ImmilBees Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 Hi I need to know, what it is about Perth that actually made your life better? What did you leave behind? What were you hoping to achieve? Did you get it? What is it about Australia/Perth that has kept you from coming back to the UK? We are a family of 4 and are currently in the serious consideration stages of making the move. We've done the calculations and have worked out financially we're not that better off, only a little. My husband is drawn in by the outdoor lifestyle, the weather, the potential job opportunities. I need a little more convincing though! So is the weather, work life balance and the way of life really enough to upheave and leave? What would you say was the main selling point in your decision to make the move? We've worked out we need to save up a good 17K to come over and have enough savings to live for a couple of months, but that 17K will also be needed to get a deposit on a house in the UK if we decided to stay. So either way we're in for a few years of saving! Thanks in advance Claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebradeb Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 People will be along to share their thoughts Claire, in the meantime have a read through the threads on here and on what people's thoughts are. There is something about Perth IMO that makes you want to stay! - Check the job situation carefully, not all people with visas gain delivery of the promises made with regard to jobs. The more money you can save, the easier it will be to get yourself sorted. Consider a budget and aim for that suburb. If you have children, consider your schools, job consider location for commute etc. Its a big decision, but one only you can make. If you do get a visa you have a year to validate it, so if you're not ready to move out at that point, nothing can replace a visit. You will read that once you get there, you will be drawn to an area that feels right for you. Good luck with your adventure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 I think the 'better life' is a difficult one, as it makes it sound as if something were lacking back in the UK. For us we just wanted a change whilst we were still young enough to do it. I wanted at least a 'comparable' life style. I was a G Grade/band 7 in the UK and came here and worked on the wards for a few months, before getting a community post and eventually a senior position (took 18 months/2 years). So do be prepared to have to re-establish yourself career wise. I've been here 7.5 years and this is the second job freeze we've encountered in the public sector. Do research the job market and do consider seriously the visa you come on, the 457 sponsored temporary visa will attract school fees soon and needs to be added to your savings until you start earning. We both work the same hours as we did in the UK but do spend more time as a family at weekends. What did we leave behind - family, friends, career - but apart from family we have over time been able to replicate what we had, we've made some fantastic friends who have become like family. I think only you can judge if it's enough to leave - I love living here in Perth and the life we've carved out for ourselves, but you do need to be prepared to take a step back to move forward and it can be an expensive place to live - I guess we've just thought "it is what it is" and got on with it. If you can afford to - come out for a holiday if you're unsure about moving, you'll either love it or hate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 For us, it was simply I was offered a job and we thought why not. We didn't have many strong ties to the uk and had both lived and worked in other countries. What do we like about it? To be honest, that's a hard one. I like the fact it is very clean. I like being beach side. Until recently it offered more opportunity for my career with better working conditions. My wife loves the weather - I find it a bit too hot. Do though do more research to make sure you haven't got rose tinted glasses. For example, your husband may be a bit optomisitc. Engineering here is in serious downturn. So there aren't likely to be lots of job opportunities. The outdoor lifestyle is present for some and not others. It was reported last week for example that Oz kids are the most housebound in the developed world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 What made it better? The salary. Then compared to that - houses are better and cheaper, you can drive a V8 or a 4x4 without being pilloried, it's easier to go out of a weekend and do something as the weather is better, public transport is usable, clean and cheap, the city is clean and has 95% of what I need and it's right on my doorstep. But I work longer hours, I miss my friends, winters are still cold and some of the things I want to do require a 4 hour flight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelbug Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 Research,Research and research as much as possible, left behind was family, a nice house and a good career which i don't have here yet, if you don't have direct contact getting jobs can be difficult depending on the career. I love the long warm summer, and the fact you can build and design your own house cheaper than buying. Renting is expensive depending where you are and care needs to be taken when renting there are some right dives. I haven't found it extremely different to the UK when it comes to having to get on with things, you still have to work and mostly both do to make it, i.e paying your way. I haven't found any friendlier than the UK either, you do need to be strong to start all over again and if you are then you will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abc Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 We never did any research just took a gamble, nearly 10 years on, still here, still loving it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImmilBees Posted June 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 Brilliant. Thank you everyone. I am a band 6 nurse, and am willing to take the step back to move on, my husband has a degree in finance and business, with experience in engineering, so he has a few options, he is looking into what is out there and the wages to make sure that the movewill be worth it. We both have the attitude of if you don't try it, we could be left wondering what if. But the difference is my husband seems to see no negatives to the situation, not because he's got rose tinted specs on but he's a positive can do person that needs to try something first to see it didn't work (like can't believe it till I see it), whereas I have a few more what if's that need answering. So research research is the key, and preferably I would like to visit first for a holiday. I think that is my main issue, it's a long way to go without visiting, though we did move last year to an area we've never been to in the UK for work, and settled fine, made friends, found a nice area to live, youngest settled in fine at new nursery, so we can do it, but is there a difference between moving away from family but still in UK and moving away to another country? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 We visited Brisbane, Cairns and Sydney for a holiday (no thought whatsoever about emigrating ... that came after we returned home) ... and opted for Perth lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 It was certainly never about money for us. As long as we can pay the bills we're not particularly bothered, we get by on what we have. I hated living in London. In fact, I had quite a strong dislike for England. I found life difficult there; I seemed to work harder each year, become more and more drawn into a role and a degree of seniority I wasn't particularly comfortable with and couldn't see a way out. Every time we did anything it seemed to cost us more and more money and the more successful my wife's business became the harder she worked, the more staff she had but there were fewer rewards. It's difficult to say what it is I love about life here, there are simply too many things but the day after we landed I became very emotional, very overcome and it was because I really felt that, after 40 years, I'd finally found home. We came for a better work/life balance, a simpler life, better community and greater opportunities for our children and I think WA has exceeded our expectations ten fold. I think it has a lot to do with the type of people we are. We're not the sort to sit at home in front of the telly, we immerse ourselves in our community because we enjoy giving. We're also pretty positive people and that has opened so many doors and Freo is a very special place; creative and grungy and hip and that suits us very well. A word of caution though. This doesn't suit everyone. I've known people who've only lasted a couple of months and hated it. That £17k is just to get you here but you have to get jobs too and if you don't like it, it might end up costing another £17k to get back into UK life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijay Kumar P Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 (edited) To be honest, I always dreamt of America, but no one offered me Visa for my qualification and got my PR for Australia in one year of time. I have done my initial visit in November, will make a permanent move after marriage. Why Australia? Because I don't like being in India. Tired life, frustrating lifestyle, pressure and tension go hand in hand. Why Australia? Because of opportunities for anyone and everyone, lifestyle, work-life balance, beaches, weather and multiculture environment. Have to work in Perth (especially in WA) cos of moral obligations after that will move to Melbourne or Sydney. As of now Perth is fabulous city with clean and calm place as per the research and friends' opinion! Would be back soon to Oz! Edited June 17, 2014 by Vijay Kumar P CHANGE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE P Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 A difficult question and a hard decision to make. We've been her 2 years and I'm still unsure if made the right decision. Perth is a lovely city, clean and pleasant but we seem to be working harder than in the UK. Miss the familiarity, friends & family in the UK. We now moan about the heat rather than the cold. My advice would be visit on holiday and try to organise job interviews while here, things will be much easier if you can walk into a job. things are expensive and 17k won't last long. Expect in excess of $500 / week for house rental & when you consider food /removals etc you will need a job early doors. Its not an easy decision at any time and with limited savings will make things even harder. Eating out, beer & health care expensive, petrol cheap & things a bit better now exchange rate 1.8 from 1.45 last year. good luck whatever you choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plimthing Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 No matter how much research you do it's always the unexpected things that turn your thoughts back to blighty. I have a good job here, although far too laid back for my liking, i have a decent house, my eldest daughter is enjoying and doing well in school, youngest is enjoying her playgroups, my wife works a few days when i'm off so she is happy as she keeps upto date with her profession. We take home more money per month than we did in Uk, and manage to save a lot, something we never did in UK. We own 2 cars, i have my hobby car, and i only pay 10% of the airfare for domestic services for Qantas, and around 20% for International in Business class so our scope for travel and see this beautiful part of the world is a lot less restrictive, financially, than others. We live with the Indian ocean in earshot and the wilderness a few hours drive away which is fantastic. Green parks at the end of the street for the kids to play safely. However when homesickness strikes, it strikes hard and all the above mean nothing. To let the kids see their Grandparents daily/weekly is priceless. To see my friends who i have grown up with from the age of 4, for my wife to be with her family and friends and see her smile more frequently is worth lots more. I left a good job in UK to come here, but it was my choice and i am lucky and happy that i had that choice as i'm sure many people out there would swap. We like an adventure and a challenge and Australia/Perth is both, so i'm glad we came. However i think when my bond with my Airline is finished in Aug 15 i will be flying home via Melbourne and Dubai back to UK. I guess you don't know what you've got till its gone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odies Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 so true plimthing, and wish you all the very best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROB T Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 so true plimthing, and wish you all the very best Hey Odies you too have nearly reached the magic '1000' milestone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odies Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Oh gosh , joining the 1000 club, is that free coffee for life ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROB T Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 Oh gosh , joining the 1000 club, is that free coffee for life ?? Blimey at this rate I'll be out of business even before I start..... Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ChrisRoberts Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) For me Perth is great and apparently it's the third most popular place in Australia for training if that's what you're after. Edited June 22, 2014 by ChrisRoberts fixed a typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelbug Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 For me Peth is great and apparently it's the third most popular place in Australia for training if that's what you're after. Yeah at a cost and an expensive one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 For me Peth is great and apparently it's the third most popular place in Australia for training if that's what you're after. For training what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plimthing Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 For my Training in Perth i was sent to Brisbane and Sydney! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 For me Peth is great and apparently it's the third most popular place in Australia for training if that's what you're after. Not surprising given you need a ticket to serve a beer or a coffee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted June 22, 2014 Report Share Posted June 22, 2014 We have wanted to come for 6 years we went to Sydney, Queen land and Cairnes and Cairnes was the place for us then reality hit can not leave family.Years passed and my daugter and her Oh said they where thinking of Emmigrating so that was are decision made we went and got our are visas and decide perth looked like the place for us . Meanwhile my daughter other Oh got made redundant so that put things on hold for them.We made the decision to go ahead as age was going against us . Hopefully daughter will be out next year and life will get easier. If not who knows we love it here but love me family more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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