Hi everyone

I am new to this forum; feels like an intruder so be nice. Being an expat South African now staying in Perth (Snoozzzzville) that stumbled across this website and very intrigue by some of the very interesting threads I have read here, I also have some burning questions.

We have emigrated from Pretoria, South Africa 3 years ago and obviously been through emotional times but I believe that Australia is now our home.

I also had the privilege to live in New Malden, Surrey many years ago for about 8 months as part of a job contract. We had a fantastic time in the UK.

Of all the number of South Africans emigrating from South Africa, the majority leave for the UK (especially young graduates), then Australia and then Canada.

a. What are the 3 main reasons why you have left the UK?
b. Why did you pick Australia?
c. Those in Perth, why Perth?
d. Do you intent to return to the UK and why?

(I have posted the same questions on PomsinOz)

Regards
Ottg

a. 1. Because I think the UK is a shit hole, too crowded and populated predominantly by arseholes.
a. 2. Better future in Australia for me and my kids.
a. 3. I hated the UK weather.
b. Because I like a big country with great variety and an optimistic outlook.
c. At the time, because it was cheaper than over east plus I'd been before and loved it, and the weather too.
d. No, never to live but yes as a tourist.

Here we go again

if it was a bit later you could open a beer G

I would.......if I could find one worth drinking

This will probably turn into a bunfight, but in the meantime...
I'm an ex-saffa who moved to the UK in my late 20s, then moved to Sydney in my mid 30s, so I kind of get where you're coming from;-)

a. 1. Weather;
a. 2. I couldn't find a pommie bloke with a backbone (I'm sure they exist, I just couldn't find one);
a. 3. Weather. After 7 years I couldn't take it any more.
b. Easy to get into on my points, and better weather than NZ.
c. You poor poor bastard. I think you should answer the "why Perth".
d. Probably not, only because of the weather. Oh, and the men!

(I married a rugby-loving Ozzie with a bigger spine than me earlier this year. I live in Sydney. Life is great)

a. What are the 3 main reasons why you have left the UK?
- We only really left for one reason. DH was offered a job out of the blue (a former work colleague of his, from the UK, had moved here and really rated DH so the company offered him a job). The money they were offering was good and we just felt it wasn't the kind of opportunity you get offered every day. We decided that we'd rather come over and give it a go rather than think "what if?".

b. Why did you pick Australia?
- It picked us! Truth be told, we would never have moved here had he not been offered such a good opportunity - it's just too far from the UK. We had previously vaguely toyed with the idea of the US or Canada but never really considered emigrating seriously.

c. Those in Perth, why Perth?
- We're in Sydney. DH went on a course a while back and was approached about moving to either Perth or Canberra. I put my foot down big time. I'd maybe consider a move to Melbourne or Brisbane, but not the other 2.

d. Do you intent to return to the UK and why?
- No idea, to be honest. We've recently got our PR visa (previously on a 457), DD is starting at school in the New Year, I'm pregnant (due in 6 months) and the new baby will be an Australian Citizen. So we are planning on staying and getting Citizenship for all of us (Feb 2010 is when we can get it). For now, we are planning on staying for the foreseeable future. HOWEVER, I don't know how we will feel once the baby is here. At the moment, I can't imagine what it's going to be like so we'll just cross that bridge when we come to it.

I agree with Renth except

c) DH offered a job here.

d) no

same as Renth

Just shows its horses for courses! I can't find an Aussie bloke Id touch witha bargepole! In fact the men is one of the reasons Id leave!

Hear hear. Thankfully my Aussie guy has an English mother so he's semi-normal.

I never met a South African woman who was remotely fanciable.

G

A. Left UK because we knew we could get a Visa 136, so thought 'oh why not lol'

B. Picked Aus because had family here.

C. Picked Perth because that's where are family are.

D. Yes moving back to UK after nearly 3 years in pergatory

dont you think winnie mandela is attractive ?

Probably is to a tough rugby playing Australian macho man

G