Marisawright

My husband gets very fed up with the dull grey days that we have so often in Britain and I have noticed that on bright days (not necessarily warm but at least not cloudy) I get a lot more done and feel much more positive. I was wondering if anyone found they 'felt good' much more often in Australia due to the sunny days ... or maybe whether the effect wears off quite quick?

 

Hope I've posted this in the correct place.:unsure:

 

Evie

There is a medical condition called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) where people get depressed due to a lack of sunlight. It's a real disorder - in the UK it's treated by sitting in front of a special light!

If you suffer from it, then moving to a country with lots of sunlight is an obvious remedy - and no, the effect of sunlight doesn't wear off. What you have to consider, though, is that the light is VERY strong. Skin cancer is a much greater risk in Australia, and you're advised not to go out in the summer between 10 am and 3 pm without SPF30 sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. In the height of summer, unprotected, you can burn in ten minutes! So eventually, especially if you're not good in the heat, you may find you're not as fond of the sun as you think.

Hi all.

We are in the early stages of the visa process but our 16yr old daughter has put her foot down, and yes she says I'M NOT MOVING TO AUSTRALIA. Any help will be gratefully received.:arghh:

As others have said, she might be right. Is she intending to stay on at school? If so, you might do better to wait till she's got her A levels before you make the move, because if she has trouble settling in, it might sabotage her results in the HSC (Aussie equivalent). Also, if you don't have permanent residence, going to university will cost thousands and thousands of dollars in upfront fees.

If it wasn't for the education issue, I'd echo the idea of doing a deal. Ask her to come out and try it for 12 months and if that doesn't work, you'll help her go back (are there grandparents she can stay with?).

The other thing to think about is - how will you feel if she does go back? She may not return immediately, but if she doesn't settle, there's a chance she'll go back when she's older. The biggest single reason for going back to the UK is missing family - are you going to be able to live with the fact that your daughter's on the other side of the world, if that happens?

Culture shock is what hits you when you move to a new country. Everyone gets it to some extent - some for hours, some for days, some forever. It may hit you at once, or weeks after you arrive. If you don't understand it, it can get worse, until it destroys any chance of success in your new country.

Here's a few articles that explain it:

http://oregonstate.edu/international/atosu/resources/adjustment

http://www.internations.org/magazine/what-is-culture-shock-15332

(that second link asks you to join up, but just close the pop-up and you'll be able to read the article).

People with a bad case of culture shock are unable to see any good in their new country, and think of their old country with very rose-tinted glasses. They're not being nasty or stupid, they're suffering a well-established psychological phenomenon and they can't help it. They can't "snap out of it" and they can't be persuaded with logic to see how out-of-proportion their thinking is. It's very sad when people get to that stage after investing so much of their hopes and dreams (and money) in making the move - so it's crucially important to be aware of Culture Shock and not let it get to that stage.

You really did hang out with some strange people, as those subjects never arose. Must have been a public servant? Anyway Bryce Courtenay loved it, wished he'd moved here ten years earlier.

Thanks for the tip about the article, got your message but for some reason can't reply to it.

yes that was then…this is now my account hasn't been hacked gpo1971 no wind up…yes i said some bad things but hey, everyone makes mistakes this is a forum to express how we feel ,, so that was then, this is now! yes i did have certain issues but taking step back and looking at the bigger picture i was wrong to say things about australia…but i disagree with people copy and posting things on threads when that was quite bit ago…anyway the truth of the matter is since being back in england I've now realised this is NOT where a wanna be so some of the problems i did outline about oz where MY problems at that time of my life and they certainly rant as bad as the problems I'm having here in the uk…but thanks for everyones good wishes hope you all have a nice day….

I'm surprised there isn't more discussion about Culture Shock on these forums because it's a common reaction for people moving to a new country. I think people assume that because Australia is English speaking and "like Britain", Culture Shock doesn't apply - but it does. "Hostility to the host nation" is one of the symptoms - and you obviously suffered from it!

Now you're back, it sounds like you can see some of that hate was irrational and just part of what you were suffering, not real. However before making any decisions to come back, I strongly suggest yo sit down and write a clear "pro's and cons" list, to make sure they really were irrational. You don't want to start ping ponging!

Thank you all for your replies!

 

comments about space, weather and outdoorsy lifestyle were to be expected. Although I have to say (we live in London, well surrey zone 6 and commute to CL if to be precise) quality and variety of food and restaurants in Surrey/London are brilliant and it would be hard to beat that. As for chavs... Never had any issues with them being around or causing trouble so it does depend where you live in both countries I suppose. We are moving to Sydney and I really hope "troubles with bogans' is not going to be an issue

 

 

as for "less intellectual snobbery" that's a bit of a concern... We are more academic types and have more degrees between us than money which is not an issue in the uk at all. But if people in Aus are purely measured by how much they make and we are going to be looked down on by people making a fortune on mines etc than I don't really see it as a positive... That's a very shallow approach in my view...

I'm not quite sure how to advise you on that! I was a victim of intellectual snobbery in the UK - I was married to a teacher, and I worked as a secretary. I'd go to parties and if I told people what I did, they would immediately start talking down to me - the attitude was clearly, "she's just a typist so she's dumb". It was a relief to get away from that attitude in Oz, and in fact I quickly got a job as a supervisor and then as a manager.

On the other hand, one of the reasons we're considering moving to Canberra is that same attitude! Sit in a Sydney cafe and listen to the conversations - real estate, real estate, real estate. When we go down to Canberra, we've heard people debating the merits of the latest foreign film, or the rights and wrongs of education policy. We've got into a conversation with the person at the next table about the book they're reading. Most migrants seem to complain about a lack of "culture" in Australia and I have to agree with that. I love Sydney but it is a brash, look-at-me kind of town.

Having said that, if you're academics then your friends will probably be other academics anyway.

Think this post was more about wondering 'what if'. A pondering thing I guess - like a chat with mates that isn't necessarily set in stone, more chewing the fat. I am sorry if a few of you on her have taken it very seriously and decided I am sending out alarm bells.

My "alarm bells" were about the small business idea, not the move. You sound like you're up for the adventure and that's a good attitude. My concern is that you're going to find moving countries is far more expensive than you think (everybody does), so trying to start a small business straight away would be suicidal. I'd strongly suggest getting a teaching job first, then cut back to part-time or supply when you're established, so you can get a small business started. That way you get the best of all worlds.

Some love the UK some hate the UK, some love oz some hate oz,that's life, hope you settle in oz but I would not bet my house on it,the reasons you disliked oz will still be there....ping pong.

Not necessarily. I accidentally did the right thing - my husband got a teaching contract in Africa for three years, and it was the best preparation for migrating we could've had. We were so looking forward to getting home to Scotland but when we did, we saw it with clear eyes. So when we came to Australia, we knew the pros and cons, and we were also prepared for the Culture Shock syndrome that happens when you arrive in a new country. The OP has now had the same experience, so he should be able to weigh things up.

Alot of the burb's in the big cities are worse here than in the UK. Plus the gangsters seem to have found a way of getting hold of of end of guns here too - in some burb's it's like the USA but with no way to protect yourself.

 

 

I agree, there are suburbs (and towns) in Australia where I wouldn't live if you paid me. Exactly the same as in the UK.

As for guns - which burbs? You could count the number of suburbs affected on one hand, Australia-wide, and 99% of the victims are other gang members. It looks worse because the TV news and papers just love the drama and features every incident ad nauseam. The politicians like to talk them up too, because then they can look tough by introducing "measures" to "control the problem". However look at the statistics, and the firearm-related death rate in Australia and the UK is about the same per head of population.

We have a lot to thank her for then roborac. :biglaugh:

Make that three of us!

Hi all,

99% sure of a move from UK to Gladstone around Apr/May this year.

can anyone advise on Galdstone's suburbs? and schools, activities, etc. within them?

we have kids, ranging 2 to 13 yrs.

 

Gladstone is such a small place, I'm surprised the choice of suburbs would matter too much - you'll be in driving distance of everything.

I wouldn't expect to find much in the nature of activities in the town itself, but it's well placed to explore some of the lovely areas of Queensland if you're up for some long weekend drives.

Just out of interest,i researched all this before choosing a state to move to,and it does no harm,"but" it doesn't state that it can be a biblical downpour for 5 minutes,then totally dry up in minutes,stats ,and looking into things is a minefield sometimes i reckon

You're right. Sydney gets more rainfall than Melbourne, but Melbourne gets drizzle more often, whereas in Sydney if it rains, it rains. So it rains more heavily but far less often.

The first time I saw a Sydney downpour, I thought it was a monsoon!

Yup, there are far fewer days here in UK that I can't do what I want because of the weather! It's much better here for doing things outside for me. Must admit to being somewhat bemused by the constant references to grey skies and tipping it down every day. Sure, we have the odd grey day but more often than not we start out with fabulous clear mornings or end up with fabulous sunny afternoons - it seems that one grey day is automatically interpreted by many as being a grey week/month (my mum certainly does that!). I will hate the 30+ days if and when I do get dragged back. My husband sent me a pic from our neighbourhood today and it looks dry and burnt - desiccated and dusty. Give me lush green any day and variety in weather.

Remember there's an awful lot of the UK to the north of you. I remember when I first moved down to London, being amazed at the beautiful weather. My memories of living in London and Bristol all have blue skies (even though I know it wasn't all like that!). Whereas my memories of living in various places in Scotland are generally grey and drizzly!

??? how strange you thought that, must be where you lived,

Yes, of course, and I wish people would think about that and be more specific when they post! Australia is a huge country and the differences in weather from city to city are very marked. I think everyone knows Melbourne's weather is more changeable than anywhere else on the mainland, and you're comparing it with London, which gets warmer weather than anywhere to the north - which is most of the UK! So your comparison is valid for those two cities, but Rrwelsh's comparison is probably just as valid for where she is.

Plus you have to allow for individual preferences. As I get older, I tolerate hot weather less and less - so although I love looking at blue sky, I'm less able to enjoy it. I wish I had enough money to spend winter in Sydney and summer somewhere else!

Great advice.

 

I remember a rather odd pom who lived in the same town as us in Victoria (Torquay) and I asked him if he would ever return to the Uk and his answer was:

 

"No, all my mates back home are really envious of me being here!" (as if thats a reason to stay....but its precisely what you were saying)

 

Where were you in Conutry Victoria incidently?

Great example of what I was saying! I just read a great article about that very subject (staying because everyone thinks you're living the dream), but about Italy:

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/aug/26/italy-dream-move-end

I was in Horsham.

Hi,

 

I'd be interested in hearing from any experts in email marketing within Australia. If you are based in Australia, with local knowledge I'd be keen to hear from you to discuss marketing a new website.

 

Privacy laws are strict in Australia so you can't send out unsolicited emails - legally, that's spam. You have to attract people to sign up for your email list first, then you can market to them using a service like Mailchimp (or SMSBroadcast for SMS).

Heavens - you really want to retire in Canberra? It was so boring I went back to work!

Well, we can't afford to retire in Sydney. I know Canberra is the second most expensive city in Oz, but it's still cheaper than Sydney - and we could live further out in cheaper suburbs because the roads are so good. Perth and Adelaide are too isolated, Darwin and Brisbane too hot, and Melbourne has the same problem as Sydney - to be affordable, we'd have to live too far away from the action. We considered Hobart but activities are too limited.

I dance (belly dance, modern jazz, flamenco) and I also do ballroom dancing/rock'n'roll with my husband. Canberra seems to have a reasonable choice of classes. We've visited several times and I had a contract a couple of years ago where I spent a lot of time working with Canberra companies. I'd like to continue working part-time and I liked the more relaxed attitudes in Canberra - people actually took their lunch hour, and went home at a reasonable time (unheard of in Sydney!!). My husband is into history and culture so I'm hoping he might get a volunteer job in one of the museums or galleries to keep him busy.

The other alternative is to go to the UK. The big obstacle is claiming the Aussie pension, because we'll have to come back again for two years to claim it - and doing a double move will add considerably to the cost of the whole exercise. Of course one possibility is to stick it out for another four years, and don't relocate until we've got the pension claimed - but we don't want to wait that long, life's too short to mark time!

Hi all,

 

Some opinions please from eczema sufferers or parents of eczema suffers. My son has had eczema since he was 3 months. I have lots of experience in managing the condition but I'm wondering how he will react to the climate in Australia. We lived in Brisbane for a year and it seemed to improve a lot. We are back in the uk now and it's got alot worse. I don't know exactly what triggers his eczema or the extent to which climate plays a part but we are thinking of a move to Melbourne and I wonder if anyone has had any experience of how the climate in Melbourne effects eczema.

I don't think you can rely on anyone else's experience. For many sufferers, humidity makes skin conditions worse - but others find the exact opposite. If he was better in Brissie than in the UK, then it sounds like humidity is a help not a hindrance. Likewise, some people find the sun aggravates it, while others feel it helps keep them clear. The Melbourne climate isn't as humid as the Eastern seaboard but it's not dry like Adelaide, either.

I don't mean the general "better lifestyle" advantage but small or not so small actual things that you think a better in Aus?

 

it seems like everyone incl me can write a long list about UK and many have pretty much done so on here but I am really interested in your view on Aus exclusively from the positive side

 

thank you!

For me it's attitudes, but maybe that's because I came from Scotland. Australians (at least in central Sydney) are more open-minded, and much less concerned about "what will the neighbours think?". As a secretary in the UK, I was pigeon-holed - there's no way I would've got a chance at management because I was "just a secretary", whereas I applied for and was offered more responsible jobs soon after I got to Sydney.

Of course that was a long time ago and the work environment may have changed in the UK now - but when I visit Scotland, I still see the same closed-minded, "Keeping Up Appearances" mentality that made me feel so suffocated.

but how can one miss the sunshine?

Very easily. I've lived in Australia 35 years but ever since menopause hit (which is several years now!), I can't handle the heat. Add to that the fact that my husband had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his cheek last year, and you'll understand why summer has become a nuisance for us rather than a blessing. He's worried about exposing his skin to the sun, and I'm a puddle of sweat!

I emigrated to ACT in June 2012 on a 176 visa (Permanent Resident).

 

ACT is a little like London in the North/South divide. You either live North or South and never the twain meet (sort of). My personal opinion (and don't shoot me) is the South is more established with older houses (generally) and the North has newer houses especially in Gungahlin (nicknamed "Nappy Valley"). ACT is split into suburbs with the North mainly consisting of either North Canberra, Belconnen or Gungahlin suburbs. The South has Woden, Tuggeranong, Weston Creek and South Canberra.

 

:biggrin:

thanks for this great post. We're currently debating where to retire - choice is narrowing down to either the UK or Canberra, so I 'd love to pick your brain.

What else defines the North/South divide apart from type of housing? Are we talking bogans in the North and latte-sipping yuppies in the south, or vice versa? Or is it families vs retirees, or something else? Whatever it is, it seems like a real division and I'm struggling to work out which side we'd belong on!

Thank you, I started to feel like what I am feeling is unreasonable. I can't really see any light at the end of the tunnel. I wish I didn't feel like I had to make a choice, my husband or my sanity. I am waiting for my citizenship to be finalised before any major decisions are made. It will give me some time to think things through. I like it here never truly settled and now that I spend most of my time alone it's sort of coming to a head.

Very sensible decision to get your citizenship finalized first, that gives you so much more freedom. I second the idea that you should see a counsellor of some kind, even if you feel you don't need one yet. It's much harder to get out of depression once you're in it, so I think a bit of preventative action would be a very wise move.

Here's the list:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/regional-growth.htm

That page is about another type of visa but the areas still apply.

I'd say your chances of getting work before you arrive are very low.

Your current employment status won't affect your chances of being approved. They're interested in your chances of employment in Australia, not your home country. Your biggest obstacle would be scraping together the money to make the move. Setting up in a new country is expensive - it's not just air fares, it's the cost of moving your stuff, money for a rental deposit, then money to live on while you look for a job. Flats in Australia (except executive lets) are unfurnished, so you'll need to bring your furniture with you (e.g. in a Movecube) or budget to buy new when you get here.

If you're used to subsistence living, then you can probably manage all that for less than the average migrant, but it will still cost a fair bit, so you'd need to get some savings together.

One thing about the shortage skills list. I've known plenty of people come to Australia thinking there will be plenty of work in their field because it's on the list, and then struggle to find work. That's because the shortages are never Australia-wide. Also, the list relies on statistics which take time to collect - a shortage may be well and truly over, but the job will still be on the list because the statisticians haven't caught up yet. So it's really important to do your own research (on sites like seek.com.au) to see how many jobs there are in your field and what they're paying.

Hi Marisa, thanks for your reply.

 

I think the issue for us will be meeting the new financial requirements because it will now be necessary for me to obtain a job in the UK paying more than GBP 18,600 per annum before I can sponsor my wife. As a school teacher my salary would be more than that, but finding a job whilst still residing in Australia will be more of a challenge. The dilemma is that if I leave my current position and return to the UK, then I will no longer fulfill the other requirement of being in gainful employment for the 6 months prior to making the application. Chicken and egg really.

 

 

Could you take annual leave to go to the UK and see if you can find work? Of course it would probably mean you'd have to go back to the UK before her, to start the new job - but the turnaround time for her visa would be pretty short, (at least that's what we've been told).

Alternatively, have you studied the financial requirements document? If you don't have an income, there is a savings option that might work for you.