Our story 2 1/2 years
 

I started contributing to this forum many years ago. Went through the whole visa application thing, medicals, house selling, etc. Too stressful for words.

We moved to the Shellharbour area just south of Wollongong and after 2 1/2 years of giving it a go we are going back to the UK. My brother in law survived about 6 months in Townsville and other friends survived about 1 year in Bunbury in WA. We at least gave it a good go.

Our honest opinion is we wish we had never come despite having had some fantastic times. For us (we are both high skilled professionals) Aus is way behind the UK/USA/Europe in our lines of work. I have a well paid job (well over $100k) but it is too boring and not demanding nor am I learning a thing. I had 23 interviews for a new job across 15 different companies (so got 8 second interviews) and the treatment I endured was a joke....from being verbally offered a job then I hear nothing to all manner of shoddy treatment.

I have contacted the UK for roles in my field and been offered a great role immediately........all by way of video conference interview. I'll be earning way more in the UK than when I left 2 1/2 years ago....

Those people that post about red tape and needing degrees to stack shelves are dead right! My only advice to those embarking on the journey is to really really think long and hard, think about what you do and what you enjoy at work and if it is at all done in Aus in a way that will make you happy.

Research research and research again is my advice. Our kids have had a great time and they were one of the main reasons for coming here, but without a happy home life (in which work will play a major part on how happy you are) we can't endure things as it will affect the children. In a few short years they will be grown and gone and we will be wondering what the hell happened. Yes the beaches are great and it does get nice and sunny, but we have to spend at least 40 hours a week in work in which we are going backwards and no amount of sandy beach nor sunshine is feeding my brain anything. I am actually looking forward to a beer in a nice English pub with a log fire going and it pissing down outside.

To those on the journey...you will never know unless you give it a go but really do your homework.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Very good advice, best of luck with your return.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Maybe this was better in the MBTUK forum where you might find like minded empathy. Whilst it is regrettable that Australia is not for you, for the greater percentage of migrants it is, myself included.

Good luck with your move!

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

The update forum is the ideal place for an update!

Just because the poster has decided that Australia isn't for him doesn't bar them from posting on the update forum.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

I don't think they want empathy, it's just an update of where they are now.

Good luck guys, you know whats right.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Is this just because they are shutting down starbucks at stockland :D;)

Good luck with the move back, 2.5 years is a fair amount of time to "give it a go". I hope everything back in the UK is what you want. :thumbsup:

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Each to their own, good luck

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

"I'll be earning way more in the UK than when I left 2 1/2 years ago...."

And just remember you will be spending a HUGE amount more too........

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Hi Olibeneli,

I have been reading some of the stories about how people are getting on, as we have spoken about the move and now are in the process of giving it ago.

Like you say it is all about home work, I am in the It industry and have been told it is a bit behind but well I hope that with this it might give me an advantage.

I normally only post questions on this forum as I am at the question stage, questioning everything.

But I just wanted to say that, things back in the UK have changed, the old local English pub is now not so local, and you are most likely to be served your Ale by not the friendly local landlord or landlady but from some Polish or other eastern European.

Things have changed quite a bit I feel, such as schools my kids go to a school and we have five children in the year do not speak English, only Polish or Russian, I am guessing your kids are older but I do think you will see quite a few changes now in the UK as well.

Good luck withy our move and new job non the less

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Oh yes pubs, 40% of all local pubs have been estimated to have closed within the last 4 years in the uk, another 30% have been predicted to close by the end of 2009. Also 77% of all clubs have closed down to with the workingmans clubs virtualy extinct. We now have hundreds of BARS that are all within 1 minute of each other that all look the same, and all staff are temps. Oh and dont forget the huge gangs of drunk people outside pubs on the streets (smoking lol) verbally abusing passers by! Its quite depressing! I need a drink!

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

And a smoke (LOL)....... our little local has closed down because of the smoking ban and like they say why would you go into a pub to have a drink when you can buy four cans of larger Tesco for pretty much the price of a beer in a pub.

it has changed a lot I dont want to complain, but the British Government seems to have an open door policy for every tom dick and harry to enter this country, and this is leading to problems. I am not saying if I move to Aus I wont have these problems, but I see more opportunites in Aus than in the UK

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Good luck on your move back. We gave Melbourne a go for nearly 3 yrs and have been back in the UK just over 2 years. We are now heading back to Brisbane to see if things work out for us there.

The UK is very expensive and we are earning very good wages but hubby can earn way more in his field in Oz and I dont need to work and can stay home with my kids at least till they start school. We have not got regrets for any of the moves we have done. It is character building if nothing else.

Hope the UK is everything you want and need it to be.

Jo

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

I dont wish to high jack Olibeneli thread here but I was just wondering how come you came back to the UK Jo. I am just interesed to know as we are thinking of Melbourne.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Or to put in less words-you're too good for Australia.;)

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Always a negative in there somewhere!

Carol.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

I guess there was a number of things, we found a home before jobs on the Mornington Peninsula then had to commute to the CBD which was 3 hrs round trip per day. Not ideal

We had our first child and the guilt kicked in regards denying her access to her extended family.

We missed our social life even more so once our daughter came along.

Now 3 yrs on we realise that a lot of it was to do with location and also adjustment to parenthood. We now rarely go out and the family thing didnt work out as we had hoped in the UK and it was pipe dreams.

So not really a problem with Melbourne we enjoyed it. We are going to Brisbane as hubby has landed a job there but we would have returned to Melbourne if the job came up there

Jo

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Yes I will be spending GB pounds and also earning GB pounds........what makes you think people in aus are not also spending huge amounts more than they used to ?.......interest rates for starters have jumped enormously.........

........ I have learnt a lot about what makes me happy.........and I won't be paying for schooling that teaches my kids how to colour in pictures.....OK petrol has gone up and so has food and much else........those costs have also gone up here in Australia and it's hurting a lot more. I never had a pay rise for two years and when you are earning AUS$ and paying for these increased things in AUS$ it hurts just like in the UK. Fortunately my new role will be paying me a great deal more than when I left but money aside, my brain will be fed stimulation and that has been seriously lacking here. I would pay a bit more on anything rather than go brain dead.

On a lighter note I also will not encounter pyjama clad shoeless people in the supermarket!

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Perhaps if they shut the whole of Stocklands down we might have a reason to stay..........their places are shite.....and I know a member of their board of directors....no wonder their places are crap.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Hi there

I went back to the UK last year....that's one year ago exactly. I experienced the traffic and the pubs and yes it's different to here.....some things worse some things better.

As for the IT industry.........my cousin here is in that industry. He cames out here 13 years ago and back then he said it was 10 years behind the UK. He now says it's 20 years behind. I know a great deal about financial systems and ERP implementations like SAP and Oracle..........most places here are seriosuly behind the UK.

I had interviews at Qantas and Bluescope Steel....big industries with big budgets and what I was told about their set up really opened my eyes. They are very behind period.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Hmmmmmm...that's what we thought.

You need people to do the menial jobs you know.....if a english person wants 500 quid a week to collect your rubbish but the council can get a legal Polish person to do it for 200.......and save you on your council tax what would you want the council to do ?

Turn that question to Aus where you seemingly need a degree to collect rubbish.....going to make for expensive council rates....

The education system here over the last 10 years has led to an epidemic of generation Y kids (kids that just say WHY all they time and have no drive in them 'cos they want everything now).....so to ensure employers take on intelligent kids they only want educated people.....and first theing they want is a degree.

My mate had 4 interviews to be a floor stacker in Bunnings....he was asked to go back for a 5th interview but told them stuff it.......how much can you interrogate someone over 5 interviews to do that kind of work ?. I had less interview time for a job as a finance dierctor of a large company responsible for a team and a budget. No disrespect to that sort of work but come on...being organised and getting the skills criteria for the job assessed can be done in 2 interviews, may be 3............but 5 ???

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

I'm not speaking for me, but my wife certainly is..!

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

I'd enjoy working somewhere that was "behind" in my field. It would mean great opportunities everywhere ...

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

That's what I thought too.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

You might think that, but often you'll find that people aren't open to the new (or recycled) ideas and way of doing things you might bring. They might pay you lip service, but trying to make a change is nigh on impossible.

As an example the OP mentions big IT projects. Those vendors he mentioned provide well established methodologies for running projects & implementations. It's not a case of "well, in the UK we did this and so should you" - these are globally adopted standards. I find as a general rule they aren't in the slightest bit adhered to in Aus, companies don't know or use them, and customers aren't prepared to pay for them. The result is poorly run, inefficient projects where invariably everyone gets burnt.

If it falls on deaf ears for long enough you'll give up trying to make a difference and accept the status quo.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

You are 100% DEAD RIGHT

What you describe here is so spot on its untrue...exactly what I have found.

Wollongong council was going to implement SAP..........wasted a few $Million then said nope it can't do what we want..........utter bollocks. What they meant to say is we didn't do our homework and to implement SAP is too expensive for us and we don't have the resources to do it in a sustainable way. If you research what went on in that debacle it's amazing the head of IT is still employed at the council..........but then again it was a council with its head up its arse. Thank god they got rid of the councillors and the old GM left before he got found out .........he's as guilty as those that got kicked out.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Always sad to see neighbours go - but pleased you've arrived at a conclusion you're all happy with. All the best back in the UK - whereabouts are you going to live?

:)

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Somewhere in the country in west sussex where I can walk to shops, walk to a pub and have a wide selection of decent restaurants within a 15 minute drive for the social scene. That kind of things just does not exist around where I have been living in Aus....oh yes...and pubs without the circus lights of pokies....

Aus grew up on the american urban sprawl model based on cheap fuel for cars so people could drive everywhere.....those days are gone. Who wants to spend/use a litre of fuel to go buy a litre of milk......'cos aus also grew up on totally unnecessary 4.0 litre V8 family saloons.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

With all due respect guys - I'd take issue with your assertion that 'Aus' grew up on the sprawl model. Yes - there are parts like that - indeed I'm very familiar with Shellharbour, Warrrawong, Wollongong and Albion Park - and what you've described is my idea of hell. But it sure as hell isn't all like that. I take it you drove down to this neck of the woods? Did you have a drink in the Berry Hotel or the Southern Cross? Or the Friendly Inn in Kangeroo Valley? Did you explore the Southern Higlhands - Bowral and Robertson? They couldn't be further removed from the sprawl you've mentioned. I respect your views and your desire to return for work reasons, but please don't suggest that the whole of Australia looks like Shellharbour.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Yep......did all that:

Bowral, Robertson, Berry, Gerringong, Berrima, etc..........nice places to live if you are a country gent (and in some cases don't want broadband at home) but useless for commuting to a job like mine and my wifes that is only going to exist in a major CBD area........and the next person that tells me Shellharbour or Wollongong is a city I will ....smack !....hence we should have done more homework on where to live for our work needs

Thanks for you words wishing us well...........was not an easy decision to reach to go back, but I can't go brain dead. Remember I had 23 interviews with no joy and Aus is supposed to be crying out for accountants......I must be shit is all I can conclude.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

All the places you list have full ADSL access at 8Mb down and 600kb upstream. I don't see myself as a country gent - all the ammenities I need are close to hand, north or south of here. But as you've pointed out - work is the big one and if you need to live near your job then you're stuck with certain areas.

Yea - they have strange definitions of cities here - apparently I live in the city of Shoalhaven. Oooh the bright lights. But then I used to live in Bath in the UK and that's classed as a city when in reality it's just a large town that did much of its sprawling during the Georgian and Victorian eras.

You're clearly not shit at your job as proven by the one you've landed back in the UK - but somethings just aren't meant to be. You're clearly disaffected with Australia beyond the job situation - you mention schooling and urban sprawl - so it's clearly the right decision. My sister-in-law lives down Surrey way - nice part of the world. :)

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Good luck back in the YUK :)

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Just a quick reply before bed:

Lady I work with lives in Figtree....very close to Wollongong and can't get broadband.

The nice places are too far away from the conurbations that will house the advanced work places for my wife and I........can't see too many SAP implementations down Kangaroo Valley or Berry....but I'd like to be proved wrong.

I sum things up as some things here in Aus are great and some things are done really well (my kids soccer for one).......but where it's done poorly or in a backward or slow way....noone wants to listen to change things for the better or just does not give a toss.

All that aside.....going to be hard to leave and hard to stay but we gotta have happy home life.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

You seem to be wanting to 'live to work' ! Who cares if Australia is 10 or 20 years behind. It makes for a less stressful life. I too am a highly skilled professional but I definitely want to 'work to live' and I'd defintely prefer to be in outside playing football with my children rather than sittting in a pub having a pint while its hissing down outside.

Hope you're going to earn a good wage in the UK to pay for the 35% increase in gas bills :D

Anyway good luck for the future.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Good post, Like you said , Research and more Research
Good Luck with your move.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

It's interesting how many people move to boring, isolated towns in Australia for the 'sun and lifestyle' only to return to the UK after a few years talking about how much they are looking forward to the rain....


I'm not having a go - I just think it's interesting that so many people think paradise is one thing, and then when they have that they realise they don't actually like it.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

I certainly enjoy my weekends and playing soccer....but I spend far more of my time at work and if that is shite how long can you suffer it. My threshhold may be lower than others. I also do not want my kids growing up in an area of underachievment because the planet these days operates as a global economy.........the particular area I am leaving does not offer enough variation for employment. Even my kids next door neighbour who wants to do hotel management says there is bugger all here and once he gets his degree he is offski.

What I save on school fees and stupid health costs I will pay for my increased gas bill. No pay rise in Australia for two years then I get a job back in the UK thats is GBP 20,000 more than 2 years ago it's no brainer.

Australia can be well suited to many people...just now we know after giving it a good go not us.....but my kids have had a great time and will miss many aspects.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Very true. I think the problem is that we Brits are sun-starved. Summers are so short and erratic that we place huge emphasis on it - too much probably.

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

Back to the Black Jug for a pint then?:)

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

A bit hypocritical aren't you!!!!!:thumbdown:

Re: Our story 2 1/2 years
 

I'll go anywhere for a pint that is not infested with sweaty blokes in singlets who look like they have not washed all week!. My local "pub" is a complete shithole....and that is all there is round here.....one pub.

If you are on about the Black Jug in Horsham....then yep that'll ding dang do for me.