People keep asking me for an emigration update, so I though I’d write a post to tell you where we’re at.
We accepted an offer on our house back in May and the sale is slowly moving ahead. I’m hoping to have an exchange date in the next week as I think (hope) everything else is in place *touches wood frantically*. As soon as I have a completion date in my diary, I’m going to look into booking flights for a month later (Husband has to give 4 weeks’ notice), but will make sure the flights can be moved just in case we hit any delays.
Our plan is to stay with family after the house sale has gone through which will give us a chance to say goodbye to everyone at various leaving parties around the country (yay, friends and lots of wine!) as well as organise any last-minute things (of which I have about a million on my list) and close any accounts.
As for where we’re going, that’s a tricky one. There’s nothing like leaving plans to the last minute. Brisbane seems the most likely as we have a friend and work contact at Brisbane airport and she is hoping to set up a temporary position at the airport for Husband with the airline she works for. This may lead to a permanent role (it sounds very promising) but at the very least will give him some Australian work experience, which goes a long way on a resume. He’s also applied for a couple of permanent jobs in Perth, (a city we LOVE, and we have family and friends there) but it seems employers like you to be in the country before giving you a job in his industry. Although our hearts are telling us we should move to Perth, we also know a big hurdle is going to be about finding Husband a job he loves and we think, realistically, we’re more likely to be able to find that in Brisbane.
So we’re very much still in limbo with move dates and destinations. I’m decluttering, selling things and closing accounts ready but I’m also taking my boys along to settling in sessions at the school they probably (hopefully) won’t need to attend in September, just in case. It’s a really unsettling feeling for all of us.
This period of waiting and not knowing dates is awful. I hate not being in control. There is just so much to do. I’m worrying about the house sale. I hate not quite knowing which side of the country we’re moving to. I’m dreading leaving family behind. Everything about it is terrifying and overwhelming.
I’m looking forward to getting on that plane, and downing a gin and tonic (or five). This last year has been the hardest, most exhausting year of my life. I’m not complaining; it has been a great challenge, and has brought Husband and I together to reach a common goal which has been a lovely thing to share. I’ve more than earned a few days laying by a pool at the end of it though. Well, after we’ve found a rental property, set up our tax number, found a school for the boys and done the long list of other jobs we need to tackle first, that is.
As soon as I have dates or any more news I’ll be sure to share them on Twitter and Facebook and you can expect more frantic, stressed out blog posts as the time approaches.
xx
PS The latest issue of Australia and New Zealand magazine is now out, just in case you fancy reading my regular migration column.
Notmyyearoff says
Wow it’s all go isn’t it and sounds a bit daunting with all the waiting and decision making. But it will be so worth it once it’s all sorted and you are there. My friend who lives in Sydney always talks really highly of Brisbane. It sounds like a really nice family place to bring up a family. Hope the next few weeks go smoothly for you all xx
karenb says
Thanks for your comment. We’ve heard that Brisbane is great for families too (we didn’t have kids last time we visited so didn’t really explore the family side of things). I think we’re probably at the most stressful phase at the moment, so I’m hoping once the worry of the house sale is out of the way we can start to look forward to it a bit more. xx
Mel says
Oh dear, stressful times… I hope everything somehow gets sorted out quickly and you manage to finish everything on your to do list so you can have that well-deserved time sitting (probably asleep due to exhaustion) by a pool. Decisions, decisions re. where to go. Not easy I guess, but Brisbane sounds like the sensible choice despite the fact your heart is in Perth. Follow your heart or make sure there is a job there? Tough one. x
karenb says
It is quite stressful. We’re selling our house, moving, finding new jobs, new areas and new schools all at the same time! But it won’t be too much longer now, I hope. We do love Brisbane too, and it has lots of opportunities for us in terms of travel opportunities and jobs for the future for our kids too so we’ll be happy whichever works out. xx
Hurrah For Gin says
So nearly there! Although i guess in some ways it still seems a long way off for you. Hoping all the final hurdles are crossed quickly and you can be on the plane with a G&T in hand very soon 🙂 xxx
karenb says
Almost there but it feels a long way away still! I can’t believe that this time next year we’ll be there and settled in, with no house to renovate (hopefully) and no packing or sorting to do. What will I do with all of my spare time? x
Caitlin says
Hang in there! At least you’re getting to enjoy the English Summer and will miss our ‘winter’!
karenb says
Haha I bet your winter is warmer than our summer anyway! xx