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Living overseas

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

Original poster

Olive's dh is doing his yearly "this country is rubbish lets go to Australia" speach - am being swayed

183 replies

oliveoil · 05/09/2006 11:04

His brother lives in Perth and loves loves loves it there, has been in Australia for about 4 years or so.

Dh is always going on about emigrating there, espeacially when the weather is crap here (ie most of August ).

I am scared thinking that by the time immigration is sorted, I will be nearing 40 and it is a big move to make - am 36 now, girls are nearly 4 and 2.

Pros and cons please from those that have done it and those that thought about it and didn't.

Thank you!

xx

OP posts:
NomDePlume · 05/09/2006 13:01

You could move to Scotland if it's deserted beaches and dolphins you want

nailpolish · 05/09/2006 13:01

cant imagine doing the irnong/hoovering/cleaning ht e bathroom/weekly shop/etc in 40 degrees

DaddyCool · 05/09/2006 13:01

why put up with the discomforts of the UK when you could go and very quickly get used to some of the cons that people have mentioned? the cons that people have mentioned will wear off but the practically zero crime, beautiful living area and weather will not.

Original poster
oliveoil · 05/09/2006 13:02

I am a culture free zone already!!

I love the australian way, say what you see, no ponsey nonsense and hand wringing from them.

My parents would miss my girls growing up as they do not have much money and couldn't afford the flights.

Cod - why does your friend want to come home?

OP posts:
nailpolish · 05/09/2006 13:02

we have that here, daddy cool (well, maybe not the weather)

DaddyCool · 05/09/2006 13:03

Dumbledores HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD "speak for your own area!" IF YOU CAN AFFORD THAT AREA! The house prices here are ridiculous.

Original poster
oliveoil · 05/09/2006 13:04

We have a ton of equity in the house so would have a financial cushion initially

BUT NO CHILDCARE HELP!!!! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek. I am spoilt rotten with MIL round the corner at the moment.

OP posts:
DaddyCool · 05/09/2006 13:04

yes, no childcare help is a biggie.

flashingnose · 05/09/2006 13:05

Why think of it as being for ever? Why not go for 5 or 6 years and then rethink?

flashingnose · 05/09/2006 13:05

Rent your house out here and rent over there....

DaddyCool · 05/09/2006 13:06

i think (IMO obviously) that smug btards like us with loads of equity should move abroad, unless we really really really love the UK.

nailpolish · 05/09/2006 13:06

we al;most emigrated a couple of years ago, even had the medicals etc, i had even found a job

then dh's mother died and his father got teriminal cancer a month later

we have the ozzie discussion approx every pay day

DumbledoresGirl · 05/09/2006 13:06

Well, if you live in a crap area, can't afford a nice area, and don't value culture, then I would say Australia is the place to go. Housing is dirt cheap there compared with here. Also, your parents might be able to afford occasional flights if they stayed with you and had no hotel expenses. I am always astonished how cheap it can be to go places if you have family or friends to stay with when you are there.

coderoo · 05/09/2006 13:07

i ocudlnt take my kids away from my paretns
theyd be bereaved.

NomDePlume · 05/09/2006 13:08

I would be wary of the 5 year plan, personally. I'd hate for my kids to settle in Oz, make new friends, egt used to that way of life etc and then completely uproot them and move them across the World is huge thing to do.

DumbledoresGirl · 05/09/2006 13:09

Realistically, how likely are you going to be able to find work there? Is there a points system? Do you know how many points you have?

DaddyCool · 05/09/2006 13:10

there's loads of work in oz. perth is booming.

lucycat · 05/09/2006 13:11

Personally I think it's a bloody long way!

my bessie mate is married to a Kiwi and is torn between moving there and staying in grey, cloudy Stockport.

What swings it for her is the fact that her family are here, her dh's job is infintely superior to anything he would get out there and the fact that it costs them thousands of pounds to get there!

What would your dh do for a job?

If you're going to go, then go before your dd's are at school, it's amazing how tieing that feels.

DumbledoresGirl · 05/09/2006 13:11

Not for my dh DC! That is why he came to England in the first place!

DaddyCool · 05/09/2006 13:13

they do pay less though.

yes, the UK has lots and lots of high paying jobs i must admit but this country is a load of crap if you have a small income. you need to be a skilled professional to live in this country well.

Original poster
oliveoil · 05/09/2006 13:13

We both have transferable skills but I was hoping to do nothing tbh, and be a housewife. Dh has looked at the points and reckons we have enough due to his brother, he has residency or whatever they call it.

I may set the ball in motion and plan a holiday there to make up my mind.

We actually emigrated to Canada 4 years ago but when I became pregnant we came home, so are not averse to throwing ourselves into change.

OP posts:
Sandcastles · 05/09/2006 13:14

The further beyond 40 you both get the less likely you are to get accepted.

The Aussie are moaning that it's expencive, but petrol is still under 70p a litre.

Girls are young enough to settle without too many major probs, will have better education, great outdoor life. (we went to the beach for an hour last friday after dh got home from work at 5!!)

Our rent on a 3 bed house with large lounge, dining room large back & front gardens/self contined annex is less than 80 pound per week.

It's just started to come into spring here (adelaide) but it was 27 degrees on Thursday.

Food (takeaway etc) cheap.

As for the spiders, I had a red back in the garden the other day (but I was clearing crap away from beside the annex, so disturbed it) & I just sprayed with outdoor spider spray...DEAD! MIL has only ever seen 3 redbacks and she has ben here for 36 years.

Yeah, ok so it gets hot. But 30 degree heat in Oz is diff from 30 degree heat in UK. Plus, everywhere is air conditioned...& you just have to adapt your life style accordinly. (oh, and you don't often get 30+ degree nights)

Have not yet had to race outside during an unexpected rainstorm to get damp washing in.

We just brought a family car (brand new 2006 plates) for under 8k.

flashingnose · 05/09/2006 13:15

5 year plan is fine, kids are very adaptable - it would be pretty much the same effect relocating from London to Glasgow

Rhubarb · 05/09/2006 13:15

Lets face it, it's going to be a walk in the park is it? You'll be leaving lots behind including family and friends, but they visit on holiday and you will find childcare and you will make other friends.

What is holding you back in the UK? Family? Well they won't be able to support you indefinitely. Friends? Make new ones. What other reasons could anyone possibly have for wanting to stay in this Godforsaken place? LOOK OUT OF YOUR WINDOW, IT'S PISSING IT DOWN!

DaddyCool · 05/09/2006 13:17

I'll be sure to think of the british culture when i drive up to my 4000 sq foot house, grab a vodka and tonic and sit by my in-ground pool with my son.

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