To want to Relocate to Australia?

[MyOlivePeer]

Hi I’m new here 😀
But of background. my dp and I are considering moving to oz with our 2 year old ds. We have both lived in oz separately years ago, before we met, on working holiday visas so we know we like it there, the climate, the people lifestyle etc.
we moved back for reasons unrelated to the place itself. It’s always been the ‘one that got away’ and holds fond memories, however no major ties. There’s a chance we may be able to get a skilled worker permanent visa…. We are now in the UK with our son, however we feel we have no ties here. We have no parents to speak of, no close friends. His siblings are toxic and treat him like the scapegoat, they have close bonds themselves, but he has never been invited in as they are several years older. They infantilise him and cause him more stress than anything. I have no siblings. No irreplaceable careers to speak of. I feel like I am answering my own question here - but just wondering peoples thoughts xx

Are you able to move jobs easily?

It sounds like you have every reason to go OP! ..... lifes to short to have regrets

Yes from what we can tell there are lots of relevant jobs there. I’m ok with the job I’m in but it’s a stop-gap for me until ds starts school.

Yanbu at all but going permanently is very different to a working holiday visa

firstly the price of property is currently ridiculous so I understand. Not sure about the rental market.

secondly climate. I know someone who recently came back after 12 years, having intended to be there forever, who came back having found it got far hotter and unbearable in the time he was there. Combined with increased smoke and general risk associated with (more) wildfires. This was Sydney.

Why not? See how it goes. If it doesn’t work out you can always move back.

really good points thanks. I haven’t looked into the property situation yet, but we were thinking Melbourne. We will need to put in alot more research.

If I was younger and had a job that meant I’d get in, I’d go for it. The UK has very little to offer now.

we wouldn’t want to move back and hoping this would be a forever thing.

It's not somewhere I personally have felt an urge to visit, but you should absolutely go for it! Regrets are a horrible thing to live with.
One thing I would say though, is that life experiences are seldom the same second time around. It's like they lose their shine somehow.
But you should still do this!
Very best of luck

Good point. We are 38…. Would be looking into job sponsorships before we go, but obviously we may not be that lucky.

My brother tried to get sponsorship when he was in his 20s. He had no luck but instead spent a year in New Zealand working as a tour guide in the mountains.

I think the point made above about moving back was “if it does not work”. It’s an option.

I wouldn’t want to put my kids through the increasingly stifling heat over there though, and then their own children.

If you can make it work financially, go for it. I lived and worked in Australia in my 20s and family here is the only thing that would stop me making the move.

Cost of living is high in Oz, but wages in most sectors are much better.

Do lots and lots of research. Australia is very very expensive, not just property but groceries, eating out, general costs. As expats you may need to pay for healthcare, education etc too. Holidays aren't as generous as we are used to (have family there they whine about this).

You need to see if you can get an immigration visa, these aren't as easy as working holiday ones, and sometimes come with restrictions as to where you can live initially (eg my friend looked at teaching and it was for rural northern territories only!)

That said some love Australia, they stay, others return to the U.K. as the grass literally wasn't greener, it was scorched. We are fortunate that we can go there to live if we want (dp's a dual national) but having crunched the numbers, we'll be worse off financially and I'm not keen on beaches, the sea, snakes or anything else that wants to kill me!

Why would anyone say you're being unreasonable? It's your lives! If you want to go and can get a visa to go, FGS go!

If you can make it happen then absolutely! Oh the sunshine. What a dream after all this rain! I loved my time there.

Sounds like a no brainer for you.

Of course. I just meant that it is not an irreversible decision. So easier to make.

You say you were both out there years ago- is there a chance that things may have significantky changed/are somewhat different than you remember?
Is it possible to fly out on a recce to the Melbourne area?
Can you join some expat groups and find out the experiences (good and bad) of others?

I think it's a great opportunity and you clearly both loved your time living there- I'd just want to be sure that I was going in with eyes wide open and was not clouded by a romantic notion of the past (not saying you are OP, but I know I would be at risk of doing this)

I grew up in Aus and lived there for 13 years. Like any place it has its pros and cons! The climate now is scary but the infrastructure is (somewhat) built to handle it - many air conditioned houses and workplaces etc.

When we lived there in the early 2000s the cost of living was cheap but that is not the case now. Many of my friends are struggling to buy property despite being couples in successful jobs.

The healthcare system has its issues too - no NHS but they do have Medicare which covers some things. Most people also have private health insurance.

There are deeply entrenched cultural issues and racism too. Thankfully they got to grips with gun control unlike the US.

But it's also a beautiful place with fairly abundant job opportunities, good wages and of course the fantastic outdoor lifestyle that draws so many. I would just do more research and see what seems right for you!

Good luck.

Go for it. It was the best thing we ever did. Just make sure you are good with the points etc. It’s changed a bit since we came over 12 years ago. Give it a try for a year or so and see how you get on. Wishing you the very best of luck

Go.

You only regret the things you don’t do. Two is a great age to go, too.