Chortlepuss

Wow, that’s a surprising read @watsy1982! Very pertinent to me - I have made a few trips back - one even for over a year in 2016 and tbh the weather didn’t bother me - I have experienced extraordinary weather in the UK each time though, hitting both major heatwaves and a very mild winter in the Southeast of UK. I still crave retirement in the UK, which is tricky as adult kids are in Brisbane but it’s the Brisbane summers that I can’t stand, and maybe I need to experience a real British winter to make my mind up. Good luck for whatever you decide - i’ll Be following your story with interest. I’ve always felt that a ‘half and half’ lifestyle would be ideal but no use for younger people who need to earn a living, and as I’m finding out as I research- tricky from tax/pension point of view even in retirement

I transferred my Super to Hesta - haven’t contributed much over last year but balance still growing. Industry Super funds charge lower fees I believe - the transfer is pretty easy and quick - the company to whom you are transferring make it very straightforward as they are incentivised to make it work. Just a form filling exercise as far as I remember- and yes, cancel all life insurance/employment insurance etc

Getting to my late 50’s now and hoping to retire at least part Year in UK. After 11 years of hot weather, I’ve come to the realisation that I prefer the seasons and the occasional treat of summer sun - and Warm sun is a short flight away if you want it. Watching latest season of ‘cold feet’ made me want to get to know Manchester better (I’m from the south east) - funny what appeals after all these years. My grown up daughter definitely wants to stay in Oz though and my son is undecided so that will be a wrench. I miss the company of family and good friends and stimulating conversation - it’s so pleasant here but I’m a natural introvert and don’t fit here...each time I slip back to the UK it’s lovely to belong. For many this doesn’t matter but I don’t fancy a lonely retirement here - however beautiful it is.

Budget is a big decider - I love St Albans but it is super expensive - Has everything - lovely countryside, proximity to London, history, physical beauty. One area I've been considering for my return in retirement is Stroud - Beautiful countryside, a great market, good pubs and walks and prices not too off the scale (I'm from SE UK). Stroud is also well positioned for Wales, West Country Beaches and close to exciting places like Bristol, Oxford etc... If anyone has views on Stroud (good or bad) I'd love to hear......

It’s a tricky situation to be in. I got a job in Australia 11 years ago from the UK so am responsible for all of us moving over - at the time my kids were 10 and 12. Now in my 50’s and struggling to get work I cannot envisage retirement here and am desperate to get home and lead a full life. But I feel guilty for wanting this - my daughter is independent & will remain & my son has MH issues and is unlikely to get support in the UK. Although I think he would prefer the climate and culture of the UK it is a large step to make when he is relatively stable here & has friends. I would feel like I am abandoning them and not so easy to travel once you get older and frailer. Part of me thinks ‘made my bed and lie in it’ and part of me thinks ‘you only have one life’. I don’t suppose this helps much, but wanted you to know you’re not the only one going through this.

Flew Cathay to Gatwick on last trip home. V impressed and they were one of the cheapest too! Often thought about alternative airports - can get deals going into Norway & Sweden too

Great advice from Marisa. At 46 you’re still young enough to establish yourself in a role and there’s always a need for accountants. I work in IT in Brisbane and in my mid 50’s - always struggle to get new contracts despite excellent experience. Like Sydney, ageism is so rife in the Brisbane market. I’m frequently asked when I’m going to retire! When I was back in the UK for an extended stay, I had recruiters approach me - was pretty strange. If I was free to move I’d be back in a flash. So many good news stories coming out of Scotland from people who have moved back and reasonable cost of living . Great opportunities in Glasgow and Edinburgh. You’ve got property in one of the most expensive cities in the World as security. Go for it!

Just back from a month in UK - very lucky with weather indeed - countryside looks fabulous- even got sunshine on Dartmoor! Managed a few swims in the sea off Hove - bracing! Great to see so many enjoying the great British summer - although I did hear a few moans about it being too hot. To be fair, beautiful weather in Brisbane at this time of year too but loved daylight till 9pm. Always a fabulous time to go & saving up for another trip but next time want to go to Shetland so not sure it will be quite as sunny...

It doesn’t take long to turn these threads into an Aus V UK rant! Personally I want to retire to UK as my friends and family are there - I know quite a few people here in Brisbane who plan to retire here - particularly ones to whom the warmer climate, sporting opportunities etc are important. OK to want different things and liking one country does NOT imply you dislike the other. I have just had a fabulous break in the UK and wanted to reassure the OP that despite some of the bad news we receive it is still a lovely place to retire. Perhaps i’ll do some more research on the Mumbles now!

I have just come back from the UK after a months stay during which I visited my mum in Exmouth. Also travelled extensively through the South East (where I grew up and lived). Whilst the effects of austerity are noticeable, one thing I took away was how friendly people seemed and just how much there is to do for pensioners through local clubs, trips, leisure centres, U3A etc..it was beautiful weather (each time I head back I seem to hit a sunny spell). My immediate family are here in Australia but apart from that I have very few friends and the loneliness and lack of purpose makes for a strange life. I am desperately hoping to retire back in UK. I am so sorry that your sons are behaving so badly but you owe it to yourself to have the best life you can. My sister is considering retiring to the Mumbles in Wales - I know next to nothing about it but she mentioned how lovely the people were. Exmouth as I mentioned was great for retirees - I hope you find a great place to live. Will be scary but worth it.

Use Skyscanner Each time I travel if you select ‘whole month’ to view you can get a idea of which days are cheaper. You can play around with a lot of options (restrict results to certain carriers etc). Sometimes when I’ve found my flight I book directly with airline (I like Singapore) which can be more expensive but I find it easier to book seats

Brisbane winter can be marvellous - I like it equally as much as a south coast UK summer, albeit that the days are so gloriously long in the UK summer. I am learning to hate Brisbane summers - as someone who loves being outdoors and hiking I think I'd rather take my chances with a UK winter. So depressing being trapped in aircon and unable to go outside without being flayed alive and covered in sweat that can't cool you down due to humidity. In the UK a decent waterproof and snug clothing are all that's required. Australia does have beautiful weather in some regions however - I think the area around Newcastle is pretty good. It's taken me a long time to prefer the UK weather over Brisbane's though. Can't wait to spend more time in the UK in retirement.

Would it be possible to remortgage the house once you have UK incomes? Not sure if you can get a mortgage in Australia based on UK income but may be worth a shot?

Have used John Mason twice - service was great but packing left a lot to be desired, resulting in breakages that were avoidable - all other companies may be just as bad so I'd recommend supervising packing of paintings, vases, fragile items etc... for instance John Mason packers wrapped a large pile of places together using a couple of sheets of paper, not individually and not suprisingly they broke. These companies always recommend 'leave it to our expert packers' but I'd have done a better job. In future I'll be wrapping all fragile items in bubble wrap - especially if they are low value as due to excess I can't claim on insurance but they were treasured items for me. I have made suggestions to my John Mason contact about improving their packing process - and will post back any responses I get - but I'm not holding my breath as they've had the money off me now!

Sussex is where my house is. I came back in June after 16 months and hardly needed to use my brolly or raincoat in that time. The only time the weather got on my nerves was when I was packing to come back during the heatwave - and that was because I wanted to be out on the bike. As for a dark Christmas - how lovely and cosy - I spent a lot of time last winter in front of roaring fires in friendly pubs with close friends. I'd choose that over sheltering from the heat any day!

Lady T - you will love it! Just back from 16 months in the UK - I would have stayed if I could - but due to family pressures I have had to return. One month back, and iI am missing the UK already - not just friends, company, stuff to do, job opportunities - but even the weather! Counting the years down when I hope to retire back there - Your husband will have a pretty easy time finding work - there are a lot of jobs for skilled people. Good Luck and enjoy!

I'm selling my hyundai i10 due to returning to Brisbane in June after a year and a bit break in UK. Based near Brighton. Manual, Blue, great condition (just serviced), just over 70K on clock, 2011 plate. Will have one year's MOT from May. Great little runabout - cheap to run and service and has been very reliable. Looking for offers around 2,500 pounds. If you want any more info/photo's etc let me know.

Large Asian population in Brisbane, Asian friends get the odd racist comment - curiously anti-British casual racism is seen as quite acceptable and although this can be irritating you learn to shrug it off. Australia is a country where hard work pays and the Asian work ethic means many lead very successful lives here.

This puzzled me...As well as the cheap housing in Melbourne!

Hope to do this too in retirement - escaping Brisbane summers! But concerned about health. Think I would set it up so UK resident (7 months?). Not sure how that would work if needed Australian health care though...

Why not southern suburbs? E.g Holland park West busway to UQ trip around 10 minutes, similar journey time to city. I wouldn't give yourself a hard time commuting if you don't have to. Traffic in Brisbane may be better than Sydney but still horrendous - look at places near the train or busway

What a dilemma - I am a similar age - my family are in Brisbane and I am in the UK tying up a house sale and buying a smaller house. My longer term goals include having a base in both camps - but only possible by downsizing property - is this an option for you? Both countries have so much to offer. If I had to choose one place to settle and my family were amenable then I would prefer everyone to move back to the UK - I love the activity, the buzz, the travel and (ahem..) the climate... But they are all happy over there with good jobs/prospects so majority rules.... You have not had an easy time of it - but at least are well positioned to make a choice - and as Quoll mentions, I believe that ageism is less ripe here for skilled individuals.

The more I read posts like these, the more I think there must be a good potential business out there lending to ex-pats. The majority are highly skilled, very employable, have money in the bank and yet they struggle to borrow. When we came back we applied to my bank of nearly 30 years (including a long time as a staff member) for a credit card with a 1,000 pound limit... just wanted something to put flights on, build up credit etc.... completely out of the question. I ended up getting one of those ghastly 'credit builder' 34% jobbies. It is harsh as a professional to encounter such resistance - but seems to be experienced universally, irrespective of how much money or security you have. Meanwhile if you've lived here all your life on minimum wage, any number of people will throw money at you... perception of risk is the motivating factor..

Agree with others - don't hire stuff. In Lewes we have a fantastic hospice shop where the local posh people offload their stuff - great furniture, good prices and when you've finished with stuff you can sell on or donate it back.

How did you get on? we may be interested in storage too