HappyHeart

Mail or email?

Thanks very much for this info Rossy. I think I've tried this before and got stuck with the ID side of things. My UK passport has expired now. I've sent a message through the contact form, hopefully someone will get back to me..though I seem to remember doing this before too.

Agree on the whole. There's no singular way to be/live. Diversity is strong in Australia and the whole fit in or you know what attitude is so old.....

The Govt one.

I left the UK in my early 30s after working mainly part time. Will my UK Pension be worth anything and do I need to do anything about it? I've used the online tools but I never seem to come up with much. I just want to know how much it'll be worth, roughly.

Oh my, that is a very sad tale. What an impossibility. When.people say it's a 'choice' plain and simple this proves it is no such thing. Coincidentally, I know a couple who had a similar situation (kids are a bit older) and as far as I know they were still 'together' romantically. He left quite abruptly last year. Left her and the kids absolutely devastated and I wonder will they ever recover. I agree your 1st priority is to your children. At least until they are older. Comfort yourself with the thought that when that time comes they will likely fly the nest, possibly go overseas themselves....then you'll be free to follow your heart. In 10 years your youngest will be an adult and you will still be young. Late 50s is no age. I don't think it can ever be 'too late.' What a dilemma. Truly feel for you. I hope you can find a way to make your time more bearable.

Are you still in Perth? If so can you and will you go home? Years ago when we first came here there were regular poms in oz meet ups that were useful for forging friendships and sharing experiences.

I moved to get away from mine

What crazy golf?? Lol. I obviously don't go enough. The Great Escape closed in 2016, was it there? There is a small water fun park there in Summer months. I don't know the ice cream place you mention either? Ben and Jerry's for me. You're right it's not a place you go to every week. I like Hillarys as an occasional thing. The water is safe and brilliant for little ones. Good fishing spots. The rellies always love it. Sitting in the Sun with an ice cream. I find it harder and harder to get a decent meal and coffee there so much so that we might just go to Dome as a 'safe' bet. Coffee and cake and a scenic stroll. There's been a lot of venue closures and too many chain restaurants in there. The local.shack (terrible generic frozen food offerings) It's beautiful at sunset and after dark for a summer stroll and you can picnic or bbq. We used to like Hippo Creek but that's closed down. The Jarrah bar and 3 Sheets are always packed at the weekend till late. Had a nice tapas lunch there actually last year. (Jarrah) The chippy isn't bad. Purple goat cafe does nice home made cakes. We might go 2 or 3 x a year.

Joondalup is pretty quiet. The pubs are popular with rough types, tradies and those new to Perth. I like some of the cafes in the daytime. Neil Hawkins park being gateway to beautiful walk trails in Yellagonga regional park. The shopping centre is the biggest in WA I heard? I hate shopping so it doesn't suit me but you can certainly get everything you need without a trip to Perth with the industrial estate too. It does what it says on the tin. Certainly not a centre of cultural significance though. They do have festivals and so on but we stopped going to those events after the first few years. Great big hospital. Public and private. No need to travel to Perth for most specialities.

Are you still living here in Perth?

I don't recognise your description or experiences of life in Perth (and I live quite near to Joondalup) but fair play to.you, you must not hang around if it falls short of expectations and needs. Glad you got back to a place that is more suitable for you as a family. Difficult when 1 is not sold on the idea and other partner is happy. For us we've been here 12 years and not 'bored' yet- far from it, there are not enough weekends in the year for us to tick off our things to do list. We have a 'day out' and a home day most weekends we are both off work. I don't know. We can see the same things but through different lenses. It just wasn't meant to be.

The kids can't think of anything else? Did you leave your imagination in England when you came here? Did you have to come for work or did you choose to? If it was a choice am curious for your rationale for choosing Perth. It may hslp other to know too.

The only thing near you? Definitely get up close and personal with real humans in Manchester. If gritty industrialisation floats your boat that's cool. I find the lack of open space and grime oppressive. Sure there's nice spots too.

I agree with the overview to a degree. Same could be said about Manc. I still prefer it and it's surrounds as a place to be though. Horses for courses. Manchester V Mandurah. It's still an easy one for me.

All good. Not our experience though. Trouble and danger out and about a fact of life. Maybe we're just too old to be aware of the trouble spots these days....

Absolutely. Very valid observations. Subjective indeed. For me....no contest. I'm from near Manchester, hubby's family came from Wythenshaw. Gritty place. Would I live there? No thank you. Good for a night out though and a bit of shopping. Student life etc.

Seriously?

Subjective. That's a good word MR

Chalk and cheese indeed. Different worlds.

Mandurah V Manchester....it's a tough one....

Loads of them but not sighted on the Dolphin tours by day. (At least never by me) I find sunset a great time for dolphin spotting. Mandurah is a lovely spot for an afternoon out.

You never went to the Pen? Open late on the foreshore under the Sebel. Live music. Great food. Nice cocktails. Great vibe. "The History | The Peninsula Mandurah" https://thepenmandurah.com.au/about/ Open till midnight on weekends. You should give it a go. I never felt unsafe there.

Respectfully disagree where emotional connections are concerned. I understand the logic but decision making isn't just about logic for many people.

Yes. That's the region .