Better off in UK or WA??????

[paul&emma]

Hi All,

We need advice from people who are 'living the dream!'. I am a primary school teacher and my OH is a landscape gardener. We are about to send off our state sponsorship form but are now a bit unsure as can't find any well paid jobs for gardeners. We are going a 176 visa as my OH job is in shortage.
We were hoping to have a better quality of life in WA than in UK but after looking at jobs and cost of living and house rental we are not sure that our dream can become reality!
Has any one been through the same thing but made the move anyway? Or have you decidied to stay? Any stories / advice / general info would be great.
Thanks
Emma 31, Paul 35 and William 10 months

[paul&emma]

We have done lots more research into cost of living expenses etc in order to answer the questions on the State Sponsorship application. It looks like we under estimated how much everything actually costs and how low Landscape Gardeners wages actually are in Oz. (Way, way below the national average)

It turns out we would probably be somewhere near minus $400 a WEEK.

Hard to see a way forward, but better to find out now rather than later- that’s what research is for I guess.

[spem]

Hi guys,

It depends on your interpretation of a better quality of life!!! We moved here in February this year and were quite shocked at how expensive things are here and how much they have gone up of the past few years. However, we came here with 2 young children and as far as their lifestyle is concerned, Australia wins hands down!!! There is heaps of stuff to do with kids here, and when the weather is good its all free!!! (beaches, parks etc)
You also have to put things into perspective, the houses are bigger here for lower rental costs than in the UK ( cheaper than West London anyway). You can rent a 4x2 house here for around $450+ (225 pounds) a week.(would of cost us easily 400pounds in the UK for same size house) Our shopping bill is about $200 a week (equivalent to 100pounds that we easily spent in the UK)

So although you say that you wouldn't earn as much here maybe you need to ask yourself the reason why you want to move here? To even think of moving to the other side of the world there must also be a good few reasons for you wanting to leave the UK? If that makes sense!!!

If you need any help please just ask...I can only give my opinion but will try to make it as unbiased as possible!!!

Emma :smiloe:

[julie7]

hi paul and emma
better here by far!!!
Just a quick re-cap, me and gary my partner and 2 sons moved here in sept 05, with 4 suitcases and $42,000 in our pocket, now nearly 4 years later we have a reasonably successful business, and 2 sons that are at university (something that might not have happenned in the uk) and are really happy, we couldnt have done it in england, you have to go for it and be positive and get the right advice, dont listen to the moaners!!
Anyway good luck in your new life, and the only advice i can give, is if you've made the decision to move and start a new life, then go for it and embrace it, dont compare australia to your old life!!
Take care
Julie n gary

[paul&emma]

Hi,

After starting this thread my OH and I have sent off our SS form and r now getting things ready for our visa application. We have remembered why we want to make this move and all the positive things that will change in our lives. It will be hard at first but the pros far out weigh the cons. There r a few good reasons for wanting to leave UK!!!!!
What areas do Julie and spem live in?
Thanks
Emma x

[Singos]

You should get a job as aprimary school teacher...as for the rest..I really dion't know.

[julie7]

hi
i live in Success, which is in the southern suburbs of Perth, 16mins from CBD by train or half hour drive.
Glad youve made the decision to move, and good luck with your visa's/forms etc.
You should have no problem with your teaching, If you need any info, i'll try my best to answer!!
Julie:)

[Greg]

Houses are a cheaper, new cars are cheaper, petrol is cheaper, everything else is + 50%! PS - dont get ill or have bad teeth!

[kevwend]

ok im new here 4 weeks in and so far yeah shocked how expensive it is but thats only cos the exchange rate makes it look more expensive it works out roughly the same as uk so really depends on what your looking for in your `new` life for my family its the freedom for my children no locked gates in school plenty of parkland and play areas open space and better climate also there is advantages for adults too id never afford such a large house in the uk although prices are around the same the properties are much bigger and silly as its sounds i always wanted a kitchen with an island lol its friendly quiet hot and beautiful what comparison is that to uk !! x

[StraighttothePoint]

ok im new here 4 weeks in and so far yeah shocked how expensive it is but thats only cos the exchange rate makes it look more expensive it works out roughly the same as uk

No.... How much is a pint of beer here, lets go with a 5% lager? Between $8 and $12 depending where you drink, Subi for example is a rip off. Maybe $7 in a pub that you would not take your missus into if youcan find one.

At todays exchange rate thats somewhere between 4 quid and 7 quid.

How much on average in Scotland, Edinburgh say, 3 quid. England less probably in some parts.

Same here with wine, spirits etc. Even a slab of Corona here works out far more expensive.

Maybe you are not a drinker? But honestly I have virtually stopped going to the pub here maybe once per week now and thanks usually for one drink. When wefirst arrived it was as cheap as now it is just getting as expensive as everything else.