Permanent move to another country

[Marc]

I think there are a few people around here that have moved to another country on a permanent basis and I'm wondering how they found it?

All the paper work is in place and at the end of next month I move from Australian to Canada to start a new life with my wife.

Barring death,divorce or deportation it's pretty much a one way move. My wife has a disability and getting into Australian even as a spouse when you've disabled can be nigh on impossible (this country is crying out for Dr's and an a GP from overseas was going to leave because his downs syndrome son couldn't stay until the immigration minister overruled the department).

The emotion swings are pretty vicious - I go from being raring to go, sadness at leaving friends and family, pets (our rottie is 12 so the day I leave will be the last time I see him). Hell even business clients - many of whom I've done work for years (one of which I've I've done their IT work for 16 years).

It's also going to be shock at times like Easter and Christmas when we'd have family gatherings. My wife in and I will be one town, my in-laws in another another couple of hours on and my sister-in-law & niece the same distance away in a 3rd town (and I don't drive as my eyesight is too marginal for driving for me to feel safe behind the wheel) it's not going to the same as I'm used to.

Overall it's going to be an adventures but it's going to be tinged with a great deal of sadness.

 

[Deckerd]

It sounds like Australia's policy on disability is about 100 years in the past.

 

[Kestra]

Good luck with the move! Sorry it had to be for those reasons, however.

I've lived in the same country my whole life. But as the daughter of immigrants I have a small understanding of how difficult it must have been for them to leave their family and everything to move halfway across the world. Ultimately their sacrifices have paid off and they are quite happy here.

But yes, there are plenty of wonderful adventures in front of you, and you have your wife as your companion to share in it all. Best wishes to both of you!

 

[Angry Angel]

I moved from the Netherlands to Sweden in December last year. But I'm lucky by the fact that both countries are in the EU, so there's hardly any paperwork. Plus I have continued support from both sides. I still have my family in Holland and my girlfriend and her family and friends in Sweden have been very welcoming and helpful.
Of course it's only 2 hours on the plane, so if anything happens or if I want to see my family or they want to come over it's easily arranged.

The most important part for me was knowing what I would get myself into, so it's been a lot of reading and investigating. That is paying of now cause it's been an easy transition for all parties.

I hope it all works out for you and that you can take the time for yourself to get used to the idea and find your place.

 

[trampledamage]

It sounds like Australia's policy on disability is about 100 years in the past.

Unfortunately it's all too common. Canada has a similar policy. It seems to be the only thing governments are still allowed to discriminate against - they say a disabled immigrant will be a drain on public resources - Canada will not allow you to immigrate with a disabled dependent even if you can prove you've got plenty of private money.


Marc, I moved from Ireland to Canada three years ago. It is a big upheaval and took a lot of work. At least you will have family here - we have none! But so far we've been very lucky - mr trampledamage has got a good job, we live in a nice city with lots of activities for the kids and everything is just what I hoped it would be when we moved (even if it is -45 out there including the wind chill!)

 

[Evil_Kirkneivel]

Marc, I'm trying to think of ways to make it easier - but there are no easy answers. Hopefully you have some adventurer in you that will help you to appreciate the challenges. There's no doubt that a move like will make a huge emotional impact on you, but we (humans) are strong. Be patient with yourself and give yourself plenty of time to make the adjustment, find new friends, etc.

About 15 years ago, after being a life-long resident of the USA, I moved to Australia. It can take up to five years or more to feel truly comfortable in a new place, but those five years does not have to be a living hell -it just means there is a lot to learn, and that time must past for you to adjust. I'm very happy here now and have been for some time, but it wasn't always like that when I first arrived. It takes time, and there are no shortcuts or time travel alternatives.

Moving to or from Australia is one of the biggest shifts - you will feel like you are out of sight on the other side of the earth for quite a while - but there will be so much beauty to discover. Canada has a lot of positives and I wish you success there.

 

[ALF]

I'd give near anything to go from Canada to Australia.
Went down under last Xmas and they've got an awesome scene down there.
But living in Japan has it's share of plus points, too.

I guess anywhere you can go besides your home country has peaks and valleys, strikes and gutters.

 

[Obi Wana Jones]

I
All the paper work is in place and at the end of next month I move from Australian to Canada to start a new life with my wife....
My wife has a disability and getting into Australian even as a spouse when you've disabled can be nigh on impossible (this country is crying out for Dr's and an a GP from overseas was going to leave because his downs syndrome son couldn't stay until the immigration minister overruled the department).

What you said is VERY scarey, but I have read this about Australia and some of the European Union countries as well. If you have a disability, or have a family member with a disability, the country (the world) doesn't want you.

Don't believe for a minute this will not happen in the US. National (socialist) healthcare will bring this about. What was horrifying in Nazi Germany and sci novels of early to mid 20th century is coming to pass. Life is cheap, meaningless, and easily thrown away. Bureaucrats/politicians will determine not only how you live, but who lives, and who dies.

 

[Obi Wana Jones]

< post edited by moderator >

 

[Obi Wana Jones]

Unfortunately it's all too common. Canada has a similar policy. It seems to be the only thing governments are still allowed to discriminate against - they say a disabled immigrant will be a drain on public resources - Canada will not allow you to immigrate with a disabled dependent even if you can prove you've got plenty of private money.

And another thing . . .
Governments can discriminate against hardworking individuals with disabled dependants, but what about ILLEGALS????

It is estimated (by the LA Times of all places) that Illegal Immigrants make up over 3 milliion (of nearly 8 million) citizens in LA County. Three million people, not paying taxes, but receiving government benefits (including free healthcare).

Wonder why CA is broke? Wonder why the US has $1 Trillion debt??

 

[Deckerd]

I think you're derailing the thread a bit. That's probably my fault but I didn't write the quote you attributed to me!

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Three million people, not paying taxes, but receiving government benefits (including free healthcare).

Depends on the conditions under which they're working. If they're being paid cash for day work, they're not paying taxes. If they're working using falsified documents, they're likely paying taxes including social security for which they will receive no benefits.

 

[propita]

Three million people, not paying taxes, but receiving government benefits (including free healthcare).

Depends on the conditions under which they're working. If they're being paid cash for day work, they're not paying taxes. If they're working using falsified documents, they're likely paying taxes including social security for which they will receive no benefits.

I was wondering about that social security thing. Say there's a person whose SSN is being used (without his knowledge) by an illegal worker. That worker is paying SS benefits on that SSN, right? Does the person whose SSN is being used get the credits for the money paid in? How does that work when filling out taxes--does that person show all this income and SS credits?

 

[Barbados Slim]

Who let Lou Dobbs in here?!

I have a romantic notion of moving to France someday. Any American ex-pats in France on these here boards?

 

[Arrqh]

It's been about 2.5 years since I moved to Canada from the US though for me it's been (fairly) easy... building social networks isn't exactly one of my strong points, so leaving my friends behind was probably the biggest thing I had to deal with. Part of it was I knew I was going to be moving away from home to start my career anyway so it was fairly inevitable... moving to another country really turned out to be a small detail in my case!

I'm not sure if I'd call the move permanent though, as I'm thinking of moving back to the US sometime in the next few years. There's only so much of this weather I can take

 

[jgdst]

I'm moving from England to the Netherlands in March... Bit of a daunting thing to do, as I haven't got a job to go to (yet). It's a bit of a risk and I'm doing a lot of seat-of-the-pants stuff just because I fancy a change. I don't have a wife, kids or a mortgage to worry about, so I feel this is the best time to do it.

Reading about some other people's thoughts on here is helping keep that feeling of wild panic in check though. So, I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your experiences and stopping me from going out of my tiny mind

 

[Marc]

I
All the paper work is in place and at the end of next month I move from Australian to Canada to start a new life with my wife....
My wife has a disability and getting into Australian even as a spouse when you've disabled can be nigh on impossible (this country is crying out for Dr's and an a GP from overseas was going to leave because his downs syndrome son couldn't stay until the immigration minister overruled the department).

What you said is VERY scarey, but I have read this about Australia and some of the European Union countries as well. If you have a disability, or have a family member with a disability, the country (the world) doesn't want you.

Don't believe for a minute this will not happen in the US. National (socialist) healthcare will bring this about. What was horrifying in Nazi Germany and sci novels of early to mid 20th century is coming to pass. Life is cheap, meaningless, and easily thrown away. Bureaucrats/politicians will determine not only how you live, but who lives, and who dies.

Your comments show a complete lack of understanding - starting with your use of the word socialist.

and please leave it there unless you want to take it to the TNZ.

AS to everyone thanks for the support.

I'm sure it's going to go well - though I have to admit the thought of having to get a job is one of the scariest parts. I've been self employed for the past 8 and a half years and running networks for clients pretty much my own boss so it's going to be finding a job in a town (75,000+ people though a couple of places that could present good opportunities and if I say there's a uni there some people should guess what the town is).


I've done several trips to Canada and it's definitely very similar to here with a couple of exceptions - our GST is included in the shown prices and we got rid of the 1 and 2 cent pieces.

Oh and I got a strange look when I asked for capscium on my Subway - have to remember they are bell peppers.

Though I'm wishing I was there already. Adelaide has +40 degrees C day temps for most of this week and I hate the heat

 

[Sean Aaron]

I would also give yourself a year to adjust because you'll have ups and downs during that time and you just need to get through them. It all depends on what you miss most, but if you can find a source for familiar stuff like Australian chocolate bars or similar that may make it easier.

 

[Obi Wana Jones]

Your comments show a complete lack of understanding - starting with your use of the word socialist. [/quote]

I'm sorry, but you talk about the difficulty of getting into a country because you have a spouse with a disability. Then you talk about a physician who was going to have to leave the country because his child has Down's Syndrome. And you talk about my use of the the word socialist?

Forget socialism. How about Orwellian?

Scarey; simply scarey and everyone closes their eyes to reality . . .

 

[Canadave]

Where in Canada are you moving to, Marc?