ramot

We have all our income paid into UK bank, and transfer here as and when needed, so although we do transfer regularly, there is no fixed or regular amount. As previously mentioned we have had our cards since we retired here 20 years ago, and have travel insurance up to age 80 on our bank cards, so the rules might have changed, but my husband had no problem at all getting the Qantas card last year, So who knows

I lived 11 minutes away from Wymeswold, so didn’t have to know UK geography to know where it was.

To add to the above Locally. Good hospital , University, good sports facilities, good schools, some with accelerated learning and sports classes, plus all the usual activities clubs eg scouts, girl guides, sports clubs, dance schools etc etc for children . Plus plenty for adults as well, most activities are well catered for here. You are only bored here if you want to be. The Coast is pretty amazing as well. Housing isn’t cheap, but unlikely a problem if moving from SE England,

Perhaps someone who hasn’t been in Australia long and only experienced living Sydney or Melbourne, is under the misconception that this is the only real Australia. Nothing wrong with liking big city living, but lots and lots of us know that you can prefer to live a a healthier and happy life away from the major capital cities, and even earn enough to have a great life. I certainly don’t consider the Sunshine Coast where I have lived for 20 years, as ‘nowheresville’ yes Regional, but what a great place to live.

We had overseas health cover with Medibank for 15 years while on the, now no longer, old long term retirement visa, until we finally got PR almost 5 years ago, it’s very expensive, by my experience double the cost, of regular health cover for PR and citizens, but on our visa we weren’t entitled to Medicare. From memory we last paid $10 or $11,000 a year then, but we were very well covered for almost everything, eg no gap to pay the GP or specialist on our policy, claim for prescriptions. We knew quite a few people on the 804 visa, again going back 20 years, when the wait for the visa was processed much quicker, and they didn’t bother with private health cover, just used reciprocal Medicare . Quite a few had fairly serious health problems, and all were treated here with no problems, but as everyone we know now have PR, I don’t know if it’s still the same, as the wait is so much longer, and more and more elderly parents in the long long queue, things might have tightened up, due to the increased the cost to the government .

Perhaps the rules have changed since we came 20 years ago ? We had no problem then, and recently considered changing banks, and there was no suggestion that our only income from UK was a problem, and as mentioned, my husband got a Qantas card this year.

We actually had no problem at all when we came, the problem is if it’s outside the ‘norm’ then it’s easier to say no. We even got a Qantas card recently with no problem, and our income is from UK pensions.

I agree, but staying apart for 2-4 years, plus add in cost of flights to see each other, isn’t much of an alternative. Some serious decisions need to be thought through. Wish you all the best Squirlies xM

Not quite sure if you mean you will all stay in UK or just you plus the children? If you mean the latter? I had to balance part time living between Brunei for 10 years with my husband who was working there, and with our 3 children who had to stay in England as there was no education there for them past age 14. Unless there is absolutely no choice I absolutely don’t recommend splitting your family up unless there is no alternative. Unless you have lived that life you have no idea how hard it is on everyone. If you intend to make the move to Australia permanent, then accept the education system is different. I realise cost comes into it, but from my experience the cost to a split family life outweighs that. Expat children that we have known, have moved schools all over the place and have adapted and gone on to do well.

We loved our visit to Tasmania, which was purely as a tourist. Recommend visiting The Wall in the Wilderness at Derwent Bridge and Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees and the Creepy Boardwalk through Dark Forest Cradle Mountain as well as all the other stunning and interesting places. Enjoy your visit, take no notice of negative posters who haven’t been there, Tasmania might not be for everyone, but unless you visit somewhere you will never know if it’s where you want to live.

I think it does make sense to consider what your needs might be, as you age, irrespective of where you settle. When we retired 20 years ago, we were fit, ready to take on a new adventure, which in our case was to retire to live in Australia, with no immediate family here, we admit we didn’t even think about the long term of our decision. We bought a 2 storey house, never considered we might not be able to manage going upstairs to bed one day. The good news is that there are actually 2 downstairs bedrooms and a bathroom, but that was just good luck. When that day comes, we will have to leave towels and bed linen for any visitors on the bottom step!!! So think about buying wisely if you hope to be able stay in your home as long as possible. Honestly Moving house, the older you get is very hard work, as we have seen many friends go through this recently, and it’s a fact of life that it’s reassuring to have good health facilities fairly close as you age. We luckily bought somewhere that we love, and have great medical facilities locally, but that was sheer luck, as like many people we didn’t really think it through.

Need to remind my husband occasionally this applies to a domestic environment as well trying to add pilot emojis next to husband and smiley at end but I failed ! Joke Whats the difference between God and a pilot God knows he isn’t a pilot.

There is a lot more to understand about airlines, other than the obvious safety record. eg The hierarchy on the flight deck can differ between different nationalities with differing attitudes to authority. I don’t watch the aeroplane accident programmes, but my husband does out of a professional interest, and the resulting conclusions include so many factors. i agree that the awful incident of the Malaysian flight being shot down was horrific, but the mystery of the missing flight is ongoing worrying, considering all the technology on board modern aircraft.

Known as Air Chance in the airline industry

The safety reputation of an airline is more important to me than the cabin service, (and the safety of some airlines can be creatively interpreted. The cabin service on any airline can vary from good to bad to indifferent, but it only impacts on your enjoyment of that one flight. The quality and safety of maintenance of aircraft, flight planning etc are actually the more important parts of any airline. Sorry Rammygirl, meant to post this as separate post not attached to yours

Might be a good idea to google reviews. I wouldn’t fly with them, but that’s personal and not based on up to date airline talk but from when my husband was still working for an airline, which was 20 years ago. Perhaps worth paying for Singapore or Emirates

Google the British pub The Duke of Clarence in Sydney, fairly sure they have them, and draft Guinness

Some spotted here on the Sunshine Coast as well!!

December 2010, the last time I spent Christmas in England. Looks lovely? It’s not for me anymore. It was Freezing cold, pavements were frozen and icy and dangerous. I was almost house bound for the whole visit as I had broken my arm and shoulder on the way to UK. Ive lived in a hot country too long, to tolerate cold weather. Here on the Sunshine Coast we have a lazy Christmas morning breakfast, lounge round the pool, and or go for a beach walk. Still cook the full traditional turkey roast to eat late afternoon. This year we were in Sydney with family, and even though I wasn’t overly keen, we went to Bondi Beach on Christmas morning. People were having so much fun there, enjoying the beach and the perfect weather, so who cares if there is a right or wrong way to spend Christmas, just celebrate it any way you want to.

As long as you enjoyed Christmas that’s all that matters xM

I know when we applied for a seniors card 20 years ago, when on a retirement visa in our innocence when we were asked if we were pensioners, and knowing no better answered yes we were. Had a seniors card ever since. Don’t use it much though.

I had 17 years NI credits, was an unexpected bonus

I don’t know if parents who are here on the ‘ normal’ the parent visa are eligible for the PBS safety net during their first10 years here? because in our case, as our parent visa had different conditions to the regular parent visa, we didn’t need to lodge money with Centrelink, so when. we reach the safety net amount for cheaper prescriptions, usually by June, we sadly need more meds as we age, most cost$6.80 each for the rest of the year.

Sorry to hear the sad news about your wife Bobj, from all your many interesting posts, it sounds as though you had a wonderful life together xM

When I arrived in Australia almost 20 years ago, after a married life of moving constantly with 3 children, due to my husband’s job, which included 10 years as an expat, you would think I would take our decision to move in retirement to Australia in my stride. No, after the first few days I was in tears, a very unusual reaction for m. I told my husband I was homesick, but I didn’t actually know where I was homesick for. We were staying in a grotty motel at the time, which definitely didn’t help. Apart from that wobble I have never regretted moving here. If someone like me who moved over 17 times before our move here can feel homesick, then I think it’s completely understandable that you feel this way. You and your family have moved from everything you know, into the unknown, shortly before Christmas, and frantically looking for somewhere to live, and concerned about your job. You are allowed to feel concerned and homesick. The best advice I can give, is give it a bit of time, I hope when you find a rental, it starts to make you feel a little more settled. I do understand a bit how you feel, moving with children is hard, settling into a new school, making new friends, but my three have survived that many times, and have turned out pretty normal adults. Keep posting, you will get lots of support here. Take care and hope you manage to enjoy Christmas in your new country xM