Amy100

Hello

Just a wee question or two

I have recently been offered the opportunity to go to live and work in Canberra, Australia however I don't know very much about the place. I have always thought of emigrating at some point in my life (I live in Glasgow, Scotland at the moment) but this opportunity has come out of the blue. I am really just looking for some general information and perhaps some opinions on why I should consider Canberra to be my home (I am 27 yrs old with no dependants)

I am looking for a lifestyle which is less materialistic and where people are a little less self absored than in the UK. Would Australiia be a good choice and what is so different about the Australian way of life?

Any thoughts or ideas would be great

Cheers

JayDeee

Welcome

Hate to say this but as from now you will be addicted to this site.

It all come down to you as a person, I am 26 so near on the same age as you, Have no children but hubby is from Australia so that is my reason for going.

I know absolutely nothing about Canberra (don't even know if I spelt that right) but I'm sure someone will be along soon who knows all about the place.

There will be a lot of differing oppinions on here which is good, all you can do is take note off everyting and if anything seems odd or OTT then look into it further in your own way, Don't believe all the good or the crap as it is all different oppinions and only you know what is right for you.

My personal oppinion is if you have nothing to loose than go for it, but I am not you.

One thing I can say is that don't for one second think it will be easy, I know a fair ammount of people in Australia and the reality of moving is a lot scaryier than I thought before it was all definate. (i Am now moving next month)

Good luck, at the end of the day it sounds like you have been handed a fantastic chance to do what you want to do.


Kala

ABCDiamond

27 with no dependants, and an opportunity like that ? I shall echo Kala's words "if you have nothing to lose then go for it".

Even if you don't stay, it will have been an adventure.

Not sure if Canberra would be the best choice for "a lifestyle which is less materialistic", as it is full of Politicians !!
But then it does depend on what you are used to.

Australia itself is such a big and different country. I have lived in two parts of Australia, one where the lifestyle was fast, and agravating (in my opinion) and the other where it is much more relaxed. I can't help with Canberra, having only visited a couple of times.

hevs

Canberra has a reputation for being a bit boring, but its very beautiful.

If you have nothing to loose i'd go for it. At the end of the day its a great starting block and who knows where you might end up

bondipom

Good porn and plenty legal fireworks for the politicians.

chocaholic

Hi Amy - we visited Canberra when we were deciding which city we'd like to live in (we looked at Sydney, Canberra & Melbourne). It's a completely planned city, with cycle tracks and roundabouts, big artificial lake, national art gallery, the Mint, great war memorial. Lots of embassy personnel, politicians, civil servants. Apart from Parliament House it doesn't seem to have a real centre - but different smaller "villages". Best to ask someone who lives there, maybe. Manuka was nice.

If you like skiing or hiking - it's just a very short drive to the snowy mountains - which is a beautiful area.

Having a job before you emigrate is really ideal - but maybe you should take a look first, for yourself - will your company give you this opportunity?

anzen12

Canberra is quite a nice place to live because all the Federal Politicians live there. Everything works, the roads are big and wide and there are lots of restaurants. It gets cold in the winter (below freezing) and hottish in the summer. They had some bad bush fires a few years ago. Aussies that don't live there will tell you it's boring, but it's okay. You can live in the countryside/suburbs/city and still get anywhere in town in time for work.
It's one of the few major cities in Australia that is not on the coast. You are a short distance from the Snowy Mts if you like skiing and it's 2 1/2 hours drive to Sydney (theatre/shows/more restaurants etc)

Hang on a sec I'm beginning to sound like a real estate agent.

I'm sure there are some problems living there, but I have been travelling to Canberra on business for some years and the local people I've met think the place is great.

Trevglas

Canberra is a strange sort of place.

Typically many people like to visit the place and check out places like the War memorial, the museums, parliament house, the deep space tracking stations and so on.

When it comes to living there, you will either love it (loads to do and see, and plenty of character) or hate it (nothing to do, and absolutely no soul): Canberra doesnt seem to get the middle ground of being a sort of OK place to live.

Personally, I loved the place.

sula

I'm thinking of moving to Canberra early next year. What area of work are you in?

scutterUK

Hi amy,

If i can help with anything let me know. I'll be landing there on the 19th! (only 11 sleeps to go).

I can't really add much more than what has already been said, but personally i loved the place. Although i'm not a beach and surf guy so being a few hours away from the coast wasn't an issue for me.

I guess they were right, you either love it or hate it, but you have to give it a shot if you're being given the opportunity. I was in your shoes this time last year. A friend offered me a job there and here i am 12 months later suit cases nearly packed and getting ready to get on the plane!

there's been a few more threads about canberra, have a search on the this website and i'm sure you'll find more info abou thte place. Also get down to google, as there are plenty of websites with more info and photos.

Good luck with the move.

Leigh

Amy100

I am a qualified social worker and have recently applied to work in Canberra with the local child protection team. What about yourself are you moving to go to a job?

JAJ

If they offer you a job make sure you get the *right* visa. Preferably a permanent one as this makes you eligible for Australian citizenship after 2 years.

While it's best not to go into visa specifics at interview stage, if a job offer does come up make sure you get some professional migration advice to ensure the right visa solution is sorted out before you are committed to the move. Your bargaining power is at its strongest after you've been offered the job, but before you accept it.

Other than that - it sounds like a great opportunity.

Jeremy

sula

I'm a social worker too!
I've also applied for a job in Canberra and have an interview in London on the 13th September. Have you got an interview in Glasgow this week?

Amy100

Yeh, the interview is on thursday, its all been a bit mad as I did not see the actual advert for the jobs, I only read about it all in a newspaper article a few weeks ago and managed to put my cv in a day before the closing date.
Have tried to get info re canberra, I have seen some photos online and my first instincts were that it looked like the set off the film "Truman Show". Are you planning to move out on your own if you are sucessful? Have you been to australia before?

Amy100

Cheers for the advice, do you think as a single person I could afford to live in australia, canberra on my own. I know its near impossible to live in Britain on your own unless you have loads of money?