Chortlepuss

I was out of work in IT for four months a couple of years ago. Spent each day submitting high quality apps (according to agencies). It was hard work and I got nowhere. Went back to UK, got a contract and then returned to Brisbane. Instead of wasting my time on Seek, I decided to network more and eventually found something via a mate. Two years on I make a point of recommending good candidates to my bosses - they never need to recruit. Brisbane is a relationship based recruitment scene and I suspect country areas are similar - who not what you know. Get chatting to people, network (especially with other Poms). Mates always take preference over more qualified/suitable candidates - they are viewed as less risky and threatening. Hopefully the demand for engineers will change - must be frustrating to not be able to do what he's qualified for. Good for him, taking a removalist job - shows he's not afraid of hard work!

A single person might cope on $57k. Double for family and even then will be tight. I want some of those $400 rents! Decent place in Brissy starts around $500 for small family house, or 1 bed flat in posh area. I suspect Melbourne rents higher than Bris. Having said that this post will now be flamed by comments from people who earn 50k PA, live in a 5 bed beach front home for peanuts and support a family of 6 whilst taking annual holidays in Fiji and Thailand so I'll butt out!

It will be what you make it. Quite a strong work ethic in Sydney compared to Brisbane but be prepared to switch the lights off of you leave at 6pm.

This is potentially a real situation. The questions you should be asking yourself is 'am I willing to take the risk that he won't come to the UK, and 'is being in the UK without him better than being in Oz with him?' Keep your options open - you may not like it in the UK and wish to return - I would follow your heart.

I think you need to sort out something temporary (airB&B?) first - Can you stay at your mums?

Don't bother buying Aussie food treats. They're all way cheaper in Tesco (speaking from experience!)

I'm currently commuting Brisbane to Canberra for short engagements - company pays for flights + hotel. No way would I do it on a regular basis. It eats into your spare time and lowers productivity - although boosts your airmiles! I am small and skinny and still find economy on QANTAS/Virgin a bit of a squeeze - Maybe if you could afford business? As others have said there are some lovely parts of NSW (I personally think that Newcastle/Coffs has a nicer climate than Brisbane and is just as cheap to live)

Which city will you be working in? Lots of experience working as consultant/contractor in government in Brisbane and TBH people (even senior positions) work far less hard than in UK public sector and nothing like the hours you'd be working in an investment bank. You may get a boss that requires their pound of flesh, but I suspect you'll find it a comparable breeze workload wise. The politics and infighting are a different thing altogether though, and I am still shocked by the immaturity.

Sixth form colleges are free so if you take 'A' levels in the UK + gap year, as a UK citizen you will be fine

Sounds like you can't really lose - great to have a job lined up and if you get citizenship you can always come back - your son is young enough for it not to matter. Melbourne is a lovely city - as are many in the UK. Some people are happy with the sun and surf and are living the dream - others miss culture, European history and proximity to Europe - all normal. I work in IT and some workplaces in Brisbane do seem pretty unprofessional to me - (mind you Ozzie friends decamped to Sydney and Melbourne citing lack of professionalism as a driver!). Over analysis just gets you anxious - make a decision to return, or try to throw yourself into life here. A young kid can open doors to new friendship circles and possibly even lead to making real friends (you're not alone with this challenge too!)

Where I live in Brissie there is a new building site at the bottom of my road - 29 new houses going up as part of a 'riverside' development . A third of these will be built in an area which was heavily flooded in 2011, 1974 and all other major flood years. The others were flooded at some point but not recently. Where the foundations will be for some of the houses is a huge pond - from the previous heavy rains - but it hasn't rained for a couple of weeks! Looking at the site now I wonder 1) Why and how was planning permission allowed for them? (there were some very sensible objections pointing out the risk) and 2) Who would buy these houses, knowing that they will almost definitely go under in the next flood? It is a beautiful location - and you certainly get a river view (at some stage probably from mid way up your lounge window) - But they ain't going to be cheap - am just curious to understand what happens when a house is built on saturated river bank - do they have to have special foundations, or does the building firm hope that people won't care it's somewhat damp underfoot? Can you insure it?

Keen member of Sussex ramblers when I lived there - very different to Oz walking clubs, not competitive - just out for the joy of the countryside - and the beer garden afterwards! A very sociable affair - I miss my weekly communal walks but too hot to walk far in Brissie and like you I've been put off by all the bloody KPI's - One group instructs 'we will walk the first half hour in silence; B@gger that!

I have known a number of mental health nurses - all very skilled and capable but many have burned out with the demands of the job - It is a vocation for people with the right mindset only and I don't think a job that you could take just as an 'in' to Australia. Occupational Therapy I think is a little more accessible - and physiotherapy can be quite lucrative here. But great advice from Peachy. BTW if you have a law degree, have you considered conveyancing (Australia mad for real estate and not even sure how it works here or whether in demand) but as you've no doubt worked very hard to get your degree finding something that builds upon it may be your best bet....

At your age you are very much in demand in Australia - this changes as you get older, so if you're unsure now may be a good time to spend some time here, get your citizenship and keep options open for the future. Once you have kids you are more constrained - and it is very challenging for young mums (and maybe dads) to be away from their support group and network of friends once they have a new baby. If you do have a baby here though it is a good 'in' to friendship groups - but you will miss your family! It's a difficult one but right now you are pretty free to come and go as you wish - as for being selfish, so what? It's your life so go with the flow....

And not in January - If it's anything like Brissie, the job market will be closed for the hols!

If you're looking at Brisbane, there is a large Northside/Southside division, with everyone pitching in for their favourite location - I've lived in Greenslopes, Mount Gravatt, Tarragindi Carindale and now Sherwood (renting is stressful here but I'm good at packing now!). I'd describe all as family friendly - But the important thing for your sanity is ease of access to your point of work. And don't be fooled by driving distances... what looks like a short distance into the city can be hell on earth at commuting times, so my tip is always choose somewhere on the busway or near a train station if you can.

Hormones, peer pressure, the cuteness of baby clothes.

London and Melbourne are very big places.... I suspect that nice areas of Melbourne are a bit cheaper than nice areas of London, but you still need an awful lot of $ to buy a house there.....

in Brisbane would be around 80K - don't know how Victoria differs & not sure what you get extra (if anything) for a doctorate

Too many primary teachers here as year 7's have moved up to secondary so getting a role may be tough. I'd suggest getting a teaching assistant role anywhere, failing that volunteer at your local primary - that will put you front of mind for any vacancies - In Brisbane who you know not what you know is the rule!

Don't desert us entirely fourcorners!!

I really didn't want kids until my early 30's then came over all hormonal and started lusting over the romper suits in baby gap. Shallow I know. I know very many people who have a fulfilled life without kids. It is very tough and so expensive. I think one of the biggest tragedies of rampant house price inflation is the pressure on young couples to have to work full time just to keep a roof over their heads when they have young kids. I worked full time outside the home until my kids were at school as I was the major earner and hubby didn't want to give up his job or cut down. It was absolutely exhausting . I worked out of financial necessity, not ambition or career interest but you learn all about guilt as a mum working full time...... We talk about women's 'right' to work outside the home, and fine if that floats your boat - but I do wish mums (and dads) could have a choice to spend more time with their kids if they want to and not to be forced into this endless grind just to meet mortgage payments.

I did loads of spreadsheets before I had kids until I found some sums to make it work. Lots of things are cheaper - It's expensive going to work, commuting, buying work gear. You won't be going out for about 10 years - think of how much you'll save in pub visits!! We couldn't afford it really but at aged 32 I thought bugger it I'm not getting any younger and went for it anyway...

Same with BA's... maybe just an oversupply of people in the market?

Very informative, thanks. We are heading back to UK in 2016 but will not have retired. My hubbie can get a sabbatical for his Oz job for up to 3 years. By then he'll be able to cash in his Australian super, so we are considering the possibility of returning to Oz after 3 years, working a year or so and then cashing in the super and retiring....back to UK Alternative is to let the super run and then just have it paid from Australia (and we'll have to pay UK income tax). It's not easy!!