Toying with the idea of moving to Australia
Discussion
Hi all,
I am currently seriously considering relocating to Australia. This all started on a bit of a whim about 6 months ago when a friend of mine was saying how fantastic it would be to move down there. It go me thinking, and after some googling, youtubing etc., I was really quite blown away by what it looks like. I'm not one of those looking to get shot of the UK whenever a chance comes up, quite on the contrary, always been relatively happy. However, I made some phone calls, and some emails, and here we are 6 months down the line, with a job offer in hand from my currently employers who have offices in Sydney.
To give you some background on me, as it makes the whole decision so much easier than it would be for most. I am only 21, so pretty much have my whole life still in front of me; but obviously this would be complete a life changer. I don't have a partner, nor any kids so don't need to factor that in. I only rent, so no worries of selling a house. I do have a decent job, but at least staying with the same company, the position I've been offered is actually a more senior one to what I do currently. Without trying to make me sound horrible, but I'm not much of a family person. I left home at 16, and currently see my family every few months when I come home (I live about 200 miles away). Being 9,000 odd miles away, it may be different to how I think now, but I don't think I'd be too home sick missing my family.
As I said originally, I wasn't particularly looking to move, but since it's all got a bit more serious, I have really started to evaluate my life here in the UK. There a few reasons shouting at me to go.
First, the weather. I just the cold, dull, wet, dark, days. I know you can't guarantee sun and dry over there, and I'm not a sun worshiper, but it's just nice to have a warmer climate.
Second, the work/life balance. I hate how much I work. 8-5 most days, but I carry on working at night on my laptop, take work calls out of hours and email all over the weekend. It's become expected as most of my colleagues do this, but it just makes me feel like a I live to work rather than work to live. The amount of pressure and stress I get through my work, and as I said, I'm only 21 at the moment. In 10 years time, I can only see it getting worse. I know this might still be the case in Australia, but supposedly they just value their work/life balance more than what we do.
Three, getting away from our whole PC/Big Brother culture. I'm sure Australia has it's similar sort of thing, but especially being on PistonHeads, you can't even overtake any more without other road users getting all up tight as it's getting to the stage where it's almost not socially acceptable. Our PC society is crazy, with health and safety taken to the extreme. I found out the other day, one of nephews who has really bad eczma has some really strong cream for it. He was at nursery the other week, and was itching like mad. My sister in law left the school with this cream, asking could they apply if it got bad. They refused because they didn't want to be seen as paedophile or anything like that. How ridiculous. Not everyone is out to get one another.
Four, we are just so crowded now days. The fact Australia is SOO big, with yet such a small population, that really appeals to me. You just can't get away over here; there's always other people. Even with houses. I know I only rent, but I've rented the same home for two years now. It was on the outskirts of a small town, in a lovely area. Houses keep going up left right and centre now. They've just built a huge house at the back of my garden which has completely go rid of my view.
I'm just worried it may be a case of the grass is always greener on the other side; but if I really think about it; I just don't like the way our country is going. UKIP winning all this stuff is really scary to me.
But yeah, I guess the point to my post is I'm just after other peoples experiences if they are ex pats, or if you were in my position; young, footloose and fancy free. Would you give it a go. Worst case scenario if it does go tits up I can always move home. As I said, I've got no family I'm moving over and changing their lives too.
P.S. I would be travelling a working holiday visa valid for a year well I make sure it's for me. After that, I would seek permeant residency through skilled trade and employee nomination, so touch wood, I could easily make it a permanent move.
And just as an edit; I haven't touched on costs etc. The salary I'd be getting is around £50,000, so should be enough, even with Sydney being very expensive both to rent, and general living costs.
I am currently seriously considering relocating to Australia. This all started on a bit of a whim about 6 months ago when a friend of mine was saying how fantastic it would be to move down there. It go me thinking, and after some googling, youtubing etc., I was really quite blown away by what it looks like. I'm not one of those looking to get shot of the UK whenever a chance comes up, quite on the contrary, always been relatively happy. However, I made some phone calls, and some emails, and here we are 6 months down the line, with a job offer in hand from my currently employers who have offices in Sydney.
To give you some background on me, as it makes the whole decision so much easier than it would be for most. I am only 21, so pretty much have my whole life still in front of me; but obviously this would be complete a life changer. I don't have a partner, nor any kids so don't need to factor that in. I only rent, so no worries of selling a house. I do have a decent job, but at least staying with the same company, the position I've been offered is actually a more senior one to what I do currently. Without trying to make me sound horrible, but I'm not much of a family person. I left home at 16, and currently see my family every few months when I come home (I live about 200 miles away). Being 9,000 odd miles away, it may be different to how I think now, but I don't think I'd be too home sick missing my family.
As I said originally, I wasn't particularly looking to move, but since it's all got a bit more serious, I have really started to evaluate my life here in the UK. There a few reasons shouting at me to go.
First, the weather. I just the cold, dull, wet, dark, days. I know you can't guarantee sun and dry over there, and I'm not a sun worshiper, but it's just nice to have a warmer climate.
Second, the work/life balance. I hate how much I work. 8-5 most days, but I carry on working at night on my laptop, take work calls out of hours and email all over the weekend. It's become expected as most of my colleagues do this, but it just makes me feel like a I live to work rather than work to live. The amount of pressure and stress I get through my work, and as I said, I'm only 21 at the moment. In 10 years time, I can only see it getting worse. I know this might still be the case in Australia, but supposedly they just value their work/life balance more than what we do.
Three, getting away from our whole PC/Big Brother culture. I'm sure Australia has it's similar sort of thing, but especially being on PistonHeads, you can't even overtake any more without other road users getting all up tight as it's getting to the stage where it's almost not socially acceptable. Our PC society is crazy, with health and safety taken to the extreme. I found out the other day, one of nephews who has really bad eczma has some really strong cream for it. He was at nursery the other week, and was itching like mad. My sister in law left the school with this cream, asking could they apply if it got bad. They refused because they didn't want to be seen as paedophile or anything like that. How ridiculous. Not everyone is out to get one another.
Four, we are just so crowded now days. The fact Australia is SOO big, with yet such a small population, that really appeals to me. You just can't get away over here; there's always other people. Even with houses. I know I only rent, but I've rented the same home for two years now. It was on the outskirts of a small town, in a lovely area. Houses keep going up left right and centre now. They've just built a huge house at the back of my garden which has completely go rid of my view.
I'm just worried it may be a case of the grass is always greener on the other side; but if I really think about it; I just don't like the way our country is going. UKIP winning all this stuff is really scary to me.
But yeah, I guess the point to my post is I'm just after other peoples experiences if they are ex pats, or if you were in my position; young, footloose and fancy free. Would you give it a go. Worst case scenario if it does go tits up I can always move home. As I said, I've got no family I'm moving over and changing their lives too.
P.S. I would be travelling a working holiday visa valid for a year well I make sure it's for me. After that, I would seek permeant residency through skilled trade and employee nomination, so touch wood, I could easily make it a permanent move.
And just as an edit; I haven't touched on costs etc. The salary I'd be getting is around £50,000, so should be enough, even with Sydney being very expensive both to rent, and general living costs.
Edited by Phil117 on Sunday 1st June 22:02
If you don't go you could regret it for the rest of your life.
I wouldn't hesitate with your circumstances, just bear in mind a couple of points.
Cost of living in Oz isn't too bad, apart from the cost of housing in Sydney.
The general standards of driving are poor, and draconian speed enforcement has, if anything, made things worse. You could easily end with nostalgia about driving in the UK.
Frankly I don't know what you are waiting for - you can always move back to the UK - buy why would you?
I wouldn't hesitate with your circumstances, just bear in mind a couple of points.
Cost of living in Oz isn't too bad, apart from the cost of housing in Sydney.
The general standards of driving are poor, and draconian speed enforcement has, if anything, made things worse. You could easily end with nostalgia about driving in the UK.
Frankly I don't know what you are waiting for - you can always move back to the UK - buy why would you?
I would go and see, but have an open mind about it. Its not utopia by any means, but it certainly has some advantages over the UK. Equally there are disadvantages too; if you love driving you might be disappointed! Speed limits are very well enforced, and fines are expensive compared with home. Sydney is busy, and there isnt a lot of space in the middle of the city. The suburbs stretch for miles, and so getting away from it isnt as easy as you might think. £50k might sound a good salary as well, but you'll be paying $8 for a beer, so it doesnt go as far as it would in the UK.
All in all; go for it, but dont think you've done anything wrong if you dont like it and want to come back for whatever reason.
All in all; go for it, but dont think you've done anything wrong if you dont like it and want to come back for whatever reason.
I agree, there are advantages and disadvantages (having lived in both countries), but I think just going to any different country to live, to get the worldly experience tops all of it.
If you book a return ticket for 18-24 mths, don't like it and come back, you're still 23 and nobody will have noticed you left
If you book a return ticket for 18-24 mths, don't like it and come back, you're still 23 and nobody will have noticed you left
21, £50k salary, you have nothing to lose. Think of it as a new job that just happens to be a long way away, and if you tire of it, you don't have to stay there.
The only bit that sticks out in what you say is that UKIP 'scares' you. Yet it's the PC culture that you (and I) despise and its trite media soundbytes that has made you afraid of it. One of the unexpectedly refreshing things I found from going to NZ was that they are not ruled by the bloody EU! - they can actually run their country in their own best interests.
The only bit that sticks out in what you say is that UKIP 'scares' you. Yet it's the PC culture that you (and I) despise and its trite media soundbytes that has made you afraid of it. One of the unexpectedly refreshing things I found from going to NZ was that they are not ruled by the bloody EU! - they can actually run their country in their own best interests.
Phil117 said:
First, the weather. I just the cold, dull, wet, dark, days. I know you can't guarantee sun and dry over there, and I'm not a sun worshiper, but it's just nice to have a warmer climate.
Yep, it's pretty good.Phil117 said:
Second, the work/life balance. I hate how much I work. 8-5 most days, but I carry on working at night on my laptop, take work calls out of hours and email all over the weekend. It's become expected as most of my colleagues do this, but it just makes me feel like a I live to work rather than work to live. The amount of pressure and stress I get through my work, and as I said, I'm only 21 at the moment. In 10 years time, I can only see it getting worse. I know this might still be the case in Australia, but supposedly they just value their work/life balance more than what we do.
I don't think you'll find any difference here. What you do get however is more opportunity to do outdoorsy things in your free time.Phil117 said:
Three, getting away from our whole PC/Big Brother culture. I'm sure Australia has it's similar sort of thing, but especially being on PistonHeads, you can't even overtake any more without other road users getting all up tight as it's getting to the stage where it's almost not socially acceptable. Our PC society is crazy, with health and safety taken to the extreme.
You ain't seen nothing yet. Australia is the international grand champ when it comes to elf n safety, nanny state bulls
t and draconian road rules.Phil117 said:
Four, we are just so crowded now days. The fact Australia is SOO big, with yet such a small population, that really appeals to me. You just can't get away over here; there's always other people. Even with houses. I know I only rent, but I've rented the same home for two years now. It was on the outskirts of a small town, in a lovely area. Houses keep going up left right and centre now. They've just built a huge house at the back of my garden which has completely go rid of my view.
Sydney's not exactly low-density y'know.Phil117 said:
I'm just worried it may be a case of the grass is always greener on the other side; but if I really think about it; I just don't like the way our country is going. UKIP winning all this stuff is really scary to me.
But yeah, I guess the point to my post is I'm just after other peoples experiences if they are ex pats, or if you were in my position; young, footloose and fancy free. Would you give it a go. Worst case scenario if it does go tits up I can always move home. As I said, I've got no family I'm moving over and changing their lives too.
The grass really is greener I think. And if you don't find that to be the case, you've had an experience. I did the same when I was 26 and haven't looked back.But yeah, I guess the point to my post is I'm just after other peoples experiences if they are ex pats, or if you were in my position; young, footloose and fancy free. Would you give it a go. Worst case scenario if it does go tits up I can always move home. As I said, I've got no family I'm moving over and changing their lives too.
Phil117 said:
P.S. I would be travelling a working holiday visa valid for a year well I make sure it's for me. After that, I would seek permeant residency through skilled trade and employee nomination, so touch wood, I could easily make it a permanent move.
You sure about that? Unless things have changed while your working holiday visa is valid for a year, you can (used to be able to) only work for the same employer for 3 months. After that you're going to need a different type, such as a 457 temporary resident (4 year) visa. Your employer will have to jump through various hoops to get you this.Phil117 said:
And just as an edit; I haven't touched on costs etc. The salary I'd be getting is around £50,000, so should be enough, even with Sydney being very expensive both to rent, and general living costs.
You should be fine on that if you've no home-owning aspirations.Edited by Phil117 on Sunday 1st June 22:02
You should definitely do it.
I say do it.
I came over on a 457 15 years ago and fell in love with the place. It has changed markedly since i have been here in that time though. It has been hard but worth it. I came back to the UK for a holiday last year and it cemented in me that i had made the right choice. Work life balance is a different beast here. I work 7:30 till 5, but when i finish work I'm straight off to the gym for a session as the cold winter months don't leave much to do at night other than sedentary pursuits. But summer here is ace. All the crap in your life peels away when the sun is shining and that happens a lot more than old Blighty.
You will find that socially nobody cares about airs and graces, along as you are a decent chap and can take and give in equal measures. My scope of friends here vary from billionaires to povvos like me and yet we all have common interests overlap. That for me is what this country is about. Hard work does get you ahead here. Even tradies live the high life here.
If you are into cars then i suggest that you find another hobby. Driving and general tossing about in cars is a fking chore here. Constant overbearing scrutiny and draconian measures abound here the likes you will not have experienced in the UK. 3kms over, tut tut sir heres a 150 dollar fine and go think about the kittens and babies you could have killed...
But that is the only downside of a few negatives here. Aussies on the whole are OK but they don't get our subtle aloofness and dark humour as easily so you will have to dumb it down a whiles as you get settled in. The girls love it though. The english accent got me so much quality poon when I first got here haha.
So come on over, have a blast and if you hate it, at least you did it. There are so many boring small minded oiks in the UK, don't be one of them.
I came over on a 457 15 years ago and fell in love with the place. It has changed markedly since i have been here in that time though. It has been hard but worth it. I came back to the UK for a holiday last year and it cemented in me that i had made the right choice. Work life balance is a different beast here. I work 7:30 till 5, but when i finish work I'm straight off to the gym for a session as the cold winter months don't leave much to do at night other than sedentary pursuits. But summer here is ace. All the crap in your life peels away when the sun is shining and that happens a lot more than old Blighty.
You will find that socially nobody cares about airs and graces, along as you are a decent chap and can take and give in equal measures. My scope of friends here vary from billionaires to povvos like me and yet we all have common interests overlap. That for me is what this country is about. Hard work does get you ahead here. Even tradies live the high life here.
If you are into cars then i suggest that you find another hobby. Driving and general tossing about in cars is a f
king chore here. Constant overbearing scrutiny and draconian measures abound here the likes you will not have experienced in the UK. 3kms over, tut tut sir heres a 150 dollar fine and go think about the kittens and babies you could have killed... But that is the only downside of a few negatives here. Aussies on the whole are OK but they don't get our subtle aloofness and dark humour as easily so you will have to dumb it down a whiles as you get settled in. The girls love it though. The english accent got me so much quality poon when I first got here haha.
So come on over, have a blast and if you hate it, at least you did it. There are so many boring small minded oiks in the UK, don't be one of them.
In the main I'd say go for it but some caveats...
$50k is not much, our receptionist in Central Sydney earns $65k. Advertise a job for less than $60k and you'll get no takers worth employing.
If you are talking about a 417 visa then that only allows you to work for one employer for 6 months, you can stay for a year but the other six months you have to work for another employer or holiday or study (for up to four months).
So I'd question what your employer is doing only offering you $50k and no 457.
As for Australia itself, great country, obviously it is hot, personally I avoid the summer, I'm better when it's cooler but that is personal choice. Sydney is a city that's crowded though, particularly in bits where you can afford to live. It's also not a place to drive, not that you'd be able to run a car on that salary.
.
But try it, you'll forever wonder about it if you don't.
$50k is not much, our receptionist in Central Sydney earns $65k. Advertise a job for less than $60k and you'll get no takers worth employing.
If you are talking about a 417 visa then that only allows you to work for one employer for 6 months, you can stay for a year but the other six months you have to work for another employer or holiday or study (for up to four months).
So I'd question what your employer is doing only offering you $50k and no 457.
As for Australia itself, great country, obviously it is hot, personally I avoid the summer, I'm better when it's cooler but that is personal choice. Sydney is a city that's crowded though, particularly in bits where you can afford to live. It's also not a place to drive, not that you'd be able to run a car on that salary.
.
But try it, you'll forever wonder about it if you don't.
Phil117 said:
Three, getting away from our whole PC/Big Brother culture. I'm sure Australia has it's similar sort of thing, but especially being on PistonHeads, you can't even overtake any more without other road users getting all up tight as it's getting to the stage where it's almost not socially acceptable. Our PC society is crazy, with health and safety taken to the extreme. I found out the other day, one of nephews who has really bad eczma has some really strong cream for it. He was at nursery the other week, and was itching like mad. My sister in law left the school with this cream, asking could they apply if it got bad. They refused because they didn't want to be seen as paedophile or anything like that. How ridiculous. Not everyone is out to get one another.
Without meaning to be disparaging, from this comment it's obvious you've not had a lot of experience of the rest of the world, which is to be expected when I read that you're only 21.Australia is in a whole different league to us when it comes to nanny state, PC, H&S culture.
For some reason I still haven't figured out, the Olympic circus follows the OZ model of H&S and it's an utter pain in the proverbial. You literally can't do anything without someone wagging a finger at you, unless you jump through the myriad of bureaucratic hoops, which are seemingly just in place to hinder you doing your job.
The UK, believe it or not, is quite liberal on the world stage, particularly the English speaking countries; for instance, you can exceed the speed limit by a reasonable amount regularly, and not get caught, providing of course, you don't go through one of our nice, bright yellow, speed cameras.
The police are quite likely just to give you a ticking off if you're only a little bit over the limit, and they don't hide behind bushes waiting for you.
And you can cross the road anywhere you like. Daft as that sounds, in many parts of the world you can't, you have to wait for the green man or equivalent. In America or Canada, the police will actually stop you and give you a b
king if you 'jaywalk', i.e. don't use the proper crossing at the right time.That said, I liked Australia, just don't go expecting it to be a panacea, some things will be better, some things worse. Essentially you'll swap one set of issues for another. To be fair, you'll probably love it, especially if you like the outdoor scene.
Go with the attitude that it's progress for you; your career will probably benefit as travel definitely makes one a more rounded individual.
Do it, I'm now 30 and when I was slightly older than you I backpacked the world and spent time in Australia, loved it and Canada from a living there point of view. Looked at moving to Canada but it didn't happen now my wife and I have discussed moving to Australia but don't want to take our son away from his grandparents plus we can't afford to take so many job risks and we wish we'd done it earlier. Family is the only reason we're staying but it sounds like you don't have that attachment so no reason not to go.
Don't suffer the same regret, as has been said previously in all likelihood the worst thing that'll happen is in 12 months you decide it's not for you and move back and if that happens you'd appreciate the things over here that you take for granted at the moment.
Don't suffer the same regret, as has been said previously in all likelihood the worst thing that'll happen is in 12 months you decide it's not for you and move back and if that happens you'd appreciate the things over here that you take for granted at the moment.
Phil117 said:
you can't even overtake any more without other road users getting all up tight as it's getting to the stage where it's almost not socially acceptable.
There are many great reasons to move to Oz but for gawd's sake don't move there because you think the driving will be better. Petrol is a lot cheaper but speed limits are stupidly low and strictly enforced.Sydney is a physically a very big city. Depending on where your companies office is, your commute may be no better than what you now suffer. To me these days, it would be hell on wheels, for a youngster it should be a welcome challenge.
However that is the worst of it. Apart from snow skiing, there is very little you might want to do, that you won't find catered for, & an enthusiastic bunch of people to do it with, in Sydney. Any one who can't find all they want is not really looking.
It can be expensive if you bring a wife with you. My doctor & his wife are both Poms. SWhe keeps him poor, [well relatively], flying "home" with the kids to visit the grand parents a couple of times a year.
So do it now, while you are still free.
However that is the worst of it. Apart from snow skiing, there is very little you might want to do, that you won't find catered for, & an enthusiastic bunch of people to do it with, in Sydney. Any one who can't find all they want is not really looking.
It can be expensive if you bring a wife with you. My doctor & his wife are both Poms. SWhe keeps him poor, [well relatively], flying "home" with the kids to visit the grand parents a couple of times a year.
So do it now, while you are still free.
Jader1973 said:
Let me see.....would I move here if I was 21 and single?
GET ON THE fkING PLANE! TODAY!!
Why are you still reading this? MOVE!
Amen! GET ON THE f
kING PLANE! TODAY!!Why are you still reading this? MOVE!
Sydney is an ace city I lived there when I first came out. My apartment overlooked Lavender Bay. Imagine waking up every morning and having the iconic bridge and harbour bridge as your breakfast backdrop. Flat share if you have to but do it now that you have no ties. I moved to Melbourne and it's perfect for my life. Me and the mrs who is an Aussie have been together for 14 years now, we own a nice house in a beachside suburb and life is great.
This is the view from the end of my street, I cycle for 5 minutes, grab a coffee with the boys and then we do our ride. Perfect.
Sure beats a cold windswept ride along some filthy B road!
Gassing Station | Australia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff