Am I doing the right thing.
Discussion
So the mrs is in the second year of what will probably be a 4 year study qualifying her as a psychotherapist. Then she wants to move to Melbourne to set up shop, and be nearer her parents as they age (Canberra)
At this point I'll be 45. Visa shouldn't be an issue (she's one of theirs). I've been to aus several times and on the whole love it, the no bulls hit attitude compared to London goes down well. Also I'm not getting younger, the healthcare system there dumps all over the nhs. Also London seems to be engineering itself a deliberate city-wide traffic jam, apparently to "discourage driving". Fine, except when you have half a ton of tools and equipment to carry tube trains and bicycles are a trifle impractical. I don't know where this ends but I'm getting really, really quite sick of it, and the shocking behaviour it precipitates.
But man. I'm leaving behind a business - very experienced sparky, nic-eic approved contractor who doesn't advertise, and gets to turn down work if i don't like you, to go work as an "improver" for a year before they'll let me be a "real" sparky!
Fewer gigs, we go out all the time, everything from stadium tours and music festivals to little bands playing to 50 people. It's practically why I moved to London, everyone and their dog comes through here. I know Melbourne has a vibrant scene but its not all the metal/punk etc stuff I grew up loving. No easy access to half the F1 calendar, or anywhere near the same amount of top level motorsport, even watching it will be a chore most of the time due to the timing. And all of Europe a cheap flight away!
But then, crappy as it is lockdown has shown I can live without it all and most of my favourite bands probably don't have that many tours left in them now!
Leaving my parents to grow old here feels a dereliction, but we aren't very close - TBH I feel more duty to the in laws.
This isn't a "should I" as I've agreed so it's kind of a fait accompli at this point, but tell me I'm doing the right thing!!
At this point I'll be 45. Visa shouldn't be an issue (she's one of theirs). I've been to aus several times and on the whole love it, the no bulls hit attitude compared to London goes down well. Also I'm not getting younger, the healthcare system there dumps all over the nhs. Also London seems to be engineering itself a deliberate city-wide traffic jam, apparently to "discourage driving". Fine, except when you have half a ton of tools and equipment to carry tube trains and bicycles are a trifle impractical. I don't know where this ends but I'm getting really, really quite sick of it, and the shocking behaviour it precipitates.
But man. I'm leaving behind a business - very experienced sparky, nic-eic approved contractor who doesn't advertise, and gets to turn down work if i don't like you, to go work as an "improver" for a year before they'll let me be a "real" sparky!
Fewer gigs, we go out all the time, everything from stadium tours and music festivals to little bands playing to 50 people. It's practically why I moved to London, everyone and their dog comes through here. I know Melbourne has a vibrant scene but its not all the metal/punk etc stuff I grew up loving. No easy access to half the F1 calendar, or anywhere near the same amount of top level motorsport, even watching it will be a chore most of the time due to the timing. And all of Europe a cheap flight away!
But then, crappy as it is lockdown has shown I can live without it all and most of my favourite bands probably don't have that many tours left in them now!
Leaving my parents to grow old here feels a dereliction, but we aren't very close - TBH I feel more duty to the in laws.
This isn't a "should I" as I've agreed so it's kind of a fait accompli at this point, but tell me I'm doing the right thing!!
Do it.
You might have to bite your tongue a bit to be an apprentice for a while, but the tradesmen here are pretty ropey in my experience - if you're as good as you say you are and have a half-way professional attitude you'll do great business.
Melbourne is the equal of London in terms of stuff going on imo. It's ridiculously expensive, but not as absurdly so as London. I miss having Europe on the virtual doorstep (ie a short flight away) but on the other hand, there are so many amazing places to visit in Australia, it's a flight (OK, a longish one) to Asia and the Pacific.
The cliches are pretty much true: The lifestyle is 1000x better than in the UK; people have a positive attitude; culture is vibrant, open, and welcoming; less bulls
t, less obsession with superficialities; weather even in Melbourne (notorious among Australians for it's awful climate) is typically better than anywhere in the UK.
Better to do it than not. If you're miserable you can always go back.
You might have to bite your tongue a bit to be an apprentice for a while, but the tradesmen here are pretty ropey in my experience - if you're as good as you say you are and have a half-way professional attitude you'll do great business.
Melbourne is the equal of London in terms of stuff going on imo. It's ridiculously expensive, but not as absurdly so as London. I miss having Europe on the virtual doorstep (ie a short flight away) but on the other hand, there are so many amazing places to visit in Australia, it's a flight (OK, a longish one) to Asia and the Pacific.
The cliches are pretty much true: The lifestyle is 1000x better than in the UK; people have a positive attitude; culture is vibrant, open, and welcoming; less bulls
t, less obsession with superficialities; weather even in Melbourne (notorious among Australians for it's awful climate) is typically better than anywhere in the UK.Better to do it than not. If you're miserable you can always go back.
I did it and dont regret it.
When I was talking it through with the mrs we came to the conclusion that if we didnt do it the question would always be - "what if we HAD gone to live in Aus."
Anyway 3.5 years in Permanent Resident living in a covid free state and enjoying the swimming pool in the back garden every day.
When I was talking it through with the mrs we came to the conclusion that if we didnt do it the question would always be - "what if we HAD gone to live in Aus."
Anyway 3.5 years in Permanent Resident living in a covid free state and enjoying the swimming pool in the back garden every day.
Do it 
Been here 3.5 years now (South Australia).
The lifestyle here is quite a bit different - in a good way.
People on the whole are very friendly.
Work wise, things move a alot slower but there is less b*llst involved in most cases.
My 2 kids absolutly love it and have adapted really well (currently 8 and 12).
Most weekends we do something outside: bike riding, surfing, beach walks/swimming, etc.
I miss my parents and some friends but my parents travel out here (when possible) for long holidays.
Just expereinced the hospital system here for the first time (public and private) and have been very impressed on the speed of diagnosis.
Any specific questions, message me.
Been here 3.5 years now (South Australia).
The lifestyle here is quite a bit different - in a good way.
People on the whole are very friendly.
Work wise, things move a alot slower but there is less b*lls
t involved in most cases.My 2 kids absolutly love it and have adapted really well (currently 8 and 12).
Most weekends we do something outside: bike riding, surfing, beach walks/swimming, etc.
I miss my parents and some friends but my parents travel out here (when possible) for long holidays.
Just expereinced the hospital system here for the first time (public and private) and have been very impressed on the speed of diagnosis.
Any specific questions, message me.
Echoing some of the healthcare-related comments. No disrespect to the professionals within the system, but the nonsense us Brits have swallowed for years about the NHS being the envy of the World is just that - nonsense. All good, I suppose, for free at the point of use, but for the small amount you pay for insurance and here and there minor charges, the Australian system is far more efficient, efficacious and versatile in terms of considering more than the standard "take some pills, bugger off" that a trip to the doc often involves in Britain.
On that note, my experience has been that most services are much more accessible and flexible. We arrived with a 6 month old baby. Accessing child health services in the UK involved jumping about between organisations, multiple phone calls, "press 3 for blah blah" functions, emails, security passwords, insert the fifth and eighth digit of your date of birth", being on hold interminably, etc. before finally speaking to a human. In Oz, we knocked on the door of the toy library round the corner, someone answered even though they had just shut for the afternoon, gave us a number, we called, got answered after one ring by a human who booked us in for an appointment with a nurse two days later.
Flip side - some things are bizarre/irritating to British eyes, some silly, some more significant:
- They call bed linen and stuff "manchesters". Kind of makes sense in a way, histrorically speaking, but they don't call cutlery "Sheffields", so WTF?
- They are VERY risk averse, follow rules to the letter - hence the virtual zero breaking of COVID rules last year, but also the fascist style punishment for being 1mph over the speed limit.
- Not a lot of imagination/initiative - I feel sometimes when working with colleagues you have to spell every single thing out explicitly, they don't get subtlety or have much grasp of taking the initiative on things.
- Laidback culture which is good but also sometimes a bit old fashioned and conservative, especially in respect of gender roles, parenting and so on.
On that note, my experience has been that most services are much more accessible and flexible. We arrived with a 6 month old baby. Accessing child health services in the UK involved jumping about between organisations, multiple phone calls, "press 3 for blah blah" functions, emails, security passwords, insert the fifth and eighth digit of your date of birth", being on hold interminably, etc. before finally speaking to a human. In Oz, we knocked on the door of the toy library round the corner, someone answered even though they had just shut for the afternoon, gave us a number, we called, got answered after one ring by a human who booked us in for an appointment with a nurse two days later.
Flip side - some things are bizarre/irritating to British eyes, some silly, some more significant:
- They call bed linen and stuff "manchesters". Kind of makes sense in a way, histrorically speaking, but they don't call cutlery "Sheffields", so WTF?
- They are VERY risk averse, follow rules to the letter - hence the virtual zero breaking of COVID rules last year, but also the fascist style punishment for being 1mph over the speed limit.
- Not a lot of imagination/initiative - I feel sometimes when working with colleagues you have to spell every single thing out explicitly, they don't get subtlety or have much grasp of taking the initiative on things.
- Laidback culture which is good but also sometimes a bit old fashioned and conservative, especially in respect of gender roles, parenting and so on.
forzaminardi said:
Echoing some of the healthcare-related comments. No disrespect to the professionals within the system, but the nonsense us Brits have swallowed for years about the NHS being the envy of the World is just that - nonsense. All good, I suppose, for free at the point of use, but for the small amount you pay for insurance and here and there minor charges, the Australian system is far more efficient, efficacious and versatile in terms of considering more than the standard "take some pills, bugger off" that a trip to the doc often involves in Britain.
I'd echo this comment. As an example, our Doctors are open seven days a week, and on most bank holidays (I think they take Christmas day off). Yes, you have to pay but that is fine by me given the level of service.The only advice I'd give is to take out private health insurance. The public system is very good, but the private system is exceptional based on my experience.
well to coin a phrase "yee nah"
I think it very much depends on your circumstances as to whether private health is worth it. - particularly if get a policy worth having and you are a family (big premium) earning decent mony (no rebate).
The GP visits are free, and ER is free too. Ambulance Victoria is worth getting to save you $$$$$$$$$$$$$ if you need a helicopter ambulance though.
Funny thing I notice is how those with private health seem to be almost looking forway to make a claim eg. physio, or a chiropractor, or new specs every year,etc. and yet they moan when their premium increases lol .
I think it very much depends on your circumstances as to whether private health is worth it. - particularly if get a policy worth having and you are a family (big premium) earning decent mony (no rebate).
The GP visits are free, and ER is free too. Ambulance Victoria is worth getting to save you $$$$$$$$$$$$$ if you need a helicopter ambulance though.
Funny thing I notice is how those with private health seem to be almost looking forway to make a claim eg. physio, or a chiropractor, or new specs every year,etc. and yet they moan when their premium increases lol .
We were a bit unsure at first as we had just managed to scrape into the Working Holiday scheme, and were already both 30 when we got here. But, quickly found our feet and got on with it, and just enjoyed the lifestyle more.
That was just over 18 years ago, and we've been back to the UK a handful of times since. We do get the guilt about leaving older parents - MrsPB's are 78 and 86, and my mum died last year, whilst we were all in lockdown, which wasn't an easy time. But usually, the UK is only 24 hours away, so its not that far really. All our parents have been over at some point, and once here, they realise why we're here and not going back.
I've probably seen more bands and sporting events here than I did in the UK as there's less competition for tickets - those that come here will always do SYD/MEL and maybe PER/BNE. Plus all the spin-offs from the different festivals means there are usually a few gigs to be seen at any one time. Seeing Massive Attack play, outside, on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House was a good one.
As for jobs, one of the tradies I've used for about 15 years now, is a sparks originally from Bath. He did his apprenticeship and first 10 years of career in the UK and now runs his own business - apparently no more tricky to do than in the UK. Yes, standards are different, and yes you'll have to do more training to be locally qualified - but that's the same for all of us.
There's even decent beer now!
That was just over 18 years ago, and we've been back to the UK a handful of times since. We do get the guilt about leaving older parents - MrsPB's are 78 and 86, and my mum died last year, whilst we were all in lockdown, which wasn't an easy time. But usually, the UK is only 24 hours away, so its not that far really. All our parents have been over at some point, and once here, they realise why we're here and not going back.
I've probably seen more bands and sporting events here than I did in the UK as there's less competition for tickets - those that come here will always do SYD/MEL and maybe PER/BNE. Plus all the spin-offs from the different festivals means there are usually a few gigs to be seen at any one time. Seeing Massive Attack play, outside, on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House was a good one.
As for jobs, one of the tradies I've used for about 15 years now, is a sparks originally from Bath. He did his apprenticeship and first 10 years of career in the UK and now runs his own business - apparently no more tricky to do than in the UK. Yes, standards are different, and yes you'll have to do more training to be locally qualified - but that's the same for all of us.
There's even decent beer now!
hman said:
I think it very much depends on your circumstances as to whether private health is worth it. - particularly if get a policy worth having and you are a family (big premium) earning decent mony (no rebate).
I did feel it was a bit like pouring money down the drain until my wife was diagnosed with something nasty and needed a huge operation. We added it up to around $40k all in.Made the previous 10 years of about $3k average per year more than worth it!
DO IT.
I've been living in Oz off and on since 2007. Based permanently since 2013. I do have to work overseas sometime. I've lived Perth, Brisbane, and now NSW. Australia is 100% the way to go. I'm mid 50's have same issues with parents in UK but lifestyle, weather, people, opportunities for your kids all way better.
Yes its the UK and don't try and make it to be. Embrace the Aussie lifstyle, weather and people and you'll never look back.
I've been living in Oz off and on since 2007. Based permanently since 2013. I do have to work overseas sometime. I've lived Perth, Brisbane, and now NSW. Australia is 100% the way to go. I'm mid 50's have same issues with parents in UK but lifestyle, weather, people, opportunities for your kids all way better.
Yes its the UK and don't try and make it to be. Embrace the Aussie lifstyle, weather and people and you'll never look back.
hman said:
I think it very much depends on your circumstances as to whether private health is worth it. - particularly if get a policy worth having and you are a family (big premium) earning decent mony (no rebate).
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you're on a temporary visa, private health cover is a visa requirement I think. I am looking forward to not paying that very soon...We (myself, wife and son) emigrated 7 years ago when I was 45, came out on a sponsored visa and just been granted citizenship (at the next ceremony), lived in Perth for a few years and now on the Central Coast in NSW.
We left parents behind but they were all for us making the move.
Since emigrating and working for US companies covering APAC I've been lucky enough to travel extensively across Asia and the US, not an opportunity I would have had in the UK.
Our only regret is not doing it sooner.
Stef
We left parents behind but they were all for us making the move.
Since emigrating and working for US companies covering APAC I've been lucky enough to travel extensively across Asia and the US, not an opportunity I would have had in the UK.
Our only regret is not doing it sooner.
Stef
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