Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

'fraid I disagree about a lack of emotional involvment - not in the person asking the question perhaps (not just on this thread, just generally) - but certainly in the subject which is often emotive (though sometimes the responders seem to choose to make it more so)

And with regards to the rules of the site - when I joined I read the rules and the stuck posts by the moderators about staying nice - this is why I was soooo shocked at some of the stuff I read in the first weeks - def some newbies need to read the rules about searching for similar topics before posting (!) but there are people who have been around quite a while who would benefit from reading the rules about keeping it friendly. It would make the place nicer to be around. Plus if someone's annoyed about a newbie posting a question that's been asked 365 times in a year - maybe try not bothering to respond (or just post a link to a previous thread without a sarky comment) :cool:

(and nothing nasty??? "None of us has any stake in your coming (or not), and frankly, I don't think any of us care all that much whether you come or not", "People couldnt give a toss whether you move or not, that's your gamble to take" and that was on the first page - TBH most of the stuff on here was pretty reasonable 'both sides' stuff - there was just a few nasty ones - and it's actually less about the actual words used than about the way it comes across - there's only 2 or 3 people on here who come across as out-and-out nasty (IMPO) - and it's less about this thread than a build up over reading a few hundred)

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

CCR is max $144 ish per week (per child) and only paid to cover childcare.

Re: wow how do peps do it ......
 

I'm a little sympathetic to new posters because I remember caution from people here too - but I knew that their experiences were not relevant. They came across as angry and bitter (and it was easy to see why in some cases - Pommmie Bastard being one).

How do new posters know that the people expressing caution are ones who were ill-equipped? They don't - and if they detect anger then it must be strange.

..you could argue that some of the posters with personal stories of hardship would have difficulties anywhere.

Ultimately apart from the change in FX rate and house prices (huge obstacles) the mix of people arriving are unchanged. There have been posters who get here and just seem to buck the trend.

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

Maybe some people do get offended by what they don't want to hear?
That wasn't the case for me, as Abi pointed out perhaps in an easier to understand context it was in a few cases the unfriendly demeanour of a 'few'
people. An when that was challenged at face value, a wealth of contradictions are thrown around!
It's a public forum tough If you don't like the answer - the fact that people felt
the OP would b financially crippled wasnt disliked, more the downright unfriendly manner 'at times' that the answer was given in?

It's great to get a range of opinions to make an informed decision I certainly wasn't hammering anyone for giving an honest answer, it was purely the way it was presented, the people who feel they can say things however they like because it's a public forum didn't like being told they came across badly, that's their opinion yet some are unable to accept anyone else's that may go against theirs or merely the way it was put across to the OP.
I saw the majority of posts as being helpfully constructive for the OP actually, I put my opinion across to give it a go - in MY opinion it is do-able - OP might have to go to work too to make that happen but is that a hardship if that will give them the life they want? It then came across that only some opinions are ok to give and I was far too positive for the OP.
Many years ago we did stay in Australia for a while and are still in contact with a couple of families that are of a similar size and wage and they do manage, it's not impossible. I also said it wouldn't be easy.
It's a bit childish in my opinion to behave like - I can say what I like, how I like cause it's a public forum but you can't say what you're opinion is cause I don't agree with it - look it up it's called a contradicion.

Now a little fed up trying to type this on my phone and explain in away that people will take it how its actually meant so I'm off to bed!

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

This is BE....

it's like that.;)

Personally, I'm not bothered by polarised views or experiences, but I don't like ignorance. If I see an attempt to use the old brain, or attempt to use a bit of savvy then I can manage with any viewpoint or experience.

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

I think one would find people on all forums who don't finesse their words - whether through speed or just not being aware they can sound abrupt. You're not wrong to point this out. People on here can only give their own experience of life here - it's trials and tribulations. Try and read through writing styles and there is very good advice. I've met virtually no one on here but 99% of the warnings on costs and expense ring true. It's THE worst country to move to from the UK in the current economic climate. You can make a success still but it's a lot harder than it was pre-2008.

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

I can't advise whether the OP or for that matter anyone with X kids and Y income should or shouldn't come. Only they would know depending on their personal circumstances.

Out of curiosity I just downloaded my entire transaction history of my bank account. My expenses for the past 1 year is around $70,000. I used to rent a 4 bed place in an expensive suburb in Melbourne. My expense history include expenses that the OP may not incur (e.g. visa renewal fees, buying 2 new laptops etc). On the other hand the OP could have expenses only applying to her. Also, the OP could add the family tax benefits, rent assistance, education tax offset etc that she may be able to claim depending on her income (I haven't accounted for that as I hardly got anything). I have two school going kids - both in excellent state schools.

Note: When I arrived, I brought everything with me - I mean every little thing - from furniture to white goods to dustbin to tea strainer...you get the drift! I even stocked up on clothes and shoes...lol. I buy a lot of stuff online - mainly from the US and UK and keep a watch out for free shipping offers. Things are very very expensive here - no doubt about that. But then there are bargains to be had as well. I only buy when there are sales and items are hugely discounted. I tend to stock up whenever Safeway/Coles have their half-price specials.

I had a LOT of family support for the initial two months (accommodation and other logistical support - I hope the OP would have that) and huge savings to fall back upon (which we eventually used to buy our house).

Sorry to ramble on - but really take both the good and bad experiences and by no means discount any advice given here, even if it means something you don't want to hear. Taking heed of only the bad experiences and discounting a bit of the positive experiences also helps (like in my case) as you're over prepared for the worst:D

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

I agree - but if as it has turned out, someone says 60k and 4 kids it would raise eyebrows. And it is harder than it was. If we were back in 2006 I would encourage people to come - to ignore negative people, just to engage brain.

I am far more interested in the people themselves. But we will never know what they are like, short of seeing a CV or an interview.

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

That would certainly be nasty if OP's mother had said it, or her best friend ... but it strikes me as complete honesty from a stranger on the internet that wouldn't even know who OP is if they passed on the street. Why would or should anyone that doesn't know who OP is care whether they move to Australia or not. :confused:

But I think you misunderstood the reason it was said, it wasn't to be nasty it was to make clear that there is nothing for any of us to gain by trying to persuade OP to go or not to go. That there is no vested interest in the OP's decision and that as such, the advice can be taken to be honest.

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

You've said it before in the immi forum (and so have I) that it gets tiresome to have people ask for advice, be given honesty and get nothing but stick for being negative.

I shall unsubscribe from this thread and not bother answering any more calls for "help" or "opinions".

And Butterfly and Nolan8...Yes, Australia is the land of sunshine and lollipops, rainbows and fluffy kittens. It's not only possible but easy to live here on nothing but fresh air and proximity to the beach with a splash of great weather thrown in just to make life all that much more joyous. You won't need money here - it's waaaay less expensive than UK!

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

Lol.

Agree 100% with Dorothy and Bermuda Shorts. People were giving their honest, informed opinions, which is what the OP asked for.

Just because people say it's expensive doesn't mean they don't like it here. I love it, but our financial circumstances are very different to the OP's. We came here from Singapore, which is even more expensive than here, but even I have noticed how much more expensive it is than the UK.

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

mea culpa, it certainly wasnt mean to be nasty!!! It's the OP's life to take a gamble with and no one on this forum (I would hope) has any vested interest in making them decide one way or the other - if people give their opinions, as asked, it is rude, then, to accuse them of insensitivity because they have given it honestly and openly. One would hope that the OP wasnt relying on feedback from anonymous posters on an internet board about whether or not they should make a major change in their lives like moving to a foreign country on the other side of the world. However when she asked the question initially - is this a mad thing to do? the answer was almost universally "well, it isnt going to be easy" .... and neither will it be.

If anyone should be taking offence is it the folk who put fingers to keyboard to offer advice (and those that are living in Aus gave it almost universally) then to be accused of being negative and unhelpful. (Smacks of a A Few Good Men "you cant handle the truth!") This thread was started by the OP to complain about the responses she had received in another thread after all!

I agree with Dorothy, Australia is a land of milk and honey, the streets are paved with gold, you dont really need to work more than 10 hours a week to get a 6 beddie with 3 bathrooms and have a view of the ocean. Your kids will miraculously acquire 50 IQ points just by making the flight over and will grow up to look like Elle McPherson. You will gather thousands of Australian friends around you who will take care of your every whim and the puppies and kittens and unicorns will dance around you on the grass when you have a barbie for every meal. There, that better?

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

Dear all, hi i am the original OP, and have read the thread again this morning :huh: I think maybe i am also to blame for bad wording, questions, and comments, my intention was never to cause a small riot.... I can assure you all now that due to comments, we have looked at our plans agian, and yes we are still going ahead with the move, just making a few changes, ie oh is in discussions with his employer who have a sister company in wa, they are now in contact and he is doing a slight job change to give better experience therefore a higher paid job, i have also started retraining, my background is banking with 25 years experience in managemnet, however not practical at the moment for me to work full time, however i will be working and very happy to do so.... i know some of you dont care either way if we come or not, and thats fine, when i asked if things are that bad and why do people stay i was getting at the fact that we know the cost of living, but was hoping to hear a few things like yes we pay high bills etc etc and no money left at the end of each month but hey we love ........ (and no not talking dolphins or fluffy bunnies) all the peoples that have kindly listed their monthly outgoings has been very helpfull, and really was deadon what we had already estimated. i did ask for your opinion yes, but would have thought the positives would have been givin with the negatives to give us a true over view, but at the first few pages all we had were the negatives (still not looking for fluffly bunnies) but hey maybe provide some info on what you do in down time,?? some of you i know hate bbqs hate the beach however as i have said before we love the outdoors, the kids love sport, we love a good bbq and we love being with people and being social....... i dont have a wonderfull picture in my head of kids playing outside all the time.... i was asking why you stay if you can only comment on the bad of us moving and i am supprised there is no good..... we are extending our budget and will not come over without employment and will be staying with family for a few weeks, we have listened to you all and we do appreciate your comments, i originally wrote this post feeling very low and blue, as no one seemed to have anything good to say about the place...... I stand by the fact that we are grown ups and yes we are a large family but a close and happy one. We run a home here and manage to pay bills, I have travelled, lived and worked all over the world. even with the kids.... I have at one point moved back to the uk with 3 kids, 3 cases and no cash and it worked out fine (bloody hard, very hard) but i did it. I would like to say sorry if i offended anyone it really was not my intention, but i think some of youmay have forgotten the emotions of the move......:p please is there anyone out there that does anything great at the weekends?????? after all the work is done and the bills are paid :)

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

This is why it keeps going full circle - pedantic snippet little comments in whilst referring to me or anyone who hasn't actually said what you keep bleeding on about. Amazing how there are a handful of people who never read the posts properly but choose that because I stood up for how OP was feeling and didn't agree EXACTLY with everything that was said I'm constantly accused of being unrealistic - you don't even know what my experiences are nor do you know my situation!
Had no one objected to a few of the comments give to OP this thread would have ended pages ago no doubt.
Like I said I don't know how many times the people bleeting this is a public forum don't like it when they can't just give their opinion even when like yours its intended to annoy other people.

That said the behaviour of a few people
And their smarmy comments how would anyone be expected to take
The advice as impartial anyway.

V

Re: wow how do peeps do it ......
 

oopssss i mean i have had 25 years work experience 18 of them in a bank and the last 8 years of that in management .......