We (my wife, 4 year old son and me) will be leaving the UK for Melbourne on 1st June.

I only got offered the job about 12 weeks ago!

Before that we had no plans to emigrate and had never really considered it.
It's all been a complete whirlwind.

The job I have over there is permanent (the head office of the UK company I work for now) but due to the hurried nature of everything we had to go for 457 visas and go for PR once we get there.

Our heads are in the clouds - are we doing the right thing? who knows - but we just have to try our best.

Needless to say we are more shocked and emotional than excited. I am sure that is normal though and many of you have been through it yourselves.

Thanks for listening!

Wow, indeed a whirlwind move....good luck with it all. There are quite a few of us over here happy to listen and talk when you get here should you feel the need

As for whether you're doing the right thing....well, to me it seems there is no wrong or right, just decisions made and acted upon. Maybe in hindsight we can say good or bad, but at the time who knows what is for the best....that's the beauty of life, when you have the choice

Good luck

Hi

Just wanted to say, good luck and congratulations. As my Mum used to say if it feels right just do it... life is not a rehearsal.

I used to be an Ipswich girl before we emigrated to Cornwall... so I can appreciate the appeal of Oz!!!

Best wishes

Sarah

fantastic,good luck to you..

i hope you and the family have a great new life in australia..

I agree. No right of wrongs really just one great experience. Better than sitting there and thinking what if!!! You are brave enough to do it. Sometimes on here we forget that we are the brave ones many just sit and think about it.

Good luck with the move and new job.

J

Best of luck. What do you do for a living? Will your wife work too? Hope it all works out for you

good luck to you all for your new life in australia hope it all works out for you karen&rob

Fantastic, good luck and hope you all have a blast. Maybe a positive thing it all happening so quickly with no real emmigration plans before, at least you don't have time to build it up to something it turns out not to be, get to go with an open mind and not too many preconceived ideas. All the best x

Thanks everyone - many great words of wisdom!

You are all so supportive and understand what we are going through.

We will give it our best shot and try and hang in there.

I honestly beleive we will have a better lifestyle - just need to get over the shock factor - God, we are going to miss our freinds, family and way of life big time, but i feel sure this is right for us.

Sunday night - Midnight - as I type this - just said goodbye to my childhood friends after a few beers and a meal - tuff or what! Not to mention family that comes on Tuesday - This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do!

Thanks again everyone. It's funny how you can talk to forum members you have never met better than friends or family!

Good luck with your new lives. I think I read that you're moving to Berwick. Is that a long term destination or may you move around Melbourne? If you 're ever in the North Eastern suburbs drop in for a coffee.

I've friends in Kesgrave. Don't suppose you work for BT too?

Sometimes I don't think it matters how long you plan, some of us love Melbourne and Australia on sight, others never settle. You've got your work cut out but for many there are no regrets.

All the best.

Flip

Congratulations on the visa mate. Word of warning. On a 457 you will likely not be eligible for medicare but should be able to do the reciprocal health thing assuming you are British. One way out is to get your company to agree before hand to take care of your private medical insurance and get it documented that they will sponsor you for PR as soon as you get Aus (as an added insurance).

Please familiarize yourself with the rights of a 457 holder. There are many threads on that on BE. Equipped with the right information and attitude, you will have a great time in Aus.

I wish you the best

Wow that is a whirlwind move. Good luck and I hope it all goes well.

Thanks everyone - we got in last night.

Currently in Narre Warren whilst we look for a house to rent over the next few days.

Saying goodbye to the family was the hardest thing i have ever had to do!!!
I feel I can do anything now!

Wow best of luck with the move hardly had time to get second thoughts eh?
All the best

BY the time you read this you will be there!!!! Lucky things!!!! Good luck with the move and settling in. Post back on here to let us all know how its going, its great to hear peoples stories.