stockburn

Well again, thank you everyone for the comments, advice etc, things are looking up! Secured my first paid job in Australia, short term contract that will give me a taste of the 'real world' again, get me back into the working zone and see how I feel overall about living and working here for the future, plus money which Is always a positive. See if it is, as ScottiGirl said, due to being out of work that was causing the unhappiness.

Cheers for the advice will hunt Newjez down .. I am cracking on and seeing what is out there, failing that I will look at some temp work if I can.

Hi Verystormy its a 176 skilled sponsor visa .. means I have to live and work in the designated state for a certain amount of time ..

Oh totally agree I have tried not be a moaning pom and I do enjoy this town out and about in all weather, same in the Uk was out doing obstacle races in -5 perhaps that's a little stupid!

Thanks to everyone for replying, and I know 3 months seems way to short a time and I totally agree but almost feel obligated by some deep seeded guilt that I MUST stick it out, not necessarily for ever but whatever is an acceptable time to know if it's right, but since writing this I gave myself a mental boot up the a*** and went for a run, as much a as I loathe it I find it helps me put things in perspective. Snifter, my visa is state sponsored so my choice is Victoria or bust, but I totally agree three months almost feels knee jerk, as for what is making me feel like this, as ScottieGirl said being out of work is soul destroying, add some pretty bad interviews and It was like a kick in the teeth, just feel like I am constantly trying to convince myself I am happy here, today was a particularly bad day and I found writing this, and reading everyone's responses has helped. Getting a job and having a purpose are really important to me (I am sure all of us are the same) and I do think that is a huge factor and I totally agree once I have the job things may be different, then I can work out if it was the 'Job' or if the initial feelings are still there. ScottiGirl, yes happily go for a more junior role but each time I have I get the dreaded over qualified or " You will be bored and leave in three months" reply from employers, I am not letting that stop me though! As I said in my original post my initial aim was Sydney maybe things would have been different there but I don't like dwelling on the what if's, so my plan for me and Melbourne is keep going day by day, I have a rental until end of Jan next year, and I have until midish November to decide if I want to extend the lease or look for something else, I feel that will be make or break time for me, sign a new lease or chalk this up to experience, do some travelling then head back to decide my next steps. Thank you everyone for the comments and advice!

Good afternoon all, Not sure if this is right area to post this if not if anyone can let me know. Right my story so far, sorry if this rambles a bit, I originally moved to Sydney Australia many moons ago in 2009 from the UK. I admit I didn't pick the timing perfectly considering the housing and banking crash not to mention the exchange rate at that time. I have friends in Sydney, one who all things considered is like a brother (both only children, grew up together etc). I moved over on the working holiday visa, getting a job wasn't easy and due to family back home ( Mom came out of remission) after 7/8 months I decided it was time to pack up and head back home, was the best decision for me at that time and I knew that as soon as I got off the plane, I got to spend a year with my mom after returning and that was reason enough to know it was right. Fast forward a few years and I successfully managed to get a state sponsored permanent residency visa, NSW wasn't on the list for my preferred state, (I am in computing mainly around SQL, don't worry I won't inflict and explanation on you good people) So i opted for Victoria more precisely Melbourne, everyone I spoke to told me its the place to live and worse case an easy flight to pop and see friends in Sydney if I found the cabin fever or loneliness setting in. I finally took the plunge and moved her earlier this year, landed beginning of June, airBNB in Brunswick for my first month, which I anticipated would be both difficult / exciting / terrifying and a whole range of other emotions and I wasn't wrong. Eventually found a place to rent in North Melbourne and I cannot complain about the suburb, easy to get into the city .. that said after visiting South Yarra I think out of choice I would have opted for there instead. Job wise I have found the IT market difficult, I had a good network back in the UK so many jobs were word of mouth and based on my reputation ,which I don't have out here, plus I have found the expectation of my skill set different in Australia compared to the UK, after a particularly shocking interview It knocked my confidence if I even had a skill set add that to the delight recruiters have once they find out I am 'Out of work' they seem to think I will jump every hurdle they put in my way. See told you it was rambling, three months have now past, I have been looking for work for the past couple of months, took some time off to study and up skill, I have also joined a gym and frequent some of the Meet-up groups which I will admit are a lifesaver, already met a few people I call friends. But ... everyone knew that was coming, after only three short months I feel like I am ready to throw the towel in and head back to the UK, yes I know it's ONLY three months but I am really struggling to be positive, wanted to know if this is 'Normal' whatever normal is for an expat, did anyone else hit a 3 month wall.. It's almost highlighted that life wasn't so bad back in the UK, own place with very low bills ( currently rented out) not a bad social life and the possibility of a long term relationship ( Aus was always overshadowing that possibility) I can here because I needed to do it, I never wanted to go through life with that massive What If hanging over my head But ... I have spoken to friends both Aus and UK side, they have different opinions, on what I Should do, I should stick it out, man up, things will get better etc, but I wanted the opinions and advice of people who have done this and been through the challenges and come out the other side. So that's my abbreviated story so far, to be honest putting this down on 'Paper' has helped already but I look forward to hearing your take on it all.

Afternoon all, I arrived in Melbourne just over two weeks ago, currently in Brunswick but just secured a unit in North Melbourne, in the same boat of wanting any information people are willing to share and meet some new people, I am in my mid too 'Cough' late 30's and moved here on my own which made the move both simple and challenging it different ways. let me know if you get a meet organised. Dave

Thanks for all the info guys, I am just over two weeks into my move to Melbourne and so far enjoying it, took me an age to get over the jet lag and I am surprised at how cold it is but all part of the fun. Dave

Afternoon All (UK time) I am moving to Melbourne from the UK in just under 3 weeks, fly on the 31st so I am sure everyone who has done this realises I am equally stressed and excited! Will be initially living in Brunswick in an AirBNB for a month, will then be looking for my own place / possible apartment share. I am single, 37 year old male professional (In computing but I'm not that 'dull') looking for anyone that can explain the pitfalls of moving there or even some advice on good gyms, good bars, places to live and some good places to visit. Cheers Dave

Hi everyone, I am in the last few weeks of life in the UK, heading to Melbourne on the 31st May. Single 37 year bloke initially staying in Brunswick until I find my own place, anyone on here with advice, suggestions of where to live ( want to stay close to the CBD) or if anyone is arranging a meet I would appreciate it. Cheers Dave

Oh and the visa is already validated I have been back a couple of times since 2009, both Sydney and Melbourne.. Visa is valid until 2017 so I do have some options I could delay my plans for another year and see if it works out, just doing it so close to the date will affect work, and money but lot more important things than money... Thanks again for everyone’s comments!

Thanks everyone for the advice, given me plenty to think about... Either way I have a big decision to make, just typical this didnt happen 8 months ago!

Hi Everyone, I have posted a couple of times, as I have my visa and all intention is to head to Melbourne end of January, flight is booked, shipping arranged.. But as my title suggests I have been having some serious cold feet and a knot in my stomach for months now, I expected to be nervous, goes with the territory but not this bad. Bit of back story, I headed over to Sydney back in 2009 for around 9/10 months living with mates in the hope to get the 457 visa but it never panned out my mother came out of remission which was the final straw so I can back home, since then I applied and got a full visa, but life has changed in the last 7/8 months in that I have met a girl after being single for a looooooooooong time, typical! She was under no illusions as I was honest but again, that gut feeling is now telling me it is more, but I am worried both if I stay changing my plans could be huge strain on a pretty new relationship and if I go I could throw something great down the drain. Best mate has also moved back from working overseas which in turn has meant my social life has improved. I still know the reasons I was going in the first place, better quality of life, money, the adventure but just feel totally confused! :arghh: Sorry for the brain dump but just wanted to see if anyone has experienced something similar, has any great advice that could solve all my problems in one go! Cheers Dave

Hi Guys Hoping someone can answer this, I have my 176 visa, and have just renewed my passport then realized the visa will be against my old passport number. I still have the old one just in case, and I have filled in a 929 form to inform them of the update which I sent to my immigration office in Adelaide but had no response from them bar an auto emailed response. Is there anything else I can do, anyone I can contact to make sure when I land next year I won’t be put in small room and shouted at? I will be taking both the old passport and the 929 form just in case there are issues (paranioa justified I think!) Cheers Dave

Hi Connie, Just read your message, no not a psyco as far as I know, thanks so much for the infomation I really appriciate it! Will add you on FB, i am sure you will get sick of my various stupid questions in the future! Dave