Sooo, after a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, last Thursday I accepted a job in Australia (subject to visa, of course). It's based in Melbourne but with travel all round the Pacific Rim.

Despite the fact that we've been in on-off discussions since last September, they finally came back with the money I wanted just last week. Unfortunately I was in Thailand on business and couldn't have a good talk with my wife 'till I returned home. 24 hours after flying home, I said yes. So it's all been a bit sudden and we're still trying to take it all in.

Had a read of some of the posts on here and all seem pretty positive so hopefully all will go to plan. We will keep the house over here as my son can use it, so that's one less thing to worry about.

No doubt there'll be plenty of questions in the next months, but I'll try to find an earlier post on the subject before I ask.

The two most important questions I had I've already had answers to through an Oz guy on a UK forum:-

The availability of Range Rovers? - Plenty

What's the beer like? - Coopers Pale Ale...Very Nice
Boags...Very nice and refreshing
James Squires Original Amber Ale..Very nice
Victoria Bitter...Nice
Carlton Crown Lager...very nice drink indeed.


As you see, I like to get my priorities right!

Regards,

George.

Hi, We are bit like you. Husband was approached last November(ish) and after much tooing and froing job offer came in and we are off to Melbourne on about the 23rd June. Visa applications completed and xrays done. Just waiting for the 457. What will you be doing in Melbourne? Do you know anyone there? We don't know anyone but hopefully it won't take too long to make new friends but a bit nervous about it all as I won't be working initially.

Best of luck

Hi Vanessa
We are off to Melbourne on 26 June. My husband, Ian will be working in Campbellfield and we are going to look at settling in Sunbury. We don't know anyone there either so I am more than a little nervous about the whole thing. Ian was offered his job last August but it's taken me until now to decide it is the right thing for us to do. Fortunately both Ian and his future employers have been brilliant and have given me the time to come to this decision without any pressure. I think initiallly I will be ok because there will so much to sort out but not sure how I will feel when Ian goes off to work and I am left to my own devices. I will just have to hope I manage to get a job fairly quickly.

Good luck

Sue

Thanks for the replies.

I/we are aiming to be out for August/September, mabye earlier if possible.

I'll be working for a consultancy in the rail industry, and no, I've had nothing to do with the state of UK railways! I've mainly been abroard.

The offices are in the CBD of Melbourne but I'll be looking for somewhere ouside the city as we live in a village in the UK at the moment and want to stay somewhere fairly small. Having said that, my wife doesn't drive so it needs to have some ameneties fairly close by. She won't be working when she first comes out either but, as there'll be a six - nine month gap between me arriving and her getting out, hopefuly she'll manage a few visits first to get the lie of the land.

Fortunately, the company are sorting out initial accommodation so I've got a while to look round and don't have to worry on arrival.

George.

Hi Sue,

Where are you in the UK? Perhaps we could meet up before we go as it sounds like we are both in the same boat!

I am in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. I think that would be a great idea!
Sue

Not too far away. I am in Farnborough, Kent. Junction 4 M25. I think my email address is on my profile if you want to email me.

Ok will do.

Bloody hell, start a thread and next thig it's lonely hearts!

Its called being a Thread Killer, or so I understand!!!!

Hi

We actually moved to Sunbury from Banbury, Oxon in March 05. We love it here and the kids have settled in really quickly.

We were in the same position, transferred here with my husband's job, were really excited, but didn't know a soul in Oz. We have met a few people now, please feel free to contact me if you want any info on the area or any help when you get here.

Kind Regards
Amanda