Debbie, hubby and 3 kids from UK- moving to OZ!

[Better-life]

Hi, Im sure I not the first to ask these questions, so I appologise if you have already answered them before. But, I am looking for ANY advice on help with moving to OZ from the UK. Have no idea wher to start or who to trust, in regaurds to agencies etc...my hubby could probably get a visa on his job, as he is a Construction Estimator and previously a Joiner, but I have been left to research everything and keep coming across so many websites, don't know where to turn.

I have 3 children under 6 years and kind of understand about OZ, I think, though I have guilt feelings about leaving my Mum and Dad, but, the benefits of moving to OZ are to appealing.

Any advice on areas that people have settled in etc... schools, general life out there????

MANY MANY THANKS - DEBBIE

[kaz101]

Welcome Debbie.

I went through all the websites (have you seen BritisgExpat website too?), the government ones too and we hired an emigration agent. They weren't cheap but they were worth it.

I'm an only child and my parents are still in the UK and we moved out here in July 2007 after about 5 years of getting visas and planning the move. It is tough but we call each other regularly and I left them with a computer, and a webcam so that we can chat and see each other through Skype. They were out here for a month recently and it was really sad to see them go - I was crying on and off for a few days but this is where I want to be.....

A lot of the emigration agents offer free interviews to check whether or not you can get into Oz - that's probably a good place to start. Make sure that you can get in first and on what kind of visa.

Regards,
Karen

[Better-life]

Hi Karen, thanks for replying - I take my hat off to anyone who does make the move, I just hope I am strong enough!!! I am waiting for a call from the visa bureau, as we past the first stage, then will have to see what happens?

Can I ask you where you have settled and what made you decide on that area and how you are finding it - enjoying it or still homesick???

Many Thanks Debbie

[kaz101]

Hi Debbie,

We actually came to Oz on the holiday of a lifetime about 6 years ago knowing we'd never be back! So we knew that different parts of Australia are very different so we actually had a few trips back here to see where we would want to live.

We don't have any kids so that wasn't a factor for us.
We wanted somewhere that was warm but not too hot. We didn't want to spend our lives in air con so for us that ruled out Perth and the Northern parts of Oz.
We wanted somewhere where we could pay our bills and mortgage and still have money left at the end of the month. We were leaving the UK to leave the rat race (we had lived just North of London in the UK!).
My husband wanted somewhere small since he's from a small village in Ireland, and I wanted somewhere with all the amenities - theatre, cinema, restaurants clubs we can join.
Our compromise was Mount Gambier in South Australia. It's South Australia's second largest city, and it's in the South close to the Victorian border. The climate is Mediterranean so it does get warm to hot, and doesn't usually freeze in the winter (we had one frost that was gone in an hour in July). It has about 25,000 people and more in the actual catchment area. There are no train services but there is coach and a small airport which goes to Melbourne or Adelaide. It has a small free wildlife park that has kangaroos, koalas, potaroos etc, and a sinkhole where you can see possums every evening.
We bought a 4 bedroom house on the side of a hill so the main living areas (bedrooms, lounge, bathroom & kitchen) are on the first floor, and the downstairs has the garage, another kitchen, laundry, family room and the office. All that was for A$280,000, and it has a decent size garden for my husband. The view from the main window over the town (sorry city ) is fantastic. We did think about moving to Adelaide but the prices were too much for us there since we wanted money to put aside and to invest in buying other properties (or maybe a business ) too.
I have not missed the UK yet. I have missed my family and friends. My parents came out for a month and went back a few weeks ago and that was sad. I cried on and off for a few days but I think it's worse for them. They are retired amd it's winter there in the UK. My Dad misses the sunshine here and the views from our house.
For the first few months I was too busy to miss anyone, but then as you settle in you realise that you don't know anyone other real estate agents and shop assistants! The neighbours are great and we went around and introduced ourselves to them. I joined a Home Based Business group (working from home online isn't great for meeting people) and the local Skilled Migrant Group. So now I'm out and about on a regular basis, and people are recognising me and saying hello. I didn't get that after 10 years of living in Hertfordshire since we were always working!
I think it's really important to make an effort and get out and meet people. I'm also starting up a local Toastmasters group and that is getting me known as well, and I drive an hour to the nearest group and they are a great bunch.
At the moment I wouldn't go back to the UK for anything. My goal for 2008 is to make more money so that I can visit my parents or pay to get them out here more often.

If there's anything I can help you with just let me know.

Regards,
Karen

[Better-life]

Hi,

Does sound good! I have been looking at Adelaide, as Im originaly from London and my husband is a Yorkshire-man, where we now live as a family, I love the people in yorkshire because they are very-very FRIENDLY! I would be the type of person who would go out and mix to make friends, which i would imagine in a foreign country is very important!

I like the idea of a city but away from the hussle and bussle when you need to be, and for my kids (and me) to be near a beach, that would be a dream, oh and the weather - would love my kids to play outside and generaly have a more active life style.

SHOPPING - is one of my biggest hobbies, I love i, and could not live without it, not designer, but just nice shops - clothes etc...what are shops like??

Do you mix with other expats or more with the australians?

Can your parents stay with you for 6 months for instance, every year, if money would allow it - is there a visa that allows this??

Thanks For Your Help - Debbie

[kaz101]

Hi Debbie,

I'm not a big shopping fan (unless it's books) but Adelaide has a fairly big shopping area in the centre and I'm sure there are other places as well (I don't know Adelaide that well).

I mix with everyone. As part of the Home Based Business group it's mainly Australians, and as part of the Skilled Migrant group it's mainly migrants with a few Aussie partners thrown in. As part of the Skilled Migrant group we meet a lot of locals and get them involved too.

Tourist visas only allow up to 3 months so anyone can come and visit for 3 months at a time. For anything longer I think you have to apply for a 'proper' visa.

Regards,
Karen