I have just been offered a transfer to Australia...in NWS.
I have often thought about relocating and I have 14 days in which to reply to the request.

From what I see happening in the UK I have a very hard decision
to make.
I have my family here with grand kids on the way one in two week another in Jan and yet another in May........

Australia.....sounds great! The weather the lifestyle.

Is there anyone on here that could give me a better understanding of how things are there?

Having lived and grown up In South Africa...I have heard that it is very much the same.............

I have always regreted not going out to OZ when I had the chance a few years ago Derek. My friend who did go says it's the best thing he's ever done.
Go for it, also theres no need to bother about your former party members calling to see you one dark night either.
owdlad.

Originally posted by owdlad
I have always regreted not going out to OZ when I had the chance a few years ago Derek. My friend who did go says it's the best thing he's ever done.
Go for it, also theres no need to bother about your former party members calling to see you one dark night either.
owdlad.
I have to think of the wife and the family but as you say...I may go for it.
I am sure that I will be able to pay for my kids to come and see me and after all...I have my life!

I just look at the fishing lol

My inlaws relocated to NSW two years ago. They love it! You have to work on building a social circle, Which strangely seems to mostly meeting other ex pats at 'Scottish country dancing' groups:D There are very few real pubs, or even bars, for that matter, drinking revolves around the huge amount of RSL clubs (Returned Servicemans League) they are like our working mens clubs but bigger, brighter and cleaner. The beer and food is subsidised by the enourmous amount of one armed bandits they house in sections of the clubs - Aussies just love gambling! If you are a regular pub goer in the UK you would find it very strange.
We visited for three weeks last Xmas, great climate, friendly people, clean, spacious (obviously!) But, given a choice, we would probably prefer to relocate south (ish) of france:)

Originally posted by DerekH
I have to think of the wife and the family but as you say...I may go for it.
I am sure that I will be able to pay for my kids to come and see me and after all...I have my life!

I just look at the fishing lol

The fishing sorts it then Derek... you lucky devil :lol:

My son lives in Newcastle NSW if thats any help.
He's been there for 10yr and has a good life, marvellous weather, lives a stonesthrow from the sea, it never drops below freezing in the winter. Property is cheap and the supermarkets are beyond belief.
I've visited 2or3 timesand it's a beatiful place Go for it.

Hazel

One thing that got to me, after a couple of weeks I was gagging to see some old buildings, a sign of history. It can be quite brash, with large gaudy signage on the sidewalks. bit like the U.S, I imagine.
But there again, think of the climate etc......

I don't know your situation but my thinking would be this: you can go, and always come back if you don't like it (I know it wouldn't be quite that simple) ...but it would be far harder to find an opportunity like the one you're presented with now, again. Better to regret something you did do rather than didn't. :)

Originally posted by isha
I don't know your situation but my thinking would be this: you can go, and always come back if you don't like it (I know it wouldn't be quite that simple) ...but it would be far harder to find an opportunity like the one you're presented with now, again. Better to regret something you did do rather than didn't. :)
Too true...Thanks everyone for your input......I am giving it my best shot...after 14 days I have another 12 months to get sorted but that is the way they work........Just waiting for the other half to say the word..........

<<not getting any younger and I have seen a great property for sale with crocs and all..........
Again..awaiting the wifes decision.

Australia seems a good place to go to me.... no language problems, less rain, and this country is going down the drain so why not jump ship?

Originally posted by t020
Australia seems a good place to go to me.... no language problems, less rain, and this country is going down the drain so why not jump ship?
Good Idea T020. Do us all a favour and **** off!!

Originally posted by t020
Australia seems a good place to go to me.... no language problems, less rain, and this country is going down the drain so why not jump ship?

I agree with all of this. I went to Oz several years ago for a months holiday over Christmas and New Year and fell in love with the place. Reloocating there is not an option for me, I'm afraid (unless I'm lucky on the lottery), but it remains my one true dream.

Don't know what there is to think about Derek. I wouldn't need 14 seconds to make my mind up, let alone 14 days. Do it.

Originally posted by t020
Australia seems a good place to go to me.... no language problems, less rain, and this country is going down the drain so why not jump ship?

Australia has the same amount, if not more, rainfall as the UK. In the southern states it all comes at once during the winter months. In most southern parts of the country, it seldom rains in summer.

In the tropical north however, it rains almost every day all year round.

Originally posted by Killian
I agree with all of this. I went to Oz several years ago for a months holiday over Christmas and New Year and fell in love with the place. Reloocating there is not an option for me, I'm afraid (unless I'm lucky on the lottery), but it remains my one true dream


Torbay would be a dream for many people, Killian! Not exactly a bad place to live!

Derek, don't know if this will help, but...

Whatever decision you make, there will be some sort of pain, the key is to ask yourself whether the pain of not seeing your family will be greater or less than the pain of regret of not taking the plunge.

Personally I lived in Sydney for 3 months and it's a fantastic, sunny, laid-back city. It's similar to Sheffield in lots of ways (it feels like one big town), and though it can be hard to meet people at first, like any big city when you do get to know people there's a real community atmosphere.

I decided to come home because at that time in my life I valued being near family higher than having a better lifestyle (but that's just me - I'm not trying to sway you either way here!).

Certainly none of my friends who have done it regretted it at all!

Whatever you choose, the best of luck.

I think like all places - its not the location its what you do there that makes it a good life.

Originally posted by draggletail
Torbay would be a dream for many people, Killian! Not exactly a bad place to live!

I agree, up to a point. Unfortunately many people have turned it into their dream, only certain parts of Britain seem to have offloaded their riff-raff onto us.

Also, we have some of the lowest wages in the country (if not the lowest), but among the highest council taxes, water rates and house prices. Torbay is a fantastic place - if you are rich.

Anyway, my comments were not particularly to do with Torbay (and I have to say that Torbay - and Torquay in particular - is no longer one of the better parts of Devon), but Britain and its politics as a whole.

I have lived in Queensland Australia for the past 23 years and have never regretted my decision to emigrate. The lifestyle is great, we take our little boat and go camping and fishing and never see a soul for four days. Of course the social scene is rather different as we entertain at home a lot more than in England.
I have travelled around this great country on two separate occasions and to me it's the most diverse and spectacular place.
When I left England the feelings were a mixture of fear and excitment and thats normal I would say. To me life is about a challenge and experiencing and at the end of it all, not having regrets. I know I sure don't !