Tales of against the odds
Feb 13th 2007 | 8:44 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Tales of against the odds
After reading one or two threads where people have really struggled and perhaps still are, I was wondering if anyone on here has made their new life in Oz and done it against the odds?
I am feeling a bit nervous myself when I read how long it can take to get a job. We are going with no equity and financially we will hit the ground running and I dont think we are alone.
Some people on here are perhaps a little scared to post that they don't have a £300,000 property or are going with the bare bones.
So I reckon a thread of people who have succeeded in their mission and yes they may have struggled, but they havent given up, would be encouraging to others.
After all, there is nothing like a 'we did it against the grain' kind of story to make you feel that anything is possible.
Interested to hear anyway.
I am feeling a bit nervous myself when I read how long it can take to get a job. We are going with no equity and financially we will hit the ground running and I dont think we are alone.
Some people on here are perhaps a little scared to post that they don't have a £300,000 property or are going with the bare bones.
So I reckon a thread of people who have succeeded in their mission and yes they may have struggled, but they havent given up, would be encouraging to others.
After all, there is nothing like a 'we did it against the grain' kind of story to make you feel that anything is possible.
Interested to hear anyway.
Feb 13th 2007 | 10:08 pm
#2
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,998
Re: Tales of against the odds
I'll start, Sam. We came over with about $40,000 AUD but left behind us a $12000 CDN debt which we are still paying from over here. We bought a block of land about one month after moving here and contracted to build our dream home, but we've subsequently had to sell the land and cancel the build. We just could not afford to pay a mortgage and rent just now.
I was very fortunate to find work with a really understanding wonderful small recruitment agency/training organisation. They have really made my transition very easy. In the 6 months I've worked there, I have been their receptionist, then I went to payroll for a short stint and now I head up the learning and development department (I oversee the training organisation side of the business). If I feel like a change or if there is an interesting opening somewhere they encourage me to go out and temp for a week or two. I have worked so far in the renal transplant unit and general medicine at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the University of Adelaide department of paediatrics at Womens and Childrens and now I'm at neurology at WCH for another 5 weeks. After neurology I'll be going down to the paediatric oncology/haematology unit for 2 months. All of these wonderful opportunities are given me while they hold my full time position for me at the agency. Mind you, right now I'm in the middle of a big project so working both jobs.
My husband has not been so lucky. He's an engineering electronics technician and his focus for the past 20 years has been on designing high security systems for such places as major banks, office towers, the Ontario prison system and major airports. He worked on the new camera system that went into one of the worst jails in Ontario back in 2004. Work for him here has been very hard to find. His skills are really broad but his experience is in a very narrow field. Add to that he needs a licence to work and security checks on top of security checks, he's really getting down. But, like they say...it never rains, it pours. In the last week he's gotten his RCMP check back (my sister expidited the process for us), has had 2 interviews and has another one tomorrow. He's been offered a job to start on Monday coming, although it's not what he used to do. We really don't care anymore as it's work and Australian experience for him. Two of the jobs he's been looking at are in Perth and we currently live in Adelaide, so if they offer enough money and job security/satisfaction for him we may be making a move to the west coast.
Our children have settled in fairly well. They really don't care if we're poor or not so long as they can go to school. My daughter started high school this year and she is the youngest child in the entire school!!! She's only a tiny thing, too, so she looks so out of place there with all the big kids. She has made a great bunch of friends here in SA and if we have to move she will be very sad. My son has finally made some nice friends, too. He has some problems socially and it's nice that the kids here don't seem to judge. They understand when he needs to sit quietly and collect himself or if he isn't allowed to do something. Again, if we have to move he will be upset.
Since being in Adelaide I have made some wonderful friends. I've been out with Wendy a couple of times and she is just the same in person as she is on here. She's lovely and very down to earth. I've also become friends with the woman who owns the company I work for. She and I are the same age and have very similar life experiences. It's funny to be friends - real friends - with the person who signs your paycheque, but we choose not to talk about work when we are together socially. I've also made some friends here in the neighbourhood with the parents of my kids' friends. And I can't forget Julie, my newest friend who I also met through BE. I think we've fit in with others who are in the same financial situation as us and those are the people we're comfortable with. It's hard for me to read the posts by people who are coming over here mortgage free and not having to work but life is what you make it. We have each other, although sometimes that's not such a good thing, and for the most part we have our health.
Even though we are skint I would have to say the scales of happiness are starting to tip in the right direction for me. It just took a little longer than some for me to adjust.
Just realised how much I typed and think it's time for me to shut bloody up now.
I was very fortunate to find work with a really understanding wonderful small recruitment agency/training organisation. They have really made my transition very easy. In the 6 months I've worked there, I have been their receptionist, then I went to payroll for a short stint and now I head up the learning and development department (I oversee the training organisation side of the business). If I feel like a change or if there is an interesting opening somewhere they encourage me to go out and temp for a week or two. I have worked so far in the renal transplant unit and general medicine at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the University of Adelaide department of paediatrics at Womens and Childrens and now I'm at neurology at WCH for another 5 weeks. After neurology I'll be going down to the paediatric oncology/haematology unit for 2 months. All of these wonderful opportunities are given me while they hold my full time position for me at the agency. Mind you, right now I'm in the middle of a big project so working both jobs.
My husband has not been so lucky. He's an engineering electronics technician and his focus for the past 20 years has been on designing high security systems for such places as major banks, office towers, the Ontario prison system and major airports. He worked on the new camera system that went into one of the worst jails in Ontario back in 2004. Work for him here has been very hard to find. His skills are really broad but his experience is in a very narrow field. Add to that he needs a licence to work and security checks on top of security checks, he's really getting down. But, like they say...it never rains, it pours. In the last week he's gotten his RCMP check back (my sister expidited the process for us), has had 2 interviews and has another one tomorrow. He's been offered a job to start on Monday coming, although it's not what he used to do. We really don't care anymore as it's work and Australian experience for him. Two of the jobs he's been looking at are in Perth and we currently live in Adelaide, so if they offer enough money and job security/satisfaction for him we may be making a move to the west coast.
Our children have settled in fairly well. They really don't care if we're poor or not so long as they can go to school. My daughter started high school this year and she is the youngest child in the entire school!!! She's only a tiny thing, too, so she looks so out of place there with all the big kids. She has made a great bunch of friends here in SA and if we have to move she will be very sad. My son has finally made some nice friends, too. He has some problems socially and it's nice that the kids here don't seem to judge. They understand when he needs to sit quietly and collect himself or if he isn't allowed to do something. Again, if we have to move he will be upset.
Since being in Adelaide I have made some wonderful friends. I've been out with Wendy a couple of times and she is just the same in person as she is on here. She's lovely and very down to earth. I've also become friends with the woman who owns the company I work for. She and I are the same age and have very similar life experiences. It's funny to be friends - real friends - with the person who signs your paycheque, but we choose not to talk about work when we are together socially. I've also made some friends here in the neighbourhood with the parents of my kids' friends. And I can't forget Julie, my newest friend who I also met through BE. I think we've fit in with others who are in the same financial situation as us and those are the people we're comfortable with. It's hard for me to read the posts by people who are coming over here mortgage free and not having to work but life is what you make it. We have each other, although sometimes that's not such a good thing, and for the most part we have our health.
Even though we are skint I would have to say the scales of happiness are starting to tip in the right direction for me. It just took a little longer than some for me to adjust.
Just realised how much I typed and think it's time for me to shut bloody up now.
Feb 13th 2007 | 10:29 pm
#3
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: Tales of against the odds
I'll start, Sam. We came over with about $40,000 AUD but left behind us a $12000 CDN debt which we are still paying from over here. We bought a block of land about one month after moving here and contracted to build our dream home, but we've subsequently had to sell the land and cancel the build. We just could not afford to pay a mortgage and rent just now.
I was very fortunate to find work with a really understanding wonderful small recruitment agency/training organisation. They have really made my transition very easy. In the 6 months I've worked there, I have been their receptionist, then I went to payroll for a short stint and now I head up the learning and development department (I oversee the training organisation side of the business). If I feel like a change or if there is an interesting opening somewhere they encourage me to go out and temp for a week or two. I have worked so far in the renal transplant unit and general medicine at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the University of Adelaide department of paediatrics at Womens and Childrens and now I'm at neurology at WCH for another 5 weeks. After neurology I'll be going down to the paediatric oncology/haematology unit for 2 months. All of these wonderful opportunities are given me while they hold my full time position for me at the agency. Mind you, right now I'm in the middle of a big project so working both jobs.
My husband has not been so lucky. He's an engineering electronics technician and his focus for the past 20 years has been on designing high security systems for such places as major banks, office towers, the Ontario prison system and major airports. He worked on the new camera system that went into one of the worst jails in Ontario back in 2004. Work for him here has been very hard to find. His skills are really broad but his experience is in a very narrow field. Add to that he needs a licence to work and security checks on top of security checks, he's really getting down. But, like they say...it never rains, it pours. In the last week he's gotten his RCMP check back (my sister expidited the process for us), has had 2 interviews and has another one tomorrow. He's been offered a job to start on Monday coming, although it's not what he used to do. We really don't care anymore as it's work and Australian experience for him. Two of the jobs he's been looking at are in Perth and we currently live in Adelaide, so if they offer enough money and job security/satisfaction for him we may be making a move to the west coast.
Our children have settled in fairly well. They really don't care if we're poor or not so long as they can go to school. My daughter started high school this year and she is the youngest child in the entire school!!! She's only a tiny thing, too, so she looks so out of place there with all the big kids. She has made a great bunch of friends here in SA and if we have to move she will be very sad. My son has finally made some nice friends, too. He has some problems socially and it's nice that the kids here don't seem to judge. They understand when he needs to sit quietly and collect himself or if he isn't allowed to do something. Again, if we have to move he will be upset.
Since being in Adelaide I have made some wonderful friends. I've been out with Wendy a couple of times and she is just the same in person as she is on here. She's lovely and very down to earth. I've also become friends with the woman who owns the company I work for. She and I are the same age and have very similar life experiences. It's funny to be friends - real friends - with the person who signs your paycheque, but we choose not to talk about work when we are together socially. I've also made some friends here in the neighbourhood with the parents of my kids' friends. And I can't forget Julie, my newest friend who I also met through BE. I think we've fit in with others who are in the same financial situation as us and those are the people we're comfortable with. It's hard for me to read the posts by people who are coming over here mortgage free and not having to work but life is what you make it. We have each other, although sometimes that's not such a good thing, and for the most part we have our health.
Even though we are skint I would have to say the scales of happiness are starting to tip in the right direction for me. It just took a little longer than some for me to adjust.
Just realised how much I typed and think it's time for me to shut bloody up now.
I was very fortunate to find work with a really understanding wonderful small recruitment agency/training organisation. They have really made my transition very easy. In the 6 months I've worked there, I have been their receptionist, then I went to payroll for a short stint and now I head up the learning and development department (I oversee the training organisation side of the business). If I feel like a change or if there is an interesting opening somewhere they encourage me to go out and temp for a week or two. I have worked so far in the renal transplant unit and general medicine at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the University of Adelaide department of paediatrics at Womens and Childrens and now I'm at neurology at WCH for another 5 weeks. After neurology I'll be going down to the paediatric oncology/haematology unit for 2 months. All of these wonderful opportunities are given me while they hold my full time position for me at the agency. Mind you, right now I'm in the middle of a big project so working both jobs.
My husband has not been so lucky. He's an engineering electronics technician and his focus for the past 20 years has been on designing high security systems for such places as major banks, office towers, the Ontario prison system and major airports. He worked on the new camera system that went into one of the worst jails in Ontario back in 2004. Work for him here has been very hard to find. His skills are really broad but his experience is in a very narrow field. Add to that he needs a licence to work and security checks on top of security checks, he's really getting down. But, like they say...it never rains, it pours. In the last week he's gotten his RCMP check back (my sister expidited the process for us), has had 2 interviews and has another one tomorrow. He's been offered a job to start on Monday coming, although it's not what he used to do. We really don't care anymore as it's work and Australian experience for him. Two of the jobs he's been looking at are in Perth and we currently live in Adelaide, so if they offer enough money and job security/satisfaction for him we may be making a move to the west coast.
Our children have settled in fairly well. They really don't care if we're poor or not so long as they can go to school. My daughter started high school this year and she is the youngest child in the entire school!!! She's only a tiny thing, too, so she looks so out of place there with all the big kids. She has made a great bunch of friends here in SA and if we have to move she will be very sad. My son has finally made some nice friends, too. He has some problems socially and it's nice that the kids here don't seem to judge. They understand when he needs to sit quietly and collect himself or if he isn't allowed to do something. Again, if we have to move he will be upset.
Since being in Adelaide I have made some wonderful friends. I've been out with Wendy a couple of times and she is just the same in person as she is on here. She's lovely and very down to earth. I've also become friends with the woman who owns the company I work for. She and I are the same age and have very similar life experiences. It's funny to be friends - real friends - with the person who signs your paycheque, but we choose not to talk about work when we are together socially. I've also made some friends here in the neighbourhood with the parents of my kids' friends. And I can't forget Julie, my newest friend who I also met through BE. I think we've fit in with others who are in the same financial situation as us and those are the people we're comfortable with. It's hard for me to read the posts by people who are coming over here mortgage free and not having to work but life is what you make it. We have each other, although sometimes that's not such a good thing, and for the most part we have our health.
Even though we are skint I would have to say the scales of happiness are starting to tip in the right direction for me. It just took a little longer than some for me to adjust.
Just realised how much I typed and think it's time for me to shut bloody up now.
I know having a good sum of cash helps, but I also think guts and determination do as well.
Money cant stop homesickness and nor can a lack of it either.
Good story.
Feb 13th 2007 | 11:20 pm
#4
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,998
Re: Tales of against the odds
I find it encouraging that people like yourself prove that you don't have to be well off financiall to make it work.
I know having a good sum of cash helps, but I also think guts and determination do as well.
Money cant stop homesickness and nor can a lack of it either.
Good story.
I know having a good sum of cash helps, but I also think guts and determination do as well.
Money cant stop homesickness and nor can a lack of it either.
Good story.
Feb 13th 2007 | 11:58 pm
#5
Loving it in SA
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,759
From: Seaford.....South Australia
Re: Tales of against the odds
Funny about the homesickness. I miss some really silly things like blue cheese dressing and TimBits and an Ice Cap on a hot day (strictly Canadian stuff) but really I don't miss people. My 2 sisters and my neice were my best friends a year ago but since we decided to tell them we were going to move overseas and then actually did it, it's like my kids and I don't exist anymore. Before we came over it really hurt and I thought of staying just so I wouldn't lose touch with them and then thought better of it. You're right, though. Money wouldn't make us like it any more or any less here. Well, that's not entirely true. If we had money we wouldn't be living in a suburb where most of the children's parents would own a full set of teeth and are related by blood as well as marriage.
We know its going to be hard but we know that it is all going to pay off in the end, its going to demand great strenght from us all but we WILL make it work.
We really cnt wait bring it on !!!!
Feb 14th 2007 | 12:30 am
#6
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,998
Re: Tales of against the odds
We are not taking stacks of cash with us, the biggest thing that we are taking is the drive and determination to succeed.
We know its going to be hard but we know that it is all going to pay off in the end, its going to demand great strenght from us all but we WILL make it work.
We really cnt wait bring it on !!!!
We know its going to be hard but we know that it is all going to pay off in the end, its going to demand great strenght from us all but we WILL make it work.
We really cnt wait bring it on !!!!
I think it's the people who come with no expectations who make it work. We didn't really know what to expect and really it has become a little easier every day socially. Financially things are tough but I left home on my own when I was 15 so I know tough financial situations always get better. Only 18 more months and we can collect Centrelink benefits
Feb 14th 2007 | 2:49 am
#7
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,704
From: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Re: Tales of against the odds
Read threads by Wholeworldwindow.
Buzzy
Buzzy
Feb 14th 2007 | 2:51 am
#8
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: Tales of against the odds
I dont know about making it work against the odds, I just want the visa.
Im having a 'bad visa day'.
Im having a 'bad visa day'.
Feb 14th 2007 | 4:25 am
#9
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,376
Re: Tales of against the odds
After reading one or two threads where people have really struggled and perhaps still are, I was wondering if anyone on here has made their new life in Oz and done it against the odds?
I am feeling a bit nervous myself when I read how long it can take to get a job. We are going with no equity and financially we will hit the ground running and I dont think we are alone.
Some people on here are perhaps a little scared to post that they don't have a £300,000 property or are going with the bare bones.
So I reckon a thread of people who have succeeded in their mission and yes they may have struggled, but they havent given up, would be encouraging to others.
After all, there is nothing like a 'we did it against the grain' kind of story to make you feel that anything is possible.
Interested to hear anyway.
I am feeling a bit nervous myself when I read how long it can take to get a job. We are going with no equity and financially we will hit the ground running and I dont think we are alone.
Some people on here are perhaps a little scared to post that they don't have a £300,000 property or are going with the bare bones.
So I reckon a thread of people who have succeeded in their mission and yes they may have struggled, but they havent given up, would be encouraging to others.
After all, there is nothing like a 'we did it against the grain' kind of story to make you feel that anything is possible.
Interested to hear anyway.
How hard can it really be?
Tip up, get jobs (any jobs if need be), get a rental....start earning and building that new life! Might take longer than the cashed up bast.....I mean, people...but 'we'll' get there!
Where in OZ are you heading?
Feb 14th 2007 | 6:28 am
#10
Worongary
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 10,288
From: GC hinterland
Re: Tales of against the odds
Sam, dont worry yourself hunny!
How hard can it really be?
Tip up, get jobs (any jobs if need be), get a rental....start earning and building that new life! Might take longer than the cashed up bast.....I mean, people...but 'we'll' get there!
Where in OZ are you heading?
How hard can it really be?
Tip up, get jobs (any jobs if need be), get a rental....start earning and building that new life! Might take longer than the cashed up bast.....I mean, people...but 'we'll' get there!
Where in OZ are you heading?
Feb 14th 2007 | 6:39 am
#12
Worongary
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 10,288
From: GC hinterland
Re: Tales of against the odds
Feb 14th 2007 | 8:18 am
#14
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: Tales of against the odds
Sam, dont worry yourself hunny!
How hard can it really be?
Tip up, get jobs (any jobs if need be), get a rental....start earning and building that new life! Might take longer than the cashed up bast.....I mean, people...but 'we'll' get there!
Where in OZ are you heading?
How hard can it really be?
Tip up, get jobs (any jobs if need be), get a rental....start earning and building that new life! Might take longer than the cashed up bast.....I mean, people...but 'we'll' get there!
Where in OZ are you heading?
Only trouble is, my husbands country can take as long as to process info for character checks.
Seriously fluffy, we could be waiting at least another 6 months.
Feb 14th 2007 | 8:20 am
#15
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: Tales of against the odds
I so do not want to be waiting much longer. Its a year next week
