Australia-- Moving?

[Donalds_best_pal]

Hey Everyone,

We looked to be moving back to Southern California this summer. Well out of the blue my dad's boss asked if he would be interested in a similar oppurtunity in Melbourne, Victoria Australia. Ok, I never been there but from the amount of research I have done in the past. I already have it has my dream place to visit/live! Also Melbourne is rated 2nd most liveable city in the world in terms of quality of life, cost of living, climate, crime, education. It looks to be an amazing place.

Anyways we are seriously persuing it and looking into. Dont know much yet on job details so thats the first important part.

Anyways, any advice and opinions on Melbourne and or Australia

 

[minkydog]

Wow! I'd love to do this. I mean, it is on the other side of the world and all, but when would you ever get this opportunity again. Go for it!

 

[NeverEnufWDW]

Being an American who married an Aussie 10 years ago, I can tell you this without any reservation -- GO FOR IT !! Melbourne is wonderful and the state of Victoria gorgeous. Just FYI - Australia is rated as the easiest country for Americans to assimilate to. Aussies love sports, barbecues, and anything to do with the beach. If you have kids - it will give them a good world-view perspective of life. The educational system is wonderful and if you'll be paid in American $$$, then the exchange rate is a plus.

 

[Zoiebear]

I would definitely say go for it, I wanna go
Stacie

 

[GailT]

If it was me I would go. I went there 6 years ago, oh the memories I have of down under

 

[barkley]

20 some odd years ago i seriously considered moving there. at that time they were seeking teachers so i could have immigrated easily (not sure if they still operate the same but back then unless there was a documented job shortage in your line of profession that could not be met by current residents you could not be granted less than a short term visitor's permit). the folks i knew who had immigrated from the u.s. and other parts (particularly greece) loved it-the schools, the people, the general way of life. as someone who adores being involved in the arts, i was very motivated by their support of the arts in general-there are not many government sponsored theatre programs (extending to professional work in theatre, film and the like) that match austraila.

i would suggest reviewing their laws and legal process-it varies quite differently from the u.s. and can be quite surprising if one is put into a circumstance involving it (remember that austrailia originated as largly a penal colony and it's independant legal evolution has been impacted by the experiences of those prisoners who were initialy sent there as a means of punishment). there are also some (in my opnion) odd predjudices in place-as recently as the 70's and 80's some well established u.s. christian faiths (in particiular the seventh day adventists) have been met with some hostility and prejudice because of their anti alcohol and tobacco stances (i thought it "urban legand" until i read up on it because i grew up close to a u.s. sda communtiy).

beyond that, i understand from friends who live and travel there it is "as close to heaven as humanly possible"-quite the endorsement

you've given me cause to reconsider locating there-as i said, it was a long ago dream of mine-perhaps i will do some research and see if they could provide my family the opportunities i so desired those many years ago.

god bless you should you take on such an awsome adventure!

 

[Nutsy]

I'm an Aussie, not from Victoria tho....Queensland and if it were me in a similar situation....I'd go for it. What better way to see something of another country and who knows you may decide to stay permantly, but in all honesty I'd go for it.

Good luck!

ETA.....the weather won't be quite as nice as it is in Florida or California. Does get cold in winter and can get rather hot in summer, but ok otherwise.

 

[Nutsy]

there are also some (in my opnion) odd predjudices in place-as recently as the 70's and 80's some well established u.s. christian faiths (in particiular the seventh day adventists) have been met with some hostility and prejudice because of their anti alcohol and tobacco stances.QUOTE]

Don't know where you heard or read that. I'd say the only thing we don't like is the door to door religion, but Mormons are not the only ones who do that. Most people do not appreciate someone coming to the door every week preaching religion at them. Even if we say we have our own religion etc, it is still pushed through the front door by some.

Anti alcohol and anti tobacco? It's not only the Mormons who may be against that.........I think you will find a lot of religions are and a lot of the general public as well.

 

[chris1gill]

We are looking to go to Australia ourselves. I was hoping to go to Queensland, but it looks like the schools may be better in Victoria & New South Wales, they have selective schools that children can test into, so that they are with other like children. For our children, this may be ideal for them. If you have kids, I'd say go like the wind LOL.... Actually, regardless of your situation, I'd say go like the wind, don't look back, enjoy the ride.... it is a great place to visit and to live... we've been three times, and the next time we go we will be reviewing schools.....

 

[Nutsy]

chris1gill.......depending on when you are looking at moving there is going to be a national education system brought it. The way it stands at present, NSW education is a slightly higher standard than here in Queensland. But I think too it depends on where you settle in Queensland. I volunteer at a school 20 mins from home where the standard of education is much lower than our local school where our children went. So, like I say, depending on where you ended up settling the standard of education and different schools vary.

 

[VSL]

Go for it!

Australia or NZ are places that me and my BF would think about moving to in the future (my BF would probably move to America, but I want to stay in the Commonwealth).

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Thanks for the advice so far. One thing we are concerned about is should we use public schools to get VCE or go private and get IB diploma. I plan to return to the usa for college, I may go to UCLA or UF depending on circumstances.

Also anyone with familar with nice suburbs around Melbourne?

 

[disnygoof]

I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO JEALOUS!! My dream is to move to Australia!! DH says we will someday! GO FOR IT!!

 

[Nutsy]

Public/Government or Private really doesn't make that much difference education wise. It's really up to the individual.

As to suburbs.......steer clear of St.Kilda and the inner suburbs. If you are prepared to go out a bit you will find it much better. Altona is nice......will have a think and get back to you on others.

 

[Nutsy]

I have it on good authority that Williamstown is a very nice suburb to live in.......not one of the lower class suburbs. Steer clear of the inner suburbs like St. Kilda, Brunswick and Balaclava.....lots of immigrants (greek, italan etc settle in those suburbs from what I can remember).

A nice thing about Melbourne is that Phillip Island is just a hop skip and a jump away....go over there at night and you will see the fairy penguins.

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks for the advice so far. One thing we are concerned about is should we use public schools to get VCE or go private and get IB diploma. I plan to return to the usa for college, I may go to UCLA or UF depending on circumstances.

Also anyone with familar with nice suburbs around Melbourne?

Regarding the IB diploma... my local US school district uses the IB system throughout all 12 years of school.. primary, middle years and secondary program.

The IB program is very established and considered prestigious in this community, especially at the high school level.

At the high school, it is noted that the higher level IB courses MAY (your mileage may vary) be equivalent to college course credit. Of course this all depends on what you take, your grades and such like that.

If given the chance, I would do IB. I selected IB for my kids.

 

[Freyja]

I would definately say go for it. But then again, I would go almost anywhere. Guess you can´t judge it unless you´ve tried it.

 

[Martha7]

Does your DH's company have a good Human Resources Department? You'll need to investigate the usual issues for an overseas assignment: tax ramifications, tax equalization, currency issues, etc. Will the company pay to put your kids in a private school, should it be deemed necessary? Will they give you an annual "home leave"? Do some research on your own. The idea that governs international assignments is that you shouldn't suffer financially as a result of the move. Is it a temporary assignment or a permanent relocation? You need them to put in writing the fact that they'll pay to bring you back to California someday, (as well as your goods), either in the event that your DH is returned to his company in the US, i.e., the assignment ends, or God forbid, that he gets laid off or fired. Do you have a house in Florida? If so, they should pay to help you sell it. There are tons of issues that come up. We've relocated overseas three times, and umpteen times within the US. Australia sounds wonderful however, so it should be grea, provided that you can hammer out the details! Make sure that you get a "look see" trip to the area where you'd be looking for housing ahead of time, so that you can scope it out. Another consideration, can you bring your cars? Is the voltage the same as in the US, or will you need all new appliances? Good luck with the opportunity! It's very exciting!

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Does your DH's company have a good Human Resources Department? You'll need to investigate the usual issues for an overseas assignment: tax ramifications, tax equalization, currency issues, etc. Will the company pay to put your kids in a private school, should it be deemed necessary? Will they give you an annual "home leave"? Do some research on your own. The idea that governs international assignments is that you shouldn't suffer financially as a result of the move. Is it a temporary assignment or a permanent relocation? You need them to put in writing the fact that they'll pay to bring you back to California someday, (as well as your goods), either in the event that your DH is returned to his company in the US, i.e., the assignment ends, or God forbid, that he gets laid off or fired. Do you have a house in Florida? If so, they should pay to help you sell it. There are tons of issues that come up. We've relocated overseas three times, and umpteen times within the US. Australia sounds wonderful however, so it should be grea, provided that you can hammer out the details! Make sure that you get a "look see" trip to the area where you'd be looking for housing ahead of time, so that you can scope it out. Another consideration, can you bring your cars? Is the voltage the same as in the US, or will you need all new appliances? Good luck with the opportunity! It's very exciting!

Thanks for advice. We have moved to many times to count so we are use to dealing with relocation in the HR department. The company luckily provides good relocation. We do need to find out about some of the new things we get for an international relocations.

They school problem is they will be in the middle of the year when we get there. Any ideas?

 

[Sandy V.]

What an opportunity. I say go for it!!

My family and I were very fortunate to visit Australia and New Zealand over the Christmas/New Year's holiday in December 2004-January 2005. DH and I would move to Australia in a heartbeat if we could. The Australian people are the most amazing ever. I love their generosity and zesty outlook on life.

You seldom get the change to do something so life-altering, so if you get the chance, you should go.

Best of luck!!