daddyofthree

Grayling,
You often make excellent and very valuable comments on this site and may they long continue. However, I occasionally sense a wish to return to the UK or feel that life is possibly better in the UK than where you are!

Grayling

Yes...life was much better for me in the UK.....and one day I will return

My comments were realistic ones.

I enjoy walking, fishing, camping, bird watching, gardening etc.

These activities are downright unpleasant during much of the day.

there are a few hours from about 4.0 am in the morning but, after that, the heat makes most activity very uncomfortable and, in the evening, when the sun goes down the mosquitoes make being outside unbearable.

G

pompeyblonde

Hi, I arrived in Adelaide a month before my 40th, well it took my mind of the big 4-0! I came on my own and its been a long haul over the last 3 years. I came on the state sponsored 495 so SA was my choice as its all regional. Finally I now have PR and am free to be where I really want to be!

Its hard leaving a good job and all the contacts you have built up, family and friends, when you are that bit older, BUT if not now then when? Im very glad I went for it! What a great opportunity!

Good luck to all whatever your age

RenShen

I am comparing his retirement with how it would be spent in our home town in the UK. I know that you are far more experienced in all matters Australian than I am but I am really not wearing rose tinted specs. I think Prof Princess used the term "same shit, shinier bucket" which I totally agree with.

Royston59

Hi, I agree...why do we get hung up on age ...it didnt seem to matter in my thirties. My wife and I are in the process of 475 visas, ( i think I have the number right), as She was under 45 at the point She was the main applicant and me being 49, (soon to be 50), had to settle for being "spouse" for once -grin. We have been over a few times and have relatives in Victoria, friends in Queensland, but none of it makes the "switch" any easier. We agreed a while ago that the decision would have been much easier when we were younger as we had less to lose....we both work and I suppose we could be described as professional people, .......still the one thing always comes back and that is how sad it would be to sit at a window in the future thinking what if? On the other hand we dont have those visa's yet!!!!

Grayling

more like

'same shit - different bucket'

G

pompeyblonde

The thing is, wherever you go you take yourself!! shiny bucket.... shitty bucket....you decide!

RenShen

You are so picky!!

Grayling

No....just making a point.

You may see it as a shinier bucket....I simply see it as a different one.

More a dull grey one than a shiny one.

G

carlap

My wife was 45 and got PR as a nurse and came here in July 08. She was part time in the UK and now works full time. Wage is lower, but extra hours make up for it. We pretty much break even. I worked in IT and was bored, worked less, ageism is a fact (nearly 50 now), so partly my choice, partly not. Wifes job was getting stale and political, 13 year old son getting poorer school reports. So coming to Oz was a real positive move for us, not just to escape the drudgery, more to do something fresh and exciting.

Wife says she is working harder than ever, likes the people, but terrible management (private hospital). We are trying to rejuvinate a lot of things, going out more for coffees, meals, bush walks, beach etc (which we could have done in the UK). But you still have the usual day to day stuff to do.

Our 13 year old son is a bit withdrawn. Settled well into school, but only has one real friend. But they never go out. I tried to rally a few friends for cricket etc, but it died a death! (but he does play for a club). Been out once in the holidays so far as his friend goes to a beach house for the month). Spends more time on the computer as he has stopped swimming (was in a UK club), stopped playing cello (has a guitar but not really spending time on it).

Like a lot of people we are struggling to make friends, but we never went out much in the UK anyhow. So swings and roundabouts for us. Lots of things are much better, some not so, some the same. We plan on getting citizenship, then have a rethink. Probably won't buy a house as we were nearly lumbered with the UK house and Oz may go the same way in a year or so. Personally I think if we went back to the UK we would soon realise why we came here - and I am the one not feeling settled. I just hoped a few things would fall into place - eg new friends, I am struggling to find anyone to play tennis (under 60 years old), no job prospects or idea of what I want to do anyhow. We have kind of swapped one city suburb (Bristol) for another (Melbourne). We are not living a dream life (ie not near beach in a huge house), but were always realistic about that. I would maybe like to move away from Melbourne as it is the most similar to UK (I think), but probably after son finishes school.

But I would say, age is not an issue. Ok, we think more about health care, pensions, but so would we have in the UK. But there are opportunities here and a chance for new things, so at the moment no regrets. The potential here seems better.

Dorothy

For some it is a shinier bucket. For others it's definitely not. Please bear in mind that Professional Princess has been here a relatively short time and for the most part she has had a smooth landing. Fortunately for her the bucket is shinier. Others of us simply see it as same same but different.

aussietobe

Fortune favours the brave.

Hills Boy

Popular subject. Not read all the posts so could be going over old ground. We've been here over a year and we were both in our early 40s when we got here. Similar position to you really: I gave up a well paid job and came over here with OH and two kids (all on PR but no job lined up for me and OH initially going to look after kids).

Couldn't stand the thought of sitting in a pub (in the UK) wondering/looking back (in my 50s) and thinking that I could/should have moved here. So we moved here to give it a go. Early days in the scheme of things but no regrets (so far). No idea what the future will bring but for now were happy and we life in the most untrendy state capital city (Adelaide) on the whole of this great big island down here. It could be the costliest mistake you ever make, then again...

There are loads of posts on here on why people either love or hate it here. Read them and work out whether the good/bad points for others are things that ring true for you. That will give you an idea, but the only way to know whether it's right for you is to book the flights, resign and give it a bloody good go.

This place certainly isn't for everyone, but lots of people like it and settle here very happily. After a decent dose of good luck the biggest factor (I believe) in successfully settling here is the right attitude.

The very best of luck with whatever you decide.

hopalong

Going in March, to Sydney, 43rd birthday last week, am single, no job waiting for me and my main friend in Sydney has now come back to UK.

It would be very easy to stay in England, nice friends, good job, nice flat, lovely family, but if you don't try you'll never know and it is something I have always wanted to do. I was supposed to go when i was 38, but couldn't (medical reasons) and I can't put the clock back, so now or never. Think there'll be ups and downs and mentally I am figuring allow 2 years before I'll feel settled with new friends etc.

Pompey Blonde - you sound in a similar situation, we should meet up when you get to Sydney! Anyone else in similar situation?

bezzanbob

Didn't think I'd be contributing here today.

Just found out that the 176 isn't possible to Vic given how they have culled huge numbers of occupations but thanks to an agent and some brill help from this board are quicly looking at a 475 leading to PR after 2 years.

I'm 42 (for a month) and the better half is already 43 but she looks much younger than I do!

Bezza