Beginning the process.
Jan 10th 2016 | 9:23 pm
#46
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Beginning the process.
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.
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.
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
Jan 10th 2016 | 9:44 pm
#47
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 15
From: Wigan
Re: Beginning the process.
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
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
Jan 10th 2016 | 9:51 pm
#48
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Beginning the process.
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. 😂
Jan 10th 2016 | 10:14 pm
#49
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 15
From: Wigan
Re: Beginning the process.
Exactly and if it works out and I can give my daughter more in life then it'll be worth it.
Jan 10th 2016 | 10:23 pm
#50
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 94,306
From: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Re: Beginning the process.
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.
Jan 11th 2016 | 1:59 am
#51
MODERATOR
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 31,932
From: Adelaide
Re: Beginning the process.
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.
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.
Jan 11th 2016 | 1:56 pm
#53
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,342
From: Scotland
Re: Beginning the process.
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.
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.
With regard visiting the beach, I live 150 meters from a very good beach. Other than walking the dog, I probably don't visit more than once or twice a year. When I first arrived for the first summer we were there a lot, but then it is a bit all samey. Been done and bored.
Personally, I will never understand Brits who move to oz for the beach. It would be far easier and cheaper to spend all that money a nice little bolt hole in somewhere like Greece and jump on easy jet flights when ever you fancy.
Jan 11th 2016 | 1:58 pm
#54
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,342
From: Scotland
Re: Beginning the process.
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.
Jan 11th 2016 | 3:52 pm
#55
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: Beginning the process.
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.
..... or perhaps sponsor a plane ticket to the East Coast.
Jan 11th 2016 | 6:58 pm
#56
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Beginning the process.
The 45 years I lived in the UK I didn't see the point of daylight until 10:30 and I still don't. Just because it's dark by 8 in the height of summer doesn't mean you stop doing stuff outside. Having it dark by 8 is vastly preferable for me to the long UK winters of dark by 4/4.30. Each to their own and all that. I go down to the beach to sit and ponder quite a lot but then I live 5 minutes away. In the UK it was at least a 2 hour drive so it was more an organised day+ trip. Completely different scenario.
Jan 13th 2016 | 8:55 pm
#57
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 20,821
From: Brisbane
Re: Beginning the process.
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.
Jan 14th 2016 | 9:12 am
#58
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,998
Re: Beginning the process.
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.
Adult children here, broke after a divorce, partner who is willing to move but also has adult children here (and grandchildren), 10 years out of my profession means little chance of working in my field if I did go back. Did I mention broke?
