Grayling

Hi all
This will no doubt get me some flak but here goes.

Did everyone get New rose coloured glasses for christmas?

I have only been on here a few weeks. But the mood on this site seems to constantly change for some reason.

Before Christmas there were loads of posts about how difficult it can be living in Australia.
You remember : low wages,Extreme weather,poor prospects,difficulty finding work,long hours,cost of living,expensive housing,poor schools,drug/crime problems etc.etc.etc........

Now,in the New year everyone is talking about 'quality of life',better prospects,nice weather,new start,kid's future,freedom,lifestyle etc.etc.etc.........

What have I missed?

Are jobs easier to find? housing cheaper? schools better? weather better? less crime? No drug problem?etc.etc.etc.....

Now everyone is talking about 'Frontloading' whereas this was consisered inadvisable a few weeks ago.
Going without a prior visit despite the well documented problems other have had etc.etc.etc....

Is this a New Year phenomenon or did everyone get new rose coloured specs in their stockings?

just curious.


G

rapitts

Australia is like any country................

Except you have more fun in the outdoors plus the weather is a little bit better !!!

iankeynes

Couldn't agree with you more. I discovered this site a few weeks ago, wish I'd discovered it sooner.

I've had a laugh reading it all. They all sound exactly like I did a year ago, before I emigrated to Australia!

Anyway, im back in good old England now, and never been happier.

I dont begrudge anybody their rose-tinted specs, all i'll say is Oz aint for everyone. It definately aint all it's cracked up to be, but then again, maybe that's just me.

The grass aint always greener.

tiredwithtwins

oh no, not another 'grass is always greener/no its not' debate!
We know its just as bad....but we want something different....let us find out for ourselves.
There.
That just about covers it.
Sorry to anyone who didnt want to be involved in the collective 'we' and 'us'.....please feel free to shout at me.


Sue

damned if you do and your damned if you dont!

iankeynes

I completely agree, you've got to try it for yourselves. This forum is quite entertaining though, some people take it extemely seriously.

None of us know each other, it's not like these comments are going to affect our decisions.

I suppose people are just looking for morale support.

Timber Floor Au

Ian u hit the NAIL ON THE PROVERBIAL head mate !! well said

Simone

I'm not sure, cos I can't remember last week let alone last year!!
But are you on here every day? Because it really changes daily/weekly too!
Sometimes there's posts a bit more positive, so everybody reacts to that, and then the other way around.
And last year there was also enough rose tinted stuff going on....
I read most of the posts (about 90%) and even though my memory isn't that good, I have a feeling that's it's usually quite balanced.
But yes, it sometimes does change.


The frontloading is something else: I'm not sure what you've read, but there's a big difference with the visa's.
With partner visa's (defacto/spouse/fiance) it is nearly always advised to frontload.
The skilled indepandant visa's are usually not advised this, because the visa's take longer.
Usually there are/were more skilled people on here, but recently a lot of the partner visa people have been posting, so maybe that's why there's more talk of frontloading going on ???
Well, that's my theories!

Simone

Yeah, definetly everybodies looking for morale support. But also people looking for info, and people in Oz who are looking for morale support because it's not going to well.

You might be surprised at how many people know each other (and by that have actually met and speak on the phone etc)
I haven't met anyone, but some of this site I do *know*, because I take this forum 'seriously' and am on here a LOT(!) and so are they.
And I'm sure that a lot of comments do help people and therefore also affect their decisions. And this can be good, but not always, because the views are not always balanced, which I think is natural (except when it's from posters who don't take this forum seriously!)

I agree that you've got to try it for yourself (except when you haven't been there before, are not sure about jobs, have no family and friends there, don't have much money, and have kids who are older than 12)

And yes, the forum is extremely entertaining, but I'm not referring to the people taking it seriously (well, ok sometimes ) but just that it is often just a lot of fun! And I just enjoy trying to help people.

WBB

spot on simmy.

teach

Hiya,

I really do need some new specs mine are scratched to hell and all the gold has worn off. Do you think specsavers will do me some rose tinted ones?
I'm one of those people who has been talking about front loading my application. Before I'd even found this site, I'd decided to do it. We both work full time so losing meds money or needing to go quickly won't be a too much of a problem. Our house will be going on the market around May/June because whatever happens we won't be staying in this house (6 weeks after we bought it, we found out Andrew's ex wife and kids live around the corner, since then too much has gone on to stay).
I'm or should I say we also have never been to Australia and don't plan on doing a reccie. We are going for it big time. Life is far too short to hang around. Each to their own I guess.


Regards
Sarah

Merlot

I think the things I have gleened from this forum is that everyone is at different stages in their lives.

I have been in Oz 7 years, back to England in March this year. If someone had said to me 2 years ago you would be back to England, I would have laughed out loud!

People change, circumstances change. Things I loved about Oz from the start are looking jaded to me now and it is time for ME to move on, as it is for those coming over. Follow your heart and give it a go.

Best of luck to everyone in whatever direction you are going.

Grayling

"I'm not sure, cos I can't remember last week let alone last year!!
But are you on here every day? Because it really changes daily/weekly too!
Sometimes there's posts a bit more positive, so everybody reacts to that, and then the other way around.
And last year there was also enough rose tinted stuff going on....
I read most of the posts (about 90%) and even though my memory isn't that good, I have a feeling that's it's usually quite balanced.
But yes, it sometimes does change.


The frontloading is something else: I'm not sure what you've read, but there's a big difference with the visa's.
With partner visa's (defacto/spouse/fiance) it is nearly always advised to frontload.
The skilled indepandant visa's are usually not advised this, because the visa's take longer.
Usually there are/were more skilled people on here, but recently a lot of the partner visa people have been posting, so maybe that's why there's more talk of frontloading going on ???
Well, that's my theories!"


Hi
Just got back so have just read these replies.
I have been on this site a while and have read most of the stuff for weeks.

I was curious about the general change in tone on the site.
I am aware of the various types of visas.Many of the people talking about frontloading or sending medical reports etc.unrequested are applying for skilled visas not spouse or De facto.I think this is a mistake for many reasons already aired.
I think it must be a 'New Year Thing' ie 'we must make something happen'.

As for 'the Grass is Greener debate' I must confess that I have concerns about moving.I have spent a fair amount of time in Australia and my Sons live there.
I have seen some of the problems ie. Car break ins, burglary etc.I have seen the needles in public parks and beaches. The same as here maybe.

I am probably nearer my visa than many here having sent my medicals and PCs etc. on request.I have been advised by DIMIA I will recieve it soon.

I am fortunate in having enough money to buy the House,boat,car etc. I also have enough income to live comfortably without working as I have a pension having retired from a senior NHS post and my wife retiring from the Civil service.I have also been offered work in several places if I choose to work.

I am therefore someone who can enjoy the 'wonderful lifestyle' everyone talks about.

Am I then the only person who thinks there may be flies in this particular ointment and maybe it could be too good to be true?
I have posted for a while on this forum so have as much right as anyone to have my concerns about this move. Perhaps doubts should be aired as well as dreams and treated equally as valid.

I HAVE noticed a particular hostility to anyone who questions the idealised version of migration.

I have to make my mind up soon so to me it is important to get it right.


G

Simone

Maybe there is 'we've got to do something' attitude, I don't know, but I still think there's also a lot of people who are still going to wait.

I'm not sure why you think you don't have the right to have your concerns??
Of course you do, and I think nearly everybody has their own concerns too!
I think there are also a lot of doubts and concerns being aired, but I agree that most posts are about the dreams. I guess everybody just wants to stay positive.
I also believe that many aren't expecting a 'dream' (not totally) and therefore don't talk about the 'negatives'.
That's certainly partly my situation, I know I'm going to have trouble with work, and I know I'm going to have trouble with the 40 degree heat in the summer. I also know I'm going to miss family, but I don't really discuss these things.

I'm not sure about the hostility you are talking about, but I do notice a lot of people ignoring more 'negative' posts, and often just replying that they're going anyway, or/and that yes, they know it's not perfect, or the UK's worse.
I guess this is a shame, because some people might be avoiding the 'negatives' but I think they are (mostly) right when they say, we're going to try it anyway. I just hope they're not burning bridges and wasting all their money!!

I do think that the balance isn't like it should be. You'd think (most) people taking this step would be more worried about the negatives and most already know all the pro's of Oz, so why bother talking about them!?

So, why not start up a thread about your concerns? Because you're posting about others 'ignoring' their concerns but are not posting your own??

Grayling

Simone
This sort of answer hardly encourages a balanced debate.

G

Simone

You are right, it doesn't. But what can you do?