Never thought the day would come but we shall be off to Oz as soon as house sale has gone through. Offer made and accepted on our house just processing time and we will be off. As some of you may have read previously been a difficult year for us with my OH's illness - anyhow we believe in looking forward now not looking back. He is doing well and we are looking forward to our future......or are we.....
I know that I have read loads of threads of others feeling nervous, scared etc..when it actually comes to leaving....do any of you though question why you are going? What I am trying to say is that we know that we still have to work, children still have to go to school etc.. but outdoor life is what we like and joining other family....As it is getting nearer I find I am questioning myself all the time...
What is so wrong with staying here?
We are fairly comfortable financially - not much of a mortgage - fairly good lifestyle - why change what isn't broken?????
Perhaps it is because my OH's fight with cancer that has made us think you only get one chance to see this world....so are we being clouded by this fact or does everyone think the same?

Sorry, as I say i know there are a lot of threads with the same sort of feelings but haven't found any that relate to our circumstances - just wander if we are doing the right thing. We have been out to OZ several times, so know why we want to be there - not that we have just decided on a whim..... would really value others views - are you really scared???

Hi Smude

Just sounds like last minute nerves, once you take the plunge I'm sure you'll be fine. As exciting as it is to contemplate moving to Oz, it's also daunting. When we first considered moving down under, I remember having thoughts along the lines of 'If you don't do it you'll never know,' 'Your biggest regrets are the things you DIDN'T do,' 'I don't want to look back in 10 years' time and say What If,' etc.

On the other hand, remember that you're not making an irreversible decision - you can always return to the UK a few years down the track.


Good luck!

I agree! Life is for living and taking chances now and then. Some of our friends are saying to us...why are you going, you have everything here you want! Partly true...but I want to give it a go, live somewhere else for a while. Theres a bit world out there and I dont want to live it on just one place. Last min nerves are good...just dont over analyse them

Best of luck

Debs

I can't relate to your exact circumstances obviously but I can relate to the 'what are we doing?' feelings!
I was very laid back about it all until we got a very serious offer on our house which means we should be able to go this Autumn. How do I feel now? Excited and bl**dy scared. I love my job, I love where we live in the UK & now that my house is finished, I love it too! BUT....I want something else & it's possible OZ will offer us that. Outdoor life, sunshine, opportunities for sailing, snorkelling & diving (varying family members) that we just don't have here.
Will it work out? I don't know!
Am I going to give it a try? Too right I am!

Last minute nerves are normal I think ( I've had some input from elsewhere in the last few days) but you have to remind yourself why you decided to walk this path & how you would feel if you reached the gate & turned back?

Loads of luck (& sorry for waffling)

Ditto, I feel scared just thinking about what follows, and not even put house on market yet! but all the reasons previously mentioned are why I'm still going...

Thanks everyone. Glad to know that a few of you are feeling the same (I mean that in the nicest possible way). Maybe you are right that sometimes you can over analyze things. Have read Wendy's update today and that has definitely given me that extra confidence to go for it!

Life is definitely for living and not living on what if's!!

I have always said I would prefer to regret the things I have done rather than regret the things I haven't done,

I too have had a health scare and I'm going out to live all I can and cram in all the good times I can, life is short and you never know what's going to happen to you so make the most of it and worry about it afterwards

Thanks Asher sounds like we have similar outlook :
Mine is that I can change my mistakes but not my regrets.
Best of luck for the future.

....still doesn't stop me panicking though......aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!

Hiya,

I felt exactly the same as you, it was more my husband's dream than mine and even at the airport I wondered what the hell I was doing!

11 weeks later in Sydney and Im loving it

Weve both got good jobs and weve just brought a fantastic house (move in in 4 weeks time)

Good luck to you.... dont worry your feelings are normal

Feelings sound pretty normal to me.... you'll be fine once you're here and settled

What's there NOT to like about Sydney, hey?!! I love it but then OK I'm biased slightly.

Hi,

Me and my OH have been expats in a few counties over the years and trust me...this apprehenson you are experiencing is a totally natural feeling.

The main thing to do is keep busy when you get there, always try to look forward and don't focus on the negatives (and there will be some).

And the best thing you can do is meet people, join a club or even take up a hobby that you have always fancied doing.

Wishing you all the best!!!

Thanks Neet Neet. Hope we get as settled as you seem to have in such a short space of time.

Thanks for your support - totally agree what's there not too like about Sydney. Have been several times.

Thanks for the advice - was thinking of having some T-shirts printed with "Anyone want to be my Friend" on to wear at the school gates!!!
Sounds like all my feelings are part of the norm then.

Hi,
Most of us go through the same mixed emotions,we found its part of the immigration process.As you say you love the outdoor entertaining well you wont be short of that over here.I went through all the emotions you are and still felt like that right up to arriving here but 8 months on and we can't imagine being anywhere else.It has been the best thing we've ever done for us individually and as a family.Obviously its not for everyone but you won't know until you try it. Also if you ever need any help when your here you know you only have to ask on BE and there will be plenty of people willing to help you and your family settle.Goodluck to you all,and as you've said look to the future and embrace it.Take care

Allyson