Legal angel

Hi, I'm back in Tipperary now but was in Perth for 10 mths and it was a struggle. I'm a legal secretary, thought I was well paid on 65k with just me and my daughter, but we struggled financially and childcare was a nightmare. I lived miles from the CBD, was up at the crack of dawn just to drag my poor daughter out of bed and into before school care; then a 45 min trip to work and then the reverse trip at night, not getting home till 6pm. I had family in Perth and I had lived in Oz previously for over 20 years, though had lived back in Ireland for 16 years, and it was a hard slog and I hated it. I had my house rented out to the local co co, and that part worked well for us; but honestly, its tough. Do you know anyone out there; who would mind your children while you worked; if you are working in Ireland, I would stay, weather is not everything. Best of luck

To throw a spanner in the works, and from one single parent to another, I would seriously think very hard about it. I went, and I'd lived there before, and lasted less than a year before returning to Ireland (which I luv). Life is tough enough as a single parent, without uprooting them and you 12,000 miles away from everything you know. Who is going to mind your children whilst you are at work? That was my biggest problem and childcare is expensive. As far as getting a text from your husband saying its over, I'd take him for every penny - he has no class. Not an easy decision, hope it works out for you all.

Like Northshorepom I love having visitors but I loathe people taking the mick, who constantly turn up for an occasion with their arms swinging (ie. empty). To me, its the height of rudeness. You just have to say we'd love you to stay but not till 2014 - house not suitable, work commitments, outside jobs to do, we want it to be perfect for when our guests come. If they are desperate to see you, invite yourself to their house for a free weekend - see what their response is then! Personally, I'd run a mile from the snakes, cockrell, lack of electricity, etc, so I'm out - that's one less you have to worry about.

Who you? I lived in Australia over 20 years - and I still prefer Ireland! Suck it up, sometimes sunshine isn't enough reason to stay

ummmmm The Departure Lounge of all of them :biglaugh: Happy St Patricks Day to one and all

Phew, thank God for St. Patrick - No snakes here in Ireland I don't get squeamish at much, but I cannot stand snakes - urghh, gives me the shivers just thinking of them

Nah, we're a hardy lot here, plus it beats having to get up at 5.00am to meet at 5.30am in Joondalup cos its too hot!!! :cry: Did I tell you how much I luvvvvv being home :laugh:

Apart from hanging out washing and having it dry in a few hours, absolutely nothing. Ireland is best :cute: (Just been to running group, doing speed trials up a local hill, with the snow flakes coming down, I'm luvin it)

Your clothes sound perfectly appropriate, possibly even a short sleeved shirt due to the weather would be fine. Your friend was very young may they rest in peace.

Giving a very young, just out of school, no qualifications teenager some work experience, whatever that experience is, is IMO a good idea. You should not expect to come out of school and be a CEO in a large multi national. Some work experience on the CV looks good. However, if you are over 40 you probably have some work experience so stacking shelves in Poundland is not going to be of any benefit. Likewise, if you have qualified as a geologist, again, you wouldn't want Poundland on your CV. :sad: Horses for courses. Voluntary work is good for the soul and you meet new people and make connections, work and social. I just got a part time job yesterday, yippee for me

My uncle had to get one fitted - he could have got it reversed once he was 'better' but chose not to go through the return operation. He is 82. The big thing is to keep clean and fresh, which might be a little difficult in the heat in australia. It might necessitate changing more regularly than if you were in a colder climate, not just because it needed emptying. It obviously takes a bit of planning, making sure you are near facilities etc, and probably private facilities, and you will probably have to watch your diet in the intial stages and of course be lead by your doctor. Now my uncle doesn't swim, and I haven't discussed his showering etc, so not sure what happens there. I don't think its the life altering problem it used to be - seems that people lead a very normal life (though I'm sorry if I've offended anyone with one if that's not the case) but it might depend on what stage you are in your life when you get it - if my 11 year old got one I'd be devastated whereas if I got one, and could still dance, I'd be grand. Hope your friend gets on well with theirs and lives their life to the full.

I'm separated, husband stayed in Waterford, 11 year old daughter and myself went to Oz. I have dual citizenship and all my immediate family (parents/siblings) are in Oz but I have hundreds, and I mean hundreds of cousins/aunts/friends etc here in Tipperary and I'm loving it. What you can never plan for is the sense of belonging that you lose, at least initially for some, when you move so far away. The down side is work and yes Newjez economically its a mess, but its home. We are struggling financially but then I did in Oz as well - my daughter was in childcare/school/childcare every day for 10 hours! Thats not my idea of living the dream, whatever that is. I'm a legal secretary (a senior one) and was on $65k and I thought that was good money, until I had to pay over the odds for everything. I did not want to spend every weekend visiting the Spud Shed and running between greengrocers/butchers/supermarkets trying to get a bargain - I didn't have that much leisure time. And another thing, just how many BBQ's (burnt offerings) and the beach can you go to without going mad with boredom. And there's a poster here who seems to spend his life at Hillarys, which is great for a visit but again, how many visits do you do before it becomes boring. Now I'm unemployed and have plenty of time and do simple things, cos I can't afford to do anything else! But I volunteer for St Vincent de paul, have joined a local running club, set dance which I love, meet friends for cuppa's. I know its not everyones idea of 'fun' but I am so happy and my daughter is back in her school and loving it. Sorry, now you know why I don't post much. I don't like oz and before you all jump up and down and go mad, I lived there on and off since 1974 to 1996 - so I had plenty of experience of it and I still don't like it! I am so happy being home, just about to watch Ireland decimate England in the 6 Nations Rugby and now I'm living the dream. Sorry, I'm rambling now but Oz is not for everyone, even if you had lived/visited there before. Places change, you change, circumstances change with family etc, try it but don't throw all your eggs in one basket. Never say never NB: Bet you're sorry you asked now!!! ha ha - hope I haven't offended any australians or emigrants that love it but when you don't love it, even though everyone tells you how lucky you are and you feel you should love it, its tough emotionally. I'm love Ireland, I make no excuses for it, I just do, warts and all

I'm back in Tipperary since last July and loving it. I had moved to Perth for a very long and unhappy 10 1/2 month - hated just about every minute of it. Only downer is work is tough to find in rural Ireland but I am so happy to be back, had rented out my house, love having my friends and family around, love the weather, love everything about it. :smile:

You are right. I don't post on this forum very often because I didn't like the nastiness that occurred from time to time but feel I need to add another view to this thread. I live in catholic Ireland, I'm a practicing catholic and my daughter goes to a national school (primary school) of which 99% of all schools in Ireland are based on catholic ethos. I say this just so you know on what I've based my post on. At my daughters school in rural Ireland, there is 3 male openly gay teachers, which are treated in exactly the same way as all of the other teachers (as they should). As far as I know, they have never been under pressure to leave, etc. Most schools are run by a Parish Council which includes the local priest, teachers and parents and they have a say on which teachers are employed in their school. In ireland you cannot discriminate against anyone on the basis of their sexuality or religion. When I lived in Perth my daughter went to a Catholic School and it was no different to her school in Ireland - which is why I chose it. There is no getting away from the fact that there are lots of questions to be answered by lots of religious orders, both male and female, and not just catholic but they aren't all bad. Having said that, if a member of my family was a victim of a paeodphile, I wouldn't be so magnaminous. I like to go to mass and I know I'm in the minority, but how many can say that when the chips are down they don't look skywards and say a little prayer. Don't write every religion off, they all have something to offer to somebody at some stage in their lives.

I lived in Perth for 10 months in 2011/2012 and I was robbed the first week in January - they took my daughters Christmas presents, as well as my laptop and any other electrical device they could find, and the police didn't even turn up. It was very scary. It was a rental house and the landlord didn't want to put up security lighting. I had those security shutters at the front but obviously they just jumped the fence and broken the sliding door window panel. I don't even lock my car when its parked outside my house here in Tipperary, and feel much more relaxed. The fingerprint policewoman who arrived the following day said that house theft is a huge problem in Perth.

You could try Myer in Murray Street and go to the Hugo Boss section in menswear. They aren't cheap but they are good quality - you get what you pay for. You might be able to pick something up in the January sales.

I suppose a lot of it depends on your circumstances and no, not all australian houses are huge. Mine in Perth had no hallway, none, and only five internal doors (3 bedrooms/bathroom/toilet, it was a tiny house and I paid $360 per week - extortionate. Also, it depends on whether your wife will be working, and then if she is, there's the cost of childcare. If I was you, I would go to Melbourne and have a good look around, validate your visa, and go home again and pay off your mortgage. If its not broken, why fix it.

I had a weird response actually, looking back in hindsight. Everyone was delighted for us, had very positive things to say about Australia, etc, and has I had lived in Australia before I thought I knew what I was heading towards. However, when I told everyone I was coming back, and since I've been back and spoken to friends and family, they have nothing positive to say about Australia, just reiterating the negatives I mention, and saying how they've heard how expensive it is etc,. Very odd. Apart from the weather of course, which funnily enough hasn't bothered me one bit. But as Britchix said, its irrelevant what others think once you've made up your mind. Nothing ventured nothing gained but I wouldn't go again

Hi, I personally would wait and if you could manage it, book them for a week after the tenants moved in, just in case there are any issues that you need to deal with in the beginning - unless of course you have a key holder/caretaker minding it for you. Also if you wanted to book now, check with the airline how much it would cost to change the tickets. I changed mine when leaving Perth, bought it forward 3 days, and it cost an extra $300. I didn't care as I had urgent family problems and I had to leave immediately, but that wouldn't suit everyone. Good luck on your move.

Countryside looks fab, a bit like the Sunny South East of Ireland - which is why I moved back home, heh heh

Hi Lisa, hope you don't mind me asking but do you have to pay a commission to etax.com.au or is it free? I'm afraid I'm at a loss as well. I'm sure its not supposed to be this complex, but I'm struggling to. This etax looks like it would be great, as long as its free Thx Andrea

Like buttercup I didn't think Australia would be so alien to me as I had also spent years living here, over 20 for me. But, I can't wait to return to Ireland. I have a house there and a support network which frankly I didn't realise I had until I'd moved. I rent here, work full time and its a real struggle, plus it has cost thousands. Am I glad I did it, not yet but I will be - people keep saying at least you tried and won't be wondering 'what if', I just see the money I've wasted, the upheaval for my daughter, and the job I have now lost at home. But I have put my australian demons to bed - the grass is not always greener on the other side and I do think I'm a better person for the trip. Good luck to all those contemplating the move to australia, and those selling up and moving home.

HI We are moving back to Ireland in 2 weeks, 5 days (but whose counting, me) and I started putting items on gumtree about 1 month ago. Some items were very popular but I am left with the washing machine and fridge and freezer and qs bed. The car I put on carsales.com.au and that's had a great response - I have some-one interested coming to see it today. Every so often I go onto gumtree and lower the price of my items - hoping to generate some interest. Realistically I know I will have to sell them off cheaper than I would like but I'm hanging out for as long as I can. I am going to put up a sign at work and see if I get any takers. I'm already sitting on the outdoor setting - the sofas and dining suite were the first to go. For me its a case of roughing it for a few weeks until I get home - good luck with your move. Mentally prepare yourself to sell cheaper than you would like - though I did do well on some items - and look to the future.

Hi I've flown in and out a few times and never had a hassle. I arrive in oz with oz passport and leave with irish passport - no-one has ever queried it or stopped me and I only arrived last september. I thought you had to prove you could enter the country of your final destination, ie you need an appropriate passport to get into UK. I have both passports, and will probably keep them renewed, its just easier than applying from scratch when they've expired. If you have the time get the oz passport, its probably cheaper and easier to do from here.

HI Sunni, funnily enough, I was onto my super fund today as I'm going back to Ireland in 3 weeks. I was trying to work out how I could get back my super. You could get it back if you were on a WHV (or a visa with an end date). Unfortunately, like you, I have dual citizenship. You could get it if you could prove financial hardship - I didn't qualify for that. They were to email me withdrawal form today (but it didn't get to me) so I will chase them again tomorrow and send the form back with a copy of my irish passport and hope, because my funds are small (I've only been here 9 mths) they will just forward them to me. I can but try. Good luck