jasepom

Not at all bunbury, I'm just sounding out that the big factor in the decision has to be separation of the children from their father. If the children realise what being on the other side of the world away from their Father would feel like.

Hi Katie, It's good to hear you have joined the forum. Regarding moving to the UK, sounds like a big move for someone who perhaps is fairly settled here. If your children's father are here it would be a hard decision to make in separating the family, as being estranged myself can cause a lot of stress. Completely agree a holiday would be good for you give you a taste of being back home. But keep in mind it is just that, a holiday, and its very different to daily life. Good luck with whatever you decide.

It's getting to be a sick joke when large corporations are seeking ever increasing profits at expense of their own hard-working staff. Where will it end ? Perhaps when no-one cares about Telstra anymore because they are such a ruthless company. I'm sure any ex-employees will be switching to Optus. I think these companies need to look hard and fast at themselves. They need to weigh their love of the dollar against the responsibilities to their workforce and the community at large.

Look at the history. Up until 2010 the Commodore was the best selling car in Australia. There then started to be increased demand for foreign cars such as the Mazda 3 which toppled the marquee. They cant really be blamed as if they don't get support to sell more cars in emerging markets then they obviously are subject to local market conditions. The Volkswagen group receives large subsidies from its govt and are able to produce large numbers for export yet we don't do the same - Hmmm. Who says Holden don't make desirable cars for here and overseas :- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_VF_Commodore http://www.chevrolet.com/ss-sports-sedan.html http://www.autoblog.com/2013/12/09/2014-chevrolet-ss-review-first-drive/ So if this car is so damn good why aren't GM producing and selling more of them.

Not correct, Tony Abbot has out and out said that. The fact is the govt have given up on the car industry in Australia as not viable despite many years of success. All car producing nations subsidise their industry because they offer high employment and support satellite industries. Its simply too valuable to lose without working together either through co-investment or subsidies. That is your opinion and not one I agree with. I have driven both new model Falcons and Commodores and have been impressed by their quality. Not true, Holden already share their platform with American counterparts such as Pontiac. Also deals were being made with Law enforcement agencies to take our Commodore range of vehicles as they were especially suited to their needs. Both Holden and Ford have been developing smaller cars as alternatives to the traditional big cruisers that have been favoured by Australian buyers. They have been adapting to the changing market, take for example the Holden Cruze developed here. The argument that Australian car makers do not make desirable cars does not hold water.

It makes me sick when the govt sincerely tells us that we can't make cars in Australia. Are they mad or what ? The cars produced in this country are very high quality and inevitably they are produced at a cost which is determined by local market conditions. Yes you can make cars cheaper overseas of course you can but that is not the point. We have a fine manufacturing base here and that will disappear within a few years if we are not careful. It's both the govt and the car companies fault at not driving the industry to produce enough cars to make it a viable operation. If we don't buy enough cars produced here why are we not exporting them ? Top Gear rated the Holden VX Commodore as one of the finest cars the had driven beating out a Jaguar and Chrysler 300. Yes you can say its a small local market, but if we don't produce cars here then they have to be imported from overseas at a cost (both economical and environmental). Globalisation is not necessarily a good thing. Make products where you can here, don't get me started on SPC either. To import cheap overseas fruit to Australia makes me want to choke on an apple pip!!!!

So Ozzimozzie, where are you departing from ? Were you in a Melbourne suburb ?

Yeah went to Noosa on holiday here and although people go shopping barefoot they kinda manage to pull it off, cause they have class.

Really great post, completely agree about Australia being a totally different country and having the correct mindset. It throws a lot of people off and hence they return to what is familiar/safe. I also find the Australia blue skies and sunshine rejuvenating. Hearing the sound of native animals is always great and I love hearing them wherever they are. The sound of a Kookaburra always makes me smile but the sound of owls in UK makes me feel at home. Country walks in England are fantastic I agree but not so great when the dog jumps into a dirty stream and has to get cleaned up.

Haha is it ? Anyway give me a quiet night in Oz to a busy night in Bikenhead anyday,

Hi Steve, welcome to the forum. Have you looked into the Skilled Visa (189) for your occupation. I'm sure there is plenty of scope for you working here as an Analyst so good luck. Have you thought about which areas you would move to ?

Only been to Perth once but really enjoyed it. There's heaps of stuff to do, and the shopping and café culture is fantastic. Scarborough beach is awesome and you have amazing scenery around Margaret river.

So how come you guys are moving back ?

Oh ok, so you know how to enjoy your time off then. From the sound of it I thought you were struggling to do that.

I think at 16 they still are treated as minors in the eyes of the law, so should stay at home unless there are social issues involved. I can understand they might not want to go initially but may change their mind once they see you making plan especially if you get them involved on where you'll be living etc.

Sounds like a lovely place.

Hope it works out for you bora and you don't become a ping-ponger.

I think Aussies feel the same way about these guys. I might add Tony Abbott to that list. He's wormed his way into being Prime Minister now out to lose everyone their jobs through total ****wittery.

Well if you have two days off work why not make the most of it? Be it golf, scuba diving, or going to a local waterpark, you can find all the things you'd normally expect from an overseas vacation.

To add to this I've never felt intimidated by Australians they are direct, yes, but not confronting in my opinion. On the contrary I've met more rough and tough people in the UK. I love Aussies the one's I've been fortunate to work with have been well educated and very easy to get along with.

As an option have you checked out the outer east ? You could go bush instead of beach, if you like to live amongst the gum trees. Tecoma and Upwey are extremely affordable areas with great public transport (Belgrave line) and access to schools (East or West).

Is it just the school that is the problem? Or perhaps they just don't feel like you are going to settle here, either way, they need to be supported in that this is now your home, and you can all find ways to make it better. Teenage angst could happen just as easily to them in UK.

Yeah Oz isn't like a Holiday at all, as my wife says, same ****, shinier bucket. But you can get into holiday mode at the weekends without too much effort.

Is that a superiority complex I detect ? Honestly, Aussies are amongst the friendliest people in the world. If you don't try and connect then inevitably you won't make friends. Yes you can go to Australia and only meet people from your own country if that's what the OP wants.

Embrace yourself in new surroundings and find friendships wherever they may be. You are in Australia so why not make friends with the natives, they aren't that bad yo know!