ramot

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Obviously it depends where you move from and to where. I’ve given this comparison before, Uk son good job, masters degree, works for large telecom company headquarters in London, works mostly from home at present. House in Bristol suburbs, 3 bed 2bath, 1930’s semi, small rooms, loft extension for 4th bedroom, garage too small for car, small garden worth 750,000 UK pounds Australian son, good job, masters degree, works for established company in Brisbane. House in north Brisbane suburbs, large airy 4 bed house 2 bath, 2 car garage, good block over 1,000 with large covered outdoor area, worth $750,000. Equates to approximately 407,000 Uk pounds. Earn a similar annual wage. .

I think, apart from the heartbreaking cases of families unable to be with terminally ill relatives,it will be quickly forgotten. We have just been in Sydney from Qld to be with our daughter, of course it was upsetting/frustrating to not see her as often as we might have liked, but we have certainly seen her several times in the last 2 years, taking the opportunity when the borders were open.and realistically not that much less than before. we both realised we often left it too long to see each other before. It’s over and behind us, get on with Life. Reference the potential cost to Australia of older immigrants, of which both my husband and I are, I can only say that since we got PR nearly 3 years ago, after 17 years in the country on a different self funded visa, we have sadly had our fair share of unexpected ill health conditions in that short time, and have certainly cost the country a fair amount of money already. So although you state the research is out of date etc. I think we will end up being quite costly to the country. As you come to this country as older person who has previously not contributed in any way to this country, you are likely to start costing it money sooner than you might like, as the reality is that as you age more health problems arise, and you need more expensive treatments. ps in case I misunderstood and you are referring to overseas travel banned for 2 years, yes it’s tough, we have kept in constant touch with our UK based son and grandsons through FaceTime, not perfect, but how lucky to have that as an option.There was only the old blue airmail letter, or a very expensive poor connection by phone when I lived in Africa away from my family, but amazingly we coped.

I agree the wait is unacceptable due to the complete misinformation posted on the government website and it must get very frustrating and depressing. I know we came here 19 years ago in different circumstances, to be followed by 2 of our children, but we have never regretted the move, and although we miss our UK son and grandchildren, we have just spent time with both our children here, a great weekend in Brisbane, and just back from 5 days in Sydney. We love living here, but we don’t live in their pockets. Hope you can get over for a visit soon.

Thank you Linda I agree, we do already know all the above, and we only use people with knowledge of both systems. I only ever give general guidance to posters, as I am no expert in either immigration or tax matters, in case I give incorrect advice, and always suggest using a MARA MA or Alan Collett for tax advice. Hope you get visa soon. The above link is good advice

Nice popular area, good beach, shops, think it has a good skate park, and used to have a great annual kite festival, on the beach. sorry don’t know about schools. Said to be the next Byron?? but not hippy yet though. About halfway’sh between Maroochydore and Noosa.

Something you might need to look into is the UK inheritance tax situation for your parents? It’s possible that, even though you leave UK to live in another country , you might still be liable? so get top advice for your parents situation. There is I think the 7 year gifting rule. We are sorting this out at the moment, as we are now citizens, we think we can change something legally, to either our domicile or residence? I’m not exactly sure, it’s best to look into your parents situation yourselves, as their position is probably different to ours as long as they are temporary residents in Australia. Hope this makes sense

Feel very sorry for the OP. who starts a thread asking for advice about where to live. This is an awful highjack of a thread, that has descended into a political debate about unions. Start your own thread.

I’m no tax expert, but now we are citizens here, having come the 143 pathway route, all our income comes from the UK and we have both have a TFN and pay tax here. My only advice, and I hardly ever give advice, is to use a tax agent who understands both tax systems. We only paid UK tax when we were on a temporary visa before gaining PR, then had to pay tax here Alan Collett comes well recommended on this site by posters who have used him.

Chemist Warehouse seem to have plenty of the RAT available on the Sunshine Coast at the moment, limited to 3 packs of 2 tests cost $20 per pack. I had a PCR test 2 weeks ago, telephoned a local surgery that has respiratory clinic at 10am booked in for test 1.15 home within 25 mins. Results back next day

We prefer the freedom of an apartment to a hotel, and as my daughter lives near Bondi, we stay at the Meriton Bondi apartments, but they are also in the central area. Obviously Bondi Junction isn’t central, but it’s only minutes on the train. You can sometimes get a good rate if you can book well in advance, you don’t have to pay early and can cancel up to 24hrs ahead of arriving. We book direct and check the price every so often, if it goes down, you cancel and rebook. Worth looking on Luxury Escapes, they have some very good offers. I’m off next week for a long weekend, to catch up with my daughter, going to see the Matisse exhibition and Hamilton and have a good pub meal at either the Duke of Clarence or the Lord Dudley, as near to the real thing as possible. Lots to do as a first time visitor to Sydney, the Rocks is interesting area to visit. Have a great visit

My daughter has been renting in the Paddington and Woollahra area of Sydney for over 8 years, never heard her criticise them as much as your post, photos are however another story! When we first moved to the Sunshine Coast we were basically shown properties that had been on the market a while, apparently the theory was that as we were new to the area, they might get a sale. We then had a fantastic agent when we bought our house. Hope you find somewhere you like.

Yes but don’t ask me what I had for breakfast

Toots you are not alone, and I was no innocent to what was available. I grew up in SW London and went on to Regent St Polytechnic, and must admit partied hard, and very much part of the London scene, as my brother was an actor, and lots of my friends worked in television, but thought then and still do now, why on earth would you do that to yourself, especially after seeing someone in a dreadful state needing a fix at a party in Notting Hill. The 60’s were a fabulous time, but you didn’t have to be stupid or follow the crowd to enjoy them.

Those were the days my friends!!!! Summed up by Mary Hopkins song

I had nothing to do with either, neither dress code appealed, especially the squirrel fur trim on the hoods of the mods jackets. If you were part of the young 20 year olds of London generation in the early 60’s when the music scene changed for ever, you will remember the sheer excitement of that time. did anyone else go to Eel Pie Island on the river Thames in Twickenham?, there was nowhere else like it. Plus Great folk clubs for balance. I don’t know if similar was happening in Australia, but friends who went to Cloudland in Brisbane, Many top artists played there. but it also held formal dances which were nonexistent in my lifestyle in London

Apparently the Feds have Harley Davison’s, and the neighbour next door renovates Vespa scooters or something similar, so we will have Mods and Rockers in the street, hope they can coexist happily??? So remember when they had fights in the late 1960’s - 70’s in England, not sure if that happened in Australia. Watch this space 🏍

I think we are pretty safe, the house 2 doors away has been bought by a couple who are both federal !!!

Ive just had a lovely day, spent with 6 friends. We are all Australians with varying backgrounds, My husband and I are the newest, 19 years here, and proud citizens for 2 years, plus 4 Australians whose families emigrated here in the 1860’s, one Dutch who has lived here for 30 years and an American. Our backgrounds make a fascinating mix, which is what I actually feel sums up Australia. We have laughed, snacked, put the world to rights, even disagreed, but for all of us Australia is home. I will never feel 100% Australian as it isn’t my heritage, but I am at home here. I haven’t lived in UK for 29 years, and pre covid we went back for about 3 months every year since we retired, as our son and only grandchildren are there, but it doesn’t draw me back to want to live there. I can’t explain it, it’s probably not rational, but it’s how I feel.

This ‘bogan’ had a great trip there recently. I prefer the Sunshine Coast obviously, but certainly will never be critical of people’s choice of where to live or holiday.

It was 2 Haddys Close, looks better in the photos!

I have no idea about Sydney prices or whether the exodus from there will continue, but my SIL who has a business in Sydney CBD says its dead at the moment, hopefully will improve for every business’s sake or lots will close down.

Mountain Creek and Buderim close enough to cycle, ok going down hill from Buderim but a steep climb back, you would need to be fit, and I’m not sure how safe the road is for cycling. The roads get very busy here, but there are plenty of cycle groups.There is a pathway way, cycleway to Mooloolaba from Mountain Creek, I think it’s near the school, but I’ve never used it, but judging by the number of school children cycling with their surf boards it must be ok.I can’t say that anywhere really has a bad reputation, I don’t want to depress you, but house prices are soaring here in Mountain Creek, A 4 bed house, the bedrooms were small and the house a bit unloved as it had been a rental, sold for $1 million 2 hundred and fifty thousand at auction on Saturday, with 4 serious bidders, on Mountain Creek rd. Like most of the suburbs mentioned it’s a popular area.

I honestly don’t want to put you off, I’m one of the posters who loves living here. My niece and young family live in Lennox Head and its a really nice area, but house prices have soared, as people have moved from Sydney as they can work from home and fly to Sydney from Ballina when needed. Good luck with your decision

We have sold property from overseas, it’s not a problem. I just find the UK system of selling ridiculously slow/complicated. We have been quoted 16 weeks to finalise the sale of a chain free flat. you do need to remind your agent about the time difference regularly though!!