Originally Posted by Nu-Shooz

You're in a very agreeing mood

Must be the weather.

Originally Posted by willamos

These are a few things (cautionary tales) I think Brits should be aware of before embarking on life down under. Please add to them if you can think of more things and/or modifications:

* Moving country does not fix all issues in your life. This should be obvious but I get the impression from reading some stuff on here that a lot of people actually believe it will.

* Australia is NOT devoid of a large, large number of the UK's problems. If you believe that Australia is a crime-free zone, for example, you may be disappointed. Stuff happens here all the time (Quoll recently reported some fairly random shootings/stabbings near where she is in Canberra on another thread) and the idea that these things are unique to Manchester or London is silly. Where I am there was a mugging at knife-point not three minutes from where I live recently and there is a MAJOR vandalism and 'tagging' problem. It's supposed to be a nice area though, so would hate to be in a dodgy area like Broadmeadows, parts of Frankston, Dandenong or Footscray.

* The weather is different in Australia, but not NECESSARILY better. In Melbourne, the climate is surprisingly similar to the UK (unpredictable and often cold and windy) and whilst the summer is longer and warmer than in the UK, the really hot days (40 plus) are very uncomfortable and you cannot really enjoy them as being outside in that heat is unbearable. You have the risk of bush fires at one end of the country and serious flooding at the other. Tasmania can get both. If you are moving for the weather (this seems to be a major life priority for a lot of people, which is quite foreign to me personally) be careful where you go to.

* It is impossible to predict prior to leaving what and who you will miss - and how much. You may find yourself missing things more than you think. It is easy to be in Britain, amidst all the British moaning and complaining, and think that there is nothing you will miss. It is very easy to misjudge this and only see the light, so to speak, once you are 10,000 miles away.

* If you are in a mixed nationality relationship (which may well be the very reason for the move) you can find yourself feeling quite trapped/stifled by being surrounded by your partner's family/friends constantly, especially when you do not have any of your own around.

Originally Posted by iamthecreaturefromuranus

You will find plenty of people on here who will tell you that no amount of research makes any difference to the reality of the migration process. The act of living in Australia can't really be researched in any practical way other than actually living here.

Originally Posted by kaungchiau

To sallyclaire, the Olympics will be a disaster for London because there is no money in the kitty to fund it unless they print more money or as they termed it, quantitative easing. Taxpayers will have to foot the bill and it would have been much better if London was not chosen as the host. I don't see anything to be proud about when a bankrupt govt is hosting something called Olympics when they have virtually no money to do so.

I agree that no amount of research can prepare someone on making the big move, but those who have done so have taken a giant step and will not have to think or wonder about what would have been in the later stage of their lives.

Originally Posted by sonlymewalter

The negative posts are as valuable as the positive ones mate.

Australia isn't for everyone and we can learn as much from these as the positive posts


This thread is with regards to things people should know before moving down under. Given the amount of tradies who come across this once they have moved, and the heartache it causes, it is worth knowing beforehand.


Very wise words. Presume you've already fought the battle and lived here mate?

Originally Posted by iamthecreaturefromuranus

You will find plenty of people on here who will tell you that no amount of research makes any difference to the reality of the migration process. The act of living in Australia can't really be researched in any practical way other than actually living here.

Originally Posted by rinkerdink

I think Hutch has the right idea when he talks about using the big move as a way of reinventing yourself/ life and making the most of the absence of the usual baggage that stands in the way of changes. Going somewhere where nobody knows you, nobody has any preconceptions about you and nobody knows your past must be extremely liberating if you choose to grasp the nettle.

I have a funny feeling that if I don't make the move soon I won't ever be able to afford to (and give my family a good standard of life), I am considered to be very well paid in the UK and hope to be the same in Oz (although not initially of course) but I can see Australia pulling away now that the UK has 700 Billion+ of debt, no industry to speak of (apart from the financial one that we screwed). The mineral wealth and industry of Australia will spring it into the world stage, just need to grab a hold before it's too late and hang on for the ride!

If anybody is deluded enough to think Australia in heaven on earth with no crime, poverty and with perfect weather I'd be amazed. But then you get people saying they could never go to Oz for fear of the spiders lurking to pounce and kill them or the sharks circling all the beaches waiting for the bathers to deliver themsleves for lunch not to mention the crocodiles and snakes drooling in anticipation of another brit arrival.

IMO posts like this are only necessary once in a while and there seem to be far too many of them, people need to get over the fact that others have differing experiences of Australia and the UK and stop trying convince everybody else that they know best, how many times do you really need to hear it

Originally Posted by Pollyana

But if you don't have a range of people posting their differing experiences then you won't have a forum..........

Originally Posted by rinkerdink

The debate is fine the repetitive subject matter is just that

Originally Posted by rinkerdink

The debate is fine the repetitive subject matter is just that

Originally Posted by iamthecreaturefromuranus

You think it's repetitive.., you should try posting here for years, on and off, and try answering the same questions and same conceptions over and over again. !