Dreams and Nightmares

[minty]

How come some people emigrate and the dream stays a dream and for others it turns into a nightmare. There are various different factors ie -

 

Emigrating blind and not settling (never been there before)

Miss family and friends to much (should we not make sure first)

Temp or perm visa (i wonder what percentage of temp return compared to perm as perm offers a little more stability)

Amount of money we have to take (not so much presure if we have extra funds)

Trouble finding work (specialist jobs agianst trades who stands the better chance)

 

Are their tell tale signs or is it just down to luck. We all go/trying to go for the same reason and that is a better life for us and our children and a high percentage with bad feelings for the UK. We all if not most do our homework and im sure when you get there you all try to blend in and make new friends.

 

Anyone got any idea what gives you a good chance of making it.

[ianb]

How come some people emigrate and the dream stays a dream and for others it turns into a nightmare. There are various different factors ie -

 

Emigrating blind and not settling (never been there before)

Miss family and friends to much (should we not make sure first)

Temp or perm visa (i wonder what percentage of temp return compared to perm as perm offers a little more stability)

Amount of money we have to take (not so much presure if we have extra funds)

Trouble finding work (specialist jobs agianst trades who stands the better chance)

 

Are their tell tale signs or is it just down to luck. We all go/trying to go for the same reason and that is a better life for us and our children and a high percentage with bad feelings for the UK. We all if not most do our homework and im sure when you get there you all try to blend in and make new friends.

 

Anyone got any idea what gives you a good chance of making it.

 

In my opinion only its

110% Commitment

Research and more research

Willingness to accept that things are different

Deciding what you want to achieve

Where to live that gives you the best chance and what you are after not where everyone else tells you to.

a Little bit of luck

 

While things like money help and types of visas there are many people on here who make a go of it because of their effort not what they have got:notworthy:.

[jomark]

In my opinion only its

110% Commitment

Research and more research

Willingness to accept that things are different

Deciding what you want to achieve

Where to live that gives you the best chance and what you are after not where everyone else tells you to.

a Little bit of luck

 

While things like money help and types of visas there are many people on here who make a go of it because of their effort not what they have got:notworthy:.

agree with all except research,we came here blind not knowing much about the place,but i wouldnt recomend it.you have got to stop and think sometimes what you have here not what you havent.i spent to much time with people always going on about uk what they had etc not looking around them.i was lucky enough to get a job in two week and the rest took care of itself been here over three years,one of the lucky ones i guess.cheers mark.:jimlad:

[Guest Guest75]

Having your expectations too high is fatal.

The streets are not paved with gold a and it does get cold in winter!:notworthy:

[Guest cazzie]

Hi there,

I think having a positive attitude really helps. Clearly, if anyone is thinking about emigrating at all, they must have a reason for wanting to leave their home country, so being positive about the move and life in Adelaide is a must (I know, who am I to talk?!). I found it very difficult during the first few months and looking back I had it relatively easy - I married Bill, who had lived here for twenty years and was established, so all the practical stuff was easy and he had a good job already. But I found missing family the hardest thing and I still do. Time definitely helps - it does get easier and the summer weather and beach life is a real benefit - something I did not have in the UK.

If you really want to be here and do your homework, you should be ok, but you still need to be positive once you are here. As Martin says in another post, trying and waiting to get a job can obviously be frustrating, especially when the money pot is dwindling away. The happiest people are definitely the most positive people, but the practical things still have to be dealt with and sorted out as they would anywhere. I'm sure couples still have their ups and downs and life is not perfect all the time, but it IS a good lifestyle here and worth embracing. Good luck!

[Guest steve&tracy]

I agree with Tyke. Be positive its not easy and it should work out, but it may take time. I personally work more hrs but our time off as a family is so much better.

[Guest Django]

Its about three things in my opinion.

 

Firstly attitude. Being able to smile and keeping going when things are tough.

Secondly, accepting Adelaide for what it is. Its not the UK in the sun and is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. There are lots of cons to living here as there are pros. On balance though we feel it is better for us than living in the UK.

Thirdly friends and family. Until you make the move you can't guess how you will feel leaving those close to you behind. Its not as though you can pop round to see them. Its along expensive trip to see them face to face.

 

Oh can a sneak in a personal 4th??? It winds me up with some of their pronounciation of certain words and names. The 2 that really get to me are maroon or as they pronounce it 'marone' and the name Megan which is said 'meagun'. We won't even mention the australian questioning intonation. Damn I mentioned it.

 

The first 2 are down to you. The 3rd is the one outside you control. The 4th is just me Getting employment is a hurdle but with a positive attitude and taking 'anything for now' you can achieve this.

 

Pete

[Guest Lulujim]

Oh can a sneak in a personal 4th??? It winds me up with some of their pronounciation of certain words and names. The 2 that really get to me are maroon or as they pronounce it 'marone' and the name Megan which is said 'meagun'. We won't even mention the australian questioning intonation. Damn I mentioned it.

Pete

 

 

Yow-gurrt? No. it's yog- urt!! :biglaugh:

[sueoc]

Well,there are numerous factors pertinent to each of us that will influence our perception of migration to Australia,obviously Family issues,jobs,finances,adjusting to the different culture,weather,schools,accomodation,the list is endless.After a year or two(or less) i suppose most of us will weigh up the pros and cons.Me and my wife are now both working and earning more than we did in the UK,but are still not convinced that Aus is for us after 9 months,so we will,all being well,continue to sit on the fence,and try to pay off our mortgage on our house in the UK,whilst renting here,and just enjoy ourselves and see how we feel in 2 or 3 years time.We are both happy to be here and happy to have our options open.But we also realise this is not the case for others,some are happier,some are not,so all in all your question has no easy answer.All the best to all who are here,and those who are coming here.

[Guest Rob and Clare]

Hi all,

I am interested to know what people do like about Adelaide, not when comparing it the UK or other places, just simply what is good about the place ?

I think the city and suburbs nearby are fantastic.

 

The city offers so much to do it's amazing for a city of just 1 million people, there are various expo's on that we visit, like home shows, garden shows, boat shows, and they aren't expensive to go and have a look round for a few hours. Recently we did the million paws walk, which whilst we got soaked was a a good morning out, I'll be doing the city / bay run soon with 1000's of other people, Royal Adelaide show, Bay to Birdwood (classic cars rally) then soon after is the Christmas parade which is fantastic, then on the run up to christmas we have the carols by candel light, then it's christmas lights, then it's new years fireworks, then it's australia day parties, then the fringe is upon us, Clipsal Weekend, Womadelaide, Moonlight cinema, various ethnic festivals, and some of the best selection of pubs, Cafe's and resturants your heart could desire. On top of that our local cinema is a drive in.

 

Then at glenelg you get cheese and wine festivals, State volley ball champiosnhips, XXXX beach cricket, plus loads, last weekend was sea and vines at Maclaren Vale.... The list goes on and on.

 

Sport we have a good choice, the mighty Adelaide Utd, 2 AFL Teams, basketball team, netball team, the best cricket pitch in the world, tour down under, local rugby union + league.

 

On a lazy day we hit Henley Beach for a sunday lunch by the sea, or go to the cosmo suburbs of North Adelaide, Norwood, and bunside for a coffee and a posh cake.

 

And then during the summer there is always the beaches, the central / northern beaches are great for swimming as the sea is calmer, plus there are pubs cafe's on the beach side at places like Largs, Semaphore, Henley and Glenegl... and when you want to play in the surf hit the southern beaches, the water is colder but you can get some knarley waves (do surfers still say knarley?)

 

It's a struggle to fit in what you want to do. Do people have BBQ's here ? I don't know where they find the time to stay in.

[Guest nishman]

At the end of the day though, the push and pull factors (the idea of a better life for your kids in Oz is a push; leaving family back in the UK is a typical pull) are different for everyone. Only if the pushes outweigh the pulls for you and yours will you stand a chance of being successful. All the sun in world will not make up for a close relative no longer being part of your everyday life for instance.

 

If you give it go, it's got to be a "fair go" and you'll need to be prepared to accept that:

Many many things are different here (food, work, words)

You could have 2 weeks straight of temps above 35°C; and three months of cold and wet (ok - maybe not quite that bad ).

The cost of living isn't as cheap as it's made out to be in the papers

Wages are lower (when converting back to pounds) for many trades

Speed cameras and bad driving is common on the roads

England is 8½hrs behind and 12,000miles away - it's not easy to keep in touch to your lifelines.

The wait for your visa is typical of the waiting / procrastination you'll have to get used to for so many things over here.

You have to get out there to make it (job, social life etc)

 

If you're realistic of your expectations for over here and that there will be bad times with the good, you'll do ok. After 3 years, I see this place as home and have accepted many new things that have gone with the move. If you're prepared to make changes to your norm (not all at once of course), you should be right.

 

BTW I think the orginal comment regarding %age on temp vs %age on PR that have gone back, and the job situation at the moment are very true statements. You cannot really live anywhere without a job/money, and you certainly can't make the most of living here without it (unless you're cashed up I guess ). When you first get here, you will be forever comparing things back to how they are in the UK (it does fade after a while - honest), and if you're unable to enjoy the things you came out here for, the pulls will start to take over and take you back to the UK.

[Guest mayjess]

Hi all,

I am interested to know what people do like about Adelaide, not when comparing it the UK or other places, just simply what is good about the place ?

 

 

Looking back (as we came bk the UK) I liked the space, the cleanliness, the aussie people (most of them) and I liked the fact that my kids didnt feel underpressure with the latest fashion, they were more layed back in their attitude, more relaxed. The fun stuff is free, beach, parks drinking wine outside:cute:

 

thats what Im missing

 

Mayjess

[Guest cunnah10]

looking back (as we came bk the uk) i liked the space, the cleanliness, the aussie people (most of them) and i liked the fact that my kids didnt feel underpressure with the latest fashion, they were more layed back in their attitude, more relaxed. The fun stuff is free, beach, parks drinking wine outside:cute:

 

Thats what im missing

 

mayjess

ditto......

[HEAPS GOOD !!!]

ditto......

 

The will to succeed has to be one of the big things that deffo keeps us going..we have had more than our fair share of reasons where we could have jacked it all in ....but no we see the bigger picture and pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off and go again.

 

We didnt come with a great load of cash i reckon we came with about $12,000 if that and were still here 14 months on and were in the process on building ouir own place.

 

Bring it on a say....

[Guest Pies]

I have been here 4 days and I like the positivity of everyone I have met so far, the laid-back nature of the place, the cosmopolitan food, up and running with broadband and phone inside a day, customer service is excellent so far, sunsets are awesome, can't get the grin off my face.......

 

Pies

[Guest suttons]

have found all of these posts really interesting and we are by no means coming out to Oz with rose tinted glasses.

Although we havent arrived yet, we know it is going to be very hard missing family and friends, BUT we also know that we are going to give it 110 %, to make it work for us and the children, which means not comparing everything to the UK all the time, and embracing life in Australia, and to also give it at least a yea maybe 2 to settle down properlly. I have an Uncle who has lived in Sydney for 20 years and he has told me that even he still misses the family, so i think its just a case of making the good things about living in Oz outweigh the very few things that pull you back to the UK.

 

 

Ian (35), Shona (35), Elisha (10), Mitchell (7), and Ty (2)

[Guest Pies]

Looking back (as we came bk the UK) I liked the space, the cleanliness, the aussie people (most of them) and I liked the fact that my kids didnt feel underpressure with the latest fashion, they were more layed back in their attitude, more relaxed. The fun stuff is free, beach, parks drinking wine outside:cute:

 

thats what Im missing

 

Mayjess

 

Nor will you get a sunset like Saturday night back in the UK: respect to anyone who has given life in another country a go and decided it is not for them. They have gone on one of life's huge adventures.

 

The way we look at it is if we didn't do it now, we would forever regret it. So the itch is being scratched, and the adventure has started: container on the way, kids and wife coming on Thursday, can't wait to get into this life in earnest, without the rosy specs you wear before you arrive!

 

3 months of cold and rain is eminenetly acceptable compared to coming from the West Coast of Scotland..........!