rkdowner

Thank You all for commenting, I appreciate everyone's views. I used the words 'better life for the children' etc out of ease really, perhaps I should explain more. We live in Birmingham, not a bad part of Birmingham, but it's not where we imagined ourselves settling although we both grew up here. When we went travelling 9 years ago we went on a world trip, including travelling round Australia. We always said when we came back that if we were backpacking around Birmingham at the time, we'd have got the next bus straight out of there! Although it's improved a lot, we don't feel like Birmingham is the place for us, not enough going on, crap weather (like most of UK I suppose), theres not a lot of community feel etc. My husband thinks living in Australia will give the kids better prospects because its not as overpopulated as UK, the education system is supposed to be better, the weather, generally better- enabling us to spend more time outdoors and not stuck inside like what tends to happen on a cold, drizzly day in Birmingham, also he feels that most (and this is a generalisation) Aussies are quite positive, and have a bit more of 'get up and go' about them. I suppose what we are fed up of in Birmingham are the chavs (bogens?? equivalent Aussie term??), the negativity of some people, the fact that everyone is also worried about being politically correct all the time, and the overcrowding. So, would anyone say that the things my husband believes to be about Australia is correct? We are not naive people, we know that life is what you make it and there are ups and downs to every country you live. I too have thought that by moving the other side of the world I am perhaps giving my children a good future, but a future without their family, and that's what I find the hardest to deal with. My husband has set up a very good business here and is extremely good at what he does, so I know he would be determined to make it work overseas, but I do think we could be silly to give up what we have here. I am still no closer to making a decision but at least I have a good insight into things so thanks again for everyone's input.

Hi All, I am new to this forum so please go easy on me, ha ha!. I am looking for help in trying to make a decision on moving to Australia. Any positive, or truthful stories or advice on how you made the decision to move and if it has worked out for you, or if not- and why not. Basically I am 34 and my husband is 37, we have 2 children aged 2 and 4. My husband is the one who first came up with the idea of moving (we travelled around Australia about 9 years ago)- he thinks it will be a better lifestyle for us as a family and give our children a better future. He is a self-employed plumber and I am a student studying Nutritional Therapy (and also stay at home mom). We have sought advice on the visa process and would be looking at the skilled visa route. We were urged to lodge the application sooner rather than later as obviously my husband is approaching 40. He wants to start the process now but I am hesitant. He also wants me to give a yes or no answer and I find I can't! I am about 60% in favour of moving if I am honest. My main worry is leaving my family behind and taking my children away from their grandparents, cousins etc. If I didn't have family around I would make the move tomorrow. After having broached the subject with my mom and sister, they were quite outspoken on how distraught they would be if we moved and I suppose I am feeling very guilty! I just don't know how I can bring myself to make the decision but at the same time I don't want to regret not moving. Please help! :confused: