'The Clash' question

[oracleslave]

Motorways owned by different companies so you have to pay numerous times. Don't ever take a wrong turn. It becomes really expensive.

Funnel web spiders

Sorry, but the risk of maybe getting lost and a few cute arachnids are not putting me off. Am after real/life-changing issues.

[DiscoStu]

Motorways owned by different companies so you have to pay numerous times. Don't ever take a wrong turn. It becomes really expensive.

Only an issue if you're driving right into the city, which most people don't.

[Cliphead]

Sorry, but the risk of maybe getting lost and a few cute arachnids are not putting me off. Am after real/life-changing issues.

Never been to Sydney or any other major city in Australia only a patch of outback north of Adelaide

I hate spiders but that wouldn't put me off moving somewhere. If I can drive in Belgium I can drive anywhere.

[Spoiler]

So, pretty positive so far for a move to the other side of the world!

I've been to Melbourne before on holiday and liked it. Sydney isn't my first choice, but the potential job offer is based in Sydney, so it's either this or apply for a non-sponsored work visa, and look for another gig.

[Flashman]

Should I stay or should I go . . .

Now then, I have the opportunity to uproot my family and move to Sydney as a job has come up. Am in the process of weighing it up.

I am interested in working abroad, purely for a different experience. I have lived and, for the most part, worked in the same area all my life. I kind of want to get out and do something different.

I'm not thinking of leaving the UK because "it's going to the dogs", "the grass is greener elsewhere", "rubbish weather", etc.

Other places that interested me were Norway or Canada, but it looks like Oz has a definite job opportunity for me currently.

Any thoughts from others who have worked abroad would be handy!

Ta.

Sydneys the worst city I visited in Australia.

Take the Opera house picture. Walk the bridge. Go to Melbourne.

[Gonzo]

Go. If you don't like it you can always come back.

Some Poms love their new life there, some can't stand being so isolated from the rest of the world.

If you have children expect to be on the receiving end of a lot of guilt trips from their grandparents about not being able to see their grandchildren.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that because on the surface everything looks similar to back home that means it is exactly like England but with better weather. Different traditions and culture so you have to expect to embrace some subtle differences or you will not be happy.

Have a look at the Australia Forum on http://britishexpats.com/ to see the issues that people have.

Contrary to the other posters, Sydney is absolutely my favourite city in Oz but be aware when I was in the UK the only place that I was happy to live was London so that should tell you enough about my attitude.

I don't live in Australia now btw but have left the UK.

[Spoiler]

Don't make the mistake of thinking that because on the surface everything looks similar to back home that means it is exactly like England but with better weather.

Well, the reason I am thinking of going is to do something different (broaden one's horizons is the usual term, I believe). So if Oz were exactly like England, it would be a little pointless going (but I take your point).

[Jeebo72]

Contrary to the other posters, Sydney is absolutely my favourite city in Oz but be aware when I was in the UK the only place that I was happy to live was London so that should tell you enough about my attitude.

I don't live in Australia now btw but have left the UK.

To add to the confusion, I love London, and hate Sydney.

Sydney’s clean and insipid. London’s dirty, grimy and full of character. My kinda town ...

[Spoiler]

Sydney’s clean and insipid.

Should be a good fit with my OCD tendencies then!

Although I read that it's expensive, which won't fit too well with my tightness.

[aussielong]

Postcard from Sydney

It's great! The job market is pretty good here at the minute. With current exchange rates, there are contracts around at 500 GBP/day and thats for a strong dev without niche skills. If you are niche you can get even more.

Tax is high here, and no reasonable way around it unless you buy property and "negative gear".

Property is overpriced here in Sydney IMO, but keeps going up due to immigration.

The lifestyle here is good if you live near a beach suburb. If you end up in the suburbs, you could be anywhere. Especially once you get stuck in traffic and its raining.

The weather in Sydney is unpredictable these days. Winter is nice though. Its like late Sept in the UK.

If you are coming for a couple of years you'll have a ball. It's only after 4 or 5 years that you start questioningwhether its a reasonable long term move.