Well its free to a point in the UK and you pay via your taxes (altho you also pay high taxes in oz and still have to pay for healthcare) :scared: You're right about the British 'expecting' too much. I worked in a NHS hospital (a good one), but soon got fed up of the ungrateful patients. Sometimes no matter how hard you tried, nothing would be good enough! We referred to these patients as 'precious'! As for what I would do, the career break from the UK and spending 2 yrs here sounds a good option all round as you'll both be happy!

oh my god yes. i know where you mean.

Hi Dawn! No late nights for me this time! I didn't name the town just in case 'someone' on the forum lives there and loves it! Didn't want to offend, but its not the place for me!

Hi everyone,

What a great thread, very intriguing and interesting! It's just how i'm feeling. Have been looking at migrating to Adelaide and must admit feel very torn. I've been driving my wife and family up the wall with my indecision. We both have jobs, wouldn't say brilliant but both earning, have a nice house in good area and two daughters 18 and 15. One daughter all for moving when i mentioned at Christmas and the other (settled in 1st year Uni) cried all through the conversation! WE have had a good look at university costs in Adelaide compared to the UK but it doesn't fair favourably! The uni costs for course alone(not accomadation) is around £1200 a year in UK for law degree, in Adelaide this went to £6500 which was hard to believe but true. The problem for me is i'm 40 next month and the points for my application will drop which is (one of)the reasons for the indecision i think. Also very close to parents who couldn't believe it when i mentioned we 'may' be moving to the other side of the world. My theories (and head say) you only live once so go but would it be 'right' to move to the other side of the world and spend approx 15-20k of your equity to tell yourself you already had a good life here??

I think there are lots of us going through it, having sleepless nights, one minute wanting to go desperately, the next planning on self building in the UK! Someone on here said "if it aint broke don't fix it", my hubby agrees with this. Our life here is ok so why break it up? In my heart I know we'll go back to oz, it may not be permanently, but we'll go. Hubby's career will have to go on hold! I can completely understand how you're feeling, maybe its nerves? We all like being in our comfort zone where we feel secure. Our house went on the market today, and I felt as if I'd lost everything!!!! I'll get used to the idea, at the end of the day, if we want to move on then the house has got to go!!

When are you going back to Australia, is it as soon as you sell the house.

I feel so sorry for you, its clear this is hard for you too.

I hope you find your 'home' glittababe.

Sam

Don't blame you for hesitating. How did you arrive at £6,500 per year for a Law degree in Adelaide?

You need to research the job opps very carefully before you go.

Personally, in your position I wouldn't do it mostly because you're close to family and have never done anything like this before (by the sound of it). Presumably your families have given you support in bringing up your kids. Seems a bit wrong, in my opinion, to leave them now they are coming to an age where they will need you.

I'm 41 with much younger daughters and with my mother and stepfather in Adelaide already. I'm familiar with Oz having lived in Sydney for 4 years. Even given I would have gone with my eyes wide open, I decided (after much indecision) to abandon plans to move there last month (cancelled the flights etc).

Thanks Sam, we won't go back immediately, the kids are settled at school so we won't disturb their education yet! It'll probably be 2006 but we're really scared of making the wrong decision! I'm sure it'll all be ok, we'll work it out! When we sell this, we'll rent for a little bit until we're ready! Fingers crossed!!!

Its just reading your posts, I can tell its really bothering you and I have this urge to take you for a drink and get pissed to take your mind off it.

It wont be the wrong decision though glittababe, it will be YOUR decision and whilst it might take you in a different direction, work hard to make it work and you will be fine.

You have time to mentally get use to the idea.

You cancelled your flights??? Thats very close and very brave. Do you feel 'happy' with your decision now, or do you have days where you regret it? Here have a beer!

Ahh thanks, a drink would be good! Need to completely forget about everything! I know I'll watch American Idol on ITV2, that'll definately take my mind off it!

As the time to go grew closer the terrible indecision got worse. We got the removal estimates very late in the day and at that point we decided. Get this. We already sold our house (couple of years back - to wait for the crash that hasn't happened yet) and I only have a temporary job. Despite this flexibility and uncertain future here, we still couldn't bring ourselves to get on the plane! We just felt we had to give the UK one more chance. The job market for me has picked up considerably since last month and there are signs house prices have not only peaked but are coming down.

The big draw in Adelaide is family support, good schools, living by the sea, private pool and no mortgage (which means for me the ability to start my own business; no jobs there).

The big negative is the lack of economic prospects there, along with the blandness and the feeling of being in an outpost. We think we can cope with the latter, it's the economic aspect which is the real crucial point.

Wow! I suppose it's different for us as we're both in the public sector, but if you were planning on starting a business then it must be more difficult. You'll probably always get those pangs where you feel "what if?" but on the whole the UK is good with good prospects (someone will shoot that comment down now)! When we got back we realised we'd taken so much forgranted. I constantly moaned about my career in the NHS, until we got to oz and saw the health systems there! You don't appreciate what you've got until its gone as they say! Judging by what you've said, I really don't think you'll regret changing your mind. Think of all the holidays you can have there instead!

Its not a third world country, most people in Adelaide have jobs some very good high paid jobs and most have a standard of living equal or better then most Britains and can afford buy all the things people in Britain can buy. In may feel like an outpost moving there from London , but to most people in Adelaide it does'nt feel that way. Look at Lleyton Hewitt one of the worlds top tennis players has millions of dollars, could live anywhere in Australia or the world which would be better for tax reasons and his career but he chooses to live in Adelaide because he loves the place.

I don't think anyones saying theres anything wrong with Adelaide, but its personal preference and emigrating is very individualistic. If you do have strong family ties in the UK, leaving can be very difficult. The point being made (I think) was that SackofSpuds would have to start a business in Adelaide and it might not be successful. Its a risk you take, but if it all goes belly up who's there to support you? You end up with no money, in a strange country, struggling with a family. Why give up the security of the UK to risk that? If you're going to start a business, the UK/EU economy is better than oz (at the moment).