Should I move to Australia from the U.K. for my son?

[Jbirds]

Hello,

So a brief background. We live in the U.K. and I’m thinking more and more about moving to Australia for a better quality of life for my son. Me and my partner lived there for a year in 2016/2017 and loved it but moved back for family as my parents are quite old. I’m glad I did as my father has been diagnosed with cancer and hasn’t got a good prognosis at all. I also have a son- 17 months old- and since having him I have been thinking about whether Australia would provide a better life for him. I am a teacher and my wonderful partner is a doctor, so we shouldn’t have an issue with visas. We previously moved to Adelaide and loved it, so would potentially move there again.

So, should I move back for my son? I would love to from anyone who has made the move for their child and if they think it has made a difference to their child’s life. I would also love to hear from anyone that had children in the private school systems there- how do they compare to British schools?

Any help or kind words would be most appreciated.

TIA

It is almost impossible to advise on a situation like this as everyone is different. And emigration is difficult and expensive, and a bit of a gamble. Having said that, we did it and have absolutely zero regrets. Yes, we miss our families back in the UK and Ireland, but our lives here are immeasurably better. We earn more, work less and are just happier! It helps that we all love the sunshine and heat, summer is my favourite season here, but really what I love most is having nine months a year and more of sunshine and blue skies, it does wonders for my mood! Yes Australia isn't perfect, every country has its issues, and it certainly isn't for everyone, but you won't know if it suits you until you've tried it, and you have an advantage in that you already have done that and liked it. Nothing is guaranteed though, some people never settle and ping pong several times! It was the best move we ever made though, this is the third country I've lived in, and the last. Good luck whatever you decide.

I am Aussie, lived in the UK for close to 15 years and had my children there, moved back to Australia 3 years ago, kids now 11 and 9.

We were in London and to be honest, gang crime was getting a bit too close to home, but obviously not all of the UK is like that, and we moved just outside a capital city here in Australia. Someone above mentioned drugs, but it isn't a big issue where I am here in Aus. Also, my oldest is July born and was always so far behind at school his first few years in the UK, he was just too young, he is flying at school now being in the right year level he should be in - but that is a reason personal to my family.

I would say home is where the heart, ie. family are. If you have family in the UK who you care about stay there. Moving with kids is hard, and a lot of people make their 'mum' friends when kids are babies, so if you move when they are bit older it is hard to make new friends...people are busy with their kids, partners, work, elderly parents, their existing friends...most people when you get a bit older do not seem to be looking for new friends.

Good points, schools are more chilled out, teachers don't seem as stressed as in the UK. Access to GP and medical services has been so good, there is often some cost involved, but I go to the most amazing bulk billing GP surgery. I have never been rushed out of a GP appointment. You just call up and get an appointment at a time convenient to you, it is amazing. The GP receptionists are nice, because they know you don't have to attend their surgery. My kids are loving living here and it is so much better for them than where we were in London. Being a teacher and a doctor, I really think you might be better off work/life balance wise.

I do know some expats who have got very homesick since covid, it is one thing living abroad when you think you can always just jump on a plane, but when you can't, it is very hard. I have an Indian friend who was so excited to start their new life in Australia, but was hopping back home a couple of times a year, now he can't do that because of covid he is thinking about moving back to India, primarily for family.

Lots to weigh up, I live in a lifestyle town and there are a lot of divorces, my theory is people move here to improve or fix things, but at the end of the day, a lot is same same but different, and your troubles can follow you.

Before you do anything at all ... make sure you CAN obtain visas. You say 'you should have no problems with visas' but it's really not a 'done deal' and can be incredibly hard to obtain a permanent visa. It's costly, requires a huge amount of paperwork and can take two years to obtain (given current visa processing times). It's not impossible, but can be very difficult to obtain company sponsorship. Bear in mind many teacher and medical professionals have to take roles in the countryside of Australia and depending on visa, you may be restricted to which State you can live in .

I have lived nearly twenty years in Australia and in the UK so if you have any questions just ask.

@Alwaysready

Oh forgot to mention the sexism- sorry but Australia is a bit behind the times and lots of people never been out of Australia that insular view is tough and the sexism is still alive and well 😐 On a positive note teaching is easier- less planning and paperwork.

This old chestnut.

Hate to tell you this but sexism is ALIVE and well in the UK too!!

It is a ridiculous thing to paint every Australian male is sexist.

Sexist behaviour, ageism and casual racism (and worse) does rear its ugly head here in Australia. It happens in every country, everywhere and unless you've met every person you can't possibly tarnish everybody with the same brush.

Having said that, I do find (having spent a long time in both the UK and Australia), Australia is behind when it comes to modern thinking on sexism, ageism and racism. It seems to be accepted in many conversations and makes me uncomfortable. Perhaps many people "think" it in the UK but I didn't hear as many views being expressed verbally.

Purely from my experience only, what is deemed acceptable behaviour (language) differs greatly in Australian offices vs the UK offices I have worked in. Swearing here (Australia) is almost par for the course (C..., F... etc.) peppered in normal conversations - even in a really professional (so to speak) office.

I moved to Adelaide a few years ago with my primary school aged kids.

We have opted for a catholic school for their education Which we pay for( a very small amount works out around £2000 per child). In the uk we never enrolled them in private school so it won’t be a direct comparison.

The school year obviously runs different to the uk( end of jan to beginning of dec) and they start reception between 4 and a half and 5 and a half. Deferring is easy to do if the child isn’t ready. My kids school also does a mid year reception intake ( those kids do a year and a half in reception).
I was able to keep my children in the same year groups as Uk even though age wise they should be in the previous class. They use laptops more than they did in the uk and they are given one to take home once in year 4.
They also do camp yearly from yr3 (this is the only excursion my children’s school needs an additional payment for).
There are a lot of competitive sports teams run from the school and options to do things like debate and choir when they are in the last couple of years of primary.

Adelaide is a wonderful place to raise children. Very laid back lots of parks and beaches, the fringe is on just now which always has great child friendly shows.

It can get hot but generally there are only a handful of days each year that it gets 40 or above.

Adelaide also isn’t as expensive as some of the other states.

Oh and great wine regions here too!

Feel free to message me about any questions you have!

I would do some investigating on how easy it would be for you to move here OP. Even with desirable vocations, COVID has put a massive spanner in the works for many people wanting to emigrate here. There is a daily/weekly cap on how many international arrivals we’re letting in and there are Australians who have been stranded overseas for more than a year unable to come home because they’re stuck in this queue. So even if you both find employment here, the Australian government may not let you in for some time.