How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
Nov 7th 2007, 10:41 pm
#46
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Location: On the edge of the Dandenongs, Melbourne
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Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
Thanks for the time you took to reply.
I hope I can get a visa. I have enough points with my trade and I dont remember doing anything illegal ( that I've been caught for anyway!). I suppose some previously unknown ailment could always come to light in the medical but hopefully not.
I think that I am generally happy with our lives in every way other than I hate my job here! Unfortunately we are mortgaged to my salary and there are not many good jobs around in the Print industry these days (like most other manufacturing industries over here). From what I know of the Print trade in Australia there certainly seems to be a lot more jobs knocking around and from other guys I know that have already made the move down there the British print worker is thought of favorably.
I think, also, that life is too short for just staying in one place. I believe that when, in hopefully many years to come, I am lying on my death bed and I had just stayed in one place all my life then it would be too much of a regret. I think I would always regret not doing the move more than I would than if the move turned into a disaster. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to experience living in a different country and Australia has always topped the bill.
Like others have implied though, maybe I am being selfish and should think more of what is best for the kids. Certainly, depriving the kids of their doting grandparents may not be in their best interests.
I hope I can get a visa. I have enough points with my trade and I dont remember doing anything illegal ( that I've been caught for anyway!). I suppose some previously unknown ailment could always come to light in the medical but hopefully not.
I think that I am generally happy with our lives in every way other than I hate my job here! Unfortunately we are mortgaged to my salary and there are not many good jobs around in the Print industry these days (like most other manufacturing industries over here). From what I know of the Print trade in Australia there certainly seems to be a lot more jobs knocking around and from other guys I know that have already made the move down there the British print worker is thought of favorably.
I think, also, that life is too short for just staying in one place. I believe that when, in hopefully many years to come, I am lying on my death bed and I had just stayed in one place all my life then it would be too much of a regret. I think I would always regret not doing the move more than I would than if the move turned into a disaster. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to experience living in a different country and Australia has always topped the bill.
Like others have implied though, maybe I am being selfish and should think more of what is best for the kids. Certainly, depriving the kids of their doting grandparents may not be in their best interests.
We also wanted the experience of living abroad, new adventures, new areas to explore etc. Life was almost too comfortable, although we were both working more than we wanted. We had a great circle of friends and plenty of family close by.
However, we have now been in Australia for nearly two years and everything has turned out very well. OH has been in demand with his skills and no longer needs to do o/t as his basic salary is much better. I haven't needed to work. We have a lovely house in a fab area and Melbourne is a fantastic city. We have made lots of friends, Aussies, Brits, Kiwis, Europeans, South Africans. The girls have lots of friends and have settled extremely well into school and kinder. There is always lots going on, beautiful places to visit and great park facilities.
The only downside is being away from the grandparents. I'm sure we know what the kids are missing more than they do, but that is hard all the same.
Good luck with everything! Not sure about the printing trade in Sydney - but certainly there seems to be many opportunities in Melbourne and outer suburbs.
Rachel
Nov 8th 2007, 3:41 am
#47
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Perth
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Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
There are many things about Australia which concern me - concern me that much that I would consider leaving...BUT....
I think it is fantastic for kids. Young kids that is - probably pre-teen.
I was back in the UK a month ago and really didn't like what I saw with regard to the lfiestyles of kids there.
Mine are definitely enjoying childhood rather than being pushed into being an adult. There's less pressure at school, lots of sport and activities, other kids are generally fun-loving. Much more encouragement to do family things.
Definitely better here.
I think it is fantastic for kids. Young kids that is - probably pre-teen.
I was back in the UK a month ago and really didn't like what I saw with regard to the lfiestyles of kids there.
Mine are definitely enjoying childhood rather than being pushed into being an adult. There's less pressure at school, lots of sport and activities, other kids are generally fun-loving. Much more encouragement to do family things.
Definitely better here.
Nov 8th 2007, 3:47 am
#48
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,913
Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
There are many things about Australia which concern me - concern me that much that I would consider leaving...BUT....
I think it is fantastic for kids. Young kids that is - probably pre-teen.
I was back in the UK a month ago and really didn't like what I saw with regard to the lfiestyles of kids there.
Mine are definitely enjoying childhood rather than being pushed into being an adult. There's less pressure at school, lots of sport and activities, other kids are generally fun-loving. Much more encouragement to do family things.
Definitely better here.
I think it is fantastic for kids. Young kids that is - probably pre-teen.
I was back in the UK a month ago and really didn't like what I saw with regard to the lfiestyles of kids there.
Mine are definitely enjoying childhood rather than being pushed into being an adult. There's less pressure at school, lots of sport and activities, other kids are generally fun-loving. Much more encouragement to do family things.
Definitely better here.
Nov 8th 2007, 4:01 am
#49
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Perth
Posts: 3,453
Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
Nov 8th 2007, 8:13 am
#50
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: UNS
Posts: 120
Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
You gotta give it a go - but definitely come on a recce first. I went to a 'immigration expo' before I came and in one lecture the guy explained that of all the emigres who return home within one year, the vast majority of them didn't go on a recce.
As for the grandparents, get here, get settled, get 'em out here too!
As for the grandparents, get here, get settled, get 'em out here too!
Nov 8th 2007, 8:32 am
#51
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
I just bumped this thread which gives lots of info about bringing up kids in Oz -
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=364535
Buzzy
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=364535
Buzzy
Nov 8th 2007, 10:40 am
#52
Has left the building
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,079
Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
I just bumped this thread which gives lots of info about bringing up kids in Oz -
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=364535
Buzzy
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=364535
Buzzy
Nov 10th 2007, 2:17 pm
#53
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 99
Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
Nov 10th 2007, 8:01 pm
#54
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: The Hills District,Sydney
Posts: 56
Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
Nope - NSW, about 40km north of Sydney. And I know it's all relative - I'm comparing to traffic in London, Colchester, and the M25 in between....... I remember even on a Sunday it would take us ages to get anywhere, and the thought of Tesco's anytime after midday - the 7th circle of hell!
Nov 10th 2007, 11:55 pm
#55
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
Hi cee... perhaps you could start a new thread on that subject? Seems like no-one's getting back to this one...
Nov 11th 2007, 12:11 am
#56
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Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
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Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
Nov 11th 2007, 12:22 am
#58
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Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
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Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
Nov 11th 2007, 12:25 am
#59
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: How much better is it to live, and bring up Children, in Australia than the UK?
<shudder>
