Stitch

Hi, Did our online application in aus before we left beginning Aug and sorted out cards etc 1 week ago.

We opened a UK bank account while in Australia. It was the NAB migrant banking who own Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks here in UK. Easy to do and now in the UK didn't take long to get our bank cards.

Seven years in Brisbane and been back a week here in UK. Came back for family and have wanted to do this from day one. Brisbane wasn't a bad life just harder. Walked less, drove lots more, prices over inflated etc. It's going to take a while to adjust as it's certainly a bit of a culture shock being back but kids are so much happier and life hopefully will be a bit easier x

Family...used to think it's only a day away or it's only a flight away. But in reality it's more than this and seeing family is so difficult.

you are awesome and a life saver. Thank you for the info....keep it coming xxxx

That'll no last by the time we get back! We will bring some good old Queensland weather with us!

Hi, As the title suggests, after 7 years living in Oz, we (me, hubby and 2 kids) are moving back to Scotland in a couple of weeks and I am in a total panic! We've booked Shippers, organised Pet Transport and will sort out flights when the house sale goes through. I've started a list but can't seem to get anywhere with it. I think my brain is shutting down = possibly cause I'm terrified - hubby and I will be homeless and jobless so slight technicality there! Does anyone have any suggestions on what needs doing? Anyone out there made lists (and actually did what needed to be done unlike me!)? Any help would be appreciated as I think I am totally loosing it now:arghh: Cheers Ginny

If you're not already crate training or trained your dog I would start now. Try to get them used to being in a crate. Might help ease the anxiety a bit. Try a search for how to crate train your dog etc. good luck

Hi yes we're still here although my son (14) is currently living in the UK with his grandparents attending school etc. It was hard to let him go but he has missed them dearly from when we came and in his mind Oz will still be here but time with his grandparents is precious!....I get this sense of looming depression when I think that I can't go back to the UK. When we talk about going back it's like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I hesitate about going back because as parents we need to provide for our children. We have very little (extremely little) savings and need to work to pay bills etc. We have jobs here and a mortgage. Going back gives no guarentee to employment etc. It's just a scary decision to make!

For me I miss family terribly. We were very close to my family (drove us nuts, fought like cat and dog etc - but very close)...I stepped off that plane and my heart feels like it's been broken ever since. It's not a bad place to live etc here in Oz, although for us its a harder and more expensive way of life. My hubby has always wanted to come back to Oz to live and does love it here in some sense but even he struggles with the harder way of life too. The people we know that have settled better than us have been ones with no real family ties to speak of back in the UK. The ones who have been close are the people we know that have struggled.

Have tried to make Oz (Brisbane) home for the last 6 years with hubby and kids but my heart truely belongs back in the UK (Dundee) where the rest of my family are. Took me moving to Brisbane to have the courage to say that.....It's been an adventure and whilst living here always referred to here as home but it's time to listen to my heart xxxxx

I think I mentioned my reply in a previous post - the day I stepped off the plane just over 6 years ago! I have certainly given things a go here. Hubby loves it but happy to go back for me. Youngest daughter aged 11 now really doesn't know the UK at all but misses the people terribly. My oldest son will be 15 in Jan and has gone back in August to the UK to live with his grandparents for a while (attends school etc there). He has settled in really well and is loving everything about it. We struggle here as we did in the UK and I could probably deal with the missing people bit if life wasnt as hard. I really want to move back and hopefully can next year.....just gotta wait and see. It's a tough one and there is no easy answer...

You're describing the things I long for!

Just a note to think about: the forms that the NMC give you re references etc only lasts 6 months from date of issue.

Hubby in process of doing this. Had the form signed by two people and has been to APHRA office today - paid his $50 and they have sent off email. Hubby now sending off NMC forms which cost about $120.