Toying with the idea of moving to Australia
Discussion
Hi all,
I am currently seriously considering relocating to Australia. This all started on a bit of a whim about 6 months ago when a friend of mine was saying how fantastic it would be to move down there. It go me thinking, and after some googling, youtubing etc., I was really quite blown away by what it looks like. I'm not one of those looking to get shot of the UK whenever a chance comes up, quite on the contrary, always been relatively happy. However, I made some phone calls, and some emails, and here we are 6 months down the line, with a job offer in hand from my currently employers who have offices in Sydney.
To give you some background on me, as it makes the whole decision so much easier than it would be for most. I am only 21, so pretty much have my whole life still in front of me; but obviously this would be complete a life changer. I don't have a partner, nor any kids so don't need to factor that in. I only rent, so no worries of selling a house. I do have a decent job, but at least staying with the same company, the position I've been offered is actually a more senior one to what I do currently. Without trying to make me sound horrible, but I'm not much of a family person. I left home at 16, and currently see my family every few months when I come home (I live about 200 miles away). Being 9,000 odd miles away, it may be different to how I think now, but I don't think I'd be too home sick missing my family.
As I said originally, I wasn't particularly looking to move, but since it's all got a bit more serious, I have really started to evaluate my life here in the UK. There a few reasons shouting at me to go.
First, the weather. I just the cold, dull, wet, dark, days. I know you can't guarantee sun and dry over there, and I'm not a sun worshiper, but it's just nice to have a warmer climate.
Second, the work/life balance. I hate how much I work. 8-5 most days, but I carry on working at night on my laptop, take work calls out of hours and email all over the weekend. It's become expected as most of my colleagues do this, but it just makes me feel like a I live to work rather than work to live. The amount of pressure and stress I get through my work, and as I said, I'm only 21 at the moment. In 10 years time, I can only see it getting worse. I know this might still be the case in Australia, but supposedly they just value their work/life balance more than what we do.
Three, getting away from our whole PC/Big Brother culture. I'm sure Australia has it's similar sort of thing, but especially being on PistonHeads, you can't even overtake any more without other road users getting all up tight as it's getting to the stage where it's almost not socially acceptable. Our PC society is crazy, with health and safety taken to the extreme. I found out the other day, one of nephews who has really bad eczma has some really strong cream for it. He was at nursery the other week, and was itching like mad. My sister in law left the school with this cream, asking could they apply if it got bad. They refused because they didn't want to be seen as paedophile or anything like that. How ridiculous. Not everyone is out to get one another.
Four, we are just so crowded now days. The fact Australia is SOO big, with yet such a small population, that really appeals to me. You just can't get away over here; there's always other people. Even with houses. I know I only rent, but I've rented the same home for two years now. It was on the outskirts of a small town, in a lovely area. Houses keep going up left right and centre now. They've just built a huge house at the back of my garden which has completely go rid of my view.
I'm just worried it may be a case of the grass is always greener on the other side; but if I really think about it; I just don't like the way our country is going. UKIP winning all this stuff is really scary to me.
But yeah, I guess the point to my post is I'm just after other peoples experiences if they are ex pats, or if you were in my position; young, footloose and fancy free. Would you give it a go. Worst case scenario if it does go tits up I can always move home. As I said, I've got no family I'm moving over and changing their lives too.
P.S. I would be travelling a working holiday visa valid for a year well I make sure it's for me. After that, I would seek permeant residency through skilled trade and employee nomination, so touch wood, I could easily make it a permanent move.
And just as an edit; I haven't touched on costs etc. The salary I'd be getting is around £50,000, so should be enough, even with Sydney being very expensive both to rent, and general living costs.
I am currently seriously considering relocating to Australia. This all started on a bit of a whim about 6 months ago when a friend of mine was saying how fantastic it would be to move down there. It go me thinking, and after some googling, youtubing etc., I was really quite blown away by what it looks like. I'm not one of those looking to get shot of the UK whenever a chance comes up, quite on the contrary, always been relatively happy. However, I made some phone calls, and some emails, and here we are 6 months down the line, with a job offer in hand from my currently employers who have offices in Sydney.
To give you some background on me, as it makes the whole decision so much easier than it would be for most. I am only 21, so pretty much have my whole life still in front of me; but obviously this would be complete a life changer. I don't have a partner, nor any kids so don't need to factor that in. I only rent, so no worries of selling a house. I do have a decent job, but at least staying with the same company, the position I've been offered is actually a more senior one to what I do currently. Without trying to make me sound horrible, but I'm not much of a family person. I left home at 16, and currently see my family every few months when I come home (I live about 200 miles away). Being 9,000 odd miles away, it may be different to how I think now, but I don't think I'd be too home sick missing my family.
As I said originally, I wasn't particularly looking to move, but since it's all got a bit more serious, I have really started to evaluate my life here in the UK. There a few reasons shouting at me to go.
First, the weather. I just the cold, dull, wet, dark, days. I know you can't guarantee sun and dry over there, and I'm not a sun worshiper, but it's just nice to have a warmer climate.
Second, the work/life balance. I hate how much I work. 8-5 most days, but I carry on working at night on my laptop, take work calls out of hours and email all over the weekend. It's become expected as most of my colleagues do this, but it just makes me feel like a I live to work rather than work to live. The amount of pressure and stress I get through my work, and as I said, I'm only 21 at the moment. In 10 years time, I can only see it getting worse. I know this might still be the case in Australia, but supposedly they just value their work/life balance more than what we do.
Three, getting away from our whole PC/Big Brother culture. I'm sure Australia has it's similar sort of thing, but especially being on PistonHeads, you can't even overtake any more without other road users getting all up tight as it's getting to the stage where it's almost not socially acceptable. Our PC society is crazy, with health and safety taken to the extreme. I found out the other day, one of nephews who has really bad eczma has some really strong cream for it. He was at nursery the other week, and was itching like mad. My sister in law left the school with this cream, asking could they apply if it got bad. They refused because they didn't want to be seen as paedophile or anything like that. How ridiculous. Not everyone is out to get one another.
Four, we are just so crowded now days. The fact Australia is SOO big, with yet such a small population, that really appeals to me. You just can't get away over here; there's always other people. Even with houses. I know I only rent, but I've rented the same home for two years now. It was on the outskirts of a small town, in a lovely area. Houses keep going up left right and centre now. They've just built a huge house at the back of my garden which has completely go rid of my view.
I'm just worried it may be a case of the grass is always greener on the other side; but if I really think about it; I just don't like the way our country is going. UKIP winning all this stuff is really scary to me.
But yeah, I guess the point to my post is I'm just after other peoples experiences if they are ex pats, or if you were in my position; young, footloose and fancy free. Would you give it a go. Worst case scenario if it does go tits up I can always move home. As I said, I've got no family I'm moving over and changing their lives too.
P.S. I would be travelling a working holiday visa valid for a year well I make sure it's for me. After that, I would seek permeant residency through skilled trade and employee nomination, so touch wood, I could easily make it a permanent move.
And just as an edit; I haven't touched on costs etc. The salary I'd be getting is around £50,000, so should be enough, even with Sydney being very expensive both to rent, and general living costs.
Edited by Phil117 on Sunday 1st June 22:02
Thanks for all the feedback gents. Seems to be an overwhelming consensus here.
It was indeed £50,000 GBP rather than AUS so should be safe on salary. I also get a company car so no worries on that cost either.
Interesting that it's more of a nanny state over there. Did not know that.
I think I'll give it a shot. As I said, and many of you have agreed, if it goes tits up, there's no harm in returning.
I do need to double check all the visa bits as I remember being told 6 months of employed by one company so just need to sort it all out rather than just on a whim.
It's all very exciting stuff!
To those Australian's on here. the office I'll be based at is in Rosehill. Are there any nice places to look out for accommodation wise around there?
It was indeed £50,000 GBP rather than AUS so should be safe on salary. I also get a company car so no worries on that cost either.
Interesting that it's more of a nanny state over there. Did not know that.
I think I'll give it a shot. As I said, and many of you have agreed, if it goes tits up, there's no harm in returning.
I do need to double check all the visa bits as I remember being told 6 months of employed by one company so just need to sort it all out rather than just on a whim.
It's all very exciting stuff!
To those Australian's on here. the office I'll be based at is in Rosehill. Are there any nice places to look out for accommodation wise around there?
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