4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
Sep 19th 2010, 7:50 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: The Gold Coast, QLD
Posts: 443
4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
This may be of interest to people still in the UK or maybe just another pointless post.
Family of four arriving Gold Coast March 2006
It was a real buzz to be on a one way flight with no keys to anything and the opportunity to start afresh.
We did come with a completely open mind so were unlikely to be disappointed and we were totally committed to staying permanently in Australia from the word go which may have helped.
Both of us now work harder and longer hours than in the UK mainly to pay for the following.
Got citizenship under the two year rule.
Have a lovely house on an acre with pool etc but mortgage over twice what we had in the uk. Don't regret it but would not have made the same decision in the UK. If you want to live somewhere that makes the move worthwhile for your family you are going to have to pay for it.
Have accumulated some of the direct debits and silly bills (why has my wife joined the GYM again!!!!! how many times will she actually go?) that it was such a relief to have got rid of when we left the UK. My vision of living on one income did not last very long.
My view on prices has now changed with the of cost of insurance, utilities, rego etc having increased dramatically since we arrived. It all seemed so cheap then compared with the UK.
Mother in Law came over here to live here. Did not see that one coming! although the rest of the family seem very pleased.
The following I also did not see coming
Our child after some research is in a suitable private school . If your child is in a state school it may not be geared up if your child actually wants to learn rather than be babysat. No doubt some peoples children are in excellent state schools, our experience was unfortunately different.
At least you have the choice here and the fees are not out of reach for a dual income family.
We eventually chose to to pay medical insurance and inspite of that have laid out a fair bit in Gap fees on treatments we have had. Would probably still be waiting if we were relying on the public system though.
We still love the general upbeat optimistic feel of this part of Australia.
Our child is thriving in this environment. I am certain she would not be the same girl if we had remained in our home town.
Our older daughter now has a partner and baby and again I am convinced has a much better standard of life here.
Have got used to the heat and now find winter nights rather cold. I work in shorts and teeshirt all winter though which I still find novel.
All in all we love it here and would not want to go back to the UK.
Family of four arriving Gold Coast March 2006
It was a real buzz to be on a one way flight with no keys to anything and the opportunity to start afresh.
We did come with a completely open mind so were unlikely to be disappointed and we were totally committed to staying permanently in Australia from the word go which may have helped.
Both of us now work harder and longer hours than in the UK mainly to pay for the following.
Got citizenship under the two year rule.
Have a lovely house on an acre with pool etc but mortgage over twice what we had in the uk. Don't regret it but would not have made the same decision in the UK. If you want to live somewhere that makes the move worthwhile for your family you are going to have to pay for it.
Have accumulated some of the direct debits and silly bills (why has my wife joined the GYM again!!!!! how many times will she actually go?) that it was such a relief to have got rid of when we left the UK. My vision of living on one income did not last very long.
My view on prices has now changed with the of cost of insurance, utilities, rego etc having increased dramatically since we arrived. It all seemed so cheap then compared with the UK.
Mother in Law came over here to live here. Did not see that one coming! although the rest of the family seem very pleased.
The following I also did not see coming
Our child after some research is in a suitable private school . If your child is in a state school it may not be geared up if your child actually wants to learn rather than be babysat. No doubt some peoples children are in excellent state schools, our experience was unfortunately different.
At least you have the choice here and the fees are not out of reach for a dual income family.
We eventually chose to to pay medical insurance and inspite of that have laid out a fair bit in Gap fees on treatments we have had. Would probably still be waiting if we were relying on the public system though.
We still love the general upbeat optimistic feel of this part of Australia.
Our child is thriving in this environment. I am certain she would not be the same girl if we had remained in our home town.
Our older daughter now has a partner and baby and again I am convinced has a much better standard of life here.
Have got used to the heat and now find winter nights rather cold. I work in shorts and teeshirt all winter though which I still find novel.
All in all we love it here and would not want to go back to the UK.
Sep 19th 2010, 9:32 am
#2
Happy migrant
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Newcastle , NSW
Posts: 6,756
Re: 4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
Great post Neil.
We are hoping to be over next year and we are prepared to work hard and shell out money to get the things we want.
It's become obvious from posts on this forum that Australia is no longer the cheap place it was and it's good to be prepared for that
We are hoping to be over next year and we are prepared to work hard and shell out money to get the things we want.
It's become obvious from posts on this forum that Australia is no longer the cheap place it was and it's good to be prepared for that
Sep 19th 2010, 9:36 am
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: at the bottom of a wine glass
Posts: 28,176
Re: 4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
Glad it's working for you. We've been here 4 and half years too, and I'm also very glad we moved here. 
Sep 19th 2010, 9:49 am
#4
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: 4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
Just over four years myself, no regrets. A couple of niggles but overall, life is much better.
Nice post, thank you.
Nice post, thank you.
Sep 19th 2010, 9:56 am
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Sydney
Posts: 992
Re: 4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
Nice one Neil, like yourself after nearly 6 years I have far too many positives than negatives.
Sep 19th 2010, 10:02 am
#6
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Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Yorkshire - Queensland - NSW
Posts: 843
Re: 4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
Great post
Yes same here it will be 5 years in March for us and do not regret coming here one bit life is far better for us
Yes same here it will be 5 years in March for us and do not regret coming here one bit life is far better for us
Sep 19th 2010, 10:05 am
#7
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 623
Re: 4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
Aussies dont work hard!! I've been with my company for 3 years and "work" about 4 hours a day. The rest of the time is spent chatting (as aussies love to do) or having a pub lunch.
I earn twice as much as I did in the UK for half the work :-) Love it!!
I earn twice as much as I did in the UK for half the work :-) Love it!!
Sep 19th 2010, 10:07 am
#8
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Joined: May 2007
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 337
Re: 4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
hi
we've been on the Gold coast too for just over 3 years.. and still thankful everyday that we made the move..
we've been on the Gold coast too for just over 3 years.. and still thankful everyday that we made the move..
Sep 19th 2010, 3:42 pm
#9
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Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Northumberland to Maida Vale Perth
Posts: 972
Re: 4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
Been here 7 years and 2 weeks and still can't believe my luck. I came with nowt (relatively A$32,000) and started afresh. I was lucky since I bought my house the have prices doubled.
At least once a week I stop what I'm doing and look around the area I live in and marvel at it. Most of my mates agree this is truely the lucky country.
For those about to come over I hope things will work out right. Sometimes it will be hard but it's all worthwhile.
Keel
At least once a week I stop what I'm doing and look around the area I live in and marvel at it. Most of my mates agree this is truely the lucky country.
For those about to come over I hope things will work out right. Sometimes it will be hard but it's all worthwhile.
Keel
Sep 19th 2010, 8:21 pm
#10
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: The Gold Coast, QLD
Posts: 443
Re: 4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
Unless you guys are incredibly specialist or productive in what you do your employer could possibly get rid of half his staff and achieve the same result. Just hope that your company does not receive any of its revenue from the public purse.
In our experience Aussies DO work hard and take what they do seriously and contary to what others have found customer service has always been good even from Telstra believe it or not.
Sep 19th 2010, 8:39 pm
#11
Lets Rock !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 599
Re: 4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
This may be of interest to people still in the UK or maybe just another pointless post.
Family of four arriving Gold Coast March 2006
It was a real buzz to be on a one way flight with no keys to anything and the opportunity to start afresh.
We did come with a completely open mind so were unlikely to be disappointed and we were totally committed to staying permanently in Australia from the word go which may have helped.
Both of us now work harder and longer hours than in the UK mainly to pay for the following.
Got citizenship under the two year rule.
Have a lovely house on an acre with pool etc but mortgage over twice what we had in the uk. Don't regret it but would not have made the same decision in the UK. If you want to live somewhere that makes the move worthwhile for your family you are going to have to pay for it.
Have accumulated some of the direct debits and silly bills (why has my wife joined the GYM again!!!!! how many times will she actually go?) that it was such a relief to have got rid of when we left the UK. My vision of living on one income did not last very long.
My view on prices has now changed with the of cost of insurance, utilities, rego etc having increased dramatically since we arrived. It all seemed so cheap then compared with the UK.
Mother in Law came over here to live here. Did not see that one coming! although the rest of the family seem very pleased.
The following I also did not see coming
Our child after some research is in a suitable private school . If your child is in a state school it may not be geared up if your child actually wants to learn rather than be babysat. No doubt some peoples children are in excellent state schools, our experience was unfortunately different.
At least you have the choice here and the fees are not out of reach for a dual income family.
We eventually chose to to pay medical insurance and inspite of that have laid out a fair bit in Gap fees on treatments we have had. Would probably still be waiting if we were relying on the public system though.
We still love the general upbeat optimistic feel of this part of Australia.
Our child is thriving in this environment. I am certain she would not be the same girl if we had remained in our home town.
Our older daughter now has a partner and baby and again I am convinced has a much better standard of life here.
Have got used to the heat and now find winter nights rather cold. I work in shorts and teeshirt all winter though which I still find novel.
All in all we love it here and would not want to go back to the UK.
Family of four arriving Gold Coast March 2006
It was a real buzz to be on a one way flight with no keys to anything and the opportunity to start afresh.
We did come with a completely open mind so were unlikely to be disappointed and we were totally committed to staying permanently in Australia from the word go which may have helped.
Both of us now work harder and longer hours than in the UK mainly to pay for the following.
Got citizenship under the two year rule.
Have a lovely house on an acre with pool etc but mortgage over twice what we had in the uk. Don't regret it but would not have made the same decision in the UK. If you want to live somewhere that makes the move worthwhile for your family you are going to have to pay for it.
Have accumulated some of the direct debits and silly bills (why has my wife joined the GYM again!!!!! how many times will she actually go?) that it was such a relief to have got rid of when we left the UK. My vision of living on one income did not last very long.
My view on prices has now changed with the of cost of insurance, utilities, rego etc having increased dramatically since we arrived. It all seemed so cheap then compared with the UK.
Mother in Law came over here to live here. Did not see that one coming! although the rest of the family seem very pleased.
The following I also did not see coming
Our child after some research is in a suitable private school . If your child is in a state school it may not be geared up if your child actually wants to learn rather than be babysat. No doubt some peoples children are in excellent state schools, our experience was unfortunately different.
At least you have the choice here and the fees are not out of reach for a dual income family.
We eventually chose to to pay medical insurance and inspite of that have laid out a fair bit in Gap fees on treatments we have had. Would probably still be waiting if we were relying on the public system though.
We still love the general upbeat optimistic feel of this part of Australia.
Our child is thriving in this environment. I am certain she would not be the same girl if we had remained in our home town.
Our older daughter now has a partner and baby and again I am convinced has a much better standard of life here.
Have got used to the heat and now find winter nights rather cold. I work in shorts and teeshirt all winter though which I still find novel.
All in all we love it here and would not want to go back to the UK.
What a great Post. Its 5 yrs for us in November, and like you no regrets.
Your opening statement is exactly what our attitude was It was a real buzz to be on a one way flight with no keys to anything and the opportunity to start afresh.
No doubt it won't be long for the Aussie bashers to spoil this post with their negativity, this post is fair and accurate.
I too marvel at what we have achieved for ourselves, and what we have accomplished in 5 short years. Many times i sit on the patio and take in my surroundings and think "You know what, for a lad from Rochdale, you've not done to bad for yourself", it has been and continues to be hard work sometimes but the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Long may it continue...
Sep 19th 2010, 9:11 pm
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
Re: 4 1/2 years in and how Australia has worked for us
2 years for us, and can relate to all that has been said- particularly mortgage, schooling and medical bills. DD is now 14 and thriving, and we would not want to go back to the UK. OH works longer hours, but has a shorter commute so overall time is similar, and he is much happier too.
