British Expats

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris955 (Post 9764205)

Well no one can answer for you to be honest, I'm not sure why you should be envious really. Life here is by and large no different to the UK depending on your priorities. If you can't decide whether to be envious or go I would imagine you don't really want to go ? If you did then the question wouldn't need to be asked.

Once upon a time we were really sure we wanted to return. Then, through time, other peoples thoughts and opinions got in the way of what we wanted. We need to get back to basics I think and remember why we wanted to go instead of questioning!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turban Explorer (Post 9764375)

Well I suppose there is a fun novelty for a while. Is that what you're jealous of? Whether life is better for you probably depends on what you do work wise, how much you have in the UK (it does seem more appealing to move these days if you have nothing to lose due to the awful exchange and cost of living).

As you have a visa you have the luxury of choice! No hurry to make snap decisions as it's financially very tough to move here for Brits.

Yeah, we don't have a huge amount to leave and it's getting less and less by the day as bills go up etc! I suppose I'm jealous of them actually making the move and wishing we were "brave" enough to make the decision again. Daft, eh?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee (Post 9765146)

When does your visa run out?

Would the "what if?" be worse than not going if you decided to stay in the UK?

BB

Absolutely it would. Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKIPPI79 (Post 9765203)

sinceyou've been reading here for a while and already hve your visas means to me that you've been thinking of moving for a while and are envious of them for already being there while your still stuck in the UK.

why alot of BE'ers contemplate not going due to the bad exchange rate baffles me, if you want to move somewhere where you get value for your money then you should be looking elsewhere. I believe that the move should be made for a better style of life and other reasons, not for being better off financially.... but hey thats just my 2p ;)

good luck and give it a go!!!!

I can't imagine that we will be hugely better off by the move but that's not why I want to go. I want another experience in life. The thought of being stuck here for the rest of my life scares the life out of me!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzy--Bee (Post 9765208)

If you don't bring very much / any money with you and you have an Australian income shortly after you arrive the exchange rate doesn't matter anyway.

BB

Thanks BB - we won't be bringing huge amounts with us and we hope to work as soon as possible after landing! Thankfully money is not the motivator.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddie007 (Post 9765987)

We had to start again from scratch. Moving here set us back 15+ years ...... I dont think about it.... I Just get on with life... as it is....

And its bloody brilliant:thumbsup:

Thank you!!!!! This actually gave me a wee shiver when I read it. We will be in the same situation in that it will knock us back but since my OH is 12 years older than me we'll finally be equal-ish!! ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendy (Post 9766132)

Imagine that the Aus Government turned around tomorrow and said anyone with a visa HAD to be here by next week or lose the visa...would you come?

Lol - I like you're thinking. And we would definitely be on that plane. This is too big an opportunity to throw away. Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapphead_otool (Post 9767408)

Life is a collection of experiences. Some good, some not so good.

Money can buy some of those experiences, effort and risk taking buys you others.

If you go to Australia you will be making an effort, taking a risk and spending money. You may not like it here, and you may go back to the UK, or on to somewhere else.

But if you do not try it, when you are an old man in the proverbial rocking chair, you will seriously regret not trying it. By then the effort will seem small, the risk minimal and the money trivial. The memory will be priceless....

Never regret doing things, only regret not doing them.

I love this, thanks so much. It really hit a nerve and even my OH made a point of reading your reply out loud to me! I totally agree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfresco (Post 9767437)

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.

Mark Twain

Love, love, love!

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachlady (Post 9767966)

Totally agree! In life, we're meant to have new experiences to develop us into the people we were put on this earth to be. If you have a dream, don't ignore it, follow it, it may just lead you up a very successful path.

:starsmile::starsmile::starsmile:

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this - I really, really appreciate them all. Sometimes people say stuff that just hits you right between the eyes and you can't help but take notice and that's what some of you have done for us.

Our visa runs out in May 2013 and now we just have to stay focussed on this now and block out what others want for us and what they think we should do. We know we want this. We've both been feeling really down in the last few months and I think that's due to the horrible place we've been in with regards to the indecision of this whole should we, shouldn't we situation. I'm finally feeling really excited about this again for the first time in months, I've got my focus back and we'll have to start planning soon!! We've been doing our house up just in case we chose to move so that'll be finished just after christmas so that's when we'll get a valuation done and then hopefully we'll get it on the market around March/April. This will give us plenty time between then and visa expiry (May 2013) to sell and move. Just have to hope the house sells :)

Thanks again everyone - you've helped us feel positive again that we're doing the right thing! xxxx