grizzly111

Benefits of a good British education In all seriousness, yes Australia has been good to me but I've worked very hard to get to this point, made considered decisions in adulthood and had supportive parents that gave me a great start in life. I had to work out through trial and error how to 'play the game' in Australia. Astute money management plays a starring role as you sidestep the various money grabs along the way. Things are fundamentally costly in Oz (as we all know). When interest rates AND tax rates were higher it compounded this. Especially if you are into the Luxuries. Work ethic is important, especially if you are a foreigner. I could write an entire book but it's all really just common sense. All in all I'd consider myself fortunate.

Sammy, interestingly, a month ago a very well-travelled old man who has lived in multiple countries over many years told me precisely that: Australia *is* a superficial place. It suprised me as he was Aussie. He explained that there is little depth of history and culture (if that's your thing - and it sounds like it is) here. Also it is very isolated. People are overly money focused - have a look at all the cheap ads on TV he said, advertising all the cheap stuff. Discount this, discount that. This already confirmed what I knew. Some will tell you it is what you make of it.... Sure, it's a great place to make some $$$$, have a laid-back lifestyle and go to the beach. Getting into a decent Uni was easy too. Take it from me - I've done all of that - in fact I'm fortunate to live a short walk away from many decent beaches and be able to semi-retire. BUT humans are sometimes never happy - always looking to improve! When I was in my late teens and early 20's Australia was fun, carefree and generally wonderful. I actually had a great time and consider myself lucky. Now a decade on, I'm looking through that thin veneer and exposing what is underneath. I am wanting more depth to life. Less sun. More stimulation. I'm listening to AND learning from the older generation much, much more. Their experiences are invaluable. In my personal analysis you are correct! Good luck.

SusieRoo: you can simply Google the reasons. Anyone in the development game knows the real reasons especially regarding land supply. Add in my previous reasons + rising wages + foreign investment + cost of adding services to new suburbs. The Government loves it (taxes & duties). People in Australia don't want to live away from major cities but interestingly land is still fairly highly priced for the average punter in many regional centres....now you build the picture.... Regarding the future: nothing is impossible (eg: look at Hong Kong and how they have reclaimed land from the ocean to build on etc). You reasoning is correct.

SusieRoo your question is perceptive. The UAE can build cities in the middle of deserts. Now the main reason land prices are high is because councils won't release new land. This artificially inflates the prices. Remember: the Australian Government loves their taxes. It is very, very tightly controlled. And it's not good.

Property in Australia is artificially propped-up by negative gearing. Also superannuation. Lots of mum and dad investors out there that don't quite understand how it all works, hoping to get rich. In Australia it's been easy-going for too long. The low interest-rate environment needs to end. The RBA knows this and so do those in power. Look at the situation in the USA - low interest rates is like an addictive drug. In the US many thought they were wealthy owning several properties until the bust cycle - wealthy on paper then suddenly it all vanished. Remember: you aren't a true millionaire until you become a cash millionaire!

I really liked Winchester. But I know it's not cheap. Going to check out Shrewsbury this trip probably. Australian healthcare is indeed expensive - less and less GP's are bulk billing and those that do only do it mostly for concession card holders (now even this is also on the decline). Specialists add a huge margin on top of the rebate they receive back from Medicare. GP's tend to receive around $40 for a short consult but then additional Medicare Items are added on top (eg Care Plans) which are good money makers ($100+). Long consults >20 mins are billed @ $70+. Bulk billing doctors tend to be of lower quality (generally speaking and will often double/triple book. Not to say that non-bulk billers don't do this though - times are changing fast! I have to say, some of the stuff kids are learning schools in Australia AND how it's administered along with the standards often makes me shake my head. Often the younger of my staff cannot even string a proper written sentence together without grammatical and spelling errors. By hey ho, this is the digital age so it doesn't really matter right? I've spoken to several teachers (both experienced & in training) in various states about this and it appears endemic. Not sure if the UK is any different these days. Anyway, I'm very thankful to have parents that worked hard to give me the opportunity of being able to attend some decent schools in both the UK & Oz some 20 years ago. I can make something of a comparison in terms of 'private' education anyway. The UK school was ranked in the top 5 according to a newspaper I remember at the time (I forget). The Oz school was state No.1 or 2 (again I forget). Although the Oz school was extremely wealthy with immense resources (and this was somehow publically well known & even promoted!) I can safely say that - all things equal - I would send my kids to the UK school no question given the chance. The teachers and the overall standard of education I received in the UK was qualitatively far superior.

Thank you so much for the replies. I'll be looking for more a town initially serviced by a local station (probably rent first for a year). Yes I'll be likely looking to stay in Ludlow for a night or two. Shropshire seems to have a few things going for it. Might check out Bath too. But as one poster mentioned it's not cheap! Trying to formulate an itinerary - won't be hiring a car. A trip to Devon is looking on the cards too. Winchester & the New Forest is actually really lovely.

We're going to do a reconnaissance of the UK in preparation for a permanent move if we like it. We are looking to live in the South / South West of England primarily. May consider Shropshire and surrounds. We have no kids and are in our 30's. Looking to make a move to a village / edge of town location in the countryside. I'm trying to generate a sample itinerary of nice places to check out. Not easy when you've lived in London and been in Aus for the past 20 odd years! Would love some suggestions and input from the forum to fill this limited time schedule on which areas are best to check out and where to avoid completely. Probably going to AirBnb much of it. First few days will be spent in London recovering from jet lag/shopping. But after that all good.

You obviously don't like the general environment in Perth. Many would share your observations. You've experienced a better life and you want that back. What you need to decide first and foremost is whether a change of environment will help? Have you considered leaving Perth for another place in Oz? The culture etc will be (mostly) the same but the change of environment might just do you good. The next thing to try would be living back in the UK for a month or two and seeing if you like it. That way you will be in the best informed position to decide with a degree of accuracy. Many blokes chase the big bucks in the mines and O&G in Australia but it is really, really detrimental to their health in the long run. For many reasons. It is good that you made your money and had the sense to get out early. You have to do what makes you happy.

Thanks for the replies. Yes I would preferably want to avoid London & the home counties due mainly to cost. My goal would be to live (mainly) off investment income so I would need to budget carefully at least to start with for the first year or so. Likely will rent for the first 12-24 months. Get a part time/casual job. Council rates are dear in UK! Once the market turns around in Australia my plan would be to sell off all property & just lead a comfortable life really. This could take years by my estimations and is dependent on many factors. Lots to consider but all replies are much appreciated!

That's essentially what I'm after. Any pointers?

Gary, your observations regarding Australia are entirely correct. The further North you go, the worse the boganism gets. As I've mentioned previously, Australia is a very young country and does not generally suit those after culture and deep history etc to be honest. Furthermore you have to really like the hot, humid climate (especially in QLD & NT), not be phased by biting insects and have armor for skin vs UV. (Regarding UV - don't underestimate its effects esp. for your children - this is why indigenious peoples are exactly that - their skin is so well adapted to life in Oz naturally!). At least the life in Oz is pretty laid back if you want it to be. But again it depends on your definition of 'laid back'. The observation that in Oz the more rural/regional areas are the worse areas is an interesting one being the opposite of the UK. I'd have to agree. I'm in a very similar situation to you. HOWEVER Australia doesn't appear to be offering what I'm after. I have decided that a recon trip back to the UK for a few months initially will be best.

Not a problem Lady Bird. I have to agree with you there - I would also pick the UK over Australia if money was no object. Much like many of the rich & famous - have a property in a top area of the England and have a holiday home/bolthole or two someplace warm & beachy! The simple fact of the matter is that there is so much more diversity, culture etc to take advantage of in the UK especially with its ease of access to Europe. If you have the $$$$ of course. Australia is still a very young country and life I find is very concentrated around the major cities especially on the East coast. One of the issues I've found in Aus is how pricey things are and how people seem to get away with it so easily without adding value & service to the transaction. Hong Kong & Japan are way ahead in this regard. UK someplace in between in my opinion. Property (excluding units) in Brisbane is looking attractive to purchase at present however it remains to be seen whether the downturn in Syd + Melb plus tighter bank lending will impact signifcantly in Brisbane. Renting a unit should be easy as there is an oversupply at present. When work is involved, Australia (especially for general health professionals) appears to be easier. Higher average wages are a major factor. Whatever your decision I am sure it will be the best.

How about this as a suggestion: 1. Move back to Brisbane. Hook up with your old job and start earning the some good $AU. 2. Apply for your citizenship - this will take over a year to complete (Im still waiting for mine - lots of delays at present). 3. By this time you can really assess if Australia is better than the UK according to your needs. The $AU you earned could go towards purchasing in a superior location back in the UK. By this time the exchange rate may have improved also with Brexit etc? Not sure on this though. Not sure on what your finances are like but if they are solid then ask yourself would you rather be well-off in the UK or Australia? How far will $1 go in the UK vs AU? I know of one health professional looking to cash out in Australia and take around $1.5mill cash (at your age) excluding super with him to the UK. The reasons you list for remaining in the UK are mostly emotional. That's fine. But returning to Australia would enable you to re-assess, earn and establish the important citizenship. These are logical, non-subjective reasons to my mind. Remember this though: in order to grow you need to put roots down. At 40 you still have time to do the above. Make it happen and good luck!

I'll let the prominent neurosurgon (awarded the Order Of Australia) Dr Charles Teo answer this one: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-19/australia-still-racist2c-says-surgeon-charlie-teo/3782286 Have things changed since then? It's very much alive (as evidenced by certain pollies fanning the fires of racial intolerance) although I'd like to think it's improving.... Good luck!