Why Leave The Uk?In today’s modern world, travel is increasingly affordable and flights to exotic destinations that were once deemed remote are now reachable at the click of a button. As a nation, the British are travelling further and more frequently than ever before and an increasing number of people are taking the plunge and moving abroad for the simple reason that it is now so much more achievable than it used to be. Technological advances enable people to communicate quickly, cheaply and effectively, ensuring that time differences and distances are no longer the barriers they used to be. The internet and video conferencing now allow people to work from their homes instead of an office, providing opportunities for people to change their lifestyle to suit their own needs and desires. For many, this means they are now in a position to be able to live and work abroad.
In fact, in 2004 alone, nearly 200,000 people left the UK in search of a better lifestyle, warmer weather and the chance of a new, exciting life overseas. By the year 2020, The Centre for Future Studies predicts, a mind-blowing six million more Britons will be living abroad compared with today.
So you are not alone in your thinking! And who can blame you for wanting to leave a country that is over-populated, expensive, becoming
increasingly unsafe and has less than desirable weather most months of the year. The world today is a much smaller place than it used to be and making the move to foreign lands is increasingly achievable for you and your family.
Research by Fresh Start has shown that the two of the key factors influencing Brits to move abroad are the climate and the lower cost of living. Australia, definitely can offer both of those, which has ensured that it is, and is set to continue to be, one of the most popular destinations for British migrants.
Cost Of Living In Australia
For years, Australia was considered a relatively cheap country in which to live but, due to increased tourism, the 2000 Olympics pushing prices up across the board and the continually changing Aussie dollar, Oz is now officially on the high side.
In fact, Australia’s cost of living rose faster than anywhere else in the world in the year to March 2004, due mainly to the appreciating Aussie dollar and booming house market (source – Mercer HR 2004. The cost-of-living survey by human resources company Mercer covered 144 cities and measured expenses such as housing, food, clothing, transport and entertainment).
The latest Mercer cost of living study (July 2006) shows that Sydney is still the most expensive Australian city in the country ranking at 19th place, pipping Rome and Los Angeles for cash-draining potential. Melbourne occupies 74th place, while Brisbane is in 99th position with the other Australian main cities not listed on the top 100.
Moscow has taken over from Tokyo as the most expensive city in the
world, with London coming not far behind in 5th place.
Mercer’s study also revealed that Sydney’s housing rents are considerably higher than the rest of Australia and New Zealand.
So, it’s official! Sydney is now an expensive city in which to live, especially as wages are much lower than in the UK and taxes are some of the highest in the world. These are key facts which cannot be ignored if you are contemplating making the enormous decision to permanently migrate there.
Having said this, not all of you will be planning on moving to Sydney, and Australia certainly has many more equally exciting and beautiful cities. Increasing number of Brits are shunning NSW’s high cost of living and heading to Australia’s other large cities including Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Melbourne, all of which are vibrant and cosmopolitan and considerably less damaging on your pocket. Not to mention the fact that some of the less metropolitan areas of Australia are facing skilled worker shortages, thus creating more opportunities for migrants which in turn may enable you to enter the country via the Regional Skilled Worker Visa (this is discussed in futher detail later in the book and always check
www.immi.gov.au for the latest visa information as the situation is ever-changing).