Help We Are Not Sure
 

Hello all, we are Simon (33), Lottie (28) Megan (4) and Finlay (2). I have received a fantastic job ofer to relocate to Brisbane, including a very good package. We have a young family and currenlty have a week or two to confirm if we are to go or not. I am looking for general advice and HELP as to what people think. Typically we are worried about Schooling for the kids and socailising for us, so we dont get to home sick.

Please, the more advice the better.:)

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Obviously I cant say that you WILL definitely be ok but we certainly havent had a problem finding friends or with our daughter settling in school. She was 6 when we arrived - been here 14 months now and theres no way she wants to return.

At the end of the day.....you'll never know unless you try......and if you dont like it......you can go back without any 'what ifs' :)

Good luck with your decision.

Rach xxxx

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

With your kids being at the age they are, they should settle quite well. If you had teenagers then i think it could be a problem. I do believe in the saying 'if your kids are under 10 then they will settle better'. They adjust into the way of life here. And if you go back to UK they are still young enough to adjust back.
From reading posts about Brissy most folk are happy there. Loads to do on the East side...weather is nice. If you like socialising then you may have to put yourself out and about to make friends, but you should make plenty from the kids schools.
Give it a go, it's a chance of a life time....good luck.

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

I'd say go for it!

What have you got to lose - do a year or two and see how you feel then, if you are not settled then come back to the UK - the only thing that you have to really worry about is unsettling the kids but if you get your timings right (regarding their ages and academic years etc you should be OK).

I am an australian who has an english girlfriend - we sorta live half half and are not that dissimilar in age to yourselves (I am 30, my girlfriend is 25). We have been in England for 3 years and have a HIGE group of friends where we currently live. We are heading back to Australia in August! We don't see it as much of a big deal anymore. Its only a 24 hour flight and you can be home!

trust me - I have been away from my home town for 3 years and NOTHING changes - so if you do go, and decide in 12 mnths that you want to come back to the UK, eeverything will beexactly how you left it!!

a

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Hi,

We fly to Brisbane on 10th August and have 3 children aged 16, 6 and 2. We have never been to Australia before but just want to give it a go!

Like you, my husband already has a job there and I think that removes a great deal of the initial stress. Lots of people who have gone over there talk about the pressure in finding a job so you are very lucky to be in such a good position. Your children are young like our youngest 2 and I think they will adapt very well, we wouldnt be going if we didnt think so. Obviously not everyone likes it and, who knows, we might not but at least we will have given it a try :thumbsup:

Good luck.

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Thanks for the encouragemnet guys.

we are very lucky in the fact that I would already have a good job. My concern is really for the kids, as if we decide to come back in a couple of years then I dont want them to be behind others of there age, although I know they are young enough to catch up pretty quick.;)

Alos a little concerned about my wife, as she does not make friends all that easily, as she is quite shy, I would have to keep pushing her I think.:(

All in all, we have a grat opportunity, that many other families would die for, so we should give it a go, I suppose I am just looking for reassurance.

Thanks again:D

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

I can understand your concerns, I dont think anybody could make a decision like this without having them!

The education system seems to be quite similar between UK and Oz so hopefully there would not be a problem for your children if you did need to come back - especially if they were still under 11. I dont know anybody in Australia and I will be at home looking after my 2 yr old so I wont even have the social life attached to work but kids are a great way of making friends. When your wife goes to the park etc, she will meet lots of other mums/carers via the kids so hopefully she will make friends there, if she isnt working that is. If you end up anywhere near me, I will be her friend!!

I would have thought the main problem would be if you or your wife are very family orientated, used to big family get togethers and lots of family around you to help etc. We havent got that so have nothing to miss but if you do then be very careful making the decision as family appears to be what most people miss the most.

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Can't really tell you what to do all I can say is that you only live once. We came with the attitude that if it all went belly-up we could always go back. It was an opportunity for us to try a different way of life, not necessarily a better way of life but a different one. Fortunately for us things seem to be working out at the minute. Plenty come and love it and plenty come and don't and end up going back. There's no way you are going to know if you really are going to love it until you live the experience. It's not all plain sailing but we have found the effort worthwhile. Overall we have found life good out here but all of us are prone to bouts of homesickness now and then. I think the kids are probably at a good age to go for it - no sarcky teenagers giving you lip for dragging them out of school and away from all their mates. Whatever you choose good luck and I hope it all works out.

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

All that you say makes sense, and as my father in-law said its the thought of the unknown thats making you nervous. I am very lucky my sisters family are emigrating to Toronto in March 2008, so I wouldnt see them that often anyway, and both my parents are retired so will come out to see us 2 0r 3 times a year. My wife is closer to her family, especially one sister and her parents, although they have promised to come out I know she will mis them dearly. Its a gamble we will have to take ? ? ?:D But i feel that if we stay in UK my kids will have no future, as we are being over run by imigrants :curse:

As i have been told numerous times, you only live once. . . . . .:beer:

Thanks again guys :wub:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

"But i feel that if we stay in UK my kids will have no future, as we are being over run by imigrants"

If only we could keep all the Brits out of Australia hey?!?!?
he he he (Only joking - so please don''t get offended!)

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Thats why I fancy being one myself :lol::lol::thumbsup:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

A lot of Australians say the same thing

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

:wub:

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

Go for it man, what the hell are you worried about, if you are on a good package you could pay for private school if you are that worried!

Schooling is not down to money anyway, if kids are brought up to learn, and want too you will have no problem anywhere!!!

If you are worried about a social life, just don't buy a house more than 10k's from the cbd, and make sure you are close to a train station.

Brisvegas is a fantastic place to come and live and work, think yourself lucky you have the option, how many othey poor bas***ds would die for the opportunity???

Go for it man, you can always go back!!!

Re: Help We Are Not Sure
 

I second that motion....