emigrating to australia

[liz1969]

i am seriously thinking about emigrating to australia. i am a nurse educated to diploma level and working as a senior charge nurse here in scotland. i am a single parent with 2 teenage children. really want to go but am aware am running out of time due to my age (42).

guess im looking for advice on the best way to go about it, and on the best area to look into. we have a fairly decent life here,but am aware of the high cost of australian life

[jandymaccomesback]

For me the 2 big reasons for coming back were lack of confidence in the education and health systems.
Two of the things people complain about over here too.
DH was taken ill on holiday in Qland and was very impressed with the health care.

[laptopdancer]

We are going soon and the only thing Im worried about is not being a "well off" as we are in UK. Living is very expensive there and we dont have many debts or financial worries here. Not rolling in it but secure.

[Feminine]

Something that really stood out (from reading the Australia forums on the ex-pat forum) is just how tricky it can be with teens.

This is not from a moving there point of view however, things normally become more problematic when a teen wants to go 'home'

There are many stories of 18 year olds wanting to leave, and obviously not much the parents can do, unfortunately. There are stories of families wanting better and finding that better is minus the kids.

Actually, as an ex-pat myself (in US) this was one of the reasons we decided to return to the UK. Our eldest is 13, if we left it any longer, he would put strong roots down here, and not want to budge. So that way round was also a concern.

Of course children choose to leave homelands all the time, its just that with emigrating it throws up so many more hurdles and separations.

I know one lady who has now left Australia after 30 years, she left behind her children and grandkids...now all on her own, she has started a new life (having never really felt at home in all those years) very brave...

[items]

Taking the most expensive city in Australia, Sydney and comparing to London shows a mix bag. Depends on where the focus is.

OVERALL Indexes Difference
Consumer Prices in Sydney are 12.01% higher than in London
Consumer Prices Including Rent in Sydney are 8.13% higher than in London
Rent Prices in Sydney are 1.25% lower than in London
Restaurant Prices in Sydney are 5.65% lower than in London
Groceries Prices in Sydney are 29.98% higher than in London
Local Purchasing Power in Sydney is 9.54% higher than in London

Some details (London - Sydney - % difference)
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 21.32 $17.29 $-18.88 %
Milk (regular), 1 liter 1.50 $1.98 $+31.59 %
Fresh Cheese (1kg) 11.69 $10.11 $-13.50 %
One-way Ticket (local transport) 4.91 $ 4.40 $-10.46 %
Monthly Pass 159.68 $98.88 $-38.08 %
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 3.55 $3.52 $-1.02 %
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) 2.90 $2.35 $-18.78 %
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 72.39 $55.46 $-23.39 %
Gasoline (1 liter) 2.07 $1.39 $-32.89 %
Basic (Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) 222.71 $203.51 $-8.62 %
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff (no discounts or plans) 0.21 $0.79 $+267.83 %
Internet (6 Mbps, Flat Rate, Cable/ADSL) 30.54 $56.39 $+84.60

Rent Apartment
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 2,069.06 $2,079.61 $+0.51 %
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 1,452.07 $1,587.47 $+9.32 %
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 4,060.13 $3,946.13 $-2.81 %
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 2,666.05 $2,506.28 $-5.99 %

Buy Apartment
Price per Square Meter in City Centre 12,510.01 $9,843.28 $-21.32 %
Price per Square Meter Outside of Centre 7,818.53 $5,378.77 $-31.20 %

Salaries
Median Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax) 3,418.12 $ 4,048.62 $+18.45 %

[laptopdancer]

rent where we are looking is about $650 a week

[OliviaMumsnet]

Hi there
We are going to move this thread to living overseas
Best of luck whatever you decide
M Towers

[laptopdancer]

Should I put it in context....our 3 bedroom home would rent for £700 a month
Rent where we are going in Oz is on average for a modest house £1750 a month

[items]

laptopdancer - I just did a search on australia house web-site, looked for a place same bedrooms/specs as london including distance from city. Found 15 places cheaper than our current in London, 4 above.
I think again it all comes down to selections, locations, is it an exact spec to really compare etc.

[laptopdancer]

Are you looking on realestate.com.au ?

[liz1969]

thanks everyone for the really informative responses. i soo want to go but am also terrified. i plan to visit an expo in glasgow next month. there is also one in aberdeen in march i might attend. have no family in oz but have 4 workmates who made the move and loved it plus one who lasted 6 weeks!
i cant afford to do the long holiday as im well aware im running out of time for emigration due to my age

[saffronwblue]

I think the people who struggle in Australia are those who see it as a warmer, cheaper, not quite as good UK. Try to understand and appreciate it on its own terms rather than comparing it to the UK.
Once you are earning Australian dollars it will not seem so expensive. Be aware of the massive distances between towns and cities and get good information on the climate of each particular area before you decide where to settle.

[Curtainmyself]

i've lived in London and also several Australian cities, currently living in Brisbane.

IMO the cost and quality of clothing and (unbelievably) fresh food is inferior in Australia to the UK. Discussing it with other expats it seems that the Australian food is transported "all around" Australia (which is a big place!) before arriving at it's destination.

The cities tend to be big urban sprawls...very American style and in Brisbane just now it just seems to be full of cement high rise buildings going up.

It is so big here but there is nothing in between...if you know what I mean. You can't jump into the car and fancy a drive down the road to the next village - because there isn't one!

The weather is not all it's cracked up to be. Here in Brisbane it's unbearable in the summer months - but enjoyable in the winter months HOWEVER it gets dark quickly all year round...so no long sunshiny evenings.

Better stop now as I don't want to completely run it down. There are, of course, lots of people who love this kind of lifestyle. For us, and most of our friends we've made here there is so much of the European culture and way of life that we miss too much. We're here for a couple of years so it is quite doable for us.

[savoycabbage]

What are your reasons for wanting to emigrate Liz?

Wanted Down Under is totally unrealistic IMO. They show them massive houses that are twice the budget and they are more often than not in terrible areas.

[lulalullabye]

Speaking from a nurses perspective. I moved to Adelaide in March. When I began applying for jobs I got all three that I applied for. I get pain approx $68,000 a year basic without out of hours pay. There are lots of jobs and I have found they like UK nurses.
Whether you have a degree or not does not matter. I love working here and living here.

[liz1969]

my main reasons are that i just feel it will be a better way of life. i know a couple of folks who have gone and find the laid back approach suits them. sick of stress to be honest.

also feel our good old british nhs is no longer that. i just dont like the way its going, all audits and targets and bugger the patients.

i guess if i had another adult to go with i wouldnt be so worried. am well awar i will be back on shifts if i get a job . my kids are desperate to go and assure me they will be fine lol

[saffronwblue]

Life in Australia is not particularly stress free. People work long hours, deal with traffic congestion in the cities, get ill, have psychotic bosses, worry about their mortgages and their child making friends at school etc etc. Urban life is pretty similar in most developed countries, I think.
To generalise, most Australians take for granted and enjoy having great outdoors to relax in - but when it is 40 degrees no-one is outside.

[Livinginoz]

We've been out here for 18 months now and would never go home! It is more expensive (we are in Sydney) but it depends what your priorities are; for example we had a largish house in the North West of England, now we live in a 2 bed apartment BUT we're 2 minutes from the beach. Our lifestyle is totally different, as a family we are totally less stressed.
We have a 3 year old so it is easier than some of our expat friends who have teenagers.
I know a few nurses who have come out, some get sponsored by the hospitals/health service so definitely look into this at the expo (which are really useful)
Pomsinoz.com is another really good website
My motto is that it's better to regret something you've done than something you haven't!

[SeymoreButts]

What feminine said, check out the britishexpats forum. There is a whole section devoted to nursing and getting registered to practice here. It is tricky and can take a while (I'm considering training as a nurse next year).

It is breathtakingly expensive to live here. I really did think that people were exaggerating until we moved and experienced it first hand. DH got (what we thought was) a healthy pay rise when his employer moved him here, but in reality all that rise did was compensate for the huge hike in living expenses! Not to mention what we have spent setting up a new home, even though his employer paid for all the visas, flights etc. and gave us a moving allowance, we spent all that and more. We're on 457 visas so there are expenses associated with that too, like $4500 per year, per child for state school in NSW.

The weather is better but certainly not guaranteed and pretty wet if you live on the coast. I'm not trying to frighten you but it is something you need to look into very carefully because it can be a very costly mistake or the best move you ever make. What do your DCs think? Can you come here on a fact finding trip?

[liz1969]

cant afford the fact finding trip. both kids want to go. i worry that if it doesnt work we will have nothing to come home to. i have a decent pay and nhs jobs are getting scarcer by the minute

[Feminine]

liz I understand:)

another thing to ask yourself is "Am I running away from something?" I can see your reasons ...but be honest with yourself...

Right now your kids are keen, but please ponder a bit on how things would pan out if they wanted to go home , or you did even?

I don't want to sound negative...I just want you to be clear in your mind about what you would do if the family unit broke up?

If you have nothing to come home to, it will be difficult to come back if you have to.

Also, what about your parents? will they ever need help in the future?

I know you can't possibly be expected to answer or know that right now, but...its another reason why ex-pats end up giving up the 'dream'.

Its very brave of you to consider it, I really wish your whole family good luck!

[lulalullabye]

Just bear in mind that if you go on a sponsored 457 visa you will HAVE to work full time.

[chloeb2002]

as a nurse no need for a dgree. Only requiremnet is to be able to register with APRHA as an RN which i assume you are.
I work in ICU in Brisbane and I am an RN with a dip nursing. I am now hopping over the degree and doing my masters in nursing!
All pubic health areas will sponser nurses on a 457 and then also on PR if you choose to stay. We came on a 457.
Pay is better than the Uk for nurses although in general nursing is still in catch up as are conditions.
Rememebr that you will not get tax credits etc for 2 years after pr so you may find life tighter here for a bit.

[chloeb2002]

jeepersap dancer.. that must be sydney cbd... not a satalite suburb in brisbane!

[laptopdancer]

It is brisbane!

[Curtainmyself]

'Tis true laptopdancer. We used to rent a beautiful three bed Victorian semi in Teddington (so a very expensive part of Greater London) for 1700 gbps per month. We are now in a 2 bed "apartment" in a very nice part of Brisbane, paying $850 per week!

Brisbane isn't exactly a world city is it! Prices are stupid here.