Sydney

No fees at all. Found them helpful and the money is transferred quite quickly. Even asked the bank if they could compete with their rates and they said no chance. Good luck.... Syd.

Was hoping we could make this link a sticky concerning developments on Pensions for those living in Australia, New Zealand etc. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/pensions/10251775/Suspend-Britain-from-Commonwealth-over-unfair-expat-pensions.html I've had a quite a few unfavourable replies from politicians here in the UK concerning the rights of overseas British pensioners, but the BPiA along with the International Consortium are committed to achieving an outcome for us... Syd.

Been back about a year and a half now and all's good. Have to agree with Quoll about "enjoying the adventure as opposed to the sentence". Interesting that the thought of returning home seems to cause a bigger dilemma than actually emigrating in the first place. I honestly think it's taken me about a year to settle back into a UK lifestyle. Just as new arrivals should give it a couple of years to see how things work out in Australia, there's quite a bit adapting to do here in the UK depending on how long you've been gone. The missus and me have had a couple of good holidays this year and we hope to fit a little cheapie one in before the trees go bald. Also hoping to nip up to the highlands for the Braemar Gathering. Slowly working through the bucket list. Still not sure if we'll stay in the UK but slower lifestyle tends to suit more than Sydney. Edinburgh festival finishes today and we "locals" get our town back. Enjoy whatever you decide and don't burn your bridges. Life here is far from perfect and it's handy to have the option of leaving again.... Syd.

Ozforex is very good. Have used them several times for large-ish amounts of money. A huge difference compared to high streetbanks.... Syd.

Howdy Stormy. I actually use a U.K. Based website among others which includes a section for Oz and Kiwi news. http://www.newsnow.co.uk i also enjoy the ABC and Oz papers for Australian gossip. I think the SBS news in Australia is one of the best around, but aljazeera.com is my present favourite. Cheers.. Syd.

Have to buck the trend here. The news here in the UK is ridiculously bad. I still search the web and Australian newspapers for international news. If there's a hot local topic over here, then at least half the news is taken up by it. For anything to do with wiki leaks etc I find Australian newspapers provide more details than the UK. News in the U.S. is even worse. BBC which used to lead the world in news is a joke. I'm still enjoying the UK but the control of information here from mainstream media is accepted as the norm unfortunately. In Scotland we get more coverage of a stabbing down in London than we do about local crime which must be just as bad.

Also found it difficult to open an account here in the UK. Had to get rates notice from family to say Iwas staying at their address and various IDs. Took me over a month. On the other hand my wife had no trouble at all.

Have used them also and found them competitive.

We have a couple of properties rented out in Sydney and I think the trick is to make them bomb proof and give them to an agent. You'll be fully taxed on your rental income though. So far we have received a tax bill for $11k, and an advanced tax bill based on projected income for next year which is $17k. We put as much as we can into Australian based super to minimise tax but they sure know how to sting you.. Good luck... Syd.

You're thinking about it too much. Wherever you end up you won't have all thse things. If you want to go home just go. You can always come back.

Presently in Edinburgh but spent many happy times in these parts. Was the under bidder, (thankfully), a couple of years ago on a house in Palm Cove. You are so right about prices though hitting rock bottom. Since then things have been quite dismal. Great part of the world and can see me and the missus up there one day when we tire of the grey skies here in Blighty. The holiday apartments though carry such prohibitive outgoing fees and they would have to be considered a luxury. There used to be a Palm Cove newsletter a few years ago which was great for unofficial info on the area, and I like the community aspects of the northern beaches. A great spot to live. Good luck... Syd.

Prices in the northern beaches areas are so low at the moment but the whole area is dependent on tourism and vulnerable to so many things. Have always considered Palm Cove and Clifton areas but lots to consider before making the move. Don't agree with the predictions at all.

When I was younger and worked away from home many years ago, and periodically returned to the UK it never failed to give me a sense of dread. Older bones though tend to find comfort in strange places, and as mentioned things are fine in bonnie Scotland after thirty odd years away. But if anyone is thinking of returning, please don't come back for the weather. Surprising the people on here who return to the UK and declare the weather was terrible. Of course it is. Winters never disappoints here but summers do. Would much rather have Cornwall than Karratha by the way. No contest there.

Been back in the UK for nearly 18 months and still enjoying living in a totally different country from Australia. Lots of differences between Oz and the UK. If you keep comparing them you'll end up nowhere mate. Anyone planning on returning to the UK must surely know what's in store for them. If you were disappointed as quickly as leaving the airport then you're definitely in the wrong place.

Sensationalism at it's best/worst, you choose. Personally I thought £4,000 for the mutt was reasonable. And yes... Poms do make great wingeing-ers.

Presently enjoying a bit of sun with the missus in Lanzarote and haven't seen said cordial anywhere on supermarket shelves. Must be murder for this family when summer hols come around, packing the brown sauce, cordial etc. Aussie is of course expensive and the DM chose not to mention the difference in wages, low uk pound. Never spoil a good yarn with the truth they say.

How can you be one of these jump and go people if you've had two years to think about it ?

Couldn't buy decent sour cream here in the UK until taking the plunge and trying creme freche, which turns out to be sour cream with a French name. Bon appetite chaps. Funny ol world innit.

I wonder what the record is for the number of times someone has gone back and forward from Australia to the UK in search of that better life. Also wonder how big a difference it would make if would be immigrants visited Australia first before making the commitment to move countries. People I've spoken to here in the UK who are emigrating in the near future all have different ideas, (some no idea), about what lies ahead of them. It's quite ironic that those who are accepted as new migrants tend to tick all the boxes because they already have jobs and are likely to be tradesmen/professionals Australia needs, as opposed to the group most likely to grasp the opportunity of a new life, those that have bugger all. As others have mentioned on here before, if you have a nice life, job, career, here in the UK, what is it that makes upping sticks and all the expense and upheaval that goes with moving countries worth it. We read some genuine and credible reasons why things don't work out for people who emigrate, but there are plenty that are laughable. When the currency situation sorts itself out and gets back to more manageable levels, moving from the UK to Australia will at least be more affordable. Personally I think any young person in the UK would do well giving Australia a go. Different opportunities and a fresh start if that's what you want, but chasing the rainbow isn't all that likely to amount to much if you're already doing well here in the UK.

Can't see what's wrong with someone having a second shot at emigrating. Everyone's situation is different. I do think some people could be more realistic though about their reasons and what they expct to get out of moving to Australia. I really wouldn't knock anyone for having a second go.

You're extremely honest with your situation, and if you let your family know your reasons, as you've done on here then I don't think for one moment they would hold it against you if you returned to Australia. Perhaps you could try settling in the eastern states as opposed to Perth. Personally I always felt Perth was isolated, and much preferred Sydney. Good luck on your next move... Syd.

I think immigrants to Australia should try and get citizenship before they return to the UK. I know not everyone can, but it certainly covers all options if things don't turn out well if/when returning to the UK. As mentioned on previous posts I'm enjoying living in Scotland, but having the choice of returning to Australia or New Zealand is comforting to have if the gloss of living here wears off. For those returning after such a short time, (18months really isn't that long), I don't think you've had long enough to settle and adjust to life in Australia. Only my view but it took me 2-3 years to feel settled and established. After such a long time living in Australia, I feel I'm still adjusting to life in the UK. My neighbours are brilliant, but I have no delusions that life is easy, wherever you choose to sling your hook. I think it all comes down to expectations and being realistic. If people return home because they miss family and friends then that's understandable but surely that's one of the first things to ponder when you decide to emigrate. Bearing in mind too that your friends might not be missing you. Settling in another country isn't for everyone, and I quite envy those that are so settled in their birth country that they have no need to relocate themselves for a better/different life, but upping sticks after a year or so doesn't make much sense to me after all the planning and expense and waiting for a visa.

On the flip side my diet isn't as good since returning to the UK for a spell. Miss the variety of healthy choices in Australia, although I must say things have improved in UK supermarkets. Can't believe the amount of ready made processed meals on supermarket shelves over here. My downfall is the high quality of cheeses, and so cheap compared to Oz.

Why didn't you buy a heater ? ​

Sorry mate didn't mean you. I was referring to the "wearers" of thermals to go to bed.