To migrate or not?

[Canvas]

Just to share that my sister and her family tried living in NZ but returned after almost a year because her hubby couldn’t find a job. She missed us a lot too especially during festive seasons. I guess her case wasn’t successful because a job was not secured before going over. A stable income is very crucial to start anew. There were also friends who are happily living abroad because they have a healthy network of friends and support.

[BeContented]

sweetiepie:

Isn't this topic abt migration? u mean I cannot share things abt life migrating to Australia. U mean I cannot say what is truth? 1st of all I did not say my neighbor is ang mo. Yes there are a lot of Asian here. my whole building are Chinese mostly from China. It is the support that I do not have like childcare support, emotional support away from friends n family. Lifestyles changes, lower education std..Let's face it, these are somethings we all have to face when migrating. Unless your quality of life still stay the same in both countries.

Abt cooking, if the cost of living is not high and foods here are not expensive who would want to cook every day in Australia. Unless u are well off, spending that type of money is ok. But even my friend who is single and holds a decent job here are bringing food from home to office everyday. U see a lot of working people doing that as well. This is part of the culture here.

I will not go round telling my friends, family or relative abt how bad life is here. Only a few truth friends.will know n my husband. Because nobody knows me in this forum that is why I am willing to share the experience here. Believe or not, only if you truthly experience it, u will know. :drool: :drool:

Would you believe me if I say I kinda understand a little?
My aunt migrated to Australia years ago but she comes back SG & stay in my mom's house 1-2 times a year. Each time 3-6 weeks. Whenever people ask her how is Australia, she will claim 'Good. Better than SG'. But in private, during her chats with my mom, we know the real picture is not as rosy as what she portrays to others..........

[Mawar]

The best case scenario is to have the chance to experience long stay in a different country. Call it migration, sabbatical, long stint… it will bring open our eyes and minds to different ways of living.

[Coolkidsrock2]

Both hubby and myself studied overseas - Canada and Australia respectively. And cost of living - housing (very expensive in locations which are deemed safe), private schools (the people whom I know all send their kids to private schools so I am unfamiliar with public school system), medical, paid help, childcare, etc, possible job discrimination, high tax are some of the genuine deterrents for us.


Even for some who had migrated 10-15 years back are trying to come back because things are no longer rosy there. But they are finding it hard to find a job back here too.

Different people have different experiences in their new country so opinions may be quite varied. But there are certain factors which will make the transition or move easier and one needs to consider it in the light of one’s own situation.

[sunflower]

I have friends who migrated to Australia. If you are alone with young children, no hubby or any family or friends support, it can be quite tough. That’s what a friend told me. Her married friend drives all the way to visit my friend (staying in the city) quite often because her friend (staying in the suburb) feels lonely.

[sunflower]

I was in Australia (Perth) many years ago for a few years, married with no children at that time. I cooked but not everyday. There were places where you could find reasonably priced food in addition to the typical Fish n Chips, such as Japanese, Italian, French, Chinese, all very authentic, except Chinese food which most modified to suit the ang mo taste. These were mostly take-out places, some with limited seating capacity. I had really authentic and yummy Japanese food, ranging from A$3.50 to A$6, Italian food at about A$9, yummy chicken rice (A$5) and dim sum (A$2 – A$3 per plate) in Chinatown. Even tried French delicacy at their “market” for A$5 (I think, can’t really remember now). Restaurants would definitely cost more, but they did not have service charge and GST, but we gave tips. Come to think of it, it’s quite similar to the cost now if I eat out at restaurants in Singapore.


Went to Melbourne a few years ago for holiday. Found they sell really HUGE sushi near a train station. Bought one row, (for A$5?, can’t remember now but thought it was quite reasonable for THAT size of sushi). Was REALLY full after eating. Hee, hee, I love sushi so if I’m staying there, I can eat that (with different kinds of fillings) everyday. :drool:

I’m not sure whether things have changed and whether prices have gone up, but I guess if we know where to \"dig\" in the suburbs, we may be able to find places that sell “cheaper” food.

[Canvas]

sunflower:

I was in Australia (Perth) many years ago for a few years, married with no children at that time. I cooked but not everyday. There were places where you could find reasonably priced food in addition to the typical Fish n Chips, such as Japanese, Italian, French, Chinese, all very authentic, except Chinese food which most modified to suit the ang mo taste. These were mostly take-out places, some with limited seating capacity. I had really authentic and yummy Japanese food, ranging from A$3.50 to A$6, Italian food at about A$9, yummy chicken rice (A$5) and dim sum (A$2 – A$3 per plate) in Chinatown. Even tried French delicacy at their “market” for A$5 (I think, can’t really remember now). Restaurants would definitely cost more, but they did not have service charge and GST, but we gave tips. Come to think of it, it’s quite similar to the cost now if I eat out at restaurants in Singapore.


Went to Melbourne a few years ago for holiday. Found they sell really HUGE sushi near a train station. Bought one row, (for A$5?, can’t remember now but thought it was quite reasonable for THAT size of sushi). Was REALLY full after eating. Hee, hee, I love sushi so if I’m staying there, I can eat that (with different kinds of fillings) everyday. :drool:

I’m not sure whether things have changed and whether prices have gone up, but I guess if we know where to \"dig\" in the suburbs, we may be able to find places that sell “cheaper” food.

Those big sushi were one of the those food I used to tabao once in a while when I was a student. Love them! Especially the breaded prawn ones and last time was cheaper at AUD2.50! The Chinese takeaway were not cheap, easily AUD$8 but my days, the exchange rate was very good unlike now

[sunflower]

BeContented:

Would you believe me if I say I kinda understand a little?
My aunt migrated to Australia years ago but she comes back SG & stay in my mom's house 1-2 times a year. Each time 3-6 weeks. Whenever people ask her how is Australia, she will claim 'Good. Better than SG'. But in private, during her chats with my mom, we know the real picture is not as rosy as what she portrays to others..........

Hee, hee, is it during the cold winter and very hot summer when your aunt comes back to Singapore?

[sunflower]

Oh yes, talking about cost of living. I remembered buying a quite well known brand shampoo for A$1.99 when they were on sale. Fruits and veggies in season were pretty cheap, not to mention the slashing of prices to clear food items (esp meat) when the supermarket was going to close for the day.

[Coolkidsrock2]

I remember those days now. Too long ago. Forgotten already.


And Blackmores supplements are cheap as well. Is it still those kind of prices mentioned?

Those were the student days …

If stay there now, got to pay tax which is too painful. Not sure if can afford the same lifestyle as here based on net pay.