Morning all,

On Saturday I ha a call from a guy who used to be my boss on the project I'm currently working on. He's been out in Australia for about 9 months now and has climbed up to a position where he is in charge of several teams, he is looking to put a new team together and offered me a job.

Details I have so far: There would be a job for both Faye and myself, my job would be "fitting technology to trains" somewhere up in North-West Australia, three weeks would be sent on-site (accommodation and food paid for) with one week spent 'at home' (probably Perth). Salary of A$160k.

I have asked for more info but we really don't know what to do. On the one hand it's a fantastic opportunity, but on the other we've just sorted out plans for moving to Cardiff (Faye's recently been accepted onto a PGCE course at Cardiff Uni and I have had the nod to move my work down there).

Some of our worries are of family, we both have grandparents in their 80's and we'd hate to not get to spend time with them should anything happen. That of future prospects in the UK, when we come back (it is a when and not an if) will what I've been doing be relevant to anything in the UK, or will I be the same or worse as when I left.
Another thing is the cost of living. A$160k converts to about £108k, but then you look at the prices of things and I'm not sure it sounds so good (a pack of 6 eggs we looked at cost £4.08 (A$6)).

Friends have said go for it, what on earth are you doing 'thinking' about it just go. Family have been all very "well done for getting offered it" and "just make sure you think things through". My head is completely boggled over the whole thing...

What I've put is pretty much all I know, I've asked for more info.

Thanks for any comments

It sounds like a fantastic opportunity. Go for it.

Don't get too hung up on prices - I've seen eggs on sale in supermarkets here for £3.50 for six.

Agreed.

When I was there it wasn't any more or less expesnsive than the UK. About the same actually.

I know quite a few people who have moved out to Oz. SOme have stayed there, some have come back, all of them loved it and none of them have struggled finding work afterwards.

One thing I realised from my travelling (well, I realised it after travelling if that makes sense) is that with things like Facebook, Twitter, FaceTime, Skype, Mobile Phone, etc... the world does seem very small. You can pick up a phone anytime and talk to someone on the other side of the planet without having to think too hard about it.

What do I think?

Bye

That help?

I'd say go for it. If I had an opportunity like that I would grab it. As for grandparents I am sure they would want you to live your life to the full!

BYE BYE

That sounds about right. I'm fairly sure that Faye could get onto a PGCE course in Australia, but obviously you'd have to check out the prices, or see if there are any employers who would be prepared to pay the cost of the course.

I'm going along with the consensus of opinion so far. It's a great opportunity. I'd go.

Ummm, is this really a question??

I think we all know my stance on these sorts of issues

So... your partner gets to go and work too, you're being paid over 5 times my salary but only having living costs for one week in the month, in a whole new country to explore.

Sorry, where did the doubt come in to things?



Nailed it.

If I has such an offer, I'll be on the 1st plane to Oz.

Just remember to fill in a P85.

Maybe do some figures to see if it's worth it?

Ask your ex-boss (or anybody here who's stayed for a reasonable amount of Oz) about how much the weekly shop is, how much the bills are etc. No point going if you're paid A$160k and the cost of living is $150k! Otherwise, if the figures work out, go for it.

Of my cohort, half ended up going to Oz for six months. A third of them still have not yet come back, they've enjoyed it that much!

According to http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+Kingdom&country2=Australia&city1=Cardiff&city2=Perth the costs is higher in Oz - but I think you'd still be ahead of the game with a six figure salary. Mainly because I'd be surprised if the same job here is paying six figures.

Many thanks for all of your comments. The more I think about it the more I want to go. It might only be 12 months, or it could be a few years, but I think it would be amazing.

I've got to make sure it's what Faye wants, what happens to the partially planned wedding, etc. I think I'll now look more in-depth about things (rent, etc). If anyone has any advice about leaving the country and entering a new one that'd be great! (Thanks for the P85 thing LU, didn't know about that. We both have passports, but nothing else.).



Aye, I'd be interested to hear from Matt and Blue as I know that both have lived/are living out there for a while.

I'm quite excited.