Pro's and Con's

[Hoo]

Can anyone tell me what are the pro's and con's to moving to Australia.

We're currently in the process of considering emigrating to Australia, so that our two Daughter's have a better future, than here in England. My Brother-in-Law emigrated last year and seem to have settled well.

I would like an unbiased opinion from anyone who is living in Australia, i.e., would you come back to Blighty or is everything greener on the otherside?

[Halo]

If you are expecting England with sunshine... you are in for a shock....
(I have not moved their yet but have worked and spent many months there)

If you like the 80's/90's -> Thats OZ

I think you have to be a bit more specific WRT your question.

The reason I am going is for the kids...

Regards
Karl

[Hoo]

My Brother has been to Oz for a holiday only and he has said that it was very 80's/90's. But that's on holiday.

Everything is nice on holiday, but I want to know about working, schooling, lifestyle etc. etc.

Our local secondary school isn't great and I would like to know what Australian Schools have to offer that English school's can't deliver.

Also, childcare, activities for children, days out etc.

Claire

[Halo]

Working was very laid back.... compared to my job back in the UK.

It seems that there is still disciple in schools and respect for the elderly etc etc.... Chav (bogen??) culture has not taken hold as it has in the UK.

If you stay in a good suburb, you are likely to get your kids in a good school...

Daycare/nannies etc is expensive compared to the UK.

Karl

PS I should be there in September so more info to follow.

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by Hoo

Can anyone tell me what are the pro's and con's to moving to Australia.

We're currently in the process of considering emigrating to Australia, so that our two Daughter's have a better future, than here in England. My Brother-in-Law emigrated last year and seem to have settled well.

I would like an unbiased opinion from anyone who is living in Australia, i.e., would you come back to Blighty or is everything greener on the otherside?

I don't think that all of Australia is in the 80s/90s since I don't think the major State cities are, however some of the other ones are probably in the 50s/60s.

As much as I sometimes miss family and friends I wouldn't go back to the UK.

We moved here for work/life balance since we were fed up working hard with little to show for it in the UK.

Oz certainly isn't the UK with sunshine (that's Spain ).
There is red tape here just like everywhere else but not as much as the UK.
Depending on where you live water (which I took for granted in the UK) is a very important issue since some parts of the country don't have it and can't even wash their cars during some parts of the year.

If you are close to your family allow yourself some time for adjustment and to miss them. Skype with videocams helps if you have PC's since you can see each other and it's free PC to PC.

Aussies are very friendly and willing to help. They have made the move much easier.

Be prepared to go out and mingle. We've joined a skilled migrants group, Toastmasters, Rotary and are about to join a car club (since we have a 1971 Mustang). We have people here that we can turn to in a crisis but it will take a while to make the kind of friends that I had in the UK (since some of them I'd known for 30+ years!).

Regards,
Karen

[scottishcelts]

I have to agree with Kaz about some areas being very 60/60's - all you have to do is look at the decor in some of the houses for sale!

[Tiffani]

Pros:
quality of life is fantastic
compared to the UK, the weather is also great
the country smells like eucalyptus
two words: English-speaking

Cons
It's REALLY far away
it's expensive compared to the US (but maybe not the UK)
you won't be able to go to the beach every single day... the weather's not THAT good.
you will miss your family and friends back home

[Dolly]

Pros:

Great lifestyle, living near beach, galah's & rainbow lorrikeet abound
Weather
Fantastic scenery
The boy's love it
Natives are extremely friendly!
Feel much safer here
Financially we are better off

Cons:

Miss family and friends
No Tesco or M&S
More expensive to live here than we'd thought
Standard of education could be a bit better

Dolly