Relocation: Phil Down Under
#76
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 10
Re: Relocation: Phil Down Under
I think its good that people with bad expereinces reply to balance out view points.
I moved to Brisbane and ended up on the Gold Coast 2 and a half years ago and the weather has been different all the time. I personally think that it takes more than 6 months to get used to new surroundings and would suggest 2 years a better amount of time.
The couple that bought a place in Melbourne last week are friends of mine and have bought a big place on an acre for $500k, sounds like a bargain to me. Even with house prices dropping a bit in the UK its still way better than a now typical 3 storey town house the developers seem to be building with a postage sized stamp garden to keep your blade of grass in.
Everyone in Australia makes ends meet and they are not all multi millionaires, its a case of getting stuck in and taking a few years to build up what you have left in the UK. It wont happen overnight and certainly not in 6 months.
I moved to Brisbane and ended up on the Gold Coast 2 and a half years ago and the weather has been different all the time. I personally think that it takes more than 6 months to get used to new surroundings and would suggest 2 years a better amount of time.
The couple that bought a place in Melbourne last week are friends of mine and have bought a big place on an acre for $500k, sounds like a bargain to me. Even with house prices dropping a bit in the UK its still way better than a now typical 3 storey town house the developers seem to be building with a postage sized stamp garden to keep your blade of grass in.
Everyone in Australia makes ends meet and they are not all multi millionaires, its a case of getting stuck in and taking a few years to build up what you have left in the UK. It wont happen overnight and certainly not in 6 months.
I agree that you need 2 years to acclimatise. But what do you do when you face a family revolt and everyone wants to go home? Then it's a question of cutting your losses and beating a heavy retreat. Do you have children? Even if you don't you must realise that any time lost in their education can never be regained. That was our first priority.
Of course most people are scraping to get by and economise. But I don't think I could survive 2 years on the dole
#77
Re: Relocation: Phil Down Under
Oh Poo, I've just realised that I missed Phil on Friday
Need my fix so off to watch 4OD ...................
K xx
Need my fix so off to watch 4OD ...................
K xx
#78
Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,855
Re: Relocation: Phil Down Under
Thanks for your reply. Don't be depressed it was something meant to be. The boys hated the humidity in Brisbane, I did not care for it either. Also the outdoor life is over-rated, you cannot get out in the sun unless you Slip-Slap-Slop! Very dangerous melanoma, the boys hated wearing UV shirts when swimming.
The boys are a lot happier here in Stirling, they can play football, they love the snow, they don't fall asleep with the fans whirring overhead in the classroom (No air-con for children up to 40 degree heat!).
I don't regret going otherwise I would not find out. Consider it a probation period. Only mistake was I should have listened to my brother-in-law. He suggested don't sell the house and go first and try to look for work, then when everything is settled, bring the family say 6 months later. Don't uproot them unnecesarily. Only thing is the visa was granted Oct 04 and last entry April 05 for everyone, very tight deadlines. Not sure why the authorities insist everyone come together instead of staggering the entries.
Never mind, all worked out. Que sera sera!!
The boys are a lot happier here in Stirling, they can play football, they love the snow, they don't fall asleep with the fans whirring overhead in the classroom (No air-con for children up to 40 degree heat!).
I don't regret going otherwise I would not find out. Consider it a probation period. Only mistake was I should have listened to my brother-in-law. He suggested don't sell the house and go first and try to look for work, then when everything is settled, bring the family say 6 months later. Don't uproot them unnecesarily. Only thing is the visa was granted Oct 04 and last entry April 05 for everyone, very tight deadlines. Not sure why the authorities insist everyone come together instead of staggering the entries.
Never mind, all worked out. Que sera sera!!
#80
Living our life wherever
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: came back to oz after moving back to uk but not settled here so uk here i come, last time im moving
Posts: 361
Re: Relocation: Phil Down Under
I moved out to brisbane over four years ago and i kept my house rented in UK until my family were happy to say we are staying in Brisbane, but please my advice to every one is make back up plans because things change.
My 10 year old soon is talking like he is missing UK,so my wife and i have a back up plan if he does get more upset.
One more thing i must add is that we moved out here as many other people do,to make and have a better life but things are getting more expensive here like food ,gas, elec and my wife and i do find our selfs saying that its getting more expensive and its not going as far as it did four years ago,the pull of the family is very hard we just spent feb this year in the UK staying with my wife parents and even tho we have seen them a couple of years ago, this time of leaving was the hardest ever and has had a big impact on my wife parents and it has taken them over five weeks to be able to deal with it, and seeing my wife concerned with that hurts.
So please migrate if you can but be prepared to change your plans for the benefit of your own family
all the best
#83
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: Relocation: Phil Down Under
On the other hand the original proposition may have been a loose use of the word Europe as Aus is 1.75 times the size of the EU.
#84
Re: Relocation: Phil Down Under
I think it depends on whether you use my definition of Europe or the Eurovision Song Contest definition.
#86
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1
Re: Relocation: Phil Down Under
Its interesting reading these Forums. There is certainly no rights or wrongs about staying in Australia or returning to the UK. Magic Stag gave it a go and thought it was best to go back. Good for him I say! Takes balls to make the move and then he wanted to go back. So what?
We've lived here for three years and have loved every minute of it! But you grow a bit tired of the Brits who just moan about the UK and boast about Australia all the time.
Australia has some major issues at the moment. The middle class have no hope buying a house and are forced to rent. This puts pressure on the poor as they now have to compete with the middle class for rental properties. Which is causing more people to become homeless and live on the streets. I have seen it over the years just from going to work in the CBD. More people are living on the streets, its a fact.
Australia is now the least affordable place in the world for houses. 9 times the average household income is required to buy the average house in Sydney.
At least the middle class can buy a house in the UK.
We've lived here for three years and have loved every minute of it! But you grow a bit tired of the Brits who just moan about the UK and boast about Australia all the time.
Australia has some major issues at the moment. The middle class have no hope buying a house and are forced to rent. This puts pressure on the poor as they now have to compete with the middle class for rental properties. Which is causing more people to become homeless and live on the streets. I have seen it over the years just from going to work in the CBD. More people are living on the streets, its a fact.
Australia is now the least affordable place in the world for houses. 9 times the average household income is required to buy the average house in Sydney.
At least the middle class can buy a house in the UK.
#88
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 252
Re: Relocation: Phil Down Under
UK faces some absolutely horrible times coming, IMO. Tremendous fiscal pressures which may take 10+ years to fix, no major growth industries (the only one around - finance - has taken a beating and is now politically very difficult), rising costs, rising population, social issues etc etc. Of course, there are some good places to live, as long as you can suffer the weather. But if you want a career, in many cases South East is the only option, and then you're trapped in commuter-ville with no space.
May be a wee bit biased though, as we're leaving in 3 months :-) Just come back after several years in the US and have confirmed our opinion that we really dont want to live in the UK any more. Truly a depressing place IMO.
#89
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4
Re: Relocation: Phil Down Under
Australia has some major issues at the moment. The middle class have no hope buying a house and are forced to rent. This puts pressure on the poor as they now have to compete with the middle class for rental properties. Which is causing more people to become homeless and live on the streets. I have seen it over the years just from going to work in the CBD. More people are living on the streets, its a fact.
Australia is now the least affordable place in the world for houses. 9 times the average household income is required to buy the average house in Sydney.
At least the middle class can buy a house in the UK.
Australia is now the least affordable place in the world for houses. 9 times the average household income is required to buy the average house in Sydney.
At least the middle class can buy a house in the UK.
#90
Re: Relocation: Phil Down Under
I think the woman was born in Ireland (her name was Bronagh after all..) but she obviously grew up in England (Essex). That's my bet anyway.
I enjoyed the show, but I had to laugh at the bit in Sydney where Phil was making out that everybody in Sydney commutes by ferry! If only! My commute to work in Sydney is much worse than it ever was in London - endless traffic jams and idiotic drivers.
As with most things of course, it depends on your individual circumtances. My commute to work in London was excellent - Twickenham, through Teddington and Bushy Park and down past Hampton Court. In Sydney, it's twice as long as i'm going in the same direction as everyone else on the appalling road system. Commuting by ferry would be nice but i'll leave that to those who can afford to buy a house in Manly ( I can't!).
I enjoyed the show, but I had to laugh at the bit in Sydney where Phil was making out that everybody in Sydney commutes by ferry! If only! My commute to work in Sydney is much worse than it ever was in London - endless traffic jams and idiotic drivers.
As with most things of course, it depends on your individual circumtances. My commute to work in London was excellent - Twickenham, through Teddington and Bushy Park and down past Hampton Court. In Sydney, it's twice as long as i'm going in the same direction as everyone else on the appalling road system. Commuting by ferry would be nice but i'll leave that to those who can afford to buy a house in Manly ( I can't!).