Why?

[sueoc]

Do you wonder sometimes whether the reason you wish to emigrate is the obvious appeal of Australia,or is it your disillusionment with the way the UK is going now?I feel the future must surely be infinately better for my family in Oz,i mean,the UK is becoming a place totally alien to me now,i feel little affinity now,unlike when i was younger .Who knows,in years to come we may inadvertantly thank politicians for causing us to opt for Oz,life is strange.All the best folks,thanks Sue.

[Guest Guest75]

It's a question you should ask yourself.

 

We were disillusioned 10 years ago so it's not just now.

 

As well as "Escaping the UK" a lot of thought and research needs to go into your new life here though.It won't happen overnight and make everything better.

 

I really don't think the UK is doing a lot to keep people there any more.

[Guest Django]

What a great question. For me personally, I wanted to move to Oz since leaving school (yeah I know its taking me a long time to get round to it). Although present life in the UK has finally pushed me in this direction its not 'the' reason.

The real reason behind the move is more down to the fact that in years to come I don't want to be in the 'what if?' camp. Life is too short and so if we don't go now we probably won't get round to it.

There are other factors like the appeal of Australia, the present climate in the UK, etc but deep down I have always wanted to live in Australia.

 

Pete

[Guest sprayer]

Hi We have been thinking about moving to Australia for about 4 years. I would of made the move then but hubby needed time to think.

The main reason for wanting to move was to give our children a better future. I've been told Aus does have problems but it cant be as bad as here. I dread to think when my eldest is 15/16 (he's 11 now) what opportunities he will have here. He already has friends who are in gangs, picking on old people and causing anti social behaviour. He wants to hang around with them but we make sure he doesnt. He thinks they are cool and just wants to fit in.

Also the racial problems. Our town was involved in the race riots in 2001. Media say we are all living in harmony but that is not the case. There is real tension here. Whites think Asians get away with everything as do Asians with Whites. There is a real divide and its scary. My sons secondary school is mixed with children from all backgrounds. They cant cope with the different languages. There is a Polish boy in my sons class who cant speak hardly any English. There are others who English is not there first language. My son struggles at school and is in the lower sets. Because of this he is in classes with children who cant speak or understand basic English. His maths teacher has told us (off the record) to get him private tuition because he cant spend time with my son in class because he has targets to meet with the children from other countries.

This is a total disgrace.

Also the knife crime. My son says alot of children in is school carry a penknife. He says its for protection. We check is bag to make sure he doesnt. We do trust him but feel he may carry one because he is scared if he doesnt.

He is a good boy but as said above, he just wants to fit in. Luckilly we have a good relationship with him and talk openly about drugs, guns and knifes etc.. and try to teach him and listen to his opinions. With the way things are going in UK we are terrified if he gets in with a wrong crowd.

[sueoc]

Hi Warren And Jill Hope You Realise Your Dream Of A Better Future For Your Kids, This Is Exactly What We Want,we Hope Our Boys Will Find Good Jobs And Become Self Eufficient Over In Oz This Would Be An Impossible Dream Here Hope To See You In Adelaide Sue Billy And Four Boys 26 23 17 16 Cant Wait To Begin The Rest Of Our Lives

[Guest CHORLEY GIRL]

Hi,

 

We, that is myself Tom have been considering moving abroad for a few years now just didn't know where we wanted to live. I've lived in Spain only stayed for a year, it just felt like one long holiday and i couldn't settle there. I think i would have drank myself to death if i'd have stayed so thought it was best to come back and dry out.

 

Tom has travelled and spent time in Australia and lived there for over a year however when he mentioned it i dismissed the idea as i felt it was to far away and told him it wasn't an option. It was only when a friend applied and talked me through the process, i went through everything with her, but still the family thing was still preying on my mind. It has taken me along time to come round, we don't have kids but are intending to have them in the near future and i certainly don't want them growing up here.

 

So yep the decisions made i just hope we get in and i can settle and don't miss family to much!

 

Good luck everyone;)Jo and Tom

[Guest WeGottaGetOuttaThisPlace]

Hi We have been thinking about moving to Australia for about 4 years. I would of made the move then but hubby needed time to think.

The main reason for wanting to move was to give our children a better future. I've been told Aus does have problems but it cant be as bad as here. I dread to think when my eldest is 15/16 (he's 11 now) what opportunities he will have here. He already has friends who are in gangs, picking on old people and causing anti social behaviour. He wants to hang around with them but we make sure he doesnt. He thinks they are cool and just wants to fit in.

Also the racial problems. Our town was involved in the race riots in 2001. Media say we are all living in harmony but that is not the case. There is real tension here. Whites think Asians get away with everything as do Asians with Whites. There is a real divide and its scary. My sons secondary school is mixed with children from all backgrounds. They cant cope with the different languages. There is a Polish boy in my sons class who cant speak hardly any English. There are others who English is not there first language. My son struggles at school and is in the lower sets. Because of this he is in classes with children who cant speak or understand basic English. His maths teacher has told us (off the record) to get him private tuition because he cant spend time with my son in class because he has targets to meet with the children from other countries.

This is a total disgrace.

Also the knife crime. My son says alot of children in is school carry a penknife. He says its for protection. We check is bag to make sure he doesnt. We do trust him but feel he may carry one because he is scared if he doesnt.

He is a good boy but as said above, he just wants to fit in. Luckilly we have a good relationship with him and talk openly about drugs, guns and knifes etc.. and try to teach him and listen to his opinions. With the way things are going in UK we are terrified if he gets in with a wrong crowd.

 

 

I don't really have to post my reply because Sprayer says it all basically. We are stuck in an area where gangs and knife crime are rife. It is terrifying. We have just had our first child and don't want him growing up with these problems either. If he is to have any friends round here, he will basically have to be in a gang otherwise he would just have to sit in the house all the time and the schools are so rough it is scary.

 

I know these problems MIGHT eventually be overcome - don't have a clue how or when but it defo wont be in the next decade and we cant afford to move to a better area in this city. The thought of staying here breaks my heart.

 

We chose Australia because my partner has always wanted to live there and we lived in Melbourne a few years back when we were young and carefree. It was the first place we have ever been to that we never wanted to leave. Melbourne was a bit too expensive and busy for us to actually emigrate to so we decided on Adelaide for the much more laid back lifestyle and the great beaches etc.

 

Good luck with the rest of the visa process... Hopefully we will all get there one day in the not so distant future and hopefully will appreciate it enough to hang in there at the start when I know it will be tough

[Guest sprayer]

Hi Warren And Jill Hope You Realise Your Dream Of A Better Future For Your Kids, This Is Exactly What We Want,we Hope Our Boys Will Find Good Jobs And Become Self Eufficient Over In Oz This Would Be An Impossible Dream Here Hope To See You In Adelaide Sue Billy And Four Boys 26 23 17 16 Cant Wait To Begin The Rest Of Our Lives

Thanks Sue , Billy & boys.

Im sure your boys will have plenty of opportunities in Oz.. How did you manage with 4 Boys? I struggle with 2. They are always bickering, fighting and feeling 1 gets more atttention than the other.

 

I don't really have to post my reply because Sprayer says it all basically. We are stuck in an area where gangs and knife crime are rife. It is terrifying. We have just had our first child and don't want him growing up with these problems either. If he is to have any friends round here, he will basically have to be in a gang otherwise he would just have to sit in the house all the time and the schools are so rough it is scary.

 

I know these problems MIGHT eventually be overcome - don't have a clue how or when but it defo wont be in the next decade and we cant afford to move to a better area in this city. The thought of staying here breaks my heart.

 

We chose Australia because my partner has always wanted to live there and we lived in Melbourne a few years back when we were young and carefree. It was the first place we have ever been to that we never wanted to leave. Melbourne was a bit too expensive and busy for us to actually emigrate to so we decided on Adelaide for the much more laid back lifestyle and the great beaches etc.

 

Good luck with the rest of the visa process... Hopefully we will all get there one day in the not so distant future and hopefully will appreciate it enough to hang in there at the start when I know it will be tough

 

I wish we had thought of moving years ago when eldest was born. You are doing the right thing.

It is so hard trying to find a balance. We give son freedom and let him go places but we are scared in case something happens. However, we dont want to wrap him in cotton wool because he will have to face the world eventually. We want him to be independant and feel he needs to be streetwise.

He is really into dirt bikes and Quad's so we have bought him 2 dirt bikes in need of repair to do up. We feel this keeps him off the streets and also he has an interest he can share with his friends. We have said when he has fixed them, he can sell them and make a profit so hopefully he can put towards a new Quad bike in OZ.

[jo_marnes]

4 boys?? Yikes - I have 3 and that's enough! We are moving to Oz for several reasons. Firstly, my family (Mum, Dad and Sister) are going. We would never have made this decision if it weren't for them wanting to go. Secondly, for the kids. Although we live in a relatively peaceful town, there are still drug problems and the racial tensions are everywhere - you can't escape it. Our local paper this week had an article about the police introducing sniffer dogs outside a local pub - they caught 15 people going in with drugs and one with a blade! This is a quiet market town!! It's worrying how this might escalate. My eldest is only 4 at the moment and I don't want them being brought up here - it's not safe. I know that Oz will also have these issues, but I can't believe it would be as bad as here.

 

Also, there is the opportunity for a healthier lifestyle. Outdoor life would suit my kids and I'm sure that Mark and I will get used to it. I know it will be hard financially, but we are not exactly rich over here! We have a single income of £25k and we manage on this with the 3 children. We have no debts and don't want to get any!! We rent currently, so we have nothing to lose over here.

 

And as they say - you can always come back!

[Guest Sharron & Andrew]

Hi All,

 

It's interesting reading the reasons you all want to move to Australia. We live in Cumbria and although we have the lovely Lake District and don't have any really large cities, we are now getting similar problems. Only the other day the local news was reporting that a man from Iraq had stabbed a man from Poland outside a local pub. The local park is a no go after 6pm as this is where all the teenagers hang out with their bottles of cheap cider, and near enough every night the local paper is reporting on drugs busts in the local area because pushers come up from the major cities thinking they won't get caught out in the wilds of rural Cumbria.

When I was young I used to get told that I was really lucky living in this part of the country, even though the wages are crap the transport system and roads are crap and the weather is crap, but now I'm not so sure.

I know that it will be hard to move and settle in a completely new country (I don't wear rose coloured specs)! but it is something I have wanted to do for 20 years and if we don't do it now while we have the chance we may never get the chance again.

 

Good luck to all those who are making the same decisions.

[Angela]

Its a good thought process & probably one that each & everyone of us ask ourselves 'over & over' again.....I know we did & to be honest we still do, frequently.

 

We did see a piece of Australia being Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sydney. We wanted to have no regrets & go for it & the time was right, any later we may or rather I may have bottled out !

 

To date our kids love it here, I am very proud of what them & hubby has achieved in a short space of time. Some days/weeks are harder than others, but in summary I don't miss the UK AT ALL, just friends & family............oh & my salary LOL !!

 

Good luck

Angela

[Jessica Berry]

Hi,

 

We, that is myself Tom have been considering moving abroad for a few years now just didn't know where we wanted to live. I've lived in Spain only stayed for a year, it just felt like one long holiday and i couldn't settle there. I think i would have drank myself to death if i'd have stayed so thought it was best to come back and dry out.

 

Tom has travelled and spent time in Australia and lived there for over a year however when he mentioned it i dismissed the idea as i felt it was to far away and told him it wasn't an option. It was only when a friend applied and talked me through the process, i went through everything with her, but still the family thing was still preying on my mind. It has taken me along time to come round, we don't have kids but are intending to have them in the near future and i certainly don't want them growing up here.

 

So yep the decisions made i just hope we get in and i can settle and don't miss family to much!

 

Good luck everyone;)Jo and Tom

 

Hi Jo and Tom

 

We are a young(ish) couple aged 30 and 35, we do not have any children.

 

We emigrated 15 months ago and so far so good.

 

I often read on poms that people are coming out here for a better life for their children. I personally think if there is anyone out there, like yourselves, that are young and do not have children (but are planning to have them) get out here before you have kids, then while you are establishing yourselves you have 2 salaries coming in. Also the older people get the more established they are in their careers and are earning good money, it is then a much bigger shock for them when they have to start at a lower level and on a lower salary and often support a family on 1 wage.

 

We both earn similar salaries to what we earnt in the UK and have gained employment at a similar level, but I feel that our approach and attitude to life in Australia has contributed to our success.

[Guest Guest75]

Hi Jo and Tom

 

We are a young(ish) couple aged 30 and 35, we do not have any children.

 

We emigrated 15 months ago and so far so good.

 

I often read on poms that people are coming out here for a better life for their children. I personally think if there is anyone out there, like yourselves, that are young and do not have children (but are planning to have them) get out here before you have kids, then while you are establishing yourselves you have 2 salaries coming in. Also the older people get the more established they are in their careers and are earning good money, it is then a much bigger shock for them when they have to start at a lower level and on a lower salary and often support a family on 1 wage.

 

We both earn similar salaries to what we earnt in the UK and have gained employment at a similar level, but I feel that our approach and attitude to life in Australia has contributed to our success.

 

Top Post!!!

 

Very good advice!!!:notworthy:

[Guest CHORLEY GIRL]

Thanks for the advice,

 

Nice to hear from a couple in similar circumstances i was beginning to think that everyone making the move had children. Respect goes out to the families making the move must be difficult financially, that is why we are holding of and want to get settled and make sure we are secure financially before we have children.

 

Just a question have you found there are a plenty of young couples in Adelaide or is it very family orientated have you found it easy to make friends? Other young couples out there to socialise with? We find it difficult over here because we are at the age now where many of our friends have children can't get baby sitters and never go out etc just wondered what the situation was over there?

 

Jo and Tom:)

[Guest Nick11]

Hi Jo and Tom

 

We are a young(ish) couple aged 30 and 35, we do not have any children.

 

We emigrated 15 months ago and so far so good.

 

I often read on poms that people are coming out here for a better life for their children. I personally think if there is anyone out there, like yourselves, that are young and do not have children (but are planning to have them) get out here before you have kids, then while you are establishing yourselves you have 2 salaries coming in. Also the older people get the more established they are in their careers and are earning good money, it is then a much bigger shock for them when they have to start at a lower level and on a lower salary and often support a family on 1 wage.

 

We both earn similar salaries to what we earnt in the UK and have gained employment at a similar level, but I feel that our approach and attitude to life in Australia has contributed to our success.

 

Excellent advice.

I got to the stage in the uk where I couldn't watch the news or read the newspaper without blowing my top.

It's the injustice in the uk that gets to me!!!!

The punishement never fits the crime .... different rules depending on who you are etc....feeling like an outsider in your own country.... could go on all day....but you get the gist!!!

Just felt there must be something better out there for both me and the kids.

And we found it.

Okay oz isn't perfect - lower wages etc - definately more of a struggle financially

No regrets whatsoever - just wish we had done it 10 years earlier!

[Guest LOOBYLOO]

HI

we live in a quiet area in Scotland and crime is very low, but work in Edinburgh and we see a big drug problem. We have 3 boys (17,12,7) and are concerned for their future. Housing, drugs, thugs etc...where do they go in life and how can they afford to leave home? Hoping to move to Oz for a better way of life. We are looking forward to going for ourselves but mainly for our boys. I know it won't be all plain sailing but we'd rather take the jump than stay here.

[Guest Deb17]

Excellent advice.

I got to the stage in the uk where I couldn't watch the news or read the newspaper without blowing my top.

It's the injustice in the uk that gets to me!!!!

The punishement never fits the crime .... different rules depending on who you are etc....feeling like an outsider in your own country.... could go on all day....but you get the gist!!!

Just felt there must be something better out there for both me and the kids.

And we found it.

Okay oz isn't perfect - lower wages etc - definately more of a struggle financially

No regrets whatsoever - just wish we had done it 10 years earlier!

 

Us too! Blimey, reading some of these posts I'm beginning to feel SOOOO glad we made the move when we did, otherwise we might never have had the chance. But it is harder when you end up bringing up kids on one income, with being older and not able to find the same kinds of work we did in the UK. I only wish we'd been the kind of organized people who could think about emigrating in our late twenties/early thirties, before we had kids or when they were very small. For most people it's the very fact that they start a family in the UK and then realize how unsafe the streets are that gives them the push they need to start the whole emigration process. The public schools here aren't perfect, not by a long chalk, but at least when I drop my 14 year old off in the mornings I don't worry about him getting stabbed during the day!

[jo_marnes]

We have only ever had one income to support our family so I am hoping we won't struggle too much. Thats as long as my husband can earn what he does here. We know that going on a temp visa means no financial help like we get here (tax credits/ child benefit), but we currently save money each month and pay 8% wages into a pension. We are quite willing to not do this until we have PR and can claim for financial help. Hopefully that will help even out the difference

[Guest weesp]

We moved here nearly one month ago. It has been really hard and testing for us, we knew it would be hard but not this hard. We feel like we have hit brick walls every turn, especially with rentals and schools. Financially, we will be far more worse off than the UK even with both of us working especially as we are on the SIR 495 visa. Tax is high here, food shopping is high here, especially as you are on very low wages here. Also the crime is worse than we thought when we were living in the UK, we didn't come here with rose tinted glasses thinking Oz would be a trouble free zone, but personally, I think it has the same problems as UK but on on a smaller scale, you still have stabbings, muggings robberies kids binge drinking and drugs. You can't escape these things, where there are people you will always have problems.

[Guest Deb17]

We have only ever had one income to support our family so I am hoping we won't struggle too much. Thats as long as my husband can earn what he does here. We know that going on a temp visa means no financial help like we get here (tax credits/ child benefit), but we currently save money each month and pay 8% wages into a pension. We are quite willing to not do this until we have PR and can claim for financial help. Hopefully that will help even out the difference

 

I hope somebody will please correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding was that even when you get PR you still have to wait ANOTHER two years before you are eligible for government benefits. In essence then, even in the best case scenario you have basically got to find a way to support yourself for four years before you are 'equal' in the government's eyes to the born and bred Aussies. Four years scraping by on the breadline and having to use up all your savings isn't going to be much fun.

[jo_marnes]

I hope somebody will please correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding was that even when you get PR you still have to wait ANOTHER two years before you are eligible for government benefits. In essence then, even in the best case scenario you have basically got to find a way to support yourself for four years before you are 'equal' in the government's eyes to the born and bred Aussies. Four years scraping by on the breadline and having to use up all your savings isn't going to be much fun.

 

 

Yes you are right, we are aware of this. However, my husband will have enough points to qualify for a PR visa after 6 mths employment, so it's more like 2.5 - 3 years. Yes it will be hard, but we are not well off here. I really don't think it will make much difference to us. We are used to struggling! Rather in Adelaide than here! It won't be much fun, but its the long term we are looking at. When you think about what we could have in the future then 3 years is no time. My youngest is only 5 mths old, so we wouldn't be getting a joint income here until he's at nursery, so thats 2.5 yrs. Then I want to train as a midwife - another 3 years. I'd be doing the same here as I would be in Adelaide and we personally think there is more opportunity for my husband out there in Oz. We aren't going to be well off here and we aren't going to be well off there. Not for a long time anyway. But its not about the initial struggle is it? This is about the future for our children

[Guest Shy Ted]

As I understand it, newly arrived permanent residents only have to wait 2 years for certain benefits.

 

See the attached link;

 

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/factors/newly_arrived.htm

[Jessica Berry]

Thanks for the advice,

 

Nice to hear from a couple in similar circumstances i was beginning to think that everyone making the move had children. Respect goes out to the families making the move must be difficult financially, that is why we are holding of and want to get settled and make sure we are secure financially before we have children.

 

Just a question have you found there are a plenty of young couples in Adelaide or is it very family orientated have you found it easy to make friends? Other young couples out there to socialise with? We find it difficult over here because we are at the age now where many of our friends have children can't get baby sitters and never go out etc just wondered what the situation was over there?

 

Jo and Tom:)

 

We have not really made any friends outside of work, but that has more been down to choice. We both work full-time so spare time is precious.

 

We left the UK in March 2007 and went on a 31 day holiday before we settled into starting a new life in Adelaide. We went to Hong Kong, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, visited 2 lots of friends that were living in NSW and Victoria and then arrived in Adelaide.

 

We have also been on holiday to Singapore and Bintan (met my parents there for my dad's 60th birthday), we went to Port Douglas and the Barrier Reef for my partners 30th birthday and are going back to the UK in September for my brothers wedding and stopping off at Kuala Lumpa.

 

We have been to see Pink, Lionel Richie, The Police and Rod Stewart while we have been here and also seen lots of theatre and festival shows as well.

 

We are able to do lots of these things because we don't have children and are not planning on having any and we intend to see and do and enjoy sampling everything this country has to offer.

 

I am sure there are plenty of opportunities to make friends and the Australians are extremely friendly and sociable people.

[Guest Libby1971]

As I understand it, newly arrived permanent residents only have to wait 2 years for certain benefits.

 

See the attached link;

 

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/factors/newly_arrived.htm

 

This is in regard to job seekers allowance, carers allowance, disability benefit etc.

 

Once you have PR, you can claim and receive child benefit.

 

Libby

[laura girling]

Hi There Sprayer. (WE GOT TO GET OUTTA HERE)

Crickey Mate what a scary area you live in, just to let you know my son has learning problems and in the Uk was funded so he got a one on one for at least 8 hours per week.

Here they were quick to help him with phycologist and the most severe cases only get 4 hours help.

I think you'll find it will be the same case as your school in the UK not having time to help him as too many others in the class.

Although I have to say my sons teacher has made him so much more independant and with the homework that he receives it makes him think a great deal more.

Also it will help your son as he will go into year 7 at primary in Jan 09 so it will give him a chance to catch up a little.

 

Good luck with your move.

 

Lauraxxxx