Anyone moving/has moved to Australia alone?

[elp12]

Hi all,

 

I've been looking at moving out to Australia for some time now but am struggling with where to start. I've noticed a lot of the posts on the forum are from couples or families and/or where someone already has a job offer before they leave so have a destination in mind and an idea of income etc. Could anyone give me any advice on moving out alone? Has anyone moved out or looking to move out without a job offer? If so, where have you/are you planning to stay (hostel/room/apartment)? Is a hostel or shared flat/house the only option?

 

Any advice much appreciated.

[Incata]

I can't advise on Australia but I did move to Canada on my own (many moons ago!) I had never been but always fancied finding myself a mountie (never did but that was the aim!) I applied for PR, got it in 5 months, packed 2 suitcases and went. Between the time I booked my flights and the time I landed 2 weeks later I got a job (although they did change the salary offer between the time I accepted and the time I got there, but hey ho a job is a job). I was interviewed via email and by phone (this was pre-skype days). I started the job two weeks after I arrived. I then found out I got the job because no Canadian would touch the job with a barge pole (I thought it was my natural talent that had won me the role!) and 6 months later I too moved on to a decent company (and they took on another Brit as no Canadian would touch the role!)

 

I sorted my bank account out well before I left so on day one I collected my bank cards. I booked myself into a hotel for 3 nights (on a buy 2 nights get 1 night free advance offer), hired a car for a week and spent the first 3 days finding somewhere to live. I got a 1 bedroomed flat with a balcony, 10 minutes from Downtown Vancouver with a view over the mountains. I went for a 1 bedroomed flat rather than a house share as I was (and still am) a little anti-social and like my own space, and I'd prefer to pay a little more for it, than share with people I may not like a week later.

 

Then I got a car loan, bought a car and took my driving test (in Canada at that point, even with a full UK license you had to take the Canadian Driving Test - Theory and Practical).

 

Got into my flat and realised I had a cooker and a fridge and that was it. The next few days were spent furnishing it (God bless garage sales and furniture warehouses!)

 

Making friends was hard work, much harder than I expected. The Canadian culture seemed to be about socialising with people through the workplace so I accepted every invite (no matter how unappealing), I even joined a gym (which goes against everything I believe in). I also did voluntary work through a couple of organisations, in order to make new friends and to feel that I was needed and useful. However what was most interesting (for me) was that by the time I left Canada and came back to the UK (due to meeting the man who became my husband), all the people I socialised with were people who were at the same workplace as me. None of them were people I worked with, they were all people I had been introduced to by people whose invitations I had originally accepted.

 

So my advice would be: Go for it. You will never regret it if you try (even if it does not work out), but you will always wonder what it would have been like if you did not do it. Commit yourself heart and soul to it and give it your best shot. If you go about it half-arsed it will be so much tougher. Accept that you will have good days and bad days and that you will miss your family. Accept that where you are going will be different to where you have come from. Even the language (whilst seeming the same) can be very different and not understanding what someone is talking about, or even worse, them not understanding what you want, can be enough to make you cry (me and the moose was a classic, but that is a story for another time). It can be hard if you get sick and have nobody there and nobody to hug you when you cry.

 

However, you will meet the most interesting, fascinating people of your life. You will have the most amazing adventures, see the most wonderful things and eat amazing food (unless you go to that dodgy back street diner that everyone warns you about!) If it works, brilliant! If it doesn't and you come home, it does not matter, you tried and you will have learned more about yourself, and about just how strong you are, than you will ever dream possible.

 

The only rule is this: accept every invite, no matter how unappealing.

 

I left Canada as I met my husband on an internet dating site (I'm suing for misrepresentation of goods!) and am moving to Australia shortly, as we have decided that Australia is where we would like to be. However, someone once said to me that you can take the girl out of Canada, but you can never take Canada out of the girl, and I feel that very strongly. I still miss it and I guess I always will, but the experience I had there was the making of me and shaped the person (and the mother) I am today.

 

I hope this helps a little. Take the leap of faith and give it your best shot. You can do it and if you really want it, it will happen for you.

[elp12]

Thank-you cshowell for such a thorough and comprehensive reply! If only I could do the same!

 

I'm not too worried about meeting friends at the moment, my main concern is picking the right location, finding somewhere to stay, and then a job. I too prefer my own space but without a job, and so no idea of income, would be reluctant to commit myself to a rental agreement. What if I don't like the location? What if I can't find work? I'd then need to be able to move somewhere else. I don't know. Maybe its a case of pick somewhere and, as you say, give it your best shot! And you're right, commit to it! Thanks

[Joseph Rydell]

He he I've moved to Perth twice on my own and twice moved back to the UK. Now I am thinking about moving back. Sounds daft eh? The first move was quite daunting as obviously I had no idea what to expect. I didn't have things like a bank account etc. Just sorting out all the little things is a PITA. You need a driving license, tax registration etc, there is the visa stuff. Obviously though Australia is not too different than the UK in many ways and I didn't have to re-oriente myself too much.

 

I was helped though by the company I was sponsored by and who I was employed with. The paid for my move, flight, a couple of weeks in a staff house, help finding a flat. This was a massive bonus at the time.

 

If I go back now I won't have a job though and will have to do everything myself. I have no idea where I will stay. However I know what to expect so shouldn't be a big deal.

 

One thing about moving somewhere new is you have very little idea where is good to live. I had some help here but otherwise would be hard. I'd spend a few days looking about etc, see a few houses/flats.

[elp12]

Doesn't sound daft at all Joseph. Moving to the other side of the world is a pretty big decision - i think anyway. Its the upping and going without a job to go to that scares me. From reading posts on the forum it seems some people find work fairly easily and others don't. For me its one thing to go with a job, find out you don't like it and come back. Its another to go without a job, find you can't get work/are in the wrong place to get work, etc., and come back broke...!

[tayloal]

Hi elp12,

I'm currently going through the visa process and am planning to move to Perth on my own. Been wanting to live in Oz for the last 12 years since i went backpacking there, it's only now that i have the right experience & qualifications etc.

 

I started out backpacking on my own, got my WHM visa, booked a flight, packed a bag and went. Prior to going i had contacted a hostel close to Sydney airport and got picked up by them. I was planning on only staying in the hostel for a week or two but ended up there for 4 months ! It was a great place to meet like minded people. I even went back there for 2 weeks after returning from travelling but ended up renting out an apartment with some people i had hooked up with.

 

This time though (when i eventually get my visa) i am planning on looking for a house share / room rental for a few weeks whilst looking for my own place to rent and looking for work (if i don't get something prior to setting off). It can be a good way of getting settled, finding your bearings and using the time to try and join some groups where you can meet new friends.

 

There is loads of info out there, best thing is to start early so you know what is on offer.

 

Good luck !

[techcs]

Hey, I'm going on my own.. Just going to pack a suitcase or two and go... I'll house share for a month or so then get place...

 

I'm having good days where I can't wait and bad days when I think I'm crazy for even thinking about....

 

So I guess we'll see if I actually make it or not

 

Col

[Jad]

Hi guys,

 

Firstly CShowell what a great post!

 

I too am leaving for a life down under this Thursday and I too am having really mixed emotions. Like techcs says one day I cant wait and the next really apprehensive and what the hell was I thinking! What makes it even worse is that I've just come out of a 5 year relationship to do this. So there really isn't a lot of pressure at all!! What I don't want is have regrets for the rest of my life. I know if I don't at least try it I will. If I'd have stayed there would have been a lot of resentment! You only get one life and that's it! I'm heading Perth way. I Just hope its not too quiet...

 

 

 

[Guest Rbecca]

I moved here on my own five years ago. The first year was very hard and very expensive as didn't have a job to come to and spent time looking for jobs and working part time for peanuts. It's very hard to make friends when you are not working too.

i brought a lot of references with me from past employers, the bank, paid utility bills, bank statement, and even my priest! This was really useful when I went to rent somewhere to live.

after I got a full time job, things came together very quickly. After visiting the UK over this last Christmas I can definitely say that I did the right thing moving here - even on my own.

Take a chance, it's worth it!

[starlight7]

Sometimes when you are on your own it is easier to fit in and make friends than if you are part of a family or couple. People seem to go out of their way to talk to you and give you advice whereas they think you don't need any help if there are 2 of you. Good luck - sure you will be fine though not sure that Perth would be your best option.

[seansparkle]

I will be moving on my own (timing it for about 18 months time) to Melbourne, mainly because I have a good friend there with a large group of friends and family!

The way I see it, if you go with a partner you may become a bit insular and not really go out of your way to make friends.

I like to think I'm quite a sociable person but can be a bit nervous about making friends, but unless you go out there and try you're going to end up sitting in your bedsit lonely and wondering what you're doing on the other side of the planet!

I think it's essential to get bank, transport and job sorted from the UK, even if it's a temporary or contract role, otherwise it will be a very tough settling in period.

Yes, it can be a scary idea, but I look at it as an adventure. If I don't like it, or things don't work out I'll come back, but at least I'll have tried!

[jasonorange]

I'm moving to Sydney by myself, but I do have the advantage of already having a job placement and a 457 sponsored visa.

I think most people do a 'reccie' first to get an idea of the places they'd like to live/work and then come back to UK to figure out the logistics of moving over there. In my case my job was advertised in a trade magazine over here, so I replied to that and now I'm waiting for my visa application to be processed.

House/flatshare is my preferred choice for housing to begin with until I get settled and then I'll see what options are available for getting my own place.

I guess the only advice I can give is to take as much money as you can. Think of a number and treble it; Australia is a hideously expensive place to be if you don't have a job.

Good luck!

[JonnoA]

Moving over on my Jack Jones...probably in early March.

 

Got a job offer though, but not too worried. You will meet people naturally when you're over alone and won't have to keep to your "traditional" mates.

 

Jobs should be ok to find when you meet people...just network and advertise your talents / qualifications. Make sure you're ready for the expense too.

 

But most of all, if it makes sense, don't think about it too much...worst case scenario you've got a quality story to tell when you arrive back home!

[bladesandfloss]

Hi elp12

 

I will be moving to Australia on my own in April of this year. I applied for a permanent residency visa (175) in June 2012 (just before the change to SkillSelect), having never been to Australia before, and was fortunate enough to have had it granted in August 2012. I did a whirlwind 'reccie' in Australia at Christmas (stayed for 2 weeks and visited Melbourne, Sydney and Perth). I loved Melbourne so have picked this as a starting point but beyond that I haven't really got a clue.

 

I don't have a job yet but I am a qualified teacher and have registered with a couple of agencies. I've also requested references from all previous employers and I'm lucky enough to have quite an eclectic mix of jobs on my CV so hopefully I have a few back up employment options in the meantime.

 

Before I went on holiday at Christmas I opened a bank account with NAB's migration team (applied online) and was able to collect my bank cards on arrival which made my stay easier. I also bought a mobile phone SIM card, registered with Medicare and interviewed with a teaching recruitment agency.

 

I plan on using Couchsurfing/Airbnb for the first week or so and to search for accommodation and work early on. Arranging transport is another priority; when I arrive will be to convert to an Australian Driver's License as I didn't get a chance to do this whilst visiting at Christmas.

 

I have created a blog too. The main reason for this was to help me sell all my belongings as I don't plan on taking more than a suitcase or two with me but I've also been using it to tell my story and chart the process I'm going through. I did this in a bid to help others as, like you, I've found it hard to find people going it alone. Check my blog out if you get a chance, it's called Rollerblades and dental floss.... It's been quite cathartic to write it all down too, it's helped me to remind myself why I'm taking this crazy leap when I start to doubt the decision I've made! I'll use the blog eventually to help me keep friends and family in the UK up to date with my "adventures".

 

I hope this helps. I've personally found it comforting to read about the plans and experiences of everyone who have commented to this thread so far, so thank you!