Quote:
Originally Posted by sachkrimbo
Dear All,
Please forgive me if this has been done a million times, I am completely new to forums/chat rooms etc.
My husband has recently been 'given the nod' that he may be up for redundancy and we have decided to check out our options before he gets pushed. We have thought about emigrating on lots of occasions, last being before kids started school, but haven't taken the plunge because of family commitments in England. I am a nurse and have checked out jobs, it seems there are opportunities for me to get a job but not sure about my husband (who is in IT). Anyway, after all that, our main concern is whether we would be swapping one 'rat race' for another, obviously a lot of that is up to us but is the quality of life really better, are the streets really paved with gold  Anyone who has moved with kids ( 6 & 3), do you think it has really benefitted them?
Thank you to anyone who isn't completely bored with all this and responds. |
Hi all,
After moving from the UK in the 1990's (firstly to New Zealand and since 2001 have been in Australia), I am happy to offer the following advice for people thinking about coming to Australia.
I read on this forum so many; "What will it be like?", "What is that like?", "Where is the best place?", "Will it be the same?" etc etc. Listed below are some realities from a first hand experience, some you will like, others you won't, but I hope it helps.....
Don't expect it to be sunny and warm all the time, like it is on 'Home and Away etc. It isn't! Yes, there are warm places in Oz, but also some cold ones. We live in Queensland (the sunniest state) but have had minus temperatures this winter.
Don't expect good customer service. You won't get it! If you ask a man to come and repair your roof today, he will laugh. Expect next Thursday
Do expect to be called a whingeing Pom! Give your own back (Ned Kelly, criminals etc) and they will respect you for it.
Do expect to see spiders, some very large and many poisionous. My advice if you have a morbid fear is to get therapy now, or don't come.
Don't expect to be able to walk down to the local pub. There won't be one! If there is, it will be nothing like the one you left in the UK.
Don't expect the roads to be in good condition. Even in the large cities some of the roads are no better than 'goat tracks'.
Do expect to be taxed on everything! We live in the highest taxing country in the world. You even get taxed when you buy a second hand car from Mr Jones down the street!
Do expect generally warm, sunny days (except in winter unless you live in Darwin). Excellent beaches and a laid back lifestyle.
Don't expect 'corporateness'. Even the CEO is addressed by his first name.
Do expect a very frustrating health system where everything is geared towards private health insurance. My advice? Don't buy private health insurance. Get a Medicare Card and if you need something urgently, pay for it there and then.
Don't expect the same standard of housing and build quality as in the UK. You won't get it!
Do expect a much higher standard of living than in the UK. For skilled people, you will earn the same in Aussie Dollars as you did in UK Pounds, but then things will prove to be much cheaper than you're used to!
Do expect much better fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.
Do expect excellent cold beer (but get used to people asking you if you prefer warm beer!).
Do expect a much cleaner country than the UK. We have NO dog poo on the pavements.
Do expect frustrating telecommunications (i.e. Internet). Telstra have a monopoly on it here and what they say, goes!
Don't expect to see many snakes. They hate humans! We've been here 7 years and I have seen one live snakes and 3 or 4 road kill and we live in a country town.
Don't expect to see crocodiles, even in Darwin, except in a zoo.
Do expect waking up at 4am in summer in Queensland (we have no daylight saving) and expect it to be dark at 7pm.
Do expect a frustrating banking system where not only do you get charged for everything, you will have to pass a 'points test' to even open an account (based on forms of ID, Aussie passport will get you 200 points, a UK passport will get you zilch!).
Do expect to be bitten to death by mozzies and sandflies. Fill your cupboards with personal bug spray, fly spray and stronger chemicals (Mortein). You WILL need them.
Don't expect a higher standard of education. You won't get it. There is no national curriculum as each state has it's own rules.
Do expect high patriotism. Australians think there is only one country and one race in the world...Australia and Australians.
These are general, everyday do's and don'ts. Above all else, remember things ARE different here. It's a DIFFERENT country. Yes, we speak English, yes we drive on the left and yes, a lot of Aussies came from English stock. That's where the similarity ends.
When moving countries, or even towns my advice is this. You MUST give it two years before you decide if you like it or not. The ones that manage that two year barrier generally go on to stay.
There are some negatives in the above statements, but believe me, I live here and now wouldn't live anywhere else in the world. I think it's a wonderful, clean, warm, open country in which to live your life. I only hope you give it the chance it deserves.
I am more than happy to continue to help with specific questions but I hope this helps make up your mind. Hope to see you in Oz one day!