Sydney

Better off in Toowoomba Town.

Not sure how you can say Oz is resistant to change and dull. There's been enormous changes in the country since I settled in Sydney and I see Australia changing continuously. First time I've heard the place described as dull. On the other hand I'm enjoying time in the UK, and part of the appeal for an old codger like myself is the lack of change in the thirty odd years I've been away. I think sites like this allow us to see/read people's views on returning to the UK more easily which might give the impression the the numbers returning are on the increase. Australia certainly is expensive though. Sign of a rich country with a good standard of living/wages etc.

The pension is frozen at the date you retired not the date you emigrated.

The amount of state pension paid in the UK is dependant on your years of NHI contribution. e.g. If it's 35 years contributions for a full pension and you contributed for 10 years then you would be entitled to 10/35 of a full pension. Anyone in doubt should ask for a forecast of what they're entitled to. The number of years necessary for a full pension has changed in the past few years. It used to be 44 years, then it was 30 years, and now it's gone back up to 35 years.

Legislation to be introduced soon says a minimum 35 years for a full Oz pension. Tories in UK have already raised it from 30 to 35 years and to review it every five years.

That's not quite true. You are entitled to other income as well as the Oz pension as long as it doesn't exceed the threshold as calculated by means testing.

Working in Australia and paying tax in Australia has no bearing on getting a UK pension. Not sure where this comes from, but would be interested to read a link if someone has one.

Think you're wrong about UK pension being affected by receiving other pensions. Do you have a link to this ? The UK state pension isn't means tested at present which makes it attractive to anyone who can contribute. The present UK govt. says legislation relating to the aged pension will be reviewed every five years.

Janice I too am back in Scotland after thirty odd years in Sydney. I left property there and the rental income is put into super to minimise tax. Also the pensions laws in the UK will be reviewed every five years so will no doubt change again before you reach retirement age. Recommend you contact the chaps at BPIA for sound advice.

It's true, to apply for an Oz pension you have to be in the country at the time of application or in a country that has an agreement with Oz. The UK doesn't but the likes of Vietnam does. For a full pension in Oz or the UK you must have worked for 35 years. To receive the Oz pension while living overseas you have to reside in Oz for two years after or before applying. When you get to the UK contact the pension people in Newcastle and ask them for a forecast. You may be able to backdate payments. I backdated 12 years and continue to pay a volountary payment of £60 a month. The British pensions assoc in Oz give great advice and you can join for only $20 a year. Their contact is bpia@people.net.au Hope this helps..... Syd. ps. Recommend all Brits in Oz join the BPIA for advice on state pensions for both Oz and UK. I saw an article about them in the Australian years ago. The journalist who wrote the article actually received help from them to qualify for her UK pension. Jim Tilley who started the association is a retired accountant who lobbies on behalf of pensioners and is a decent chap. They've given me great advice over the years.

At only 20 years old you can't really go wrong. You're young enough to make mistakes if you make the wrong decision. Go for it what ever you decide. Good luck.... Syd.

I was in the bank the other day asking similar questions here in the UK and the bloke wasn't too sure. Opening a pension/retirement plan with a UK bank and transferring it would in my opinion be the most simple way of doing it. The tax rules though appear a bit cloudy. I have to go back and see this financial genius in a couple of weeks and if he sheds any light on the question I'll post something. On another note, I decided to open an ISA trading account which allows me to deposit double the amount of an ISA cash deposit account and isn't a bad long term alternative to pension accounts which few people seem to trust over here. Think you can put in around £11,500 per annum, and the gains are tax free for the life of the account. The bank manage the portfolio. Cash ISAs don't return much at all and this is just a long term option that might be useful to some of us. i also manage my own retirement fund in Australia which is presently locked away in a term deposit where as someone mentioned the interest is much healthier than the UK. When I asked an accountant friend about moving the money to the UK should I chose not to return to Oz he suggested transferring it and not worrying about the implications if I'm not coming back. Perhaps that's a solution to some for getting their money out without the heavy tax. Get your accountant to set you up a self managed super account whereby you are the trustee and have your present superannuation balance transferred to it. Then simply take it with you. Mind you it burns bridges for returning to Australia, but some of the posters on here are definite they don't want to go back to Oz. It also depends on your age because you can get it legally at 60 which suits me fine as I only have four years to wait. I'm not encouraging anyone to do anything illegal but when I first arrived in Australia in the late 70s, tax dodging was the national past time. Don't think things have changed all that much really. Good luck... Syd.

I think you made 2 big mistakes. The first was settling in QLD, the second was settling in WA. So true. Q'landers are parochial, always have been, and W Ozzers are parochial with a chip on their shoulders. Not easy to settle in Oz these days. Also think Brits expectations of life in Oz is too high. Amazed at the amount of Poms who want to settle on the Gold Coast. No work etc

I think it all comes down to what we're used to. Just been reading some other posts and having a rant myself. Anyone reading this site should disregard the negatives about not finding a decent curry or having a "real Xmas". If curries and snow are so important then stay home...please. For those of us who've spent many years in Australia we've heard it so often before. Wingeing about everything from the beer to brown sauce. Most of the people I've met here in the UK in the past year would really struggle in Australia. They want something better but they don't want to leave home. They want the overseas experience but they still want their mum and dad and their footie. Mrs Syd and me are really enjoying the UK but there some things here that are different from Oz. We knew that before we left Sydney, and dealing with it is no problem. One thing this website does is to highlight the unsettled and discontented Brits many of whom may never find their goals. Oz can be an adventure or a long term life changing experience with or without the brown sauce etc. Historically Brits have tended to have it easier in Australia as opposed to those who come from a non English speaking background but that now seems to be changing. The reasons for emigrating aren't complicated but it's still a big decision. Just don't do it on the back of some lifestyle show on the telly... Syd.

If you're from Bulgaria mate you might benefit from hooking up with a social group from your country. Australia only gives back what you put into it like anywhere else. If I was settling in Oz I wouldn't choose Brissy or the Gold Coast. If all else fails you can settle in the UK within twelve months when immigration restrictions are lifted on Romania and Bulgaria. That is if you can handle the curries etc. good luck mate. Australia is full of opportunities.

Just having a rant like the OP who seems to miss the UK so much that I really don't know why the young chap left in the first place. Some people shouldn't venture out of their street whereas others are happy anywhere. Judging by the list of things this guy is missing, he'd be well advised to steer clear of an all inclusive in Spain because most of the things on his list he'll only find in the UK.

NHS sucks mate. Curries are better in Australia. Not surprised you didn't find "culture" in Burleigh Heads and Perth, but Australia is very cultured in my OP. If British tv and your idea of real pubs are important why the hell did you leave the UK. As for real seasons, there's wet and dry in the tropics. Simple solution.... If you miss family and friends and all of the above so much just go home and both counties can feel the benefit. And don't get me started on "real Xmas".

I think it all comes down to what we're used to.

Been back a year now and all parts seem to be "bearing equal strain"!! Still don't miss the pace of Sydney although Mrs Syd might feel otherwise. We're still doing things to the house but light is beginning to appear and hopefully will be all done by Spring. Winter hasn't been too bad at all up here, and with warm pubs and central heating we can't complain. For our renovations we used local chaps and they have all been obliging, although I have to say the standard of workmanship is really no different to Australia. I've read on here in the past where some folks have found dodgy tradies in Oz, but I think the world is full of plumbers/carpenters etc who have their minds on the next job before they finish yours and it pays to be vigilant. Been enjoying the football in real time. Been along to see Hearts at home and now have a cup final to look forward to. The local pub has organised a bus and although I've warned the missus the language might be a bit risqué she's determined she's going so Hampden here we come. Edinburgh's a great little city and only twenty minutes away. Lots of pubs have live music. An Aussie friend was over a couple of months ago and really enjoyed himself. Pubs, more pubs and the odd footie match and museum and he was easily appeased. Have to say my diet is not quite as healthy though and an extra inch on the waist is a result of less salads/raw vegetables and more beer, but for an old codger things could be worse. Now I know most will disagree with me but the BBC is crap. Not worth the licence fee, and they've lost touch with real news. True they make the odd gem of a show now and again but nowhere near enough to justify the outdated annual costs which is about the cost of a new telly. Years ago when a tv cost a couple of hundred quid the licence fee was about a tenner. I still check Australian media for news. I used to be quite critical of the same old faces appearing on Oz tv, but it's the same here. Couldn't believe Brucie was still standing, and there's hope for us all when you see a couple of conjoined eejits by the name of Ant and Dec. The tv shows about leaving Blighty for a new life in Australia are very misleading. Lots of references on this website by disenchanted souls who imagined their new life on the Gold Coast to be speed boats and scenes from Baywatch. Mind you if you're on the dole over here (and lots of folks are), then these shows make entertaining viewing with your toast in the morning. Also there seems to be an increase in the level of disappointed migrants who write on PIO about how misled they were about life in Australia, one even going so far as to blaming the Australian Govt. Most I imagine, have sold nice homes in the UK and left comfortable lives behind for this new life, only to find they miss the comforts of home/friends/way of life, and long distance travel now being as easy as it is, can jump on a plane and be home before the neighbours have had a chance to miss them. A huge contrast to years ago when migrants left their council houses for a month on a cramped boat, and were then herded into a hostel when they got off the boat. The majority of them actually built a life for themselves because they had very little to go home to. I'm not having a pop at those who have found it hard to settle in Australia, it isn't and won't be everybody's cup of tea, but everyone who makes the huge decision to emigrate should be honest about what it is they're looking for. I haven't lived in the UK since the seventies and although I'm enjoying the change, there is very little opportunity here for youngsters and the amount of people on benefits is staggering. There seems to be a government department for everything and the red tape to get anything done is unbelievable. The rules in our local council leisure centre are hysterical. Don't get me started on health and safety. Someone said the other day that the Germans invented health and safety, the French laughed at it, but the Poms adopted it. Sounds about right to me. Have to go, so apologies for finishing on a negative note. Good luck to y'all whether you're coming or going..... Syd.

You were born to thrive in Australia mate and I don't blame you for giving Perth a miss. Also you shouldn't give too much currency to the views on here. Take the positives and ignore the rest. Good luck..... Syd.

Think you'll find France more regulated than most western countries. Hope you don't plan on wearing a burka. :smile: Seriously though, we all see things differently. Good luck on the move, the French countryside is fantastic.

Not too sure where you should go mate but why France? I'm back living in the UK after many years and find the country much more controlling than Australia and have to disagree with nearly everything you've written. Strange how we can all see things so differently. Good luck in your travels... Syd.

Why do you think you were conned ?

Didn't take it out. They didn't cover damage, only loss. I figured the chance of the ship sinking was quite low.

We used Seven Seas for twenty boxes. All went well. Thought they were very efficient.