Damson

Our decision to go to Melbourne is currently on a knife edge. We're in the same situation as an increasing number of people on here; successful business, nice kids, good school etc and not sure whether to take the gamble or not. In all honesty, I do feel that we've missed the boat as when we looked into this 2 years ago the exchange rate was better, house prices were lower there and of course there wasn't the financial mess we have now. We aren't ruling it out for ever and as we have our 175 valid until 2014, we are validating in the summer to keep it open. To be honest, much as I hate to say it, I really wish I hadn't started this whole process as it has given us all such heartache and I do feel a bit as though it's just becoming too hard. We are very non-religious but with the exchange rate, extreme temperatures, water shortages, fires and general economic climate (plus the earthquakes) it does feel a bit like someone is trying to tell us something!


My question is just how many people:

a) have decided never to make the move
b) have decided not to move at the moment

It may be that all changes when we come over for our validation and remember why we started all this.

I'm just interested to hear other people's stories

Geelong Gent

Your doing the right thing by keeping your options open. Just don't make decisions at the moment which close those options.

Even if this process makes you more determined to stay in UK for another few years its done you justice by making you feel more settled.

rushmere

We've recently been granted a 176, and will validate later this year, but I'm increasingly pessimistic about the prospects of making the move.

The value of our house is plummeting, and I'm feeling jittery about giving up our current relatively secure jobs in this economic climate.

Like you, we'll keep the options open, and see how things develop.

I'm sure there are many more in the same position right now.

jad n rich

It comes down to one thing now, CAN YOU GET A JOB ?

Validate. Forget tourist/holiday rubbish, spend every day in full on job search mode, get a very real picture of if you are likely to find work. You may find a very harsh answer to that question but at least its saved you chucking what you have down the drain.

If you come away with a job, well great, move, then do the tourist stuff

cookiestar

We're still waiting on our visa being granted (but are on the CSL so it hopefully won't be too long). We've made the decision that we won't be making the move until 1) our house in the UK is sold and 2) we have at least a number of interviews/job leads in place, if not an actual job offer

Geelong Gent

Yes this is the most important

Housing, schooling, beer its all irrelevant unless you have income to pay for it

Even coming with a job I would still look at what could happen if the job doesn't work out? Could it be the reason they are recruiting you is because its such a small demand the supply has reciprocated.

Can you run your UK business remotely?

daddyofthree

Totally agree.
I am hoping house prices fall dramatically like the UK and the dollar drops also like the pound. If this all happens next year to the same extent as over here then I think we could be OK next year, providing the UK recovers. A secure income though must be essential. Beig an old git though I only have 2 years before my time finishes and it's too late.

homewardbound

Don't hold your breath on dramatic drops here!

jayne3411

hello everyone

i'm i exactly the same boat, have two very good businesses and could ride out the recession here no problems and know what lays ahead or sell cheap and go to a unfamiliar climate which is now starting to feel the effects of the global recession and possibly buy a business which goes bust i'm annoyed that we have to validate the visas at all, it cost a fortune to get them, feel like being forced to spend a few more thousand to keep the visa ticking:curse:really annoyed. but do i think we'll end up going, in short probably not just bad timing and if it was just me and my hubby would take the risk but with three little ones, is it fair?

jane xx

jad n rich

Why dont you just stick 10,000 quid on the long shot at Ascot at 2 O'clock

daddyofthree

Nothing wrong with wishful thinking ( although when I see the Aus news I do get the impression I'm seeing / hearing a repeat of what occurred in the UK 12 months ago!

CDM

We are hoping to ride out the storm first and then make the move. I want to make sure that we have a clear £30,000 in our back pocket for when we make the move. I know that I have a skill that's in demand and very marketable (IT - 20 years as a UNIX specialist).

We're fortunate in that we don't have a house to sell (no debt - but also no equity to be derrived from a house sale either).

The only awkward problem for us is that our eldest son is 3 1/2 now and we want to get to Melbourne BEFORE he starts school - so as to produce the minimum disruption to his education as possible.

We'll see what the situation is like again in 6 months time.

- CDM

max kilby

I'd say it was a lot like getting married.

We all have our doubts, and that's only natural but you need to be COMMITTED to make it work. If you have any doubts about your own (or a member of your familys) commitment then it's probably a good idea to postpone or cancel. Otherwise you run the risk of making your life (or someone elses) a living hell.

It's expensive to emigrate and set up home and new life etc then have to move back again.

There are many stories of British ex-pats who move to Aus only to find it wasn't for them, then move back to the UK only to remember why they left in the first place, then begin the while procedure again ad nauseum.....

Sounds like things are pretty peachy there - perhaps in this time of economic uncertainly you might be better staying put?

mohogony

Why do you want to move to OZ in the first place what to do like about the country rather then all those neagtive things you said about heatwaves, droughts bushfires and earthquakes. If you have a great life in the UK then why do you want to move?

Hutch

In the current economic climate - if you have a successful business or a good job etc - I think you'd be a bit bonkers to gamble it on Oz. Validate, definitely. Then sit tight and wait for the UK economy to recover so that you can get more equity out of your property(s). By then the pound will be buying more dollars too so you win twice.

Oz isn't going anywhere.