[davedx]

How can you be sure you want to live in Europe without living in Europe?

As a Brit who's lived and worked in Australia and the Netherlands: just take the freaking plunge. It won't be the end of the world if you decide you're not happy and want to move back, and if it works out, imagine the possibilities.

[koyote]

As someone who is thinking of taking the plunge for Australia:

What are you thoughts on life there compared to the UK and NL? Especially as a software engineer.

[davedx]

Australia is a fantastic place to live. People are very friendly, though it's a little more like the NL than the UK in that many people tend to stay friends with their old school friends rather than being very outwardly social, forming lasting friendships with strangers like I experienced in the UK.

The weather is amazing, though the north is very hot in summer (duh) and the south gets its share of rain. NSW is pretty fantastic year round.

When I was there I worked for a tiny games company for a couple of years, one of the best work experiences of my life actually. The pay wasn't great but quality of life was good (I was in Brisbane).

Try it! You will never know if you don't! :)