My oh has got a job in Sydney and we move in Summer 08 (or Winter DU!).

Have been to Aus 3 times on hols over last 20 years. But for those who have actually moved there was wondering what the biggest cultureshock has been.

Bit nervous!:embaressed_smile:

The biggest shock, to my mind having holidayed many times before moving is -
You suddenly realise this isn't a holiday, you can't leave things thinking "I'll msort it when I get home" , you have to sort them HERE, in a foreign country, where you don't know how anythig works. And its a challenge, its not impossible, but it IS a challenge.

THIS article in the BE Wiki is aimed at Canada, but the majority is also true for those moving to Aus.

I found everything being different such as tv, food in shops, drinks,etc but at the same time it was all exciting as well and fun. It is a massive change of life and it is the shock of knowing it is for real, not something you watch on TV in the UK but it is your life now.
Strangely I found it oddly comforting to join the library and see all my favourite authors in there, it is little things sometimes that help you cope,another thing was being able to hang out all my washing and know it would dry.
just enjoy the adventure, you will be fine!!!

Thanks for your re-assurance. Just feel that there is so much to be done here before the move i.e letting the house out and getting shipping sorted. Keep telling OH if we will be able to leave Oz after 4 years ( Max ) as we are going on a 457 visa and return to UK without any regrets as I know Once having settled in Sydney the life style will be great ditto weather. With no kids and just the 2 of us I think Sydney life will be very suitable for us however still worried about apartment living when we are used to a big house and garden etc.

The enormity of Sydney will be a shock.
Its bigger than that 26 inch preview you get on the TV, with Judith FatBitch Chalmers.

Ste

With no kids and the ability to keep a big house in the UK, you know what, STOP worrying your laughing what does it matter, its a temp move you can just enjoy without the stress.

Totally different scenario than cutting bridges in UK, arriving with 2/3 kids and associated challenges and leaving family support behind. Often a costly and emotional experience but hardly your worry is it

Not sure what to add really as jad n rich have summed up my thoughts exactly.

It might not seem like it but you are in a pretty straightforward situation compared to many making the move. Sounds like you're able to keep the UK house and rent in Sydney - you didn't mention cost of rentals/living in Sydney - and you have no kids to settle here.

I might get bit of stick for this but I don't think there's too much culture shock moving from the UK to Australia. Now if you live (and only have ever lived) in a wee village in the UK and plan to move to Sydney then that will be a culture shock, but nothing to do with being here as such.

Yes things are different but they're very similar too (if that makes sense). I'd say you'd have far more culture shock moving to a some European country that you get moving here.

Based on what you've posted about your move you should both have an absolute ball. Enjoy it.

Culture shock for me was how boring Perth was. On the otherhand i love QLD....i always get it wrong

If it is a culture shock for those who have already visited Australia then it must be one heck of a culture shock for those of us who are planning to just move there without even one single visit to the Country.
Just thinking about it now actually makes me feel a bit nervous but I know if we don't give it a try we will probably regret it for the rest of our lives.

What I worry about more than anything is our children fitting in, me and Scott can and have coped with all that life throws at you I just hope our children settle, that is my biggest worry.

I've come to the conclusion that people think there is a going to be a culture shock when they are moving to a white Christian, English speaking country with the same types of food & similar shops and every modern day convenience.

What would you do moving to a Muslim country, with a foreign language, no supermakets, no bottled drinking water, no phones, no public transport and not being able to drive??? Now that's what I call a challenge.

Yes, any move overseas is stressful and traumatic - but come on get real here please! There would be more of a culture shock moving to France, Italy or Greece.

Oh how nieve of you to say moving here is not a culture shock! Even for some people who come well prepared it still is.

Yes it may be very similar to the UK and a civilised western country etc etc. But culture shock for many people is about the little things and not the big stuff that causes them the most stress. Sometimes its as simple as sharing a knowing glance with someone or a joke and them understanding you without having to go into great detail as to what you meant.

Re culture shock:
When I lived in London I had a very good kiwi friend. She lived happily in London for 3 years then became pregnant. She intended to stay in London once the baby was born. When she was 4 months pregant she had a scare and went to A&E and had a bad experience with a nurse who told her off for attending A&E when there wasn't an emergency

She said that in NZ she would have known exactly what to do. A month later her and her partner were gone back to NZ for good.
Culture shock can even hit a few years down the line when you're not expecting it.

Blending into the Aussie way of life is simple, put your flip flops on (thongs) pull on the shorts, use the phrases. "how ya goin"....reply "good thanks"

Never ever say, "well in the UK we did this that or the other" and you will be fine. There is nothing worse to an Aussie than a pom spouting off about how we do it back home. Forget all that. You must blend in, simple as that.

LMFAO!!!!

You will be fine, my wife had the same apprehensions as yourself, we came out only 3 weeks ago, letting our property in UK out, renting a fantastic apartment in Manly. You can still have a big house and garden, just not by the sea!!! Live in the Hills district and you can get that easily in very nice suburbs or move out west of the CBD and its just like London, good places/bad places. Also, think of it this way, apartments are sooo convenient when you just want a place to sleep and cook and wash when you have all the wonderful parks and beaches to explore for your 'garden' time. We are on a 457 and our attitude is 'try it for 3 years' at best its a great experience, at worst its just 3 years!