whatsitallabout

What a tough decision you have! This is my option you never get over the guilt about taking your kids away from family, this really didn't help me settle for a while & I hated oz for a good 2 / 3 years . If you sell the business & the new owner didn't keep your family on your time in oz will not be an enjoyable one!! You would feel so guilty about what you did. Moving here is the biggest & hardest things you will ever do. If I could turn the clock back I wouldn't have come my kids really miss their grandparents & the guilt gets harder even after early 6 years don't get me wrong I enjoy living Here for now but I know it's not forever so I don't envy your decision xxxx

Good luck I really wish you all the best x

Totally agree with some one how brave toy were to post this. The journey to oz is the hardest journey ever!!! The guilt about family never goes. I could have easily done what you did. We made a pact that we had to do 3 years& if one of us was still unhappy we would return. My dad made comments like you have left us taken my grandchildren away from me I felt awful. We went back after 5 years away & I know oz is right for us might not be forever but it is at the moment. I just wanted to wish you all the best & thank your for sharing your story

Every one is different & some people have spent a fortune & some less! Having just got back from Sydney I found it much more expensive than Melbourne 100 dollars a day in won't go far!!! The first year we spent at least £20 grand. But we are a family that includes car school fees & we paid 6 months rent to secure rental as we found that a nightmare !!! I would advise to bring as much as you can as you don't know how long it will take to find work. I stuck to a budget when shopping but we still spent a lot in the first year Good luck

Cant believe that they are given him another identity, they don't deserve to live in hiding, the best punishment for them would be everyone to know who they are & where they are. It makes my blood boil the money wasted on these scumbags. what they did to that poor little boy & his family breaks my heart.

I really thought that when we moved here everyone will have washed boards stomach & been really fit, How wrong was I!!! Couldn't believe how overweight & unfit people are here. I encourage my kids to walk to school everyday as we don't live that far, so many of my neighbours never let there children walk. The number of fast food places here shocked me, this wasn't the image I had of OZ, the bbqs drinking here is a big part of the culture. The first 2 yeas put on so much weight. I decided that my excess baggage had to go so now coming off slowly have got back into the exercise that I used to do in the UK

Have to agree with Moving to Melbourne, its not that straightforward ,you need to have a huge deposit to put down, our friend had a hefty deposit to put down but was turned down twice as only 1 earner & had 4 kids to support he had over 150k gbp as a deposit he was on a 457 visa.

Each to their own way, we didn't have one as don't like being center of attention. We just went around everyone's took forever & slipped away.Homesickness was a big struggle for all of us took 3 years to fully settle. So didn't want a big bash as saying goodbyes was very hard & was also worried if we had a big bash & it didn't work out we would been returning. So we slipped away 4 years later we do regret not having a big bash. We will be returning this year for a visit & know that some friends & family are planning a big bash. So enjoy your party & treasure the last moments you have with your family & friends enjoy!

I really have to agree with what others have said, that good & bad in every country, don't think there is a thing called a perfect world!! Am sorry for your loss but sad that you would judge this as a bad thing! If I had left that in a taxi, I would have thought my fault I don't think I will see that again. but I would like to restore your faith that Australia has some very decent people here I left my purse on a bus & I got it back WITH EVERYTHING IN IT a few weeks later, very happy & very grateful that a kind person handed it in! I also left my purse in a phone box in the UK & I also got it back. I NOW HAVE A PURSE WITH A WHISTLE ON! AS HAVE A HABIT OF LOSING IT ON A REGULARLY BASIS LOL please don't let this incident put you off this great country.

who cares! We might have sold at a loss but gained in many many ways. I am glad we took the gamble as it has certainly paid off now 4 years later!

So Glad that you're OK & happy!! It must be a relive to you to be back where you belong. Australia is not for everyone but people don't seem to understand that. Wish you all the best Kerry enjoy

Our CO asked us to fill it out (what a joy that was) but some of our friends weren't ask so I would have one ready just in case they ask.

Like others have said STAY PUT! I to was going to say that you should give OZ another go, but after what he has said to you I would definitely stay in the UK with the support of your family. Moving to the other side of the world is tough for any relationship especially when one partner doesn't settle, its a shame that you didn't give it longer but a godsend in another way as if you were still here & unhappy & given birth here, it so bloody hard to leave with your kids as he can stop you. I just want to send my love to you & want you to look forward to the birth of your new child. Good luck

Hi We came 4 years ago, we had never set foot in Australia, we were up for an adventure and boy what an adventure! I wont lie to you, was the toughest 2 to 3 years for us as a family, learning new things meeting new people & very homesick & very stressful financially. We are now very happy here & very glad we made the move. Good luck with what ever you decide.

Thanks for your update great to hear from you was wondering how you were getting on. I didn't always agree with what you said about Australia, but everyone has a different experience to tell. I am really glad that you managed to find work & am sure the locals will be OK with you once they get to know you! Good luck

Glad we made the move, the 1st 2 years for us were the toughest!! It took us a while to settle & enjoy Australia, but for us was the right decision & love the life here, no regrets except as others say you do miss your family. We too miss Brighton as we lived there for many years. Am going back for a visit this year.

We came out 2009 on 457 for us as a family the 1st two years were tough, but we gained PR & was great opened more doors for us, doing out citizenship this year. So yes a positive outcome.

I used Grace was happy with them

I agree that it is not the best way to come to Australian. OH wasn't happy when we 1st arrived on our 457 as working conditions were not great, the company was very behind was like stepping back 20 years (he's words) we struggled financially on 1 wage as pay wasn't very good. We stuck it out for 3 years then gained our PR. Which opened many doors for him. So even though I wouldn't recommend coming on a 457 it worked out in the long run for us.You just have to be prepared.

Hi Caron, I sorry you thought people were being negative towards you. I thought the other members were just giving you the advice you asked for? A lot of people back home think that it is an easy process, when in fact it is getting much harder to get into Australia & members were just pointing that out to you. We came when we were in our forties but completely different profession; it can be done but was bloody hard. Everyone on here has a different story to tell some are positive some are negative.Good Luck with whatver you do:biggrin:

Like others have said be honest as it might come back to bite you on the bum!! They picked up my friends little girl who was 7 at the time with having a heart problem so if you don't declare it & they come back with issues it makes you look bad. Honesty is the best policy, just take as much info from your DR's about the condition. Good Luck

Nice areas to live is your budget $2k to $3k per month? just for rent or is that including all your bills?

Just wanted to wish you well & so glad you found out now. Don't knock yourself for this, as others said he was a con artist.You sound like a level headed person who will get through this & I really hope you find happiness in your life. xxx

I hope you love Melbourne we do! we used to live near Brighton had many nights out at the Zap going back for a visit this year have been here 4 years so looking forward to having a beer or two in our old haunts.

Like Rupert said without jobs its going to be tough. We paid 6 months upfront as we found it a struggle to secure a rental as you are starting again here as you have no credit history here. We have friends here who are still looking for somehere to live 6 weeks later! Some people find it easy others don't 6grand not alot if your landlords want 6 months upfront. Good luck