Decisions on OZ and Adelaide ?

[Guest rabster]

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you can help me with some decisions I have to make.

I'm about to be offerred a job in Adelaide that has pretty much come out of the blue.

The company has told me that they will have me there within 4 months, so I expect them to deal with all visas and everything.

 

I've been reading these forums and it has put a lot of doubt in my mind as to whether it is worth it.

I was expecting to go to Germany or Belgium but thought for my partner and her nipper ( aged 6) that although not geographically close, it would be a lot easier for her with driving, language and culture to come to Oz from England.

She's not really that adventurous.

 

The 2 things under consideration are my job and her quality of life.

 

If I'm on £35K here, what is they equivalent salary for the same standard of living in Adelaide ?

 

Will she find work ?

The cost of childcare seem steep and she is a Higher level teaching assistant and there doesn't seem to be any work for these.

 

I have to then ask myself, will our quality of life be better on 1 wage ?

Will she make friends or just be bored stupid ?

 

Everything I have read on the web before has been pretty positive until I found this site, which I think is more based in reality.

 

Would it be even a plan to keep a house in the UK and just do it for a couple of years and see how we go ?

 

Thanks for your time,

 

Rob.

[Diane]

First of all I have to say that everyone is different so what suits one family may not suit another. For instance, what constitutes "quality of life" to you as a family? Do you like ding outdoorsy type things, camping, cycling, walking, making sandcastles on the beach, going to sporting events? If so, Adelaide has a lot to offer the young family. However if you are into culture and art galleries (although we do have them, honest, just on a smaller scale), theme parks and a lively nightlife, then perhaps Adelaide won't be for you.

 

Salary wise, it will depend on what line of work you are in. I know the average salary here is often quoted as around $45k but in my opinion, that is pretty low so to match what you are on at the moment, you are probably looking at trying to earn $75k plus - not out of the question, depending on your industry, but something to bear in mind.

 

They don't seem to have teaching assistants as such in the schools, so you OH may either have to consider a career change, or look at something in childcare more generally. I don't think childcare is particularly expensive here, but perhaps they assume everyone is on some kind of family benefit which refunds a percentage of the cost - again, this may depend on your visa type, as I know some temporary visas do not get the same entitlements. Might be worth investigating what sort of visa your company will get you.

 

With a six year old child, I am sure she will have no trouble making friends - everyone I have met is incredibly friendly, and she will meet people at the school gates, and can volunteer to help out in the school canteen etc if she wants to meet more people, and stave off boredom. There are also lots of daytime meet-ups organised through this and other forums, so the opportunities are there if she's happy to check them out.

 

I would say though that if one partner is very keen, and the other less so, that can often cause friction, so make sure it's a joint decision (sorry, I know this is obvious!).

 

Finally in my opinion, and really I stress that this is just my opinion, it takes most people at least 18 months to 2 years to really settle, and I think leaving a 'bolt-hole' back in the UK can often hinder this process considerably as you will never really fully commit to your new country, knowing you don't have to! Lots of people do it though, particularly with the UK housing market as it is, but it might mean you can't buy when you get here, and I think often that is the key to putting down roots.

 

Do as much research as you can before you come, and get your other half to do the same, and hey, what an opportunity!!

 

Good luck!

 

Diane

[Guest Guest75]

Hi Rob.

 

Congratulations upon the job offer

 

I'd be wary of the company saying they can have you out here in 4 months.Visa approval is totally out of their hands - it's DIMIA's department and decision.

 

Wages in general tend to be lower here - £35K needs to be at least $70K here I'd say.

Then it will depend upon your lifestyle/spending mortgage.

Perhaps the company is offering relocation costs as part of the package??

 

Your partner might have to do a fair bit of research regarding teaching posts.There are teachers posting in here (Nick11 and Libby).I know it's not always easy.

 

There is some great socialising goes on through this forum and I'm sure that your partner will find friends easily.

I've met some lovely folk through this forum - we have trouble keeping up with everyone!

 

It's an awfully long way from the UK here, a lot of people do feel the huge distance - I've done this last few week's as Mrs Tyke has been for a family visit to the UK.

 

If you have a contract with your Adelaide employer - say for 1 or 2 years ,it may be best to keep your UK house and rent it out.Property prices are rubbish and may pick up in a few years.Property here is stabilising and mortgage rates are higher.

Perhaps treat the move here as an adventure and if after 2 years you don';t settle well - it's been a "life experience".

It may not be wise for some to leave "bridges" in the UK but it's up to the individual.

 

Looks like you are doing lots of research which is the key.

 

Good luck on your decision.

[Andrew from Vista Financial]

I agree with Tyke.

 

Good luck with what you decide Rob.

 

Andy

[Guest rabster]

I'm pretty pragmatic about it for myself and I don't see it as such a big deal.

It's really about the job for me.

I moved to England from Scotland for a job and really never go back.

 

Friends from the same industry are now working in Germany, France, China, Singapore and Texas and I don't think they consider that they will be there forever.

 

My OH is the problem. She has the 'fear' and hates everything she doesn't know. She usually then gets to know something and then loves it.

eg. I turned down a job in Belgium because she wasn't keen. A week later she tells me that she been speaking to friends and Leuven is now a wonderful place.

 

So,my main concern is her. She has done absolutely nothing iadventurous in her life and hasn't really been anywhere.

 

Rob.

[julie-ruth]

Wow if its her then get her talking to us on here, she might feel a little more adventurous knowing there's people out there who's out there for her to chat too

who's been what she's going through we are a friendly bunch, you have a six year old there are many of us with children and our children chat on here. Have a little look, a lot of them are scared I know mine are but they are making friends on here which helps.

 

Julie

[julie-ruth]

Oh by the way 4 months is very unrealistic, my husband has been offered a Job in Adelaide in Defense the company is organising ours through an agent (visa 119) we did have to have extra security checks at beginning but our whole process is expected to take 9 months (due to be processed September/October 08) but seeing whats going on here we will have to see, visa's on here are taking between 6 months to nearly 18 months for some people.

 

Julie

[Guest rabster]

The longer the better for me.

It gives me time to get organised and I've just started a new job in the UK aswell.

It was the HR department that said 3 to 4 months. I have no idea what visa scheme they are thinking of. I'm hoping they'll deal with it all.

 

Rob

[jo_marnes]

Hiya,

 

Well firstly, no move is going to be easy but your partner will certainly find it easier to fit in if the language is the same! Childcare will be expensive in Oz but only until you can claim for help (2 yrs on permanent residency). From what I have gathered it is best if you can earn the same in Oz as you do here (or therabouts), so it would again depend on your job and salary.

 

As for your job sorting out the visa etc, they certainly won't do it all! They will sponsor you but you should expect to apply etc yourself - my Mum is employer sponsored and has had to do it all herself. From application to visa being granted was about 2 months. However, flights are not booked for another 2 months and there was a lot of time spent sorting paperwork before the application went in. Probaby 6 months minimum.

 

xxx

[Guest Django]

Everything I have read on the web before has been pretty positive until I found this site, which I think is more based in reality.

 

:shocked: We often get accused of having rose tinted glasses.

 

Welcome to PIA. Can't help with your queries but couldn't believe that you found this site more negative than others.

 

Pete