I agree completely.

If you burn all your bridges you HAVE to make it work in Australia. And by extension therefore you are more likely to make it work.

BB

I honestly don't think selling my house has made any difference to whether I make the most of it or not. We came to make the most of it and we have. If I wanted to go back, I would go back whether I had a house to go back to or not.

Of course you don't! There is nothing in the rule book to say you HAVE to make a go of it in Australia. If you screw things up so comprehensively that you are trapped because of huge gambles you're probably even less likely to enjoy your options.

No advice on the 'technical' parts of the move as there really isn't any 'right' answers, just opinions.
What I would say is don't underestimate the homesickness impact of being out here on your own for three months... I found it awful.

Certainly an element of that, but why should people have to make, what for them, could be a financial mistake, just to make sure you're really committed to making it work?

If it makes financial sense for you to retain your house in the UK... then do it.

Totally agree. If you have options that you can keep open then you would be daft to do otherwise. I, like most I would imagine, needed to sell up to move.

for us He came over on his 457 Visa

I was a nurse finishing my degree so stayed in the UK to sort the kids out and rent the house out pack it up etc

Then disaster struck I had a major accident, he was in Australia I was in the UK, luckily he got some compassionate leave, but ultimately had to come back to Aus leaving me in the UK.

Eventually I had medical retirement and came over but that time apart was fraught, before the accident it put a bit of a strain on things as I was having to sort stuff out by myself deal with two teenagers and study while he seemed to be having a high time in Aus, but was in fact very lonely for the family but didn't want to discourage us from coming over so was trying to make it sound great.

After the accident I was struggling despite a lot of help from family but eventually made it over almost a year later.

Hopefully nothing drastic will happen to you but that time apart is very hard on both parties I found. I was an army wife as well in the past so was well used to being apart and packing a house up. Others have done it and coped well I know so maybe you will too.

Perth is very expensive re cost of living as is Sydney.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

First time, we came together, sold up house etc......

2nd time, I came 4 months before, my wife and daughter stayed behind to finish off a school year and finish the sale of our house. The plan was for them to follow 9 months after, but 4 months was plenty long enough.

Whether you sell our house, or not, arrive together or not, only later will you be able to answer if it was the right choice.

Personally, I think you should arrive together. To discover places together and to be there to support each other are memories you will keep for a long time. Plus each year, you can celebrate your arrival together : )

Houses.....if you want to be a landlord then by all means keep hold of it. I know a few people who refused to sell in 2008 & 2009 as prices had dropped and they thought their houses were worth more than the market. If they sell now, they will get a few more pounds, but have lost 1000's of $ due to exchange rate moves.

Whatever you decide, enjoy it

For once I disagree with BB. But whatever.
I think it's harder for migrants now than it has ever been due to the expense and the FX rate - which was very mean for a while. So I reckon come out due to a once in a lifetime opportunity -because you have the option to buy a rural property, or live in an exciting city, or you love the water and beaches. My mate BB loves the water - he was made for Melbourne's Bayside..(I wasn't!) I willl never forget him literally pulling off his t-shirt and running into the water like an old pro... Don't come just to buy a house in a suburb because it's bigger than the one in the provinces back in the UK and because there is the promise of a BBQ at the end of the day...don't come due to 'what if we didn't' - what if you were deeply unhappy as a result?

The biggest tip I would give a migrant - is don't be a 'Grand Englander', (but by all means be an Englishman without being a ****)
Don't sweat the little stuff like how many lines there are in the shop, or what Aunt Effle's little cakes used to taste like, or the fact that people drive manically in big cities...compared to outback Shropshire, or that the post does not come on Saturday, or takes a day longer..or that the houses are not your typical 3 or 4 bed semi...stairs a foot from the door...and may well fall down after 20 years...don't spend all your time saying the sort of stuff that the fat bloke in the boozer says: 'They do this, they do that' as if life is one big puzzle for you and is all a bit much.

Life is about new experiencies and treating them like you would any experience - just the same. Tap into your wordly experiences..be shrewd and agile: circumspect and diplomatic, gregarious yet wind you neck in when needed - but don't be a slave to your own limitations and prejudices..don't be a battler! Don't transfer your insecurities to another country...Otherwise you will be no better than the Aussies you might find yourself complaining about!


Cheers

Lots of views, thankyou very much for your responses! From what most if you say, it is very much a personal decision and many factors will influence out decision!

Thanks for this, I will have a wee browse

you're welcome, hope it helps

There is noway he shall get the full license in 3 months try adding 12 months to it all minimum.

I totally agree this happened to me. If I had sold my house and resigned my job and not took a career break I would still be in OZ and not in the UK. Its too easy to throw the towel in when you have something to fall back on. If you want to go for it my advice would be to move completely.

I don't agree that this is the case for everyone.

We came to Australia for a year to try real life here (having previously enjoyed several holidays in Oz), so we didn't sell up. Over seven years later we are still here, despite having had some serious wobbles along the way. But when we did have those wobbles, having a house in the UK didn't really influence our decision making process.

Having the equity from the UK house would certainly have changed the experience we have had here, but I'm happy that we didn't sell up and we have the option to return to our old home if, at some point, that's what we want.