Whats it like to live in Australia?

Question

We are a family of 4 living in the UK & we are moving to Australia within the next 4 months on a Skilled working visa. Hubby has recently been offered full time employment, hence the move. As a Mother of a 8yr and 13yr old im worried about their schooling and i have no idea what to expect. As you can appreciate this is a BIG move for us all and feeling 18yrs all over again? the thought of re-starting a new life scares me stupid, especially with 2 children in tow...........HELP!!!!!

Answer 1

G'day,

First of all... to Frances V. Mate, you have absolutely no idea what racist is until you come and live in a country where you are a minority and treated like 2nd class citizen all your life, no matter how good you try to be. You will always be the scapegoat of everything that gone wrong in the country.
I know this because that's how I have been treated in the country where I originally come from. I am an immigrant and have been living in Melbourne for 16 years and never regret the move at all. I do not have Anglo-Saxon appearance, I speak English with an accent and I still feel like I am born in this country all along. My neighbors are combinations of immigrants and true blue Aussies and we are getting along very well. Racism will always be there in any country, but I definitely do not feel it here.

Now... back to you Debbie :)... unfortunately you did not mention which city that you are coming to. However this is what I can say about Melbourne:
1. First of all... some people do not like the weather in Melbourne (you can have 4 seasons in one day). However, if you read the first article from The Age newspaper, you will find out that the weather is still more preferable than the other cities. Sure you can have 42C day like last month, but almost immediately you'll get a much cooler weather pretty soon afterwards. It is very rarely that you got 2 or 3 consecutive days of hot weathers (unlike Sydney, Brisbane or Perth).
2. Melbourne is a city of diversity. If you are a newcomer, and you do not look 'Anglo-Saxon', you do not feel like an 'alien', since you can find almost every race in the world walking in the city. They are both immigrants and overseas students.
3. THE FOOD!! Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Thai, All-you-can-eat, African, Lebanese, Mexican, Sea Food... anything else? All available and lots of them in a very-very-very affordable price
4. Pretty good public transport system. With one ticket, you can switch from train, tram and bus. They do not always come on-time, but still reliable and improving (www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au).
5. SHOPPING!!! Original branded clothing sold very cheap. There are even shopping tour, where the participants are taken to retails outlets just for shopping. Big temptations for ladies.
6. Crime rates... just read the second article on the bottom.
7. Cost of Living... I'll say it's second most expensive city after Sydney. Altho I have to say that some cities in Queensland can be more expensive to live.
8. Tourist attraction. This is the area that I think Sydney is better than Melbourne, since it has most of it's attraction within its suburbs. Most Melbourne attraction are pretty much out of Melbourne, such as the gold mines in the cities of Bendigo and Ballarat, The Great Ocean Road, Lakes Entrance, Grampians, skiing in Mt. Buller etc.

In regards to schools there are 3 choices: Public/Government, Christian/Catholic and Private. Public schools have pretty much the same standard wherever you go and they are the cheapest alternative. You usually just enrolled to the one closer to where you live. The list of government schools are here: http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline/Browse.asp.
Private are the most expensive, since on top of the tuition fee, you will still have to buy books, uniform, etc. The list for non-government schools are here: http://www.isd.com.au/

I certainly hope this helps. Yes, there will be some time needed for adjustments, but there will be helps and supports along the way since Australia is built by immigrants (yes, this include the Anglo-Saxons, since the only people truly originated in Australia are the Aborigins).

Welcome to Australia and enjoy.

Answer 2

I Cant answer your question yet, but I'm in the same position but we are off next month! to Adelaide. Ive had my panicky moments but on the whole I'm getting really excited about it, i think I'm definitely doing the right thing by my 3 little ones. I think the best way to look at it is that its a once in a life time experience and if after a few years it doesn't feel like home, then you can always come back to rainy England! From all the research i have done the schools look great with alot more to offer than those i have come across in the UK. Things seem really manic for us at the moment with only 3 weeks to go but i know everything will fall into place in the end!!
Keep positive, and good luck x

Answer 3

Hi hun - I have just moved to Sydney, Australia from Leeds, UK (only 8 weeks ago).

Life over here is very similar to life in the UK (except for the heat and venemous creatures). It has the same sort of issues, crime, government/politics, migrant issues/overpopulation.

I would argue that the schools over here are not as good as in the UK, as the focus is on a mixture of academia and life skills. Its also a bit of a shock to have to pay for the kids to go to school (oh and medical fees too). My little girl (aged 10) has only experienced two weeks at her new school before Xmas, and now that the summer holidays are nearly over, I am hoping that she will 'fit in' a bit better.

If you have ever heard that you will be treated as an immigrant, it isn't true. The people are lovely. There are many different cultures, and the majority of people want to help new people to settle in.

Starting a life is very scary. I would recommend you bring everything you could (for £3,000 I brought the whole of my house from the UK) and for another £1,000 I brought my cat too (who is here now). It really helps to have things that remind you of home.

Life is pretty much more relaxed over here. I live one street from the beach, and it is only a 20 minute ride on the bus into Central Sydney for me. I would recommend getting a car as soon as you can, it just makes things so much easier. I don't have one yet, but have hired a few.

The thing that catches you out is the homesickness and missing of family members/friends too. If you need any other advice, feel free to email me.

Warmth and Smiles.

Answer 4

I can appreciate what a huge move this would be for you but I'd like to assure you that life in Australia is very good. Education is good and the lifestyle is even better. My parents did the same thing and brought a young family here many years ago and my mum said its the best move she ever made. I have travelled extensively over the last 15 years and can honestly tell you that I would never live anywhere else and feel blessed to live here. Good luck to you and your family in your new life!

Answer 5

I'm in the same situation than you. I'm moving to Melbourne on a skilled visa next June and we're a family of 4. As someone else said, schooling is top class. I have a mate who migrated 18 months ago from Venezuela (like me) and is very happy with what he's found so far.
The only difference is, Venezuela is on the verge of becoming a comunist country, and I'm lucky to have the opportunity to leave on a legal basis to a politically stable country.

Answer 6

Schooling in Australia is top class, living conditions are good,after work and school excellent.You will wonder why it took so long to make the change when you make new friends.you don't say which state you are moving too so I cant help there.You will have to acclimatise of course.Welcome to Australia in advance we are easy to put up with when you get used to us.

Answer 7

going to australia is my dream so if you dont want to go, hit me up!! haha im jk of course. australia is an awsome beautiful country that is, arguably, better than the usa so don't worry! look at this as an adventure. im sure that when family and friends will come to visit they will envy you.

Answer 8

You won't look back,I came here 4 generations ago and I think i'll stick around,welcome !!

Answer 9

If you're anglosaxon you will blend right in and have no problems at all.

This country is beautiful,full of opportunity,always sunny,open and bright - but dull,cultureless and racist.