What would you do?
Apr 6th 2006 | 8:19 am
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: What would you do?
Karter, we were lucky in that both my wife and I wanted to go to Oz. We have 3 kids and the eldest is 10 (the other 2 are 7 & 4). He was dead against the idea of going, as he had just started to become involved with a group of friends at his school.
It's taken us 4 years and a few grand to get our visas sorted. When we got them it felt great. Unfortunatly our house sale fell through and left us having to validate in January this year. Here comes the cruncher.
It was the BEST thing that could have happened to us.The kids all loved the place, especially the 10 year old. we visited schools, shopping centres, beaches, and one or two touristy places.
At the end of the day, if you can spare the money apply for the visa. Worse casr scenario, you don't use it. At all costs visit Australia with the family. Our 3 week trip, cutting no corners, but without being ridiculous with our money cost around 7000 GBP. Worth it for the peace of mind alone. If that doesn't persuede them to give it a try, I'm afraid it wasn't for you. Good luck.
It's taken us 4 years and a few grand to get our visas sorted. When we got them it felt great. Unfortunatly our house sale fell through and left us having to validate in January this year. Here comes the cruncher.
It was the BEST thing that could have happened to us.The kids all loved the place, especially the 10 year old. we visited schools, shopping centres, beaches, and one or two touristy places.
At the end of the day, if you can spare the money apply for the visa. Worse casr scenario, you don't use it. At all costs visit Australia with the family. Our 3 week trip, cutting no corners, but without being ridiculous with our money cost around 7000 GBP. Worth it for the peace of mind alone. If that doesn't persuede them to give it a try, I'm afraid it wasn't for you. Good luck.
Apr 6th 2006 | 11:08 pm
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 37
From: Sydney NSW
Re: What would you do?
What a horrible situation to find yourself in.
I honestly think your Oz working holiday is haunting you....But why? maybe it was just the change you enjoyed!
Yes it would be nice to live in permanent sunshine with plenty of options to
venture outside the house.
We don't have that in the UK and most of our recreational activity is based on wether it rains or not that day!
It's a shame your children are not keen on the idea, but I suppose they think they are getting a short straw (leaving all thier mates behind) and thats probably all it is for them at that age...
If I were you and money is not a problem I would just apply for my Visa of my own back (maybe even keep it secret) and if they say Yes and Grant it, then you and the family need to make a decision, otherwise if the answer is NO, you have no decision to make: End of Story........
I honestly think your Oz working holiday is haunting you....But why? maybe it was just the change you enjoyed!
Yes it would be nice to live in permanent sunshine with plenty of options to
venture outside the house.
We don't have that in the UK and most of our recreational activity is based on wether it rains or not that day!
It's a shame your children are not keen on the idea, but I suppose they think they are getting a short straw (leaving all thier mates behind) and thats probably all it is for them at that age...
If I were you and money is not a problem I would just apply for my Visa of my own back (maybe even keep it secret) and if they say Yes and Grant it, then you and the family need to make a decision, otherwise if the answer is NO, you have no decision to make: End of Story........
Apr 7th 2006 | 12:00 am
#33
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 191
From: Hampshire, UK
Re: What would you do?
What would you do? 
[/QUOTE]
I would sit down with your wife and work out whether you are prepared to risk losing £3000. If you are prepared then go for the visa as then you will have the option to go. The whole visa process will take the best part of a year (or at least 6 months) and things may have changed by then, family may feel more like going.........or perhaps not, but you will have the option.
If you all decide to go for it then, try to rent out your house rather than sell it and speak to your boss to see whether he/she would be happy to have you back if things don't work out (honesty sometimes pays well).
Put your CV forward to all the recruitment agencies in Oz before you leave the UK and then say to yourselves that you will give it a year and if it doesn't work out, you will still have a home (and maybe a job) to come back to.
I remember the time I fell in love with Australia, I was 11, we were driving through beautiful countryside near Manly (Sydney) and Dad said "hey kids, you were nearly born here". You can imagine our dissapointment. The feeling has never quite left me, even though like you, I tried to forget it. I worry that I might not like it when I actually live there, but I know I have to give it a try!
Good luck
Cheers
[/QUOTE]I would sit down with your wife and work out whether you are prepared to risk losing £3000. If you are prepared then go for the visa as then you will have the option to go. The whole visa process will take the best part of a year (or at least 6 months) and things may have changed by then, family may feel more like going.........or perhaps not, but you will have the option.
If you all decide to go for it then, try to rent out your house rather than sell it and speak to your boss to see whether he/she would be happy to have you back if things don't work out (honesty sometimes pays well).
Put your CV forward to all the recruitment agencies in Oz before you leave the UK and then say to yourselves that you will give it a year and if it doesn't work out, you will still have a home (and maybe a job) to come back to.
I remember the time I fell in love with Australia, I was 11, we were driving through beautiful countryside near Manly (Sydney) and Dad said "hey kids, you were nearly born here". You can imagine our dissapointment. The feeling has never quite left me, even though like you, I tried to forget it. I worry that I might not like it when I actually live there, but I know I have to give it a try!
Good luck
Cheers
