Panicing
 

Can someone out there give me confidence please?

Am sitting here in the UK and wondering what to do. Got an employer sponsored permanent residence visa valid until 5th Jan 05. Wife and two kids egging to go to Perth. I'm rigid with fear and not knowing which way to turn. Potential employer has booked the packers for three weeks time, will put us up for a couple of weeks and pay for all settling-in procedures. House wont sell here but estate agents tell me not to worry and dont lose the dream. Am a physical and wreck and am about to chuck it all away.

Is this sensible? Anybody in or knowing Perth, is it worth the hassle that the next six weeks will be?

Re: Panicing
 

D&G

Wow!. Well, ultimately its yours and your familys decision. How about renting your house out for a year or so and if you don't like Perth then you can always come back. I realise that its a lot more complicated than that (kids etc) but thats the way I'd probably go.

I've been to Perth twice and absolutely love the place. Thats where we're looking to go in the summer of 06. :D :D

Hope this helps and good luck :)

Re: Panicing
 

Only you can decide, but IMO I would go for it. Nothing to lose - maybe a bit of money - but life is short, and you have the opportunity to experience something new - which is scary. Most of the battle is gone in that the rest of the family are keen. Obviously you are worried because you are the wage earner and that brings its own worries, but give it a go. If you come back, you won't have failed, but if you don't go and lose the visa, you will probably regret it because you won't know if you would have loved it. Does any of that make sense
;)

There are loads on here who love Perth. There are also some who don't. You would have a lot of support from us lot and especially those who are there.

Deep breath, go for it :)

Re: Panicing
 

Do you mean you have only until 5th Jan 2005 to validate the visa? How come you've got so little time?

You must validate the visa (all family members) and DIMIA are not flexible so don't leave it to the last minute. You can always come back to the UK to sort things out after validating.

As someone else has said, if the house won't sell maybe consider renting it? This has pros and cons, but maybe consider it.

Or have you got other concerns about emigrating. It may boil down to whether you want to spend the rest of your life wondering 'what if'.

Jeremy

Re: Panicing
 

Is the sale of the house the only factor in this?
I guess that depends on how much equity you have in your home and how much you really need to start a new life. Don't be taken in by what estate agents say they are having a very hard time at the moment. If you can afford to reduce your house now to get it sold then do it. Renting it out in a falling market (and it is falling) will further erode you equity.
A 10% reduction now may well be the market price in 6 months.
Very best of luck to you.

Where in the UK are you?

Cheers
Steve

Re: Panicing
 

[QUOTE=JAJ]Do you mean you have only until 5th Jan 2005 to validate the visa? How come you've got so little time?

So little time because affairs have been complicated and its been a real strain sorting everything out.

You must validate the visa (all family members) and DIMIA are not flexible so don't leave it to the last minute. You can always come back to the UK to sort things out after validating.

True

As someone else has said, if the house won't sell maybe consider renting it? This has pros and cons, but maybe consider it.

Or have you got other concerns about emigrating. It may boil down to whether you want to spend the rest of your life wondering 'what if'.

I'm already wondering what if. Its a tremendous opportunity I know, a job as a Uni professor and a great country. Still, I am left with the feeling that these things only ought to happen to other people.
Jeremy

Re: Panicing
 

Up to you guys. BUT. You may never get this opportunity again. :confused:

What if in Feb you say - wish I'd gone - too b***y late !!

I agree with a previous post ( for what its worth)
If your nervous - treat it as an adventure,
Rent out the house in the UK so you can always come back.

Mentally give yourselves a year

If you absolutely hate it - £xxx for return flights

WE had the same issues but after many discussions decided its got to be worth a shot.

Good luck in the decision making. :)

Re: Panicing
 

Steve,

Am in Exeter.

Is the sale of the house the only factor in this?

The main one. I am panicing like crazy about trying to get organised and ready and am at the point where the sheer size of it is all too much. The future employer is bending over backwards to help and reassure but I'm now to the point where I think it is just all too much. If I dont go ahead I'll be letting them down and my family down. Thank goodness I havent resigned my post here yet so if the brakes go on I havent lost everything.


I guess that depends on how much equity you have in your home and how much you really need to start a new life.

100% mine -- 2 bed semi-d outside the city valued at c. £150K. Job set up for $110 K -- doesnt sound that wonderful does it?

Re: Panicing
 

I am leaving in Jan too, only people in our position will know what a overwealming move it is.
Take a step back from it, consider what quality of life you will have with a $110k salary and £120k-£130k after fees to buy a house in Perth with.
You would have to rent at £750ish a month to make keeping the house here a sensible option, even then you will certainly loose capital next year.
What ever drove you to looking to emmigrate will still be with you if you choose to stay. As you say saying 'what if' next year is not a good option.

Re: Panicing
 

[QUOTE=d&g]you are other people...

What you have sounds like many a persons dream.. whether you take up this opportunity or not is up to you.. but just think of what you could be missing out on..

All the best..

Re: Panicing
 

2 pearls of wisdom......

1 - You only regret the things you dont do (or the things you get caught doing:D )

and

2 - You are here for a good time not a long time !!!!

Re: Panicing
 

Blimey, if I had a firm offer of a $110k job I'd be outta here! That's actually a pretty good salary for Oz.

Why not just take a long holiday to validate the visa's, then at least you keep your options open...

Re: Panicing
 

It's not a bad salary over here too !!!!!

Re: Panicing
 

I know its not a bad salary! Whether it will go as far as a similar salary here I dont know (another worry in all this). I just want to bury my head and cry.

Re: Panicing
 

Ok, so what's the worst that can happen? And the best? Weigh them up, then decide. As long as you validate in time you've got the luxury of time to think about it - a luxury many on this forum would like to have...

Re: Panicing
 

I have read in various places that the cost of living is approx 25% less in Aus than it is here so instantly the $110000 becomes the equivelent of £60k a year - very livable !!!!!!!

Re: Panicing
 

Can I ask what made you begin to consider Aus in the first place. There must have been something. Can't you re-connect to that feeling. If you have your future employer organising much of the move for you, you are in a bl**dy good position to get everything done. You are obviously in a "safe" place right now. Spread your wings, experience what it feels like to fly south for the winter - and if you absolutely hate it, fly back north for the summer ;)

Re: Panicing
 

Good question. I'm a scientist -- have spent 12 study visits in Australia over the last 11 years with total time in Australia 3 years. Loved it -- but then every time it was a visit. Often thought it would be a great place to live. Applied somewhat speculatively for a Professor position from a lecturers post in the UK and got it. Was amazed and flabbergasted -- pinched myself for a long time. I've loved Australia every visit but now very nervous I will hate living there. Perhaps I ought to sit tight methinks. I've no complaints at all -- the employer has given me a substantial set-up grant for my research. But the problem is that I'm not very good at 'normal' life things -- probably not atypical for someone stuck 70 + hrs a week in work. My list of things that perhaps I ought to get organised just gets longer and longer. i realise thart compared with others I'm in a very very fortunate position!

Re: Panicing
 

Presumably if you are not good at the "normal" things - I had a father like that - brilliant at his job but general life - not his thing :D someone does them - your wife? If she is keen, can she do the "normal" things? If you have enjoyed all your visits, you must deep down love it. I would imagine the only things ( :rolleyes: ) you were ever coming back for were family and work. Now you would have them there.

Only you can decide, but please validate and then decide.

Re: Panicing
 

DON'T SELL YOUR HOUSE- rent it. Rent in Perth is cheap enough. Perth is OK, depends what you are looking for.

Re: Panicing
 

I'd be happy with HALF that salary, dont forget the houses are considerably cheaper than here. I'd rent your UK house out (with an agent).

A brilliant opportunity!

Re: Panicing
 

What would you tell a student panicing over exams......having left the revision too late?

Just firefight - pick out the priorities, do them, talk to your wife, get her to help you talk things through and do a list. Then just do the things you have to and don't tire yourself out thinking.

If you can't manage everything, get help. Pay someone to do the bits you can't cope with, trust your agent to do the selling of the house (but keep an eye on it) and get help at the Perth end if you need it. I'm sure there your employer will have experience of relocating people. Money is a tool, use it to make things easier for you.

This is why you have a Ph.D etc. so that you do have opportunities.......

I'm trying to encourage my other half to apply to a Uni and his salary scale is half yours and that's in Melbourne. They must love you!

You will beat yourself up for ever if you don't at least try. If it goes t*ts-up, then it's a nice extended holiday and a new network of friends and work colleagues left behind in a new country.

Trust me, I'm an ex-scientist married to a slightly un-worldly economist. I do all the organisational stuff as bright as my other half is, he is also somewhat hesitant and not so hot at practical matters. Talk things out, don't worry and bottle things up.

Re: Panicing
 

I am concerned.... if you are this worried about going i am not sure you will last much more than a month or 2 in Perth. I think to make it work you need to have a really positive attitude. Just look at that TV programme a new life downunder and all the moany people who go there and come back (not saying your like them though)

Sorry to put depressing slant on :o

:beer:

Re: Panicing
 

Having chopped some vegetables, I am going to add a bit more...

........if you really, really don't want to go, talk to your wife and decide not to go.

My parents-in-law have been trying to get us to emigrate and we finally found out why. They couldn't face being split up for 6 or more weeks (back in the 50's) and so decided against the trip altogether. They do now regret that decision.

Whatever you decide to do, it will be the right decision for you at this time. Try not to have any regrets - record your reasons so you will know why you made the decision you did in 20 years time.

Re: Panicing
 

[QUOTE=Jensen Healey]Blimey, if I had a firm offer of a $110k job I'd be outta here! That's actually a pretty good salary for Oz.

Why not just take a long holiday to validate the visa's, then at least you keep your options open...[/QUOT
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$110K per year is enough to live a very comfortable life in OZ considering you can buy a family sized house in Perth for around $300K. That is a high wage for Perth. Theres no need to be nervous all your risking if it does'nt work out is a bit of money your not risking your lives like the people who go out to work in Iraq, for probably less then $110K.

Re: Panicing
 

Hello,

Well what a life changing decision you have to make!

All I can say is, that if you sit there and think, and worry about it, you will never go. You will find something that stops you, like you can't leave because the neighbour door but one is poorly....there will always be something that could make you stop. What you have to think of is the things that will change your life with making this move. They may be good changes (or bad ones) but ultimately until you take the plunge you will always wonder "what if".

I am making that plunge along with all the people in this forum, and like many others I may not like it and come back, but at least I know that in 5, 10, 20 years time I can say I tried. Its the trying that counts. Sell the house and go, if it doesn't work out, no big deal, come back to England and make a new life here..

good luck :)

Re: Panicing
 

l think if you loved the place for holidays l doubt very much you would hate living there.

Re: Panicing
 

Yes, but they are a minority who hate the place go back after a few months, not the majority who are glad they moved to OZ. Anyway if they did'nt put whinging Poms in the show it would be pity boring :D