Phil & Vikki

The place to look is autotrader.co.uk, that will give you an idea of the kind of nearly new/second hand cars that you can get for that kind of money. One a car takes your eye, you can then go to the internet and do reviews on it, see what others say. Just don’t forget that mainly people voice their thoughts if they have a bad one, not so much if they have a good one, so take reviews with a pinch of salt. Also if someone has had a bad experience with a car, it does not mean that you will. Personal finance options are quite big in the UK. When we were there we had the finance through the dealer. Pay a deposit, pay a monthly amount and then the options at the end of the term (2 or 3 years) was to hand the car in and walk away, pay the remaining balance and keep the car or trade the car in and have a new finance agreement. These are good as you get a regular new car, but usually they tie you into a fixed amount of miles, which can be a pain sometimes. For what it is worth we had Citroens and were always happy with them, cost, value and reliability.

Had to take a double look to find the new location of “Moving Back to the UK” as before it was at the top of left side list and now it is at the bottom. Not a show stopper, but required a bit of looking.

It is good to hear that you are back. It is a shame about the house and the tenants not treating it well. Look on it this way though; you have a place to go back to when it is sorted. That is one of the major benefits of not selling and cutting all the ties with the UK, when you leave. We are in the same position as we didn’t sell our house and have it rented out. Ready for us to move back into if we wish when we return. Hopefully, all the work that you have to do is cosmetic and a bit of a face lifts, rather than structural. Bet it was a nice shock though the first few days. The good thing is that you will be going into the nicer weather now. That will make a big different, rather than getting back into the cold dark nights. Hopefully, you will be in the position that you can take your time finding a job. That way you get the house sorted how you want it, before you move in. What you will find is that once you have things to start taking your time up, you won’t miss Oz as much. Your three year old will soon forget about it. New friends at day-care and such like will all help. You too will make friends, go out to places and stop thinking about the old life so much.

Currently companies seem to be a bit reluctant to perform remote interviews with people who are not in the country. This is partly due to skyps interviews where one person speaks off camera and the person in front of the camera moves their mouth to make it look like they are answering the questions. Or situations where one person on skype takes the interview and another person turns up on the first day. So don’t read too much into the fact that you have not heard anything from the positions/companies that you have applied for. You will find that when there and you can go for an interview, things will start rolling. Not to say it will be easy as Brexit seems to be creating a fair bit of uncertainty. However, with you being there, you will stand a better chance of getting a reply and/or an interview. The fact that you have no mortgage here or debts will sure make it nice and easy for you to move. We have a place that we need to sort out and then rent out before we move, which seems like it may be a bit of a pain. Leaving your parents will be hard and we wish we could say it will get easier, but it will not. That is why a lot of people return back to the UK, they are missing parents, family and friends. Is there any chance that they would come back to the UK with you? With regards to the job, that should not stop you from moving or hopefully being happy in the UK. At the end of the day all we are is a number and if hard times came, companies would not think twice about cutting you back. Have you had any promotions before in the 6 years? If not, the initial thought is 6 years without a promotion, just looks like the company does not care about progressing its people. However, now you have got that promotion/title you can take that with you on your CV to help you get a good job in the UK. There are a fair few agencies/consultancies in the UK and that may be a good way to break into the market. Then you can look around for something better while you have a job and have got the money coming in. Birmingham is not too bad. There are good and bad areas, just like everywhere in the world. We would not live there our self as we came from Kidderminster and like the countryside. When we return we are going to go back to Kidderminster or its surrounding areas. We do have family in Birmingham though and go there when we are back. Things are changing in Birmingham for the better and the city centre and places like New Street Station are at time unrecognisable. When you move, don’t judge Birmingham on Melbourne, or you will never settle. Look for the merits that Birmingham has to offer, such as great transport links to London (then on to Europe) and the rest of the country, central to most places, great food, great shopping, close to the countryside, great history and such like. Birmingham will never be Melbourne and visa versa. That is a good thing as if you move to a new place that is just like the one you have left, where is the learning experience in that? People say about the weather being bad in the UK and that you cannot do activities like you can in Australia. That is a double edged sward. Yes it does rain and is colder than Australia; however you can still do things if you want to. There is indoor rock climbing, hill walls and activity centres. Outdoor activities such as walking, camping and such like can still be done with the right clothing and equipment. People/kids do not need to stay inside in front of the TV/X-box just because it is a bit cold or wet. In Sydney we have found that we stay in a bit more as you hear about the damage the sun can do and we done want to plaster our kids in suntan cream all the time. Our son has started high school in the UK and he is doing far more in the UK than what he did in Australia. He is going camping in Europe with the scouts, hill walking and plays rugby. He is not on the beach all the time, but he is finding there is more to being outside than going to the beach all the time. If you want you can do as much in the UK (if not more) as you can in Australia, the weather should not put you off. Hope that this does not come across as a rant, as it is not meant to be. You have a great opportunity ahead of you and it is only human nature to worry. However, if you look at the positives as well as the negatives, it may go far easier for you. Good luck and hopefully you move to a nice area in Birmingham. We may even need your help in a few months as work in IT here too.

That is great to hear that it went smooth and that you are still sane. However, if you had any thoughts that you might not be, you could always have a good talk with yourself and that way you could tell yourself that you are still sane lol. I hear that is what all the people with questionable mind sets do. At least they were on time and got most of it done. Bet that was like a great feeling of pressure being taken of your shoulders. When we had the packers round in the UK, the day seemed to go by in a blur. Then when they had gone we remember sitting in the house that had been so full with stuff and now there was nothing in it.

It sure does seem like it is going to be hard work. We have both said that going back we will be smarter with the packing as when we came out we packed everything. This time we will go through our stuff and only bring what we want to keep. We have a car to bring back and other goods. We (like a few others) will not have the receipts for a fair amount of goods that we have, so not sure how they can insist on invoices. Who keeps receipts for everything they have. The majority of people keep only ones for electrical goods (like LKC). We will be putting down our parents address and as for job, unless we are really luck and able to secure a job before we get there, we will have to leave that one blank. Sounds like it is going to be fun getting things back.

Hi Andrew, We are also in Sydney and will be looking at getting some boxes for shipping things over. We have noticed that most of the self-storage places advertise that they sell packing boxes. They seem to be much of a muchness when it comes to the cost of them though. We will also be looking at packing (or having a hand in the packing) of our boxes when we move back. When we came over we got a company in to do it (one of the big ones) and they were rubbish at filling the boxes. One big tea chest box they guys throw in about 5 wooden coat hangers. If they had done it properly could of got loads more in there. So things like that will get tied up groups for going back, so they can be stacked smarter.

Not been to Touchwood for ages, from memory though must agree it is a very nice place. We go to Birmingham now and then to visit family, but mainly stay around the rural areas. Last Christmas (sounds like the start of a Wham song lol) we got the train to Birmingham and got off at New Street Station. Gosh we did not recognise it. We used to pass through the station every day while at college (6 years), but got lost in the new big place. Oh yes love Bridgnorth and its old world charm. We usually park down by the Seven Valley Railway and then walk up the steps alongside the park to join the bottom end of the high street. For that last two years we have been there to see a ‘clock lady’ in the antiques centre by Sainsbury’s. Last year she was off sick when we went and this year she was on a call out. Lol get the feeling that fate does not want us to buy any clocks. Totally agree and we really love the area too. It seems with us, time away has made us appreciate how much of a lovely place it is to call home. Another place we have very fond memories of is a nice little pub called the harbour inn in Arley, just on the seven valley line and by the river. It is great in the colder months with the big log fire and also on a summers evening by the river.

That is great news that all is good now. Shame they didn’t pass the tests, but if they were not quite at that level there is no point them going up to a year where they are going to struggle and give up with it all. At least the 16 year old only had to go back one year. Looking on the bright side, with one extra year it will give her an extra year to make up her mind about what she wants to do after school. Or even confirm if what she originally wanted to do is still the way she wants to go.

Personally, we will be looking at wrapping things up and closing account etc. as soon as we can after renting our place out. Ideally we will hand over the keys and then leave as soon as we can. We may have to stay in a hotel too, but by then our stuff will be in boxes and on the boat. Can imagine that once you are in that position, you will just want to get home as soon as you can, get that long flight over asap. However, on the other hand the longer you stick around, the less time you have to wait for your goods to arrive in the UK.

That was one of the factors that we took into consideration when we decided to send our son back to the UK and start high school while we are still in Australia wrapping up things. We wanted to make sure that he has enough time in the bank so that he can pass the domestic fee three year rule for university. Higher education is in the way our son wishes to go. Also with starting high school with everyone else he will not be the odd one out. On our side, the good thing is that we know our son is settled in and we only have one child to worry about and get settled when we make the move. As we know that it is going to be a hard move back, so one less thing to worry about and have to sort out is more than welcome.

That does not seem right that what has been done here will not help over in the UK. Can understand having to do one year, but two years is a fair chunk to have to re-sit. When we moved our son back we contacted both the school and the local education authority to see what the best thing to do was and get the information we needed first hand. We moved our son back so he started high school with the rest of the kids. That way he was new like the rest and didn’t stand out too much. Your daughter starting in September will hopefully help her settle in quicker. The UK school and the Oz school did not seem to communicate, so our son was placed in the middle classes. This was only fair as the UK school didn’t know where he was educationally. However, after the first round of exams he was moved up to top set in maths and second in English. That is one good thing that they did move our son up as soon as they know his ability. That may be an option, to have your daughter sit mock exams to help show her level of knowledge and ability. On a side note, with our son we got him into as many activities as possibly, such as scouts and rugby. These have helped him forge new friendships and help him get over the move and leaving his friends. We are looking to get him into more activities, but have to balance them with the school work he will have and the need for down-time. When we move back with our daughter we will be getting her into as many out of school activities as possibly to help her with the move.

Before moving to Sydney we were based in Kidderminster and loved it there. We go back every year and you can see the changes that are taking place, but it still feels like home and the place we want to be, long term. We have family and friends there and the pull is still very strong. Would love to live in Worcester, but the really nice houses are starting to cost a packet these days. It is true what you say that surrounding areas are very nice and well worth considering. Worcester has the benefit of having the train line for easy commuting to Birmingham and further a field. A very nice area of the UK to call home.

Worcester is a very nice place. We go there as much as we can when back over in the UK as we base our self near Kidderminster, close to family. It suffers from flooding and we have been told that there are a few rough estates (sorry not sure which ones) but on the whole it is a fantastic place. Our two eldest kids were both born in the Royal hospital there and we had no issues at all. The Victorian Christmas Fayre is a fantastic event to go to and really helps you get into the Christmas mood. Best going there when it is getting dark and the lights come on with a nice mince pie and a glass of hot mulled wine. Big shopping centres such as Merry Hill are good, but there is something magical about shopping in Worcester during the winter months. Going from shop to shop being wrapped up nice and warm and the hope of seeing some snow. There are some really nice areas surrounding Worcester and on the way to Kidderminster. However, if you do end up going to Worcester we are sure that you will be happy you made the move.

Hi there, From reading your post, there are quite a few similarities in your situation and ours. We too have good jobs, a great apartment in a fantastic location but not too many friends here. We too have made the decision to move back to the UK and have given our self-12 months to do it, but in all reality it may take longer. We go back to the UK every year and love our time there. We have been out here nearly 6 years and do not feel settled. This is just our opinion and is what we have done and would do if we were in your position. Firstly, with regards to applying citizenship and getting the passport, do it. Do not worry about the thought of leaving soon after. You have done a little more than three years, so why not get the passport. From what you say applying for it, would fit into the timelines you have. We have the passports and the good thing is that we (and you if you get them) will always have the option to come back as and when you want. There will be no worrying about visa and if ‘a resident’s return visa be enough to regain PR, 10 or 20 years from now’. You can come and go as you want. We know people who said they would never return and a year or two down the line they wish they had got the passport as they want to come back. You say that you are going to do your place up before you sell it. We have decided to try and rent our place out when we move. This way we will have a place to come back too, if we do decide to return in a few years. We just need to sort out the rental of it and get a bit of money in the bank to cover any costs. If you do sell, what are the chances of getting back on the property ladder (with the way house prices are going up) if you do return. If you have not got a place of your own to return too, the options when you come back are renting or hotels. Both of which are very costly. We had our citizenship ceremony and passports processed very quick.

We are planning on moving back next year too and we now have three kids. We have sent our son back already so that he could start high school when everyone else did. He is doing really well and loves it. He is douing great at school and scouts. We will be getting our daughter back so that she can start school with the rest of the kids at the start of the new year. We have done this so that they do not have to stand out and join a class/school half way through the term. Also it gives us time to wrap things up. However, if they had to start half way through term, we are sure it would be OK. it would not be long before they are in the swing of things and making friends. Kids seem to cope better with things like this.

These are really nice and thought go to a nice frosty morning. Scraping the ice of the car window and waiting for the screen to demist. The colours in some of the pictures are really nice.

Tonight, I will be going back home and changing the single plug sockets in the house to double ones. This is a direct follow on from the light switches that were changed to bring them in to this centry and help smarten up the place. Soon it will be time for some painting and decorating to make the house fit for renting, when we leave. The plan is to rent it out and then once paid off, we will have a nice little earner which will give us a nice pension. At the start of the week we applied for a new born's Australian passport. So now all the kids have oz passports, They can come back if they wish later in life.We are looking to move back as we have been here for going on 6 years now and feel that it is time for the kids to spend time with their aging relatives in the UK, before it is too late. It is nice here, but never felt like home. We feel that our heart is not here and we always look forward so much to going back home at Christmas too much. That must tell us something.

With the cheap cost of toys in the UK, it would be better to get shot of 80% of the toys here and then buy new ones in the UK. Giv them to locak childcare places or charities and then when you land in the UK, go to Tesco and stock up. Shipping boxes takes a few months to arrive, so by the time you get them land in blighty, you kids may of moved on and be used to not playing with them. We brought everything out with us (including the kitchen sink lol). Most of it is still in the boxes in the garage. When we go back we will be cutting down things as much as we can and buying new/fresh stuff when back home.

Totally do not agree. The original question included Brexit as a concern when going back. So any thoughts on this, that may provide both sides of the argument are very valid in helping people make their decision. As there is always two sides. You bet we would to keep the food on the table and keep the kids clothed. Would be willing to take anything as long as it meant keeping the wolf from the door.

There has always been and there will always be up's and down's in the job market. However, it is unlikely that Brexit will cause mass job losses or people starving on the streets. There are always employment sectors that will weather better than others in hard times. There is always work about and sometimes we might have to swallow a little pride and take a lower paid or position role.

There are a number of things going on in the question you posted and with anything like this, it is best to address them one by one. Break it all down in to bite size pieces, as they say. We are in the same situation however; we have been here one year less than what you have. We are not too worries about Brexit as we plan to move back in another year or so (depending on finances) and hope by then, the dust will start to settle. There will be jobs about and for us; we will just have to live within our means. At the end of the day, there will be a bit of a down turn, but the UK is big enough to weather it. In a few years people will look back and see that it was not all the doom and gloom that was initially thought. A few years ago, we had a call saying that my father had suddenly passed away. It was a mad rush to get back and it took us 5 days before we got back to my mother to give her the support that she needed. That was hard, being so far away and not being able to help at all. Recently we had family over, staying with us. It was a shock to see how much they had aged and how old they were looking (not in looks, but physically). You then start to realise how much time has gone by and how much you have missed. You will never be able to get that time back and seven years is a long time. The people that we have told say “why?” and that we are “daft”. It is OK for them, seeing family and having the support network around them as and when they want it, but being over here is different. The way we see it is that now that we have the passport, we have the option to come back later if we want to. Something they do not have. Also the kids have their passports and they can do what they want. So we do not see our time here as a waste, more of an adventure that most cannot have. We are also in the situation where we have our place in the UK paid for, so we can move straight into that if we need to.

Not had any experience of this personally as we only use pay as you go and when we need to we cut the service as needed. However, I would of not thought that it would be possible to transfer the contract from one country to another. Eventhough a company may be multi national, they all seem to operate as individual entitis in each country. it may be a case that you have to pay to get out of the contract and then take up a new one when back in the UK. Good luck with the move though.

Our kids also wanted to move back too (mainly our son). So after some very hard discussions, we decided it would be best to send our son back to the UK to live with family and start high school. It was hard at the time and still remains hard, but it seems to be working out good. He seems to be really enjoying it and is making lots of friends. He even said that it seems more like home than what Australia did. Before he moved we tried to set up as much as possible before hand, for him to look forward too and help occupy his time. We used our contacts in the town to introduce him to as many kids (as possible), who would also be starting high school at the same time as him. With all of the school activities, scouts and such like, it seems to of worked out really good and he has settled in well. He also likes the fact that everybody in the school like his blond hair and the Australian accent. When we go back next, we have plans to get him into karate and a few more out of school activities. Keeping the momentum going and keep his time full so he does not have too much time to miss us/Australia. On the whole though children are easier to settle than what the adults are. They make friends and start enjoying it.

That is what we thought too, the sooner the better really. We have kids and the thought is that it would be best to start the new year, (start of high school) the same as when the others kids do. That way there is no standing out and adding to what is already a difficult time and adjustment period. All the people are new to high school and are in the same boat. Also that way you will be able to find out at what level you are and then work towards that.