How much is the Aussie Lifestyle costing you?
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: ozland
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One of the most interesting topics to hit this forum in a while. Well done, KM.
My contribution would be that your particular lifestyle has a lot to do with it. Having just been faced with this question, we decided that, if required, we would not leave Oz to pursue aviation, but I would make a career change. Not too scary, as I have another interest I've always wanted to have a go at anyway, and have also had a pretty good run through most facets of aviation. Even if it was for more money, on our mathematics, the extra wasn't worth it to pay for things we get here for free.
Influencing this was our own particular lifestyle choices. They're simply unavailable in any convenient way in many of the other locations, and we don't want to have to get on an aircraft to pursue them, nor do I want to wait for retirement. Yet other friends with with different personal interests have found those interests just as available in other countries, with the exoticness adding a whole new dimension. So they are eminently suited to making the move.
Of course, it doesn't need to be said that security, values, and a desire to live in the community we'll retire in, are a very big part as well. I surely want me and mine to rub shoulders with that global communtiy, and we will, we'll just keep the domicile here in the sunburnt land. Come retirement/career change, undoubtably I'll be of a lesser fiscal stature than some of my other collegues. That's cool. Being rich is about more than just money. I can see where some of the DJ guys are coming from.
So to tackle the original question - what's it worth? I think it's a time vs money equation. I'd do it for a short while for free, just for the fun. The longer I went, the more I'd want. If had a long term eighteen wheeler command, with commensurate renumeration, up to a couple of years would be fine, chasing the lolly. After that, it's a diminishing return. Might be better to stick around on half the money, and not be robbed of the intrinsic things.
But that's just my opinion.
Cheers to all.
<img src="smile.gif" border="0">
My contribution would be that your particular lifestyle has a lot to do with it. Having just been faced with this question, we decided that, if required, we would not leave Oz to pursue aviation, but I would make a career change. Not too scary, as I have another interest I've always wanted to have a go at anyway, and have also had a pretty good run through most facets of aviation. Even if it was for more money, on our mathematics, the extra wasn't worth it to pay for things we get here for free.
Influencing this was our own particular lifestyle choices. They're simply unavailable in any convenient way in many of the other locations, and we don't want to have to get on an aircraft to pursue them, nor do I want to wait for retirement. Yet other friends with with different personal interests have found those interests just as available in other countries, with the exoticness adding a whole new dimension. So they are eminently suited to making the move.
Of course, it doesn't need to be said that security, values, and a desire to live in the community we'll retire in, are a very big part as well. I surely want me and mine to rub shoulders with that global communtiy, and we will, we'll just keep the domicile here in the sunburnt land. Come retirement/career change, undoubtably I'll be of a lesser fiscal stature than some of my other collegues. That's cool. Being rich is about more than just money. I can see where some of the DJ guys are coming from.
So to tackle the original question - what's it worth? I think it's a time vs money equation. I'd do it for a short while for free, just for the fun. The longer I went, the more I'd want. If had a long term eighteen wheeler command, with commensurate renumeration, up to a couple of years would be fine, chasing the lolly. After that, it's a diminishing return. Might be better to stick around on half the money, and not be robbed of the intrinsic things.
But that's just my opinion.
Cheers to all.
<img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
Thread Starter
Thanks for the input people, a lot of interesting, thought-provoking, and varying opinions.
Of all the repilies to date, it seems that only a couple of you have indicated an actual dollar figure (which, from memory, was about $100k p.a.) - indicating that the intrinsic values are a more important consideration for Australians.
Lifestyle will be different things foe different people, depending upon whether you`re single or married or, (as in Chimbu Chuck`s case) a single parent), an outdoorsy type person who enjoys the beach or the bush, or the indoors type who is content sitting in front of the computer for hours (or also enjoying some bush
). However, "Lifestyle", in my opinion, is also those activities that you can enjoy during the few hours you have AFTER and BEFORE work - the time with the kids, a quick swim, jog, or potter around the garden.
Expat living (esp. in Asia) often does not offer the same opportunities available to you, (when) living in your own house in Oz, with "retail therapy" being the main outlet for many Asians.
So would you be happy "sacrificing" your "prime years" for a (financially) reasonably comfortable future, IF you can crack that pot of gold position? As Back Seat Driver mentioned, we're here "for a good time, and not for a long time" - there is, after all, NO guarantee of how long any of us will be around...."don't complain about old age, a lot of people are never given that opportunity!"
Of all the repilies to date, it seems that only a couple of you have indicated an actual dollar figure (which, from memory, was about $100k p.a.) - indicating that the intrinsic values are a more important consideration for Australians.
Lifestyle will be different things foe different people, depending upon whether you`re single or married or, (as in Chimbu Chuck`s case) a single parent), an outdoorsy type person who enjoys the beach or the bush, or the indoors type who is content sitting in front of the computer for hours (or also enjoying some bush
). However, "Lifestyle", in my opinion, is also those activities that you can enjoy during the few hours you have AFTER and BEFORE work - the time with the kids, a quick swim, jog, or potter around the garden.Expat living (esp. in Asia) often does not offer the same opportunities available to you, (when) living in your own house in Oz, with "retail therapy" being the main outlet for many Asians.
So would you be happy "sacrificing" your "prime years" for a (financially) reasonably comfortable future, IF you can crack that pot of gold position? As Back Seat Driver mentioned, we're here "for a good time, and not for a long time" - there is, after all, NO guarantee of how long any of us will be around...."don't complain about old age, a lot of people are never given that opportunity!"
Join Date: Apr 2001
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You sound as though you are passing your opinion rather than asking for ours.
Living in Hong Kong was a choice, so I believe I am sacrificing nothing. It just provides different things.
'Pottering around in the garden' never appealled to me, but skiing at Whistler and attending the Monaco GP does. Living here gives me that.
Absorbing the world and its varied cultures in my 'prime years' is better than waiting for retirement to do it. Which by the way will be 45yo, and extremely well off, not reasonably.
Each to their own of course, but no sacrifice for me. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
Living in Hong Kong was a choice, so I believe I am sacrificing nothing. It just provides different things.
'Pottering around in the garden' never appealled to me, but skiing at Whistler and attending the Monaco GP does. Living here gives me that.
Absorbing the world and its varied cultures in my 'prime years' is better than waiting for retirement to do it. Which by the way will be 45yo, and extremely well off, not reasonably.
Each to their own of course, but no sacrifice for me. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Sydney Australia
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Barnburner,
Regarding your comment on girlfriends and diamonds, what's the difference between a wife and a mistress?
The mistress has the fake diamonds and the REAL orgasms!!
Regarding your comment on girlfriends and diamonds, what's the difference between a wife and a mistress?
The mistress has the fake diamonds and the REAL orgasms!!
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Quite an interesting question KM. I prefer the big bucks and Asian chicks myself. Being single helps too. I havent been back to Oz in years but heard its not a bad place these days. I realy miss the culture but I certainley dont miss the bullsh!t.
PS you on for the Ozbash mate?
PS you on for the Ozbash mate?
