ramot

Luckily we are all different, the thought of having the washing machine again in the kitchen is an absolute no for me, much prefer a separate laundry. All that dirty water going down the kitchen drainage, yuck. We have an open plan kitchen family room which we use every day, but do enjoy using the lounge when we have visitors, leaves me to cook in peace. Also we really enjoy sitting round the dinning room table for long meals especially in winter with family and friends, had a good family get together for dad's day and no one wanted to leave the table, too much fun all sitting round the table together. It possibly depends on how much family/ friends you have here, but we enjoy having people round. Don't feel the need for a tv room though.

Op is in North lakes which is nowhere near the Sunshine Coast just in case anyone is confused. It is on an average clear drive 45 minutes away and therefore much closer to Brisbane.

Well first off I love living here, warts and all, but am retired so in a different situation to the op. One of the problems about asking for advice on an open forum is that you might not get the answers you were hoping for. If you are considering emigrating then advice could come across as being negative, as among other emotions you are excited at the prospect, so although you want advice, you don't want your bubble burst with too much negative advice, even if given for the right reasons. Life in a new country is a challenge, for some it works out, for others sadly not, you have to make your own decision whether to try,or not. go on the thread with positive stories that might help balance how you feel. Lots of posters have migrated successfully, but having been on PIO for quite some years, very few bother to post once they are settled. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Brisbane median house price is now $632,000 quite a big jump recently as becoming more popular, still obviously cheaper than Sydney.

Loved our trip there, Marisa's report is about right, but Google the Wall at Derwent(?) absolutely amazing and also the wood carvings at Ledgerwood, both really recommended and not to be missed if possible. There is a really spooky area on Cradle Mountain, covered in lichen. Think it might be the Ballroom forest?

Plus 1 although the Sunshine Coast is even better!!?

A part of your heart always stays in Africa, but I think I am a lot older than you as are my cousins, so perhaps life was a bit harder. Travelling long long distances to go to school in Zim from Zambia, or boarding school in UK, going home only once a year, so sadly in some ways not actually spending much time in Africa once in their teens. Kenya and Zimbabwe. seemed to have better schools back then, but many still sent their children overseas. apologies op taken the thread off topic.

No one from SA. Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya, all settled and love the freedom from fear in some cases, and definitely a better future for the next generations.

Don't worry, many posters don't read the whole thread, and also most react with their own experiences, some good some bad. I can't comment about work because we retired to Australia, or other parts of Australia as we live in Qld on the Sunshine Coast, so will only talk about here, rather than make sweeping statements implying that all of Australia is the same. Love the weather, not too many days that the weather stops us doing anything outside, be it walking swimming or golf in my husband's case. Yes summer is hot and humid, but the other 9 months are mostly gorgeous. All the children seem to do do all the same sports as in UK, fabulous facilities here. One difference is seeing them cycling to school with their surf boards to hit the waves after school. Life is different here, many miss their family, lots of us don't. A lot of my family and friends have moved here from Africa, and as a result have started building up new generations here. My cousin moved here, her parents joined them here as did her husband's parents, she has 3 children and 4 grandchildren, plus other family members here, so you can end up with extended family here, you might just be the one to start it. We have great family get togethers, 17 here at Easter, including 2 of ours who followed us here met their partners and settled. so what I am saying is it's up to you, either take the opportunity, give it a good go, or stay put and don't have regrets.

Not much on tv tonight so needed some entertainment.

Mods Is there any way the original post could be put on the ask an agent thread? unregistered as a mother I really hope you sort something out, if my daughter/sons partner was in your position I would do anything to help, so please consider telling your partners mother. Your partner sounds very supportive, but if you were my son's partner I would want to know what was happening so I could take some of the pressure and stress off you both. Please take care of yourself and the baby.

As far as I know from previous posts, he claims to live on the Sunshine Coast!!!? my home for the last 13 years. If you haven't visited here yet, then please come, because it bears no relation to anything posted above. Of course every where has it's problem areas, but this female pensioner isn't afraid to go out at night. We are talking Mooloolaba, Noosa etc.

We seem to have a moderate win most months, still hoping for a big one! so balanced against any other savings interest in UK probably no better or worse. I don't know if it's true, but was told once to buy in 2,000 pound lots rather than larger amounts, gives a better chance of winning the odd 25 pounds!!? Who knows.

Look under socialising and get togethers. A poster called Pat arranges fairly regular meet ups and the next one looks to be on the 17th sept. Might be an ideal way to meet others. Hope that helps.

Sent you a reply

Tried to send you a pm. normally if you have posted 3 times it should go through? Can you send me one and I will see if I can reply.

I asked this question recently on the ask an agent forum, see George Lombards reply. We are still undecided. Whereabouts are you in Qld? there is an active group of 410 visa holders on the Sunshine Coast, we meet every 2 months or so for lunch if you are near or interested?

Welcome back. Thank you for posting your honest reaction to your longed for holiday back in UK. Like other posters I know you have struggled here, delighted it went well on the whole, it's interesting isn't it that the reality of your memories doesn't always match up with your expectation level, and you learn who your real friends are, it can be surprising sometimes which ones are. We left UK over 23 years ago, so many friends have stayed faithful, but it never fails to amaze us how some always expect us to visit them, when we have travelled half way around the world, rather than drive an hour or two to catch up with us!! I sympathise with your reaction to your parents house as I find UK houses on the whole a bit claustrophobic. Air flow seems to be missing. So enjoy the rest of the time you live here, get your citizenship and then see where life takes you.

thank you George. They weren't raised to give him credit. It was a general meeting arranged by our local fairly large group of 410 visor holders, almost all of who don't have family here, to see if there was any hope/chance of a way to PR. as we have all lived here well over 10 years. Have to give him credit for giving us non voters a good 1 1/2 hr meeting with him. We will follow up his statement that we could expect an answer should he be returned to office. Let you know if that happens.

We will be in the position of being able to apply for a parent visa in September, as 2 of our children have followed us to Australia, one is a citizen and other has been here for 4 years with PR granted last Sept. We have been on the 410 visa for 13 years, next renew date is 2020, then valid for further 10 years. All our income comes from UK. I am keen to apply, but my husband sees no need to. Among other reasons says we will be taxed more here? One question is, if we apply, do we just stay on our 410 visa until if or when a parent visa is granted? or would we be on a bridging visa and would that be detrimental? Is the tax higher here? A bonus would be we would be entitled to Medicare, but at a cost of approx. $50,000 each, so not sure what other benefits there would be, apart from peace of mind in my case. we had a meeting with Peter Dutton recently who assured all of us, ( if you can believe a politician) that as there are only approximately 3,500, 410 visa holders in the country there are no plans to change the conditions, so really need to analyse the pros and cons. Should we apply which is the better visa? in our early 70's no real health problems, obviously on shore.

Unless the rules have changed since I was an ex pat. you need 3 years full time studying(or residence?) in UK before going onto to university, otherwise you are charged international student fees which are exorbitant, even though you are British. Lots got caught out by this rule.

We did the same for our 3, bought them all a special watch. Does your daughter definitely want a Rolex? our daughter preferred an Omega. If you definitely know what she wants then go for a Rolex, but our daughter changed her mind when she tried different makes on, and we rather enjoyed being with her while she chose which she liked best. Enjoy your visit.

No That wasn't my intention, only pointing out that obviously if we lived in UK and proved habitual residence then as British citizens we would get free hospital treatment, but although we are Brirish citizens in our case we aren't eligible. Therefore just because you are a British citizen you are not automatically eligible for free treatment. Totally agree the OP's scenario is different.

We are British citizens and we would have to pay. We haven't lived in UK for over 23 years, we are in Oz on a long term self funded temporary retirement visa. We aren't entitled to Medicare so have no recipricol with the NHS. If we returned to UK, cut all our ties with Oz and proved habitual residence, then we would be entitled to the NHS again. So just because you are a British citizen you aren't automatically entitled to the NHS.

Just want to point out that the 'price' of the visa, is there because as retirees moving to OZ it's unlikely that anyone has contributed towards Medicare, and it theoretically goes towards health care costs that become potentially more expensive the older you are and therefore needing Medicare.