What would you do?

[Pommy99]

Hi, we (family of 4) have been here almost 4 years now and it has beeen up and down as we anticipated. I am not earning nearly as much as I did in the UK (about half in fact) and my husband can't find work at all as his skills are very specialised and not needed in SA. Both my kids are at school (one very good school on very average). If we hang on another 6 months we will get citizenship, so if we go back to the UK we can always return here in years to come if we wish.

 

So given all that why haven't we left? Well Adelaide is a nice city, the weather is mostly great and traffic is pretty easy compared to Manchester. However, I think it's a pretty backward and non progressive backwater where bright kids leaving school have no future. Australia is on the whole unsophisticated with way too many racist attitudes, and I don't want my kids to grow up like that.

 

So whay am I still here?.....................because I'm worried that in the 4 years since we left Britain has become an even more overcrowded violent lawless cess pit where religious minorities are taking over. Brown's Britain seems a very worrying place with bleak years to come.

 

Should we ...

 

1. Go home?

2. Wait for citizenship then go home?

3. Stay ad consider moving interstate in the hope that it's more with the times?

 

Its a big problem because I think Adelaide is going nowhere, but Britain is going backwards but is still streaks ahead of SA. in some ways.

 

What would you do? Serious answers only please.

 

Thanks for reading my post.

[Guest Squareman]

Although I've never lived in Adelaide, I find it strange to read comments like this. With a population of over a million people (more than double that of Manchester) and some of the world's biggest brands represented in Adelaide, how can kids have no future?

[Guest hel&sam]

we're on our way over there in three weeks, well two weeks on wednesday but i'm not counting honest! from a personal point of view i would say that the uk has worsened considerably in the last four years, certainly my bit of it, (manchester) no one can tell you whats right for you but i would definitely say get your citizenship at least you've given yourselves and your kids one more option then. Why dont you come back for a holiday but not to the nice bits like devon, come to manchester and get a grip on the outlooks here, theres a lot of miserable buggers here!!!

[Guest Drumms]

Gosh, asking alot from folk on here!

 

If it were me (and I can only answer this based from the UK where we still are till later in the year) I would wait and get your citizenship. As you point out, at least you are free to come back if you found the UK not as you remember it.

 

As for the UK being overcrowded, yes - it's drives me insane. Sooo many cars on the road, bursting at the seams traffic jams and we seem to be a country that is one massive road work. Public transport is crammed and expensive. However, I still love the UK, gorgeous coastline, amazing forests and woodlands, TV's at it's best, no snakes (yikes) - I could go on. But for us we want a fresh start, and I need good weather. Plus our best friends moved to Adelaide last year and we are joining them and my family live in Semaphore and Grange. At this moment in time, very happy to be leaving the UK!

 

Best of luck with whatever you and the family choose!

[Guest JoTanCalOwen]

Hello there,

What a dilema

It seems that you have only recently joined PIA, I have not been on here long, but long enough to realise that there is a community out there, should you want to be a part of it in Adelaide. Money although not everything is important I realise this too.

Questions to ask yourself and I am sure you have

Are you happy with the life your living (apart from the money)?

Do you foresee the most danger for your family where you are, or in the UK?

Do you think the reasons you moved to Adelaide in the first place outweigh the reasons to return?

No one can tell you what to do and I am sure you already appreciate that but others opinions may well help your decision.

We are waiting to get to Adelaide, whilst I know everywhere has its problems, I am convinced Oz is going to be better for my children and us a family overall, and as for work I will hopefully get a job doing anything if not in my preferred profession, that’s a risk both hubby and I are willing to take.

We live in Liverpool as I said everywhere has its troubles but if Oz is as slow you as you say then I would take it as a blessing, we are trying to escape the rat race that consumes the UK, the too busy people and attitudes that seem to be consuming everything, if its not for personal gain then its not worth anything to so many individuals.

I must say the weather will be a plus as I feel our summers here are numbered and with winters getting worse we do not have much to lose on that front.

I hope you find the answers you are looking for, inter state is an option if you like Australia. Coming back for a holiday if you can, would be an eye opener, and possibly the decision maker. If by getting citizenship you are free to move between UK and Oz that can only benefit you in the long term but I do realise how much will depend on cost.

Good luck with this and any decisions you and your family make,

Tanya

[Rammygirl]

Deffo stay the short extra time you need for citizenship - you may regret not doing so as it gives you AND your kids the chance of moving back to Oz at any stage.

 

If you can afford it why not go back and visit the UK before returning (if you are seriously considering this) just to get it into perspective.

 

The UK really isn't that bad! I have lived in the Adelaide Hills and now back in the UK - to be honest I would be happy in either place, they both have their pros and cons!

 

You can't assume you would walk into a job here though as things are tight at the moment, and though house prices have dropped recently they are probably higher than when you left and mortgages are harder to come by................................. then again you get more £ to your $.

[Guest Messua]

What would I do? I think I would get citizenship and then look at the overall picture here and ask myself a few questions:

Are we happy here?

Do we have friends/a support network here or do we still yearn for family and friends in the UK?

Would our friends welcome our return?

Would the children cope at school after 3 years away from the more rigid British education system?

Have we been healthier here or would it make no difference to return to the damper climate with less space?

Would Hubby and I get jobs and would they pay what we were earning before we emigrated?

Would we afford the standard of house we would like?

Would we blend in and settle in the UK or would we yearn for Australia.

 

 

Coincidentally, we had been here 3 years when we returned to the UK for a “holiday”. Even at my parents' house, which I had always thought of as being fairly big, I felt claustrophobic. I'd also forgotten some of their customs and it was very hard to conform. Friends, I found, had moved on. They were lovely, don't get me wrong, but we were very much “the visitors from Australia” and had been replaced by a new crowd. We were asked several times whether we would come back and my tactful answer was that we would never rule it out, but in fact, it would be like emigrating again for us, as the life we had there no longer existed. By the end of the 3 week visit, we were exhausted, having been silly enough to travel to see people who would not meet us halfway and homesick for the life we had built in Adelaide.

 

 

I hope this helps. Good luck.

[Guest moonraker1959]

Well if I were you I would hang on for the 6mths to get the citizenship.I know if you are living in Australia,you watch the news,and all they probably show is the doom and gloom happening here.Yes we've had the recession,some area's of the UK hit worse than others.I live in Wiltshire and do not know anyone out of work.I don't know anyone who has been a victim of crime,and havent seen any gangs patrolling the streets!I truly believe it does depend where you live in the UK.I spent 30 years in SA(grew up there)and can vouch there are area's where I would'nt choose to live,just like the UK.Its a very personal choice where to live and only you can make that decision and hopefully it'll be the right one for you.My two aussie kids returned to the UK with me(Dad is an aussie who I later divorced before moving back to the UK)and are both doing exceptionally well.One is a theatre nurse,the other is studying law.

[Guest thekings]

For my pennies worth, get citizenship, then look at areas/states outside of Adelaide, worse case scenaria back to UK with citizenship in your pocket. Keep your options open. Grass is not always greener but unless you have a look you wont know. Or as a friend once said to me "it sometimes only takes a good garden to grow the very best of plants"

[Guest seekingsunshine]

Hi Pommy99

 

wow sounds like you havent been able to settle 100 %!

 

has your husband not worked at all during last 4 years!?! i'd possibly look at where in Australia he could get work and look at moving there!what does he do?

 

definately get citizenship. even if you never come back to australia you will be giving your children the option of leaving the Uk and coming here (and any future grandchildren)

 

we've only been here six months but i lived in Brisbane when I was little and my parents obtained citizenship for me when i was little. personnally i wouldnt even consider moving back to uk, and i think my brothers are mad to stay there (all have citizenship) manchester might be a bit of a shock as well after adelaide!! could you go back on holiday?look at houses you could afford and schools etc...

 

how old are your kids? i'd be reluctant to return if they are high school age....

 

maybe post on poms in oz and ask for people to tell you about their city (as long as they dont slate Adelaide lol)

 

Adelaide is mocked by the rest of Oz as being backward (we love it!and dont agree!) so for me i would get citizenship and then head somewhere else in australia where my hubby could find work in his field which would hopefully be in a city which has what you're looking for

 

racism is pretty much everywhere, you experience a lot of it in the uk too in the big cities (and everywhere) i wouldnt worry too much about that as long as your kids know right from wrong!

 

best of luck to you all, it is horrible feeling unsettled and being in limbo...good luck!

[Guest ReadyPenny]

Given your current time frames, in my opinon, you would be crazy to consider going back before Citizenship. Once you have got it, you could TRY going back in order to see if the UK is what you want for your family and if you find it's not then you can return either here or Interstate.

 

Personally I feel that if you were to go back prior to Citizenship it may well be a decision you live to regret as you will be painting yourself into a corner.

 

Good luck with the decision, I'm sure it can't be easy, but after 4 years another 6 months wouldn't hurt would it???

 

Mandy

[Guest DianeJ]

I have deleted this post as it was not mine!!!!

[Riponian]

I doin't feel qualified to reply really as I ave only been here 4 mths however given the time scales youa re talking about getting citizenship is a must!!

Having left what we call a sinking ship we are in no hurry to the return to the UK.

 

We have always said we look at another state or evn country before going back to the UK!!!

 

I think everyone has to do what is right for them but another six months will fly by.

 

Good luck

Michelle

[Guest Guest75]

I'd stay for citizenship definitely!

 

The other question or return or not is a hard one but .................

 

You KNOW the UK is going backwards.

 

You KNOW Adelaide is not going anywhere fast.

 

( I'll just cover myself and say people view Adelaide in different ways - the above is not my opinion)

 

Perhaps you have answered your own question in a way.

 

It must be awful to be unsettled after 4.5 years here. I think you really need to say yes or no - that will probably help to overcome your concerns here.

 

 

Alternatively you could always try elsewhere in Australia??

 

Good luck:D

[taffordbark]

Should we ...

 

1. Go home?

2. Wait for citizenship then go home?

3. Stay ad consider moving interstate in the hope that it's more with the times?

 

Its a big problem because I think Adelaide is going nowhere, but Britain is going backwards but is still streaks ahead of SA. in some ways.

 

What would you do? Serious answers only please.

 

Thanks for reading my post.

 

 

We are also from Manchester area...........busy, grey, gloomy and mostly dull........but with fab shops and that feeling of being home! However, we moved for a better quality of life - and decided that if it didnt work out we could always go back to Manchester........you only live once and why not just go for it!

 

We have been here 9 months now......the kids are VERY settled - we are on much less money than in the UK by far......and we have those days where we think 'what on earth are we doing here?' - we miss mini weekend breaks we used to have in Ireland, Scotland, - and haven't got into the idea of having a holiday break at all here.........but the thought of going back to the UK (especially at the moment) scares the hell out of us - but mostly for our children! So we trudge on.........some days with a spring in our step - sometimes not!

 

After reading your post and completely agreeing with all you have said - I think I would

 

2) wait for citizenship............and go home - but only for a holiday!!!

 

Good Luck with your decision............and hope you make the right one for you and your family!

 

[Guest DianeJ]

I have deleted this post

[Diane]

If you dislike Adelaide as much as it sounds like you do, then go somewhere else. Doesn't have to be UK - how about trying somewhere else in Australia? Why stay somewhere you hate? The world's a big place...

[Guest k8bug79]

I would say unless you are going to be crippling yourself finacially then stay and get the citizenship. LIke others have said you can always try elsewhere. But the time and money you have invested in getting into Aus and now building up your lives will all be wasted if you come "home" without that citizenship.

6 months really isn't that long. I kno it feels like it when you are looking at it from this angle but think back 6 months to what you were doing and you'll realise it flies by.

As long as you are affording to live (to some extent) and you are healthy and safe I would say stay and assess your next move, come home for a holiday, research jobs etc and then when you get that citizenship you can make an informed choice. Just like you probably did when you moved out there, as like you have said the UK has probably changed and it may not be the better place you were hoping it to be. Good luck whatever you decide

[laura girling]

Hi, we (family of 4) have been here almost 4 years now and it has beeen up and down as we anticipated. I am not earning nearly as much as I did in the UK (about half in fact) and my husband can't find work at all as his skills are very specialised and not needed in SA. Both my kids are at school (one very good school on very average). If we hang on another 6 months we will get citizenship, so if we go back to the UK we can always return here in years to come if we wish.

 

So given all that why haven't we left? Well Adelaide is a nice city, the weather is mostly great and traffic is pretty easy compared to Manchester. However, I think it's a pretty backward and non progressive backwater where bright kids leaving school have no future. Australia is on the whole unsophisticated with way too many racist attitudes, and I don't want my kids to grow up like that.

 

So whay am I still here?.....................because I'm worried that in the 4 years since we left Britain has become an even more overcrowded violent lawless cess pit where religious minorities are taking over. Brown's Britain seems a very worrying place with bleak years to come.

 

Should we ...

 

1. Go home?

2. Wait for citizenship then go home?

3. Stay ad consider moving interstate in the hope that it's more with the times?

 

Its a big problem because I think Adelaide is going nowhere, but Britain is going backwards but is still streaks ahead of SA. in some ways.

 

What would you do? Serious answers only please.

 

Thanks for reading my post.

 

Hey, I think you've lived here long enough to know if you will ever live here forever, I dont know if youve been back to the UK in your 4 years.

My advice to you would be stay for your citizenship then you have the choice later.

Its such a shame that your hubby cant find work, we had the same problem and if you look at my old post on here, (weve had enough) you would see how much of a problem it was to us.

Now all that set aside and now being here 2 years our lives here have dramatically changed, and I would be horrified to be living anywhere else. I really feel safe in adelaide and I am totally shocked to hear that you think Adelaide is going no where, this is not a dig, im just wondering what you expect of it.

Have your husband tried the SA water board for work as a meter reader, lots of walking involved but great hours, they are always looking for people.

We now on the other hand are very concerned about a statement our 13 year old son said to us, he asked what happens to him and his sister if anything were to happen to my hubby and I, so I reminded him that he would go live with my sister in the UK, his responce was Mum you have to rethink Im not going back there to live.

big dilema.

I hope whatever you decide makes you and your family happy, goodluck.

Laura xxxx;)

[Guest Im Here]

What would you do?

Hi, we (family of 4) have been here almost 4 years now and it has beeen up and down as we anticipated. I am not earning nearly as much as I did in the UK (about half in fact) and my husband can't find work at all as his skills are very specialised and not needed in SA. Both my kids are at school (one very good school on very average). If we hang on another 6 months we will get citizenship, so if we go back to the UK we can always return here in years to come if we wish.

 

So given all that why haven't we left? Well Adelaide is a nice city, the weather is mostly great and traffic is pretty easy compared to Manchester. However, I think it's a pretty backward and non progressive backwater where bright kids leaving school have no future. Australia is on the whole unsophisticated with way too many racist attitudes, and I don't want my kids to grow up like that.

 

So whay am I still here?.....................because I'm worried that in the 4 years since we left Britain has become an even more overcrowded violent lawless cess pit where religious minorities are taking over. Brown's Britain seems a very worrying place with bleak years to come.

 

Should we ...

 

1. Go home?

2. Wait for citizenship then go home?

3. Stay ad consider moving interstate in the hope that it's more with the times?

 

Its a big problem because I think Adelaide is going nowhere, but Britain is going backwards but is still streaks ahead of SA. in some ways.

 

What would you do? Serious answers only please.

 

Thanks for reading my post.

 

Ok what would i do?

 

Well first i would stay and get citizenship then whilst waiting for this look at other states for hubby's work. See if his special skills are needed elsewhere. I would research all options for moving interstate first before moving back to the UK. OR maybe he needs to rethink about what he is going to do for a living.

 

We have lived here just over 4 years and it's not been sweet sailing. We have been through some really tough and i mean really tough times but i would never ever move back to the UK.

 

At the end of the day it's only you that can decide which i'm sure you know good luck

[Rachiegarlo]

I will just reiterate what others have said. Regardless of your future decisions you should get your citizenship. Why?

 

cost of applications will only increase.

goalposts in the future may change...afterall you used to only have been here 2 years as a PR.

the costs already incurred emoyionally and financially to relocate here and stay the amount of time you already have.

it is available to you and there are a lot of people who wou;d give their right arm for (left for lefties ) what you already have.

sometimes you dont really appreciate what you have until it is taken away.

 

 

If you can afford it go back for a visit. My husband went back after 15 years for a holiday and came back stating we had been right to bring our children here and he was glad his kids didn't have to grow up in that %%%$$$#### place he was from even though he loves Liverpool like all liverpudlians. It had changed far too much, he had seen and tried different things and although it was nice to catch up with people, they really hadn't changed that much and the area he grew up in had changed or else he now viewed it through different eyes.

 

Some people never settle fully anywhere. You may end up with a foot in each country, so never fully Australian and never fully English again (insert which ever country you may be from). Just think of yourself as a global citizen and the world is yours. Just get the right to come and go from here to keep your options open.

[Anne B]

Nowhere is perfect.

 

Decide what is really important to you and what you want out of life.

 

Some things are better in Australia and some things are better in the UK.

 

Maybe Sydney or Melbourne would be more suitable and offer more opportunities for your children.

[jim and adel]

I can only echo what many others have said: stay for citizenship then decide. It would be a shame to come this far and not get citizenship. If you don't like either place, though, then perhaps it's time to explore even further afield! Maybe if there were two wage earners instead of one life would look very different to you, so a move elsewhere surely has to be to a place where your husband's specialist skills can be used (or he works in a different field).

 

Got to say, I don't recognise either the Adelaide or the UK picture you give. Both have their problems, certainly (you'll look long and fruitlessly for a place without any) but both are, in my opinion, veryt liveable places. Like many on here I spent the first part of my life (forty+ years in my case ) in the UK and found that my direct experience didn't reflect the tabloid headlines one bit. My life in the UK saw very little crime, and while there is certainly overcrowding in places (I'm a Mancunian too) there is also sparsely populated places within easy reach.

 

Good luck, Jim

[foxychick]

you could always move interstate now and apply for citizenship wherever you have moved to, you don't have to stay in SA to get your citizenship do you? You will then have achieved 2 things - tried somewhere else in oz and stayed long enough for citizenship, if you don't like it then, return to the UK, and you won't have been in limbo in SA for the next 6 months

[Guest Guest5035]

and my husband can't find work at all as his skills are very specialised and not needed in SA.

 

Whats his occupation, also why come to SA if his skills are not needed???

 

Stevo