Originally Posted by coxfamuk

I would disagree with this on one level. I don't think you have to LOVE a country to make a go of it. I think the key is to realise that every country has its pitfalls and it is whether or not you can live with those pitfalls that will determine whether or not you can live in the country.

I also slightly resent the notion that people with children are 'trapped'. My husband and I were born in the UK, grew up in South Africa and returned to the UK to give our children what we felt would be a better life (as SA had become so crime-ridden and violent). Our daughter was 5 and I was pregnant with our son. Now, 8 years on, and England has not given us the quality of life we dreamed about. Do we care that we told our family and friends in SA that we were returning to the UK, do we feel trapped because our children are now 13 and 7 - absolutely not. We do what we consider to be best for our family so we are moving to Oz. If we get there and absolutely hate it or just can;t get on (which I do seriously doubt) will we worry that we will have lost face with our family and friends here in the UK because we said we were 'emigrating'. Of course not. We have not slagged off England to justify our move to Oz, we just believe that Oz will give us the lifestyle and quality of life that we feel we lost moving to the UK.

Also, on the note that most expats want to return home to die in their homeland - I think you will find that true of a lot of nations. Most of my south-african born friends dream of returning to their home of birth to live out their days. My parents have returned to the UK and dream of living out their days here. I think that is natural and not necessarily a slight on the country in which you currently live. My husbands aunt and uncle however who moved to Sydney in the 70's said that they couldn't think of anything worse than returning to the UK. They said why would they want to live the last of their days out in a country that is wet and cold, when they can enjoy walks a long the beach and sundowners on the porch. It is all a mindset at the end of the day.

Originally Posted by Ninijon

I thought this was an interesting read, thanks for taking the time to write it. However can't help but wonder why you wrote it? Most of us have made the decision to go and your thread isn't going to change that, you know that. However what you have done is made a number of people angry, you have added to everyones stress, which is already in a high state as it is. You have invited more doubt for everyone and panic. I appreciate any constructive criticism, however everyone knows they are leaving people behind and take it from someone who has been away from her family for 13 years it doesn't get any easier, but everyone knows this and doesn't need to be told how they will regret it and shouldn't bother in the first place. Personally I would rather regret the things I do, than sit on my ass and do nothing. And just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it wont for the rest of us. Personally I am not going to rush into buying a house, nor am I going to rush into starting a business till I know which way is up, and lastly my marriage has survived and thrived on much harder things than moving to another country, I find communication and understanding go along way rather than taking things out on each other. Thanks for your thread but in future keep this stuff to yourself or at least to the back to the UK forum.

Originally Posted by jad n rich

I really dont see the need for people to say stuff like that, all the guy did was post a polite account of how he found things, an account that could be useful to someone else.

If it doesnt work out for you would you like somebody to talk to you like that.

Originally Posted by BLC

Spot on, it amazes me that the poor sod has had people jumping all over their head, it was an opinion of someone that had given it a go with a few things THEY have experienced.

You know they may come back to the UK and after a year or two want to move elsewhere, that is their choice.

Please do give your own thoughts to the OP, you do not have to agree but do it in a constructive way.

B

Originally Posted by Geordie George

Charmoll,

You're right - life stage is a factor. Someone who's seen all angles (the good and bad sides of Aus and the UK) is, to my mind, a more balanced and useful contributer to this forum than those who've yet to even leave the UK. Just don't expect to hear that from the rose-tinted brigade!

Listen to B (BLC) - she's a god un and knows her stuff. More like her are appreciated.

GG

Originally Posted by Charmoll

I quoted the term 'trapped' from an entry further up the forum. I too agree children do not in anyway trap you in a place. I have made a number of South African friends here. They wish they could go back, but can't. I'm really referring the comments to the british and UK based. All I can say is Good Luck.

Originally Posted by Charmoll

I absolutely agree with everything you say, that is why I wrote it.

Originally Posted by coxfamuk

I understand that your view is jaded, and I have to agree that perhaps those kinds of comments are best left to the Returning to the UK forum.

Originally Posted by BLC

With respect and I don't say this to cause any stir, but why can't they have these views on there? They live in Australia, they have done the full move thing, isn't this another angle to life over in Oz? If they said life is hunky dory they get two pages of pats on the back posts and 10 hits of karma?

Sorry, but it a shame we can't have all views on here - good, bad or ugly? I think it is a real post.

And we are planning to move UK to Oz in next year or two.

B

Originally Posted by MrsDagboy

I think she means people like sjoldfield & others who are always posting & starting threads promoting their business .

Originally Posted by Geordie George

As someone who's in Australia, I find such posts useful - makes me realise, again, how lucky I am to be here AND be doing well.

There's always a positive, even in the negative posts. And when they're real life posts too, they're so much more valuable.

Originally Posted by BLC

Nicely put

Karma sent.

B

Originally Posted by BLC

With respect and I don't say this to cause any stir, but why can't they have these views on there? They live in Australia, they have done the full move thing, isn't this another angle to life over in Oz? If they said life is hunky dory they get two pages of pats on the back posts and 10 hits of karma?

Sorry, but it a shame we can't have all views on here - good, bad or ugly? I think it is a real post.

And we are planning to move UK to Oz in next year or two.

B