Originally Posted by MartinH

Thanks to all for your really nice posts.

For those who have thought about moving to a continental European country and been worried because of the language thing - then you really shouldn't. Most international employers will consider you, provided you are willing to learn. Our children were in international school for the first two years here but - mainly because of the cost - we decided to put them into the local school system. This has proved to be an excellent decision and they are both (13 and 10) now perfectly bilingual. What really surprised me was that the local children were so friendly and interested in "auslanders" and to my knowledge they have never been teased or bullied because they were 'different'. They do have an advantage that they the schools teach English as a foreign language - so they are always top in something!

Anyway, thanks again for your kind messsages

Originally Posted by MartinH

Having cancelled our proposed move to Oz, I thought it might be interesting for those about to go or those who are having second thoughts, an alternative point of view.

First thing to say is that we are not completely green to this and Australia would have been our second big move, having ‘emigrated’ from England to Germany some six years ago.

Secondly, the cancellation of our move has created an unbelievable amount of disruption as we had already gone a long part of the way down the road (visa granted, house sold, removals booked, job resigned etc.).

We had decided to move to Oz basically because after nearly six years of living in Germany we wanted to return to an English speaking environment and for the children to continue their education in English. In addition, we took a big holiday in Australia last year and really enjoyed it.

Anyway, over the last few months there were a couple of events that started to make me feel a little uncomfortable about going; some of them I’ll admit are very personal and a little bit ridiculous. Anyway here goes…..

1. Over the last few months I’ve had the good fortune to visit Oslo and Prague and, as anyone who has visited either place will confirm, they are incredibly beautiful cities. That got me thinking of all the other places in Europe that I hadn’t visited and made me think how difficult it would be to visit those places living so far away.

2. The summer arrived. I live in a small town in southern Germany which is surrounded by mountains (well more like hills really) and the summer is such a great time to go mountain biking. There would have been minimal opportunities in Perth.

3. The mountains got me thinking about skiing and whilst there are opportunities to ski in the southern hemisphere, they are not the places where (like now) I could leave after work on Friday and be back at my desk on Monday morning. I was also starting to have difficulties picturing the family eating Christmas dinner in shorts.

4. I would have had to give my car (a Porsche) back. Ok I could have had a reasonably nice car down under but even then no opportunity to drive like I can in Germany (I’m aware that to a lot of people this will sound really pathetic!)

5. This may be controversial and I am prepared to be flamed for it BUT one of the things I like about Germany is the lack of Brits and living in a culture which still has a strong sense of discipline and order and I really worry about British / American culture invading Australia. I am not saying that Germany is perfect but the hooligan element is certainly much reduced.

I had not shared my concerns with the family having committed so much time and effort to organizing the move and the catalyst came when our dog failed its final blood test. This really through things into chaos as there was no way I could ask the children to leave their dog behind. We had a second blood test done and a third before finally after two-weeks she was given the all-clear. But over those two weeks we had shared our concerns as a family and had collectively come to the conclusion that there were more reasons to stay than to go.
So over the last two weeks we have had to dial-ourselves back into our life. We have moved house, got the kids back into school and (luckily) managed to get my job back (I had remained on very good terms with my employer and they had told me that if ever I decided to come back then the door would be open for me).

I don’t regret the decision as I think it has given us the opportunity to take a step back and look at our lives and appreciate all the great things about it – as opposed to looking at the other side of the hill and thinking the grass is greener.

In 10-15 years when we retire, when I can no longer mountainbike and when I no longer wish to drive like a loon then we may decide to go but for the now the chapter is closed.

My message to other is make sure you weigh up all the pro’s and cons. Don’t try and sell yourself on a “getting a better life” in general ticket. Really sit down and think about what you will gain but more importantly, what you will lose and then evaluate whether that is an acceptable sacrifice.

Originally Posted by Dmartyos

One of the better posts to read on here at last.

It does make you sit down & think about things. I spent time in lake district & then over in europe recently & it has made me think, dam I cant do this anymore for a while maybe not for a long time. But I dont have the feeling of dread at the moment.

Mainly because were I am both physically & professionally is not here. Therefore if a person is like this & they will be open to doing extreme things to change it ie emigrate.

Your choice was made by yourself & family agreed so it sounds great for you, also Germany sounds like a brilliant place to work/live & bring up a family.
At the end of the day thats what most decent people want & for me it wasent going to happen in the UK at the moment.

Good luck with your lives in Germany & this will make you enjoy your lifestyle over there 10 folds. Marty

Originally Posted by MartinH

Having cancelled our proposed move to Oz, I thought it might be interesting for those about to go or those who are having second thoughts, an alternative point of view.

First thing to say is that we are not completely green to this and Australia would have been our second big move, having ‘emigrated’ from England to Germany some six years ago.

Secondly, the cancellation of our move has created an unbelievable amount of disruption as we had already gone a long part of the way down the road (visa granted, house sold, removals booked, job resigned etc.).

We had decided to move to Oz basically because after nearly six years of living in Germany we wanted to return to an English speaking environment and for the children to continue their education in English. In addition, we took a big holiday in Australia last year and really enjoyed it.

Anyway, over the last few months there were a couple of events that started to make me feel a little uncomfortable about going; some of them I’ll admit are very personal and a little bit ridiculous. Anyway here goes…..

1. Over the last few months I’ve had the good fortune to visit Oslo and Prague and, as anyone who has visited either place will confirm, they are incredibly beautiful cities. That got me thinking of all the other places in Europe that I hadn’t visited and made me think how difficult it would be to visit those places living so far away.

2. The summer arrived. I live in a small town in southern Germany which is surrounded by mountains (well more like hills really) and the summer is such a great time to go mountain biking. There would have been minimal opportunities in Perth.

3. The mountains got me thinking about skiing and whilst there are opportunities to ski in the southern hemisphere, they are not the places where (like now) I could leave after work on Friday and be back at my desk on Monday morning. I was also starting to have difficulties picturing the family eating Christmas dinner in shorts.

4. I would have had to give my car (a Porsche) back. Ok I could have had a reasonably nice car down under but even then no opportunity to drive like I can in Germany (I’m aware that to a lot of people this will sound really pathetic!)

5. This may be controversial and I am prepared to be flamed for it BUT one of the things I like about Germany is the lack of Brits and living in a culture which still has a strong sense of discipline and order and I really worry about British / American culture invading Australia. I am not saying that Germany is perfect but the hooligan element is certainly much reduced.

I had not shared my concerns with the family having committed so much time and effort to organizing the move and the catalyst came when our dog failed its final blood test. This really through things into chaos as there was no way I could ask the children to leave their dog behind. We had a second blood test done and a third before finally after two-weeks she was given the all-clear. But over those two weeks we had shared our concerns as a family and had collectively come to the conclusion that there were more reasons to stay than to go.
So over the last two weeks we have had to dial-ourselves back into our life. We have moved house, got the kids back into school and (luckily) managed to get my job back (I had remained on very good terms with my employer and they had told me that if ever I decided to come back then the door would be open for me).

I don’t regret the decision as I think it has given us the opportunity to take a step back and look at our lives and appreciate all the great things about it – as opposed to looking at the other side of the hill and thinking the grass is greener.

In 10-15 years when we retire, when I can no longer mountainbike and when I no longer wish to drive like a loon then we may decide to go but for the now the chapter is closed.

My message to other is make sure you weigh up all the pro’s and cons. Don’t try and sell yourself on a “getting a better life” in general ticket. Really sit down and think about what you will gain but more importantly, what you will lose and then evaluate whether that is an acceptable sacrifice.

Originally Posted by MartinH

My message to other is make sure you weigh up all the pro’s and cons. Don’t try and sell yourself on a “getting a better life” in general ticket. Really sit down and think about what you will gain but more importantly, what you will lose and then evaluate whether that is an acceptable sacrifice.