Dilemma

[Grangey]

Hmm, to say I had abit of a sleepless night overthis last night would be an understatement. For those of you who havn't read my previous posts let me give you abit of an idea about me. I work in Recruitment here in Oxford UK, and earn a comfortable living at one of the most reputable recruitment brands.

I had a telephone converstation with an international Recruitment2Recruitment agency on monday regarding relocating to Brisbane, the market out there, realistic salary expectations, timelines, visas, etc etc.

Now I was originally expecting to be able to secure a position here in the UK and offered under a 457 Visa and potentially even a relocation package.

Now sinse the conversation I have been told although the proccess can certainly be started here in the UK an I can have teleconferances for first interviews etc, the most effective way which 80% of people that get positions out there take is to get the working holiday visa, have 2nd interviews when out there and after working with the company with a few months successfully, then obtain sponsership.

Now this leaves me with a predicament, my basic salary here covers all outgoing but I am rarely left with anything to save. Through sale of my modified car and bonus from work I now have just over £3k sat in the bank, which I know by most of your standards are low and probably is in general.

Now all this was planned on the pretext that it would probably take quite some time to get done etc, however after the conversation with the rec2rec, I could in fact be out there with a job by Feb. After hearing this I think it really grounded me as to just how big a move it really is, this coupled with the fact that a realistic basic salary was about $10,000 lower than I originally expected has really had to make me sit down and look at things.

Now I have debt overhere that I have no way of paying off anytime soon (the biggest of which has £10,000 still outstanding), now I have calculated that if i was to take this debt with me would cost $700 per month, which is certainly affordable but naturally still an expense. But now the fact I would have to fly out there by myself, on a temporary visa, to a country Ive never been to before, with knowone at all I know, has dawnted me.

So the Dilemma I have now is, do I simply take the risk that 90% of expats that have moved to Australia have done and move there cold turkey- forcing me to sell 90% of my posessions in the UK making it difficult if I was to return, but having the 3k to cover a single plane ticket, and have the rest to cover rent deposit (I would naturally have abit of extra money from things like car sale and furniture but these would have to be then paid out again for the same in Aus). Or do I delay the process some time, try and reduce my current outgoings as much as possible and use the extra to pay off my smaller debts, use the £3k to visit Brisbane for 2-3 weeks, and on the assumption I like it, then have no idea how long it would take to save that money do actually relocate out there as with the slowing economy I doubt I will see any bonuses for a while.

Now naturally I know this is a beg decision which only I can make, but I would be really keen to hear peoples thoughts on what you would do in my position? Im 21 so ok still got plenty of a life ahead of me, but then I was thinking of having a child when im 23/24 which is why getting to australia now and getting settled was so important to me.

Sorry for the massive essay and I hope it makes sense, but I just really want to know what you would do in my position?

[Grangey]

oh and I apologise in advance for all the bad spelling!

[kaz101]

Have you checked with any other agencies to see whether they say the same thing? The recruitment agencies I used to deal with in the UK often had their own agendas - of course I'm not saying that that could be happening here

Have you spoken with an agent to see if there are any other ways to get into Oz?

Personally I only do calculated risk and I wouldn't want to move with so little behind me (but I know others will say something else ) since there is nothing to fall back on here. There isn't any benefits system and doctors and dentists all cost money. Also I wouldn't want that sort of debt hanging over me when I move. I've been in (bad) debt before and it's not fun, and you have to cope with the changing exchange rate as well.

I would clear down the debt and build up some money. At 21 I wasn't doing either of those things I might add You have loads of time to move over (I was 38 when I applied for the visa) so there isn't any rush.

What do you want when you get to Oz?
By this I mean what sort of life do you want for yourself?

We wanted to leave the rat race - not move from one rat race just to another rat race with more sun. Other people move for different reasons.

Once you know why you're moving then the answer may be easier for you.

One other thing - what ever you decide to do will be right for you.

Regards,
Karen

[amaslam]

I think it really comes down to what Kaz says: What sort of life do you want?

You seem to have some serious financial obligations in the UK and moving to AU now may be very risky and could actually lower your standard of living.

I think based on your current info I wouldn't move at all. First you need to seriously do something about the debt (even if it takes a few years). Then after you've done that re-do the sums and see what is offered out here.

You should ideally come out here when you've eliminated most if not all of your discretionary debt, have some savings (first few months in AU use up funds during your setup), and you have a solid plan to be out here such that:

1. You improve your standard of living
2. Have identified what will make you happy by being here

When I came out here 5 yrs ago my circumstances were:

1. No personal debt
2. Late 20s age
3 5 yrs work experience in my field
4 Intra company transfer
5 AU economy doing well
6 Reasons other than money to come to AU, i.e. climate, beaches, wanted to do an expat position for a while, my skillset was needed here.

You're 21 now, I would plan to move here when you are between 23-25 if you've gotten rid of the discretionary debt by then. That will also let you get some more years experience and really define what you want to do in life and how you want your life to be.

[Dolly]

Hi Grangey,

Well to me it looks like the recruitment company wants their cake and eat it too. I definitely wouldn't move over to Australia on the pretext that I 'may' get a job after 3 months of being on a working holiday visa Have you approached any other companies to see what their system of doing things is like?

Is your job on the SOL? I can't remember your history but I'd investigate if there's another way of getting a visa so contacting some of the agents who post on here for their advice would be good.

TBH I'd be tempted to pass on this one.....you need something more substantial (and reliable) to work with. You're young...you have time to do it right.

Dolly

[IrishAngel]

Hi Grangey,

You are still very young and have plenty of time, i've just relocated to melbourne from Ireland with my husband and 2 kids, and i'm 32. Maybe you should concentrate on paying your debts off in UK and save up to come here debt free, or if the work situation in the uk is that bad then just go for it..... only you can decide, but bare in mind that you have plenty of time to make the move to OZ

Good Luck

Paula

[Bluecookie]

Now im in a different situation so i see things slighty different to the posts on here.

My partner is a PR, born in UK but moved to Oz when he was a kid and lived in Oz all his life, he has to go back before May 09 as he has been in the UK for 9 years and he only has a PR anyway because of that i have had to sort myself out so i can go with him.

I to like you have a loan, and credit card debt here in the UK and unless my house sells before 15th December (very unlikely) i will be moving over with only my last months wage. BUT i have secured a job on the 457 visa and start in January which is higher wage than i am currently on therefore i will be able to continue paying my loan and credit card off and still have plenty for a good lifstyle in Oz. Luckily my company is paying for relocation ie shipping, 4 weeks rent etc.

Until i start work i will be travelling Oz on the cheap, hostels, staying with family etc and anything that i will need money for such as car hire, the hostels i have already booked and paid online before i get there. Therefore i wont be spending out too much when im there.

So i dont think its a big issue moving over with debt still AS LONG as you have a secure job paying enough so that you still have a good lifstyle.

I would say that it would be best to try and secure a job before moving over as you could end up in a mess with finances if you end up out of work for a while. I would not put all your eggs in one basket and shop around over recruitment agencies and see what they say.

Hels