Re: The big question - is the grass greener?
 

Some things are better some things are worse, wether its for you only you can decide.

One thing I will mention is people have said the UK attitude to alcohol and all the problems that creates it one reason to leave. Well I am affraid in much of australia they have the same problem and its slowly getting worse. I have seen places with many loud drunks staggering about as I used to in the UK and have chatted to a policeman friend who tells me that its becoming a problem, its funny but when talking to him it sounded like how it started in the UK, so give it 5 years and there maybe as much a problem with underage and binge drinking that there is in the uk.

Dont think you are comming to a paradise, theres a lot of problems here but there are a lot of opportunitys to

Re: The big question - is the grass greener?
 

My advice would be to make ABSOLUTELY SURE you are unhappy in the UK and not just restless or tired of routine. The issues in Australia are different but they have the same effect.This is particularly appropriate if you intend working In Australia - the employment environment here is based on American ideals and employers have significant power through legislation leaving employees vulnerable with very few rights.

Re: The big question - is the grass greener?
 

I haven't yet read the other replies, but from what I can see you may well be heading for heartbreak if you emigrate.

Alcohol is very much a part of life here also.....perhaps with less 'yobbishness', but it's no magical crime free paradise either.

You truely don't realise what you have until it's gone. I would place great value on living in a close knit community with familiarity and family nearby. You'll miss the support when you have your new baby.....and unless you'll bringing heaps of Pounds with you I seriously doubt you'll find a home so close to the coast.

The outdoor lifestyle thing can also be a bit misleading as the heat here can be just as restrictive as cold wet days can in the U.K (I go out/walk far less here:()

The grass is not necessarily greener...just different grass:unsure:Life still happens....kids get sick,washing gets done, you go to work etc etc..

Can you not make less life altering adaptations to your existing lives to help your childrens future????

Having said all this....after 3 years here having had a new baby (Jan4kids now!) ,and battled with bouts of the most awful homesickness,money worries and doubts I am now looking forward to our future here. Alot of how it goes for each individual depends on their personality, persistence and I believe pure luck! A lucky few seem to land on their feet running whilst others get dropped in a muddy puddle and have to sort themselves out before they're back on track.

It is purely a subjective matter at the end of the day...but one thing I will say is that if you do decide to come Don't sell your house! If it doesn't workout you won't have lost your place on the U.K property ladder and it will prevent you from being over zelous with spending on arrival as many feel like a Lord with their Pounds on arrival:o (us included there!)

Jan

Re: The big question - is the grass greener?
 

Life here is better if:

You don't make comparisons with home
You actually realise that your familiy and friend are on the other side of the world
You REALLY want to do it
You have an open mind.
You are prepared to work at it

Bloody lovely here:thumbsup: