ScottishMatilda

Hi all, My husband and I have been together now for nearly 10 years. We have 'talked' about a move to Australia for 9 years! In the interim I have been competing my qualifications which are now thankfully over! We have also had a daughter in this time and now a set of identical twin boys!! Life is busy! A few years ago we started the visa process then got cold feet and stopped. Now my husband is pretty adamant that we should go. His work situation here in Scotland is pretty dire and there is no doubt there would be more opportunities for him. Australia would also hopefully give us a more outdoor family life. It's just so hard when I think about leaving family and friends. I want to do this for our family but any advice on how to broach with parents and not back out again as a result of negative reactions?! Matilda

Thanks for all your replies folks! Its very helpful to have an honest perspective. The trouble is that we are already in the position that some of you describe i.e. there is limited work, lasting for short term contracts only and when hubby comes home he is chasing the same jobs as everyone else. Prior to this current state of affairs he was away for long periods, sometimes 14 weeks at a time, while I was home with a small baby. I guess we are between a rock and a hard place and had hoped that Australia might offer more job availability and a chance to diversify...

Thanks for your reply, though that does not sound good! My husband doesn't necessarily need to work in oil and gas in Australia. Just a job where he can work in his trade and come home at night. Surely that is a possibility? If not, as you say, we might need to think again...

Hi everybody, Have just joined the forum and am looking to learn as much as I can from you all. We live near Edinburgh, Scotland and my husband works in the oil and gas sector as a welder. He has been struggling to get decent work at home for a number of years now. This has meant long periods of working away in Norway among other places. This hasn't been ideal as we have a young daughter who will be 3 in January and another baby on the way. Having recently finished some training of my own, we are now seriously considering whether a move to Australia would give us more of a routine family life i.e. husband home each night and therefore more family time. We have been thinking about Australia for a long time, but now feel that given the economic downturn here its becoming more and more or a possibility. Anyone with any nuggets of wisdom about the job market for him that could advise? I understand that the jobs market has taken a bit of a hit in Australia too, but my husband knows a number of people who have made the move ( to Perth mainly) and are making a go of it. Thanks all, Willa

Thanks for this thread...very helpful information!

Not sure I agree with this. Live in reasonably nice are in Scotland but wouldn't trust the local punters not to nick my car...?!

I cannot figure out how to post pics?! I have copied and tried to paste but no luck!

I was wondering the same thing...where on earth are these jobs being advertised? Not on 'Seek' as we check that out every so often...?

Hi Mizzmp, It might be helpful for you to search for 'debt' under the forum, as I think there are a fair few threads dealing with this topic. Hope that is helpful...:biggrin:

Hi Lucy, Sorry to hear you have had such an awful week. Wanted to come on and show some support. :hug: I was thinking exactly what the last poster said, that a psychiatric evaluation might have been indicated, as you have had what I am sure was a very difficult and traumatic experience for you. I hope you have been able to take some comfort from your family, friends and loved ones around you. Take care of yourself and let us know how things are for you xx

It is Perth we were thinking about so thats useful info.

I am also looking forward to the summer HOFF! Maybe we will be lucky this year? I live in hope! Shame you missed those couple of days...bet all you really wanted was to don those red speedos and hit the nearest sand! :biggrin:

Thanks for the reply! I think being able to plan for your weekends is such an advantage! We cannot really do that here in sunny Scotland. Last year we must have gone to at least 3 bbq's in the "summer" where we sat outside under canopies freezing! Not sure why nobody suggested just moving inside....trying to prove out hardiness maybe?! lol!

My hubby and I are hoping to make a move to oz at some point in the future and are looking forward to a more outdoor lifestyle. We are wondering though how much time people actually spend outdoors, whether it be in the garden, our on the beach? I have heard people saying it gets dark early in oz and therefore they don't spend much time outside and others mentioning the munching mozzies. Just interested what people think about this?