Newbies

[CAN]

Hi, as a family we are 99% decided that we'd like to emigrate to Australia.  

 

Looking at some of the other posts, we have very similar motivations.  It is amazing how we have become accustomed to some unacceptable living conditions such as the violent crime, corruption, employment discrimination, the devaluation of the currency and the realisation that despite paying relatively high tax rates, we still end up spending large portions of our salaries on medical aid and private education.  We have 2 boys (ages 6 and 9) and this decision  is largely influenced by our concern for their futures.  Our tipping point has been reached.  

 

Australia sounds so similar to South Africa in terms of climate and culture and we would love to live on the coast.

 

The toughest parts of the decision are 1) that we will be moving away from our dear family and 2) we are relatively comfortable financially in SA so the fear of the unknown in this regard!

 

Thanks for this forum - it has already been a great source of insight and support.

 

I am aiming for a 190 visa and have booked my IELTS and am busy with the skills assessment submission.  We're doing it on our own but I would like to consult an agent before submitting this.  Any recommendations of who may be able to offer advice on the submission would be very welcome!

[Mara]

@CAN Congratulations with your decision. The freedom, under which you will live in Australia, will trump your financial comfort in RSA... unless you are totally materialistic. I know what I am talking about, we will never have what we had there, but the life we lead here is 10 times better.

 

With regard to agents.. we have two on the forum, that are always around and very willing to assist, they also come highly recommended, if you should decide to make use of their services:

@TeeTMI that is Tee Taylor of Taylor Made Immigration

and

@SD_MOA that is Stephen Dickson of Migration Outcomes Australia

 

They know what they are doing and are constantly updating the forum when rules change or any other information that they think may be of interest.

[Guest]

The majority of people who are on this forum migrated as professionals or skilled people therefore they probably earned quite well back in SA and had a relatively comfortable lifestyle, some more than most. We lived in our little bubble of comfort for quite some time but eventually at least for me the fog began to clear and I started to see the reality. Now when I look back on our life in SA I cannot believe that we delayed like we did. We kept thinking about the what if's in Australia, what if we don't find work etc. We should have thought about the What if we don't move and its too late. You could offer me a mansion in Camps Bay and a salary of a million a month and I would still never go back to SA. Your life does not result from the things you possess. Life is about living and giving in return. The opportunities and freedom that Australia offers are absolutely priceless.! It is scary to make the jump, everyone here has been in your shoes so you are not alone. But believe me when I say that coming to Australia is the best thing we ever did. Easy? No, but definitely worth it. Your children will flourish here.

 

All the best in your process ?

Edited June 13, 2016 by Guest

[CAN]

Thanks for the responses @Mara and @emmayenkanna.  It helps so much to hear this, you have no idea!

[Shellfish]

On 6/12/2016 at 4:16 AM, CAN said:

 

Australia sounds so similar to South Africa in terms of climate and culture 

Don't get too caught up in the idea that Australia is South Africa without the sh*t - it's very much it's own country with it's own culture, ideals and way of thinking. Just a heads up. 

[Mara]

And definitely has it's own little idiosyncrasies to try and get your head around.....

[Alchemist]

One way we are preparing is by downsizing from a duplex cluster to a simplex townhouse with no pool. Its been great actually as we spend less and send more savings to Aus. Also the big house and cars trap is often used as the excuse for not going (together the leaving family behind). Leaving SA is hard, make no mistake. Its not SA without crime. Its a very different culture and way of life (similar but very specifically unique as is Durban compared to JHB). So be prepared to deal with a new set of rules (enforced, and for me thats great but some SA ppl cant deal with it even though they complain about the lawlessness here). 

 

One thing that will help tremendously is to get it out of your head that South Africans know it all and can do it better. The Aussies hate that attitude and you will struggle to fit in without the aspect of humility that they expect from expats (after all you left SA and came to their promised land, show a little gratitude). I worked there for almost a year when i was 25 but even that exposure made me realise in order to fit in, get the accent and be humble. South Africans are a little arrogant as thats how we compete (lots of bravado) but there its subtle. So turn it down a little, listen more, gain more insight to their ways and make that effort. That will gain the respect of the aussies even while you retain your unqiue SA flavour. 

 

Other than that, your kids will adapt nicely at this age and will help you socialise in to the Aussie way of life. 

 

But be prepared to miss home. If you can do that, you will be fine. We tend to worry about getting jobs etc while they have a thriving job market compared to here so if you are good at what you do, follow the above tips, finding a job should be easy......

 

In other words, adapt or die