Should I move back to Aus?
Jun 5th 2012, 11:33 am
#1
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Joined: Jun 2012
Location: Reigate, UK
Posts: 3
Should I move back to Aus?
With so many people endeavouring to obtain that coveted visa to a new life down under, I wonder if there are many who have already done that, been there, come back and are now wanting to return to Aus for good, but need to overcome the usual financial and emotional obstacles firstly before booking that one way ticket back?
I lived in Sydney between 1999 and 2002 where I became a citizen, then following redundancy and a desire to put my life in order returned to the UK. I have regretted it ever since and am now desperate to return. So what's stopping me?
I moved to Aus after throwing in my career as a stressed and underpaid London teacher. Having spent the previous 18 months retraining as a web designer and arriving in Aus with just £500, I found myself in work within a week and soon settled into the Manly beach lifestyle and considerably lowered stress levels and improved health.
But at aged 40 I had outgrown the back packer scene I ended up in and wanting more of a career, property investment and family, thought a stint back in Blighty might work before returning to Aus permanently. It did, sort of.
I am now very happily married, own two properties worth about the same as what I paid for them 8 years ago and am carrying the all too common personal debt burden. My career has moved on and I am now a highly paid contract ecommerce project manager. I also just turned 50!
I reckon that within 18 months I'll have cleared the debt, have off loaded one of the properties, the other becoming a rental safe harbour if it doesn't work out in Aus second time around and should have about £50k for the move back to Aus.
My wife, who is 13 years younger and a non EU trained senior nurse but not eligible to work as a nurse in Aus until her language skills improve (to an impossible IELTS level 7) is also keen to go. But whereas such a move would have been easy for me in my youth, it now just feels altogether more risky.
Firstly, can I find the work and will it last? I know IT project management is in demand in Aus, but then there are significant age barriers and I believe Aus to be far worse than the UK in this respect. My trick has always been not to let on about my age and work as contractor. I am generally thought to be a good ten years younger by people who don't know me.
Secondly, is there any hope of setting up a mortgage with AU$60K at 52 years of age? Australian house prices look as scary as the UK these days.
Despite my profession, I am actually a risk taker at heart having moved between jobs, lived and worked around the world and benefitted from that spirit of adventure and enterprise. I believe my sense of adventure, hard work and flexibility would see us through a second time in Aus, but the psychological barriers are different this time. Or are they?
BonzaBloke
I lived in Sydney between 1999 and 2002 where I became a citizen, then following redundancy and a desire to put my life in order returned to the UK. I have regretted it ever since and am now desperate to return. So what's stopping me?
I moved to Aus after throwing in my career as a stressed and underpaid London teacher. Having spent the previous 18 months retraining as a web designer and arriving in Aus with just £500, I found myself in work within a week and soon settled into the Manly beach lifestyle and considerably lowered stress levels and improved health.
But at aged 40 I had outgrown the back packer scene I ended up in and wanting more of a career, property investment and family, thought a stint back in Blighty might work before returning to Aus permanently. It did, sort of.
I am now very happily married, own two properties worth about the same as what I paid for them 8 years ago and am carrying the all too common personal debt burden. My career has moved on and I am now a highly paid contract ecommerce project manager. I also just turned 50!
I reckon that within 18 months I'll have cleared the debt, have off loaded one of the properties, the other becoming a rental safe harbour if it doesn't work out in Aus second time around and should have about £50k for the move back to Aus.
My wife, who is 13 years younger and a non EU trained senior nurse but not eligible to work as a nurse in Aus until her language skills improve (to an impossible IELTS level 7) is also keen to go. But whereas such a move would have been easy for me in my youth, it now just feels altogether more risky.
Firstly, can I find the work and will it last? I know IT project management is in demand in Aus, but then there are significant age barriers and I believe Aus to be far worse than the UK in this respect. My trick has always been not to let on about my age and work as contractor. I am generally thought to be a good ten years younger by people who don't know me.
Secondly, is there any hope of setting up a mortgage with AU$60K at 52 years of age? Australian house prices look as scary as the UK these days.
Despite my profession, I am actually a risk taker at heart having moved between jobs, lived and worked around the world and benefitted from that spirit of adventure and enterprise. I believe my sense of adventure, hard work and flexibility would see us through a second time in Aus, but the psychological barriers are different this time. Or are they?
BonzaBloke
Last edited by BonzaBloke; Jun 5th 2012 at 11:43 am.
Jun 5th 2012, 2:06 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 691
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
With so many people endeavouring to obtain that coveted visa to a new life down under, I wonder if there are many who have already done that, been there, come back and are now wanting to return to Aus for good, but need to overcome the usual financial and emotional obstacles firstly before booking that one way ticket back?
I lived in Sydney between 1999 and 2002 where I became a citizen, then following redundancy and a desire to put my life in order returned to the UK. I have regretted it ever since and am now desperate to return. So what's stopping me?
I moved to Aus after throwing in my career as a stressed and underpaid London teacher. Having spent the previous 18 months retraining as a web designer and arriving in Aus with just £500, I found myself in work within a week and soon settled into the Manly beach lifestyle and considerably lowered stress levels and improved health.
But at aged 40 I had outgrown the back packer scene I ended up in and wanting more of a career, property investment and family, thought a stint back in Blighty might work before returning to Aus permanently. It did, sort of.
I am now very happily married, own two properties worth about the same as what I paid for them 8 years ago and am carrying the all too common personal debt burden. My career has moved on and I am now a highly paid contract ecommerce project manager. I also just turned 50!
I reckon that within 18 months I'll have cleared the debt, have off loaded one of the properties, the other becoming a rental safe harbour if it doesn't work out in Aus second time around and should have about £50k for the move back to Aus.
My wife, who is 13 years younger and a non EU trained senior nurse but not eligible to work as a nurse in Aus until her language skills improve (to an impossible IELTS level 7) is also keen to go. But whereas such a move would have been easy for me in my youth, it now just feels altogether more risky.
Firstly, can I find the work and will it last? I know IT project management is in demand in Aus, but then there are significant age barriers and I believe Aus to be far worse than the UK in this respect. My trick has always been not to let on about my age and work as contractor. I am generally thought to be a good ten years younger by people who don't know me.
Secondly, is there any hope of setting up a mortgage with AU$60K at 52 years of age? Australian house prices look as scary as the UK these days.
Despite my profession, I am actually a risk taker at heart having moved between jobs, lived and worked around the world and benefitted from that spirit of adventure and enterprise. I believe my sense of adventure, hard work and flexibility would see us through a second time in Aus, but the psychological barriers are different this time. Or are they?
BonzaBloke
I lived in Sydney between 1999 and 2002 where I became a citizen, then following redundancy and a desire to put my life in order returned to the UK. I have regretted it ever since and am now desperate to return. So what's stopping me?
I moved to Aus after throwing in my career as a stressed and underpaid London teacher. Having spent the previous 18 months retraining as a web designer and arriving in Aus with just £500, I found myself in work within a week and soon settled into the Manly beach lifestyle and considerably lowered stress levels and improved health.
But at aged 40 I had outgrown the back packer scene I ended up in and wanting more of a career, property investment and family, thought a stint back in Blighty might work before returning to Aus permanently. It did, sort of.
I am now very happily married, own two properties worth about the same as what I paid for them 8 years ago and am carrying the all too common personal debt burden. My career has moved on and I am now a highly paid contract ecommerce project manager. I also just turned 50!
I reckon that within 18 months I'll have cleared the debt, have off loaded one of the properties, the other becoming a rental safe harbour if it doesn't work out in Aus second time around and should have about £50k for the move back to Aus.
My wife, who is 13 years younger and a non EU trained senior nurse but not eligible to work as a nurse in Aus until her language skills improve (to an impossible IELTS level 7) is also keen to go. But whereas such a move would have been easy for me in my youth, it now just feels altogether more risky.
Firstly, can I find the work and will it last? I know IT project management is in demand in Aus, but then there are significant age barriers and I believe Aus to be far worse than the UK in this respect. My trick has always been not to let on about my age and work as contractor. I am generally thought to be a good ten years younger by people who don't know me.
Secondly, is there any hope of setting up a mortgage with AU$60K at 52 years of age? Australian house prices look as scary as the UK these days.
Despite my profession, I am actually a risk taker at heart having moved between jobs, lived and worked around the world and benefitted from that spirit of adventure and enterprise. I believe my sense of adventure, hard work and flexibility would see us through a second time in Aus, but the psychological barriers are different this time. Or are they?
BonzaBloke
However you will have to be prepared for a few annoying things like not getting the same kind of job straight away with the same rate of pay, which some professionals find very hard.
Jun 5th 2012, 2:54 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Somewhere South... Not Telling YOU
Posts: 10,959
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
I wasnt in Oz back then... But having felt the changes in costsof living over the last 5 years I'd be reluctant to take a major risk and start afresh here at your age in this economic climate.....
Depends what you want....
If you dont you'll always wonder "whatif"
If you do you may well struggle... Or may not... No one has a crystal ball...
Good luck with whatever you decide.....
By the way... A 7 in the ELTS isnt at all undoable.... I know plenty of non native english speaking nurses who have managed it.... Just requires a bit of hard work and determination... As would immigration....
Depends what you want....
If you dont you'll always wonder "whatif"
If you do you may well struggle... Or may not... No one has a crystal ball...
Good luck with whatever you decide.....
By the way... A 7 in the ELTS isnt at all undoable.... I know plenty of non native english speaking nurses who have managed it.... Just requires a bit of hard work and determination... As would immigration....
Jun 5th 2012, 6:02 pm
#4
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Joined: Jun 2012
Location: Reigate, UK
Posts: 3
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
I agree, it's a bit of a crystal ball, for anybody thinking of making the move whether they have done it previously or not.
On balance though, the risks can be mitigated and where there's a will there's always a way.
On balance though, the risks can be mitigated and where there's a will there's always a way.
Jun 5th 2012, 9:15 pm
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: Not Brisbane
Posts: 1,210
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
You will be looking at adding 400k minimum to your 60k. I personally think you are mad to be contemplating that at 50.
Jun 6th 2012, 3:06 am
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
My uncle is still backpacking round the world, he is 76 now. Wants to find love and get married again too
Agree on funds, Main thing that would stop me moving here now, if I had seen it in 2000 would be the extreme
cost of everything now. 2000 was the golden boom age of australia and it is a different planet now.
Jun 6th 2012, 4:00 am
#7
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,230
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
Why not come back over for a year or two and rent and see how it goes? Sounds like you'll be able to sort some contract work and you'll have somewhere back in the UK if it all goes tits up. I don't think you should necessarily settle for your lot just cos you've hit 50 if you're unhappy with it.
Jun 6th 2012, 4:09 am
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,526
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
In all honesty if your earning good money, I would be looking for as early retirement as possible rather than risking a good albeit boring thing.
Try and have as many holidays as possible along the way.
If it's a risk your after, start your own enterprise in the UK.
Try and have as many holidays as possible along the way.
If it's a risk your after, start your own enterprise in the UK.
Jun 6th 2012, 4:11 am
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 171
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
Cost of property is probably the big thing, I'm a few years younger than you and brought more cash but even with my wife and I on good wages (me also senior IT contracting in finance) Sydney housing was just too expensive. Thing is the older you are the more dependant on the AU$ value of your savings than your income you are. Cheaper places to live than Sydney (with lower incomes) may make more sense.
Still, if you can give it a try with minimal risk why not?
Still, if you can give it a try with minimal risk why not?
Jun 6th 2012, 11:24 am
#10
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 42
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
Its sounds like you've made you mind up - If you love the ideal of the beach before work and passing that gift on to the kids, then get down to the flight centre.
If you enjoy the interior of pubs and general nostalgia then I suggest you buys some new brogues and a travel card.
Look outside Sydney if your going to buy. Newcastle, NSW is an absolute gem of a spot. Your pounds would most likely still get you a spot on the water up there.. you can get the seaplane to sydney
Consider transferring/applying your skills to the resources sector..
If you enjoy the interior of pubs and general nostalgia then I suggest you buys some new brogues and a travel card.
Look outside Sydney if your going to buy. Newcastle, NSW is an absolute gem of a spot. Your pounds would most likely still get you a spot on the water up there.. you can get the seaplane to sydney
Consider transferring/applying your skills to the resources sector..
Jun 6th 2012, 6:25 pm
#11
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
Why don't you set up as a freelancer? That way you can continue with some UK work with your current employer if you're still doing web design? Would be handy if they get any urgent work - instead of them hammering it out overnight they can just email it to you to do in your day and it'll be there for them at 9 in the morning when they get up in blighty. You're sure to make more money working freelance as well...
Good luck with everything!
Good luck with everything!
Jun 6th 2012, 6:44 pm
#12
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Re: Should I move back to Aus?
BonzaBloke here following the replies above. Thanks.
It's a mixed bag of responses which just goes to show how specific the choice is to move down under.
I think the main barrier for me is how much the cost of living and house prices have shot up in Aus recently. I thought house prices were climbing quickly during and after the Olympics, but right now it looks to be a major challenge for anyone of average income unless they arrive with a big wedge.
My thought is to go back to Aus just the same but make sure we can return if it doesn't work out.
Also, Sydney might be good for work, but not for buying a place and actually I wouldn't want to live there again.
I think the idea will be to arrive and follow the work whilst renting, then if it looks as if it is going to pan out, buy a place in a less expensive place whilst keeping hold of a property in the UK.
At some point the equity in both should convert to a single property outright purchase.
Does anyone have a view on Adelaide, Perth, or even outer suburbs of Melbourne? Is it an easier nut to crack that Sydney?
Thanks for the replies and encouragement - another long wet UK bank holiday has certainly got me dreaming of taking up my life back in Aus again!
It's a mixed bag of responses which just goes to show how specific the choice is to move down under.
I think the main barrier for me is how much the cost of living and house prices have shot up in Aus recently. I thought house prices were climbing quickly during and after the Olympics, but right now it looks to be a major challenge for anyone of average income unless they arrive with a big wedge.
My thought is to go back to Aus just the same but make sure we can return if it doesn't work out.
Also, Sydney might be good for work, but not for buying a place and actually I wouldn't want to live there again.
I think the idea will be to arrive and follow the work whilst renting, then if it looks as if it is going to pan out, buy a place in a less expensive place whilst keeping hold of a property in the UK.
At some point the equity in both should convert to a single property outright purchase.
Does anyone have a view on Adelaide, Perth, or even outer suburbs of Melbourne? Is it an easier nut to crack that Sydney?
Thanks for the replies and encouragement - another long wet UK bank holiday has certainly got me dreaming of taking up my life back in Aus again!
Jun 7th 2012, 6:28 am
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 8,378
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
TBH, unless you are really well minted, I wouldnt bother. Australia is not really good for older people getting restarted in life - you will be slogging away for far longer than if you stayed in UK earning good money. I'm with the others - stock up the coffers then retire and use Australia for holidays. If it aint broke, dont fix it!
Jun 7th 2012, 9:01 am
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 42
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
its never going to be hard to come up with a colourful list of cons...
he who dares rodders..
he who dares rodders..
Jun 7th 2012, 1:09 pm
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,526
Re: Should I move back to Aus?
I seriously considered moving back to the UK around 4 years back, because I wanted a change and for the first time in History house prices in London matched those in Melbourne and I saw a golden opportunity. Worked out it could set my retirement back by quite a few years though, especially when I saw that income would be a lot lower for me in the UK.
I'm coming at this mostly from an age related point of view.... nothing wrong with the intent.