Hello all you Old gits.........

I'll be the big 5 0 this year and my wife has just turned 46.

We applied via an employer sponsorship ( RSMS) about 4 months before my wife's 45th birthday as she was the main applicant.

Got granted our visa's about a month after her 45th birthday.

She arrived in Adelaide in April 2006 and I followed in December 2006.

Life is very good, and the adventure is ongoing for us.

Left 2 daughters behind in Kent and have our 17 year old son and..............a 5 year old daughter with us ( evidence that your never too old for anything !!!).

I think there are two stages in life when it's comparatively easy to emigrate. The first is when you're young and adventurous, either single or married without kids, the second when your children are independent and self-reliant (however reluctant you may be to acknowledge that they CAN manage without you!) and you have few relatives to leave behind. The middle years, say between 25 and 50 are really hard. You're very conscious that you've put down deep roots into that culture and that you're leaving family and friends behind.
I was 35 when we migrated and found it hard for quite a few years, consoling myself that it was just a long working holiday and "one day", I'd be going home. But that was 38 years ago and my solitary trip back to the UK after 15 years convinced me that Australia is my home, since when I've had no desire even to visit.
Does that make me the oldest 'old git' on the forum?

Hi all,
Just thought I would add my two cents worth… I’m 47 and my wife is 45, two other family members Daniel 20 and Laura 18, and a Labrador called Murphy.
Were planning to go to the Brisbane area sometime soon, waiting for the house to sell, were at that frustrating stage, can’t seem to settle here now the decision has been made, can’t move until the house is sold. I’d be interested in any comments regarding getting a job, has your age been a barrier or an asset?

I was in Brisbane during November last year to watch the cricket, had a good look around, really liked the areas away from the city, as yet undecided on the place to settle, we plan to rent for a while until we get our bearings, find a job etc.

I found this thread rather comforting, many of our friends think were mad to go at this stage of our lives, however were really looking forward to the challenge, although we do have the wobbles sometimes.

Good luck to all….

Phil & Sally
Northampton

We're now way beyond 'old git' territory. Even the words 'venerable' or 'prehistoric' seem inadequate.

Alternatively, someone in their 90s is just about to prove me wrong...

Karl

I also think the 40 somethings maybe have the most to lose financially if things go wrong. 30s - you have another decade to recover. 50s - your die is pretty much cast for the endgame approaching retirement.

OK, that was a very broad generalisation!

I see your other two family members are at what can be quite a difficult age for migration. My daughters will be 16 and 18 at the back end of next year when we hope to move. Youngest is up for it. Eldest is a born worrier!

Karl

Hiya

Well I am sure we are just one behind Brad

I am 56 and OH is 57 so that makes the Beckhams and Brad and his missus the oldest gits on this thread.

We are hoping for our Contributory Parent Visa - only 8 weeks since application acknowledged so a very long way to go yet, not even supposed to hear from a CO until end of this year wish it was sooner.

All the best to everyone on here

Caz

[QUOTE=CazBeckham;4625777]I am 56 and OH is 57 so that makes the Beckhams and Brad and his missus the oldest gits on this thread.[QUOTE=CazBeckham;4625777]

Unless I've got something wrong, you're actually barely out of nappies compared to TheCrone. Migrated at age 35, 38 years ago....73!!!!

Good luck, by the way.

Karl

Oh great, we're 46/40! Still the kids are only 8 and 5, so hopefully they'll settle reasonably easily even if we don't! Eldest wants to be a dentist, so from what we hear about Oz dentists, she can keep us in our dotage!

I was generalising

You will be OK with a dentist to see you through your dotage

My eldest wants to be a vet, so hopefully we'll be sorted too!

Karl

Hmm, she likes animals too - I wonder if a veterinarian dentist gets twice as much...

I am 46, soon to be 47!!
Started the visa process just before my 45th birthday .. so I definately qualify in the ''old gits'' category!!
I have a nearly 18yr old son who is not keen to go, but not independent enough to leave behind!
I don't want to delay it too long ... in case someone comes up with a ''really old gits'' category .... AND .. I find myself in it!!

our 18 year old is a bit the same and its a will he won't he. IMHO I think if he does stay behind he will have to grow up quickly but I will worry coming with us is the easy option but he's not keen

I can beat you,48 years young here.
I've lived here in Adelaide for nearly 7 years.
On my visa I had to apply before my 40th so we were really pushing it.

Very settled here with some good friends - after a lot of false starts by "Users"

I wish I'd made the move earlier but we used those years there to build up a business and work our bits off - paid off now

Fancy seeing you in here

Glad to see you are settling

Hi Tyke

Could you spare a few minutes to give me the low-down on Adelaide? We were originally thinking of Brisbane, but the high humidity over there is putting us off. What's Adelaide like for jobs (just in general - is it booming like Perth, or is it like the Sunshine Coast?), climate, living in general?

Email off list if you like as this isn't really on topic!