Sunsine not rain Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 I've read through the threads and can mainly see it's families who emigrate. We are considering the move but with the children now being adults (20s) we are wondering if gaining a new social circle will be difficult. we are early 40's and enjoy eating out and bbqs with friends (weather permitting). Not huge fans of going to the pubs, prefer the laid back socialising (if this makes sense). I would like to hear from people with a similar situation who have managed to find new friends down under. We are looking at the Joondalup area, but are open to other areas if more suitable (wanting access to the CBD) Great site by the way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpakey Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 IMHO, incredibly easy to find friends within this social circle, people in a very similar position, kids not reliant so much on their parents and you have some time to yourself to enjoy doing things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 The first to consider is visas. You mention you are in your 40's. But how old exactly? Although the cut off is 50, it is very difficult aged 45 as from 45 there are no points awarded for age. Also, there can be complications if you want to bring the children and proving they are dependent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 We came and are children who have there own family stayed in England.Its been a hard year and we do miss them.Skype helps a lot.We our hoping that they will follow. We have meet people thought PP and we go out for meals.We have had BBQ and picnics.It is a lovely life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunsine not rain Posted March 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 I'm 40 and my partner just turned 39...we thought if we visited next year, liked the place, we could set the ball rolling. My OH would be the main app so he would of turned 40, upon submission. We would not want to emigrate for at least 3 years due to his daughters age, (she lives with her mum but he wants to remain in uk until she turns 18). My son is currently completing 3rd year in uni ( wants to be a PE teacher so another year of teacher training and he's qualified) at this stage he is undecided but wants to take the trip next year to decide. I've researched the SOL and if he did decide to come with us he would need to hold at least 3 years work experience within his field which i suspect by the time it all goes through process, he wil have an idea where he is in terms of employment (aware he may have a delay in following due to the 3 years employment but everything is theoretical at the moment). The reason we are considering the move, is the outdoor lifestyle and hopefully to meet new friends (my main concern is isolation due to no young children in tow). I'm ok with activating the visa and returning back until a few more years have passed. My priority is ensuring the children are settled/happy and we think a few additional years will help. (Although, I'm basing this on my son coming with me because I don't think I can leave him, even if he is in his 20s). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunsine not rain Posted March 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 We came and are children who have there own family stayed in England.Its been a hard year and we do miss them.Skype helps a lot.We our hoping that they will follow.We have meet people thought PP and we go out for meals.We have had BBQ and picnics.It is a lovely life. i think Skype is a good idea...my son's father emigrated last year and have only skyped him twice (first week he arrived and 10 mins on Christmas day). If my son did remain in UK,i think i'd be skyping every other day :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Age then is fine. One option may be to include your son in your application - he should be able to be classed as dependent while he is in full time education. The only bit of caution i would add is that in my experience, the outdoor lifestyle is no more or less than the UK or anywhere else. It may be sunny all summer, but neither sensible or pleasant being outdoors for long in 40c heat. My experience is that if you are not an outdoor person now, then Oz wont magically make you here. I am currently away contracting in the arctic. It is -15 and snowing. I am just as outdoors here as i am in Oz, which is probably less than i was in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunsine not rain Posted March 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Thanks VS, I like being outdoors but not in extreme heat (usually holiday in Florida every year and that gets to me sometimes) but I'm trying to keep an open mind and accept there will be pro's and con's in both countries. I think visiting and seeing what's on offer is first and formeost the next step. I have a nice home and a good job here in the UK but if i can improve on these downunder, then i'm prepared to give it a go. As for the artic...wow you must be freezing! Did experience -12 once in New York and told my friends, until you experience it you can't explain it...I always think of it when i'm moaning about UK winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfie Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 We came without children my son is 28 still in the UK has his own life. Yes we miss him skype contact is brill. We have offered to pay for him to visit for the last 3 Christmas times but he has declined. His reason why do I want to come to extreme heat and flies........... his choice............ So we said come for Easter again he declined his choice he is just not interested ............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristle Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 We came over 15 months ago and were in our mid 40s with no kids. The weather can be extreme but there are ways to cope. We have made good friends with others in the same age range in that time and go out more than in the UK. There have been problems around jobs and I am currently looking for work but, all in all, we are happy we made the move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunsine not rain Posted March 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 Thank-you everyone for your feedback. I agree with you Elfie...when they become adults it's their choice. I know my son isn't interested in visiting his father in Perth but that's down to the lack of communication on his father side and not my sons. Think I was quite shocked when he said he wanted to do the rekkie with us. I've sent a few emails direct to employers who are advertising in my line of work and already have a few leads for the future. I received one this morning and she told me she was from the UK also and to contact her in the future if I decide to make the move. Think it would be the job front that would worry me all in all. I hope you get lucky soon Elfie. Thank-you Bristle, it's nice to hear people in our situation can make new friends and enjoy some much needed socialising time. Our friends are either out as seperate groups or as couples to watch the rugby; they are not fans of dining out and having a chat etc (so we are pretty lonely in that area). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 i think Skype is a good idea...my son's father emigrated last year and have only skyped him twice (first week he arrived and 10 mins on Christmas day). If my son did remain in UK,i think i'd be skyping every other day :-) I skype at least 3 times a week.It can take over your life with the time difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 Thanks VS, I like being outdoors but not in extreme heat (usually holiday in Florida every year and that gets to me sometimes) but I'm trying to keep an open mind and accept there will be pro's and con's in both countries. I think visiting and seeing what's on offer is first and formeost the next step. I have a nice home and a good job here in the UK but if i can improve on these downunder, then i'm prepared to give it a go. As for the artic...wow you must be freezing! Did experience -12 once in New York and told my friends, until you experience it you can't explain it...I always think of it when i'm moaning about UK winter. The best advice i would then give, is too do a LOT of research on line about work and things. If you have a good job and nice house, then research very hard about your job prospects and things prior to moving - dont forget the Oz and in particular Perth economy is slowing. Ensure your calculate in set backs on the finances. For example - we moved in our late 30's with no children and went from a house with the mortgage almost paid off, to a 30 year very large mortgage. At the same time, you will need to pump a lot of extra money into your super here in order to ensure you will have a pension on retirement - the government are almost certain to make the assumption that everyone now has their own private plan within a few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunsine not rain Posted March 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 Thank you. Yes I have decided to at least secure a job before I leave. I currently work for the government so have to be sure of the move before I lose out on my civil service pension. I too have a small mortgage but have a great lifetsyle in terms of disposable income. My OH electrician / maintenance engineer so aware he will see a considerable drop in salary until A grade is obtained. I've worked out a full months living inc $2,000 rent, utilities, food etc and on the salary I was provided with today $80k + super + bonus (KPIs) there was approx $1,400 remaining - based on one income, I'm aware this could could decrease further but it sounds promising that we could survive for a few months on my salary should we need too. I am even prepared to fly over for interviews prior to the big move because I don't think I would feel settled coming over with neither in work. A born worrier I guess that wants to make the move based on having an opportunity to own a larger home with pool and more disposable income once both are working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 No offence, but $80k is not a great salary in Perth. For example, our survival point - what we need to just cover bills is $75k. That was is with a mortgage, but living in a house a long way from the city - nearly 100km. It gets more expensive as you head towards the city. In the suburbs close to the CBD, you are looking at $1 million plus for a house in the better suburbs. Be aware that federal government jobs are not available to permanent residents - citizens only. State government roles are available, but be aware of up coming redundancies - our lovely premier has built a lot of follies while the mining royalties flowed. Now they have dried up - the pockets are empty (They designed a budget based on nearly $140 a tonne of iron ore, but the collapse in mining means it is now $64 a tonne. So a whopping hole to fill. Hence, the government are just introducing legislation to allow compulsory redundancies of state staff (it was previously not allowed to make state employees redundant) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunsine not rain Posted March 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Thanks Stormy, I think what i meant to say was...we could survive if need be as a temp option. I havent factored in OH 'Trade Assistant Role in Electrical" in case it took a while. This should increase by a further $40k giving a total salary income of $120k p/an - although I'm still seeing this as low and anticipate to see the difference after he has obtained his 'A Grade' licence whereby the salary should more or less double. We have accepted this may take at least 12 months or longer... The good news is, we have healthy savings here back home and would expect to support the first 6 months of the move using it if need be (although the idea is not to use it all but its there as a contingency plan should we need too) I'm slowly gettin through everyone's threads...it's interesting to see how peoples opinions differ and how they settle/live downunder. Hope the Artic is being kind to you too. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.