Objective/Honest opinions needed.
Jan 9th 2007, 3:35 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20
Objective/Honest opinions needed.
Hi,
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
Jan 9th 2007, 3:38 pm
#2
Bitter and twisted
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Upmarket
Posts: 17,503
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
Hi,
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
This type of thread always does.
Please don't ask for comparisons unless you want an online war
G
Jan 9th 2007, 3:47 pm
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
Thank you very much for your prompt response. I did indicate my inexperience with this process!!.
I certainly have no wish or desire to start a 'fight'.
Lively, passionate and forthright debate is however always welcome and as such will help us to make good decisions about our future.
Thanks again.
I certainly have no wish or desire to start a 'fight'.
Lively, passionate and forthright debate is however always welcome and as such will help us to make good decisions about our future.
Thanks again.
Jan 9th 2007, 3:48 pm
#4
Bitter and twisted
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Upmarket
Posts: 17,503
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
Thank you very much for your prompt response. I did indicate my inexperience with this process!!.
I certainly have no wish or desire to start a 'fight'.
Lively, passionate and forthright debate is however always welcome and as such will help us to make good decisions about our future.
Thanks again.
I certainly have no wish or desire to start a 'fight'.
Lively, passionate and forthright debate is however always welcome and as such will help us to make good decisions about our future.
Thanks again.
Well make sure you read the 'Moving back to the UK forum' as well.
Jan 9th 2007, 3:48 pm
#5
Happy migrant
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Newcastle , NSW
Posts: 6,756
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
It would probably be better if you wanted to go for the pull of Australia rather than push of U.K.
Australia has many of the problemsthat occur in most Western countries so you won't escape it.
However I'm still going because I fancy a change and a bit of adventure and yes - hopefully to improve my families lives.
I always think it's good to read the negatives on this board so we don't turn up with our rose tinted specs on.
Somebody posted on here once that there are the very pro - Oz crew ,the very anti- Oz crew and for most people the truth is probably somewhere in between.
Australia has many of the problemsthat occur in most Western countries so you won't escape it.
However I'm still going because I fancy a change and a bit of adventure and yes - hopefully to improve my families lives.
I always think it's good to read the negatives on this board so we don't turn up with our rose tinted specs on.
Somebody posted on here once that there are the very pro - Oz crew ,the very anti- Oz crew and for most people the truth is probably somewhere in between.
Last edited by Kapri; Jan 9th 2007 at 4:51 pm. Reason: Didn't like my answer when I re-read it.
Jan 9th 2007, 3:54 pm
#6
I'm now an Aussie too!!!
Joined: May 2006
Location: 'Home by the Sea' Elanora
Posts: 5,030
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
Hi,
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
Jan 9th 2007, 5:05 pm
#9
Fighting my corner
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 11,948
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
Hi,
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
On the basis of 33 years Down Under and 3 years in the UK, I have concluded that general comparisons are easily made - but accurate and specific comparisons are far more difficult.
It is almost impossible to draw direct, objective comparisons between a tiny little country like the UK (with a population of 60 million) and a massive, incredibly diverse continent like Australia (with a population of 20 million).
My advice is to visit Australia, spend at least 6 weeks in the country, visit at least two different states, and investigate as many suburbs within your price range as possible.
On your return, don't compare your Australian experiences with the UK as a whole; compare them with your current location (in your case, the Midlands) and draw your own conclusions.
But always remember that there is a vast difference between visiting a country, and living in it.
Jan 9th 2007, 8:36 pm
#10
I'm now an Aussie too!!!
Joined: May 2006
Location: 'Home by the Sea' Elanora
Posts: 5,030
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
I live in the Midlands myself, but I'm an Aussie born and bred. I moved to the UK three years ago, and am planning to return at the end of 2008.
On the basis of 33 years Down Under and 3 years in the UK, I have concluded that general comparisons are easily made - but accurate and specific comparisons are far more difficult.
It is almost impossible to draw direct, objective comparisons between a tiny little country like the UK (with a population of 60 million) and a massive, incredibly diverse continent like Australia (with a population of 20 million).
My advice is to visit Australia, spend at least 6 weeks in the country, visit at least two different states, and investigate as many suburbs within your price range as possible.
On your return, don't compare your Australian experiences with the UK as a whole; compare them with your current location (in your case, the Midlands) and draw your own conclusions.
But always remember that there is a vast difference between visiting a country, and living in it.
On the basis of 33 years Down Under and 3 years in the UK, I have concluded that general comparisons are easily made - but accurate and specific comparisons are far more difficult.
It is almost impossible to draw direct, objective comparisons between a tiny little country like the UK (with a population of 60 million) and a massive, incredibly diverse continent like Australia (with a population of 20 million).
My advice is to visit Australia, spend at least 6 weeks in the country, visit at least two different states, and investigate as many suburbs within your price range as possible.
On your return, don't compare your Australian experiences with the UK as a whole; compare them with your current location (in your case, the Midlands) and draw your own conclusions.
But always remember that there is a vast difference between visiting a country, and living in it.
C x
Jan 10th 2007, 4:16 am
#11
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,188
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
Hi,
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
If you sell the lot in the UK, get here and find you hate it, going home to no home is a very expensive mistake to have made.
Its advice I wish I had personally followed.
Jan 10th 2007, 7:53 am
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Bayside Brisbane
Posts: 321
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
I moved to Brisbane 3 years ago with my wife & three kids. People would say to me 'that's a brave move going to Australia when you have never even been for a holiday' to which I would reply 'well it can't be as bad as the West Midlands!' Guess what .... I was right. I didn't choose to live in the Midlands - I was born there.
I feel privalaged to have had this opportunity to move here and allow my children to grow up in an area that we have chosen for the right reasons.
There have been highs & lows as you would expect but to be honest, it was a lot easier than I ever imagined. We feel totally at home here, as this is our home.
Come over, enjoy it, embrace it, be part of it, intergrate into it but most importantly call it home.
cheers
Mark
I feel privalaged to have had this opportunity to move here and allow my children to grow up in an area that we have chosen for the right reasons.
There have been highs & lows as you would expect but to be honest, it was a lot easier than I ever imagined. We feel totally at home here, as this is our home.
Come over, enjoy it, embrace it, be part of it, intergrate into it but most importantly call it home.
cheers
Mark
Jan 10th 2007, 8:06 am
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 1,376
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
We came out 11 months ago to Perth and its the best move we've ever made.
My 4 year old daughter has taken to it like a duck to water. She has more activities and more time outside than she would ever have in the UK.
One thing about Nursing - my wife was a H Grade Nurse Manager [or Sister] in the UK and has gone back to being a Staff Nurse here. It is frustrating for her in that she considers Oz Nursing to be too policy led and discouraging initiative. [She has opinions on the management as well...]. Having said that, her ward is better staffed that it would be in the UK and better resourced, and at the end of her shift, she can go home and forget about it completely - very unlike her UK role.
Take the plunge and come here. When we originally considered coming here, we decided that it was better to at least try life in Oz, rather than stay in the UK and regret not making the move 20 years later.
My 4 year old daughter has taken to it like a duck to water. She has more activities and more time outside than she would ever have in the UK.
One thing about Nursing - my wife was a H Grade Nurse Manager [or Sister] in the UK and has gone back to being a Staff Nurse here. It is frustrating for her in that she considers Oz Nursing to be too policy led and discouraging initiative. [She has opinions on the management as well...]. Having said that, her ward is better staffed that it would be in the UK and better resourced, and at the end of her shift, she can go home and forget about it completely - very unlike her UK role.
Take the plunge and come here. When we originally considered coming here, we decided that it was better to at least try life in Oz, rather than stay in the UK and regret not making the move 20 years later.
Jan 10th 2007, 8:14 am
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: at the bottom of a wine glass
Posts: 28,176
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
I moved to Brisbane 3 years ago with my wife & three kids. People would say to me 'that's a brave move going to Australia when you have never even been for a holiday' to which I would reply 'well it can't be as bad as the West Midlands!' Guess what .... I was right. I didn't choose to live in the Midlands - I was born there.
I feel privalaged to have had this opportunity to move here and allow my children to grow up in an area that we have chosen for the right reasons.
There have been highs & lows as you would expect but to be honest, it was a lot easier than I ever imagined. We feel totally at home here, as this is our home.
Come over, enjoy it, embrace it, be part of it, intergrate into it but most importantly call it home.
cheers
Mark
I feel privalaged to have had this opportunity to move here and allow my children to grow up in an area that we have chosen for the right reasons.
There have been highs & lows as you would expect but to be honest, it was a lot easier than I ever imagined. We feel totally at home here, as this is our home.
Come over, enjoy it, embrace it, be part of it, intergrate into it but most importantly call it home.
cheers
Mark
Jan 10th 2007, 8:39 am
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: ex yeovil ...now CAIRNS!
Posts: 604
Re: Objective/Honest opinions needed.
Hi,
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
This is my first attempt at using this board so hopefully you will bear with me, especially if my post and its content/composition is outside the normal structure and context. - Here goes
My family = wife, three young children.
We have always lived in the Midlands, UK.
We have become totally fed up with the Uk from a political, social, and economic standpoint and a personal but informed view that matters will get much worse over coming years.
We are in the early stages of emigrating to Cairns via Queensland UK nurse recruitment drive. My wife is an NHS Sister (Surgical/Triage). I am a recently retired senior manager in public service.
In researching our future for our children and ourselves there is so much information around that its difficult to maintain focus/balance and perspective. At the moment there are so many positives but there must be some downsides!!. Hopefully this thread may help us and possibly others too.
We would be most grateful to read your opinions, experiences, the best and worst of moving from the UK to Australia and particularly Cairns - or thereabouts. Anything from local politics, crime rates, housing, cost of living etc, etc,. We would be most interested in hearing from people who have mirrored our position.
Thank you.
We are fortunate as my OH has been there before (though a long time ago!) on a WHV so we have some, limited, idea of what it may be like.
In our "resrearch" it seems likely to me that tha Aus 'beurocracy' (sp?) is likely to be as bad if not worse, as is there polotics, so no real benefit there!
Also it seems one of the main reasons for returnees is being so far from family and friends, so this is something you need to look at objectively. Also many dont seem to take in the fact that, although it is an english speaking country, it is a different country, with different customs, culture and way of life, not just like being in Manchester or Brum on a hot day!
I think the fact that you are asking these questions show that you realise this and as long as you are willing to embrace a new lifestyle, with all the posotives ...and negatives.. to make the best of it then it can be a posotive move.
The one thing that tempts me most of all is the idea of space! Simple arithmatic...population of the UK..60 million...Queensland..7times the land area population 4 million! (maybe I'm just anti-social!)
If you have any specific questions PM me and I will try and answer them from what research we have been able to put together