Reply to: 'The Clash' question

[Spoiler]

Yes, I would recommend Manly. Great place.

Don't go to the non-beach suburbs unless you have to for costs.

You do hear occasionally Aus described as a "Christian country" by people that are not religious, so I wouldn't read too much into your other observation (but worth checking out if you have strong views, hehe).

Thanks. I have very little time for religion, but as long as we're not having to say prayers first thing before work, I should be able to cope!

[aussielong]

Thanks. Could you suggest some areas to look at around Sydney - a family friendly suburb (I've got a young kid), that's a reasonable commute from the city.

Yes, I would recommend Manly. Great place.

Don't go to the non-beach suburbs unless you have to for costs.

You do hear occasionally Aus described as a "Christian country" by people that are not religious, so I wouldn't read too much into your other observation (but worth checking out if you have strong views, hehe).

[TheFaQQer]

Me, wife, son (2 yrs), plus another on the way. So, it would be good to go before the kids are school age.

They will probably get more out of it if they are there when they are of school age - particularly if you are only planning on being there for only a few years.

I have no problem with leaving family\friends behind (but my wife is probably would, hence I hope the in-laws make it out).

Each to their own - I couldn't move that far away from my family. Up to 8-10 hours flight to get there, fine - anything over that and it gets too far for family to come and visit. If they do, they tend to come for along time - my grandparents used to visit for 6 weeks at a time when I lived in America.

[Spoiler]

Hang on, move to Sydney may be off for now. I was just about to send an email, when I spotted the following on the company's website:

"Company X is a Christian Company, where all applicants are treated with fairness and respect and have equal access to the opportunities available."

[Spoiler]

You don't say how big the family is, and who you are including in the uprooting - children? what ages? Parents as well? etc.

Me, wife, son (2 yrs), plus another on the way. So, it would be good to go before the kids are school age.

If we go out, my in-laws may also follow. Brother-in-law has been looking at it for a while, but may not qualify on points currently (but if I get there, then I believe this will count for him). If he (+ family) plans on come out, then I would expect the parents (in-law) to follow. I have no problem with leaving family\friends behind (but my wife is probably would, hence I hope the in-laws make it out).

[TheFaQQer]

So is London

Yep - and I hate London, too.

[TheFaQQer]

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.

You don't say how big the family is, and who you are including in the uprooting - children? what ages? Parents as well? etc.

We considered emigrating to Australia a few years back, but in the end decided that I just couldn't move halfway round the world and separate my children from their grandparents that far. I know it's a small world these days, but at the moment we live an hour from the in-laws, 90 minutes from my parents, 30 minutes from my sister and her family.

In the 1970s, my parents moved with my brother and sister (then 5 and 3) to America for 2 years. After they told my grandparents they were going, in a fit of pique my grandfather smashed up the climbing frame he had built - if they weren't going to see the children, there was no point having it in the garden reminding him of the fact. I equate the travel experience of getting to Australia these days with getting to the States in the 70s.

I've now moved on to looking at Canada as an option - it's a lot closer for the family to be able to visit

[Bunk]

It's full of Australians.

So is London

[TheFaQQer]

What's to hate about Sydney?

It's full of Australians.

[norrahe]

Just to add to the pile, go for it, you may never get a chance like this again. If you hate it, you can always come back.

If you have property over here, do not sell it, rent it.

[Spoiler]

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.

Thanks. Could you suggest some areas to look at around Sydney - a family friendly suburb (I've got a young kid), that's a reasonable commute from the city.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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).