holypantsbatman

Thanks for that, much appreciated

Thank you both for the advice

yeah I knew I had to do the ceremony too, but that's fine - was more worried about the test/interview.

Do they ask more test type qiestions at inyerview too, or is it (like you say) more about checking ID etc. ?

Thanks !

Hello everyone.

Hoping someone can clear this one up for me, as I can't seem to find anythig conclusive online.

FYI - We are in WA, not that I think it matters ?

Can anyone advise as to whether it's a test or an interview (or even both) that needs to be passed in WA in order to gain citizenship ? The immi website seems to always state "test/interview" or "test or interview." So to me, it reads as though it's one or the other. If this is the case, do you get to choose which one you do ? Also, are you required to take your kids with you so that they may be interviewed too ? My children are only 14 yrs and 10 yrs old.

Personally, I'd rather do a test than be interviewed by somebody - bit not sure if I get a choice in the matter !

Advice from someone in WA who has been through the process would be much appreciated.

Thanks !

You're brave. Do you have family to actually look at the house before you buy?

Yep. We also know the areas very well having lived there for most of our lives.

Hi all !

We are looking at moving back to the UK next year, and as part of the big plan, we're looking at trying to buy a house while we're still here and rent it out until we get back.

Things are proving to be a little difficult on the mortgage front, though, and hoping that someone who jas recently been in the same situation can offer some help and advice ? I say recently because I've realised that things have changed lots over the last few years and expat mortgages are now much more difficult to get.

I've seen a couple of companies online who claim that they can help, but as always, at a cost. One that has really caught my eye is Capital Fortune, based in London.

Any help that anyone can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks !

Going to stop looking now! I will find myself planning a move to Queensland

 

This is what we're actually looking at!

 

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-31324906.html

 

Only the three of us so plenty big enough

Have spent many a lovely afternoon in Linlithgow - not to mention my wedding at the Palace in 2003 :-)

Memories :-)

Theres heaps!! Bridgetown..manjimup...nannup...just a few towns

We're talking 3hrs from Perth here though. Not quite rich in employment and opportunities/lifestyle for my kiddies ? Unless there's something I'm missing ? To be paying this for 3 hours outside a metro area is still a bit excessive - no ? Just me ? Am I expecting too much maybe ??

Have you looked at a longer commute in perth or possibly a city crash pad plus country pile? Lots of options for country..cheaper living in wa but depends on your employment options and restrictions

We have no employment restrictions at all. We have permanent residency and now have no ties to an employer - so Australia is our oyster really !

Thank you to all who have repied. I appreciate your time

I have no interest at all in a City pad. I am not a city person, even though I did enjoy the odd weekend in Glasgow. I like the city buzz, but don't miss it when I don't have it, and it certainly has no bearing on where I want to live. I am more concerned about my family.

Queensland may be an option - but I'd really like fo know more ...

We moved back from Perth to Scotland last year - going from a $535k mortgage to a £128k mortgage & a higher salary certainly gives us a much better lifestyle.

 

We moved to Perth thinking we wanted a bush block with acreage but the realities of living & working in Perth meant we settled for a 500sqm block much closer to the city.

 

A lot will depend on your employment requirements, you could spend a lot less than $600/700k in rural areas but that is a huge lifestyle consideration. Queensland or Tasmania seem to give most for your money. This one almost has me planning a move back! http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-jimboomba-115943731

 

Just a reality check question if you move back to Scotland what kind of property will you be able to afford there? Will you get a 4x2 with acreage? We're looking for that kind of property within 30 mins of Edinburgh and £300-350k is a realistic price.

Sorry LR - To clarify, I am referring to the possibility of moving interstate here in Australia - a move back to Scotland isn't even nearly being considered at the moment !!

There's no way in the world I would move to a 500sqm block here. One of my reasons for moving here in the first place was the prospect of being able to own my own little piece of the world and spread out a bit ! There is absolutely no way we could afford a property anything like that in Scotland. I earn double what I was earning there, and my wife way more than double. Our disposable income is far easier to work with here, even when considering a $600k mortgage (although even saying that still makes me grimace haha !!). Basically, what I'm saying is, can anyone suggest where else in Australia we should give serious consideration to before putting down more permanent roots in Perth ?

I don't think Tasmania would be on my list to be honest. From what I've heard work is almost non-existent, which doesn't really add to the appeal. Don't think the climate is my cup of tea either ! QLD on the other hand, who knows. That's kind of what I am driving at here - what are property prices like in QLD (and other states?) - and also cost of living compared to Perth ?

Thanks for the reply LR !!

Oops ... apologies for the typo in the heading !

Hi everyone

So, I have a bit of a dilemma here. We have been in Australia now for a little over 2 years, living in Perth. We are heading back to Scotland in April this year, and had planned to put an end to renting when we return, and actually look for a place to buy. However, I'm still not convinced. There's myself, my wife who's a registered nurse, and my 2 girls aged 12 and 8. I am basically still feeling sick at the prospect of having to spend $600k + (probably more like $700k) to get the type of property that we want (4x2min on around an acre). I'm wondering what states I should be looking at which can perhaps offer a good lifestyle, but without the hugely inflated property prices and costs of living associated with Perth. Don't get me wrong, I do like Perth, but I don't LOVE it. I would happily try somewhere else if I felt that it was worth the upheaval of an interstate move. We've come all the way from the UK and lasted a couple of years and done well enough, so I don't see another move as being out of the question.

Can anyone offer up any advice ? Has anyone else moved from Perth to somewhere else in Australia and have some experience to share ? I just don't want to get tied down to a huuuuuuuge mortgage and then decide that we should have tried somewhere else before getting tied down, then have to sell a house before making the move ! I have tried to do some quick searching online at properties elsewhere, but not having a good grasp of geography in other states makes it very difficult to make an accurate comparison - property prices alone also don't tell me how the cost of living compares either.

Any help that you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and wouldn't mind hearing from anyone who has done the opposite, and moved to Perth from elsewhere in Australia, who may perhaps say I am better staying put !!

I look forward to your feedback.

Thanks