OK, well I thought it was about time I made a Blog to go with my emigration to Australia website over at www.oztogo.com.
I've had this website up and running for eight years and it has helped many people in their emigration plans, and those thinking about it. Emigration is about changing your life, the ability to have a whole new world. Moving house, moving job, getting married and all those things are life changing moments - but emigration is a whole lot more... and usually for the better. For some it's to escape the things in life that are boring or unpleasant, but are just never going to change - like the daily commute, the boring neighours, the incessant grey, windy, rainy weather. For others it's all part of a new adventure - an ability to experience what life is like on the other side of the pond. One thing I can say, it appears to me that most people who emigrate appear to have a better life, despite fond memories and friends left behind.
There's so much to add to this introduction, but that's the great thing about a blog - I'll just add more as I think later. You can imagine over the last eight years that we've been here in Australia, the large number of conversations we've had with old friends, new friends, family etc about the subject of emigrating, as well as meeting with others who have embarked on the same adventure, all with different stories to tell..... Do you like it here ? Would you ever go back ? Do you miss home? What made you think about it in the first place? How come everyone doesn't emigrate ?! Why would you want to stay ? Why would you want to go ? How difficult was it and are there any easier ways to get in ?
Well - firstly, a lot of questions and answers are all on my website- www.oztogo.com (also on www.oztogo.co.uk. This site was previously available at http://emigrate.hotshopping.com.au). Our family emigrated here to Brisbane from the UK in the first few weeks of the year 2000 and have never looked back. We have so many friends here, both Australian and other immigrants some of who came long before we arrived and some who arrived recently - and have a much better social life than we did back in England. Just gotta love the weather here, family get-togethers and lots of good food, whether barbies or dinner parties - and above all the relaxed way of life.
You'll find all sorts of useful information, thoughts, hints and tips - suggestions, what to do first guidelines, about creepy crawlies and questions such as what do you miss (like certain food) etc ; it's a site you really need to see if you are even thinking about emigrating, or if you just want something to change in your life or to escape the current drudgery of existence !
OK - if you look right now at www.oztogo.com you'll find it's not very pretty because currently it's one huge document, but I know it's been useful for a lot of people because I've had many many emails over the years from people - and not just from England. I've even met a number of families who have moved here, to our own village on the basis of my website! Some friends tell me I should take the website down so we don't get too many more English arrive. That doesn't seem so fair! Australia's a big place with plenty of wonderful cities, suburbs and regional areas to go to - there must be other websites out there that also get er... enthusiastic about coming to live here.... after all, my website's contents come from just one person's perspective (although I do try to keep it fairly objective!).... and I am still convinced that the area we chose to live (Samford, 30 minutes North West of Brisbane) was absolutly ideal for families, though I'm afraid the prices have gone up since we came!
So grab a coffee, and read the lot by scrolling down through it. I've been meaning to give it an overhaul ever since it was originally published - it took a very long time to research and write what's up there, but it really needs structuring into something nicer with multiple pages on different topics.... hmmmm, perhaps I'll make a start. I've sometimes wondered, with all the information in there and that it's genuinely helped people to change their life for the better, if I could actually make any money out of it !.... (however small).... but my main goal is to share the information, not to become an emigration consultant. Anyway, that's why I've decided to put in some sponsored links... hope they don't annoy - there shouldn't be too many but if the page becomes popular then it should help and encourage me to expand the site!
Just one thing, if you've got any specific questions on exactly how to emigrate and how many points you need etc, or can I bring my xxxx, then remember the rules do change more often than you might expect. So while you may get an answer here in the blog comments, you would be probably get quick and more answers from the forum over at www.britishexpats.com. That said, if there's any information you'd like to suggest I add to my webpage, I'd love you to share that info with me and I'd be sure to put anything useful up on the site.
So, head on over to www.oztogo.com , but remember to go back there a while later because I'll finally get around to doing a major overhaul with structure and updated information such as maps, property prices and pictures etc.
Until next time
OZTim from Brisbane
