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Once In A Lifetime
From must-see films and recommended reading, to
experiencing other countries and indulging in new
adventures, there are a wealth of books, articles and
websites dedicated to the hundreds of thousands of
things we should experience at least once in our lifetime.
The 2007 comedy-drama ‘The Bucket List’, starring Jack
Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, brought to life our
obsession with completing certain tasks and visiting
must-see places before we ‘kick the bucket’ and it’s
inspired many of us to try and realise our dreams.
Trips to exotic foreign lands and experiencing unique
activities usually make up the bulk of most people’s
bucket lists. Whether that’s climbing the dizzying
heights of New York’s famous Empire State Building or
witnessing the enchanting colours and rare species that
call Australia’s Great Barrier Reef home, we all have dreams
we want to live out for real. With so many places to visit,
discover and experience, limited budgets and real life
issues to contend with, it can be hard to put aside the
money and time to indulge in such delights.
In the current economic climate we’re all searching for the
best bargains and that usually means a budget break in
Britain, but from time-to-time we really need to consider
how important our annual holiday is. Offering the chance
to relax and unwind, explore different terrains, soak up
unrivalled views, learn new languages, taste exquisite
cuisine and experience a different way of life, your holiday
can be anything you want it to be. So, forget soggy
camping holidays and budget caravan getaways, why
not start saving now for a holiday that promises more
than just a break from the norm and guarantees to create
memories that will last a lifetime.
For those seeking a once in a life time experience, a
safari holiday in Botswana cannot be beaten. Boasting
the opportunities to see wild animals in their natural
habitat to the backdrop of inspiring landscapes, you’re
guaranteed to be wowed by the vast wilderness and
sheer beauty of this amazing country. Alongside
Botswana’s obvious attractions, there’s also an abundance
of historical and archaeological sites, including the
Matsieng Footprints, which are elongated human
footprints thought to be up to 10,000 years old.
Whether you’re fed up of seeing grey skies and drizzle
when you open your curtains in the morning or saw
enough snow during 2010’s big freeze to last a lifetime,
heading for a permanent place in the sun is often seen as
a one-off opportunity.
Every year an estimated 200,000 Brits leave our fair
shores for a brand new life abroad and it’s easy to see
the attraction. Lured by laid back lifestyles and friendly
communities, many people simply want to escape Britain
for a different way of life, but there may also be better job
prospects if you choose your destination carefully. Some
countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, have skills
shortages that desperately need filling, so if you’ve got
the required talent and knowledge you may be able to
bring your dreams of emigrating to life.
Often when people think about emigrating they have an
ideal place in mind, but it’s essential to do your research
before making any long-term commitments. One visit
to a country, however charming or friendly it may have
been, is not enough to base such a decision on, so it is
vital to gain as much experience of a place as possible. It’s
not just a question of what country to choose, you also
need to consider the region and town, job opportunities
and property prices, schools and living costs in order to
fully understand what life will really be like once you’ve
taken the plunge.
If holidays and travel are part of your ‘bucket list’ then
Aspire have some inspiring ideas to help you indulge in
once in a lifetime experiences...
Enjoy Life Down Under, Courtesy of
North East
Emigration
One in three Brits dream of a new life abroad, but the
emotional and financial costs involved make this a
once in a lifetime move. Established since 1995, North
East Emigration is the brain-child of Tom Archbold,
an experienced relocator with 15 years’ experience
helping Brits make this big move.
North East Emigration was established in 1995 when a school friend and colleague
of Tom’s visited him after relocating to Australia years ago. Tom’s friend had started a
company in Tasmania that offered advice and practical solutions to people across the
UK who were looking to relocate. Tom said: “I got involved because he wanted to offer
a personal service to his customers and didn’t have anyone in the north of the country
that people could turn to any time of the day for help and advice. When I first started
working with him, I continued to work for British Airways, but after retiring in October
2009 after 35 years with BA, I decided to focus all of my attention on North East
Emigration.”
Tom can help with as much or as little of your move as you require, which is why we
decided to ask him for his advice regarding the three most frequently asked questions
by Brits making the move Down Under…
I want to live in Australia. Where
do I start?
“The best way to start is to find a
Migration Expert who can advise
you what type of Visa you qualify
for. It can be a daunting process,
filled with challenges. A Migration
Expert can help you minimise
these challenges, particularly the
confusion and frustration that is
often associated with the Visa
application process. The Migration
Agent that you use should be
certified by the Migration Agent
Registration Authority (MARA).
Emigration Fairs are useful to get
a flavour of what is needed and you will find all the companies that will
give you advice and guidance.”
How do I find out whether I have enough ‘points’ to emigrate to
Australia?
“You need to fill in a Visa Assessment, which is based on an immigration
points system. Eligibility is determined by Australian Department of
Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The assessment calculates whether
you have enough points and are therefore eligible to immigrate to
Australia under one of the skilled Visa classes. Most Agents have a
free assessment on their websites or you can fill in online at Australia
House.”
Stop Dreaming,
Start Living
Australia is the smallest continent yet
one of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest
countries, therefore there are so many
magnificent places to move to; here the top
three destinations for emigrating Brits…
Sydney
Incorrectly thought of by many as Australia’s capital
city, Sydney is home to the largest number of Britishborn
residents in Australia - 145,261 (according
to the 2006 Census) of Sydney’s four and a half
million residents, known as ‘Sydneysiders’. The site
of the first British colony in Australia, Sydney was
established in 1788 by Arthur Phillip, commodore of
the First Fleet as a penal colony.
Perth
Situated within Western Australia, Perth is one of
the most isolated metropolitan areas on earth; it’s
geographically closer to Dili in East Timor, Singapore
than it is to other Australian cities Sydney, Melbourne,
and Brisbane. Perth is popular place with ex-pats;
again, in the 2006 Census there were 142,424 Britishborn
Perth residents, which puts the city just behind
Sydney (145,261) for British residents, despite Perth
having fewer residents overall.
What is the best way to move my finances, such as my current and
savings accounts and my life insurance and pension, to Australia?
“The best way to move your finances is to talk to the experts on foreign
exchange. The one I would recommend is Money Corp, they can make
the transfer of your sterling abroad simple and cost effective. They have
over 30 years’ experience and you need to know when the best time
to change your sterling to dollars. As the exchange rate fluctuates over
the years it is crucial that you change your currency when it is most
advantageous to you. Money Corp can also offer special deals and
discounts available through their relationships with carefully selected
business partners such as Qantas and National Australia Bank.”
Melbourne
Situated within the state of Victoria, Melbourne is
Australia’s second most populated city with four
million people calling the city home; 156,457 of which
were born right here in Britain, so again you’d be in
good company if you chose to make Melbourne your
new home. Melbourne is an excellent city to move
to; in 2009, despite a worldwide economical crisis,
more new jobs were created in Melbourne than any
other Australian capital and the property market here
remains strong, resulting in historically high property
prices and widespread rent increases.
For more information on emigrating to Australia, call Tom on 0191 241 7103 or 07956 966266
or email him at northeastemigration@gmail.com
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