BelgianBun

So Mr Blobby... I have the opportunity to join up with an ex-colleague in Oz, who's a partner in Consultancy firm. I can choose from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. They are willing to do the necessary for a 457 visa for 6-12months and paying around $700-800/day + GST. Whilst it appeals to me somewhat (Note I'm a Belgian national, have lived and worked in France, Monaco, US and now UK since 1995 - with the latter being what I call "home"); I can't deny I'm content with my current live here. I'm a self-employed IT consultant (living not too far from your back garden in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire), living a comfortable lifestyle (nothing fancy)... I like the are where we live (cycling a lot) though I always need to travel about an hour or more for work. My wife is a local and her parents are still with us and there's 2 kids aged 10 & 13... Give me your honest opinion?

Hi... I felt like that in a previous life due to ex's (French) spending habits... did leave everything behind in France and returned to UK. I'd recommend it - clean break!

Chortlepuss... if there are so many candidates, then they must be overpaying - unless they want quality, ie. me :biggrin:? The problem with the Mediterranean area: no english - unlike Oz. It has been an option to relocate to some of these countries, but I would still fly to and from the UK on a weekly basis. If you've been there 7 years and haven't come back then surely it can't be that bad? All the new here is that AUS economy is growing; no recession!

Hi Rupert, Quite a few people seem to hint "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"... that's probably the case. I'd like to think that I'm quite well travelled and have worked in several countries, yet settled in the UK. Oz has been something that has always appealed, but was never a realistic option until now. It isn't all about money... but last thing I want to do is go somewhere else with the aim to make something of it (whatever that something is I can't qualify just yet) to then be worse off and having to struggle. I'm trying to get an honest view and not a rose-tinted version like on the various TV programmes... hence the need for advice. Need a comparison of cost of living for all 3 cities. My friend seems to struggle to find good BAs (his words)... so can't really comments about the available candidates. Also, it might be for a longer period... beyond the 12months.

Hi MarkinOxford, I'm in a similar situation... a friend who has his own consultancy firm in Oz has asked me to join him on a 457 visa. I can choose between Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. In in oohs and aahs about it all... nothing is wrong with life in the UK: good lifestyle and comfortable. Not rolling in it... just very comfortable as I'm a self-employed IT consultant. Just like you there's a family involved and 2 kids - albeit only 9 and 12... I'm 40 next month. Response to my question (see recent post "Help...") has been mostly DON'T DO IT... A bit of a dilemma for me also. Cheers, Steven.

Cheers NickyNook... Just like the first post from LesleyBrook... it isn't all about the money. However, I somehow have to agree with you and appreciate your honesty... it's the response I was dreading to hear. Just like you I have quite a bit of experience (almost 20 years in the industry, 15 as a lead/senior BA). Live in the UK is very cosy and I can honestly say that I'm "content"... I'm not rolling in it, but very comfortable. What is missing is a bit of sun. I have travelled in the past for work: Belgiu, France, Monaco, UK and USA... would be nice to add Oz to the list, but not at any cost. What is the PAYG rate?

Hi to all, a friend of mine and ex-colleague has moved to Oz quite some time ago. Initially via a UK company with a subsidiary in Australia and recently set up his own company active within the IT industry (insurance and banking). He's offering the option to work for/with him for 6/12 months (possibly longer) based in either Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, paying $700-800 per day + GST (not sure what that is); all of this on a 457 visa he's willing to sort out. In the UK, I am a self-employed IT consultant running my own limited company, with a family (wife and 2 kids). I have a turnover of around £100k and pay 20% corporation tax. I live in the south west, not London and would therefore consider life to be not as costly (compared to London). I'd like to have an idea on whether this is a decent offer, what I'd be expected to pay for living in any of those 3 cities quotes (which is best) and how this woud compare to UK standards. Also, my wife works part-time as an admin assistant for the LEA on about £13k. Will she be able to work? Whilst the appeal is there, I am a bit apprehensive about it all - what to expect? Will I actually improve my standard of living? Any advice welcome. Thanks! Steven.

Hi to all, a friend of mine and ex-colleague has moved to Oz quite some time ago. Initially via a UK company with a subsidiary in Australia and recently set up his own company active within the IT industry. He's offering the option to work for/with him for 6/12 months (possibly longer) base in either Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, paying $700-800 per day + GST (not sure what that is); all of this on a 457 visa. I am a self-employed IT consultant in the UK (running my own limited company) with a family (wife and 2 kids). I have a turnover of around £100k and pay 20% corporation tax. I live in the south west, not London and would therefore consider life to be not as costly (compared to London). I'd like to have an idea on whether this is a decent offer, what I'd expect to pay for living in any of those 3 cities quotes (which is best) and hoe thia woud compacte to my UK standards. Also, my wife works part-time as an admin assistant for the LEA on about £13k. Will she be able to work? Whilst the appeal is there, i am a bit apprehensive about it all - what to expecta? will i actually improve mu standard of living? Any advice welcome. Thanks!