Canada2Australia

Where are you based?

I'm in the environment consulting industry, and all the big (and some of the small) players are in all three cities. I'm also working on secondment for QLD Transport and Main Roads, so I'm making connections there as well. All in all, I feel like I have real security in the job security and backup plans out in FNQ, and it's certainly higher and more plentiful than in Darwin or all of the NT combined!

Right on. So I will be moving to Mackay by the end of the year. I will be able to work with the team here for up to a year, and then have the option of moving to Cairns. So I can have the best of both worlds if I so choose. I feel very blessed to be part of a company that is bending over backwards to cater my desires. I've never had that experience with an employer before, and I must say it's a refreshing change!

Yeah I have been thinking about that. However there are quite a few businesses in my industry up in Cairns. In all three cities actually. It doesn't concern me at this point, but perhaps down the road may become an issue depending if my situation changes. That's the risk of living in smaller, remote cities I guess.

I am currently in Mackay right now, and will likely be on secondment here until the end of the year. And I do like it quite a bit, but I'm still feeling Cairns as a slight edge, and would be better for suited for my lifestyle. I probably am acting rather anxious and panicked, simply because I've been wanting this for so long and want ro make the right choice.

That site has been dead for over a year. No one seems to post there anymore. I wonder if there is another site that acts as it's equivalent.

Okay, so I'm about to have a meeting regarding my relocation from Darwin to one of these three cities (Yay!). These are the three options. Townsville, which is my favourite out of all three, is the least likely to happen unfortunately, so it's more realistically between Cairns and Mackay. I've spent some time in Cairns (seversl weeks) and Mackay (several months). I have far more connections in Mackay, but like Cairns more overall. Mackay is a regular blue-collar working town (which I like), but it's far less connected to the world by air (which could be a problem for me when travelling being such a milkrun community). Cairns is much more accessable and has more things to do, but is also an annoying tourist trap, I'm aware. Mackay might also be more affordable. Ugh, this is so crazy. I want to finally pick a spot I can settle down for good, but I'm torn. Again, I prefer Cairns, but Mackay as has appeal. Just curious to see what anyone else who has experience living in either or both cities think. Or which would anyone choose if these were their options. Cheers

Run, run far away as fast as you can.

So happy to read all these wonderful stories about being home for good. Congrats to you all and best of luck on your journeys!

Happy that you are happy being back home

Overall people are treated like grunt minions down there, and more and more companies are choosing not to pay overtime, especially in my industry. If a company in my industry in Canada had the same mentality, they would have no employees left. We are treated quite well in Canada. I would say Australia falls in the middle of the two countries, perhaps slightly closer to Canadian standards, and I can live with that as a minimum.

Not completely on topic, but I'm very happy to read all these positive stories about those returning home to the UK. When I joined this forum going on 5 years ago now (wow time flys!), there was so much negativity, even outright hatred, towards the UK, and I never understood how people from a desirable first world country/region could despise their homeland so much, and for some very petty reasons like weather. I mean, I could understand the sentiment if they were American (haha! ) Anyways, I'm glad to see that not all Poms are that toxic towards their home. Good luck with the move and all the best!

What country are you from?

For me, I came here through an opportunity arising from work; a chance to live an work in another part of the world and have a bit of an adventure while I was at it. I didn't come for a better quality of life as I come from a country that is generally rated on par or slightly higher than Australia globally in terms of quality of life (both being higher than the US which is all that matters! Haha). I see it as a lateral move for myself and I honestly don't know if I will stay forever. At a minimum, I will obtain citizenship in a year or two and see what happens. My ultimate dream is to spend time between both countries, but I don't know how practical that would actually be simply because of the geographical distance between Canada and here. I'll likely have to choose one over the other, which is a bit sad for me, but I'm not getting any younger! Either way, I have 2 countries I love passionately that I can call home, and I feel very blessed by that! BTW, I had a few opportunities to move to the US for work and had considered it, but when I researched what the working conditions where like down there, where you ultimately become slave labour and are not paid appropriately for that, I decided against accepting those offers, and am now very thankful that I did. I also have the ability to obtain my UK citizenship through a commonwealth ancestral visa scheme, but would have to uproot myself again to go live and work there for a minimum of 5 years before I could get citizenship, and at this stage in my life I don't really want to do that. Had I known about this when I was younger, I likely would have pursued that opportunity and adventure, but I think I'm good with where I'm at in my life now. One day I will make it out to England and visit my relatives there

Rugby is gaining popularity throughout Canada. Cricket is slowly catching on as well, thanks to UK and East Indian immigration. My home city in Winnipeg just built two new permanent cricket pitches in Parc La Berriere (La Berriere Park)

Im pretty sure any English speakimg nation will allow residents with valid licences from other English speaking nations to hire cars without needing international licences. If you are from a coutry where English is not the main language, then I think it's not as easy.

Compared to the garbage that the US spews globally (and is forceably shoved down our throats en masse back home thanks to our pro-American CRTC), I would say Aussie and Canadian media are a realistic dream, regardless if people clamour about it being "not as good as 'Murca!" I am thankful for that.

Darwin is essentially the Fort McMurray of Australia in terms of a boom bust, natural resource based economy, overwhelmingly transient population, remoteness, high men to women ratio because of its natural resource based economy, and exclusive mentality. It's a very undesirable place for many upon many reasons. The only thing I like and will miss regarding the NT is the outback. It's filled with beautiful landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities, which is my bread and butter. However, it's not enough to keep me there any longer. It's not the climate that bothers me the most; it's the people there I want to get away from.

Thought I would post a previous comment her as well since the subject matter is fairly similar: I can relate to the feelings being shared in this thread. I've been in Australia for 3.5 years now, living in Darwin. I too enjoy the lifestyle but have struggled to make any long-lasting deep connections. I have one or two good Aussie friends, but that's it. Now I also think the big part of the problem is Darwin itself. It's a very different world up here compared to anywhere else. It's very transient, exclusive and disingenuous in nature. It's a place where people escape to when they want to escape from their problems. "Locals" are hesitant to commit to making long-lasting friendships with outsiders because chances are they will depart in a short period of time, so why bother making the effort. I have just come out of a two-year clinical depression, mostly because of my isolation in Darwin and the horrible dealings I've had with people here. The good news is that I just received my PR so that has perked me up a little. So I've had discussions with my company and there is potential for a relocation to QLD, where I've spent much time working and made some connections already. I'm going to give that a shot and see if things change. If not, when I get my citizenship, I will re-evaluate my situation. I'm hesitant to write off my experience in Australia because of Darwin (a place that most people would never want to live in anyways), which I don't believe is an accurate representation of the Aussie population, but rather a bizarre and unappealing cohort. Australia and Canada (my two favourite countries ) have a lot in common. We are both young, multicultural, large, sparsely populated, natural resource-based countries that have similar mindsets due to being commonwealth countries. They are also two of the most popular destination countries that immigrants would do anything to call their new home. I feel more at home here than I ever could just over an hour away across the border from where I grew up (The US, they really are a different breed down there). I'm excited for a change and I love QLD. So I will give that a try and see how it goes. I will always be a passionate Canadian and would definitely go back if it were the right move for me. So all in all, I don't feel like I would lose out either way if I stay or go back home. I'm extremely lucky to call these two top tier countries my home. It's a win-win situation

Yes. Was just about to post a similar response.

I can relate to the feelings being shared in this thread. I've been in Australia for 3.5 years now, living in Darwin. I too enjoy the lifestyle but have struggled to make any long-lasting deep connections. I have one or two good Aussie friends, but that's it. Now I also think the big part of the problem is Darwin itself. It's a very different world up here compared to anywhere else. It's very transiant, exclusive and disingenuous in nature. It's a place where people escape to when they want to escape from their problems. "Locals" are hesitant to commit to making long-lasting friendships with outsiders because chances are they will depart in a short period of time, so why bother making the effort. I have just come out of a two-year clinical depression, mostly because of my isolation in Darwin and the horrible dealings I've had with people here. The good news is that I just received my PR so that has perked me up a little. So I've had discussions with my company and there is potential for a relocation to QLD, where I've spent much time working and made some connections already. I'm going to give that a shot and see if things change. If not, when I get my citizenship, I will re-evaluate my situation. I'm hesitant to write off my experience in Australia because of Darwin (a place that most people would never want to live in anyways), which I don't believe is an accurate representation of the Aussie population, but rather a bizarre and unappealing cohort. Australia and Canada (my two favourite countries :)) have a lot in common. We are both young, multicultural, large, sparsely populated, natural resource-based countries that have similar mindsets due to being commonwealth countries. I feel more at home here than I ever could just over an hour away across the border from where I grew up (The US, they really are a different breed down there). I'm excited for a change and I love QLD. So I will give that a try and see how it goes. I will always be a passionate Canadian and would definitely go back if it were the right move for me. So all in all, I don't feel like I would lose out either way if I stay or go back home. It's a win-win situation

What kind of education does one require to become a retail buyer? I find it intriguing that this kind of profession is one that the government is willing to import foreigners to fill the role.

Why don't you just inquire with Vetasess themselves, directly?

Yeah, I've been to the Lord Dudley. There are a couple in Canada as well. They are nice, but none of them feel as authentic as any that you find in England. Nothing will ever compare to the real authentic pub.

Yeah, those are so cool. Only in the UK!