Bobths

Thanks for sharing your side of things Dan :-) I think I should say, hubby and I have talked lots about this and we've realised I will just never "get" his need to be in the UK, to actually physically be sat on the couch talking to his parents, rather than Skyping. But I love him and I understand that's how he feels and I don't want him to be miserable. He's also said that if it wasn't for friends, family and watch Man Utd at a reasonable hour, he'd be quite happy in Aus. He still says he sees us being old in Aus and he was genuinely proud of getting his Aussie citizenship. We've been back to the UK 3 times in 5 years, he also went back for a trip on his own when his homesickness got really bad - complete disaster as we hated being apart for the ten days he was away. He always loves the trips back, I don't - apart from the first trip back for my brother's wedding which was crazy in itself (and in December: winter, crap) - we've had our LO's with us which just makes the whole thing really hard work, plus he spends all his time with his family/friends and I spend time with mine, and it becomes a logistical nightmare. It costs a fortune and leaves us no with no annual leave to have relaxing holidays together as a family. I loved going over to France to see my parents, but he'd run out of holidays already so I had to go by myself with our LO :-( Since I wrote my original post, things seem to have gone downhill at my workplace, all my friends have quit and it doesn't sound like a place I'm likely to stay at (once I return from mat leave), so that's potentially made that aspect of the decision making a bit easier. Moving back to the UK would mean I'd get to be a SAHM to our two girls which would be awesome, although I'm not sure what the reality would be like. Here I can take them to the beach or parks every day, or we have play dates with my mummy friends - I'll have to start over with a support network and I know we won't have the beach on our doorstep anymore. Brexit has also got my parents looking at moving out here, which would be fantastic (hubby and I have lived with my parents before and he gets on really well with them) :-) Maybe we go spend two years in the UK with his family and then my parents come out here? Who knows. Still waiting on how much his firm will pay him in the UK - again with Brexit happening and the currency fluctuations, it makes a move less attractive as we could rent the house out but we'd still have Aussie mortgage, rates, water etc to pay.

Hello :-) I'm just doing some research into visas for my parents. They currently live between UK/France and the whole Brexit thing has got them re-evaluating where to live/what to do. The immigration website is just as confusing as ever - plz could someone tell me if the PCV 143 is the way to go to get them over here the quickest? They're both 65, in good health (long may that continue), they pass the "balance of family" test (there's only me and my bro and he lives in NZ) and I can sponsor them as I'm an Aussie citizen (yay). All responses much appreciated, thank you :-)

I don't understand what this means either - does it mean that they're now only processing 173/143 visa applications that were received in May 2014? Ie a 2 year wait? I've only just started looking into bringing my parents over so trying to establish which is the best visa to go for.

Oh if we do it I'm doing it for hubby, not for me. I'm dreading the lecture from my parents if/when we tell them we're going back to the UK - they 110% supported our move to Australia and my dad especially loves Melbourne and Australia. My brother will no doubt tell me I'm insane too (him living in NZ). My support network is here in Aus - I've made some great friends, especially through having two kids here, so all my mummy friends are here. The thought of starting over again kind of overwhelms me :-( Hubby always says I need a challenge though so he says when it comes down to it I'll enjoy it. And he's probably right.

Unfortunately, my parents live in deepest darkest south western France so Eurostar isn't really feasible - we'd have to go on a plane (yay, security with a 3yo and 1yo!). But it is fabulous once we do get there :-) Defo long weekends at a minimum. Hubby's family only ever do gatherings for milestone birthdays or life events, currently clocking at an average two a year. Maybe. We'd pretty much always have to go back up north to visit his parents as his mum won't travel outside of Greater Manchester/Lancashire (otherwise I'd just pay for them to come and visit us in Australia every year, like my parents do). I must admit the prospect of a 4+ hours drive with two kids from Cambridge to Manchester fills me with dread. I know hubby's parents will love seeing the girls and that in turn will make hubby happy but I can see me saying "Hey, why don't you take the kids and I'll just stay at home and look after the dog?". I would like to see more of his sister (and the baby once it arrives) and I know that would also make hubby happy so trying to move close to them would be key - they live in a teensy two-bed house so staying over with them isn't an option.

So....we've been in Melbourne for 5 years, got citizenship, had two little Aussies, bought a house and Australia has generally been fantastic for us. However, hubby has always been homesick to one degree or another (we're both Brits) and we always agreed that once we had citizenship and if the right circumstances arose we would possibly return to England for a few years so our respective parents and families can spend time with our girls and hubby can get his fix of football and a proper pint. Hubby is now working for a company that has offices in London and they have said they're happy for him to transfer over there for an period. I just don't know how I feel about it all. His family and the majority of our friends are all in and around Manchester (my parents live in France and my bro lives in NZ) but obviously his job would be in London so living up there is not an option. His sister lives in Cambridge so moving near her would be nice (especially as she's due to have a baby this August) but hubby only Skypes his parents/sister once a month if that (mostly their issue, he would like to speak to them more but it never happens) and is rubbish at organising get togethers. I'd have to give up my job here, which whilst I don't love my job, it pays really well and I can go back part-time after my mat leave ends. To give some perspective, if I stay PT in my current job, we could pay off our mortgage in 10 years. He really wants to reconnect with his best mate, who's had twins since we left the UK, but going off how that went on our last trip back (his best mate's wife let his best mate stay out for oooh, two hours?) I doubt he's going to be going on boys nights very regularly. I would love to see my old friends again, but they're scattered all over the UK and I don't know how much I'd see them. Just hopping over the Channel to see my parents does appeal a lot, and my parents would love to see they granddaughters (although they'll probably disown me, they like coming for their annual Aussie holiday). So, I guess I'm asking: For those who moved back to the UK purely for friends and family, is/was it worth it?

Which suburbs are you referring to?

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbournes-most-liveable-suburbs-and-a-little-secret-revealed-20151105-gkrg7i.html

The quiz on a related Age article was good - answer the questions on what is important to you in a suburb (proximity to trains, trams, parks, cafés, shops etc) and your house buying budget and it gives you the top 5 suburbs that fit your requirements. Happily, the suburb I live in is one of the 5 it picked out :-)

There are suburbs missing - Werribee, Wyndham Vale & Tarneit aren't on the list for example.

Another vote for Aangan in West Footscray. As good or better than any curry you'd get in Leeds or Manchester.

2015 rankings are in! http://www.domain.com.au/news/melbournes-321-suburbs-ranked-for-liveability-20151106-gkq447/#aToD

We bought in Altona in June, 3 bed house, 5 mins walk to the beach, park and shops and 2 mins to train station. Whilst the train service is lame with services only every 20 mins, the journey is only 30 mins to the CBD (same by car - not in rush hour though!). $800k here would most likely get you 4 beds and a nice big garden to boot :-)

I wish more modern houses were better - we're in a 7 year old townhouse and whilst not as cold as the weatherboard we used to live in, it's still pretty darn cold :-/ Sooo glad when we move into our own house at the end of the month - I will be doubling the roof insulation and installing cellular blinds asap! V jealous of your underfloor heating today x

I'm sure my landlord would love it if we installed double glazing and central heating but why should I pay to improve his asset? None of the houses we've lived in here have had any of the things I mentioned - just thought the OP should be aware that whilst 16 degrees and sunny sounds delightful, if you're in a typical house it might not be as nice as it sounds. Only trying to be helpful.

Right now I'm in my house with 4 layers on and a scarf and the heating on. Yesterday I was sat outside at a cafe in a long sleeve t-shirt in the brilliant sunshine. It's Melbourne - always take your sunnies and a brolly with you.

I would just point out that whilst 16 degrees and sunny is beautiful - houses here are mostly glorified tents, no insulation, no double glazing, no uPVC, no cavity walls, no Central heating so it often feels colder inside a house than out. Bring plenty of layers to wear - you can strip down in the sunshine and rug up indoors lol.

Don't buy clothes in Oz then. Order online from Next, Debenhams, M&S or John Lewis. Or my friend's preferred option, take all your favourite work suits, skirts and shirts with you to Bali/Thailand and have copies made up :-) Or stock up when you go back to the UK for a holiday.

Have you considered moving to another suburb? We rent a lovely new 3 bed townhouse in Newport for $2k a month. Only 20 mins on the train to the city. Newport is fabulous for kids, Scienceworks, 12 parks, can be at Werribee or Melbourne zoo in 20 mins by car. The MCH services here are really good too. Have you joined any local mums n bubs FB groups? They are usually a great source of info for sleep schools. Houses are expensive. It's crap. But we've just bought a house on DH's salary alone (I'm currently on mat leave expecting bub #2) and he earns a basic salary of $135k. $625k got us a brand new townhouse in Altona. Ok it's 30 mins on the train to the CBD, which is further than I'd like, but hoping the trade off to live by the beach will be worth it. And still got great schools, cafes and parks. I would have loved to stay in Newport but it would be $700k plus for a 3 bed house close enough to the train station. Can family not come out to see you at Christmas? My parents loved the novelty of going to Carols by Candlelight in 30 degree heat lol. Or can you go home at other times of the year when it's cheaper? Xmas is expensive to fly anywhere. Rego is expensive. But personally I find not having to get my car repaired from pothole damage, or sit in endless roadworks worth the trade off :-) And the freedom to only run one car instead of two as public transport is better and cheaper here. Weekends away are more expensive unless you like camping. Which we do. Can you forego the long weekends and just do a week in Bali/QLD off peak instead?

If you will be working CBD then you want to live in Zone 1 - that way you should be able to get a train/tram into the city inside 30 minutes. I have mostly lived out west (Kensington, Newport & Altona). Kensington is 6 mins on the train from the city, nice village feel, good cycle links to the city, few bars and restaurants but being 6 mins to the city means that doesn't really matter. We used to pay $410pw for a nice 2 bed apartment next to the park, couple of mins walk to South Kensington train station and 5 mins walk to all the shops and cafes. Newport is very family friendly (moved because we had our first baby), 12 parks, less than 10 mins drive to the beach at Williamstown or Altona, 20 mins on the train to the CBD (Newport is a hub station so trains every 5 mins in peak) and you can drive to St Kilda in 20 mins over the Westgate Bridge. There are some great cafes and a couple of bars but you're only one stop from Williamstown, or Yarraville or Seddon which all have plenty of restaurants and bars. We rent a new-ish 3 bed townhouse, again next to a park, 2 mins walk to the train station for $485pw. We have now just bought a brand new 3 bed house in Altona (second Bub on the way), 2 mins walk from train station, shops & cafes and 7 mins walk to the beach :-) 30 mins into the city by car or train and living on the train line means we can easily go to Yarraville, Seddon, Footscray for restaurants or drive 5/10 mins to Williamstown. The west isn't perceived as desirable as the east but you definitely get more value for money and I have several friends who have lived out east, moved west and never regretted it.

Hi Graham I live in Newport, a couple of suburbs closer to the city than Laverton, been there approx 2 years now. Tbh, I wouldn't live in Point Cook, it has no soul, just lots and lots of identikit housing estates - bit like the Twilight-zone, except at rush hour when everyone tries to escape through the single exit point to their estate. Love Newport, it's quiet but still feels part of Melbourne, very child friendly (I have a 18mo) and easy to get to more bustling suburbs like Yarraville or Williamstown. Airport is 25/30 min drive and the CBD is 20 mins on the train. We rent a 3-bed, new-ish townhouse for $475pw, 5 mins walk from the shops and train station. Hope you find the perfect location you're looking for :-)

So.....as of 13th January 2015 we have been living in Marvellous Melbourne for 4 (!) years. It's been 2 years since my last update and quite a few things have happened since then.... Our own little Aussie <3 In Sept '13 we welcomed our beautiful daughter into the world :-) Maternity care isn't free here, even if you through the public system (and having a baby privately is really quite common here) it will cost you for blood tests, ultrasound scans and GP appointments (unless your doctor bulk bills). Parental leave is quite good though, if you meet the work requirement you get 18 weeks minimum wage (currently $640pw) paid by the government and are entitled to 12 months leave, with the option to extend for another 12 months. Dads also get 2 weeks leave paid at minimum wage if they so choose. My employer also offers 16 weeks full pay for maternity leave so this meant I was able to take 18 months off to look after our daughter - a scenario that would never have been possible in the UK. The local council runs new mum sessions so you get allocated to a group of new mums with babies born at the same time as you - this has been fantastic, 16 months later we are all still friends and it has provided valuable support at a time when family is a long long way away. Melbourne family style So as we are now a 'young family' rather than 'young professionals', how does Melbourne stack up? It's still awesome :-) We moved a little further out the city to Newport, an inner west suburb and young family hotspot, so DH could still commute easily (20 mins on the train to the CBD) but we could afford a bigger house. So now we rent a new-ish 3-bed townhouse, 5 minutes walk from the centre of Newport and the train station, for $475pw. We have a playground right behind the house, another playground 5 mins walk away and more playgrounds than I can count within a 20 minute walk. There are numerous child-friendly cafes within walking distance - and by child friendly I mean they have dedicated child play areas with sandpits, toys, climbing frames, slides etc. We can be at the beach in 10 minutes, or at either of Melbourne's zoos in 20 mins (children under 4 go free and you can buy an annual adult pass for $88), or we can go swimming at any number of swimming pools (adult entry $5/6 including a brilliant outdoor complex which is fabulous on hot days). The 4 local libraries run free Storytime and Rhymetime sessions and the Royal Botanic Gardens are only a 20 min drive away too (there is a really good children's garden with fountains and a little stream for the kids to play in). There are heaps of organised music, dance, sport classes for kids too but so far we haven't bothered as we have plenty to keep us occupied. .......now the bad news Childcare is nightmare. I put our daughter down at 10+ daycare centres and registered with council and private family daycare (childminders) - due to the popularity of our area wait lists are 18 months to 2 years (or even longer - this isn't the case everywhere however). I would have liked my little one to go the daycare where we go to mothers group - but she's still about 160th on the wait list :-/ In the end I had to phone and phone again until one day I was lucky enough to get a spot at a different centre. Currently, the government offers a rebate of 50% of childcare fees, up to a max of $7,500 per year. Which sounds great but when childcare costs $90-$120 per day, per child, $7,500 doesn't go very far. We're now expecting no.2 and we will seriously have to look at whether it is worth me going back to work - proposed changes to the childcare rebate may mean we could end up shelling out $40k a year for full time childcare alone (although families earning under $60k a year would see their rebate increase to 85%). Having said that, I love being a SAHM and we can get by on DH's salary. Financial stuff I have always said that finances are a purely personal thing and really hard to comment on. For us personally, I've been able to stay home for 18 months which is not something I would have been able to do back in the UK as we simply would not have had the money. In addition, we've still been able to live and not just survive - we still eat out a couple of times a week, we went on a month long holiday to Europe, had a family holiday to Noosa, QLD, and still been able to save a little. General Having a baby here has made DH miss his family even more, although his dad recently visited for the first time (just a shame he never bothered before we had our daughter). I still don't miss England and my parents come and spend the European winter with us and my little brother emigrated to NZ in 2013 (copycat!) so I haven't been as hard hit by any homesickness. We are both excited at the prospect of taking our citizenship test, it will be a wonderful moment when we finally get our Aussie passports :-) I got quite tearful when my daughter's passport arrived and under Nationality it stated 'Australian' (she has a British passport too). Will defo be here for while longer - no.2 is due in July and I plan to take another 2 years out to enjoy this wonderful country without having to work. After that, who knows? Good luck to everyone in the visa process at the moment, it will be worth it xx

I'm glad you enjoyed the read - need to do another update really. I'm sorry I don't know much about either of your job markets - I'm an accountant and DH is in IT. Good luck with your research on schools, there are so many nice places to live here I'm sure you'll find somewhere x

I'll try and do some more regular updates later this year - we may or may not buy a house later this year, depending on how much money we save (stamp duty in Victoria is a killer!). More likely is we'll move further out west to Yarraville/Seddon/Spotswood and rent for another year - as much as I love our apartment, we both feel we need some more space and a proper garden would be nice. Plus, whilst we know Yarraville quite well because we have friends there, we think its probably a good idea to get a proper feel for the area before we buy.

Yeah, we looked on the map and saw Greensborough was about 24kms away - great, we thought, 20 mins on a train. What we didn't realise was there are about 17 stops! And the train is always rammed, so it runs slower. Even getting on at Greensborough, we sometimes had to stand. Not all train lines are like that though - we now get on at South Kensington and even though we get on at the second to last stop before the city we can usually get on. Eltham and Hurstbridge are very nice - I really like the farmers market at Hurstbridge, we sometimes still go up there as we can just hop on the ring road. Defo staying in Zone 1 for now though!