I am 31, and considering moving to Australia…

So you'd include the USA in this definition?

Or try this:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/history

How old are the oldest buildings in the "neighbourhood"? What was before that?
Yes nothing, so no history

It’s only a year (or three!) - what’s the worst that would happen? You don’t like it and come back. I did a gap year there in my early 20s and loved it but was happy to come back - for me, it’s too far from everywhere else (France, Italy, Greece… old places with history) and it all felt a bit like Ramsey Street to me, but it was brilliant for a year. The friend I went with stayed there and has just got her citizenship, over 20 years later.

There are people like that everywhere in the world indeed. So living in Saudi Arabia is just the same as living in Sweden.
And living in Knightbridge is the same as living in Dagenham.
Do some thinking before blurting stuff out.

Make sure you understand the visa conditions- https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417

You can have a year of a lovely working holiday, but to extend your visa you have to work in certain areas or roles. How are your farming skills? Are you happy to be working somewhere v v v rural? I know a number of young people who did 3 months on sheep stations and hated every second.

Our daughter is in her 2nd year of a 3 year working visa, going out after her graduation. I’m so pleased she is having this adventure and with technology it’s easy to keep in touch. She came back last year for 5 weeks and we are going out to visit later this year. If she chooses to stay it will be with our blessing. Go for it, life’s to short to have regrets.

Men can say they are women and get access to women's bodies = women officially seen as less important, silly sausage.

@WhereamIgoing25
Pro
Con
Have you done it
Yes NZ and OZ
Would you do it
See above
Best cities
Depends on the experience you want, I wouldn’t go WA - it limits your options if you don’t like it.
Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are very different in their own right all are in the top 15 most expensive cities to live in the world
Snakes and Spiders
It’s really not anything to worry about - you’ll see snakes out walking and you’ll get bugs in your house.
Key considerations
WHV - can be hard to get a job, and in your early 30’s you’ll be competing with younger (cheaper) labour. So consider your employment options. Loads of employers will sponsor, loads won’t
Lifestyle is great, everyone is up early outside, exercising enjoying what OZ has to offer
Depending on what you do for work you can earn really well here.
Can it be sexist and racist - yes (so is the UK imo)
Housing is expensive, be prepared to pay London like prices.
Its cold in winter and houses are not built for it, I live in a brand new house in QLD and can find it cold (NSW and VIC are far worse)
Overall you wont regret it (I haven’t) and if you don’t like it go back!
You’ll miss some UK culture and Idiosyncrasies, like a pint in a proper pub, M&S snack food and a cold Christmas - and family!
Good Luck OP

Look into a working holiday visa - UK citizens can apply unto 35. It will also to travel around as well. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/first-working-holiday-417#Eligibility

Sydney is nice but preferred Melbourne. Perth & Freemantle are lovely - definite go there. West coast is stunning.

I have been and i have several family members that live there. I have also moved overseas, albeit with kids in tow.
I always say you will never regret travelling, but you could regret not giving it a go.
You can always move back if you dont like it.
I absolutely love auatralia.
One thing to note is that you think everyone travelling, backpacking and moving kverseas for work are going to be 21 years old in reality people are doing this in their 30s and 40s and even 50s and even 60s now.
When I went I did a backpack route around thailand and then went to sydney and travelled around australia from there.
The cities and climates are really different as the land mass is so big, so its worth exploring a little first.
My cousin has just moved back after spending 20 years in London ( she was born i oz and moved to london when she was 23). She ljves in sydney by the beach, morning swims with turtles is her thing atm. I get daily updates :))

That's quite easy. Just move to the UK first before having a baby.

Are you serious? Of course it’s different, and thank god for that!😁

If you don’t want to settle there, and do want a family, then I think it’s bad timing. In a year or so you’ll be encroaching mid 30s so you’ll be looking to TTC. So when will you meet someone? If in Aus, then you’ll need to stay there.

Australia isn’t a magic bullet - do you just need a change/challenge?

I think the poster was talking about architecture and historic buildings.

Give it a go. I wouldn’t go on an all out permanent move initially, but you can go for a while and see what you think.

I went out there in my late twenties to check it out as I had a desire to move there. I decided it wasn’t for me but I’m glad I visited and made a proper, considered decision, so there were no regrets.

I've lived in both countries (DH Australian). A year passes quickly so I wouldn't worry too much but visit both if you can before making a decision. For a longer term move, I would advise against NZ. For us, quality of life is far better in the UK than either of those countries though, so remember that the grass isn't always greener. Good luck and have fun!

I say do it. I moved abroad in my early 20s for 15 months (not Australia). One of the best experiences of my life and I have so many happy memories of that time. I left home with the attitude that I'd give it 6 months no matter what to give it a chance. It was never going to be a permanent move, just the opportunity to experience something new.

I naively thought I'd have more opportunities in my late 20s to live abroad - including in Australia, where I have a lot of family. But life quickly got in the way. I could have tried to move at your age (career getting established by then, was single) but the move down-under which had seemed so desirable in my 20s felt too far by 32. Partly this was realising that my parents were getting older combined with me hoping to meet a partner at some point and not wanting that to be in Australia (like a PP I didn't want to be 'trapped' abroad).

Having a lot of family there (aged from babies to in their 80s) I don't see the country through rose tinted glasses, but I still think it could be a great place to spend some time. (And in my 3 visits - totalling 5 months in total - I only saw one truly huge spider!).

A different life in an English-speaking ex-colony? Different?

We do walk through our history on a daily basis. Ancient land that's been preserved since before the Ice Age. Because the people who lived in it for 99% of history only used what they needed to live, and took care if it for the next person. They didn't fence it all off, give it to the rich then build on/plough every last inch of it for personal profit.

Pretty much every Australian is no more than a short trip away from a piece of land like that. To spend time on it, imagining how it was used tens of thousands of years ago and seeing the traces of that life, understanding the wisdom and stories (good and bad) of the people who cared for it so well for so long, is something really special if you choose to open your eyes to it.

I can't advise on the Australia part but I think that travel/living abroad is never a waste of time or money. You will change and grow and learn no matter how it turns out. My only caution is to not make the move impulsively or in an effort to outrun difficult emotions or experiences, because they will only follow you there. Also I am sorry to hear about your breakup. Good luck!

Definitely do it. The big life change will be invigorating. Now's the time for you so grab it.

Go for it, it doesn't have to be forever. We only regret the things we don't try if you don't like it come back

It was the best thing I ever did. Do it! I went to Sydney. It’s like a dream in comparison to this utter pile of poo that is the UK.

Me too in my late 20's after returning to the UK from backpacking there. Took a year to get processed for residency on the points system back in the UK. I went again to 'activate' my visa and came to the conclusion that it's great to be on holiday there but living there no. Suburban Australia dreary and homogeneous, think Kath and Kim in a soul-less shopping centre. Antique shops had stuff from only a few decades ago, Out of town shopping warehouses and cinemas. More like America than the UK. Miles from any interesting countries, No European city break weekends etc. Take the weather away and it seemed was bland. City life might be better if you can afford it and that's your thing. Or alternatively an outback life for a complete change. Like everywhere it has its own problems. Go, have a great working holiday but don't be confuse that holiday feeling with how it would be if permanently there. I have 2 sets of relatives of different ages who did migrate there permanently in different decades for different reasons, Both with some permanent regrets and longings for the UK but away too long to up sticks, return and start over.

I do just love the self-absorption of so many PPs who assume that, because they are babies who can’t handle the sight of perfectly beautiful snakes and spiders, no-one can.

Most people aren’t reduced to quivering messes at the sight of small creatures just trying to live their lives without bedwetting humans carrying on like wallies.