MacGyver

We've been through Dubai quite a few times and have no issues finding our way to the gate. But as you say, with a little one this time its not a lot of time to get off, get through security again and get to the next gate. For the service to the gate it was about $300 AUD for 2 adults and 1 infant. If it make sit easier it will be money well spent, just wondered if the service you get is actually worth it though.

Hi, We are travellign to Scotland for Christmas, 2 adults and one toddler. We have 2 hours between landing and take off (if all goes to schedule). We;ve done this trip a thousand times and no issues finding our way to the next flight, but we've never done it with a toddler before and wondering if the meet and greet service is worth it? It seems to offer collection on arrival, implies priority transfer through security etc (is it priority?) and taken straight to the departure gate. Has anyone used this service to transfer between flights and if so, was it worth it? The only reason we're considering it is to avoid herding a wild kid with pent up energy through Dubai airport and instead getting whisked to the next gate where we can let her run wild, knowing we are at the gate and waiting to board on time. Thanks

If your husband intends to work in the UK (and he doesn’t have UK heritage) have you looked into the spouse visa for him? There are a number of challenges linked to it, mostly the financial requirement. If you haven’t already, it might be worth exploring this so you are aware of possible hurdles and can be ready to present solutions to your husband.

Some of this is helpful yes

Can we not turn this thread into another meth thread and give the OP useful responses. Honestly if we’re labelling City Beach as an area to avoid due to drugs, then I’m not sure where will ever be good enough. City beach is a beautiful suburb, close to lots of good things, with lovely houses and not a single issue while I lived there. It’s one of the safest suburbs I’ve ever lived in and people should not be put off areas that offer such a wonderful lifestyle, if they can afford them. The only criticism I’d think of for city beach is that it has less going on than neighbouring suburbs and is very quiet, but if you want quiet by the ocean and close to the city then what’s not to like?

I was more referring to other more obvious concerns you can observe with neighbours houses. In all honesty if people are so good at hiding drug use/production and it is completely invisible from the outside, doesn't impact the neighbourhood in any visible way and isn't associated with "users" lurking around, then why worry about it for the purposes of house purchase/rent? If the profile of drug manufacturers are quiet, polite professionals with a beautiful house, well maintained garden and children's toys outside, I hope I live near some of them next time I move. Anyway lets not derail this thread with more discussion about drugs being everywhere in every street in the world.

City beach is beautiful. We lived there for a year and if you exclude that area for “drugs” then it’s hard to imagine anywhere that would be acceptable. Transport into the city is direct bus, or bus to train station then into city. Depending on where you are it’s about 40min on the bus, if you drive it it’s more like 20mins. As with any area, just check what the neighbours houses look like. I hope you don’t mind me asking why you decided to move from Brisbane to Perth? I ask because we have toyed with the idea of going the other way so any insights you might have could be invaluable.

Get a second quote and opinion from one of the agents on here. 20k sounds like a very, very high number

I note Marissa said you have a dog - from personal experience it is very, very expensive to transport a pet back to the UK (or to Australia for that matter). Given your financial situation you may have to consider re-homing your dog. I know how hard that will be but it sounds like you have a lot of tough choices to make and this will save you thousands of dollars for moving.

The first step might be to go see a bulk bill GP and discuss a mental health plan, which will be free. I have no idea how to resolve such an abundance of challenges and heartache, but having the space to talk to someone might help clarify your thinking, or at the very least offer some support during this difficult period. Also my first thought was that it sounds like you aren't overly restricted geographically, would it be an option to move to an area with cheaper and more available housing, while you save money and consider your options? It wont change much other than possibly giving you some space in your own home while you consider your future and make plans. Which state/general location are you currently based?

I was about to say the exact same thing, I also have this setup with my Australian number.

I strongly agree with both of these comments. From personal experience, I would encourage anyone thinking of moving to Australia or the UK to "test the water" to put everything in storage and rent out property, until they are absolutely certain they will stay long-term. We could've saved tens of thousands of dollars if we had done so - which is why I also agree with your second point!

I’m some views yes, in others no. Labels and boxes aren’t helpful. Life isn’t black and white.

If it’s lower than the MSL then yes you would save some money. But if the cover is garbage I’d personally rather make a small loss and contribute to public finances, than to a private company. I appreciate others will take a different view on where to send their hard earned money, and I’m not trying to convince anyone to change their approach.

I’m content to pay into the public purse, at a small personal loss. I’m not trying to convince you to do the same.

No, it’s like saying you should buy a homeless person one meal rather than stuffing McDonald’s in your face for the third time that day. Medicare provides an excellent service. Base level private healthcare, solely to avoid the Medicare surcharge levy, seems to be pretty useless. So there is an argument (which you might disagree with) that it may be better spent on the Medicare surcharge levy.

Even if you have to pay the Medicare levy surcharge, there’s an argument that it’s worth it. Perhaps the money is better spent funding the public health system to benefit all, than putting it in the pocket of a private insurance company to benefit a few (for a poor insurance product).

You can’t blame them for feeling devastated about it, but it’s incredibly selfish for them to try to guilt their child into making a decision they don’t want to make, just to keep themselves happy. Parents don’t do lots for their children over a lifetime to amass a debt that has to be repaid, they (should) do it because they love them and want them to be happy. If this is what makes the OP happy then her parents (and in laws) are the ones that need to suck it up and support their child pursuing her own life, just as they did.

There are strict certification/approval processes just to transport plants between Australian states (although in reality I’m unsure how they police this). I didn’t expect you would be able to bring them from overseas but google says it may be possible with the correct testing/certification etc. I haven’t read all the requirements and imagine in reality it’ll be very difficult but this site seems useful: https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/goods/plant-products Check the Section on “live plants”

It largely depends on the OPs situation. There are some circumstance where it can cost significantly less eg if you’re young and single, come with nothing but a suitcase, move into shared accommodation, have a job lined up before you arrive etc. But I appreciate that typically these questions come from people with a family and more possessions/complexity/cost involved.

A temporary solution for the bank account issue is to open a Wise account (formerly Transferwise) or similar (Revolut is another similar service I think). Download the app, open it in Australia (including ID verification) then receive a card to your Australian address. You can then (via the app) open an account in the UK which gives you a sort code, account number and a UK bank address. On your return you can receive salary into it, setup direct debits, make card payments and do just about anything else you need from a regular bank account.

Sometimes your posts make me want to move to Tasmania Toots - your descriptions often remind me of the better parts of Scotland!

Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Spudshed, Farmer Jacks, IGA, Costco, plus numerous Asian, Indian and other ‘ethnic’ supermarkets. Produce on offer is a different discussion and you may prefer the UK stores (I don’t), but to say there isn’t choice of supermarkets here simply isn’t true.

In the part of Scotland Im from, we would say “yoe-gurt” “caffay” and “homidge”. Never heard anyone call it a caff and unsure if that’s the pronunciation across the whole of England, or more of a London thing? Certainly not UK wide though. Can’t really blame the Aussie’s for copying the Scot’s though I suppose

It’s a tough market for meth to break into with all the heroin, methadone, cocaine, mdma, ketamine, benzodiazepines, gabapentin, cannabis etc etc etc. I really do worry that you’ll return to the UK one day and find the issues you were escaping are as bad (if not worse) when you get there. Perhaps not the same substances being manufactured and used, but the same impact on society.