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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

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Original poster

Is the grass really greener in Australia?

43 replies

pestooneverything · 09/04/2012 06:49

I spent some time in Australia travelling in 2003 and fell in love with the country.

I always vowed to go back and live there - of course 'life' happened and I never did.

I can't shake the 'wondering' of what life in Oz would be like and think about moving there frequently. I would love to get to Perth but I think my profession would mean Sydney/Melbourne would be more likely.

My DH has never been but has said he would go if I wanted to and I know he would like it. I think before moving we would take a long holiday there anyway so he could see what it was like. (I know hols is different to work but it would be a taster).

My DS is 2. DH and I both work part time (7 days a week between us) so we wouldn't go till DS is in school as i imagine it would be very hard to get senior part time roles and we cherish our time with DS. We would like other children but it's not happening so far :(

Our quality of life is good in that we all enjoy good health, we're comfortable financially and have close ties with my parents and our friends. We are a very outdoorsy family and this BH weekend has really bought home to me how prohibitive the UK weather is to this! We get out everyday but getting out in the rain isn't much fun, no matter how much of a positive spin you try and put on it!

DH and I are both only children. We are close to my parents but not his. We have friends but I wouldn't stay in UK for them.

I suppose I am writing this because in my head I have visions of life in Oz being sunny, relaxed, friendly, weekends at the beach, making lots of new friends easily etc etc and I want to know the downsides....

I think if i didn't try it it would be a BIG regret of mine.

Did anyone go and come home?
Or have you found it not to be the Ozzie dream you hoped for?
Or should I be making plans to head there when DS is close to school age?
(My route in would be to get a job and get sponsored..... I have spoken to recruiters about this and believe it to be possible...)

Thanks so much for any thoughts you have!!

OP posts:

migrant · 10/04/2012 20:10

You know what you want...... What are you waiting for??? Sounds like money goes a lot further in Perth. On your income it's a 5 bed, 2 bath house near the beach with a pool and 2-3 kids in private schools.
When I needed to get back to uk in a hurry the airlines had me on a flight in less than 3 hours.
The application process is long winded. Why not put the application in now so that it'll be ready when you are.

echt · 10/04/2012 21:51

There are good government schools, you know. Do not think that going private means getting the best.

Just saying.

SparkleSoiree · 11/04/2012 05:23

Echt I don't think anyone said going private means by default 'the best'. We looked at a variety of schools and decided on 'the best school' for our children and our circumstances regardless of whether they were state or private.

LIttleMissTickles · 11/04/2012 06:22

Hi Pestooneverything, we moved to Perth last month with two children. So far very much in honeymoon period, but I can't help but say DO IT! I am missing friends and family, not as much as I will at Christmas I'm sure, but it is a wonderful lifestyle, almost a permanent holiday vibe, even in the CBD. We have bought a stunning house here for 10% more than we sold our London house for, but it is in a different league. Our 2 DC will be going to the local state school after Easter as the private schools around here have waiting lists of 2-4 years. But the school looked lovely. Sports are through clubs, and there are many!

idlevice · 12/04/2012 10:13

We are moving back to UK in 2wks after 5 yrs here & having had our 2 DSs here. Both DP & I were never really particularly into family - I'm an only child so v independent & DP grew up in a non-standard family arrangement. We like our family but didn't feel the need to see them frequently or phone every 5 mins. But now we have the DC we want to be nearer family so the DC can enjoy them properly rather than have them in concentrated bursts when they come to visit & then nothing the rest of the year.

I find it hard to deal with the lack of relatives since DS1 was about 3 when he started preschool & came to realise everyone else seemed to see their relatives all the time & not just on the webcam, & for me there was no-one to properly share his milestones, like picking up the phone without having to check the time difference & chatting about him bringing home his first drawing of a person from preschool.

There are loads of other contributing factors too but overall if you have the idea then it is my view that you'll never be satisfied unless you try it (we came out for our careers after having visited for a wedding). I really enjoyed the experience of emigrating as it put me out of my comfort zone & has clarified my views on what I want out of life. If we find we don't like the UK again we will come back but with my aging parents in tow.

BibiBelle · 12/04/2012 19:29

Can I ask for a leetle help over here please? I presume you guys are experts in looking for flights to Australia? We have friends who are moving over to Perth and we'd love to visit. http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_advice_tips/1448606-Flights-to-Australia-from-the-UK

BibiBelle · 12/04/2012 19:29

apologies, have lost the ability to link here

Original poster

pestooneverything · 15/04/2012 08:20

thanks for all the thoughts. I think we will probably stay here till DS is in school and then give it a go...... I would always wonder if not!

good point about hot weather being just as restrictive as rain though!!!

OP posts:

Original poster

pestooneverything · 25/07/2012 08:16

Hi everyone - just wondering how those recent emigraters are getting on?

I am still wondering about Oz - more frequently given the awful weather we've had here this summer. I know everyone says the weather's not enough of a reason to go but DS and I have been TRAPPED indoors and at hideous soft play centres for weeks and on the rare breaks that the torrential downpoor has stopped we've just been outside puddlejumping!

Also - I have recently been made redundant so I have to look for a new job anyway!.....

OP posts:

shellybr · 26/07/2012 13:04

We love it we will be here a year on the 1st of Sep and to be honest can't see ourselves ever going back. My two kids are thriving and even though it is winter we have spent everyday out in sunny weather playing in playgrounds or at the beach. My 5yr old loves his school and seems to be getting on really well.

WrestlesBadgers · 26/07/2012 14:13

I'm English born, although I've never actually lived in the UK. Currently I'm in perth, with a DD and DP.
If you'd like to talk to more people about Australia, suburbs, dealing with Centrelink and the like, try essential baby. Also feel free to pm me, especially if you're in Perth and just want to meet for coffee or something.

One thing I've heard is that in the uk it's much easier to get around without a licence. In Perth at least, it's quite difficult. Public transport sucks arse on the weekends. Get a licence and a car, because the taxis are awful. Tony Abbott is more reliable.

Sorry bout the novella.

echt · 27/07/2012 09:23

Not a recent arrival - 6 years, in fact. Odd the weather's been mentioned as when we rented we'd be peeved at rain, but now it's OUR garden, we love it.:o

We don't regret our decision to move here, which we did at 50, with a 10 year-old child.

We live in Melbourne, and even in the winter it's true that the outdoor life rules. They're out playing sorts in all weathers. Nutters.

Original poster

pestooneverything · 30/07/2012 08:13

Thanks everyone and thanks wrestles for the offer of coffee!! Perth was my preferred destination but my occupation is only sponsored by ACT so it would have to be the first 2 years there. this wasn't my initial plan but i am mulling it over. anyone got any experience of life in canberra?

I don't think this ozzie itch will go till i scratch it to be honest!!

OP posts:

echt · 30/07/2012 08:28

Hmm..an acquaintance of DH's who had done diplomatic posts in Canada, said she's never been as cold as she was in Canberra. But that's shit Australian building/insulation/heating for you, but forewarned is forearmed.

NZ diplomatic grade Canberra as "hardship", but that's because it's away from the sea, unlike the other cities. It may also be an urban myth. Some of the vernacular architecture is lovely, more attractive than I've seen in other bits of Oz - Manuka is a lovely suburb.

Larfs aside, I'd give it a go.

Original poster

pestooneverything · 30/07/2012 20:17

haha! that's funny echt and kinda what i was worried about!
but as you say it might be worth giving it a go....
might do a separate post specifically on canberra - see if i can get some honest MN views! (as if i'd get anything else!!)

OP posts:

WonderinAloud · 04/10/2012 07:31

Is the grass greener in Australia?

Not greener- just a different shade

We live in Brisbane and love it here. Financially much better off and live a much happier and fullfilling life. That said- we dont dislike England- there are aspects of Uk living I miss terribly. Dont underestimate the difficulty of leaving loved ones behind. Its a bloody long way and not as simple 'in an emergency it only takes a day'. Flights out from Oz are ridiculously priced.

But my moto is regret the things you did rather than the things you didnt do.

Come with an open mind and have a backup plan incase it goes belly-up. At least you can say you gave it a go. Not everyone is fortunate enough to emigrate, and if you research the negatives and come with a realistic view of the place (yes there is still crime, unemployment) and take off the rose tinted glasses you likely will adapt well. We did and have no regrets.

Good luck with your decision!

echt · 04/10/2012 09:30

The grass is definitely greener. I have just had a lawn put in and it's greener than a green thing.:o

meerkate · 18/10/2012 19:02

pesto, you MUST go! you've got nothing to lose. we had a fantastic year in Perth in 2005, though MAN it was stressful - we had a 3 and an 18-mth-old in tow and the 3 yr old was in her mega-tantrum stage however NO regrets at all and we regularly consider going back to NZ or Oz (we had a year in Dunedin immediately after perth). We're currently looking into going back for a year (with a view to the longer term) now that DD is 11 and DS is 9 - there is so much for kids out there, the weather is SO much better, and we love the outdoors. Perth is utterly beautiful - especially the shady spots beside the river, which I preferred in some ways to the beach, especially in summer, because I'm pathetically fair-skinned and can't hack 38 degrees bouncing off white sands! I did find it really isolated, but the quality of life is really good, and it really is gorgeous. We're also looking into Auckland at the moment and we'll just have to see what jobs come up. I would definitely go, though - like you, I had a real Ozzie itch that had to be scratched! We decided to come home for a few years, and love lots about the UK too - so I guess we'll always have a foot in both camps. But the weather here in England is unbearable with small kids at times, isn't it - that's the main driving factor for me to go back, I have to admit! Good luck with the decision-making

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