Help, we can't decide whether to move...

[jazal]

We are trying to decide whether to relocate to oz. Offer letter's on the table but we are not sure. We do not dislike living where we are at the moment (UK) nor do we dislike our jobs so it feels like we are about to give up a very settled life with our 2 dc's for the unknown.

Did you have doubts moving? And what has been the best thing you found about moving to where you are now?

X

How did the offer letter happen? I'm guessing you must have been looking for a job in Oz.
Moved to NZ with DH and two DSs last year. We had reasons but, like you didn't hate the UK. We haven't regretted it yet 11 months in but have the support of our families which makes a huge difference. We've been proactive about making friends, I enjoy my job, DH has been a SAHD and is only now looking for work, we have a good work/family balance and are happy. We miss UK friends and being distant from family has its challenges but can't see getting the family time we can have here in the UK.
As I said, we had reasons. If you have none other than a job letter then maybe it's not for you, or maybe you could do it for a fixed time (2 or 3 years) and re-evaluate when you reach the end of that time.
Good luck with your decisions.

How open can you leave things in the UK? Can you lease out, not sell, your property? Store things, not sell/ship? How easy will visits be from family and friends? And for you to come back here? What are the three top things on the list of PROs, and how excited are you about them? And which actual location in Oz (as of course that will make a huge difference to your quality of life on 'the other side')?

Perhaps you have realised, deep down, that you need to do a bit of dangerous decision making for a couple years? If the reasons for leaving are to 'make life better' then start sorting out the negative issues before you leave, otherwise they will just follow you onto the plane. Huge platitude, but...

Our situation was slightly different to yours in that we moved overseas before we had children (DS was born here, in HK, and DC2 will also be born here.). We actually moved to Dubai initially, intending it to be for 2-3 years, and the motivation was to get DH out of a "career log jam" at work. We've now been overseas 4 years (1 year in Dubai, 3 in HK) with no immediate plans to return (although I imagine we will within 5-7 years)

We were like you though in that life in the Uk was very pleasant- we had a nice flat and lots of friends and enjoyed our jobs. Had no real doubts, but to be honest, we didn't have that much to lose- could have just come back if we hated it.

Anyway, Dubai was all fine, but DH then got an internal transfer to HK so we moved again.

Best things about HK

• Feeling like you're part of the future in terms of the world economy- seeing the China story unfold first hand. This is prob more important for Dh than me (I work in the charity sector) but for him, Asia is the place to be right now career-wise as it's where the action is, so to speak. Far less risk of getting made redundant.
• Very safe (low crime) and friendly
• Very affordable childcare/ domestic help which mean I can work and make money whereas in the Uk I would just about break even if I had a nanny.
• Low taxes (15%). I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a positive, although the benefit is largely offset on a month to month basis by high rents
• Opportunity to travel to the rest of Asia

dont do it then.

If theres nothing wrong with where you are now, then what is the point? If you are going to change your entire life, then there has to be a 'better' life waiting for you. That means different things to different people of course, but top of the list I guess would be 'more money' 'better lifestyle' 'better education' 'better climate' (of course it goes on)

IMO Oz doesnt tick those boxes for ME or my family (My DH would disagree completely, but then he never wanted to come back here after living over there). Certainly not financially, whilst we were better off back in 2005 - we've missed that boat now. Culturually/lifestylewise theres far more available where I live now. Education-wise - ditto. Climate - well yes, I preferred the weather in Sydney, but I didnt particularly love the commute in the heat.

A very expensive gamble. And a difficult decision if you've never lived there before.

Life as an immigrant is difficult, especially as a first generation immigrant.

Thanks all for your thoughts. I was just curious about what the best things were for you in your move to wherever you are now :)

There's always pros and cons to every decision and who knows what tomorrow will bring x