it would be good if those that have said they tried it and didn't like it, could give a brief explanation as to why, as this would help would be migrants look in more detail at those things which have made people return.

you never know, it may even save some going through the same scenario.

We've been here nearly two years now, we came over with a 1 yr old boy and had another baby last year so we have one UK boy and one Aussie boy.
Don't regret the move, I'm earning approx 25% more here and the house we're in is about 100% bigger.
We're going back to the UK in May to catch up with friends and family but no plans to move back to the UK, in fact when house prices/interest rates stabilise we're planning on buying our own place.
It took a while to make friends but both of us have now got some good friends, mostly ex-pats but some actual Aussies!!

For me it was homesickness, I felt like an alien in OZ,looking back I should never have tried so hard to settle as quick, I put pressure on myself,takes time to put roots down, also I would be picky who I call friends! I also think the job you get is a major factor in how you feel in OZ, if you hate your job you tend to let that rub off on the whole experience and say you hate OZ, wereas it is only the fact that you hate your job, not the glorious sunshine and beautiful beaches etc! so I know where I went wrong, 2nd time lucky eh?

Bluekipper

Theres no right or wrong answer on whether immigrating to OZ is the right decision some people will love it others hate it , it all depends on individual circumstances, For example person A might have no close friends and family they leave behind, get a good well paid job they like, move to a nice suburb or part of OZ, kids like their new school and make friends, while person B , might miss close friends and family have trouble finding work in OZ, move to a bad suburb or part if OZ, kids hate school and get bullied.

It's really good to hear such positive stories, especially as things are feeling so negative at the moment with the credit crunch.

I know it's different for everyone, but from the responses so far there seems to be a lot more positive stories than negative. Just what I needed to hear at the moment as having a major "wobble" this week for some reason.

The thing is, we are going to go for it anyway, because I would hate to regret never having tried. It's lovely to hear that loads of people have done it and never looked back.

We've been in Cairns 2 years.

Sold house in uk for 168k (mortgage was 70k), bought one here for 200k (mortgage 140k).

I'm glad we moved to Oz, and wouldn't go back even though there is a part of me that will be forever england as it were.
there are things about australia and aussies that annoy me but all I have to is think where I'd be living back home compared to where I live here - no contest !

You don't get HOME sick, you get FRIEND/FAMILY sick.

I earn far less here but wife works and that makes up the difference but just as expensive here as back home and for lots of things it's more expensive here. e.g. clothes, uniforms, food.

Andy

Are you glad you moved to Australia? Would you do the same again if you knew then what you know now? Or do you wish you'd stayed put?

Yes, I'm glad I moved. Emigrating isn't purely about the geographical changes (the beach lifestyle etc), it's about changing your mindset. I think I'm far less negative than I used to be.

Would I do the same? Yes. Although I would make fundamental changes to the way we set up our lives here. I would have bought more of our stuff with us. I would have spent less on the house.

Stayed put? Nah. I had friends who'd sit in the pub and bang on about their plans for relocation abroad which always came to nothing. It's the great British dream isn't it - starting again somewhere new and more exotic. I think anyone who makes it to Oz, whether it works out for them or not, is a cut above the average. Anyone who has the gumption to pack up their lives and take a risk on a new life in another hemisphere clearly has will power that can be directed in many directions. I'm sure those who return to the UK, for instance, will find their lives improved by their experiences.

well said mate

Yes. 100%. And we have kids.

Buzzy

Hell yes! best move ever. We all love it and have an amazing lifestyle.

Amen.

Ignore my previous post, The correcr answer is:

No

No

Yes

We came with low expectations.

Perhaps it would be like the UK but with sunshine we thought.

It's not......it's very different.....thank fook for that

Thank you Fook ... not sure how much Fook had to do with it tho'

He's a mystery character.