Puff- it also can be 'been there done that, proved to myself I can and made more $$$ in 10 years than I can make in 30 under the Australian taxation system! Can now afford to come home and relax for the next 15 years of my flying career.' Also, the experience of life as an expat cannot be overestimated- amongst many other positives (and yes there are negatives too), you learn just how naive and sheltered the Australian world view is-it really is an island at the end of the world (and what a sheltered workshop the Australian aviation industry is). Flipside is thats what makes it a great place to live and work-when you can afford too!