Newstart

Do they use the computer? Could you get them on Skype?

I went through the same issue with my English hubby. The only discussion we had about him living in OZ was when we first got together and he was going to move there. As I had an English parent, it was easier immigration wise for me to move for him. I was very happy in the UK for the first four years and than I lost a parent and I got incredibly homesick that just became very servere. I become depressed and that type of homesickness, wasn’t something I could have ever got over. The first couple of times I said I wanted to go back he was angry but once he realised I wasn’t going to let up and I was extremely upset, he came around. Not only that he became very excited about being an Aussie. Persistence is the key as he will never just agree, if left to his own devices. So stick to your guns. You moved to be with him and likewise he needs to consider your happiness as well. It’s not 100% up to him where you both live for the rest of your lives, that’s selfish. You need to ask what his fears and dislikes are about moving. It’s a huge move and he could be worried about money and if he can easily find a job over there. Perhaps you could be flexible and move to larger job centres such as Sydney or Melbourne? Maybe he doesn’t like the lifestyle, but could be open to a different city in Oz that is more to his taste. All I can say is you need to keep your eye on the prize and never give up! If he truely loves you he will not want to be without you and will follow you.

I completely understand the homesickness. I was quite happy in the UK and then after I lost my dad, homesickness crept upon me and never left. I remember telling my husband and he said no at first ( he wanted to wait until retirement lol). I thought there was no hope. I think the key to getting him to come around and be even more excited about living in OZ then me, was I just kept being honest and my homesickness was too severe that the arguments were worth it. All I can say, is if you truely desperately wanted to go back to the UK, I’m sure your husband would want to find a way once he saw how unhappy this was making you. Don’t give up hope. I guess if you can get back for a hoilday first and access how your feelings are then. Maybe say to your hubby, I’d like to be back close to my dad and then once he has passed on, I’d be happy to come back to Australia to live. It’s not easy with the cost of moving etc but you make a plan, a budget and through the set backs, you don’t give up.

I could never live in Perth for the same reasons you hate. I think you do need to get out of Perth. However, I don’t think you should leave Australia just yet. Could you convience your husband to move to a different Australian state? What about Tasmania for greenery or Melbourne for the “ English type weather” . Places in NSW like Southern Highlands has a lovely country feel. After living in the English Countryside, it’s a place I hope to have a house one day. You say you wouldn’t like to break up with your hubby and so I think that would be tragic, as if you did, I think you’d find you be rather lonely in the UK and not as happy as you imagine without him. Even if your daughter returned with you, she will need her own life. It’s also not that easy to make friends right away here and you have been gone 30 years. A holiday or two is not like day to day life here. Have a think about what kind of activities you would like to do and look into other areas in OZ that seem more exciting to you.

I guess it depends what kind of lifestyle you want and where you want to go travelling to next. Travel wise; do you plan on seeing other parts of Australia? Australia is a great base if you’re wanting to see New Zealand, Pacific Islands and Asia. US and Europe are obviously going to be closer via London. Career wise ; have you looked at pay rate, career advancement? Lifestyle ; are you outdoorsy? Love the sunshine and beaches ? If yes, Australia is better. If you plan on settling down with kids at some point. Do you consider London and ideal place for you to raise kids? Of course housing is going to cost a bomb and you won’t be going to nightclubs etc, once married. So what is it you get out of London and what do you hope to get out of London, once settled down? You say if you were to find a girl you would live in Australia. Imagine that were to happen, how would you cope missing your family? Could you afford to go see them every now and then? Would they vist you? Are you happy to talk to them on Skype between vista home? To be blunt - leave friends out of the equation because quite frankly, some of them, you might not stay in contact with in years to come. If they wanted to move, they aren’t going to put their dreams on hold for you. You could always go back to London and go back to Australia later on ( if you have time before the cut off point ) however if you fall in love in the UK, the girl may not want to go and live in Australia with you. I’d get a pad and pen and make a list of what your dream lifestyle looks like. What are the pros and cons of living in Sydney or Australia for you? Likewise, the pros and cons with living in London. Where you can imagine yourself living ( not just now but in 10 years time) by the sea, countryside or in a city. Is it in an apartment, a house with a big yard for the kids? What hobbies and activities do you enjoy and what you would like to try? Can you do all these things in Australia or London? Only you can know, what you want out of your life.

Hello Chase, I’m an Aussie who loves Asians! I grew up having a fascination for Japanese culture, I used to love watching a comedy sitcom based in Singapore. One of my dad’s best friends was Vietnamese , his son married a Chinese girl, we went to their wedding. My favourite doctor is Chinese. I know a bit about Chinese culture as well My English husband is teaching himself Mandarin. I have always found Asian people to be very much about family, kind, giving and respectful. They have a lot of values I highly admire. Infact I hope when we move back to Sydney, I get to make some Asian friends. The fact you are willing to mix with non- Asians puts you on the right foot. You and your family we be fine!

That’s a shame. Thank you so much, Iron Chef.

Thank you Pom Queen and Bob. I will just buy new ones over there.

Fantastic, Marissa, that makes a lot of sense and has given me some well needed reassurance.

So if we just take over our powerboards and plug them into Australian travel converters, it will be totally safe and fire free, until we can get an electrician to change the plugs? I have never used a converter for anything larger than an iPad lol, so bit worried about using one on something big and powerful such as white goods.

Hi iron chef, I think I read something a while ago about having to have owned the car at least 12 months? My car is on it’s last legs and since cars in OZ are so expensive. I would like to buy a brand new car or even a second hand car with low mileage to ship over there, despite not owning it very long. Is it possible? Would there a heafty financial penalty or it would be the same as if you owned it a couple years? Or am I better off, just buying a car in OZ?

Hi, I hope this doesn’t sound too silly. Did you discard your dog and cats collars / leads, and just buy new ones once you arrived in Australia? Since the pets don’t fly with their collars on; I assume quarentine put their own leads on the dogs when taking them for walks at the facility? And perhaps, if you fly with their leads and collars, they will be taken off you once you go through Quarantine, anyway?

Olman, Do you have any family and friends in Australia? Do you know anyone in Luton?

Thank you very much.

Hi, my dad was a ten pound Pom and came over to Australia in 1951 aged five. He never returned back to the UK until I moved here, over five years ago. My father was living on his Australian pension. However, he didn’t recieve anything from the UK gov whilst in Australia. I’d imagine Luton would have changed a lot since you were last living there. Have you tried google images to see what Luton Town Center looks like now? My Grandfather went back to the UK to vist his hometown in the 80s and it changed so much, he didn’t like it, and never went back. I agree with contacting Macmillian. All the best to you.