Why do immigrants leave Australia?

Hi,

I thought I'd take a look at why people leave Sydney, Australia to go back home, be that to the UK, South Africa or anywhere.

I have heard of families leaving after 2 weeks!!! - droves leave within 6 months!

Well most people arrive here bushy tailed, bright eyes, filled with adventure and faith. We believe this will be a new beginning in all things; financial, friends, work, weather, crime and so on.

Some people come because they are bored or have some awkward/unbearable situation they want to escape. Whatever the reasons, they are compelling enough to make people spend years getting visa's and spend 10's of thousands of Pounds getting to Australia.

So why go back! Why do they leave Australia?

I have spent a lot of time in forums and have immigrated THREE times in the last 10 years. Believe me, I know a lot about this.

Reason no 1 - Loneliness.

You're on your own!, no friends, no family. No-one to talk to. This applies to wives, husbands and children equally- especially teenagers and especially stay-at-home mums (Even stay at home dads as one might be unemployed).

I mean, "how the hell are they gonna meet people?" most people are not outgoing and friend sprouters.

Reason no 2 - post arrival depression

Well you're on a high when you arrive right? This soon wears off and life becomes normal, it becomes tedious again, nothings new and well shit life sucks (lemme go home). some people get depressed at this point. Some get REALLY depressed. I have heard of either the husband or the wife deciding "screw this" and heading home. So once the euphoria wears off you find yours possibly in a worse life situation then before.

Reason no 3. - money- or lack thereof.

Coming to Sydney, Australia was the biggest shock of my life in this area. Without a deposit, there is no way in hell a family will buy a decent home. I say decent as who wants to migrate to a better country and then live on an estate right?

Food is as expensive as inner London. in fact to me, the restaurants are more expensive. And you don't get the London wage?

Thousands of people come here and end up being financially worse off by (I'd say) 40% financially.

Reason 4 - un-employment.

Many people come over on their spouses visa and find that they cant find work. When on partner is working i.e. nurses or hairdressers and the other isn't this can lead down the slippery path to returning.

Reason 5 - Teenagers don't fit in.

Ok your year 10 or 11, you have loads of friends your cool. Now, you have none. kids become recluses, clinging to the net. Teens are self-conscious, they cannot make friends!! (well a large section of them) Lets face it most kids are normal - i.e. not hugely handsome, beautiful, sporty or intelligent. And lets face it again - its those type of kids that can get into the in-crowd quickly...right? Most are just average kids trying to get by the remarks, bullying, existing cliques and so on.

Reason 6. - school year mismatch


UK year 11's have finished school- here they haven't. Enter country late in year and you kids just tread water for months, either trying to catch up, or just giving up til next years. NOT GOOD on so many levels - self esteem, exercise, socializing - all downhill.

I would really like your comments.

Have you left Australia? Have you left Sydney? Are you thinking of leaving Australia?

Please let me know your reasons.

Hi, why not drop your comments in our community forum - Would love to hear the battles you are facing living in Australia

 

Thanks and 'til next time!

B good!!

How I got my visa, Life, Lumps and spirit, Hate your new country? Your not alone! A good Furniture Rental company in Sydney,Why do immigrants leave Australia?, Sydney - Scotland island - hidden gem, Malls in Sydney, Living in St Ives, Arriving in Sydney, Driving through Sydney - first day, How expensive is Sydney

Scotland Island - the bad stuff (cons)

Well - you have to take a boat to get to your house. So that adds time to every journey. You also have to carry your shopping on the ferry or your boat.

If you dont live on the waterfront, you have to carry your stuff up a hill and for the houses at the back - that might be a long way. (I got quite fit after a while)

Oh yeah, there is an island taxi who is a phone call away with only a few clients.

There is no permanent conenction to water mains. So you rely on rain and topping up via a pipe network on the island. Takes about 2-5 hours to fill a tank with a pesky to walk around island to turn on the tap and measure. This can be a 15 minute walk each way if you are on the opposite side of the Island.

If you want fresh drinking water (bottled) you end up lugging water cans all the time.

Your waste and loo goes into one of these underground eco tanks. As a family of 5 we had to stop flushing between pee's in order to not fill up the sewage tank. Otherwise an unpleasant smell greets you all day.

Also (minor), you have to carry your rubbish down to the large bins on the jetties as these are emptied by the council by boat.

It can be isolated on the Island, - you might find that there are not enough kids on the island for friends. Depends on age etc.

Apaprently some wifes find it really difficult to cope on the island as its a hardier than normal city life.

Scotland island property value can be less due to the above factors. Rental income is less due to the above.

Still to me, its paradise.


How I got my visa, Life, Lumps and spirit, Hate your new country? Your not alone! A good Furniture Rental company in Sydney,Why do immigrants leave Australia?, Sydney - Scotland island - hidden gem, Malls in Sydney, Living in St Ives, Arriving in Sydney, Driving through Sydney - first day, How expensive is Sydney

How much did it cost to immigrate to Sydney?

Bear in mind we are a family of 5

We did the 175 skilled independant visa

Well the medical checks were about 700 pounds

The visa bureau we used plus visa all came to aboutt 3000 pounds

Police certificates and fingerprints - add 200 pounds

English test for myself and wifey - 150 pounds

Plane tickets for 5(one way) - 2400 pounds (cheapest tickets we could find)

One 22 foot container - 3300 pounds

Customs fees in Australia - 400 pounds

Furniture rental for 5 weeks(minimal) 1200 pounds

Miscelaneous things like car licence transferral - 200 pounds

I cant remember anythign else atm.

Holy CRAP!!! thats almost 12000 pounds


ITs expensive! do not take it lightly!


Many many solid normal people go back home within the first 6 months!


How I got my visa, Life, Lumps and spirit, Hate your new country? Your not alone! A good Furniture Rental company in Sydney,Why do immigrants leave Australia?, Sydney - Scotland island - hidden gem, Malls in Sydney, Living in St Ives, Arriving in Sydney, Driving through Sydney - first day, How expensive is Sydney

Sydney - Scotland Island - a hidden gem (or not you decide) (3)

The way to get to the island is via a Place called Church Point. Park there, climb on ferry, buy ticket- easy. Ask the ferry driver/captain. Many people just take the ferry ride as it stops at most jetties and is very scenic - the ride takes about 35 minutes and leaves continually all day.

There is a shop and restaurant at the ferry point so you can eat there too.

The place is pretty small and rustic - so not big and bustling at all.

If you keep going afterwards (with car) - there is some scenery to be seen up mcArthers Creek road. V. nice.

I was astounded when I first arrived there. Locals take the place for granted....Its exceedingly beautiful.

Oh yeah the reason we stayed there was because the rentals were cheap. (must be honest, the ferry costs negated this in the end as we were 5) I think living there with "tinny" (a small alluminium boat) would be cost effective.

more soon

Sydney - Scotland Island - a hidden gem (or not you decide) (2)

Where was I?

GOOD STUFF about Scotland Island

Well Scotland Island is lovely. The people are helpful, there are dirt and some tar roads so plenty of people ferry an old jeep, car, bike or quadbike over. This helps them with getting around and also with carrying heavy goods up the hills (if you have to)

There is a local guy, who lives on the island who delivers Coles internet shopping on Saturday mornings, and its quite convenient as you dont have to be there. Just leave the door open with the cash on the table!!!! (Thats Island living huh)

Theres another local guy who has a sort of barge thing for ferrying cars, furniture, heavy goods. Although the ferries take anything you and a mate can carry.

There is also a 24 hour taxi service (the guys sleep on a houseboat) - so the first thing you do is get their cell number!!

There is a community on the island doing things like art, yoga, music, child care etc. It comes and goes. Many people have live there for over 20 years- I met one kind lady who had been there over 30 years!

My kids and I fished from the jetties (despite signs saying no). The islanders just said "go for it". Beside we did not have a boat!

Oh yeah, theres a playground there with swings etc.

Its quite safe - no roving people.

Kids get ferried to school in the nearby town. (20 minutes max adn supervised) Ferry paid for by gov as its considered school transport.

So if you have a boat, its a small walk to you playground eh? And if your on the waterfront - well you park on your jetty right!? man man man - paradise without doubt! (well i'll get to the cons later)

I walked right round the island in about 25 minutes... Although I somehow managed to take a wrong turn at one point.


How I got my visa, Life, Lumps and spirit, Hate your new country? Your not alone! A good Furniture Rental company in Sydney,Why do immigrants leave Australia?, Sydney - Scotland island - hidden gem, Malls in Sydney, Living in St Ives, Arriving in Sydney, Driving through Sydney - first day, How expensive is Sydney

Sydney - Scotland Island - a hidden gem (or not you decide)

We looked everywhere for short stay accommodation in Sydney that was affordable for a family of 5 and, you guessed it, there was none.

I found this place called Scotland Island (google it). its actually an island in a river/lagoon waterway. ITs closest point to mainland is about 200 meters so its inaccessable by land.

Why did I choose this?

Well it has cheap rentals for a start (dues to the water you have to cross)

We stayed there for about 5 weeks. Its accessible by water taxi whihc takes 5 - 20 minutes depending where you live on the island as the water taxi loops around the island stopping at about 5 jetties.

Its an island paradise in my opinion and I would love to live there!

But its a 50 minute bus journey to central Sydney and that does not take into account the ferry to the jetty and you walk up to your house. (Depends how far)

You could be on the island waterfront or at the top of the hill - there are about three concentric rings of houses on the Island.

Water is mainly rain water stored in tanks, although you can fill the tanks from fresh water pipes- its not too expensive, but you have to train the family not to shower forever (teenagers! nuff said! - not to mention my 11 year old daughter)

Well it is a paradise - wooden houses amongst treesm surrounded by water! Everyone has a boat, and most islanders have one or two boats. This avoids the ferries and saves on commute time.

more in next blog guys


How I got my visa, Life, Lumps and spirit, Hate your new country? Your not alone! A good Furniture Rental company in Sydney,Why do immigrants leave Australia?, Sydney - Scotland island - hidden gem, Malls in Sydney, Living in St Ives, Arriving in Sydney, Driving through Sydney - first day, How expensive is Sydney

Malls in Sydney

Hi guys,

well there are malls everywhere. Biggest one I  have been too is Parammatta Westfield. It has about 6 large floors. Everything you could wish for except good restaurants. I have not found a mall here with great food places.

Let me know wont you?

There are Westfield malls everywhere.

Where I live in St Ives there is a smallish mall (called St Ives Village) hmm...but it has everything you need.

Within 10 minutes drive is Chatswood  -quite nice. There is also chatswood Chase (too upmarket for me with boutiques and $$$$$ (you get it!))

We like to go to the macquarie Malls as they are huge and have a Cinema.

We stayed in the Northern beaches area near Avalaon for a while and there were no real malls - there were some but all smallish and more utility like as apposed to a place you could go trawl through on a boring day.

Castle Hill has a biggish mall with good cinemas.

Oh yeah - Sydneys cinemas have the gold class option, where apparently you can get food and drinks brought to you in your large plush chair etc. Hmm never been there (too pricey for me)

Maybe I'll spoil the wifey one day..

Sydney town itself has some great shopping -no awesome but the town is clean and easy to get around.

You can walk form the centre of town down to the waterfront in 10 minutes or less -easy easy.

Lots of boat trips to be taken

gg for now

How I got my visa, Life, Lumps and spirit, Hate your new country? Your not alone! A good Furniture Rental company in Sydney,Why do immigrants leave Australia?, Sydney - Scotland island - hidden gem, Malls in Sydney, Living in St Ives, Arriving in Sydney, Driving through Sydney - first day, How expensive is Sydney

How expensive is Sydney?

Very, very expensive.

While I dont want to run it down or put you off. Please please be aware its as bad as London. Property is through the roof! -Everywhere!

If you want something cheap - be prepared to commute at least 1.5 hours or more.

Do not expect to come here with no cash or deposit and find something easily.

A 4 bedroom house in n hour of Sydney starts at 450k for the worst and goes up sharp from there.

Food is expensive - wth - $5 fro a mango. - drive out for an hour and get a tray for $8 - wtf?

Everything costs here.

3 month electricity for family of 5 with pool - $950

family of 5 - food bills $1000 minimum..

ciao for now

Living in St Ives

Well we finally found a rental in St Ives and accepted it by force as we ran out of time. (and we looked for 2 months)


St Ives is a very upmarket place. For South Africans I would compare it to Constantia in Cape Town.

Typical Houses with 6 - 10 rooms are the norm with large pools and large gardens and shedloads of trees, but thats typical Of Sydney all over(the trees).

We found the place to be rich rich, with kids doing ballet and horse-riding.

Its too spread out for my taste - ie there are areas in St Ives where the nearest newsagent is either damn expensive or not in walking distance. You must have a car..

We are renting for 750 a week and thats a killer and I believe thats cheap for St Ives.  We really should have started in a lower income area and worked our way out.

It is close to a number of shopping centres(5 - 8 kms(20 minutes)) and the schools are good. The junior School is EXCELLENT with good teachers and an energetic and caring Headmaster.

I think the high school is mediocre with large amounts of kids bussing in (who knows why)

Large amounts of kids all have iphones and so on although there are people on a budget like the rest of us.

All the surrounding areas are a similiar. ie the whole of north Sydney is totally safe (Im talking as a South African/Londoner).

Australians talk about dodgy areas - dont believe em - dodgy to them is a few fisticuffs some years ago. There are bad areas, but nothing worse than the middle class-ish estates in London.

Most people in St Ives have snazzy car - specially 4by4's

There is no way your gonna buy here without a fat deposit as the houses start at about 900k and move up to the millions fast.

My next blog will be on how expensive Sydney is.....



How I got my visa, Life, Lumps and spirit, Hate your new country? Your not alone! A good Furniture Rental company in Sydney,Why do immigrants leave Australia?, Sydney - Scotland island - hidden gem, Malls in Sydney, Living in St Ives, Arriving in Sydney, Driving through Sydney - first day, How expensive is Sydney

My room in a house in Sydney

Well, I arrive at Jasper street, Baulkham Hills, Sydney, after much driving up and down the same road. The driveway is quite hidden.

Its mid winter Its cold!

Firstly, I found this place online as there are various websites that advertize/organize rentals. Please beware as i was approached online by about 6/7 con artists trying to rent me bogus rooms.. I think they also wanted images of my passports for nefarious purposes. Seriously I was shocked.

ok back to the room rental.

The garden looked like it had not been cut in years. (remember this is an upmarket area). There was rubbish infront of the garage -leke old rusted trycycles and buckets etc. - you could not get to the garage.

The back of the house had grass 2-3 feet high!
Inside the house, in the lounge was a large collection of furniture (from years gone by) and the rumpus rooms was basicall full.

Now, in the hosts defence I think her hubby had split and she was left fending for herself and one of the things she did was empty all the furniture into some rooms and let the rest out.

My host (whom I dont want to offend) was a kind of Dame Edna mixed with grandma(There was even a large (half meter wide) hat in the entrance hall). So all in all clean house inside but Cluttered with an overgrown garden.

OK my BEEEF - the SHOWER!!!

It was winter!

You must understand, I had been travelling for 28 hours - I needed a shower. I had images of torrents of hot water. Ok I force the unco-operative shower door open. No shower HEAD! - hmm ok who-cares. Turn on cold water - cool - turn on hot water - hmm stays cold - turn down colds water - cold, turn off cold water - BOILING.

It turns out that if I crack the cold water a fraction of a millimeter I can produce a comfortable temp with the water flow of, hmm lets say at the strength of an old man peeing!!!!

And its freezing(its winter)!

(i kid u not!)

Then, I had a shave in ....... freezing water, why, the hot water tap is not working.

I took me the better part of 2 hours to calm down as not to take my stuff and leave again..
 
I must say in my hosts defence -she was helpful, nice, clean and the other peeps in the house were very friendly.

So in the end (with 2 minute showers), I managed to spend a month there while trying to get my bearing and prepare for my family to arrive a month later.

It was quite cheap and if you need a place to stay I can recommend this as it was homely, safe and ina  good area. Drop me a message or a comment and I'll forward your number or email to the house owner.
regards


How I got my visa, Life, Lumps and spirit, Hate your new country? Your not alone! A good Furniture Rental company in Sydney,Why do immigrants leave Australia?, Sydney - Scotland island - hidden gem, Malls in Sydney, Living in St Ives, Arriving in Sydney, Driving through Sydney - first day, How expensive is Sydney

Driving through Sydney - first day

The first thing I did when arriving in Sydney was rent a car (at the airpot). Actually, I booked it a few days before in the UK. The cheapest I could find was AVIS car rental. Another good option is the well known Budget car rental.


After picking my car rental at the airport - which was quite quick, I then got a sim card, loaded my cell phone and off I went. I also had pre-loaded my TomTom with AU maps and just plugged it in and I was soon on my way to my temp bedroom accommodation.

Ok! This    feels   like I am back in Cape Town, wide streets, low buildings,,,, SPACE!!!! So different to the UK. Surprisingly a lot of  UK people migrating to Australia actually don't like the spacious houses.

Blue sky's!!  I was awestruck - after growing up in Zim and South Africa with space and warmth it is so nice to be out of London (read dirty, dark, icy, clothed to the hilt -etc. never going out)

A notice slowly that Sydney and its Suburbs are a lot bigger than Cape Town - like 10 times bigger -(maybe 20)

Everyone drives slowly and you get caught immediately if you don't. Wonderfully! I am driving with no stress! - there are gaps to change lanes!! - the roads are well though out. I have my UK TOM TOM and its easy!!!

WTF! what can only be uttered as a flock of budgies just fly past me!!! that is pretty awesome as I only have ever seen budgies in a cage. Triple awesome tbh.

I then see a large white parrot. This is what gets me no-one ever mentions the birds in Sydney?
Why is this? There is a huge variety of parrot types in Sydney. That's just amazing in itself. The large white parrots walk around like tame doves. They seem to be totally unafraid of everyone. Well with a large beak like that... Actually I think its the respect that Australians have for animals in general that allows them to live like this.

These birds have given me numerous wonderfull moments.

Ok this might sound boring but I'll change tack in the next blog ok ;)

Wait till you hear about my room I rented in up market Baulkham hills!!! What a treat (specially the shower).

signing off for now or read next blog!!!


How I got my visa, Life, Lumps and spirit, Hate your new country? Your not alone! A good Furniture Rental company in Sydney,Why do immigrants leave Australia?, Sydney - Scotland island - hidden gem, Malls in Sydney, Living in St Ives, Arriving in Sydney, Driving through Sydney - first day, How expensive is Sydney

Arriving in Sydney

Well, this is a little bit late but I will recall my arrival of Sydney as best as I can.
Arrive early, it was warm! (I had just spent 5 years in the UK)

Bugger, the hire car thing I did over the internet did not quite work and my HSBC credit card did not work at the car rental.

Watchout as a lot of the bank networks in Sydney just dont seem to work. After phoning my bank in the UK and ascertaining that they had not rejected my transaction (in fact the transaction had not even reached them), and also using the same credit card next door to buy a coke, after numerous calls to my wife I managed to pay for this somehow with an old business card of mine.

Ok an hour later I finally have my little car and am driving down some main road to Baulkham hills where I have a room in a house.

Wahoo - it reminds me over and over again of CapeTown

How I got my visa


How I got my visa, Life, Lumps and spirit, Hate your new country? Your not alone! A good Furniture Rental company in Sydney,Why do immigrants leave Australia?, Sydney - Scotland island - hidden gem, Malls in Sydney, Living in St Ives, Arriving in Sydney, Driving through Sydney - first day, How expensive is Sydney