I know someone who is about to and I am amazed at their bravery. I am interested if anyone else on here has done so succesfully.

Yep, we did

We did too, 10 yrs ago, love it here.

I have to say I have yet to meet anyone who has moved to Australia who regrets doing so although there obviously will be some.

Yep we did

It's very reassuring for those of us not in a position to visit first, to hear about those who did same successfully. Thanks!

nice to know it CAN be done as we have no choice. we have to go without the first visit, cant afford it!

Yup.

Have you looked at the the MOVING BACK TO THE UK Discussion forum? Alot of people don't settle, thats the bit thats scares the hell out of me.

i've been reading it a lot lately only because i want to try to prepare for evey eventuallty. Still going though!!

But then a lot of people do settle too. The trouble is that you don't know if you will until you try it.

Even those that do visit first have no way on knowing if they'll settle long term because it's still a holiday, even if it's to find out about schools, houses etc. and we all know that living here isn't a holiday, it's real life.

Out of all the expats I know, (about 20 people as I have family here who are also from the Uk originally), there's only one who doesn't like it here and she did do a reccie first. Another moved to a different part of Australia, but apart from that everyone else wouldn't go back if you paid them and all of them say they have a better life here.

I hadn't been here before, just celebrated 1 year and love it

Yup, nearly 3 years in, no regrets whatsoever.

Never been here before we moved. Can't say I love it but also can't say I don't love it. It's what it is.

i had an arranged marriage,turned out quite well,my mrs aint bad lookin and weve stayed together 20 years..

strange and almost true....