Relocate to (SW/W) or temporary move to Australia?

[Vixk1]

Hi,
I have posted on her recently about a move to Oz but this thread explains more about our potential options.

My husband and I (along with out Ds7 and Dd2) are considering having a change to where we currently live (Always lived around this area). We are happy where we are and are grateful for the lovely area we live but are also open to have a change. There's a possibility my husband could secure a job in Australia for 3/4 years. I think it would be a brilliant adventure before we are too old to apply for a visa. But I have concerns about moving my son's school temporarily, I also worry it will be too hot to be able to appreciate it.

The second option we are look at is relocating permanently fairly close to a coastal area Dorset/North Devon way. I see this as also a new adventure but without the extreme heat and more of a permanent secure setting for the DC. I'm just concious of missing the best opportunity.

I welcome your opinions.

Many thanks

Australia could be a fun family adventure, and your son would be able to make friends as he starts back in the first or second year of secondary school.

My questions would be about the quality of life you’d have. Where would you be living, how much is the salary and what expectations do you have about the lifestyle you’d lead?

Eg if you like parks, nature, spending time outside etc, then a particular location may or may not work well, but Australia overall is probably a great fit.

If you love visiting national trust properties and weekends in Europe, you’ll probably not be able to replicate that easily in Australia.

Also how would this fit in with COVID? The borders are largely closed, so even if you could manage to move here (depending on the job), how would you feel about the possibility of being stuck here for a time without easy access to travel to see family or for holidays generally?

Where in Australia? We live in Perth near the coast and it's honestly fine weather wise. A few 40 days but not many. Everywhere has aircon anyway and the sea breeze

Thank you for your responses.

My husband's job is on 'the skilled list' and we are hopeful he could find work.

We really ideally wanted to be in a suburb in Sydney, because we felt if we were only going to be in Oz for a few years then Sydney would give us so many places to explore and things to do. I am aware it's very expensive. If we can't afford Sydney, where would you recommend? Steam trains (7 year old especially), beaches, nature are our main interests if I'm being specific and obviously good state schools.

Dh's parents took him and his brother to Oz for 3 years (I think) when he was 4 or 5; he still talks about it and he is now 59! It didn't stand in his way education wise.

Aww that's lovely that he still has wonderful memories of it.

I think your kids are young enough to go, and still come back for secondary if you wish. Why not?

Yes that's we are starting to get our heads around.

It's just now working out if we go where would suit us best :)

Remember you need to be back in the UK just before the start of year 6, so Summer 2023 if he's in year 2 now to get a decent secondary school. Although it is area dependent - where do you live?
But, I think VISAs take time - especaily with COVID so when were you thinking of going?

I think I saw your other post about moving to Aus. I lived abroad from age 8-11 and it was a fantastic experience which my parents never regretted. IF DH gets the job, do you know where in Sydney he would need to work? This would change where exactly you'd live and the costs involved. If he only needed to be in the office a few days a week, living somewhere farther out might be feasible. Sydney has the city centre, but over an hour in every direction is sprawling suburbs.

The coastal areas/suburbs are expensive, but much more reasonable in terms on temperature. The farther in-land you go, it really is very different- even a 40min drive. To the point that even the western suburbs of Sydney have different temperatures on the evening news to the city parts- its a real contrast and FAR hotter! Further west still you'll get to the Blue mountains where it snows!

Traffic is awful, and public transport nothing like London. But again, it really depends on where you DH needs to work? Its a great opportunity and you can always return if it doesn't suit.

Currently there are multiple job vacancies (I know it doesn't guarantee employment/sponsor!) showing in a number of places including: NSW (Sydney, Parramatta, Cronulla & Leichhardt), Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane & Canberra.

We have been to Sydney and we feel it would be a brilliant place to explore for the time we were there, but because we aren't made of money we will possibly need to consider elsewhere.

You say 3/4 years so I guessing your looking at a temporary visa rather than permanent?

In that case no need to look at good state schools as you will be paying international fees which can be similar to private here , it may work out not alot of difference .

Best thing is to is join some fb groups for questions. Search the word 'poms' and lots will come up.

If your husband works in Cronulla then that is a more affordable beach area. Or you could live further down the coast and he could have some commute, which would be even cheaper.

If you wanted to live in the Blue Mountains then get a job in Parramatta.

I would avoid Leichardt as the commute could get messy and property around there isn't cheap