SunshineBee

Grace gave us the cheapest quote, but I'm going with Keys Bros for a couple of hundred dollars extra. They have been the most helpful and trustworthy so far. I've been dealing with a lady called Vaila and she's been exceptionally better than the others in terms of providing info on how to keep costs down, answering my queries and getting back to me in a timely manner but not being pushy! It's a gut feeling at the end of the day, so we'll see how the service goes. It worked when we came here (we used John Mason / Wridgeways), so I'm hoping my gut is right going back!

A lot of people on here move back (and forth) for very practical reasons, but for me personally it's a whole bunch of emotional reasons..... No matter how beautiful this part of the world is and it really is beautiful, or safer, or clean or sunnier, or great for families etc etc....I find it soulless, lacking in any culture and I miss the sense of belonging I had in the UK (Wales originally). I do also miss good old British manners, polite drivers, people with depth of character, different interests, intelligence, sense of humour and friendliness. I miss the countryside, hills, forests, freedom for dog walking, Sunday roasts, old friends, variety (of everything), good TV, Christmas in winter and the build up, forward thinking companies, better working environment and culture, close proximity and access to so many other countries that offer so much that's so contrasting. There is plenty I will miss about Perth, but I was always going to end up back in Wales one day, it's just come sooner than I thought because Perth is just not the place for me. We did consider giving Sydney a go for 6-12 months, but knowing that we are going to end up back in Wales in the end, I'd just rather not the waste any more money moving interstate. There is Welsh word 'hiraeth' that sums up perfectly why I'm returning. There are lots like me, but there are lots unlike me who have very different priorities and interests. You have to go with your heart at the end of the day...

Hi folks, We're moving back to the UK at the end of July and due to lack of space in our shipping container, not to mention lack of sunshine back home! We are getting rid of all our outdoor furniture and a moped. Links to moped and daybed below: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/beaconsfield/scooters/powder-blue-vmoto-milan-50cc-scooter/1084134696 http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/beaconsfield/lounging-relaxing-furniture/beautiful-balinese-day-bed/1084133064 As well as these two items we have a huge 2 person hammock and stand, a square wooden table and 2 chairs, an old ship door upcycled into a table (bought from East West Design in South Fremantle if you know it), a couple of Ikea folding chairs (indoor ones), a couple of Bunnings umbrellas in neutral colour, a seashell paddling pool, an old vintage chair. Open to offers on all, just need to get rid asap! Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions on any items. Cheers :cool:

I have just listed our moped and a beach cruiser on Gumtree, I've had one very abrupt message that I just can't be bothered to reply to. I'd rather take things back than have to deal with people who want to take the pee! Bring back preloved and ebay, yay! I know coming out was extremely strict on wooden items, but does anyone have any experience of taking them back to the UK? Are customs as strict? As we have bought a few things since we've been here which we'd like to take back, but some are quite old and I'm worried what will happen with customs. Not 'old' as in expensive antiques, just an old mess! Upcycling projects that I've never got round to.....does anyone know will this be a problem?

Thanks....I think the best option will be to a get a dealer to take it and hope that we don't have a huge shortfall owing to the finance company! Lesson learned anyway - I shall be buying an old banger outright when I get back to the UK!

Hi all, I've been lurking around this group for a while, reading your stories about heading back to the UK with interest. We arrived in April 2014 and had a honeymoon 6 months, but since then I've grown more and more desperate to return to the UK (for varying reasons) and your stories have definitely given me some comfort that I'm not alone, so thanks for sharing them. It's just myself, husband and dog, so we are fortunate we don't have to factor in children's education or anything like that. We had been talking about sticking it out for 2 years and making the move back next year, or even trying Sydney then heading back after that. But I have become more and more depressed here and with a holiday back on the 29th July booked for 2 weeks, I have just managed this weekend to convince my husband to make the holiday a permanent move! So we go in 4 weeks, which is going to be a crazy stress filled whirlwind I know! We have confirmation from Jetpets that the dog's rabies vaccination is still valid and good to go at short notice and I have shipping companies coming in this week to quote and we are going to have to break lease on the house etc. But the thing causing me most stress at the moment (unbelievably) is the car! I bought a car on a 5 year finance deal when we arrived, thinking it was a good thing to do to start building up our credit rating. I obviously still owe a large chunk of money to the finance company and they have given me permission to sell it to pay back the loan. I was just wondering has anyone else been in this situation and what is my best course of action? If I sell privately, where is the best place to advertise? It was so easy in the UK with autotrader - but do they have an equivalent here? Also, in the UK you can agree to just hand the car back to the finance company, could that be an option here? If I took it to a dealer, do they pay me direct or the finance company? and would they take it knowing I still owe money on it? Lots of questions! Any advice on your experiences would be much appreciated! :wacko: Thanks

Hi All, I hope someone can give me some advice on this one, I couldn't find a similar relevant thread. I have already been granted a 190 visa for WA and my husband is the secondary applicant and we are all set to fly out in March. However, he is looking into making himself bankrupt before we go. I will still have the funds available for us to get settled over there. Does anyone know from experience if this will affect him being able to emigrate? Any advice / guidance would be much appreciated! We have a solicitor appointment in the new year to get the ball rolling on this, but I'm worried it will affect our move. Thanks Sam

Congratulations Dee, fantastic news for you x

Congratulations all! Sounds like things are moving forward for this group now! I had my grant on 29th, feels surreal after all this time! It does show as finalised online Dee x

Hi and welcome to the thread, I have done this process myself and saved myself £2000. I won't say it's totally simple, there is a lot of paperwork and process to get through, but as long as you read things carefully and have some patience, it's relatively straight forward. You don't save any time by using an agent (despite what they may try and tell you) and the whole process is expensive enough, I don't think an agent is worth the money. obviously, this is just my experience and opinion and it seems most people use an agent, so they will be better placed to tell you the benefits. good luck with it all whichever route you decide to take!

I thought I'd let those of you who are waiting anxiously for your CO know that I have been assigned a CO today! 6.5 weeks for me, so shouldn't be too much longer for you guys! )

I've not used an agent, so that's reassuring to hear! Hopefully hear something end of next week then!

Not yet, it's been just over 5 weeks for me. I've also applied to WA. I take it you've not been assigned a CO yet either then?

Hi, I've just updated my signature to show my timeline. Looks like I'm one of the earliest September people who lodged, but I'm still waiting on a CO to be assigned. Fingers crossed we all hear something soon! :err:

Hi all, I'm new to this thread, but I lodged my 190 visa application for WA on 9th Sep and I'm still waiting to be assigned a case officer. So just over 5 weeks for me now! I uploaded the police checks and had the ok on the medicals 2-3 weeks ago, so they are not waiting on any more docs from me. Is anyone else doing this themselves and not going through an agent? It's frustrating as there doesn't seem to be any contact details where you can chase anyone either, just an online form where you get an automated generic response basically telling you to be patient! Not my strongest point. I'm just trying to work out how to put my timeline in my signature. Good Luck guys!