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Its a huge move coming out here so I'd never criticise those that have tried it & gone back home, at least they gave it a shot. Of course its not going to suit everyone. Better to have tried it rather than reach 60 & regret not giving it a go.
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Re: Nowt to loose
Originally posted by MikeStanton Most of us (including myself) start out in category 1 and move to 2. So why do people move to 3.? In my experience and talking with friends that have also emigrated to Oz, those that stay need to deal with the following rough timescale of events: - first 6 months, most things are a novelty. The weather and the beaches are great! It almost seems like a holiday every day, even if you're at work. "Glad I left miserable, crowded UK!" And it's fun to explore the differences between UK and Oz way of life. Eg it's not bed-linen, it's Manchester etc... At this stage most people are very enthusiastic about their new home. Most likely hurdles: getting a job, a little homesickness. - 6-12 months. Novelty begins to wear off. For most things, there is not a lot of difference between UK and Oz. But, there is still your new house, the warm weather and beaches as a plus. Although some of the differences begin to grate. Especially if the Aussies criticise UK. After all the UK may not be perfect, but it's not that bad, is it? Most likely hurdles: If still not got a job, this can become a BIG problem. Putting together a network of friends. Homesickness may intensify. - 12-24 months+. The main crunch time. The weather and beach novelties begin to wear off. You really miss your close friends. Your new Oz friends may be nice, but they don't have that shared sense of history you had with your closest friends in the UK. Day-to-day problems and the real differences (+ and -) between UK and Oz, make you ask yourself the question "Why did I emigrate to the other side of the world. Is it all worth it?". Other events that can bring this 'crunch time' forward include key family events. Eg sudden sickness of loved one in UK, new baby in UK or Oz. Also, not being able to afford a visit to see UK family can intensify the feeling of being trapped. Lack of a support network can increase feeling of isolation - most people make close friends in teens and 20s. However, the average emigrant to Oz from UK is in early 30s+. Of course, a significant number of people do get over these hurdles. But, it can be very tough. The change in him from when he arrived 10 days ago to yesterday was unbelievable. It's like this country sucked the life from him, he seemed to have lost three inches in height, put on a stone and seems to have a genuine UK allergy. I agree that it's tough, but I think that when he went out there, coming home wasn't really an option. He didn't have the finances, and by the time he did he didn't want to. He has an Oz wife and kids. These days, with ever decreasing costs of air travel and communication, the decision to come home must also be easier than ever ? |
Re: Nowt to loose
Originally posted by Innyjim These days, with ever decreasing costs of air travel and communication, the decision to come home must also be easier than ever ? Sure, in relative terms, flying is a lot cheaper than it used to be. But, a flight home for the average family is expensive - say, ~£3000+ Given that most people will earn less in Oz than in the UK, that £3000 is a big chunk of after-tax income. Talking of different strokes... Take your brother - a lot of Brits emigrate to Perth (starting many years ago I gather, because it used to be the first port of call for the ships carrying emigrants), which is totally beyond me. I've travelled a lot around Oz, and the physical isolation of Perth would drive me totally crazy. Yes, I know that there is more to WA than Perth, but not a huge amount! :) - especially in terms of population. |
Re: Nowt to loose
Originally posted by MikeStanton Sure, in relative terms, flying is a lot cheaper than it used to be. But, a flight home for the average family is expensive - say, ~£3000+ Given that most people will earn less in Oz than in the UK, that £3000 is a big chunk of after-tax income. What I meant to say is, that for an immigrant to come home permenantly is less expensive than it was say twenty years ago. My brother couldn't come home because he couldn't afford a ticket. End of story even if he had wanted to. It's easier to decide you don't like it and want to come back to the UK. What do you think ? |
Re: Nowt to loose
Originally posted by MikeStanton Sure, in relative terms, flying is a lot cheaper than it used to be. But, a flight home for the average family is expensive - say, ~£3000+ Given that most people will earn less in Oz than in the UK, that £3000 is a big chunk of after-tax income. And it's the emergency thing that can catch people out, when someone is sick back in the UK and they need to fly back. After my mum's recent health problems, we've set up an account for emergencies such as this |
Re: Nowt to loose
Originally posted by bundy And it's the emergency thing that can catch people out, when someone is sick back in the UK and they need to fly back. After my mum's recent health problems, we've set up an account for emergencies such as this One of our priorities will be to keep a large chunk of our savings to make as many trips home as we need. Also enough money to set ourselves up again in the UK if we need to. Not always posible for many I understand. I would hate the feeling of being trapped:scared: G |
Re: Nowt to loose
Originally posted by Innyjim Sorry, I didn't explain myself properly. What I meant to say is, that for an immigrant to come home permenantly is less expensive than it was say twenty years ago. My brother couldn't come home because he couldn't afford a ticket. End of story even if he had wanted to. It's easier to decide you don't like it and want to come back to the UK. What do you think ? But what about the other costs? Eg what if you sold your UK house to fund the trip? Just a look on this site shows some of the problems people have encountered trying to get back into the UK housing market. And what if you gave up a good job, which you cannot go back to? And that is not even considering the the emotional cost and stress of deciding to return - and going through another bout of uprooting the family. |
Re: Nowt to loose
Originally posted by MikeStanton The travel cost of returning is definitely lower. But what about the other costs? Eg what if you sold your UK house to fund the trip? Just a look on this site shows some of the problems people have encountered trying to get back into the UK housing market. And what if you gave up a good job, which you cannot go back to? And that is not even considering the the emotional cost and stress of deciding to return - and going through another bout of uprooting the family. My point is for many migrants, of not really that long ago, the only option was to get on with life and deal with the pressure and strains of a move to the other side of the world. |
Re: Nowt to loose
Originally posted by bundy Good reply, Mike. Although I don't think it's possible to decide not to got to Oz, even when you know it might not work out. I think people simply have to try it and know when to accept if it's not working out and go back to the UK. However many horror stories people hear, they still assume it won't happen to them. And I'm the same... The alternative is to stay here and regret never trying it when I'm old, grey and incontinent ;) I hope that I will be able to save some cash in an 'emergency fund' for trips / permanent trip back to the UK. I'm sure I'll feel homesick, stressed and sick of aspects of Oz life at some point but surely part of the challenge of life - remaining happy I think - is how you deal with this? I'm trying to leave my eyes wide open and this forum helps me to see things realistically but as Bundy says I don't think it's possible to decide not to got to Oz |
Re: Nowt to loose
Originally posted by wmoore I have to agree with with this completely. I have read all kinds of things on here, good and bad about Oz and the UK but the bottom line for me is that I want to go and live in a different culture and see if it suits me personally. It either will or it won't and I'm prepared to spend a couple of years or so finding out and I won't be ashamed to head back to England if it doesn't work out. The alternative is to stay here and regret never trying it when I'm old, grey and incontinent ;) I hope that I will be able to save some cash in an 'emergency fund' for trips / permanent trip back to the UK. I'm sure I'll feel homesick, stressed and sick of aspects of Oz life at some point but surely part of the challenge of life - remaining happy I think - is how you deal with this? I'm trying to leave my eyes wide open and this forum helps me to see things realistically but as Bundy says my feelings exactly No-one on these forums goes to Aus completly blind, we all have too much info, good and bad. For some people it just doesn't work out and thats a shame but this will never stop us trying. |
Re: Nowt to loose
Originally posted by wcee Hi Dicko, Also, when everton are relegated, and Rooney signs for Man U, what will be the point of hanging around. Big Dunc is a donkey, i supported him when at Rangers. HA HA Anyway hope this helps. You cant beat a bit of OZZY! Wcee Anyway keep up the posts and I suppose your a Broncos fan now ? Thanks for all the advice and I may pop in for a "Swallee" when I am over on the Gold Coast in May :beer: :beer: |
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