GlobeTrotta

Divorce is my only regret in life I should have made it work, tried harder, got counseling, firm believer in that. I was foolish about that one could easily say that - i would not disagree, c'est l'amour or is tel est l'amour can't recall (Such is love).

If the GFC had not happened It would have been somewhat more convenient, but hey...70's werent great economically in London, nor Denver in 80's once you learn to live poor or shrewdly its easy peasy. Coming to Oz was not really a brainer UK was a mess by Dec 2009, so used last of capital travelled HK, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, and NZ it was actually getting here supporting self and never getting proper work, despite MBA and 25 years corporate experience. Immigration could not wait to take my money..lol feed uetter BS about value I brought educated experience then reality. I have worked since 15 35 years but not here USA, UK, HK never an issue this naive country - you can have it overrated overblown and far too hot. Still no crime and its clean, and I now can go to NZ if I choose so no big deal is how I look at it. decidely upbeat, realist me, always have been, always will be. Jar is always half empty - thats the potential for something new untapped and what could happen, not about what you have or want to hold on to. Enough of this it's not Hyde Park (Sydney or London)...LOL Oh yes and my pension is okay so long as USA does not go bankrupt about 900-1000 GBP per month so just get to 67...10 years to go...bags of time...cheers to all who read...

I 'av a plan and frankly me nan was right about taking it with you. I intend to use my retirement approx 900 GBP a month in a decade to just drive around the UK and see the sights then when time comes drive to a hospice or do a Louise and Thelma...LOL Sign of the times not a believer in that, more consequence of decisions we make in life sometimes we use far too much emotion and I have always favoured logic since it costs far less. Onward and upward...people in 40's were way worse off and my grandparents kept it simple so I now do too. Less to loose perhaps but far less to try to keep hold of and maintain.

Where do I start, it didn't work out on just about all levels. So, I broke off a relationship, sold every asset I could and having wasted best part of 5-6 years and now in mid 50's it will be hard to recover but last decade moving from USA to UK to Aus between a divorce and exchange rates etc well enough said...got all my possessions down to a backpack and one tea chest is what i did identified what I need to live with and without - basically micro living or tiny house style. Sold anything there was 2 of reduced multiples of so many things we take for granted except those things necessary (pants and socks etc.) it took ages but everytime I downsized over time and kept going back I would find more to get rid off that I never used or could live without. You then realise how much junk we keep papers etc. I had already got rid of some 200 books in the USA, copied all CD's to back-up drive in iTunes etc. Does that help!

Seven seas moved me from USA to UK 2007, then to Australia 2010, and back again been brilliant competitive and service was excellent like other poster I changed delilvery addresses they had no issue with that - I gave them ample notice. I only moved tea chest sized boxes. Best of luck!

Have used Seven Seas three times on 3 continents and they have always been excellent. Delivery always showed up and cost was reasonable mind you it was only two tea chest size boxes now last time down graded to one. As to books they are far more expensive in Australia and I bought them regularly from UK at about 50% of cost.

Goes with the adage about holidays, its not where you go, but who you go with. You can build most things with the right resources, starting with a job, place to live, partner, amenities that you desire.

Was chatting to a high ranking Vice Chancellor re similar situation here in Adelaide some 6 months ago, his remarks were similar, now he was from the USA and said here they dont like tall poppies and that when you come from the outside with all this experinece and overseas education, vision of how to do things differently not even better, just differently even though they have said they wanted that they actaully dont want to change the status quo - anyway it doesn't bode well for finding work. So essentially the way I read it was to dumb down the CV - to me this seems akin to not being any better than lying on my CV I am supposed to reduce the experiences I have had how is that possiblel say I didnt work there, delete successes, leave off education (another fact: apparently having a masters is intimidating and means you will command more money - which that dont want to pay - LMFAO) so that investmet was for nothing. Frankly, while the world has dramatically changed since the GFC I had never ever expected the utter frustration of being in such a narrow minded place really cant wait to leave in December. I long since gave up wasting my time sending letters applying for jobs that are so fundamentally basic only to be told that I dont have local experience - its a global world for f*** sake how hard can a call centre be when I have run multi million dollar call centres for Fortune 100 companies hello pick up a phone listen...its absurd and the UK will get me expertise gladly even when I was underemployed i was at least employed. the five experiment is soon to be over arguably the biggest disappointment is the mindset of people and clearly a system that is frought with complete stupidity at realising the value someone with extensive experience can add value. There is no lateral thinking here. Please note I am not speaking for the whole of Oz just my perpsective relative to where I have had to endure the inane stupidity of the Adelaide job market.

Fact is 43% of all jobs in Oz are casual (2011) here is the link I read an article last year said 40% but damned if I can find it. The real question is how would Australia's economy looked over the past deacde without the mining sector - I would suspect an entirely different situation as many sectors are in and have been incontraction for several years. Here is a link to support the 43% statement and the author is an academic at Monash so it is not some arbitrary specualtive remark. http://theconversation.com/labour-in-vain-casualisation-presents-a-precarious-future-for-workers-8181

That has to be one of the most obvious questions I can answer $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ think about the revenue stream of $4-5k per visa application then there is the bogus $400 health check for the government owned Medibank. Undoubtedly, Australia for jobs least for me is the worst place I have ever worked including UK, USA, HK...in fact I just spoke to someone in East Anglia about work over the phone I have not even been i touch with this chap in 5 years and already got a bite - coming up on five years here and the only thing that bites are the mosi's. Australia overrated, ridiculously expensive and frankly not a fair go! Brits get sold on sun weather its Spain, Portugal, Australia et al. but reality is we all need a bit of rain, well I do.

IMO in Adelaide, clean air its always fresh, if you like sun well this is the place to be, the crime I have to laugh having lived in USA (big cities) and London really its pretty damned safe, ease of getting about but its Adelaide...clean beaches and by this I mean hardly anyone ever on them really minimal litter compared to Los Angeles or UK for that matter. If this is what you like then you would love it - its relative and each person has their own desirable lists.

Have to agree for the most part not sure about 4 seasons definitely 3 and the worst is now and while the heat is bad and you mention double glazing given that to me thats a minimum I would want that with a higher iron content to block the damned glare and heat....get through March and its 8 months of bliss weather wise could use a few more cloudy days just to give the eyes a break. Having skied in Colorado at altitude and the glare off the snow is horrendous I thought I was prepared for this, but have to SA wins....there are days I want mirrored Arctic lenses in fact I think Vaurnet still makes them that for me and temps are drawback but versus cold damp December and January in UK where one gets completely melancholy SA wins that. Neither of us ever get cold here but we are not from here and now landlord installed new AC he didn't like fact I threatened a lawsuit since old one didn't work - there are times when SA is so behind it was only rated to 35c and had automatic cut off how on earth does that work really who installed that. Our only costs are summer so to me insulating against heat tiled floors and foil backed attic/roof insulation only way to go. Winter outside and long stroll along the beach blustery day gotta love that....now for a new Fish and Chip shop in Glenelg and happy as Larry - has anyone seen Larry.

link to FBI http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/criminal-history-summary-checks Gives you all you will need to satisfy anything needed in Oz from the US it covers all States to support this I did a State clearance as well but then that was overkill. Probably easiest thing you will ever do even the fingerprint card is there.

Having lived in both USA and UK its fairly easy to get done. Just got to FBI website they do it and that was sufficient proof for DIAC in Oz fingerprints did cost me a bit though $120 to be done here and sent. Quick turn around that was 3 years or so ago though. Hope it helps.

Cold is relative 15c is to me still warm even here, we only ever need heat perhaps 3 days and our place is not very well insulated. I see people in bloody woolen overcoats when its 10c they clearly have very thin bloody for me its gotta be about 5c to even put trousers on im in shorts as often as I can if you go to the beach the air is cool but then winds are coming off the Southern Ocean a warm sweater is all I need but I love the cold Pacific NW or blustery old blighty was rarely cold to me and that's probably due to experiences in Chicago, Denver etc....its relative Winters and I add April to October here are the best anywhere on the planet and goes in my top three reasons to even be here, with cleanliness and safety. Others may find it colder but again thats relative and my OH from Melbourne thinks its warm compared to their so if any of that helps all the best good luck.

Okay, just to clarify 'willy nilly' as a term denoted in this context somewhat careless or haphazard ill informed approach to consumer lending e.g. the current reporting system here has not until March 2014 recorded approvals or declination's (I know big word) only applications ergo one making a credit decision does not know if you have excessive credit or not far beyond the non-reporting of utilities and telecoms accounts not reported at all. Furthermore, there has been no reporting of credit limits. In summary, how can a credit officer effectively use a FICO or otherwise scoring system to determine worthiness with limited information; its akin to the old days when we used to manually do credit assessments and trusted the information written down that would mistakenly (tongue in cheek) fail to disclose all the relevant liabilities in order to skew the ratios. Now point is, Joe or Josephine (Not wishing to leave the women out) Bloggins may have maxmized his credit and ability to pay now doesn't have liquidity and the risk for greater defaults as they have increasingly tapped lines of credits for mortgages etc they will no longer have access to as their credit scores will decrease accordingly. Bored you now. Having greater equity position from a increased down payment just provides you and them greater cushion for decreases in value but when others lend against that margin thats when it goes pear-shaped as it did in 2008 and also back in 80's in USA. can we discuss over cold one I need to get to Cairns...

To add some economic realities to what some might conceive as a pessimistic thread; I for one think its a more realistic look at the truth of the economy in Australia. Namely, the economy has been held up by mining et al. for years. Facts the Aussie banks did not invest in the type of default swaps banks in USA and Europe did. Fact Australian debt as a % of GDP is approximately 27% considerably lower than USA, UK et al. Despite these positives and the fact they haven't had a recession in over 22 years it's inevitable they will. Adelaide unemployment is holding at 6.7% if we accept these figures oranges to oranges. However, certain facts are that the change in how credit profiles come March in Australia are then reported and recorded will affect how easy it has been for people to access personal credit this will have some effect on the availability of credit and I reckon an impact on housing as the reality of how badly leveraged some folks are is finally known this in turn mean a tightening of credit and also as unemployment rises due contractions that have already commenced in many sectors defaults in housing will increase. Given 40% of the work force here is part time casual temporary contract type work this too will impact heavily. Australia has to have the level of wages it has in order to support the cost structure of living here its flat out economically unsustainable for businesses to hire staff at the labor rates they have which thus stunts any growth in employment and given the enormous number of small businesses economic growth is unlikely without government investment which won't happen will the recession hits it will be worse as Australia lacks economic diversity on a global scale. For those who don't know they do not or rather have not had a sophisticated credit reporting system here as we have had in the UK or USA, which basically means they have been able to borrow willy nilly. I will stop there, I could go on, but I am sure I have bored people to sleep if they haven't died from the heat. Anyway, its only money and life goes on and you can't take it with you. me I look at the bright side I'm breathing LFC are in top 4 and the heat is going away tomorrow only 28c life couldn't be better.

To add some economic realities to what some might conceive as a pessimistic thread; I for one think its a more realistic look at the truth of the economy in Australia. Namely, the economy has been held up by mining et al. for years. Facts the Aussie banks did not invest in the type of default swaps banks in USA and Europe did. Fact Australian debt as a % of GDP is approximately 27% considerably lower than USA, UK et al. Despite these positives and the fact they haven't had a recession is over 22 years it's inevitable they will. Adelaide unemployment is holding at 6.7% if we accept these figures oranges to oranges. However, certain facts are that the change in how credit profiles come March in Australia are then reported and recorded will affect how easy it has been for people to access personal credit this will have some effect on the availability of credit and I reckon an impact on housing as the reality of how badly leveraged some folks are is finally known. For those who don't know they do not or rather have not had as sophisticated credit reporting here as we have had in UK or USA which basically means they have been able to borrow willy nilly. I will stop there, I could go on,but I am sure I have bored people to sleep if they haven't died from the heat. Anyway, its only money and life goes on and you can't take it with you.

Actually it got to $1.11 before the decline.....not $1.06 as i was shipping money in from USA that or the bank screwed up bloody unlikely. People have a short memory in 2008 it was $2.25 to a quid....cant always be $1.45 as it got to...

Hi all from hellish Adelaide day 4 of this excruciating heatwave 46c expected today - non AC. I absolutely hate anything above mid 20's quite happy at 0 to 10 and 15 and 16 Celsius is my idea of sunny summer....but having lived where its been far cooler like -37c and just as hot.. give me rainy old London any day....what was I thinking all in the name of love no way would I have ever come here otherwise. Stay cool people 2 days to go.

This may or not be of use.....amazing what you can find when its 45c outside and one spends their time staying cool! http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/outside-australia Age Pension You can get Age Pension for the whole time you are overseas, regardless of whether you leave Australia temporarily or permanently. However, the amount of pension you receive may change if you remain outside Australia for more than 26 weeks. Whether or not your payment amount changes will depend on how long you have lived in Australia between age 16 and age pension age. http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/centrelink/international-social-security-agreements/countries-that-have-agreements-with-australia [h=1]Countries that have International Social Security Agreements with Australia[/h]Australia has agreements with a number of countries to share responsibility for social security coverage. These countries include: [h=2]The United Kingdom[/h]The agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) ended on 1 March 2001. For information on claiming UK pensions, paying voluntary contributions or other matters relating to UK social security, visit the following UK government websites: Hope this helps seems clear to me. Good luck!

Not quite your age....well 54....but went back after 30 years some 4 years back now to settle....having made countless trips business and personal. For me my one comment is this it depends on where you feel most comfortable....e.g. I found a new place was best and it happened to be Bristol and being a Londoner was shocked as any one....only reason I came to Oz was a partner but that's not to say I don't miss it and wish I'd stayed i felt comfortable had what I needed so make a list what you like and as the Ozzies say you'll be right..best of luck.

For those new to expat life and those who recall, let me recount briefly - be thankful for the wonders of the internet and international TV. When I first left the UK in 77 there were no such pleasures, you were lucky if on a sunday as I use to do drove to an airport to get a Sunday UK Paper you didnt care what the cost ($5 in 1977) was or which one. British Expats had papers in California and eventually we had shops, we found pubs and fish and chips by the 1980's. Now, thank god my sanity is quenched daily with a large brew, toast and marmalade and the three online papers always the footy first, hey what can I say. Add to this shows, mostly cop mysteries and foods I just had pie and chips and our heinz baked beans a rareity perhaps once a year if I splurge have to stay swelt and life is good. Without modern technology I couldn't endure the lack of culture here and somehow I am able ot stay connected to home. I just have to have me fix and to all the fellow expats thanks for making me feel less alone in my indulgences I actually feel normal. I even miss the Tube, rain and clouds, okay that may be taking too far, but hey i have had enough sun for three life times, and living in a city with one lousy tram that seems to have issues every other day the Tube is darn right bloody fab, and a few rainy days would not be unappreciated. So do I miss home? Hell yes, but I strive to comfort my pains by knowing that even after 36 years it is home and it will always be there good and bad and I made it back few years ago and will do so again knowing I will never have another desire to leave dreary old home for it affords the pleasures that provide me solice and frankly no money or sun can buy that - can't explain it.

Have to wholeheartedly concur having used them USA to UK and UK to Oz. Seven Seas were fabulous and really affordable for me by far they drop off boxes and then pick em up idiot proof - I might have had less than you hell I know I did I always sell off everything except clothes books etc. Good Luck! (If I recall 2 tea chest sizes were something like $400-500 I may be well off on that here's the link http://www.sevenseasworldwide.com/#

Being someone who has moved continents 5 times and always pine for home ....over analysis seems to be par for me yes I would say I do and have and am doing its inevitable its not an easy rational decision and frankly in my case I am rational so over rationalising is required or I would feel I have evaluated the consequences. That having been said, its imperative to consider the EQ that was what brought me back to UK but now I find it tugs me back to USA friends I left behind so in answer to the posed question hell yes we are all different different reasoning different motivations none right or wrong its complicated and we should think but i have become far more likely to make quick decisions with age for fear of over thinking and not doing something...despite years of being a master risk adverse assessor in my youth.