Re: Expectations?
 

Yes I think that's a big one !
We have a couple (friend of a friend) staying with us next month, they have there PR and just want to activate it. I am trying to think what to do with them so they really know what it's like before they move over, I think staying with someone is a start becuase it will feel less like a holiday (just need to make them do house work :) ) also will try and avoid the torest stuff .
Anyone else got any ideas (save me thinking too hard :rofl: )

Re: Expectations?
 

Why not drag them along when you do boring stuff, like the weekly shop?

Maybe have a think about what line of work they are in and what journey they'd need to do and do that journey at the right time of day so they can see how long it takes, possible traffic congestion etc.

Sorry, might be stupid ideas but they just popped into my head... :o

Re: Expectations?
 

You are very sensible in not selling your house and coming here for 2 years to experience if it is for you. If it's not at least you know you have a house to go back to.
For some..like us, we sell up everything and give it our best shot, but if it fails what are we to do with nothing in the UK. Thats probably why some of us panic and want to go home even more.
In reality living here is different to what you see on TV or hear about through the grapevine. I listened to too many people and was very nieve. I find it more expensive here in OZ, but thats my opinion, some think it is cheaper, depends on what you earn i guess.
The experience is a great opportunity for anyone, but don't cut off all your tie's in the UK just incase.
I did and regret it, good luck and hope all goes well;)

Re: Expectations?
 

Yep I was thinking of doing that. But in the past when we have taken people shopping they think the shops are great :confused: they only see new brands and not things that are missing.

Yes driving to work with us in the morning hush hour might put then off :)

Re: Expectations?
 

You mention you are in Noosa, beautiful place, but didn't you realise that the main industry is tourism up there???? Did you research the job market with regards to your skillset?

Re: Expectations?
 

I always used to say you get it or you don't. I see this all the time in a lot of hopefuls. It's hard to explain...

I'd also say that integration as a migrant helps as different to living as an expat. But that then depends on what you want out of the whole trip.

For me, Australia is always what I wanted it to be. I wouldn't have gone otherwise.

I think it is harder now - I'm not sure if it would have worked out if I was older, had kids before I came here - a whole multitude of factors were to be honest in our favour - and a bit of luck - and to be honest no great hard work(!)

A bit of savvy over here goes along way.

Re: Expectations?
 

Anyone who is prepared to graft in oz will go a long way. i think for most of auusies compared to brits their lifestyle comes before job commitments as where in england otherway round ie live to work work to live. I worked in perth for 6 months as a traveller and i felt i wasnt putting half the work commitment in as i did back in uk and i was earning very good money and i was asked onmany occasions can we get anymore poms in you guys are real grafters!

Re: Expectations?
 

People keep asking us if we are going "forever" and its really hard to know - I just say we're going to give it a go for 2 years and see what happens. I would never feel as though I failed if I returned to the UK - the UK has been good to me and I don't hate it - just fancy a change really and life is too short to not chase your dreams when you have the chance to and I like the idea that our children will have citizenship of two countries giving them choices in their lives.

Re: Expectations?
 

Hi there, we are planning to go to Oz having never been before (depending on the house sale as to wether we have to do a reccie). We are going with the intensions of being there permanently, but I suppose never say never! Until we get there and settle, get jobs etc we can only give it our best shot, after all it is what we both want for ourselves and our 8 year old son. We feel that we will be able to spend more time together as a family and outdoors and the british weather certainly does not allow that. We do not want to be sat here years down the line saying "If only we had......" We also said that if we did not like it in Oz for whatever reason, we would not return to the UK but try somewhere else, but if we go with ever good intention and a positive attitude, I am sure that in time we will settle. Best of luck to everyone.:thumbup:

Re: Expectations?
 

Sold up everything in the UK making it impossible financially to return without suffering major losses. Never once the intention of going back to the UK and 2 years on we feel the same. Australia is our home, it was going to be when we first started to apply for migration and even more certain now.

Expectations ? Sure, had a few. Most were wrong. You build stuff up in your mind as to what you want. Then you get something else completely different. Keep an open mind and dont get hung up on the planning - you wont be able to plan for most things until you do them.

Re: Expectations?
 

I first thought about emigrating a few years ago and checked out this site.
At the time there were lots of people posting who were accused of wearing rose tinted glasses. I think you see less of that now.
Most people now realise that Australia is not tons cheaper and crime free.
Even when watching wanted down under I heard quite a few people talking about not converting pounds when you are earning dollars etc.
I know we will be financially worse off for the first year as OH is retraining. I will be the sole bread winner for that time. We will have no family around. I don't think it's going to be easy. we are going to Melbourne so not expecting year round warm weather.
However I yearn for something a bit different, an adventure. I know it's a gamble as we have to sell our house but we're doing it anyway.
I always feel very sorry for the people on the Moving back forum as I know at one time they too had expectations. I don't really know what my expectations are. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. :unsure:

Re: Expectations?
 

People are asking us if we are going forever and its very difficult for us to answer. We are doing the TRA at the moment which is taking longer than I thought and then we have the visa application to do so we are still quite a long way off going. We are planning to sell our house before we go and hope it will be a permanent move but we have nothing set in stone. We are going to give it at least two years and if it doesn't work out then we'll probably try somewhere else in Australia before we come home.

We have done a lot of research about jobs, house prices, cost of living etc and have been out there for a holiday. We stayed with relatives for part of the time and although we did do a lot of the touristy things, we also did the weekly shop with them and lots of other mundane things that you would do every day.

We are going for the experience and believe that we will have a better quality of life. If it doesn't work out then at least we know we tried and won't spend the rest of our lives wondering.

Re: Expectations?
 

Oh research, research, research!!!.....nothing can prepare you for how you will FEEL. And believe me, the way you feel, will dictate what you do.

Re: Expectations?
 

I say if you dont try you will never know and if you dont try then you might regret not trying! Besides all the places in oz are completly different you may go to perth and find it too layed back or quiet and then try sydney and love it oz is a huge counrty we drove all the way round it and i believe there is a right place for everybody there. Could be in a watering hole in walk about creek you never know!

Re: Expectations?
 

Cheers, best quote ever on this thread and also others in the same vein. We came with the same thoughts in 1981 and personally, though we had many hard times (how many different way can you cook mince??? contact me I'll sell you the book! dont regret it at all). Also gotta remember that the interest rate rose to something like 17.5% just after we got our mortgage...sorry but I gotta laugh sometimes when I read some of the b*tching on here. Sometimes it's do it hard and be more grateful, do it too easy and take it for granted!