Kirsty M

That's great news! We sold our house last year and had the same UNBEARABLE wait. At the last minute the buyers had to delay as their funds hadn't arrived from overseas and we had to delay another two weeks, during which I was convinced it was all going to fall through...but it didn't. It was the first step to heading back and felt awesome. Now, we are heading back next Tuesday...I know it's the right thing for us.

We head back in two weeks with my husband following later this year. I came to Oz by myself with a backpack and no real plan, but leave with a husband and two kids, so there is much more at stake heading back. I'm nervous as I know everything is still ahead for us. My husband comes back for a month in July and we will go house hunting then. I will feel happier when we have a new home and when we know what my husband is doing in regards to work. I'm still glad to be going back though.

It's funny to read your post as I could have written it myself as our situation is so similar. Heading home in 2 weeks and I'm really interested to find out about the NI situation also

I see lots of crap advice on this site regularly. What can you do? It's all so subjective and people hear what they want to hear. I remember a thread where someone was going to be based in Sydney and asked if $60k and was enough to be able to support his family. I mean seriously??? Yet, the usual billy bullsh1tters said it was. "Oh, you can shop around and blah blah blah". Shop around?? Yes, if you live in a tent in Campbelltown. So wrong!! They say Melbourne is one of the most liveable cities...really? It's growing so fast and house prices are so expensive, people are being pushed further and further out of the city fringes and the infrastructure cannot cope! I'm a stay at home mum at the moment and it's a real struggle for us on one wage, albeit a good wage. This is our choice obviously, but going back to work I would be leaving the kids pretty much 11 hours a day in day care. I couldn't do it. People need to know it's still the daily grind here, instead of the fairy stories that people tell on here.

I'm glad to hear that you got it sorted in the end. Both my husband and I worked for small companies when we arrived in Oz and had terrible experiences with them. Both were very unprofessional with staff and clients. When I left I discovered that they had not been paying my super at all. It didn't occur to me to check whilst I was working there! I had to ask several times for it to be paid and threaten them with further action. You have to be a complete b!tch right back at these kind of cretins. Glad you got what you were entitled to

I've managed to get cover. I did find initially that lots of companies weren't interested but I used comparethemarket.com and they allow you to tick a box for overseas no claims, and that saves all the phoning around being told "NO". The other compare websites don't have that option.

Congratulations on your little bubba! Also, on making your decision Your post showed up in my email and it was funny to look back at my reply to your original post. I too, had a baby girl last year. She is 9 months now and staring at this laptop and planning her attack! We also made the decision to go back and my hubby is keen now too. We are heading back in May and hubby will follow later. I'm not a citizen yet because I was too lazy to sort it out sooner. I did my test in Feb, but they are very slow in my neck of the woods, so it's taking a good 6 months to be invited to the ceremony. Of course this all depends on your local authority, but the citizenship process isn't complete until you attend the ceremony. My hubby and kids are citizens so hopefully they will let me back in should we decide we've made a terrible mistake (can't see that happening). Anyway, I just wanted to give you the heads up to apply asap once you are eligible. Good luck with everything

Sorry to detract from the OP but where are you moving back to Jules? Just out of pure nosiness

I'm not sure why Juls is getting it in the neck. The Polmont comparison is fair enough. Polmont is only 24 or 25 miles out of Edinburgh and most people who travel into Edinburgh city centre for work get the train or bus.

Hey Emma, I'm originally from Stirling and heading back in May after 9 years away. Why don't you consider setting a date in the future to reassess things? I'd give yourself another 6 months and try not to overanalyse everything until that point. Just try relxing and enjoying yourself for a while. Please don't take this the wrong way, but stay the hell off this site and don't let all the pro's and con's suffocate you. I've wanted to go back to the UK for the last 3 years and I had spells of being on this site alot and then not going near it for months. It helps to just focus on your own situation and your own views. Hope that doesn't sound bossy

Hi Folks, I'm heading back to the UK in 6 weeks. I've just got my no claims certificate from my car insurer here in Oz. My dad just collected a car for me and I need to sort out car insurance for it before the 5 day complimentary inurance runs out. I've been on Confused.com and got quotes but I'll need to call around to see who will accept the Oz certificate. Can anyone point me in the right direction with companies that might accept it? Also, in a really shitty twist of fate, I reveresed out of my driveway into a parked car today...so will my certificate be checked out in the UK or will they accept it at face value? I've never had an accident in all my years driving....sods law!!! No moral lectures thanks :wink::wink: Tks

I'm off in less than 7 weeks. My dad has just been to pick up a car for me yesterday and I got my Oz no claims certificate today...

I don't hate Oz. In fact there are lots of things I like, principally lots of fine weather (not the really hot days), nice parks and larger living areas in houses. But the things that annoy me, really annoy me. I don't know how people can deny that Australia is expensive and that there is not as much choice in the supermarkets. This, as far as I am concerned, is not a matter for debate...it's a fact. The people that talk about shopping around must be mentalists...I have no desire to drive around like a blue @rsed fly with a two year old and baby, trying to find things on offer or driving miles to farm shops. I have a life! Also, the 'lad' mentality of some Australian men with their bourbon and cokes, unwashed look and 'how ya goin?' patter really makes me vomit. Loads more irritations, but I'll leave it there

I'm at the stage where people here in Oz are wondering why we are going back. I usually say that I want my kids to have time with their grandparents, as there's not really much anyone can say about that. It is true but there are lots of reasons why we are going back. It's a complicated and personal decision. I can't be bothered trying to explain it to people and the expats are the worst. I can't be bothered entertaining nosey parkers I sometimes feel like saying ' because it's sh!te here and I'm sick to death of sunshing and BBQs" ...hehe, obviously I don't say that The truth is that Oz has been good to my family and me. I had a really awesome time here up until I had my kids and then my feelings changed completely.

I'm from Scotland originally and arrived in 2006 with a back pack. Started off in Sydney and met my English hubby there and been on every visa known to man. Moved to Melbourne in 2009 and have since had two kids. Flights booked for May with my 2 year old and 8 month old. Hubby following later this year. Can't wait to get home and settled but nervous at the same time, a we've alot to sort out this year.

You've got to love condescending comments like this. How on earth do you know anything about this woman?? I'll be doing the same shortly and I've lived in other countries for 12 years of my adult life. Obviously a home bird that can't hack living in another country...pffft! I enjoyed your post Julz and I'm glad you've settled in so well back home.

Thanks for the info Bob...that's a great help!

Yes, that's Poppy pug!

Yes, it's a bit of a worry. I don't want to take her at any cost but she is young and healthy...fingers crossed we get the nod from the vet and find an airline to take her!

We are planning on moving back to the UK later this year and don't want to leave our 3 year old pug behind. Has anyone recently taken a brachycephalic breed back to the UK and which airline did you use? I remember a thread about Air Canada being the only option. Does anyone have any helpful advice? Not to be defensive, but I'm not after opinions on whether it's a good idea or not, I trust our vet to help with that. :xmas23: TIA

Hi Caroline, You've been given a lot of good advice re schools, etc. Everyone seems very excited about the new Alamanda school due to the Principal being a bit of a legend apparently. I've been in Point Cook for 3 years, previously in the Featherbrook estate and now we are in Alamanda. The parks in Alamanda are fantastic for little ones. It's true that peak traffic is horrendous but if you travel off peak it's generally pretty good. Serious money needs to be spent on infra structure out this way but there is a good community spirit and residents care about the area. As for crime I've never experienced any issues here. I do know that there have been numerous break-ins recently but truthfully that goes on everywhere and it's not exactly the Bronx. Take the necessary precautions you would anywhere. My son attended swimming lessons at Paul sadler Swim School in Hoppers Crossing, just a short drive away. Shaun's Swim School is supposed to be quite good too. I think there is Gym Monkey's in Hoppers Crossing and I take my son to a kind of baby gymnasics class at Resilience Gymnastics on Old Geelong Road, which is only 10 minutes away. I've heard good things about Dance Lane recently on the Mums in Point Cook facebook page as someone else was looking for a recommendation for their 3 year old. As for playgroups, there are sessions at Jamison Way Community Centre, the Point Cook Learning Centre by the library and the new Featherbrook Community Centre has started a playgroup on Thursdays. I also think there are activities for 3 year old run out of the community centres as well. They run music classes like Hey De Ho (these are private and you have a fee per term) at the Town Centre and Seabrook Community Centre. The Library also runs a good free program of activities throughout the week as well. Storytime on a Friday is a good one for a 3 year old. To be honest there are loads of activities around the Point Cook/Hoppers Crossing areas. I'm sure you'll enjoy living in Point Cook as there are lots of young families with children. Good luck with the move!

I mainly want to go back for family reasons. My parents aren't elderly yet but they aren't getting any younger and I want to spend time with them. I also want my kids to know their grandparents. My parents never make me feel guilty for being in Oz and want the best for my family even if that involves us being here, but I know they would love to see their only grandchild. My dad probably won't make it out when I have bub no.2 in July, so he won't meet her until we go back for good next March. This is the kind of stuff that really kills me. They miss all the birthdays and milestones too. I also feel that I've done what I want to do in Oz and just generally don't want to be here anymore. I will also be happy to be back in Scotland and not have to deal with people that can't cope with accents...a minor thing but irritating nontheless.

Thank you! Good luck with your move too. I love Edinburgh...my last job in the UK was on the Cowgate!

Wish we were going this year but we've a busy year ahead with the arrival of bub no.2 in a few months When you going? Ok, not this year but next March/April Where you returning to? Stirling, Scotland How long you been in Australia? 6 and a half years

I think this is very true. For me it was also easier to just stay put, as the enormity of moving back and all the challenges we would face were almost too much for me to deal with, having just had a baby. I knew that there was no question that my husband would refuse to go back to the UK but I wanted to plan a move with him on board and happy with the plan. When I arrived in Oz, I came by myself on a working holiday visa with a suitcase and a little cash. We will be heading back a family of four with our dog. At least I don't have the worry of schools just yet!