Family of 4, do we take the plunge?

[vickyplum]

Actually it does include bank holidays if an employer wants. So I actually get more in Oz than my last employer in London

 

I always got 25 days + bank holidays. I seem to recall that the statutory minimum is 20 days holiday + bank holidays, with public/education sector generally bring more generous with around 27+ days holiday.

[NicoleWalt]

You seem to be very centred on the weather. I do wonder if you realise that most of Australia gets a winter as well? That it will rain, be cold and grey. The exception being areas such as Darwin which is tropical so gets a dry and wet season.

 

In my personal experience, people who are outdoors in the UK will be outdoors in Oz, but people who are not outdoors in the UK very rarely become outdoors people in Oz. It doesn't give some magic transformation. Hence why Oz kids are some of the least outdoors / most sedentary in the world.

 

Most importantly though, you need to concentrate on visas and job opportunities for you both. For example, you mention you have a diploma, but, do you have other qualifications as to register as a teacher you will need 4 years of university education. I would also look at your husbands occupation carefully. We have had members of the Perth forum who are in the same occupation that have had to return to the UK due to lack of work.

 

Yes I am definitely focused on the weather. We live in the North of England in a Valley, we are lucky if we get a week of nice weather a year (defined as sunshine with clouds and a top temp of 23 degrees) we get lots and I mean lots of rain and it gets pretty cold, snowy and icy in winter. So whilst I'm aware seasons exist everywhere, I think anything is an improvement on this?!

 

I have seen there is a 'Down Under' event in Birmingham in October which allows you to meet employers and gain more information with regards to Job prospects and options so this would be something useful for us I think.

 

As well as being a qualified engineer my husband initially trained as a car mechanic so we also have that to fall back on.

 

I have worked in nursery schools so would be happy to return to that or as a teaching assistant in a school if need be and progress as I have here.

[calNgary]

The weather is definately better here than up north,lol, you will love it.

 

Cal x

[NicoleWalt]

The weather is definately better here than up north,lol, you will love it.

 

Cal x

 

I see you are originally from Bury, we are in sunny Burnley, I don't think people even in the UK can understand how dreary the weather is unless they have lived here! Ha.

[VERYSTORMY]

Yes I am definitely focused on the weather. We live in the North of England in a Valley, we are lucky if we get a week of nice weather a year (defined as sunshine with clouds and a top temp of 23 degrees) we get lots and I mean lots of rain and it gets pretty cold, snowy and icy in winter. So whilst I'm aware seasons exist everywhere, I think anything is an improvement on this?!

 

I have seen there is a 'Down Under' event in Birmingham in October which allows you to meet employers and gain more information with regards to Job prospects and options so this would be something useful for us I think.

 

As well as being a qualified engineer my husband initially trained as a car mechanic so we also have that to fall back on.

 

I have worked in nursery schools so would be happy to return to that or as a teaching assistant in a school if need be and progress as I have here.

 

I grew up in the north east - Middlesbrough - so, yes, I know it can get cold and wet. But, trust me, a 40c day will send you running indoors to sit under an air conditioner just as much as a 4c day.

 

Remember, people don't just sit on a beach all day. You will be working in it. Working probably longer hours, particularly at first as you establish careers. Australians work very hard and long. Some of the longest working weeks in the developed world.

 

What I found was the weather was amazing at first. The fist summer I thought it was incredible. Christmas Day was 40c and we went to the beach and watched Santa arrive by jet ski. But, as the years went on and the novelty wore off, I found myself dreading the summer.

 

Spring was nice, but, even then, I realised the things I loved doing I couldn't do. For example, we are very big fans of walking in the countryside with the dog. But, you can't just bumble off track because of snakes, you can't take dogs to national parks and other areas are often baited with poison meat to kill foxes.

 

I think what I am saying is this; Do research, as lots of questions and keep an open mind. Don't just think "more sunshine = better life. Try to keep things in perspective and balance things such as careers, finances, personal life and everything.

 

Australia has has many great aspects but, like anywhere many negatives and what is a positive or negative will vary by person. You need to understand how these will play for you and your family. Do not get too caught up on single issues such as weather.

[LKC]

We're in Sydney (so bear that in mind), but it rains far more than it did in the east of England, which is where we are from. However, whilst the mm of rain is more, it seems to rain all at once, so we get a couple of days (or even a week) of torrential rain, followed by weeks of beautiful sunshine.

[NicoleWalt]

I grew up in the north east - Middlesbrough - so, yes, I know it can get cold and wet. But, trust me, a 40c day will send you running indoors to sit under an air conditioner just as much as a 4c day.

 

Remember, people don't just sit on a beach all day. You will be working in it. Working probably longer hours, particularly at first as you establish careers. Australians work very hard and long. Some of the longest working weeks in the developed world.

 

What I found was the weather was amazing at first. The fist summer I thought it was incredible. Christmas Day was 40c and we went to the beach and watched Santa arrive by jet ski. But, as the years went on and the novelty wore off, I found myself dreading the summer.

 

Spring was nice, but, even then, I realised the things I loved doing I couldn't do. For example, we are very big fans of walking in the countryside with the dog. But, you can't just bumble off track because of snakes, you can't take dogs to national parks and other areas are often baited with poison meat to kill foxes.

 

I think what I am saying is this; Do research, as lots of questions and keep an open mind. Don't just think "more sunshine = better life. Try to keep things in perspective and balance things such as careers, finances, personal life and everything.

 

Australia has has many great aspects but, like anywhere many negatives and what is a positive or negative will vary by person. You need to understand how these will play for you and your family. Do not get too caught up on single issues such as weather.

 

Yes I appreciate what you are saying completely. I guess at this stage we are just gaining info to help us make an informed decision which is why I posted this thread. I am a realist and understand the negatives, I don't know anyone from our area who has emigrated and wanted to return though.

Usually with these forums like with anything it's only people who have a very good/very bad experience who then want to share it so I'm not necessarily getting a general view.

 

I think our next step with be the event in Birmingham and then we will take it from there with regards to making a decision.

[starlight7]

With your two backgrounds I reckon you'll be right . I would certainly give it a go if it were me. Despite what some say it is better for young kids here by a country mile. The attitude is better for a start and the kids seem to me to be much more friendly to each other and co-operative. It is quite noticeable ad I defy anyone to say anything different. As they get older a lot of young ones get this urge to go over to Europe and that seems to be the way of it- but the majority return.

[Bungo]

Yes I am definitely focused on the weather. We live in the North of England in a Valley, we are lucky if we get a week of nice weather a year (defined as sunshine with clouds and a top temp of 23 degrees) we get lots and I mean lots of rain and it gets pretty cold, snowy and icy in winter. So whilst I'm aware seasons exist everywhere, I think anything is an improvement on this?!

 

I have seen there is a 'Down Under' event in Birmingham in October which allows you to meet employers and gain more information with regards to Job prospects and options so this would be something useful for us I think.

 

As well as being a qualified engineer my husband initially trained as a car mechanic so we also have that to fall back on.

 

I have worked in nursery schools so would be happy to return to that or as a teaching assistant in a school if need be and progress as I have here.

 

You are focused to the point of obsession on weather though. You seem to think it is going to change your life, your outlook, make you more positive. Trust me, if weather in the UK keeps you inside then weather in Australia will. You are obviously just not an outdoorsy person - because loads of people in UK spend time on outdoor activities. Really they do.

 

And you are exagerating about the one week of nice weather and I know this as I am from a town less than ten miles away from you. When I moved to Sydney, I was depressed by the weather, I have never experienced so much rain in my life! It was a bad year in particular but even on a regular year many parts of Australia experience higher rainfall that many parts of the UK. And this is the kind of rain that will keep you indoors, not the UK kind where you can pull a face but then put your brolly or hood up and know it will stop in a little while.

 

You will almost certainly escape the extreme cold and snow though. Indeed the milder winter is the reason, that I would declare on balance that I prefer the Australian climate. But it isn't always easy to live in and it won't turn you into a more positive person (referencing some of your other comments)!

[NicoleWalt]

You are focused to the point of obsession on weather though. You seem to think it is going to change your life, your outlook, make you more positive. Trust me, if weather in the UK keeps you inside then weather in Australia will. You are obviously just not an outdoorsy person - because loads of people in UK spend time on outdoor activities. Really they do.

 

And you are exagerating about the one week of nice weather and I know this as I am from a town less than ten miles away from you. When I moved to Sydney, I was depressed by the weather, I have never experienced so much rain in my life! It was a bad year in particular but even on a regular year many parts of Australia experience higher rainfall that many parts of the UK. And this is the kind of rain that will keep you indoors, not the UK kind where you can pull a face but then put your brolly or hood up and know it will stop in a little while.

 

You will almost certainly escape the extreme cold and snow though. Indeed the milder winter is the reason, that I would declare on balance that I prefer the Australian climate. But it isn't always easy to live in and it won't turn you into a more positive person (referencing some of your other comments)!

 

Nicer person?! Not sure I said that hmmm?

 

What I said was that I feel we would have a more positive mindset.

 

On the 'few' days here when we do get nice weather we are more pro-active and have more energy so are more productive and work and make the most of our down time too. Yes this may because it's a novelty, but who knows?

 

I also never said we weren't outdoorsy people.

 

We walk, go bike riding and prefer to be outside than in, I don't however like being cold to the bone when out walking and getting soaked wet through- our dog however does!

 

On holidays abroad we walk for miles, eat outdoors, enjoy watching sports and playing them and love socialising with friends in the garden too.

[Quoll]

Gosh, remind me not to go up North - since being in Cambridge for the past 5 years I think I can count fewer than 10 times when I have wanted to walk/go out and do something, when I couldn't and I walk a lot. Sure, I do dress for the weather but am outside significantly more (like 40kg worth of exercise more!) than when I lived in Aus!

 

From a work (for you) point of view - teaching assistant jobs are hard to come by - they are one of the first luxuries to go when finances bite and are usually poorly paid and short term and given to people that are known (very popular with mums wanting a bit of pocket money when the kids are at school) so perhaps look at retraining in something else which might be better paid and with a few more options - even retail would be better.

 

I would dispute the "better for kids" meme - it's different but not inherently better. Kids still spend too much time on their Wiis and trawling the malls and though it might be marginally better watching a footie match in NSW than in Burnley there are downsides e.g. that kids grow up away from extended family, miss out on cultural differences across the Channel, parents have fewer holidays etc - swings and roundabouts really. There are some unattractive aspects like high levels of youth mental health problems and youth suicide along with high rates of youth unemployment. It would be an adventure but just essentially the same life that you have now - the cooker needs to be cleaned and the washing put out just the same.

 

You might do just as well by moving down to Hertfordshire (or anywhere south of The Wash) and it's not on the other side of the world! I will say, though, that the only one of my long term expat friends who would NOT move back in a heartbeat if they were able, was from Manchester so perhaps it is that part of the world that does it!

 

Edited to say - I see you don't want to live in a city -hmm, you do realise that most Aussies live in cities or the miles and miles of soul-less suburbs that surround them - and most aerospace work is going to be in cities which are expensive. A detached 4 bed on a good sized block may never again be possible for you especially in the bigger cities (where the work is).

 

Retirement - if you are in your 30s then you would have enough time (just) to build up a reasonable retirement income for your late 60s early 70s if you put in more than the minimum. The aim is to get Aussies to prepare for their own retirement instead of banking on benefits - like the current Centrelink age benefit which is means tested.

[Gbye grey sky]

Nicer person?! Not sure I said that hmmm?

 

What I said was that I feel we would have a more positive mindset.

 

On the 'few' days here when we do get nice weather we are more pro-active and have more energy so are more productive and work and make the most of our down time too. Yes this may because it's a novelty, but who knows?

 

I also never said we weren't outdoorsy people.

 

We walk, go bike riding and prefer to be outside than in, I don't however like being cold to the bone when out walking and getting soaked wet through- our dog however does!

 

On holidays abroad we walk for miles, eat outdoors, enjoy watching sports and playing them and love socialising with friends in the garden too.

 

You criticize the UK weather and big up the Oz climate at your peril on this forum lol.

 

Many people will just never get it that the UK climate is such a huge downer for some of us. I get you completely but I have friends in the UK who prefer the UK winter over the summer. That is fine for them but some of us really do function much better when it is hotter and sunnier.

 

I used to hate wasting a beautiful sunny day in England by being indoors. Here it is easy to become blasé about them as there are so many.

 

We don't even own a tumble dryer here, you can hang washing out to dry all year round. Small thing but.......

 

Summers are hot here in SE Queensland so we do different things. We kayak out in Moreton Bay, go to a beach or a pool for instance. Play tennis and golf all year round (but start very early in the morning in summer). April, May, October, November are almost perfect here in my book.

 

Our 12 year old daughter though is largely ambivalent about the change of climate. Kids simply adapt to their environment I feel and I haven't noticed that kids here are overall more or less outdoorsy than the kids were in the UK. The parents drive these things I think and if they are happier then their kids will be. I always say that if you want this for your own happiness then don't try justifying it by saying it is better for the kids. Do it for yourselves and if it makes you happier then family life will be better. Job done.

[Perthbum]

Thank you for your reply.

 

With regards to the mindset, we already have one where we want to be enjoying life and live in a nice area etc. The weather stops us doing lots of the things we would like to do and again in winter here we are coming to and from work in the dark and then stuck indoors or paying a fortune to do a family day out, away from the weather.

When I was in perth I went to work with the sun out "sometimes" and always came home in the dark...it gets darker much earlier on average in pert, I also found 6 days was the norm on building sites with Saturday mornings, and they just work longer hours in Oz than in the UK and the annual paid leave sucks.

[Perthbum]

I see you are originally from Bury, we are in sunny Burnley, I don't think people even in the UK can understand how dreary the weather is unless they have lived here! Ha.

Must be hell I live south Midlands and the summers have been great the last few years with very mild dry winters.

[ramot]

Nicer person?! Not sure I said that hmmm?

 

What I said was that I feel we would have a more positive mindset.

 

On the 'few' days here when we do get nice weather we are more pro-active and have more energy so are more productive and work and make the most of our down time too. Yes this may because it's a novelty, but who knows?

 

I also never said we weren't outdoorsy people.

 

We walk, go bike riding and prefer to be outside than in, I don't however like being cold to the bone when out walking and getting soaked wet through- our dog however does!

 

On holidays abroad we walk for miles, eat outdoors, enjoy watching sports and playing them and love socialising with friends in the garden too.

 

Don't worry, many posters don't read the whole thread, and also most react with their own experiences, some good some bad.

 

I can't comment about work because we retired to Australia, or other parts of Australia as we live in Qld on the Sunshine Coast, so will only talk about here, rather than make sweeping statements implying that all of Australia is the same.

Love the weather, not too many days that the weather stops us doing anything outside, be it walking swimming or golf in my husband's case. Yes summer is hot and humid, but the other 9 months are mostly gorgeous.

All the children seem to do do all the same sports as in UK, fabulous facilities here. One difference is seeing them cycling to school with their surf boards to hit the waves after school.

Life is different here, many miss their family, lots of us don't.

A lot of my family and friends have moved here from Africa, and as a result have started building up new generations here.

My cousin moved here, her parents joined them here as did her husband's parents, she has 3 children and 4 grandchildren, plus other family members here, so you can end up with extended family here, you might just be the one to start it.

We have great family get togethers, 17 here at Easter, including 2 of ours who followed us here met their partners and settled.

 

so what I am saying is it's up to you, either take the opportunity, give it a good go, or stay put and don't have regrets.

[Perthbum]

With your two backgrounds I reckon you'll be right . I would certainly give it a go if it were me. Despite what some say it is better for young kids here by a country mile. The attitude is better for a start and the kids seem to me to be much more friendly to each other and co-operative. It is quite noticeable ad I defy anyone to say anything different. As they get older a lot of young ones get this urge to go over to Europe and that seems to be the way of it- but the majority return.

Dont agree, I have seen both sides and I think as a South African the UK is better for kids AND EVEN BETTER THAN MY NATIVE AFRICA WHICH WAS AMAZING TO GROW UP IN, more to do and Europe on the doorstep with all the different cultures and cities.

[Perthbum]

Don't worry, many posters don't read the whole thread, and also most react with their own experiences, some good some bad.

 

I can't comment about work because we retired to Australia, or other parts of Australia as we live in Qld on the Sunshine Coast, so will only talk about here, rather than make sweeping statements implying that all of Australia is the same.

Love the weather, not too many days that the weather stops us doing anything outside, be it walking swimming or golf in my husband's case. Yes summer is hot and humid, but the other 9 months are mostly gorgeous.

All the children seem to do do all the same sports as in UK, fabulous facilities here. One difference is seeing them cycling to school with their surf boards to hit the waves after school.

Life is different here, many miss their family, lots of us don't.

A lot of my family and friends have moved here from Africa, and as a result have started building up new generations here.

My cousin moved here, her parents joined them here as did her husband's parents, she has 3 children and 4 grandchildren, plus other family members here, so you can end up with extended family here, you might just be the one to start it.

We have great family get togethers, 17 here at Easter, including 2 of ours who followed us here met their partners and settled.

 

so what I am saying is it's up to you, either take the opportunity, give it a good go, or stay put and don't have regrets.

Yes a lot of saffas have moved to Oz Canada and the UK after Mandela and the ANC got in, nothing really changed under Mandela and crime greatly increased and the blacks lot did not improve. Oz is not as good a quality life as South Africa and many of the saffas I met in Oz agreed, met lots of them in the UK and almost all of them love it, even the weather after the sometimes overwhelming heat of Africa. I know many on here will slag me off for these comments but I afraid its true.

[Skani]

When I was in perth I went to work with the sun out "sometimes" and always came home in the dark...

 

Must have always stopped off at the pub on the way home. Sunset in Perth is between 5.30 and 7.30 pm and it stays light for at least an hour after that. Most building contractors knock off about 4....so you had between 2 and a half and 4 and a half hours to get home before dark.

[Perthbum]

 

Must have always stopped off at the pub on the way home. Sunset in Perth is between 5.30 and 7.30 pm and it stays light for at least an hour after that. Most building contractors knock off about 4....so you had between 2 and a half and 4 and a half hours to get home before dark.

I finished at 6 most nights and with over an hours journey back it was dark....trust me.

[ali]

I think if you've got an itch you should scratch it - you won't know until you come if it's for you or not. My children were a little older when we arrived 11 & 7, both have thrived, nothing to say that they wouldn't have in the UK but they haven't been disadvantaged by our move here. Hubby and I are happy and content and probably have more savings than we've had before so it's possible to save etc.,

 

My friend works in a school and holidays are more generous, Hubby and I bother get 4 weeks per year, hubby got his long service (12 weeks) at 7 years, Mine is at 10 years. I work an 80 hour fortnight accrue an extra day off a month - so get an additional 12 days a year (32 total plus Public Holidays). Some employers may also let you purchase leave.

[Marisawright]

B

I would be much more inclined for people to visit us rather than keep returning to the UK.

 

...Perth may not be the right place for us if we can't have the outdoors lifestyle so maybe as some of the commenters have said I need to look at other areas of Australia that aren't quite as hot .

 

A friend of his has recently built his own house in Perth- so can't be too bad.

 

 

Sorry if we've given you the idea that Perth is hotter than elsewhere. Australia gets hotter the further North you go, so if you look at the map, most of Australia is hotter than Perth! If you like the sun, then I think Perth and Adelaide have the nicest climates in Australia, actually - although it's hot, it doesn't get humid and sticky like the East coast.

 

You sound like family ties won't be an issue which is good news. However if you're not able to move while your grandmother is still with you, then it probably isn't worth even applying for a visa at this stage: once it's granted, you only have a few years to make the move or you lose it again. Although she's poorly, she may still soldier on for many years (let's hope so!).

 

You mention that you don't like living in a city - in that case, do research carefully. The great majority of Australians do live in cities, and our cities have vast sprawling suburbs - so if you want to live out in the country, you can be faced with an extremely long commute.

 

I suggest you ask your friend in Perth how much a house like yours would cost in a nice area with good primary schools. You can look on domain.com.au or realestate.com.au but because you don't know the suburbs to avoid, you''ll end up with a rosy view of what you can afford.

[Skani]

so will only talk about here, rather than make sweeping statements implying that all of Australia is the same.

 

 

Ramot makes a very good point. Australia has 6 distinct climate zones (understandable given that its latitude range distance is equivalent to North Africa to southern Norway and it is impacted by 3 different ocean systems) so it's meaningless talking about "Australian" weather - be it too hot, too rainy, length of daylight (or even having too many flies, mozzies, commuting times etc). It will all depend on your particular location.

 

Summer heat can be a problem in some areas for outdoors activities...but if you read reports of families who have migrated here, many say they do spend more time outdoors - so Gbye grey sky is not alone in that.

 

But I do agree that employment should be your main focus. (As an aside, teaching related staff in schools have about the same leave as you in the UK. Also, re health care, one difference which surprises many is that you don't register with a G.P. here - you can see any G.P. at any time (providing they haven't closed their books due to a high patient caseload)

[Skani]

so will only talk about here, rather than make sweeping statements implying that all of Australia is the same.

 

 

Ramot makes a very good point. Australia has 6 distinct climate zones (understandable given that its latitude range distance is equivalent to North Africa to southern Norway and it is impacted by 3 different ocean systems) so it's meaningless talking about "Australian" weather - be it too hot, too rainy, length of daylight (or even having too many flies, mozzies, commuting times etc). It will all depend on your particular location.

 

Summer heat can be a problem in some areas for outdoors activities...but if you read reports of families who have migrated here, many say they do spend more time outdoors - so Gbye grey sky is not alone in that.

 

But I do agree that employment should be your main focus. (As an aside, teaching related staff in schools have about the same leave as you in the UK. Also, re health care, one difference which surprises many is that you don't register with a G.P. here - you can see any G.P. at any time, providing they haven't closed their books due to a high patient caseload)

[Parley]

I actually suspect Melbourne is hotter than Perth.

In terms of extreme heat I think Melbourne can get get hotter when it comes to 3 or 4 consecutive days over 40 degrees. Adelaide too.

 

Perth benefits a bit more from the see breezes.

[Marisawright]

Ramot makes a very good point. Australia has 6 distinct climate zones (understandable given that its latitude range distance is equivalent to North Africa to southern Norway and it is impacted by 3 different ocean systems)

 

Southern Norway? I don't think so:

 

 

Source: http://frenchmoments.eu/australia-in-the-northern-hemisphere/position-of-australia-in-northern-hemisphere-by-french-moments/