motivation needed to stay or go

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motivation needed to stay or go
Topic Started: Sep 5 2008, 12:41 PM (187 Views)
taylors	Sep 5 2008, 12:41 PM Post #1
Redback Posts: 1 Group: Members Member #361 Joined: September 4, 2008	Introductions first: Myself (Full time mum), Hubby (Full time teacher) and two children (3 & 1) have been granted a 136 visa and have just returned from Oz on rekkie trip to Perth and SW The trip threw up loads of questions about whether we still want to actually go, so I'm after a few thoughts on the ups and downs of life down under. How long does it take before you don't feel like a foreigner? Would you say some places are more welcoming than others? Any pommie prejudice? We're only looking to move over for up to 5 yrs as a life experience rather than actually permanently settle there. So need convincing that the whole thing is worth the upheaval. Would be grateful to hear about your own experiences, Sara



Tallyho!	Sep 6 2008, 07:10 PM Post #2
Croc Posts: 254 Group: Members Member #221 Joined: April 25, 2008	Hi Sara Firstly welcome to the forum, thanks for posting. I can't really answer your questions as we haven't got our visa yet and we've never been to Oz. I do understand your worries though. We'll be leaving a really nice house - my daughter is a great school that has done wonders for her. I have some really close, great friends. Luckily I have no family ties to the area any more (only the MIL!!). Yes we do worry if we're making the right decision, but, this is only our opinion, if we never go and give it a try I know its something that we will always regret. We know its not going to be easy starting from scratch, but only time will tell whether its the right move or not, but at least we will have tried. You have obviously spent a lot of time organising and preparing for this, so only you can decide whether you go through with it, but as you say you are only going for 5 years for the experience you know you can always come back if its not for you. Wish you all the very best with your decision. Kim x Edited by Tallyho!, Sep 6 2008, 08:37 PM.
	Kim, George, Emily and Grace Vetasses submitted 23.04.08 - passed 28.05.08 - practical done 21.07.08, passed 07.08.08 175 Visa submitted 11.08.08.


PC Pom	Sep 7 2008, 12:11 AM Post #3
Anyone for tennis? Posts: 654 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: March 23, 2006	Hi Sara My wife and I have been living in Queensland for 4 years, just north of Brisbane about 100km on what is called the Sunshine Coast region. We moved here because we had family living in the area but now only my father lives here. Both my brothers have left, one now living in Tamworth, New South Wales and the other in Toowoomba, Queensland, about three hours drive inland. They have been living in Australia much longer than I have, arriving here in 1991. I also arrived in Australia then, but returned to the UK 11 months later to get married and well, never bothered returning for good until September 2004, when the time was right. As a life changing experience I would say it is worth it - but that's my opinion and you promise not to sue me or any of my friends, businesses or their businesses, and friends of their businesses if it doesn't work out for you or your family - . I have had the good fortune to spend time in four of the nation's major capitals as well as spending time living in the country - not the Outback - but quite rural locations inland where it's both hot and dry for most of the year. In the more rural areas I never really felt a foreigner, unless there was an international rugby match on tv. I think television has a lot to answer for. If you'll ever witness 'pommy bashing' more in a single place it'll be through the tube. From Channel Seven's Sunrise breakfast program where one of the presenters openly remarked during the Olympics: "Don't get me started on the Poms!" to well, any other televised sporting event where British participation is just an opportunity to have a dig. What I can't understand is why say such things in the first place since a fairly large proportion of viewers are going to be British ex-pats? I wonder what opinions are quickly drawn by the Brits when they hear stuff like this? In the mornings now I turn on Channel Nine's more civilised brekkie program. But, don't think it's just Pommy bashing that's the sport here. And it is sport related, mark my words. I can't think of any other activity, on tv or otherwise, that causes grown men to behave like racist idiots. The Kiwis get a bashing. The South Africans do too. The American's get off 'lite'. The Brits, on their homeland turf, clearly take the mick out of the 'Yanks' far more than what the Australians ever do - although the gearing up of the Presidential elections is flavour of the month for political banter - are those people 'for real'? And then there are the Mexicans. No, not the south Americans, the folks from New South Wales, south of the border, who insist on calling Queenslanders Banana Benders! So, you get the picture? Just because David Koch has a poke at the Poms on Sunrise doesn't mean he's the type of bloke to go out and pop one on the streets. It's the Aussie way, and when you live here you just have to get over it quickly - or change channel. At the end of the day much of what you hear on tv doesn't get translated to the urban jungle. It's just 'sport', sport. Oh, except soccer. For some reason that'll always be more violent off the field than on. Perhaps it's the frustration felt by the fans - one goal in ninety minutes and lots of play acting. Most other team sports manage to keep their fans occupied... If you visited Perth (aka 'Perf' ) I'd have thought you would have felt at home in terms of the number of Brits living there. People living on the East Coast of Australia that visit Perth reckon it's hard to spot an Aussie accent now amongst the hardcore Pommy population, most of which apparently come from the south-east of England and snap up prime real estate on the shoreline - hence 'Perf'. I'm from the south-east of England. According to a reputable source at a large foreign exchange company (begins with an H and ends with an X), more people leave Perth after arriving there in the first couple of months than anywhere else in Australia, as a proportion of the number of arrivals. Why? I wouldn't like to say, as I've never been or left there. However, I get the feeling that Brits like to gather in groups (perhaps to call on Man Utd. ). If they based their ideal location on comments from friendly forums addicts, then they only have themselves to blame. You did well to check out quite a few areas and that's why you are questioning the move. Seeing it in the flesh is so different to a forum flutter. Forum's have their places, of course. I wouldn't want to knock this one, for example, which has gathered together some of the finest people on the planet (ok? ). Today, I live in a rural part of a growing community. It's a community that has undergone a political change, for the better in my opinion, with the unification of the Sunshine Coast regions under a single umbrella, and a big one too. Bob Abbot (www.bigbob.com.au) will do the region proud. Do I feel like a foreigner here? No. Never have and never will. Ah, only once. Opened my mouth and the words that flowed were fuel for a series of jokes, none of which even mentioned Prince Charles, much to my surprise - I have the ears and the voice! I chose to live in an area where I would meet real Australian people. I'm not one who goes out of his way to actively speak to every passing stranger (they'd lock me up) but I'm encouraged to by the people that I do meet and talk to. In fact, it's an opportunity to tell them of my roots. Just don't over do it! It might be misconstrued, as if you're missing home, in which case you'll be asked "why the bloody hell don't you go back there? Yer whinging Pom!".
	Koala Konnection UK to Australia and New Zealand. Migration Made Easy.


Tyke	Sep 9 2008, 10:57 PM Post #4
Happy in Onkaparinga Hills Posts: 237 Group: Members Member #228 Joined: April 25, 2008	Only you can decide at the end of it. We did not want to be sitting in the UK late in life saying "what if?" We are very glad we have made the move,it takes a good few years to completely settle. We consider Adelaide home now after 8 years. I've had no probs here with Aussies, we live under the same sun and they are accustomed to migrants. As long as you do your bit and can take some ribbing you will be fine. Top post PC Pom BTW
	Quality furnished ,short term rentals.2 beautiful houses,in Woodcroft and Seaford. "Home from Home" Auseelife


PC Pom	Sep 10 2008, 01:03 AM Post #5
Anyone for tennis? Posts: 654 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: March 23, 2006	Thanks Russ. Just trying to up in words for the lack in numbers... If you get my drift
	Koala Konnection UK to Australia and New Zealand. Migration Made Easy.


Tyke	Sep 10 2008, 02:53 AM Post #6
Happy in Onkaparinga Hills Posts: 237 Group: Members Member #228 Joined: April 25, 2008	PC Pom Sep 10 2008, 01:03 AM Thanks Russ. Just trying to up in words for the lack in numbers... If you get my drift Ya mean ya get verbal diarrhoea like me at times. I try and not post when I've been drinking - gets me into all sorts of bother. I know what you mean really - good to share our experiences with others.
	Quality furnished ,short term rentals.2 beautiful houses,in Woodcroft and Seaford. "Home from Home" Auseelife


jo90	Sep 10 2008, 06:27 PM Post #7
Taipan Posts: 129 Group: Members Member #93 Joined: March 6, 2007	Hi sara! ...and a huge welcome to you and your family! Like everyone else - we're gonna give oz our best shot - if we don't settle and decide to return to the uk at least we can say we tried our best! I've only visited Queensland and fell in love with the place and the lifestyle. During our visit I went into a Primary School in Mountain Creek for the day to see whether I'd enjoy teaching in oz. I was made to feel very welcome by both the staff and children. Is your hubbie gonna continue to teach if you make the move? We're still waiting for our visa (how long???) but although apprehensive when we returned from our reccie we now can not wait to begin our adventure! Good luck and keep us posted! Jo x x
	[SIZE=7] Jo (32) Craig (32) Ruby (3)


airconkid	Sep 11 2008, 06:42 AM Post #8
MODERATOR- Great White Posts: 639 Group: Members Member #25 Joined: November 14, 2006	Tyke Sep 9 2008, 10:57 PM Only you can decide at the end of it. We did not want to be sitting in the UK late in life saying "what if?" We are very glad we have made the move,it takes a good few years to completely settle. We consider Adelaide home now after 8 years. I've had no probs here with Aussies, we live under the same sun and they are accustomed to migrants. As long as you do your bit and can take some ribbing you will be fine. Top post PC Pom BTW Tyke has hit the nail on the head. WHAT IF................... Aircon
	Grab the cane toad by the legs and go for it, life is too short to wander "What if...." or "If only...." Now LOVING *"A New Life Down Under"*


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