Hi guys, Im not a big poster on the forum (sure made up for it now) but wanted to share our reasons for deciding not to go to Oz..........Its not a negative post at all.

Sometimes its just not the right time to follow your dreams.......no matter how long you have had them for, or how hard you have worked towards realising them. Its been 4 years since we got back from Oz (working hols visa) and thats how long we have been doing everything we can to get back out there for good. But one hurdle after another came our way, however we never lost sight of our big dream.
We have, like many of you guys been obsessed with all that is Aussie, and to be honest I never thought we'd have come to the descision we did last week to not move to Oz in a million years.

Joining this forum (with all its possitive and negative posts) does open your eyes to the fact that Oz is not the promised land for everyone. And as I could finally apply for my skilled visa for Oz (I had to work 20 hours a week for 1 year before qualifiying) I began to think more and more about why we wanted to go to Australia. It was pretty much the same reasons many people had. Weather, out door lifestyle, adventure, a better start for us as a young family etc etc.

I was always possitive we would be fine as I knew Id get work easily (Im a nurse) and my kid is only 2 and a half so no problems with him as you may get from older kids when yanking them away from the UK. However my husband is a cop and to be a cop in NSW he would have to re - train. (we had an application pack last year and it indicated that he would qualify to go in half way through the course due to his experience) NOT SO!! So it would mean 27 weeks, 14 of which he would be living at university, which you have to pay for (thats 2 lots of rent) and you have to pay for the police course, and get no wages as such!

I know Im going on please bear with me...........Anyway all we could see was the same crap we had just been through here not 18 months ago when he went off training. This was a difficult time here in the UK as I was left working and looking after my little one on my own all week, but at least had family and friends to keep me sane!!

So we have been in limbo for a year pinning all our hopes on me getting the visa and getting our butts to Oz. We have put living on hold, staying in our v-small house (so we could sell and take lots of dosh to Oz), working lots of hours (again for Oz) and putting extending our family on hold (small house and the need to work 20 hours, again for Oz). And just when it seems we have it in the bag..........yeah we can get to Oz, but we will be going through the same crap there as we have just been through here all over again.
And as much as we love Oz, its nothing if we cant enjoy it once there. Thats the whole point of doing it! So we've hit the pause button, put the house up for sale, bought a camper van (few posts on here made us realise how lucky we are to have europe on the doorstep) and are all set for our new adventure here in the UK, new house....new start.....time to start living in the UK instead of trying to escape it (for now).
We feel relieved at finally being able to move on and live and yes all our friends and family are chuffed but understand that the Aussie bug, once your bitten never really goes! But life in the UK deserves a fair go, something we have never given it as we never thought it could offer us the life we wanted. We have tolerated it here never stopping to give it a chance, and now seems a good time to do that.

Im done........stick a fork in me!!!
Best of luck to you all, those living the dream and those trying to get there! Hugs Matilda xx

A fabulous post and an incredibly positive attitude - go girl!!!

You have done your home work, have sat down and worked out who you are and where you are going and made your OWN decision.

Well done, we can all learn from this process.

Best of luck, we may see you in Europe!!!
Viva Life
Merlot

Great heartfelt post!

Good luck.

Hi Matilda
Just wanted to wish you all the best for your 'new life' in the UK.
It must have been hard to give up the dream, but you sound so positive and happy that although you've closed the Oz door, other doors are opening around you.
Good luck!
HP

Great post.

I suppose a few of us have had or having similar thoughts. It does seem almost impossible at times. Maybe in the future things will change for you.

Take care and good luck with your NEW LIFE UK STYLE

Jack

Its a brave to admit you have given up on your "dream" But good on ya for realising it wasn't for you. Happy camping!

some very wise words.

It's not where you are, it's who you are.

Sometimes the 'where' bit can help you figure out the 'who', and want you want in life.

When you emigrate you have to give your new country a fair chance, but it's equally important to give your own country a fair chance, before you leave it. Some people don't realise that until they've already left it....

Thanks to you all for the possitive replys and good luck wishes, things are looking up for sure. We've not given up completely on our dream but have not set any time scale for it, we are going to live life aussie style and be laid back about the future and enjoy whats going on now.

And I'll still keep on reading all the great posts here from those brave enough to take the plunge to OZ! Meanwhile its off to europe for us, plenty of adventure here if we look! Oh and plans for a lovely long holiday to Oz in the near future (that will stir us up again) LOL!!

Best wishes to you all, Hugs Matilda xx

Matilda

Believe me You are not the only ones going throuh this process.
In some ways you have made the bravest decision as it is often easier to go through with migration than to accept that it may not be the right thing to do

It is all too easy to get caught up in the process ie waiting for medicals,reading,planning and finally waiting for the visa.
Sometimes the end point gets lost.

I wish you well.
One day things may be right.

Good luck
G

Matilda,

Take a big deep breath and relax in Europe for a bit!! The pressure is off for now isn't it!!

Australia isn't going anywhere so you can always come back when you feel ready.

Good on yeh. Your post was brill.

QUOTE:"In some ways you have made the bravest decision as it is often easier to go through with migration than to accept that it may not be the right thing to do"

This is so true Grayling......It got to the point we were starting to feel we should or had to go through with it as we had made such a big deal about it in the last 4 years, and to be honest we didnt know any other life other than the one centered around migrating to Oz!
I must admit Ive had the odd regret pang in the last week (and Im sure these will continue) as we tell people we are not going and they say how sorry they are. I just dont get it, you tell em your going and they are negative.....you tell em your staying and yup, they still cant help but be negative!! It would almost have been easier to bugger off to Oz! Mind you even seeing the Sydney harbour bridge on Nemo today made me sigh a little......maybe one day!

Hugs Matilda xx

These things happen for a reason, the time is not right like you say but that does not mean you roll over & submit.

You are off on another adventure which will stand you in good stead if you do decide to come to OZ.

All the luck in the world.

Diane