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!

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