are you happy

[nikki]

It is interesting to read all the questions and answers but nobody is actually saying that they are glad that they have made the move and that they are happy. Are we all just following a pipe dream that doesn't exist? Its so hard to make sure we do they right thing.

[kaz101]

Hi Nikki,

Maybe it's an older post (or on a general forum) but I'm sure that there has been a post about people saying they are glad they made the move.

Just to be clear - We are very, very, very glad we made the move

I think it depends on people's expectations as to whether they are happy when they move out here. If people are running away from something rather than running to something, then they tend to take that with them.

You have to make an effort to get out and meet the locals. I found that some times I got fed up not knowing how thing worked but everyone around here was very helpful. It was just frustration on my part moving from somewhere where I was comfortable (I heard a great definition that comfortable is just boredom with good public relations! ) to somewhere where I didn't know how things worked and didn't know anyone there either. Now we've been here nearly 9 months - we're members of several local clubs and actually get recognised in the street! When we are not at events people miss us. Although I wouldn't say I've made any close friendships yet we are in the process of doing that, and starting our own mastermind group too.

Have there been challenges along the way? Yes, and some I just didn't see coming.

Do I regret the decision? No way. This is the best thing we've ever done.

I would say be realistic in your expectation in that there will still be bills to pay, work to go to, it's not always sunny, water shortages can be an issue depending on where you're moving to, and Australia has a culture (and language) all of it's own.

With the right attitude you won't have any problems at all.

Regards,
Karen

[Dolly]

Hi nikki,

We moved over to Victoria about 5 months ago now and I'm blissfully happy. I love the area we're in. I'm just off to take our dog for a walk along the beach, weather is great today. Our boys have settled well into school and socially, far exceeding my expectations.

We don't regret the move over for one minute. It took us a while, and we had some dodgy agent advice, but we made it in the end. I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to live here and my husband and me are always saying that we can't believe we actually live here.

To be able to make a success of it over here, you have to adapt. If you can do that and not compare everything to back in the UK, you'll be fine.

We are living our dream.

Dolly

[Tiffani]

I moved here from the US 2 months ago, and I definitely have culture shock moments sometimes. My situation is a bit different to a lot of people on here for a couple of reasons: 1. I'm not British! and 2. I didn't decide to move here on my own; it sort of fell in our laps by way of a job offer to my boyfriend.

We were happy in the US, but we decided to move to Oz because it was better for my boyfriend's career. He's a lecturer and if he became an Assistant Prof. in the US, he'd have to work like crazy for years only to MAYBE get tenure down the road. In Australia, the quality of life for academics is much better, although he still definitely works a lot.

We both think that we'll move back one day (he's from Italy but he considers the US to be "home" after living there for three years!) but it'll be several years because he needs to have enough experience to be able to negotiate for tenure when/ if we move back to the US.

There are days when I think I'll be happy here forever, and other times when I really miss home. Realistically, after a few years here, we'll probably feel very settled and very happy. But there will be an adjustment period that you should expect.

[nikki]

Thank you for the response, and it is reassuring to hear what you have to say.
As I am sure you found there is so much to take into consideration - I actually think that the deliberating part is the hardest part - I was saying this morning that if we could fast forward by 2 years I'm sure we would be really happy. It's just getting to that point and overcoming the guilt of leaving relatives!! etc

Will be in touch soon and thanks once again

Nikki:

[clairer]

I got here in jan08 and i was dreading leaving my family (who Im very close to) I would even cry when i thought about it! Now Im here Im fine if I let myself think about everyone i miss then yeah i would become upset, i chose to put it to the back of my head - am i happy? I HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER, i truly think its the best thing we have ever done and people ask - do you think you'll go back to UK - no way!! We live in a much nicer area we have money left over every week, Please take my advice and do it - you will only know when you see it/ live it for yourself!!