a couple with young children in perth and a the husband has the same trade as myself, bricklayer. After long talks we decided on the same destination. Especially when I could walk straight into a job
However the wind has been taken out of are sails as they have just told us they are returning to the uk, after being in oz for just over a year. They have told us their reasons, but I would like from you guys a broader, warts and all description of what to expect.
I'd especially like to hear from fellow brickies. I also have a concern about my wife. That she would not find a part time job that she could enjoy like she has here.
Plus even thought we have had long talks about this I still have concerns that my wife may become unhappy with the loss of the support from her parents. Especially regarding the children.
Any advise will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Give it a go Adam.............. you won't regret it!

Granted.............Perth is not everyone's cup of tea........... hey, but it's not bad either!!!

Next week we have been here as a family 18 years. It hasn't all been plain sailing....... we have been taken to the cleaners on more than one occasion............ for the first time ever in my life i found myself unemployed.......... and I'm a plumber. Sad part being i wasn't out of work for just a few months.............. unfortunately it was for several years.............. it wasn't good at all because I lost my self esteem for a while. We didn't cry though.............. we didn't put on a song and dance routine for anyone............ I just carried on sending out numerous job applications until we come good in the end. If I had to be out of work again........... methinks i'd rather be out of work over here than back in the UK.

If you have children................. Perth is a fine place to bring up same.

You will get a job standing on your head............. your missis will miss her family but i reckon she will get over it................. your kids will love you for bringing them over here.

Word of warning though.................. apparently Perth is pretty boring?

Good luck on whatever you do decide.