The kids will love it, out in the open air all day, you cant beat it. It made me feel so alive....Now and again after almost 8 years back in the UK on nice summers days i get that feeling i would have had during my time in Oz. i can almost smell the Eucalyptus in the air when the days are right.
Enjoy Australia, its the most beutiful place i have been.

No regrets just happy to have had the experience

i understand too, i am a scouser living in the uk lol

really interesting read, thanks for sharing, seems the old cliche "the grass isn't always greener" rings true

I've often considered moving to australia, having never been there, bust just on the back of fairytale stories you hear. It's funny not many people tell the stories that don't end well. I think it's the honesty in this read that made is so interesting.

My honesty in this matter costs me nothing but hopefully it could save other loads.

For me the grass was greener, for my wife at the time it wasnt....2 people pulling in different directions is not good.

So disappointed that I've only just seen this thread

A fascinating read Neale, especially as I had gone through a similar ordeal prior to our intended move to Canada

Hopefully you're now all settled back in the UK

Well yes sorted but i would have rather stayed longer.
It took me 3 days to adjust to Australia.......It took 4 Years for me to adjust back to the UK !

just read that very good you could write books sir ramic . Just goes to show change isnt always easy .

Can't believe i've only just seen this brilliant post, i've not long come back from oz after spending 4 weeks there with my dad and half sisters. I'm trying to convince the Mrs to go over for 6-12 months working with a view to emigrating as i believe the life over there will be a lot better for our two young'uns. This post proves it isn't all fairytale stuff though, and anyone who hasn't been just beware it's a long way away, 20 odd hours travelling and a few days or more to adjust to being the right way up, the pound being worthless does'nt help matters either. Thanks for the original post and good luck to anyone giving it a go.

Originally Posted by redlee

Can't believe i've only just seen this brilliant post, i've not long come back from oz after spending 4 weeks there with my dad and half sisters. I'm trying to convince the Mrs to go over for 6-12 months working with a view to emigrating as i believe the life over there will be a lot better for our two young'uns. This post proves it isn't all fairytale stuff though, and anyone who hasn't been just beware it's a long way away, 20 odd hours travelling and a few days or more to adjust to being the right way up, the pound being worthless does'nt help matters either. Thanks for the original post and good luck to anyone giving it a go.

You are welcome mate, your idea makes sense to me. As long as when you go you try and live an Aussie life not a tourist.

if you think of coming back Neil let me know id enjoy meeting up with you might even throw some work your way (never say never)

thanks for sharing your store i still need to get out of Ireland after tiling in usa for 5 yerars and coming home back i still have not settled down. And i still got itch feet i have over 18 years experience in tiling and am only 35 so i think why not go for it thank for your input

Go for it mate. If you want to succeed you will. You still have the age on your side, I dont !

Good advice Neale and a great story!

Great post and great outlook on life that Neale.

great story mate, and your right about children, i love my job but love my kids more

great read neale, reminds me back to my time (around 4 years ago) when i was due to emigrate there via a company sponsorship scheme (rio tinto) but we divorced before we went. i was gutted not to go, but as i got kids there s no way i could go without them.

Thanks for sharing,that was a good read,In my case my parents emmigrated to Canada when I was 9 in 1967 so I didn't have much say in the matter but still remember being peeved at leaving all my mates and cousins behind,I still to this day harbour a little resentment and as much as I love Canada,my heart will always be with England,Accrington,Clitheroe and of course the almighty Man U ,cheers.

Some great info in there. I will take it on board. I lived in Hong Kong for 7 yrs and must admit it was eventually the pull of family that brought me back here, but as soon as I arrive back here I want to be away again.
Oz looks a great choice for us now as both my parents have died so I dont really have any other ties here and my wifes family are in South East Asia, so hopefully we could get to visit them more often, or vice versa.
Interesting story though.