nikci

It's been years since I posted on here and there are few names I see from the old days before we moved to Australia - (Quoll); we have been here just over 10 years now. It was me who was the driving force behind the move my every living moment revolved around getting here - our family of 5 have settled to a certain extent - my children wouldn't return permanently to the UK albeit they do suffer with homesickness, my husband definitely wouldn't return - me well I suffer terribly with homesickness but I think this is because as an only child and having my mum and stepdad still in the UK who are getting older now I have come to realise that the distance is greater than you appreciate. I am lucky as I return for Christmas and New Year every two years with all the family and once a year on my own - sometimes I think this might be counter productive. My only advice to anyone heading here is to make sure you are really really sure of what you are doing, travel is harder and way more expensive from here, cost of living is extremely high and having recently watched "Wanted Down Under" I can tell you that that is not a true reflection of the cost of living here. My middle son has developed serious health issues since we arrived in Australia and the medical bills pile up and when you add this to the cost of every day living it's hard! Don't get me wrong we have a lovely home and love being here. We both work but I can honestly say that we work harder here than we did in the UK. I suppose what I am trying to say is homesickness is a real thing for me and the only way I can get past it - is to head down to the beach on a beautiful sunny day watch the whales/dolphins swim by and sip on my coffee!!

Sorry I was referring to Paul1977

I wondered what had happened to u - how come you are going back?

I have had 3 children at the Adventist School and it has been great for all three of them. When one of my sons developed serious health issues the support we received and still do was unbelievable, we spent so much time in hospital the staff offered to make dinners for us etc... I would definitely look into it especially as they can start in Kindy and stay right through to Yr 12! Good luck and all the best!

Sorry to hear you are having so many problems - have you tried http://www.insureandgo.com.au/?promocode=winter10&gclid=CKWQw863q8ACFYsDvAodD5UANQ they offered insurance to my son who has endless pre exisitings. Good luck and all the best.

My other half has an SA passport with ILR visa - you cannot be out of the UK for longer than 2 years before it is invalid having said that we went back just within the 2 years period and he was given a tough time and told next time he wouldn't be able to rely on his ILR - I would argue that as long as you return within the 2 years its ok. He now has Aussie Passport and as I have tri nationality I can help him get back into the UK should we need to but like you we don't intend to return to the UK permanently anyway! All best with the big move!

Thanks - am here most days poking about to see what everyone is up to -just don't say much these days! Hope all good your side though !! xx

HI There, The specialist we have seen have in mostly very good - I am not sure where you are planning to settle but I understand some of the best neurologists are in Melbourne. We are heading down there in 2 weeks to see one but as your daughter's condition is mostly controlled you should be fine. Definitely have ambulance insurance just in case - not sure that health insurance will cover her epilepsy straight away but you would have to check with them. As for school I have not had a problem but I can't speak for the primary sector or the state schools as my son attended a private school and they continue to support him despite having to leave and attend a specialist school. if you are on FB there are two pages here in Australia that you might want to join - Team Teen E and Epilepsy Parents Australia. The two pages are only for people in Australia but if you message the admins and explain you are moving here am sure they will admit you - I have found both sites very helpful and they are a great bunch a bit nuts sometimes but some of the parents have it really tough on there. Hope this helps feel free to PM if you have any questions. All the best. Nikci

Great question regarding the sale of house as I have just put my on the market - will really be interested in hearing from others that have done this. Thanks

This year sees our 5th Ozzieverary - it has not been without its ups and downs but we are finally citizens and looking at buying our first Ozzie home this year. We made the big move just as the GCF hit and we had to rent our house instead of sell it - was a huge blow but we moved regardless. My OH was working within 3 weeks of arriving so we were very lucky and after much soul searching I decided not to convert my legal training and practice here instead return to my old travel career a good decision as it turned out. The children for the most of settled well - my eldest is now in Uni and my youngest is now in high school - my middle son has had a rough ride and to be honest if anything it has been his hardships that have only ever been the thing that has made me think of returning to my family in the UK. My son developed epilepsy 2 years ago and it has been a nightmare - they cannot control it and his injuries are so many I can no longer count them all - the health system here has been in the main excellent but I would definitely make sure you have ambulance insurance something I learned the hard way almost $6000 later (which I had to pay) !!! Help from Centrelink none - ! Today is Purple Day which is a day celebrated internationally every year to raise awareness of epilepsy - we have received some wonderful support from so many people including the local newspapers ! Am always happy to answer questions about making the big move so please PM - I received so much support when we moved! Happy PURPLE DAY!!!

Hi Kelly, I remember your "journey" here, glad things have worked out. I understand the homesickness it really is hard - we have been here 5 years and I still struggle with it from time to time - we have been lucky though as we have been back for Xmas twice since we have been here and are due to head back this Xmas as well - must say its the hardest time of year for me!! Hope tings continue to go well and good luck with the cake business - ! All the best Nikci

Hi There. I always have insurance when I travel back to the UK despite being still registered with my family GP - comprehensive insurance does not only cover illness but you need to factor in anything such as delays an whilst the airline will sometimes cover some of the costs (if they are at fault) it won't cover everything and with the terrible conditions in Europe currently there is a real chance flights will be interrupted - lets not forget the volcanoes and all the trouble they caused. The other thing to consider is what happens if you need to return back early or you have to stay longer due a family member getting ill - most of the time insurance will cover the fees involved in changing flights... anyway there are loads of reasons I would never travel without insurance! Whatever u decide hope you have a fab trip ! All the best Nikci PS: I just reread Quoll's post - and agree with her :biggrin: - will teach me to rush!

Hi there,.... you could try www.seek.com.au and there is a new website I heard of the other day not sure how good it is but worth a look... www.spotjobs.com . Hope everything goes well and good luck Nik

Hi There... Just wanted to say that in Oct the airlines release their earlybird fares for 2013 so it may well be worth waiting for them before making any decisions. Good luck. Nikci

HI there... Flight prices vary according to time of year, obviously school holidays, UK summer, christmas always an expensive time to go back! The best advice I can give you as I now work in the travel industry is book as early as possible. Airlines effectively divide a plane into sections and sell the first "x" amount of seats at one price and then they go up the closer the departure date gets. Now having said that in Oct of every year the airlines release the first wave of "earlybird" specials and you can save as much as $700 per person so if you are in a position to take advantage of it I would. The second wave of earlybirds are in January never as good as the October ones but can still be worth looking at. Korean and Japan Airlines sometimes have some good fares as well... Be warned though that the fuel surcharges and the taxes are crazy atm, fares can be as low as $1200 but add the taxes and the fare is $2300.00 crazy insane stuff.... If I can help at all feel free to PM me .. Wishing you all the best Nikci

Hi there... Was just wondering.. and this may well be a stupid question but could be having a "mature" moment...how do you stand as far as the first time buyers grant goes. I know you can only get this in NSW if you buy a new build but does that extend to you building your own home? Hope that makes sense... its been a long day? Thanks Nikci

Glad it went well and Welcome to Australia!! All the best Nikci

Hi there.. Just thought I would let you know ... I work in travel and have checked for you with Melbourne and have been advised that the minimum connection time is 1 hour.... hope that goes some way of putting your mind at ease. Happy flying.. All the best Nikci

Hi There.... Should be fine with 2 hours between flights.... All the best Nikci

HI there Maggs... High Schools on the coast are a bit of a minefield!! Gosford High considered the best state selective school on the coast but personally I would say the the private Grammar School is my favourite, the facitlites are fantastic and the school has an excellent reputation unfortunately it has the pricetag to match. I have given a fair bit of info in my post earlier in this thread but please feel free to PM more as I am always happy to help. High School and schooling is such a huge thing anf trying to get thsat right partivcualrly high school afvter moving the children half round the world is always a worry so please please feel free to pick my brains. Hope it all works out for you.. All the best Nikci

HI there... Whilst I am not defending flightcentre I would just say that all airfares have different penalties and restrictions. The cheaper the airfare the more restrictive, it is not necessarily flightcentre who are enforcing the penatlies but the airlines themselves. Having said that I do think that the fees they are charging are unfair, my best advise to you would be to go directly to the airline and change the flight/cancel it with them, they should be able to do that for you make sure you have the Airline Reference and not the FLightcentre one. In my experience as a travel agent both in the UK and Australia airlines will charge anything between $100 and $200 to change flights and will at least refund unused taxes, the additional charges made by agents are their admin fees (granted 200 per person is very steep)... changing dates on airfares is a lengthy process hence the charges, its not a case of just changing dates believe me I do it all the time... IF I can help with this send me a PM with the EK flight reference and I will call my contacts here in Australia, I know the flights were booked in the UK but I am always happy to try and help... anyway I hope your OH is feeling better ! \Wishing you all the best.. Nikci

Hi there... I have just paid my son's Uni fees for his engineering degree and for the first semester it was $3500. If you are studying a degree thats in demand for example Science or such like fees are a great deal cheaper but as already mentioned if PR then everything has to be paid upfront. The one good thing is that when you are finished you don;t have a student debt. PM me if I can help. All the best, Nikci

Hi there... We used Simpsons to move from Essex to NSW, they were pretty good no complaints ! Good luck with the move! all the best, Nikci

Hi There... We do know people that live in Kariong and to be honest I agreed with other posters. Kariong is really a commuter estate, the houses are all fairly new and there are schools there but no-one I actually know has sent their children there preferring to send them privately. It is great if driving to the city everyday or upnto Newcastle but thats about it really. The youth detention centre is for offenders who have committed serious crimes and really not sure I would want to be too close to that ! I would defo look at other areas like Bensville, EMpire Bay and such like or Kincumber but would give Kimcumber High School a miss - sorry to be a bit negative but please feel free to PM me I have lived on the coast for almost 3 years now and am always happy to help where I can. All the best, Nikci