I would second that...when partners,children etc come into the equation it is totally different from the carefree young no strings attached traveller..I have met to many people who are unhappy because they cannot move without some heartache involved....one whom I know said "friends said come and give it a go if you don't like it just go back..nothing to loose"...well 24 years later a OH and children who will not even consider a visit to the U.K for holidays..he feels "stuck"....I suppose that is the chance we take in life....you never know what will be around the corner and I suppose you just have to take a chance and hope that all works out well and good.

The UK has some nice countryside - there's no doubt about it. However, Australia has plenty of very nice countryside as well, although it is DIFFERENT. It amazes me how many Brits compare what they see in Australia with the equivalent back home. This attitude is typical of the classic whingeing pom.

Brits have this deeply ingrained attitude that Australia is an offshoot of Britain and they often get a surprise when they actually move here. This is a throwback to the distant days when the British Empire rules the waves. From a geographical and ecological perspective, it's hard to imagine two countries more different from each other. As we know, environment influences people and culture so the people of modern Australia are evolving quite differently to the British.

Despite your gratuitous and generalized attacks on British people, this is 100% true.

All emigrants should assume they're moving to a foreign land to live among foreigners who have different ways, and want to do that. Then any similarities will be bonuses.

To the OP, I agree that it could be good to go for an adventure, perhaps planning on one year. And make a vow not to marry or have kids until you're absolutely sure you want to stay.

Bev

Of course, diversity is what makes the World interesting. There is little point in moving to another country to compare everything with the UK. Other countries are supposed to be different or there would be no point in going. We all have different requirements at different stages in our lives but I think for anyone to spend at least a part of their life in another country is a great adventure. I have lived in a few countries and there is no doubt about it, everywhere has it's pros and cons. Here in Canada, it is also evolving quite different to the UK, more like the USA.

I dunno. I thought Oz countryside was dull as dishwater and I'm not a pom. For people that crave variety in a small space, it's just not there.

I have to admit it's the same in Canada though. We drove 2 days north before we started to see a really different landscape

Thoroughly agree. That's why we're going home, plus we are being priced out of WA. Until people actually live here they don't see the frustrations of living in Oz. Life was so much more simple back home. Almost every day since we arrived two and a half years ago we've had some sort of problem to sort out. Just got to sell our house then we're off - we so can't wait!

Some people love Australia (substitute Canada/NZ/USA etc) ... and others hate it. A lot of it comes down to your values, circumstances and priorities.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that deciding whether or not you want to migrate is a pretty personal decision and reading this forum for any period of times shows that for many, migration does not lead to the outcome they want.

A question to ask (really two questions) is what aspects of your life do you expect to improve from being in Australia, and in what areas are you prepared to accept things being worse.

For us it was to have a better house with a low mortgage (we have a better house but a bigger mortgage), to work less (we are working harder than we ever needed to in the UK because everything is so expensive and utilities are going through the ceiling; we pay twice as much here for groceries than we paid in Asda), more time to ourselves (we have none as we are always needing to work), better weather (more sun but infernally hot in summer - give us the cold any day - plus the damned flies & mosquitoes!!) and less officialdom (Oz invented it!). I could go on but it would sound boorish.....

I don't find Australia's countryside dull at all. I went to Central Australia, expecting it to be a bit dull and monotonous but was surprised how interesting and varied it was. Standing on top of Mount Sonder at dawn was a truly awe inspiring experience - and I've travelled to over 50 countries. I love New Zealand and Europe's landscapes as well, but for different reasons. It's like comparing apples with oranges.

England is a far more beautiful country than Australia.The people are also more genuine too.

Very true...they don't care about keeping up with the Jones's

OP, no-one can convince you, you know the answer already

R who you doin?....will you tripping the light fantastic tonight?....okay here's my update...have had some quotes from the shippers...just wanted to ask (sorry for hijacking this thread)....is it worth me selling our really good condition and middle of the road double beds (we have two) the shippers have said we would save about $999 if we did not ship them home....at the exchange rate that would be roughly around 600 pounds....could you buy two decent (and of course stylish) double beds with that kind of money or is it best to ship the beds over to the U.K....I have to make the decision by next week who we are going to use ...just going to have Kent's in on Monday...then decision time....

Kevin you are so correct....this last week has really been an eye opener for me here, not that my eyes needed anymore opening but with the stress of sorting out last min. items etc and along with the "your mad" gang I keep bumping into...its nice hear it in good old plain English....thanks....

I'd say ditch the beds. I did and bought new ones. Infact i bought a 7ft bed here (it's massive) i have no idea how we managed on a double bed for all those years..so much more room to have fun on hehe!
It will all depend on where you shop to buy a new bed. I searched all over for new beds for us all. But at least we had something to sleep on rather than wait months for our old beds to arrive.
When do you leave now?

Thanks,

We are out of the Rental on the 15th and the staying in serviced accm. for 2 weeks while we sort out some bits and bobs...and as OH is staying until Aug and is away at the moment it will be nice to spend a bit of time together....not booked the flights yet as we have to wait on OH company to see if he can have a couple of weeks off...if not well...we will have to take it from there.....

Well at least you're coming back to better weather. No more snow (not that i cared) and i'm sure you will be thankful for greenery and fresh air

I'm not out this weekend lol. Went to Liverpool last week and it was even better than Manchester.