Please help. Should I move to Melbourne from UK ?

[speedy1972]

Hi All

 

This is my first post in the forum, and after a sleepless night (well quite a few in fact) I am looking for some help and constructive advice from the wider world.

 

I am going to pour out my heart and thoughts and be completely honest and open so that I can hopefully receive some helpful comments on If I should take the plunge or not. I would appreciate anyone who can take the time to read this and offer some advice.

 

The Job situation :-

 

About 2 months ago I was given an opportunity by a previous UK employer to move to Melbourne - although employed by an Australian company.

I am in sales and the role would be to promote and sell a product made in the UK and imported to Australia within the building and construction sector all over Australia and parts of New Zealand. This is a product I have prior specialist knowledge of and hence the opportunity. The likelihood is that I will be working from an office in Melbourne but the job would involve extensive travel and many nights away from home. The visa is a sponsored visa (457).

 

I have been offered a relocation package of $7k, salary of $90+super and $17k annual car allowance. Current salary in the UK is £48k + company car and working from a home office. Therefore, the Australian Salary is equivalent to £53k UK salary. Most nights in UK I am at home but some european travel on occasion. My wife is settled in her UK job and earns approx £25k per annum. She would be giving up a long term job in the UK also - and therefore without a job to begin with in Australia.

 

I enjoy my current job in the UK, great boss and people, and a recent promotion to Business Manager from Sales Executive which is great.

 

Apart from a Skype interview I have never met the people I will be working for. One more concern to the pile.

 

The Salary in Australia is not a big step forward compared to current salary so I do have some concerns regards to living costs as I do not currently live in a city. Rental opportunities might be limited with pets and what quality of property might we end up in ?

 

However, the challenge of a new role, a new country and life is exciting......but for how long would the excitement last ?

 

 

The UK Home life

 

I am married (no Children) but we do have two cats, which we couldn't leave behind and they would cost a small fortune to take (about £5k !)

I wasn't a cat person 4 years ago, but been converted so all you non cat lovers out there, I can understand if you think me and my wife are crazy for even considering spending £5k on taking them to Australia. They are part of our family though. my wife and I are 40.

We own our own 4 bed detached home (or should I say - the bank does) - and we live in a nice part of the UK, near a big castle, the river Avon and a theatre where some bloke called Shakespeare was/is famous ;-). As UK places go, we are happy here, but always long for the beach as I was brought up as a child on the south coast (Poole). We would rent our house in the UK to begin with.

 

On my side, family is relatively small, but parents are still around and my wife's family are quite close by. I have no brothers or sisters.

For me therefore, I would miss my parents but there isn't a real social or family hold on me in the UK. Most of my close friends are no longer close by and live in different parts of the UK. I would also miss my wife's family although not quite in the same way.

 

So - What to do and final thoughts ?

Although my wife is anxious and nervous, she is very supportive of the move. She has visited Australia on holiday (loves the place) and has some relatives over there but not especially close ones. I have never been to Australia so a complete leap of faith and can only go on what I read and see on the internet and the opinions of others.

 

I enjoy the outdoor life, cycling in the UK and we both try to keep fit and go to the gym and swim as often as possible around work commitments.

Therefore the outdoor life attitude in Australia sounds great - but with the job and travel, exactly how much free time will i have to spend time at home with my wife, enjoy Melbourne, go out on the bike, swim in the sea etc. Maybe a lot, but totally unknown right now.

 

I enjoy just about any sport - but I have absolutely no interest in Cricket and I don't follow rugby (except for the world cup), and I have no idea what Aussie Rules football is all about. Although I don't regularly go to games in the UK (perhaps 3 Liverpool games each year) I think I will miss the premier league. Is that weird or stupid and does it make any difference. I talk a lot about sports in the job I do (mostly football), and concerned that I wont have this same connection or passion in Australia with the 3 most popular Australian sports that I have no interest in. I love motor racing though, but not quite the same is it. Perhaps I can learn to Love Aussie rule rootball, who knows.

 

I am concerned about leaving a good career in the UK and making a massive mistake. On the flip side is this the opportunity of a lifetime and should we take the risk ?. Perhaps only we can answer that one. Sending my cats by container is a major worry (apart from the expense) and not something I would want to do again in the other direction if things don't work out.

 

What about the healthcare cover. Yikes - Just been quoted about $180 every two weeks for family cover...and that includes a corporate discount.

 

Then theres the visa cost - not covered by the company which is going to set me back about £1200 for both of us.

 

Am I over thinking all of this, or is it just coming to a head. I suppose its not something I was looking for and something that came looking for me and in all the chaos, not had the time to fully consider everything over a long period like many do.

 

If I go, I really don't wish to be a 'whinging pom' as they say, and if I go its going to be all or nothing.

 

Feel the world is on my shoulders right now. PLEASE HELP !:wacko:

[Sammy1]

It sounds like you have a great job and life in the UK. Maybe try coming here for a holiday first to see if you even like Melbourne.

[speedy1972]

Thanks for the reply. I would love to come over on holiday first, but I don't have the time to do that, and was under a little pressure to accept the job after receiving the offer.

Literally 3 days to consider it, and no longer as they had someone else in the wings. I have not received an official contract yet, but accepted the job in principe based on visa acceptance. A two week holiday in Melbourne (or even a week) would help make up my mind one way or the other, but time is against me. They need someone to start pretty soon and all my holidays have been taken in the UK earlier in the year. Typical.

[Sammy1]

I think $7k is a very small relocation package and it's a little cheeky of them to want you to pay all visa costs, especially considering they have offered the job to you.

 

I am sure some people will come along that have undertaken the 457 visa and perhaps are living in Melbourne.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide to do though.

[scuffythetugboat]

Personally I would not be rushed into such a very big decision. If I was out of work or was about to be put off it might be a different story. If you have a good life in the UK why do you want to come over here and possibly make a mistake? 457 visa's can be cancelled, I've seen it happen where I work and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Best of luck with your decision.

[speedy1972]

I thought $7k was perhaps a bit low for a relocation package although maybe some consideration to the fact we don't have any children.

I cannot expect the business to pay for our cats transportation costs though, although they alone take up the entire budget.

I dont know exact cost for shipping furniture over yet, but we were planning to sell a lot of things prior to going.

I estimate that it might cost a total £12k sterling ($20,000 aus) for flights, cats and furniture. Thats a lot of money when they are only covering £4k sterling That's £8000 out of my pocket + visa cost which is another £1200. Puts another slant on things - but perhaps they are looking for some commitment from my side to the move also.

[fifi69]

Apart from getting to experience living in a different country I can't see any other pros for making the move.

 

sounds like you've got it good where you are, personally I wouldn't risk it.

 

your wife may be unable to find work that could be made worse by you being away from home a lot.

[speedy1972]

Apart from getting to experience living in a different country I can't see any other pros for making the move.

 

sounds like you've got it good where you are, personally I wouldn't risk it.

 

your wife may be unable to find work that could be made worse by you being away from home a lot.

 

 

 

I fully understand. I just hear so many great things about Australia. The weather, the work attitudes, the outdoor life, friendly people....the beaches !.

Perhaps the reality is different, and working and living somewhere is very different to being on holiday I know.

 

A big concern is the regret we may have at not making the move 10 years from now - but then it could be a bigger regret at leaving a job I like in the UK (+ the expense and trauma) for something that could turn out bad later on.

 

Until recently I was up for this big time. Even sold my beloved piano. Maybe I am going through a bad patch - or reality of the situation is finally kicking in.

[CML1410]

I fully understand. I just hear so many great things about Australia. The weather, the work attitudes, the outdoor life, friendly people....the beaches !.

Perhaps the reality is different, and working and living somewhere is very different to being on holiday I know.

 

A big concern is the regret we may have at not making the move 10 years from now - but then it could be a bigger regret at leaving a job I like in the UK (+ the expense and trauma) for something that could turn out bad later on.

 

Until recently I was up for this big time. Even sold my beloved piano. Maybe I am going through a bad patch - or reality of the situation is finally kicking in.

 

Hey speedy1972, IMO you can be the only one that decides this!

 

You have to go with your heart and your gut instinct on something like this. You know what life is like for you in the UK (and it sounds very good) if you stay there you will continue to have a good life. You could take a chance on Oz and have a great life there too -- only you and your wife can decide on this really. Get your heads together over a bottle of wine or two -- write out all the pros and cons and then compare notes and see if that can help you make a decision!!

 

 

 

Just as a thought have you tried reading all the posts on the Melbourne forum here to get a feel for Melbourne good or bad!?

 

Best of luck whatever you decide.

 

Carmel

[speedy1972]

Thanks Carmel. You are right. A bottle of wine....or six might be in order tonight !. I need a good sleep for a start.

I have looked at the Melbourne forum and but not in any great detail.

Whats killing me right now is trying to concentrate on my current job with all this going on. Very difficult.

[mikearkwright]

Get it done!! What is it they say, "regret the things you've done, not the things you haven't"

[rammygirl]

not sure how you are working the salary equivalent out. You can't just use current exchange rate as that varies all the time. To get an equivalent spending power there as cost of living is high you need somewhere between 2 and 2.5 times $ to £.

 

So £48k = $96-$120 would be the range to look for. Super on top will add a bit so you are not far off but not better off really.

 

Also I would want a PR visa to relocate, are they promising that later? Time to process not vastly different I would ask for a ENS visa.

[Kezzles]

Hey

like Carmel suggests pros and cons and wine should help. I feel for you as I have a great life fab job and great salary here too and when you reach 40 do you want to give all of that up and start again?? Well if you don't then you may one day kick yourself? I've always had travel bug and yearned to live abroad, I spent a year living and working in oz many years ago. My brother moved last year and hasn't looked back! I may live to regret moving but hey ho what's worst that can happen you look back laugh and say at least I gave it a go!!!! Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[ItchyFeet76]

Whilst I agree with Mikearkwright (that's also our motto!) you have to ask yourself at what cost are you prepared to 'try it'. Could you maybe find another company who would either pay you more, pay your visa costs and / or afford you less time away from home so your quality of life over there would be greater and you'd have more time to enjoy it all? I'm a bit confused by your figures but I just know that you need to earn 2.2xUK wage (£) in $$$s to have the same standard of living as you do in the UK. So if you currently earn £48k + car (say £5k at a guess?) then that's 53 x 2.2 which equates to $116'600. This is due to the high cost of living Down Under.

 

Maybe as a compromise (and to save money) you could find a loving (temporary) home for your cats whilst you're away (e.g. with your parents or other family members)? This way you would know they would be well cared-for, you would have £5k extra to take with you (or £5k less debt - whichever!) and the pleasure of being reunited with your cats when you do return a few years down the line. You would save money on their expenses, too (cat food, innoculations, insurance, vet's bills, etc.) and it would probably be kinder to not have them endure an awfully long flight to a foreign country filled with nasty things that can hurt them (I know how playful cats can be but spiders might not want to play!).

 

Also, why would you be looking at family health insurance if it is just yourself and your wife? Not to mention the fact that you would only need it for the first month or so, until your Medicare card comes through. You would just need Ambo cover.

 

Re: renting your property out - have you spoken to your mortgage lender yet? We spoke to ours (Nationwide) and they said that we would have to pay an extra 1.5% per month on top of each of our current mortgages if we are renting it out. Also, if one of our mortgages (we have 3 on the one house!) comes to an end whilst we are away then we cannot fix it again - it would revert to the base rate. You can only fix rates whilst you are actually living in the house. So if your mortgage rate is 3% then it would be 4.5% whilst you're renting your house out. Also factor in the management fee of whatever estate agency you may use (say 10% of your monthly rent). Plus a contingency fund for any repairs that may be needed in your absence, and a nice lump sum incase your tenants walk out without notice and you can't rent it for a while.

 

If it's any consolation, we currently don't have any savings whatsoever and are praying we get a decent relocation package. We'll be out of debt by September hopefully, and will try to put money aside for our rental contingency fund. We won't need to pay tax on the rental profit as there won't be any (the rent won't even cover our mortgage thanks to the extra 1.5% - cheers Nationwide!), plus one of our mortgages is interest-only so that's another worry for us as we won't be able to afford to pay any off it until we've amassed some savings!

 

Just wanted to reassure you that, although it seems daunting and like a whole heap of stress you could do without, plenty of people still make the move (we're hoping to - assuming we get a decent offer / package), and as somebody very wise once said - "It's better to regret the things you've done than those you haven't". ;-)

 

I-F

[CML1410]

Thanks Carmel. You are right. A bottle of wine....or six might be in order tonight !. I need a good sleep for a start.

I have looked at the Melbourne forum and but not in any great detail.

Whats killing me right now is trying to concentrate on my current job with all this going on. Very difficult.

 

Best of luck with your decision speedy!! Keep us posted on what you decide :biggrin:

 

Also remember it is a great opportunity you have been given -- some of us on here are having to spend months going through a long, comple, confusing process to even try to get a visa with no guarantee of work at the end so it is fab that you have managed to circumvent that!!

 

My family moved to Ireland from London seven years ago and we have made some lovely friends here (took us about 3 years to make friends) but frankly we hate it -- just rains constantly and all the Irish do is drink!! We are now looking to go to Oz for a better life for our 3 LO's -- its a massive decision but my gut instinct says go for it and also I can't go back to UK not after that machete attack on that poor soldier!! I suppose what I am trying to say is that life is for living, if you make a mistake (which we did coming to Ireland although I have some lovely memories -- usually involving lots of baby guiness!!) you just pick yourself up and move on to the next thing. So go with your gut and enjoy making the decision!!

 

Best wishes Carmel

[speedy1972]

Best of luck with your decision speedy!! Keep us posted on what you decide :biggrin:

 

Also remember it is a great opportunity you have been given -- some of us on here are having to spend months going through a long, comple, confusing process to even try to get a visa with no guarantee of work at the end so it is fab that you have managed to circumvent that!!

 

My family moved to Ireland from London seven years ago and we have made some lovely friends here (took us about 3 years to make friends) but frankly we hate it -- just rains constantly and all the Irish do is drink!! We are now looking to go to Oz for a better life for our 3 LO's -- its a massive decision but my gut instinct says go for it and also I can't go back to UK not after that machete attack on that poor soldier!! I suppose what I am trying to say is that life is for living, if you make a mistake (which we did coming to Ireland although I have some lovely memories -- usually involving lots of baby guiness!!) you just pick yourself up and move on to the next thing. So go with your gut and enjoy making the decision!!

 

Best wishes Carmel

 

 

The irish Guinness. I too have fond memories in Ireland for work and pleasure.

I like the irish a lot.

 

Yes I know it a good opportunity and a fast track in some ways that I have on offer. I do feel for others who are struggling to get over without a job etc.

Hats off to anyone who does that. Not a chance I could do that personally now although maybe if i was younger.

 

I do love to travel and see places and do travel a lot at the moment with work to places like Finland, Italy, Germany, Turkey and once a year to USA.

However, although I there is a lot of places I haven't been (including Australia ironically) I have never been anywhere in the world (holiday or work) that I would rather live over the UK. I suppose its home although with all its faults I still like it here. I cant say I have been yearning to move to Australia until this opportunity arose - which is making the decision much harder. If I hated my current job, again the decision would be easier to make.

 

Thanks for the comments.

[speedy1972]

Get it done!! What is it they say, "regret the things you've done, not the things you haven't"

 

its a great quote and one that I totally agree with.

 

Slightly different, but what about that other quote...........'The grass is not always greener' :-)

 

although...... but the beaches are great !

[Rupert]

I don't see any compelling reason to move in what you have written, but that is not to say I would rule it out just yet. The relocation package is pretty poor, especially considering that you were headhunted and the salary is so-so too. Certainly it is a backwards step from £48k in the UK in the area you mention, you will feel worse off I believe. Sounds like you are sporty and make the most if outdoors now, so you will in Australia too, because that is all about the individual, we don't become a different person on the flight over. I roll my eyes at the couch potatoes who think moving to Australia will get them to the gym or onto a bicycle :biggrin:

 

The only reason I can see for why you might take this opportunity would be if you have always wanted to live in Australia for a few years for the life experience and if you are prepared to take a financial hit in order to do that. Certainly we are financially worse off here than we would be in the UK, but we like travel and adventure so it was a trade off we were happy with.

 

Don't make a decision as important as this on the back of the old "regret the things you do blah blah" cliche. Every decision you make is doing something and it could be easy to deeply regret making the move, just as much as not.

[speedy1972]

I don't see any compelling reason to move in what you have written, but that is not to say I would rule it out just yet. The relocation package is pretty poor, especially considering that you were headhunted and the salary is so-so too. Certainly it is a backwards step from £48k in the UK in the area you mention, you will feel worse off I believe. Sounds like you are sporty and make the most if outdoors now, so you will in Australia too, because that is all about the individual, we don't become a different person on the flight over. I roll my eyes at the couch potatoes who think moving to Australia will get them to the gym or onto a bicycle :biggrin:

 

The only reason I can see for why you might take this opportunity would be if you have always wanted to live in Australia for a few years for the life experience and if you are prepared to take a financial hit in order to do that. Certainly we are financially worse off here than we would be in the UK, but we like travel and adventure so it was a trade off we were happy with.

 

Don't make a decision as important as this on the back of the old "regret the things you do blah blah" cliche. Every decision you make is doing something and it could be easy to deeply regret making the move, just as much as not.

 

 

 

Great Post. Many thanks for taking the time to reply. Some good sound advice.

[CrozierFamily]

If an employer is proactively trying to headhunt you to go to Australia, I think the least you should expect is for them to cover essential costs for the move. I agree maybe not the cats, but everything else should be covered by them and $7k will not strectch far at all.

 

Normally sales jobs are a base plus a bonus, is this not the case with this role? If there is a bonus structure obviously if you perform well you could do better, but like others have mentioned here, I do not think you would get the same standard of living you are getting in Stratford for the salary they are offering especially as your wife will have to give up her job. Apparently the spouses of the main 457 visa holders can find it more tricky to find work, given they could have to leave the country very quickly if you were to get fired. That may be another factor to consider.

 

Personally I would go back to them and tell them that if they want you (and you do mention you have specialist expertise), they need to offer you a PR, pay all reasonable costs and provide a salary commensurate with what you get in the UK. I wouldn't be afraid to do this either as it is perfectly acceptable for you to back and make your own thoughts known on what it would take to make you consider a very big change like that.

 

Basically if they want you they should not be making you be disadvantaged by the move and if I am honest their offer sounds somewhat derisory.

[speedy1972]

If an employer is proactively trying to headhunt you to go to Australia, I think the least you should expect is for them to cover essential costs for the move. I agree maybe not the cats, but everything else should be covered by them and $7k will not strectch far at all.

 

Normally sales jobs are a base plus a bonus, is this not the case with this role? If there is a bonus structure obviously if you perform well you could do better, but like others have mentioned here, I do not think you would get the same standard of living you are getting in Stratford for the salary they are offering especially as your wife will have to give up her job. Apparently the spouses of the main 457 visa holders can find it more tricky to find work, given they could have to leave the country very quickly if you were to get fired. That may be another factor to consider.

 

Personally I would go back to them and tell them that if they want you (and you do mention you have specialist expertise), they need to offer you a PR, pay all reasonable costs and provide a salary commensurate with what you get in the UK. I wouldn't be afraid to do this either as it is perfectly acceptable for you to back and make your own thoughts known on what it would take to make you consider a very big change like that.

 

Basically if they want you they should not be making you be disadvantaged by the move and if I am honest their offer sounds somewhat derisory.

 

 

Thanks for your comments. I am seriously considering to approach them to request more for the relocation and also the base salary. Yes there is a bonus structure on top but only 10% and not guaranteed whatsoever. The PR was something I suggested early on but they wanted me to do the 457.

It was all pretty quick decision making at the time, but the more I learn as time goes on, I am beginning to think it wasn't such a good deal after all. It's a massive decision and I am after a better standard of life if I go, not the opposite. Thanks again, this is all helping.

[rosiew]

I think you need to make a decision based on the assumption that your wife may not find a job. That would lead to a really decreased standard of living. On the figures, I would only do it if you really want to come to live here at any cost, or they can guarantee you your old job back if you change you mind, and at the expiration of the 457.

[VERYSTORMY]

Personally, I would not in your circumstances. The salary would be a significant drop in living standards. The partners of 457 holders can have problems finding work - a lot of employers are not keen on them as they are on a temp visa.

There is no guarantee you will be here longer than the length of the 457 - normally 4 years. How will you stand career wise landing back in the UK in 4 years time needing to find a job? Or, potentially a lot sooner if you were to lose your job in Oz.

 

The relocation package is very poor. Your not going to be able to ship your things on the budget, so would be looking at paying for that or buying everything here. Expensive.

[Guest Ptp113]

Hi All

 

This is my first post in the forum, and after a sleepless night (well quite a few in fact) I am looking for some help and constructive advice from the wider world.

 

I am going to pour out my heart and thoughts and be completely honest and open so that I can hopefully receive some helpful comments on If I should take the plunge or not. I would appreciate anyone who can take the time to read this and offer some advice.

 

The Job situation :-

 

About 2 months ago I was given an opportunity by a previous UK employer to move to Melbourne - although employed by an Australian company.

I am in sales and the role would be to promote and sell a product made in the UK and imported to Australia within the building and construction sector all over Australia and parts of New Zealand. This is a product I have prior specialist knowledge of and hence the opportunity. The likelihood is that I will be working from an office in Melbourne but the job would involve extensive travel and many nights away from home. The visa is a sponsored visa (457).

 

I have been offered a relocation package of $7k, salary of $90+super and $17k annual car allowance. Current salary in the UK is £48k + company car and working from a home office. Therefore, the Australian Salary is equivalent to £53k UK salary. Most nights in UK I am at home but some european travel on occasion. My wife is settled in her UK job and earns approx £25k per annum. She would be giving up a long term job in the UK also - and therefore without a job to begin with in Australia.

 

I enjoy my current job in the UK, great boss and people, and a recent promotion to Business Manager from Sales Executive which is great.

 

Apart from a Skype interview I have never met the people I will be working for. One more concern to the pile.

 

The Salary in Australia is not a big step forward compared to current salary so I do have some concerns regards to living costs as I do not currently live in a city. Rental opportunities might be limited with pets and what quality of property might we end up in ?

 

However, the challenge of a new role, a new country and life is exciting......but for how long would the excitement last ?

 

 

The UK Home life

 

I am married (no Children) but we do have two cats, which we couldn't leave behind and they would cost a small fortune to take (about £5k !)

I wasn't a cat person 4 years ago, but been converted so all you non cat lovers out there, I can understand if you think me and my wife are crazy for even considering spending £5k on taking them to Australia. They are part of our family though. my wife and I are 40.

We own our own 4 bed detached home (or should I say - the bank does) - and we live in a nice part of the UK, near a big castle, the river Avon and a theatre where some bloke called Shakespeare was/is famous ;-). As UK places go, we are happy here, but always long for the beach as I was brought up as a child on the south coast (Poole). We would rent our house in the UK to begin with.

 

On my side, family is relatively small, but parents are still around and my wife's family are quite close by. I have no brothers or sisters.

For me therefore, I would miss my parents but there isn't a real social or family hold on me in the UK. Most of my close friends are no longer close by and live in different parts of the UK. I would also miss my wife's family although not quite in the same way.

 

So - What to do and final thoughts ?

Although my wife is anxious and nervous, she is very supportive of the move. She has visited Australia on holiday (loves the place) and has some relatives over there but not especially close ones. I have never been to Australia so a complete leap of faith and can only go on what I read and see on the internet and the opinions of others.

 

I enjoy the outdoor life, cycling in the UK and we both try to keep fit and go to the gym and swim as often as possible around work commitments.

Therefore the outdoor life attitude in Australia sounds great - but with the job and travel, exactly how much free time will i have to spend time at home with my wife, enjoy Melbourne, go out on the bike, swim in the sea etc. Maybe a lot, but totally unknown right now.

 

I enjoy just about any sport - but I have absolutely no interest in Cricket and I don't follow rugby (except for the world cup), and I have no idea what Aussie Rules football is all about. Although I don't regularly go to games in the UK (perhaps 3 Liverpool games each year) I think I will miss the premier league. Is that weird or stupid and does it make any difference. I talk a lot about sports in the job I do (mostly football), and concerned that I wont have this same connection or passion in Australia with the 3 most popular Australian sports that I have no interest in. I love motor racing though, but not quite the same is it. Perhaps I can learn to Love Aussie rule rootball, who knows.

 

I am concerned about leaving a good career in the UK and making a massive mistake. On the flip side is this the opportunity of a lifetime and should we take the risk ?. Perhaps only we can answer that one. Sending my cats by container is a major worry (apart from the expense) and not something I would want to do again in the other direction if things don't work out.

 

What about the healthcare cover. Yikes - Just been quoted about $180 every two weeks for family cover...and that includes a corporate discount.

 

Then theres the visa cost - not covered by the company which is going to set me back about £1200 for both of us.

 

Am I over thinking all of this, or is it just coming to a head. I suppose its not something I was looking for and something that came looking for me and in all the chaos, not had the time to fully consider everything over a long period like many do.

 

If I go, I really don't wish to be a 'whinging pom' as they say, and if I go its going to be all or nothing.

 

Feel the world is on my shoulders right now. PLEASE HELP !:wacko:

 

NO! If you have to come on an internet forum to ask this then you obviously lack the conviction to make it work. Go somewhere for a holiday and get it out of your system.

[akiralx]

Personally, I would not in your circumstances. The salary would be a significant drop in living standards. The partners of 457 holders can have problems finding work - a lot of employers are not keen on them as they are on a temp visa.

There is no guarantee you will be here longer than the length of the 457 - normally 4 years. How will you stand career wise landing back in the UK in 4 years time needing to find a job? Or, potentially a lot sooner if you were to lose your job in Oz.

 

The relocation package is very poor. Your not going to be able to ship your things on the budget, so would be looking at paying for that or buying everything here. Expensive.

 

I agree 100% - I would not do it based on what you (the OP) have said. Only come to Aus if there is at least one aspect of your UK life you are profoundly dissatisfied with - and it doesn't look like there is. Financially the deal is not worth it to begin with: I earned only 29,000 UKP in the UK and now $65,000 +bonus here and am no better off so you would be worse off by a long way. Plus the relocation package is woeful.

 

Don't believe that living in Melbourne is like inhabiting the Garden of Eden - it's a great city but I'm no happier here than I was in the northern UK, mainly owing to the lack of a social circle (remember, every single person you know in the UK would be on the other side of the world).

 

Stay where you are, enjoy life, and come to Australia on holidays.