ramot

23 hours ago, welljock said:

Except two years with her family!!

 

During my years as an expat, our youngest went to school in England, while the older 2 were in university.  
Honestly it’s the last thing I would recommend to leave a child in England for schooling away from family unless there is no option. in our case there was no schooling available after age 14.  The amount of times I had to cope with problems long distance were very difficult, and emotional, and I was in the lucky situation that I could fly back very cheaply, and had a house there. We missed so much precious time with our daughter during those year’s spending most of the year apart, our sons were much older and established at university, so wasn’t as hard for them.
If staying at a local school, who will they live with full time and take responsibility for them? should have a guardian under a certain age. If at boarding school who will they stay with at half terms and be responsible for making the arrangements for their long haul flights. 
Factor in the cost of the emotional side to lack of family and support at a vulnerable age.  
the cost of fares at peak holiday times, and how confident is the child travelling long distance on their own.  
What’s more important? UK exams, or moving to Australia and being with your family, and entering the schooling system here.

 

On 10/04/2024 at 08:36, Marisawright said:

That's because different solutions suit different situations.

The easiest option is "bring hardly anything" but it will cost you by far the most, in the long run.  As you're discovering, you'll get peanuts for your existing stuff, and you'll have to replace all of it in Australia.  In the short term, you can keep the cost of replacement down by buying second-hand, but in the long run, you'll give the second-hand stuff away and buy 'proper' furniture, so overall, you'll end up shelling out more

As Lavers says, sit down and do a pretend shop at Harveynorman.com.au. Don't just browse, actually choose what you would need to buy and "Add to Cart", then when you're done, go and look at the total.  That will put the cost of shipping into proportion and help you decide if it's worth it. If you're going to be in a major city, and you're happy with IKEA, then you could do the same on their Australian website -- but do check that there's a branch in the city you're going to, as they're not everywhere by any means.

Have you had a quote for a shared container and compared it to Movecube?  Movecube used to be a great option but the prices have gone up a lot recently.  

Of course, the big downside of shipping everything is the waiting time.  There's not much point in shipping, if you end up having to buy new furniture anyway because the container hasn't arrived.   If you can borrow furniture from friends and family in the UK, then you're sorted -- get an estimate of how long the container will take, and ship early, so you won't have so long to wait at the other end.   

Having said that, it's worth noting that furniture stores here (except IKEA) don't keep stock.  Buy a sofa from Harvey Norman and you'll have to wait 6 to 8 weeks for it to arrive.  So leaving everything behind because you'll be able to furnish your new home quicker here, isn't necessarily true. 

Wait for furniture is more likely to be 3 month's, as quoted for our recent purchases from both Harvey Norman and Nik  Scalli.

49 minutes ago, Island said:

HI All, thanks for your messages. My son is just about to do his Alevels and yes still planning on returning to Oz for University.  He's going in July after his exams, to look at JCU and UQ to do Marine Bio/ Zoology degree.  He will spend a few months in Oz alone to see how he feels about living on the other side of the world to us... we are staying another three years now as waiting for younger son to finish school and then one extra year after that to tie up house sales, finances etc.  My husband and I are still so happy to be in the UK and enjoy all the Euro travel (& all our family too) but at the end of the day want to live in the same country as our kids in the long term.  

Thank you so much for the info about residency and qualifying for CSP at Uni.  That's very helpful.  His course is a CSP course luckily.  Are you aware of any stipulations around qualifying for HECS help loan to pay his student contribution?  Does he have to be resident for a certain amount of time prior?

Thank you Jess

A friend of mine’s granddaughter has done that. She is Australian, but lives in England with her parents. She is in her 2nd year at JCU, and loves it. Although her grandmother lives on the Sunshine Coast she is completely independent, just stays with her for a couple of days at the beginning of the year and then again  before flying home for Christmas.   
Hope that helps.

9 minutes ago, Cheery Thistle said:

I completely respect that you love where you live and that it suits you, but everyone is different. 
With respect, you are reading through a filter and taking it personally. 
If you read parts 1 and 2 I have lots of good things to say about Aus in general and QLD specifically. 
The incident with the bottle was unfortunate, isolated and hopefully rare. I’m really glad you’ve never experienced it. That doesn’t mean I’m lying or make my experience any less valid. It’s one thing I dislike about the forum, people saying ‘well that’s never happened to me’, as if that changes anything at all, it’s as if somehow we deserved it or were ‘asking’ for it. If you came to my home town and someone launched a bottle at you while driving past at very high speed I would sympathise and I would also forgive you for being a little wary/put off, even though this has never happened to me. Totally natural. 
If you read my last post again are we really suggesting that people in North Brisbane out for dinner on a Saturday night in an area where average house price is $1.5 million plus are choosing between food and clothing? Doubtful. It’s just an observation of a cultural difference which I will have to get used to, it’s not a personal insult. 
It could be the way I was brought up, I am from a council estate and there were a lot of children in my house. My parents worked in the casino and were always very dapper, appearance was important and a priority regardless of our lack of wealth. My dad is 78 and still wears a shirt most days. It was very much ‘get up, dress up, show up’ for everything you did. I won’t apologise for that and I don’t see it changing, regardless of where I reside! Appropriate is the key word I think. 

I wish you nothing but happiness in your future life xM

2 hours ago, Cheery Thistle said:

Yes Sydney did not suffer the same fashion epidemic that we witnessed in QLD. And it was not that much cooler there so the extreme heat is not an excuse for being scruffy! Sorry @InnerVoice not buying what you’re selling there. 

I’m getting a bit fed up with you having nothing good to say about where I live. It’s a lovely place with plenty of interesting people, who don’t have tattoos or mullets, of course some people do dress as you describe, but not everyone has a lot of money here, and it is a hot climate so buying food is a priority. No one I know dresses anything like your dress code description. Of course your experience with a  bottle thrown from a car was totally disgraceful, an awful experience, hooning does go on here unfortunately,, but seems to take place in certain areas, but I have never ever experienced anything like you unfortunately experienced, since living here. 

21 minutes ago, Cheery Thistle said:

Don’t get me wrong it’s a stunningly beautiful place, it’s just by this age and stage in life we know ourselves well and we know it’s not for us. We know where we’re headed. We have a friend in Brisbane who says the people she knows who live on the SC are the happiest people she knows so there must be something in it. To us it just felt like we’d be living in a holiday resort and we don’t want that. 
What you are saying about young families is true, it struck us as a place for young families or retirees, we don’t really fit into those categories. We are middle aged really and our daughter on the cusp of her teenage years. We just need easy access to a bit more going on! I’m not ready for things to be that slow/quiet yet. If we had moved when she was young maybe it would appeal more. I don’t mean to offend anyone either but it’s just our observations and everyone is different. Has your son tried to get a job in SC? 
 

Can’t earn the same money sadly, there is a scarcity of well paid work, and the daily drive to Brisbane is not viable long term, due to  the amount of traffic on the BruceHighway in comparison to 21 years ago. 

8 hours ago, Cheery Thistle said:

@Ruby Tuesday yeah we are going without jobs and going to find jobs when we get there. Everyone was very positive about jobs so fingers crossed all will be OK. 
Yes, SC is too slow and quiet - husband felt that after 7pm it was like ghost town! He likened it to a retirement village! It’s also a bit too much of a time warp - bad haircuts a plenty - and without offending anyone just saw loads of head to toe tattoos and 16 year olds driving utes. More than anything we felt we’d struggle to settle and find our tribe. 

I’m sad that you have had a rather negative impression to the Sunshine Coast, compared to my 21 years living here. I agree there is very little ‘night life’ here, that’s mainly because so many people are up and about early living a healthy lifestyle , swimming, surfing, walking, before they go to work or school. There are well attended clubs and activities for every age and cover almost everything anyone might be interested in. 
We go to the Caloundra Events Centre fairly regularly to watch a good variety of shows, eg,  QLD Ballet recently, Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra is playing on Saturday, all are well attended.
I have made a great group of friends, from warm and welcoming life long generations of Australians, to the  more recent immigrants, like us  from a mix of countries who have made the coast home, making it such an interesting place to live. Our son who now lives in North Brisbane would move back here instantly if he could move his job here, he has many friends here with young families, who have a great life on the coast, and they aren’t covered in tattoos. 

It is not my intent to cause any upset by the above, I just felt I needed to say that it is a nicer area than might have come across to you, and I wish you all the best for your new life in Australia.  
Moving here after living in 4 other countries, was the best decision we made for us, and our two children who followed us here say the same xM

18 minutes ago, Cheery Thistle said:

Yes thanks, so since we have got back I have been trying to gather some quotes for a container, get the process moving for sending our 2 dogs over and also gather paperwork for school applications. Since they seem to reserve school places in the womb I am applying to a few in the hope that a space comes up. Our moving date will depend on the dogs. 

Good luck with your move xM

6 hours ago, vegemight82 said:

Little to no info for me, my "ceremony" was at the height of Covid so didn't get much info besides take your mask off for the picture.

Same, no frills, minimal  ceremony and collect your certificate on the way out, we didn’t even have photos, still waiting for my tree  

37 minutes ago, Blue Manna said:

That's easy. The UK in summer is the best place in the world. But I'd rather not spend another shitty wet winter in the UK.

Whilst my parents are alive we could do four months in Australia with no structural changes. After they pass we will find a more permanent solution.

Everyone seems to go looking for problems sometimes, when there really are no huge obstacles.

Not looking for problems, just pointing out some of the realities, as possibly one of the very few posters who has actually experienced living between 2 countries for over 30 years,  Makes sense to me, to listen, and then weigh up the advice that has been given to help you in your decision.

1 hour ago, Marisawright said:

That is the only reason we have gone back almost every year, for the past  21 years, because we have a son and grandsons there. We wouldn’t bother otherwise, too busy enjoying retirement here. We tried playing at a couple of bridge clubs when there, as visitors are very welcome here. weren’t made to feel welcome, no one spoke to us, no welcome mention before play, even told on one occasion that our bidding, Standard American, wasn’t compatible with their play. We didn’t go back, to either.  just seemed a different attitude to ‘outsiders’.

Sorry seem to failed to attach to Marisa’s post

48 minutes ago, Blue Manna said:

It will help having family in both countries, but we haven't sorted out the fine details yet. Probably a small property in each country. Preferably something we can lock up and leave. Would probably decide to be resident in Australia, and would do tax return there.

Originally we had seriously considered living 6 months in each country when my husband retired, 21 years ago, but as some posters know, I had spent 10 years living partially in Brunei with husband due to his job, and in UK supporting our 3 children aged 13-21 who stayed there for their education.  
When the time came to retire I realised I needed to call somewhere ‘Home’, I had spent 10 years constantly readjusting to life in each place as I travelled between the 2 places fairly frequently. 
We also analysed the reality of the cost involved in having a place in each country, this wasn’t a problem when working as expatriates we had accommodation provided, and kept a UK home to go back to.   
We certainly didn’t want the cost and insurance problems of keeping a house empty for 6 months in 2 different countries, furnishing 2 properties, or the hassle of renting out for only 6 months at a time, constantly giving notice and re renting.  
We kept a property in London that is permanently rented out, we were only on a long term temporary visa here then, and bought a house that we love here, and until COVID went to UK for just under 3 months a year, as we have a son and grandsons there.  
It’s not a cheap option,  if you include either buying 2 properties, or renting somewhere to live, renting a car?, air fares, possible trips to the continent? 
 

We made the right decision for us, we went back for only 6 weeks last visit, and I don’t think we want to make the journey back again unless there is a very pressing reason, as Australia is home, and now at our age, really don’t enjoy the journey.

My comments are based on our 2 weeks holiday in the south west region which we thoroughly enjoyed and I stress not in any way a real example of living there, only observations.
I wasn’t used to such different temperatures almost it felt day to day, 42’ one day, very very hot and dry, still 38’ at 5pm, the next day 22’ at 5pm. Most days anything from 22’-28’?, found the evenings chilly, but I come from QLD! 
My overall impression was how empty it felt, at times we it seemed we had hardly passed a car on the road, driving around, even though plenty of tourists visiting  from lots of different countries.. Again very different to the Sunshine Coast also a tourist destination.  More foreign workers in hospitality than here.
Everyone we came across was very friendly, plenty of  ‘older generation volunteers’ at tourist attractions. 
Lots of March flies and very irritating small flies around. 
I through my own fault, had a health panic, phoned Margaret River Hospital at 3am and had good advice from a nurse, but didn’t speak to a Dr, was connected to the excellent statewide poisons hot line. Since coming home, even though my husband and I think we are fairly healthy for our age? We both have  health specialists appointments this week, so access to medical facilities is an important consideration when retiring. 

Our friends of a similar age live in Mandurah and love it, and as suggested above, spend a few days  further south occasionally, but have also gone to the Cairns area for several months in winter, for years.
We took a big chance when we retired and moved to Australia, and have never regretted it, but had visited Brisbane and area many times, so had a fairly good idea of climate etc.

Thank you all for your recommendations, we thoroughly enjoyed the trip, with possibly not quite so much, the day the temperature hit 42’!   
We went to most of the suggested places, The Elephant Beach cafe, Anzac Centre, Busselton Jetty, the Chocolate Factory, Fasse Felix winery, The Voyager, but really liked the Windows Winery, the only winery my husband bought any wine from. Jewel Cave, fabulous inside, the stunning Tree top Walk, and an Eco Boat trip. Vasse Virgin beautiful olive oil skin care.

I’ve tried unsuccessfully to upload some photos, not sure why it isn’t working .

18 hours ago, ramot said:

Husband and I are planning a visit to south of Perth, obviously the Margaret River and perhaps further south or only a little way inland, for approximately 2 weeks from15th February - 29th February. We have booked the last 4 nights in Bunker Bay, catching up with friends, and will drive around the local area. We have visited Perth several times so don’t need to spend time there, any suggestions please for the first week, preferably in the south of Perth, unless there is somewhere fairly interesting just to the north. Monkey Mia is far too far., and we have been to Broome, and the Bungle Bungles, seen the rock art. Really want to concentrate on south of Perth, so welcome any suggestions. Thank you

Thank you all for your suggestions, xM

Husband and I are planning a visit to south of Perth, obviously the Margaret River and perhaps further south or only a little way inland, for approximately 2 weeks from15th February - 29th February. We have booked the last 4 nights in Bunker Bay, catching up with friends, and will drive around the local area. We have visited Perth several times so don’t need to spend time there, any suggestions please for the first week, preferably in the south of Perth, unless there is somewhere fairly interesting just to the north. Monkey Mia is far too far., and we have been to Broome, and the Bungle Bungles, seen the rock art. Really want to concentrate on south of Perth, so welcome any suggestions. Thank you

20 minutes ago, ramot said:

I still don’t get that houses are more expensive here? It surely depends where you move from in UK to Australia. London Sydney are both expensive.

My UK son’s house good suburb Bristol.  3 bed 60’s semi detached, 2 bathrooms, loft extension, staircase made small bedroom too small for bed, ok for cot. Small kitchen dining room extension. Garage too small for modern car, front garden concreted over to park the cars, small back garden. Worth 750,000 UK pds. = $1,450,563, 50 at present rate.

My Australian son’s house, good suburb north Brisbane. 4 bedroom 2 bathrooms detached house, fully renovated, large kitchen/ living/dining area, extra study area, and large rumpus room, large block and large  outdoor sitting covered area. Worth $900,000 = 465,235,06 UK pds. 
Both educated to masters degrees, well qualified good jobs , Australian son earns more than UK son 

Just thought this might be of interest to people comparing.

Plus 2 car garage with Australian house

7 hours ago, Cheery Thistle said:

How much do you need in the UK? 
 

Probably take that figure and add about 25%. 
 

From my research houses and cars are more expensive. Fuel is cheaper, but you’ll likely cover longer distances in the car. You need some sort of health insurance/ambulance cover and you will likely have to pay for dental treatment. School fees/levies and contributions exist and uniforms/materials are pricey, with 3 kids that’s going to add up. Have a look into schools in the area you are looking to move to. 
 

Kids activities look about the same price or a bit cheaper and there are more ‘free’ or cheap things to do when weather is good. Food is about the same as UK, more seasonal and maybe a bit pricier. Utilities are cheaper (for us but we are in Scotland and pay £££ for gas for heating). 
 

All told I don’t think there’s going to be that much in it, I am expecting Aus to be about 20-25% more expensive and hoping that the better salary will help absorb some of that. 

I still don’t get that houses are more expensive here? It surely depends where you move from in UK to Australia. London Sydney are both expensive.

My UK son’s house good suburb Bristol.  3 bed 60’s semi detached, 2 bathrooms, loft extension, staircase made small bedroom too small for bed, ok for cot. Small kitchen dining room extension. Garage too small for modern car, front garden concreted over to park the cars, small back garden. Worth 750,000 UK pds. = $1,450,563, 50 at present rate.

My Australian son’s house, good suburb north Brisbane. 4 bedroom 2 bathrooms detached house, fully renovated, large kitchen/ living/dining area, extra study area, and large rumpus room, large block and large  outdoor sitting covered area. Worth $900,000 = 465,235,06 UK pds. 
Both educated to masters degrees, well qualified good jobs , Australian son earns more than UK son 

Just thought this might be of interest to people comparing.

5 minutes ago, Cheery Thistle said:

Thanks for all the info. My instinct is saying private, possibly Catholic. Will keep you all posted on progress. 

We have been to the Immanuel Lutheran College in Buderim many times, as we have been adopted by my son’s godchildren as extra grandparents, and have been invited to various different events there. We are blown away by the school, the facilities are outstanding, there is a lovely atmosphere, only wish my children could have gone to a school like that in England. I cant speak for the academic results, as they are in the Primary school part, but I’m sure they can be googled, but It’s such a popular school, I doubt they are bad. 

2 hours ago, Simontucks said:

Thanks for that, really interesting reading.I'd have to say though,it's not the press that's putting a downer on the country,I watch/read very little of what the vermin produce.in my recent experience I've tried to get a doctors appointment since the 18th of December and still haven't got one,we have to ring and cannot just go to the surgery to make an appointment.our local surgery has 26.000 patients and only 3 doctors.

I lost a filling in one of my teeth last march and have been told by numerous dental practices,think I phoned 5,there's a minimum of 2 years waiting list to be seen on both NHS and private!.

A friend was told last week by his consultant he'd have to wait 7 years for a hip replacement on NHS

we probably would be getting a better deal than Australia.....if we could actually use it.

I could give more examples of things which have nothing to do with medical treatment but you get where I'm coming from.

So in one respect,the press,if having a big downer on this country,they aren't far wrong..

We have hot docs or family Dr here on the Sunshine Coast, my surgery is with Fam Dr, you log on, choose your Dr and day and time , and book. My Dr also tries to keep an emergency appointment open. We also locally have an emergency walk in clinic which I used recently, and had an instant ultrasound on the same premises, apart from initial charge, ultra sound and fill up apt were bulk billed. As you probably know you can go to any surgery, and there are several locally open 7 days a week, but it makes sense to have a regular GP, but there’s nothing stopping you to go to a different surgery at any time if you aren’t happy. 
obviously you will be lucky to get a regular appointment on the day, but I’ve never had to wait long for an appointment. 
It’s not perfect here,   
I’m sure posters will be along with horror stories, but I’ve found it better than UK on the whole, and I’ve spent plenty of time in the UK, visiting for 3 months every year since 2003 pre covid, and 6 weeks last year, and listened to so many concerned family and friends about their problems  with the NHS

3 hours ago, BendigoBoy said:

I did not know they were originally the same age!

And historically, I accept it would have been very strongly the majority of the time women who took the time off to raise a family. Far more fluid a situation nowadays.

Personally, I far prefer the more equitable nature of our Age Pension to the UK State Pension approach.

I think a point you are missing as in my case in the 1960’s 
 a)   The  lack of decent jobs for women 
b)     The fact that many of us had to leave our jobs if we married, and that’s why we stayed at home to raise our children, coupled with a lack of child care resources in those days, toddler/playgroups in the village hall, run by mother’s was probably the most we had.
Therefore we had far less chance of accruing the correct number of years paying towards being eligible for a full  State pension, there was also the married woman’s reduced rate, which many who paid this didn’t realise that it affected their  final State Pension amount. There was compensation for non working mothers, I had 17 years credited for child rearing, didn’t know about that until I got my forecast, plus I paid in as many back years as allowed. Every little helps when retired.

in my case, many of us had to leave our jobs when we married 

1 hour ago, InnerVoice said:

Are you thinking of The Duke of Clarence? Maybe it was called the Duke of York, but the changed the name for obvious reasons!

Of course you’re absolutely right, The Duke of Clarence, don’t know where my brain was, it’s a great pub, sorry to confuse anyone. I blame staying up too late watching tennis.

2 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

Yes, fair point - apples to apples and all that. I'm a real ale person too, but it doesn't cut through your thirst when the weather (or you) are really hot. The biggest thing I miss about UK life is real beer in real pubs. Although we'll never have the real pubs over here we at least at have a decent selection of craft beers these days, albeit at a hefty price tag I might add.

The Duke of York in Sydney is as close as you can get to a real pub feel, beer on tap and fittings sourced from the uk. Voted the best Sunday roast in Australia 

apologies have taken the thread away from original thread about Glasgow, but thought it worth a mention

11 hours ago, Cheery Thistle said:

I have enquired with a few people living in Brisbane at the moment and getting conflicting reports. A couple of people have had their kids treatment started in the UK and managed to find Aussie orthodontists to take them on. Not sure it’s really worth the hassle for us. 
Also, not everyone gets them ‘free’ in the UK. You only get them free if it’s deemed to be a ‘medical’ case. I put ‘free’ in inverted commas, as those of us who work do pay for healthcare in the UK via fairly hefty NI payments. There is an underlying current in some forums that somehow the UK population are freeloaders who expect to get everything for nothing which is just a wee bit irritating. 
A friend of mine has 2 teen boys and one of them has been waiting over a year to be assessed by an orthodontist. 

My 14 year old grandson in Bristol is facing an almost year wait to be assessed by an orthodontist, don’t know if it will be free, didn’t ask

9 minutes ago, InnerVoice said:

Have you seen the Southern lights? They are visible from Tassie on occasions.

Not yet