fairystar32

We had to have medicals for our 457 6 yrs ago and chest x rays? the kids did too, so did everyone my hubby knows ( several came from the UK company) who came over and friends we have met over here on 457 or know here, did too?

Although things change, you now have to have private health for 457s which we didnt have to have, so likely changed??

Oh OK, No he went to a public high school, all my kids do

I think janlo means a private school.

Paying for it? Unsure what you mean?

That sounds like a very good school in which case you will probably be paying for it.

457 is temporary as others have said, we came on the 457 and after 2 yrs got sponsored for PR, we are now citizens. BUT lots can happen in that time which may prevent you getting the PR such as health issues which can arise unexpectedly which can cause you to fail the medicals, changes to the Visas and of course loss of jobs or sponsorship, if you can apply for PR in your own right, do it as soon as possible.. My eldest had just started his GCSE when we moved, he is now at University here and loves it.

We have found the education here excellent, but then we did in the UK too.

I didnt find this with any of my children, infact my A star student at the local Grammar school was getting B's here. He found the work more difficult and said in his UK school they 'spoon fed' the answers, here he was made to work for them. I guess individual experiences

No I have no Link but I have evidence. The school work books we bought with us were way above the same year levels in Australia. They were placed close to top of the class in Oz coming from an average school back in the UK.

 

 

Again PERSONAL experience but this is what the OP wanted.

We owned in the UK, remortgaging to move, house price crashing meant we auctioned and walked away with what we owed, so here we rented, for 4 yrs we rented. We now own again as we inherited a small amount of money but was enough for 5% deposit.

I find we are way worse of owning, costs are much higher, maintenance, rates, water, loss of rent assist etc.. however unless circumstances meant we had no choice, I would much prefer too own.

However we now have a large mortgage of 25 + yrs and hubbys is over mid 40's.

Yes, it comes up on the systems i think?

but if you applied for an e-visitor visa for a short trip quoting your British passport, would they know your actually an Aussie ?

My husbands work collegues family are now citizens and they rushed home on british passports for family issues, they had to get an Australian passport to get back in. You no longer have a visa once a citizen, so need a visa or a Australian passport too enter.

Do you like living in OZ?

Yes.

Why do I like living in OZ?

The minute I stepped of the plane, I had a great vibe and knew.

Funnily I am born and bred British, my entire family live there but I spent most of my life dreaming of living abroad. My best friend moved here when we were 16 and I felt part of me go with her, we now live 20 mins away from each other and we slotted back in together as if we hadnt spent the last 15+ yrs apart.

We never really felt settled in the UK (both myself and hubby) we spent days walking in afternoons with our dogs, dreaming of being here yet we hadnt even had a holiday here. We wanted a different lifestyle, we wanted to bring our children up in elsewhere.

It has been a hard journey, I have dreadfully missed family, more as time passes not less. I do love our life here though, despite going through so many personal journeys, health issues and losses overseas.

We love the lifestyle, the homes, the food, the beaches, the nature.

I dont think we ever compare between the UK and Australia and if we did it was for a very short time, we saw this as a new country, new adventure and as so, isnt comparable, but different and I think thats why we have settled so well. We dont search for British products, we embrace the Australian ones.

Would I go back for good?

Highly doubtful, although nobody can ever say never, as we never know what will happen in life.

I live on a half acre, so we have a nice yard, however where we live heaps of new builds are being built on smaller plots and heaps of those do have pools, not paddling pools, inground pools

However outdoor lifestyle does not = a huge garden? if you stayed in a huge yard all day, would be petty boring, outdoor lifestyle is WAY bigger than the yard

We came 4.5 yrs ago and LOVE it here. We lost all our money in the UK selling our house in the downward market, so had to start again. WE now own again, due to a uncle dying sady, have just bought a half acre home and we just got a puppy :biggrin:

We have had ups and downs, health wise here and the UK. We would never return for good though, Australia is our home and we will become official Aussies on Sunday :yes:

I wish I could bring my sister here though but otherwse, it is our dream .......

WOW what a rollercoaster. Glad its looking like you can go home soon, wish you all the best xxx

These were all taken on the Sunshine coast, Buddina July 2011