Thomaz

That old Joe Strummer (RIP) question eh?

Eight months ago I was asking myself the same thing. I too was happy in England (but didn’t realise just how much), had a secure job with good salary, final salary pension scheme and 6 weeks annual leave. But I gave it up to bring my family here in search of a ‘better life’. Well not quite gave up my job, as I did manage to get a transfer with my company but it still meant lower pay, longer hours, 4 weeks holiday and the pension is now frozen in the UK.

Did I do the right thing? Well, at the moment I would have to say a resounding NO.

But there have been positives – my children have been happy here and we are moving soon to Brisbane where we know some fantastic people from this site. However, whilst I do enjoy the Oz outdoor lifestyle – and I’m certain I will be even happier once I am living in Brisbane - for me personally it’s just not enough to make up for being so far away from family and long-time friends. And for being so much poorer financially which pretty much rules out regular trips home.

Having said all that, I’m not making any plans to return home permanently just yet -mainly because already I feel that I can’t afford to… UK house prices have continued to rise whilst I have been renting here and, even if I could manage to secure a transfer back with my company, the terms and conditions would not be as favourable as the ones I was on before I left – I would be considered a new starter with the company in England just as I was when I came here. Some transfer eh?

I really don’t want to put you off but there is no escaping the fact that you will be taking an enormous gamble and like me, could end up feeling trapped a year or so down the line.

Deciding against Oz now that you are so close will be a very hard thing to do – that fear of looking back with regret always comes into it. But then again, I’m looking back with regret at making the decision to come here.

Whatever you decide, good luck with it.

jib

Without doubt, the best advice that's been given on this forum




jib

moomin

hi there, i am in a very similar position.

both have great jobs but doubtful of prospects in melbourne, nice house, blah blah blah - we have absolutely no reason to go unlike many people i read about who are trying to escape/change things.

when my crunch time comes i think i will reflect on my dads experience, went to oz in his youth loved it, did nothing, visited recently and is now really fed up because it is no longer an option for him but has played on his mind all this time.

i guess you have to risk assess your own factors ie children, enthusiasm, age etc etc.

i am going to have to really force myself out of the comfort zone that i am in, but for me i know that whether it turns out good or bad, when i am in my chair later in life i want to be able to look back and feel i made a go of it

i really feel for you, (i am on the same roller coaster a few seat back), and hope that you make the right coice for you.

Florida_03

Airservices Australia have a few "Air Traffic Engineers". Telecoms engineering and technology development are based in Canberra. Navigation and Communications are based at Brisbane Airport. Other companies with interest in this skillset: Include Boeing in Brisbane and the usual Defence contractors mostly based in Adelaide with some in Sydney and Melbourne. Defence jobs will require citizenship for security clearance.

Check here for a telecoms job with Airservices. I know many engineering consultants and could not recommend starting a consulting engineering business in the present market.

callé

I think since you do have that that time frame ( till 2008), that you should sit back and take a little time to see how things play out. the important thing is to get that PR. then you have awhile to really think on both sides. No rush, no worry! A lot can happen in a few years and your ideas may also change. good luck with your decision. I think most of us here have that same 'should we or shouldnt we' always playing in our minds.

Jamesy

Still thinking, you are all helping a great deal, thank you!

donna

I too felt the same thing ,good jobs ,comfort zone and all that but i had this surreal urge to live there despite never having been.Well weve just returned from a validation trip and the grin hasnt left my face,the more i saw the more i loved it and my thoughts are "What exactly are we giving up?"
good luck in whatever you decide
Donna
Also from my point of view if it doesnt work there i certainly wont be returning to somewhere that im trying so hard to leave.

hevs

Then stack it in very satisfied piles

jad n rich

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jamesy
Crunch time!! Offer on house from cash buyers!! AAAggggghh, I know I should be happy but I have some concerns.....


We both have brilliant jobs with fantastic pensions and are very comfortable

Thinking of Adelaide but I am worried about getting a job which is half decent and even more worried about hubby as he is in a highly specialised field (Air Traffic Engineer)

Hubby is thinking of starting his own business, but I am worried about his experience to do so and lack of local knowledge of SA

SO......

We have to decide

Do we stay for a few more years whilst I mull this over, if we do, then we have decided to still sell and go for a 'self build'

or

go!!





Is it simply a question of choice? Do you want security that you have now or do you want adventure as in going to OZ? Further once the adventure side in OZ has been done, will OZ have enough to offer you?

Is a small city like Adelaide the right place for someone who sounds highly motivated career wise? its also quite isolated (8 hours to Melb) and hardly has a climate any aussies would move for (too hot summer but cold in winter). I think you need to get to Adelaide for several weeks and job hunt see whats actually on offer see whats to do once the initial its new phase has gone. A lot of your questions would surely get answered with a trip out here.

tinaj

It does bring it all down to you when the reality of the move kicks in.

We were in a similar position to you, good, safe jobs with pensions etc a fantastic house and high spending etc. I spent many a night weighing up if I was being completely crazy throwing it all in and leaving. In the end I came to the conclusion that however good our prospects were in the Uk I didn't want to be 'safe' and end up wishing I had gone when I was 50!

The trouble with jobs, careers and pensions is that they are boring and if you spend too much time thinking about them it will drive anyone to sleep. It is important to be financially secure, but is this the be all and end all?Most people that emigrate seem to be able to accept lower wages in Aus as a trade off for the lifestyle, or if you have equity, in real terms it may not be much of a drop.

Do you have to get regular jobs out here?There are many more opportunities for making money here than in the Uk, especially if you have some cash reserves. And is Adelaide the right place to head? I would personally think about somewhere that is booming it will give you far more opportunities.

I think the difficult thing for you is that you have the option of waiting 5 yrs before you leave, this gives you too much time to ponder!

Only you can decide whether you want to be safe and secure in England or want to try something new. For us leaving was the best decision we made, for us and the kids. The trade off for our life here is being away from the family, but we will fly back if we ever get homesick. Financially we are better off here in real terms that we were in England.

Good luck with your decision, it is a hard one to make. And remember that this board often gives a mis-representation of how people feel about emigrating. I have met lots of ex-britains who love it out here and they have never heard of ex-pats ( probably fortunately for them!)I think this site has given lots of a pople too many negative thoughts about Aus that aren't always needed.

wmoore

Tina, the DIMIA should send out your questions as acknowledgement of a visa app and say 'we won't take your money until you've considered all of this.'
I personally think these are the exact questions people need to ask themselves. It's not about which country or which situation is better but which suits you. At the moment you can't possibly know so the next question is are you prepared to take a risk and find out or will you take the opposite risk of regretting it later?
Family aside, there is no reason (for me at least) not to take the first risk. A job is a job and a house is a house but I hope that all the peripheral parts of Oz life will suit me better than those here.

janeyray

You are giving up a lot in the UK to come out to OZ because you're bored. Although we did that

We to had good jobs, nice house, good pensions, happy families, excellent social life and brilliant friends. Just thought it might be better somewhere else () and it's not (for us anyway)

If you're bored, get out and about, do something you don't normally do. Learn to Horse ride (never to late) it's an excellent hobby, riding through the lovely parts of the countryside. Go swimming, drive around and go and visit some lovely stately homes. Go on a holiday abroad. The only different thing about being here is the beach is close by and the weather is better. (sometimes).

As I've said before, change you lifestyle in the UK First if that doesn't work, then think about a new country

Good Luck

ABCDiamond

That depends in where you are going from, and where you are going to

And of course what type of weather you like

Speaking personally, I am much happier with the weather here for at least 95% of the time, if not more.

Pants

Very true.....thats it from me I'm off to rest...nasty cold..yes we get those in OZ too !!!

Megalania

"Send me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." (Inscription, Statue of Liberty)

No mention of bored Poms - America's no-go.