Re: What would you really do????
 

Annie
What a funny post. Reminded me of when I used to go and stay with my sister. She used to moan and winge about me being overseas, this summer I went to stay with her and she drove me nuts. One day i came back from shopping and put a couple of bags down and she had been going into one about the way we treated her house bla bla :confused: I wont be going back in a hurry as she drove me mad with her constant moaning at the kids.

Re: What would you really do????
 

Dunno if they are going for certain, but having the financial option would be good.

The thing is, there will be no better paid job for me. That's it. If we go, I'll start my own business. I've always known that was the only option for me in Adelaide and part of me would really like to do just that.

Right now it's a case of see what there is here in the UK and if nothing suitable comes up then I've nothing to lose by going. Yup, I know that's a rather negative way of looking at it, but there you go.

Adelaide is the only option because of the family support we would have there. I wouldn't go elsewhere in Oz because, quite frankly, I don't think it's that much better than the UK when everything's taken into account.

Re: What would you really do????
 

Oh Debs it was one of many moments that made me realise we hadn't been missed! My poor kids slept for most of the week as they were so jet lagged, but my sister still moaned about them! Everything was 'their' fault! The fact that she has two older boys and a two yr old thats into everything didn't come into the equation. I was so relieved to get out of there! In fact since we've moved back into our house, I haven't given any of my family my new telephone number and the peace and quiet is fab!!!! No getting caught up in petty arguments, no child minding duties and no listening to my sis go on and on about her tosser boyfriend! Its bliss and I thoroughly recommend it! Failing that, move 11,000 miles to the other side of the world and leave no contact details! :D

Re: What would you really do????
 

You're right to stick at it to gain citizenship. I wouldn't really be doing it for myself, it would be for the kids, to give them the option of where to live when they're older. Have you tried ebay for clothes? To keep up to date with fashion I brought the UK editions of 'OK' and 'Heat' magazines! just that little bit of Britain got me through! Also you can try Next online, not sure if they'd post to oz but family could collect from the store then forward it on? its added hassel though! I love clothes shopping and so missed Next, River island, Top Shop and New Look (to name but a few)! I'll shut up as you'll get homesick!

Re: What would you really do????
 

This post and your other ones with being so open and honest about the family reminds me about my first trip home.

Because so many people moaned about us 'leaving them' I managed to wangle a 'work' trip back to the UK for a visit and got cheapy tickets so I could take my daughter with me (so cost the same as if just I flew a decent flight) by telling work I could not leave her with hubby!!!

My sister in law was not working and used to be my after school child care when I was in the UK (paid)....anyway I had asked before I came was it ok if she covered for my daughter for a couple of weeks (paid) ...no problem/worries I was told! Day three I got crap for picking her up late 5.20 pm cause her little one needed a bath, I arrived and had my 10 yr old daughter waiting for me sitting on the edge of the sofa with her bag packed nearly crying cause she didn't know what she had done wrong!

By my 2nd week, Briony came to work with me cause it was easier than having shit by asking for help. I think they saved up all their resentment and then took it out on us when we came back. My only saviour was my sister who went out of her way to help us. I got back on that plane 'home' to Aus! Two months later we all returned for four weeks to have a holiday! Some holiday! That is a nightmare story in itself. Considering our house was open house when we lived there the resentment we felt when staying at some family places was awful. Some people also told us they were only free at weekends! Considering we were only there for three it was a bit difficult. These are also the same people who have had holidays here and stay the whole time at ours expecting us to entertain 7 days a week.

I am still homesick at times for my rose tinted view of what I thought I had in the UK (know I had with my sister).

We are planning a trip back in July 2006 - we are renting a big villa in Spain for four weeks and telling the family to come and visit us - cheaper for them and better for us, we do not have to live with any family 'charity'.

I love each and every one of them.....but for the majority I also love the distance we have from them now.

Thanks Sandra its nice to hear other peoples views on family. They certainly can make you feel unwelcome! We always go out of our way to be as accommodating as possible when family stay, I think thats why we were so shocked at their reaction to us! Looking back it was so funny :rolleyes: all five of us crammed into a box room, on an airbed with no covers.....how we laughed! Maybe on a really shitty humid day in Qld I should do the same to them? Or maybe I should roll my eyes and 'tut' every time they come in the room, or moan about the children doing nothing, or forget to collect them from the airport and leave them 5 hrs! Oh how much fun could I have with this one?? Thankfully i'm not vindictive and will probably end up entertaining them as I normally do! Woe is me for having a conscience!

Re: What would you really do????
 

We are in the same boat and live inThatcham, Berkshire. We both have well paid jobs, nice house,cars, kids are doing excellent at school(13 and 10)respectively. We have just been granted visa's and are going out to melbourne for a 3week walkabout. if I could get a transfer with the MoD I too would b on the next flight. We went to South Africa for 15yrs and we have been back 11 years so we can live and settle in other countries no problem.
I dont believe in the justice system or the government anymore and do not think the majority of children in this country have a very good future ahead of them. That is why I want to move, to give my children a better future. Anyone agree?

Re: What would you really do????
 

No

G

Re: What would you really do????
 

No.
I don't think there is a better future for our kids. Ask any student from Germany, Sweden etc. here in UWA (Perth) they will tell you the same thing - more opportunities in EU. One example here is maternity leave, other is no paid annual and sick leave, even for "permanent" full-time positions!?
And yes, we had 2 cars, rented lovely house, had friends, social life, culture, etc. Even in Eastern Europe.
Non of that here. Except a blue sky. Oh, what a mistake we made.
We just came back from holidays in EU after 2.5 yrs in WA. We loved it! It was cold, but people were everywhere, girls with beautifull outfit even on -12C!
And what do we have here? Places like "kibbutz" in Israel, with no people on streets after 8PM. And Aussies are famous for working long hours! In my office everyone is here before 7.30AM, going home after 5.30 or 6PM!
And travelling to home for 1 hour at least. How much are we paid? Very low, comparing it even with Eastern Eu. Or 1/3 comparing it with Britain.
So how can we afford kids?

Re: What would you really do????
 

I wouldn't say I completely agree either. The UK has lots of opportunities for our children. I think it is like a lottery, and depends on the area you live. The justice system? Well again its good and bad wherever you go and the government??? Trust me most aussies couldn't believe it when john Howard was re-elected last year! Its not exactly a family friendly government by any means! When you move to oz you just have to hope that you a) don't need an ambulance b) don't ever get sick c) don't ever get pregnant or need mat leave and and d) don't ever need new clothes! I know all of these things can be overcome, but some things are a big deal for young families coming across to oz to start a new life. Think I've just talked myself back into staying in the UK! :confused:

Re: What would you really do????
 

I know its hard to make a choice but 'burnt bridges can rarely be rebuilt'.

A couple of years out of your life to get Oz citizenship will give you and your family the choice to come back later.

The UK will always be here waiting for you.

I know its a huge financial gamble, but with hard work and determination, it will pay off.

Nothing is built in six months, at least 2 years gives you time to try a new life.

It took me years to build the friendships that I have now, years to pass my exams, and a long time to be competant in each area I have worked in.

Which sums it up, anything you do in life must be given a 'fair go'.

If you spend too long hesitating to go back to Australia because of what you may miss about the UK, you might find a wealth of opportunites you could have had in Australia.

You will always be able to live in the UK so remember how hard it is to get to Australia.

And after you get citizenship, the beauty of England will still be there - if you want it.

Good luck

Samantha

Re: What would you really do????
 

Yup, much of Australia is totally bland and the idea that everybody is completely laid back is a myth. You also discovered that it's not as wealthy a country as most of those in the EU. When I read about their economic boom I have to remind myself that most of that is centred around flogging off raw materials to the Chinese.

I gather you're not from the UK. The thing is, most of the Brits migrating to places like Perth are used to living in bland places, so it doesn't bother them.

Re: What would you really do????
 

The clincher for us was imagining ourselves (and our kids) in the UK in 20-30 years time. Things are not going to get any better in the UK. We have been in Melbourne for 5 months and have absolutely no regrets.

BB.

Re: What would you really do????
 

You all give a fair reflection and view. I think a lot of it comes down to where you have come from in the UK. We're very lucky with the area we live in, so there really is no comparison, but 10 mins from here is a town I wouldn't dare live in (and scared to go there alone)! Even the shittiest places in oz would be a million times better than 'the town' (won't name and shame)! If you had emigrated from there, then oz truly would be a dream. Anyway decision time up really as I have spoken to the estate agent and told him to stick it on the market. Worryingly he painted a picture of us being on the market for months on end????? I know we didn't want to return straight away but months and months???? Help! Also, does every estate agent come round and tell you how 'gorgeous' and 'fantatsic' the property is? Having never sold a house before I wondered whether it was a sales tactic?

Re: What would you really do????
 

yes there has been some good points raised but as we lived in South Africa for a long time, we had to have private medical etc there and I believe that British people expect to much and expect everything for free. That is the problem with the UK and why everyone wants to come and live here. I know that when my kids finish varsity, they will struggle to buy a house around this area for £200k and will have to move north for affordable housing and getting on the property ladder. But yes I may just go there for 2 years, get citizenship and come back.