Moving Abroad - Australia vs America

movinghelp

As its been a bit more than 6 months, I thought I would update in case it's useful for anyone.

OH and I have been living in Melbourne (South Yarra) and I'm really enjoying it. Transport is very easy (commute via tram but train is 10 mins into the CBD and station is literally a 3 min walk away). Buses are also pretty plentiful but travel at a speed that makes me feel quite sick.

Spring was definitely not as warm as we hoped but we're getting to late summer now and have definitely suffered the choice of picking an apartment without air con. Rent however is affordable and we're in a great location.

Biggest pros: food (unbelievable restaurants), nightlife (tonnes of great bars), people (colleagues are so friendly and the vibe is considerably more laid back vs London ie people actually work 9-5 and go home). We've also had the chance to visit Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Tasmania which has been fantastic.

Cons: still getting used to distances in Aus, weekends away involve a tonne of driving and internal flights whilst v easy aren't as cheap as you would hope. That said we've had great trips down the Great Ocean Road, to Wilsons Prom and the Mornington Peninsula. Weather in Melbourne is extremely temperamental and extreme: wind is WINDY not a slight breeze, rain is powerful, sun is boiling.

Bigger cons are that my OH is not enjoying his job and as such finding it hard to settle. Distance from family is also very hard and people constantly ask when we're coming back.

That said we're just finishing a weekend in Sydney and are considering moving after our first year if possible with my job. Would mean OH could look for something else plus we'd be near his sister who moved here in Xmas.

scumsthorne

movinghelp wrote: »

Distance from family is also very hard and people constantly ask when we're coming back.

One bit of advice, stay till you get nationality, and be thankful you're not the in states, as the **** is hitting the fan at the moment.

movinghelp

Another little update - decided to make that move to Sydney a couple of months early (was planning for Aug now looks like it'll be early June) as I got a great job offer and my OH is happy to leave his job and up sticks again.

Slight nerves as Melbourne is great and colleagues have been fab but didn't feel as if I should turn this opportunity down especially if we'll only be abroad for 2 years. Makes sense to experience both cities.

Does mean taking the hit on leaving our rental early and we may have to pay out again for furnishings if we can't find a furnished place in Sydney but either way this move will be a lot easier than the last one!

littlereddevil

That's the problem in Australia, most rent out unfurnished.
My daughter lived in South Yarra, great area.
She too now lives in Sydney, but prefers Melbourne I think.

movinghelp

Another update. First fortnight in Sydney is now complete. Sorted out a new flat, furnished it (again) and start my new job on Monday. So far so good. Despite moving at the equivalent of late Nov in the UK the weather is still fantastic, sun shining every day and late teens in terms of heat. The water really does make Sydney stunning and feels like we're on a permanent holiday having done some nice coastal walks and a trip whale watching yesterday. That said I'm sure things will change when I start doing the 9-5 again!

richardw

Good to hear, any winter beach or skiing trips planned?

sandsy

It's nearly whale shark season at Ningaloo. Great whale watching near Fraser Island in September - and do pay a visit to Noosa. The Far North, Darwin, Kakadu etc is good in late October. In the meantime, nothing like the Hunter Valley for some good wine tasting over the winter months.

movinghelp

We are off to the beach today, even at this time of year it's still 22 degrees. I'm not too fussed on skiing but the OH fancies NZ so that may be a possibility. Coming back to the UK for the first time in Aug so that puts paid to most holidays before Xmas now. Again OH is very keen to do Ningaloo but after my seasickness just going out the harbour to see the whales here I'm not sure I'll be going with him. Darwin is an absolute priority for me though. Won't be leaving Aus without visiting there and Cairns. In the meantime a definite yes to Hunter Valley!

richardw

movinghelp wrote: »

....I'm not too fussed on skiing but the OH fancies NZ so that may be a possibility....

Queenstown is a great place even for non skiers, fantastic scenery and friendly relaxed atmosphere. There's a good number of direct non stop flights from Sydney so you may be able to squeeze in a weekend.

dawsinho

I haven't read the whole thread, Auss in my opinion is a far better work life balance. I'd personally opt for Sydney but Melbourne is great fun too.

Also, I think 17 hour direct flights to Perth have now started so you could do the entire journey in close to 20 hours now