So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
Australia is not in Asia. Nor is it in Europe and it is definitely not the UK with better weather.
We love it and for us it was worth it. But I have a very niche field, and what I do is not possible right now in Europe or the US (though I could do other things there). I also made three trips beforehand just to sort out the work situation.
Focus on, why are you looking to make the move? If you are tired of a desk job in London and want to escape the city . . . and then take a desk job in Sydney . . . you aren't going to find that very fulfilling.
We love it and for us it was worth it. But I have a very niche field, and what I do is not possible right now in Europe or the US (though I could do other things there). I also made three trips beforehand just to sort out the work situation.
Focus on, why are you looking to make the move? If you are tired of a desk job in London and want to escape the city . . . and then take a desk job in Sydney . . . you aren't going to find that very fulfilling.
#18
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
Eh? I've lived in Sydney and don't really like the place. I know you like Sydney but much of the rest of Australia doesn't - if they didn't everyone would be living in Sydney and it would be the size of Tokyo!
Some perspective
Some perspective
#19
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
Last I looked, Tassie was an Australian State. When did they gain independence?
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
15 years ago, Sydney was one of my favourite cities in the world. Now, I find it dodgy, and increasingly so every time I go back (just my personal opinion!).
Last time I was there (a few months ago) I saw two girls openly shooting up on one of the footpaths by the train station.
Not my life. If Xizzles wants to go there, more power to him/her.
Last time I was there (a few months ago) I saw two girls openly shooting up on one of the footpaths by the train station.
Not my life. If Xizzles wants to go there, more power to him/her.
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
15 years ago, Sydney was one of my favourite cities in the world. Now, I find it dodgy, and increasingly so every time I go back (just my personal opinion!).
Last time I was there (a few months ago) I saw two girls openly shooting up on one of the footpaths by the train station.
Not my life. If Xizzles wants to go there, more power to him/her.
Last time I was there (a few months ago) I saw two girls openly shooting up on one of the footpaths by the train station.
Not my life. If Xizzles wants to go there, more power to him/her.
Cocaine for the eastern suburbs. Ice for the west. And you don't "Shoot up" that shit.
Lol
#22
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
Ha. Indeed. I am sure I misjudged and it was just their insulin!
On a serious note - I live in the regions and people find and post to our Crime Watch page, at least once every few weeks, photos of syringes that junkies have just tossed onto sidewalks, etc. Scary stuff.
The drug epidemic is frightening in the regions and I am not sure anyone has any idea what to do about it, or if the politicians even recognise how serious the problem has become.
On a serious note - I live in the regions and people find and post to our Crime Watch page, at least once every few weeks, photos of syringes that junkies have just tossed onto sidewalks, etc. Scary stuff.
The drug epidemic is frightening in the regions and I am not sure anyone has any idea what to do about it, or if the politicians even recognise how serious the problem has become.
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
Let me just add to that - to get back to the original question - yes, definitely, still worth it to come here.
#24
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
I spent a long time weighing up whether or not to make the move. In the end we took the plunge and have never looked back. I earn more money and the sunshine makes me feel happy.
The only downside for me is missing family and friends.
I moved to a regional city with beautiful beaches and vineyards on the doorstep.
I love visiting Sydney but would not contemplate living there unless I had a lot of money or I was in my twenties and house sharing near the beach.
You won't know unless you try 😊
The only downside for me is missing family and friends.
I moved to a regional city with beautiful beaches and vineyards on the doorstep.
I love visiting Sydney but would not contemplate living there unless I had a lot of money or I was in my twenties and house sharing near the beach.
You won't know unless you try 😊
#25
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
1. What was your profession and seniority when you arrived in Australia?
Me - trailing spouse, had done some freelance and voluntary work for 6 years, having been a fairly senior IT Project Manager (client side) before that.
Him - IT (vendor side), senior management.
(Guess how we met.)
2. Where did you come from and which city did you settle in Australia?
Singapore, ex-UK. Sydney.
3. How long did it take for you to secure a job in your field and was your first/2nd/3rd job and salary in line your skill level?
I didn't look for a year or so, then got one remarkably quickly, in a very different field. (First interview. Never did get to wear that new suit.) Chose something to get me out of bed on a morning, not pay the bills (very lucky to be in that situation I know). It was laughably junior but got me into a new sector, I showed a willing and was soon taking on more responsibility.
He relocated with his employer so just stayed on the same path.
4. If the job in your early days wasn't ideal, did you eventually find a job that commensurate with your level and experience? If yes, how long did it take?
Similar level I guess but very different role (Company Secretary, NFP sector).
5. And lastly, was it worth it for yourself/family, after all the sweat/tears? Did Australia live up to your dreams, and is it indeed the better life you had hoped for yourself and family?
Have to be real here, no sweat or tears on a sponsored relocation, for which I am very thankful. Were we looking for a better life - not sure, we were really just looking to see more of each other. But it was a big decision to move on, not taken lightly. We love Sydney, we live fairly central (never seen anyone shooting up) and we do have a good life. I have more opportunities here than Singapore. We're not beach babes, we spend most of our leisure time eating good food and going to the theatre/concerts. (We're 40s and 50s, no family, just cats.)
BTW we came on a 457 - oooh, topical. It was a means to an end, got us here quickly, low risk and soon converted to PR. Been citizens for um 4 or 5 years, can't recall.
Me - trailing spouse, had done some freelance and voluntary work for 6 years, having been a fairly senior IT Project Manager (client side) before that.
Him - IT (vendor side), senior management.
(Guess how we met.)
2. Where did you come from and which city did you settle in Australia?
Singapore, ex-UK. Sydney.
3. How long did it take for you to secure a job in your field and was your first/2nd/3rd job and salary in line your skill level?
I didn't look for a year or so, then got one remarkably quickly, in a very different field. (First interview. Never did get to wear that new suit.) Chose something to get me out of bed on a morning, not pay the bills (very lucky to be in that situation I know). It was laughably junior but got me into a new sector, I showed a willing and was soon taking on more responsibility.
He relocated with his employer so just stayed on the same path.
4. If the job in your early days wasn't ideal, did you eventually find a job that commensurate with your level and experience? If yes, how long did it take?
Similar level I guess but very different role (Company Secretary, NFP sector).
5. And lastly, was it worth it for yourself/family, after all the sweat/tears? Did Australia live up to your dreams, and is it indeed the better life you had hoped for yourself and family?
Have to be real here, no sweat or tears on a sponsored relocation, for which I am very thankful. Were we looking for a better life - not sure, we were really just looking to see more of each other. But it was a big decision to move on, not taken lightly. We love Sydney, we live fairly central (never seen anyone shooting up) and we do have a good life. I have more opportunities here than Singapore. We're not beach babes, we spend most of our leisure time eating good food and going to the theatre/concerts. (We're 40s and 50s, no family, just cats.)
BTW we came on a 457 - oooh, topical. It was a means to an end, got us here quickly, low risk and soon converted to PR. Been citizens for um 4 or 5 years, can't recall.
#26
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
Personally I wouldn't be spending any blood, sweat or tears to move to essentially what is just another first world country. If you've got it good where you are now, only move for something much better that you would give your eye teeth to achieve. Imho ( and having lived there for over 30 years) Australia is much overrated. Is nothing like Home & Away; Makes you work just as hard for your living; Is on the other side of the world from family; is just another first world country with all that entails.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
#27
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
Personally I wouldn't be spending any blood, sweat or tears to move to essentially what is just another first world country. If you've got it good where you are now, only move for something much better that you would give your eye teeth to achieve. Imho ( and having lived there for over 30 years) Australia is much overrated. Is nothing like Home & Away; Makes you work just as hard for your living; Is on the other side of the world from family; is just another first world country with all that entails.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
#28
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
No idea, never seen it.
If we'd had the "ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude we'd never have left the UK, and that would have been a shame as we've had a great 15 years and hopefully more to come. Sydney was low risk but Singapore certainly wasn't.
Would we have gone for it with kids and no job lined up (for one of us at least)? Probably not.
If we'd had the "ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude we'd never have left the UK, and that would have been a shame as we've had a great 15 years and hopefully more to come. Sydney was low risk but Singapore certainly wasn't.
Would we have gone for it with kids and no job lined up (for one of us at least)? Probably not.
#29
Re: So was it worth it after all the sweat/tears?
No idea, never seen it.
If we'd had the "ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude we'd never have left the UK, and that would have been a shame as we've had a great 15 years and hopefully more to come. Sydney was low risk but Singapore certainly wasn't.
Would we have gone for it with kids and no job lined up (for one of us at least)? Probably not.
If we'd had the "ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude we'd never have left the UK, and that would have been a shame as we've had a great 15 years and hopefully more to come. Sydney was low risk but Singapore certainly wasn't.
Would we have gone for it with kids and no job lined up (for one of us at least)? Probably not.