xizzles

Dear all,

I have come to seek the wisdom and constructive criticism of the enlightened, omnipotent, all-too-free members of this hallowed forum. To help decide on the age-old-question, the ancient perplexing subject, the universal uncertainty that has plagued all and sundry since the dawn of time: DO I GO or DO I STAY?

Basically, to avoid boring the beejeesus out of all of you, I am faced with this current situation, summarized into the equation below:

£ x Q = A$ x 10Q

Where:
£ = present income where I am
A$ = estimated income in Australia
Q = quality of life

For the less mathematically inclined amongst us, essentially, I'll be making 10% in Australia, compared to what I am presently taking home now. But, I'll probably have a far better lifestyle Down Under - what with the wide open spaces, fresh air (when the bush fires ain't burning), cheaper (cold) beer and friendly people/expatriates eh?

Your opinions, thoughts, pearls of wisdom, hate mail, flames and troll-baits on this matter are all most welcome.

Many thanks in advance!

not2old

you've been at this from your first post 2007, then you've been asking about Singapore, then Malaysia

How did you come to the understanding that life will be better for you in OZ?

Do you have your visa to OZ?

10% of what you are making now - I'd stay put

quoll

What makes you think the lifestyle will be better?

If your prospects are only 10% of what you could get elsewhere I'd stay put and enjoy the longer holidays that the UK gets!

furkew

I would say that for a mathematical genius like yourself, if you are going to have a 90% paycut (that's the way I read it) Its pretty much a no brainer

Bermudashorts

+1

Dorothy

But if he doesn't try he'll never know. Isn't it better that he tries and fails than always wonder "what if"? Surely Australia offers a better life for the kids, what with the sunshine and all. Money's not everything, you know!

Bermudashorts

Fair points Dorothy.

Sally Redux

The equation is very confusing. Does it mean quality of life is 10 times better in Aus, therefore equal to Britain although salary is only 1/10?

Dorothy

It doesn't matter, Sally! Australia has great beaches. And BBQs. The drop in salary is more than made up for with the standard of living over here.

Grayling

Indeed...don't forget the free BBQs

Sally Redux

Bermudashorts

And dolphins. Don't forget the dolphins.

xizzles

Thank you all for your views. They ARE valued - and THANK YOU Dorothy: it's good to have someone slap me in the face (figuratively, thank you) and say "money isn't everything" - that's what I've been trying to convince myself, but honestly, without much success... Heck, at least I'm honest about it.

Sally, sorry about the confusion, but yeah, essentially, a rough estimation is that I'll suffer/experience/accept (choose your favourite euphemism there) a nearly 90% reduction in income - it's quite mind boggling, and I'm certainly not yanking your chain.

Not2old: The visa isn't much of an issue, as I happen to be lucky enough to tick the right boxes - and as long as I'm willing to tough it out in the sticks for a couple of years, my skill-set qualifies as one belonging to an acute shortage thus in critical demand.

At the end of the day, I feel as much as I stand to gain from what can be a possible life changing experience and earth shaking move Down Under, I have to be honest and admit that I fear I have just as much to lose from the life I've made for myself at the moment.... I'll just whine like a little spoilt brat and ask why can't I have my cake and eat it too!?

KJCherokee

If you can even contemplate a 90% drop in income as an acceptable choice, then I guess you must be in an extremely high paying job (forex trader for example) with a correspondingly high level of stress and burnout rate - in which case coming to Australia is only one part of the life change you are considering. I can't think of any field in which the salary rate differs that much between the UK and here for a similar job function.

Russ_Sarah

If you only earn 1/10th of your uk salary here in australia and you think that life living in a tent, hardly being able to afford a weekly shop and certainly not being able to go out to socialise with people as booze here is probaly $ x 2 of the price in the UK equates to a quality of life of x 10 to that of your current quality of life then go for it.
You will of course be able to avail of the free beaches and free out door gas bbq's.