Marisawright

We don't have kids - just a westie - who is just as important to us though. I guess the job questions are the most of concern if we return after say 2-3 years or sooner. I will be in my 50's and despite what some might say that's a difficult age to get another job.

You say "if" you return. If you're in your late 40's then I'd say it's "when" not "if"! From what I understand, it's difficult to get enough points to qualify for permanent residency in your late forties, so you probably won't have a choice!

All the more reason to look into getting 189 visa instead of a 457 now - delaying could be a very bad idea.

It sounds like you're going in with your eyes open, which means that if you go for it, you're far more likely to succeed - well done!

Personally I wouldn't even contemplate moving to Sydney on a 457 with children, given the high costs - but as it's just you and the oh, if you'll be getting a high salary and relocation assistance from your employer, it could work.

I assume you've researched rental costs and taken that into account in your budget - if not, check out domain.com.au.

My concern is that (as we've just found moving in the other direction!), moving for a short contract is just as expensive as moving permanently. You still have to set up an entire new home in Sydney - you can't "make do" for 2 or 3 years. It's rare to find furnished flats in Sydney, they are let unfurnished.

For the return costs, you have to consider that you'll be older - will you be able to walk into another job or do you need to allow living costs for some months out of work on your return?

Finally, you say you're thinking of it as a "try and see if we like it". Do you know whether you could qualify for a permanent visa in any case? There's a myth going around that once you've done two years on a 457, you can just convert to a permanent visa. It's not true. There is some advantage but essentially, you have to go through the same visa process as if you'd applied from the UK.

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I feel really well thanks, probably the best that I've felt in my seven years in Australia. I'm not the man I was pre-emigrating of course, but I cope pretty well nowadays. I'm genuinely sorry that people think that I'm this terrible misery guts, I'm really not....well, not all of the time anyway!:wink:

It sounds very much to me as if you're in complete denial. Avoiding leaving the house, not exercising, drinking too much - all symptoms of depression. Your anti-depressants may be stopping you feeling it, but your behaviour is telling! Sounds to me like you've gone into survival mode - by watching TV and going online you're able to escape and forget your captivity but it's still there at the back of your mind.

The lawyer is a lawyer & also a migration agent. So they know their stuff.

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So long as you're sure they're MARA registered.

Currently waiting to hear from my mum's lawyer to see if there is a chance I could get a 457 without the qualifications. But we will see, all help much appreciated so far keep it coming.

 

An to be honest I've had enough of the UK, for my own reasons that I wont go into. But I personally think its time for a new life away from everything.

If he's a lawyer, not a registered MARA migration agent, then I wouldn't be inclined to trust his advice. Migration is a specialist business - I've had my fingers burned by lawyers too many times because they are generalists, not specialists.

If you feel you need "a new life away from everything", that's your choice. Just bear in mind that maybe you don't need to go to the other end of the earth to achieve it.

Just after some advice, been living in NSW for a year now, lovely place but very not affordable, so we are looking to move on. My hubby can live in either place's due to the nature of his job.

 

I have been to Melbourne on several occasions due to my son living there, however house prices seem quite high there too, unless you want to be more than hour from the CBD. I have been to Queensland on holiday and do really like it, but it was a holiday, I guess different to living there maybe.

 

 

I'd say don't underestimate the value of being where your son is! Also, I don't like Sydney humidity either and I find it's hugely worse in Brisbane/Southport, unless you're able to live up in the hinterland.

Melbourne is the third most expensive city for housing (Sydney is first, Canberra second), so that could be an obstacle - but at least Melbourne has a good tram system.

I'm not sure it's comparable between countries. I can see people here (in Sydney) who appear to work hard, I can see some who appear to work less hard. The same as I saw in London to be honest... Lots of flexible working makes it harder to know who is at work / or working, and who isn't.

 

 

I think I and most others were referring to the number of hours spent at work, rather than how hard people work during those hours!

I think that in offices, people definitely work less hard than they used to - mainly because of the distractions of the internet. You only have to walk around an office (which I often did in m old job) to see the number of people with non-work-related sites on their screens.

Now that's something I hadn't considered and probably the most obvious thing anyone's pointed out to me. I have, to be fair, led a pretty hectic lifestyle for so long, being an expat in fast paced, exciting and exotic locations. Now, whilst still an expat, I'm in a country that speaks the same language and is no challenge. When I look at it from that view, I am now living the 'normal' life!

So, maybe Melbourne isn't really a boring place; it's just not the place for me!

.

I will always remember the time I spent in Africa as the most stimulating time of my life, and the place where I had the best social life. It was also the toughest place I ever lived, and that's why the expat community stuck together so well and worked AND played so hard. I met quite a few people who had gone from contract to contract around the world, were getting into their fifties and sixties and were worried where they would settle in their old age, because they knew that "normal" life wouldn't have much to offer in comparison, no matter which country they chose.

Australians are hard working people, one of my stereotypes which I disproved by myself is the 'laid back life style and laziness' which I have never experienced in Adelaide/South Australia.

It always makes me laugh when I see people saying they're moving to Australia to have a better quality of life and more time with the family. In many states, they're going to be working longer hours - and if they're in a state where housing costs are high, they'll be living a long commute from work AND a long drive from the beach too!

. I'm the opposite, I like trainers but I think walking shoes look rank lol

I'm only 5ft 3 and when I wear trainers with skirts or shorts, it looks awful - my legs look about 3 inches long. I think it's the fact that the trainers come right up to the ankle. I find something like skate shoes or the Skechers, which don't come quite so high on the foot, look slightly better (though nothing will really give me long legs, LOL).

I call Melbourne robotic and boring because it is just that. There is no energy in the city or the people. The mundane way of life revolves around going to work in an office and going home interwoven with the seemingly only 'done' thing to do of sitting in a restaurant or wine bar listening to loud people complain about their jobs.

 

As I said, on paper, Melbourne has it all available however the reality for me is that it is just not exciting enough.

Like I said, you've answered your own question - you know exactly why you're unhappy, and it's because the Melbourne lifestyle doesn't suit you.

I have never lived in Melbourne but it sounds very much like Sydney - people work long hours and have long commutes, so there's not much time for anything but working and then collapsing in a restaurant! Disappointing, I did think Melbourne had more to offer than that.

One thing I'd say is that the expat lifestyle - which you're used to leading - is way, way more exciting than ordinary life, no matter where in the world you live. I've lived that life too. Foreigners working in an alien city tend to make friends with people they'd never befriend normally, and work harder at their social lives. The tougher the environment, the better it is. Many expats have trouble settling into "ordinary" life when they try to settle down.

When we worked away on expat contracts, we enjoyed the adventure and never had any concerns knowing that at the end of the 2 year contract we would go home (or extend if we chose). I do think that a 2 year trial without selling up in the UK is one way to get something out of your system. At least both of you would be satisfied, you would have tried it, your kid would have the experience and your wife could see it as a long holiday knowing you have your old life to go back to.

 

The thing with expat contracts (which I've done, too) is that you usually get some or all of your moving costs paid for, at both ends of the contract. That makes a huge difference to the affordability.

As we found with our recent move, moving for 2 years costs just as much as moving forever - the visa fees, flights, accommodation and other costs are much the same. We did save money by buying just the basics to set up our flat, but then we have the ongoing cost of storage in Australia.

Do people who live in the larger cities like Sydney and Melbourne also get bored eventually and want to get out?

Everyone is different, so there are definitely some who will love it all their lives and others who will get bored.

Hey,

 

I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good pair of walking shoes or trainers. I'm obviously going to be walking a lot. I do walk a lot now but I tend to wear stupid shoes(daytime shoes, pumps) and have no idea where to start looking or what to look for.

 

 

The trouble with trainers is they're pretty unattractive! Have you looked at Sketchers Go Walk? They've got a trainer-like sole but they don't have laces and the front is a bit lower cut, so they look OK with skirts etc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KYCJAPK/ref=twister_B00T79406K

A bit pricey but you might be able to track down a cheap version online.

I don't think you can generalise across Australia. In Sydney, especially in the private sector, I'd say people definitely worked much longer hours than in the UK. Unpaid overtime is the norm - to the point where one of my colleagues (who was a single mother) was told she wouldn't get her bonus because she always left at 6 o'clock (official finishing time was 5.30!!). The fact that she never took a lunch hour and was probably the most productive person in the team didn't cut any ice.

She then moved to Perth. She wasn't thrilled with the lifestyle there but what she did like was the fact that she wasn't expected to work unreasonable hours - people went home at finishing time most of the time.

I did a lot of work in Canberra at one time and noticed that people finished on time there, too.

I know your right but my wife doesn't want to go and I do and that's the problem I font want to look back in 10 years and wish I'd done it and didn't we have a beautiful daughter too she's 6 it makes it harder

If you want to stand any chance of persuading your wife, you need to stop dreaming and start being practical. Present her with details and facts that PROVE you can afford it and that it's not as risky as she thinks, and she may relent. So -

- find out if you're even eligible for a visa (your occupation must be on the list, and you must have the right qualifications and experience). There is no point in even going for the holiday until you know whether you could get the visa!

- research the demand for your skills in Australia (just because an occupation is on the list, doesn't mean you'll walk into work - the job market in Australia is tough right now and in some states, it's not unknown to take several months before you find work). Look on seek.com.au for an idea of jobs available.

- do a budget showing how much it will cost to make the move (hint: for a family it's usually around £20,000 to £30,000 by the time you pay for application fees, flights, shipping, setting up costs, temp accommodation until you find a home, and money to survive on while you look for work or set up your businesses again).

- decide where in Australia you want to go (don't think it's all the same - different areas have different lifestyles, and different pro's and con's). Then get on domain.com.au to research how much it will cost you for housing - you'll probably rent for a while so research that plus the cost of buying the kind of home you want.

I don't know how you presented it to your wife, but if you've been "dreaming" of Australia for years, she may feel it is just that - a pipe dream,not a practical reality that you could make work.

Of course there's always the chance that after you've done all that research, you'll discover that it IS as risky as she thinks, but if that's the case it's probably time you worked that out, isn't it?

have been living in Australia for over 30 years and now, after spending six months in the UK have desire to move back there when we retire in a few years time. Has anyone been away from the UK for a long period of time and then moved back?

Yes, I've just moved back after 35 years, and haven't settled well - but if you've spent a full six months living in the UK already and loved it, then you should have no problem IMO.

The big thing to check is whether you can afford it.

If you're already getting the Australian aged pension, then you can move to the UK and you'll continue to receive it. BUT it will be reduced - you need to have lived in Australia for 35 years to get the same rate you're getting in Australia:

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/centrelink/age-pension/age-pension-while-travelling-outside-australia

If you're not receiving the Australian aged pension now, and you go the UK, you'll never be able to claim it.

If you've got a fair amount of assets, that may not worry you now, because you wouldn't get much Australian pension anyway (it's means-tested) - but it is a worry, because it's a useful safety net to have if your super starts to run low in later years.

It may not be a problem, though, if you're able to claim the British pension. Provided you've got a few years' NI contributions under your belt, you'll be able to claim the British pension, AND they will count your Australian work record up to 2001 as qualifying years (you'll have to provide evidence). You can do a rough calculation on this website, but you should also write and ask for a pension forecast:

https://www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension

The other snag is that when you start drawing on your super, if you were in Australia it would be tax-free. It will be taxable as ordinary income in the UK.

The equivalent qualification is a NVQ and its a 4 year part time 2 part course. An things can change in 4 years, wanted to see if their was any option for a visa without the qualification and where real world experience would count enough.

I wish there was but they don't make it easy unfortunately. At least you're halfway there - a lot of people have absolutely no hope of qualifying. There's a truckie on this forum whose only chance is to retrain in another trade AND spend years gaining experience, with no assurance the trade he chooses will still be on the list when he's qualified.

Why is it we can't settle?...

 

I don't really have a point to this post or even a happy solution so I apologise for stumbling across this forum while awake at 1.30am googling 'Unhappy in australia' and using it to just vent my feelings

 

If someone knows how to make life in Melbourne more exciting then I'm all ears but for now, I think I'm simply bored with this sleepy,mundane robotic city but I'm stuck here for the foreseeable future.

I think you've answered your own question. You wonder why you can't settle,then you call Melbourne boring and robotic.

I'm curious, because if we return to Australia then it will either be Hobart (which I fear will be too small), or Melbourne, which I've always seen as the most cultured city in Oz. Can you explain why you feel it's "robotic"?

If I secured a job I could apply for a employer sponsored visa after the working holiday visa.

Even with an employer sponsored visa, you have to meet the criteria for a visa - i.e. you have to have the same qualifications and experience you'd need to apply for the visa from the UK. So it won't help.

But in case I have to go through a skills assessment, does it need to be on the SOL ?

Yes

 

How much more expensive is this to live in inner suburbs compared to other suburb say 10-15 km from CBD?

 

The difference in pricing is huge. If you look at the difference in pricing in London between living in Chelsea and living in, say, Egham, you get the idea.

Like London, commuting by car to Ultimo from the outer suburbs is impractical. To give you an idea, where I lived in Oatley, it took about 20 minutes to drive to Ultimo in the evening, but over 2 hours in rush hour. |However depending where you are in Ultimo, it may be walkable from Central Station (check "Directions" on Google maps to see how long it would take) - in which case you could live just about anywhere on a train line, as all train lines lead to Central.

Look at domain.com.au and realestate.com.au to get an idea of prices. If you want a house anywhere near Ultimo, you will need at least $1.5 million.

i'm actually already going through an agent for my application.

 

 

Is your agent MARA registered? Are you sure he knows his job? Keeping quiet about the breakup is basically illegal - you may well get away with it, but I'd be a bit suprised if a genuine agent would be willing to risk his reputation by advising a client to head down that route, so I'm worried. I certainly wouldn't talk to the visa dept until you've got a second opinion from another agent.

 

Incidentally, what part of the word 'permanent' means temporary?? As in Permanent Residency? I thought that it meant permanentally.

It does, while you're living in the country. However if you're out of the country for too long, you lose the right to come back, ever, unless you have a RRV (a Resident's Return Visa). And your RRV will only be valid for a few years. I don't know what the current limit is - I became a citizen as soon as I was eligible, to avoid any potential problems - but I'm sure others will know.

but why would it have to end in divorce emigrating doesn't cause divorce ! I would not let this emigrating business come between me and my hubby not worth it ! If I got on a plane tomoz he would follow ! There has got to be deeper problems than that !

You obviously have a very solid marriage. Also you're a good example of "when the going gets tough, the tough get going" - even though you're having a bad time, you can cope. Not everyone is so strong and not everyone is so devoted to their partner that they'd make major sacrifices for them.

I have seen people - on these forums - so deeply miserable in Australia that they've been in tears all the time, yet their other half won't contemplate moving back. Result - separation and divorce.

I'm sure your hubby didn't nag you into coming to Australia, and if you were deeply depressed about it, he'd move back for your sake. I think VeryStormy is worried that the OP is the kind of person who lets his enthusiasm get away with him, and he'll steamroller his wife into moving then be unsympathetic if she hates it.