Australia.... worth the move

bergbryce · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2985 Location: The ED

I'd recommend doing it. There's a pretty good chance you won't regret it in 10 years.
Learn to surf, that's a good way to spend time while your wife is working that's for sure.

Personally, I'm not all that drawn to Australia, I'm more of a snow/mountains person than a beach/ocean person, but that's just my personal leanings. You would be close to lots of other things (SE Asia and NZ as someone else mentioned) which is attractive.

I lived overseas for a year and it was great. You learn to adapt and the life experiences you have along the way are priceless and cannot be earned doing anything else.

Bruce H · Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Posts: 937 Location: Putney, Vermont

The real Australians must be waking up soon and will fill in the details better. There are mountains, up most of the East coast. The scale is more Appalachian than Himalayan, but they are mountains. Surfing obviously, canyoneering, lots of rock climbing, skiing in the South, and of course the Great Barrier Reef in the North. There is no shortage of outdoor activities possible. Most importantly, the people are great fun to hang out with.

I'd make sure that a work visa is settled before heading over. From what I know, it is far simpler if a local company sponsors you. If your wife will be working as a contractor, you'll have to check how the government views it.

heyyou · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 9:38 pm Post subject:

only posting to say that I'm extremely jealous......

yogi · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 113 Location: Durango, CO

Move. There's only one sport better than sliding on powder and that would be sliding on water. Surf your brains out.
Spent a lot of time in NZ in my younger years.
Never heard of regrets on embarking on an adventure...

Yogi
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Keep your stick on the ice.

tele-whippet · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:40 am Post subject:

This year backcountry skiing started late May and is still going.
Resort skiing started first week of June and finished last weekend.
The area of winter snow is not huge but big enough - look here - http://ski.com.au/index.html
Rockclimbing and surfing are year round.
The economy is good, it is illegal to carry a firearm, the leader of the government is a woman but we eat vegemite and play cricket.

OzDave · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 12:15 pm Post subject:

Come for a couple of years, how can it hurt.

Lack of lots of snow is one of the reasons I am thinking finally using my EU citizenship (thanks Dad) and leaving "my home among the gum tree" for the first time.

One of my old work buddies (from the US) was seriously bummed when he finished his doctorate and had to go back to the US. He had climbed all over the US and still reckoned that he was more in love with the Blue Mountains climbing than anywhere else.

Just be prepared for price shock as gear, music etc is generally much more expensive over here, as much as it pains me to say that. But then I am sure you have friends and relos who can send stuff over.

edgeworker · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 3279

Do it. My daughter just spent a semester there and fell in love with the place. Besides this country is on one hell of a slippery slope.

Jclyde · Joined: 16 Dec 2010 Posts: 407 Location: SL, UT

It is looking more and more like a possibility. We are looking into the Visa issues. I think we have pretty good resource, but I am always open for more.

Now, where to set up shop. I'm thinking Brisbane or Melbourne. Any thoughts?
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"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anais Nin

rsireland3 · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:38 pm Post subject:

Ya, but you have to drive on the wrong side of the road. Shocked

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skookumchuck · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:39 pm Post subject:

You do realize the place is full of Australians, don't you?

ghostofcarl · Joined: 22 Jul 2010 Posts: 6562

Jclyde · Joined: 16 Dec 2010 Posts: 407 Location: SL, UT