Originally Posted by Tr1boy (Post 11833886)

I have no idea where Wigan is apart from being 'North' but since being in the UK I've lived in Surrey, Somerset, Hampshire and soon to be Dorset ( or possibly Madrid but that's a bother story) and we go to the beach all the time, different beaches in summer and winter. I'll admit to being a bit extreme when it comes to outdoor sporting pursuits and there is plenty I don't like about the UK ( as there is a plethora of stuff I couldn't stand in Oz) but I don't get where you are seeing these litter strewn, polluted beaches?

It's very pleasant down here and hasn't changed much, scenery wise since I was young. I'm not saying the beaches are better in the UK, I'm a surfer, so of course that means waves appeal to me. But not every beach I've been to in Oz is better than some of the beaches I've been to in to the UK.

I think it very much depends on what you want from your beach. Flat/safe, surf, shaded etc. Australia in general has a good variety but the beaches aren't all brilliant, all the time, for a variety of reasons.

If I didn't surf, and could get work in my field, I'd possibly look at Glenelg because it's very cheap compared to the parts of Syd and Melb we would be prepared to return to.

There are generally two types of people that move to Oz from the UK. The 'escapee' and the 'adventurer'. I first moved to Australia in the '80s and have seen a few cycles of people come and go ( and come and go again). I appreciate you have genuine reasons to want to move to Australia and now we have a child, I can understand some of your reasoning.

My advice is though, don't demonise the UK in your mind to the degree that Australia has to be on some massively high pedestal because you may end up disappointed. Oz has its own issues and the separate cities within it have their own issues as well. Accepting that there are some things that work very well in the UK which don't in Oz AND vice versa, will yield you a higher percentage of happiness in Oz IMO.

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11833902)

A very fair and well rounded post.

FWIW I do bit the beach during the week. On average about 3 times and mix it between before and after work. Mornings are great with the sunrise and its usually less wind in the mornings. But there is also other commitments so its not beach every day of the week. It does rain sometimes too and for a few days on end. Great for catching up with the cinema ....... you know ..... normal persons things you might do in the uk :)

Originally Posted by Unzie85 (Post 11833914)

I appreciate all the advice people are giving I have every idea of how things will be in regards to weather, work, lifestyle etc and it seems people either like it or don't and the ones who don't generally missed British things, pretty silly really when they have moved to the other side of the planet, when really they would of been home sick moving across the street. 😂

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11833918)

A change of scenery is an education and a holiday in itself. What's the worst that can happen? Well probably a desire to move back home and if that's the case then you just move back home.

Originally Posted by Unzie85 (Post 11833932)

Exactly and if it works out and I can give my daughter more in life then it'll be worth it.

Originally Posted by Bermudashorts (Post 11833821)

Australia definitely has nicer beaches than the UK.

I don't think anybody has said otherwise have they? I know there has been talk of daylight and I will stand by my point that you get many, many more long evenings in the UK. No opinion in that, you can confirm by looking at the positions on the globe.

I lived ten minute walk from the beach. I could count on both hands the number of times I was there after work. As I mentioned it is dark by 7.30pm, would often only get home at 7pm and I am not really a beach in the dark kind of person. I do love beaches though and the sea, it is something I miss a lot now I have left. But truthfully I cannot say I was there that often, but it was nice knowing I could.

Originally Posted by old.sparkles (Post 11834136)

Only dark by 7.30pm in some areas not all :)

Originally Posted by Bermudashorts (Post 11833821)

Australia definitely has nicer beaches than the UK.

I don't think anybody has said otherwise have they? I know there has been talk of daylight and I will stand by my point that you get many, many more long evenings in the UK. No opinion in that, you can confirm by looking at the positions on the globe.

I lived ten minute walk from the beach. I could count on both hands the number of times I was there after work. As I mentioned it is dark by 7.30pm, would often only get home at 7pm and I am not really a beach in the dark kind of person. I do love beaches though and the sea, it is something I miss a lot now I have left. But truthfully I cannot say I was there that often, but it was nice knowing I could.

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11833918)

A change of scenery is an education and a holiday in itself. What's the worst that can happen? Well probably a desire to move back home and if that's the case then you just move back home.

Originally Posted by verystormy (Post 11834706)

We all know there are people stuck in Australia who would love to leave and now can not afford to and others who have been financially decimated by the move. Saying you can just move back is not that simple. If someone is a young single, then yes, but as we get older and accrue responsibilities it is a lot harder.

Originally Posted by Pollyana (Post 11833936)

Best advice I can give is - if you can do it, then go for it, move here, and stick it out at least until you are citizens. Because then even if you all go home afterwards your daughter will always have dual citizenship and the ability to come back if seh wishes. So many people post on here abut how they lived here as kids but their parents took them home without getting them citizenship first - so they can't come back. Sad.

Originally Posted by verystormy (Post 11834706)

We all know there are people stuck in Australia who would love to leave and now can not afford to and others who have been financially decimated by the move. Saying you can just move back is not that simple. If someone is a young single, then yes, but as we get older and accrue responsibilities it is a lot harder.