How many actually return?
Apr 19th 2007, 12:50 am
#1
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Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Perth for now
Posts: 13
How many actually return?
Hi all
I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday, and she informed me she had been told, statistics show that 40% of people who emigrate to Australia, actually return home in the first 2 years! I think if this is true, thats an awful lot of people?
Does anyone know if this is actually true? If so, then surely there should be more done to advise people of the negatives of emigrating, as well as the positives of the blue skies, better lifestyles and gorgeous beaches etc etc?
I for one, have found that there are a lot of things that they dont tell you, before you get here, no matter how much research you actually do yourself, it is impossible to know everything, until you are here and living the experience.
Apologies if this has been covered before, but I am still a newbie
Gaynor
I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday, and she informed me she had been told, statistics show that 40% of people who emigrate to Australia, actually return home in the first 2 years! I think if this is true, thats an awful lot of people?
Does anyone know if this is actually true? If so, then surely there should be more done to advise people of the negatives of emigrating, as well as the positives of the blue skies, better lifestyles and gorgeous beaches etc etc?
I for one, have found that there are a lot of things that they dont tell you, before you get here, no matter how much research you actually do yourself, it is impossible to know everything, until you are here and living the experience.
Apologies if this has been covered before, but I am still a newbie
Gaynor
Apr 19th 2007, 12:58 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 93
Re: How many actually return?
Hi all
I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday, and she informed me she had been told, statistics show that 40% of people who emigrate to Australia, actually return home in the first 2 years! I think if this is true, thats an awful lot of people?
Does anyone know if this is actually true? If so, then surely there should be more done to advise people of the negatives of emigrating, as well as the positives of the blue skies, better lifestyles and gorgeous beaches etc etc?
I for one, have found that there are a lot of things that they dont tell you, before you get here, no matter how much research you actually do yourself, it is impossible to know everything, until you are here and living the experience.
Apologies if this has been covered before, but I am still a newbie
Gaynor
I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday, and she informed me she had been told, statistics show that 40% of people who emigrate to Australia, actually return home in the first 2 years! I think if this is true, thats an awful lot of people?
Does anyone know if this is actually true? If so, then surely there should be more done to advise people of the negatives of emigrating, as well as the positives of the blue skies, better lifestyles and gorgeous beaches etc etc?
I for one, have found that there are a lot of things that they dont tell you, before you get here, no matter how much research you actually do yourself, it is impossible to know everything, until you are here and living the experience.
Apologies if this has been covered before, but I am still a newbie
Gaynor
Apr 19th 2007, 1:26 am
#3
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,020
Re: How many actually return?
I have lived in the US for 11 yrs. IMHO it's not so much the negative things like...high prices or weather etc...it's the culture shock. The life and everything that you've been familiar with for so many years is no longer there. Also I think because English is the language of Aus and the US...we expect the culture to be the same or very similar. I am sure if we moved to a non English speaking country it wouldn't be quite so much of a culture shock...we would be expecting it to be so very different to the UK.
Apr 19th 2007, 1:37 am
#4
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,770
Re: How many actually return?
I have lived in the US for 11 yrs. IMHO it's not so much the negative things like...high prices or weather etc...it's the culture shock. The life and everything that you've been familiar with for so many years is no longer there. Also I think because English is the language of Aus and the US...we expect the culture to be the same or very similar. I am sure if we moved to a non English speaking country it wouldn't be quite so much of a culture shock...we would be expecting it to be so very different to the UK.
As for the statistics it varies depending on who you ask, most people seem to think the overall number is about 30-35% but I've heard that certain demographic groups are more likely to return than others, with it being 50% of ABC1's that return within a couple of years. Then there is the ping pong club who mess the figures up a bit, but either way clearly it's a lot and just might indicate there might be more to life than bland beaches and blue skies.
Apr 19th 2007, 1:57 am
#5
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,020
Re: How many actually return?
I agree about the culture shock, Everything is the same but different enough that you can easily feel like you don't belong. Take one example, the magazines they have at the checkouts in supermarkets. All the same mag types like hello etc, but all the celebs and stories are so unconected with yourself it's untrue. The celebs, music, names, infact all that you grew up with doesn't exist here. You try and read the papers or mags or watch the local tv but they chunder on about stuff and people you just don't identify with.
As for the statistics it varies depending on who you ask, most people seem to think the overall number is about 30-35% but I've heard that certain demographic groups are more likely to return than others, with it being 50% of ABC1's that return within a couple of years. Then there is the ping pong club who mess the figures up a bit, but either way clearly it's a lot and just might indicate there might be more to life than bland beaches and blue skies.
As for the statistics it varies depending on who you ask, most people seem to think the overall number is about 30-35% but I've heard that certain demographic groups are more likely to return than others, with it being 50% of ABC1's that return within a couple of years. Then there is the ping pong club who mess the figures up a bit, but either way clearly it's a lot and just might indicate there might be more to life than bland beaches and blue skies.
It's difficult if you have a young family and suddenly find yourself without a support system. It's difficult if you have left a good life/lifestyle back home. It's difficult if you have an established home and family in the UK.
Although undoubtedly there are many who love their new life in their new country...but you are unlikely to find them here...they will be out enjoying themselves.
Apr 19th 2007, 2:27 am
#6
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,199
Re: How many actually return?
Hi all
I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday, and she informed me she had been told, statistics show that 40% of people who emigrate to Australia, actually return home in the first 2 years! I think if this is true, thats an awful lot of people?
Does anyone know if this is actually true? If so, then surely there should be more done to advise people of the negatives of emigrating, as well as the positives of the blue skies, better lifestyles and gorgeous beaches etc etc?
I for one, have found that there are a lot of things that they dont tell you, before you get here, no matter how much research you actually do yourself, it is impossible to know everything, until you are here and living the experience.
Apologies if this has been covered before, but I am still a newbie
Gaynor
I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday, and she informed me she had been told, statistics show that 40% of people who emigrate to Australia, actually return home in the first 2 years! I think if this is true, thats an awful lot of people?
Does anyone know if this is actually true? If so, then surely there should be more done to advise people of the negatives of emigrating, as well as the positives of the blue skies, better lifestyles and gorgeous beaches etc etc?
I for one, have found that there are a lot of things that they dont tell you, before you get here, no matter how much research you actually do yourself, it is impossible to know everything, until you are here and living the experience.
Apologies if this has been covered before, but I am still a newbie
Gaynor
You couldn't be further from the truth. This is something that has been bugging me since we arrived in Perth. Why does the media in the UK portray OZ as this fantastic luxury life-style. It's all bull.
Those TV programmes should also show how things really are in OZ aswell as the Beaches and surf etc......
I suppose we are the only ones to blame for being so gullible, i'm the biggest fool of all
As for the statistics....they are much higher than that as far as i'm aware. You only need to speak to the removal companies to find out how busy they are in moving people back to the UK again compared to afew years back.
Apr 19th 2007, 3:15 am
#7
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Underground, overground, wombling free
Posts: 6,895
Re: How many actually return?
There's also people like me buggering the figures up. Technically, we emigrated. In reality, we only ever intended for it to be a two-year thing. There's lots of people who move, fully intending to always go back - so take the statistics with a pinch of salt. 
Apr 19th 2007, 4:30 am
#8
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Joined: Apr 2006
Location: Berkshire-Perth-Berkshire
Posts: 427
Re: How many actually return?
Hi all
I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday, and she informed me she had been told, statistics show that 40% of people who emigrate to Australia, actually return home in the first 2 years! I think if this is true, thats an awful lot of people?
Does anyone know if this is actually true? If so, then surely there should be more done to advise people of the negatives of emigrating, as well as the positives of the blue skies, better lifestyles and gorgeous beaches etc etc?
I for one, have found that there are a lot of things that they dont tell you, before you get here, no matter how much research you actually do yourself, it is impossible to know everything, until you are here and living the experience.
Apologies if this has been covered before, but I am still a newbie
Gaynor
I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday, and she informed me she had been told, statistics show that 40% of people who emigrate to Australia, actually return home in the first 2 years! I think if this is true, thats an awful lot of people?
Does anyone know if this is actually true? If so, then surely there should be more done to advise people of the negatives of emigrating, as well as the positives of the blue skies, better lifestyles and gorgeous beaches etc etc?
I for one, have found that there are a lot of things that they dont tell you, before you get here, no matter how much research you actually do yourself, it is impossible to know everything, until you are here and living the experience.
Apologies if this has been covered before, but I am still a newbie
Gaynor
Jo
Apr 19th 2007, 4:46 am
#9
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,020
Re: How many actually return?
What I have found quite amazing is that since we have said we are going home my OH has talked to loads of people about it and he reckons about 85%of them say that they would go home if they could. A lot of them have been here a long time and couldn't afford to go back. I didn't want to be one of those stranded people and that's why we're going now while we still can. I think a lot of people here in Perth are really pretending that they love it, but as soon as someone starts talking about going back, all their true feelings come out. It's as if they don't want to admit that it's not great here for some reason. It all comes down to the thing about feeling like you've failed - I for one think that is a load of crap! Coming here and trying it and going back is not failing, it's being brave enough to try a new life and then being brave enough to realise it's not the life for you and going home again. It's not easy to just "go home". All these Aus lovers who say if you don't like it then go home, haven't got a clue. I am still waiting for finance approval from the buyers of our house and they want to settle 2 weeks tomorrow!! Think they are missing the point that I have a toddler and a baby, a house full of stuff and am moving to the other side of the world. It's getting a bit frustrating as I can't book flights, shipping or anything until their finance is definite. We have sold both the cars and are now sharing a Kia Rio hire car (not exactly large) and am busy trying to sell a washing machine and a gas fire! What if they end up not buying it?? Nightmare, but I don't have a choice because I don't want to end up with stuff to get rid of at the last minute. Sorry I've gone a bit off topic but think I just needed to get a few things off my chest!!
Jo
Jo
As regards your husband's colleagues...I think many just put a brave face on it...in the hopes that it will work out...eventually.
I'm sure the next few weeks/months will be a roller coaster for you...but just think where you will be 12 months from now. You'll be posting on here...telling us what a great place the UK is and how happy you and your family are.
Apr 19th 2007, 7:47 am
#10
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Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Brisbaneshire
Posts: 5,209
Re: How many actually return?
I agree about the culture shock, Everything is the same but different enough that you can easily feel like you don't belong. Take one example, the magazines they have at the checkouts in supermarkets. All the same mag types like hello etc, but all the celebs and stories are so unconected with yourself it's untrue. The celebs, music, names, infact all that you grew up with doesn't exist here. You try and read the papers or mags or watch the local tv but they chunder on about stuff and people you just don't identify with.
As for the statistics it varies depending on who you ask, most people seem to think the overall number is about 30-35% but I've heard that certain demographic groups are more likely to return than others, with it being 50% of ABC1's that return within a couple of years. Then there is the ping pong club who mess the figures up a bit, but either way clearly it's a lot and just might indicate there might be more to life than bland beaches and blue skies.
As for the statistics it varies depending on who you ask, most people seem to think the overall number is about 30-35% but I've heard that certain demographic groups are more likely to return than others, with it being 50% of ABC1's that return within a couple of years. Then there is the ping pong club who mess the figures up a bit, but either way clearly it's a lot and just might indicate there might be more to life than bland beaches and blue skies.
Apr 19th 2007, 7:51 am
#11
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,560
Re: How many actually return?
kezx
Apr 19th 2007, 11:56 am
#13
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Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere else
Posts: 6,407
Re: How many actually return?
I agree about the culture shock, Everything is the same but different enough that you can easily feel like you don't belong. Take one example, the magazines they have at the checkouts in supermarkets. All the same mag types like hello etc, but all the celebs and stories are so unconected with yourself it's untrue. The celebs, music, names, infact all that you grew up with doesn't exist here. You try and read the papers or mags or watch the local tv but they chunder on about stuff and people you just don't identify with.
As for the statistics it varies depending on who you ask, most people seem to think the overall number is about 30-35% but I've heard that certain demographic groups are more likely to return than others, with it being 50% of ABC1's that return within a couple of years. Then there is the ping pong club who mess the figures up a bit, but either way clearly it's a lot and just might indicate there might be more to life than bland beaches and blue skies.
As for the statistics it varies depending on who you ask, most people seem to think the overall number is about 30-35% but I've heard that certain demographic groups are more likely to return than others, with it being 50% of ABC1's that return within a couple of years. Then there is the ping pong club who mess the figures up a bit, but either way clearly it's a lot and just might indicate there might be more to life than bland beaches and blue skies.
1. they are prepared for the fact that Australia is a different country with a different culture. They totally embrace the Australian life, culture and way of doing things and do not continually make comparisons to the UK. They are ready to become true Aussie citizens.
2. they realise they will never have the same relationship with the family and friends they left behind and are ready to accept this.
I know the above points may sound obvious but did not occur to me until we got to Oz
(plonker!)!!
Apr 19th 2007, 11:59 am
#14
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 386
Re: How many actually return?
That's so true, I couldn't agree more! 
Apr 19th 2007, 12:21 pm
#15
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Joined: Jul 2003
Location: the warm waters of Florida
Posts: 2,289
Re: How many actually return?
1. they are prepared for the fact that Australia is a different country with a different culture. They totally embrace the Australian life, culture and way of doing things and do not continually make comparisons to the UK. They are ready to become true Aussie citizens.
2. they realise they will never have the same relationship with the family and friends they left behind and are ready to accept this.
2. they realise they will never have the same relationship with the family and friends they left behind and are ready to accept this.