Melbpom

Tilly, I'm rather surprised that he could make such a large financial decision without your signature. Can you get some legal advice? At the very least he needs to revoke the purchase and give you the opportunity to have some input into what should be an exciting purchase.

Thanks Melza and Lady Rainicorn, you've both given me a different perspective and I have to think this over. In all honesty I could see my son jet setting about and I want this independence for him whether he's based in UK or Australia. I often read in this forum about people questioning things from a very early period and I envy them because I never did. As a newly married couple we were so busy building a life here that we never questioned anything other than the lack of pubs. Now I'm coming to a period of my life when I can chose, there's no husband and no dependant kids (apart from eldest). :smile:

Yes Lady Raincorn, he would be considered an international student but that would be OK, I'd cover the cost though it would be cheaper to stay here depending on what changes the government make to funding.

I'm feeling a little conflicted about moving back. If it was just me I'd go back rather than regret it in the future. But it's not that simple. My elderly parents want to go home and won't do so without an assurance from me that I'm coming too together with the children. My youngest has decided on a university course that would suit him very well, the local uni has excellent facilities and the job prospects here are very good. We've looked at similar courses in the UK (in HEAP and The Good University Guide) but looking at the employment levels after graduation OZ has the advantage. There is still a chance he'll chose to study in the UK but I don't know yet how that will go. Another complication is that my friend wants to start a business together. I'm thinking of trying to keep my options open, start a business while the youngest is at uni and move when he's graduated. However I really do miss my wider family, all the events I've missed because I'm deemed too far way. I'm also thinking of the wider support for eldest son when I get too old to care for him and family's help with care for my parents in the future too. I don't know if I'm scared of moving and perhaps a bit too comfortable here.

I'd be rather concerned that a financial decision was being made without my consent. At the very least have an inventory of your assets on hand. Don't let him assume ownership if you decide not to go back.

I work with someone who home schools. She works full time and I made the mistake of asking how she manages home schooling with work. We don't get on and I think of her as a bully rather than the gentle alternative type. Back to the OP, I've often wondered whether a country town would give me and my family a better happier life but I've come to the conclusion that it wouldn't work unless there was a good reason to move there such as a job or a partner. Country towns often look lovely but I never considered them female friendly and there's a stigma here about being a single mother. Personally, I've stuck with the city because of the greater diversity and the wider range of facilities and support services for my autistic son. As your child grows up I think that she might need the company of her peers. My son has no speech but loves socialising in his day centre and that gives me the opportunity to get out of the house or go to work.

Yes maybe a car boot/garage sale maybe the way to go. My son's raising money for a scout trip so I could get him involved. At the moment I'm working on the nett possessions i.e. if I don't buy anything (avoid the central aisles of Aldi) and aim to fill the bin or send to op shop every week I should have less stuff in the end. It's good to feel I have a goal.

Is it just me or anyone else find it hard to de-clutter and get rid of stuff? I've decided that the right time for me to move back is in about 18 months and if I start now I might just be ready. After 25 years here I'm dismayed at the things that just sit in my cupboards. I'm not even a hoarder but given the right conditions I think I could be. Part of me thinks how can I speed this process up and not waste any more time? It sounds easy but I look at things and think "that might be useful, I'll look at it later" and so it goes on. When we came over we had 2 suit cases and a single crate and I long to get back to that.

Hi Marisa thanks for your reply. I agree it makes sense to leave super where it is until needed and will avoid the need to navigate the UK system (at least initially) when there's tons of other things to do. A question on Australian pensions, what relevance does the Oz pension have to anyone returning to the UK? My understanding is that since it's administered by centrelink it's effectively income support similar to say newstart. Basically leave the country and you loose it (unless there's a reciprocal agreement). Have I missed something?

Andrew, What if I return to the UK before being able to access my super? When I get to 57 can I withdraw my full super and transfer as capital as suggested by Winter1 or do I have to be an Australian resident?

Hi, I'm looking to buy an investment property in UK to move back to as a base. But I'm confused about the tax. Wouldn't all Australian residents be classed as non UK residents and therefore not receive a tax free threshold?

It looks like Proud Brit is holding their own but I'd agree with you.

Hi, as a mother of a disabled child I'd recommend enrolling your daughter in an early intervention program asap whether you stay here for the long term or not (I'd vote for not). There will be specialized therapists available to help with her speech and behavioural issues.

I'm looking again at a modest flat to rent out until I return to the UK. The properties I'm looking at are leasehold and I really don't understand what impact this has on the future price, i.e. does it lesssen any price rises as the end of the lease term approaches? are leases ever not renewed? how do I find out who the land owner is? I'm very familiar here with body corporates but there doesn't appear to be an equivalent in the UK. I'd really appreciate any advice from someone more familiar with the UK market.

Have you thought about paying voluntary National Insurance contributions towards a part British pension. I think that you can pay for about 6 years of missed contributions.

My brother imported a car when he came over some years ago and he found it expensive to repair because it wasn't an Australian made or sold car. Before you decide to bring a car over check how common they are here. You might be better with a locally purchased Ford or Holden.

I'd like to second Aunt Agatha's comments and those of Helz. I'm a newbie here also and there are issues I'd feel uncomfortable discussing on the main forum. There is a gentler feel to this group and I hope that if you do leave it will just be temporary.

Greta, I'm not sure I understood your first post. Are you saying your OH is going back to the UK or his friend is? I'd be going back to the UK with OH if you can. You don't want to be restricted in your movements because of his rights to have access to the children. Forget the money, pack up, sell up and go. Good luck.

My gut feeling is that the UK would have better services for my son especially since it looks like NDIS is likely to be cut back in the up coming budget. I've been quiet for a while because this would be a big move for me and my family.

My advice would be don't neglect your own career. A lot a people take a backwards step to move to Oz and never quite recover. Personally I had a great job in engineering but there's not the industry here. BF had a great job with lots of travel back to Europe and he was quite content. Make the most of your law degree even if you have to move interstate or back to the UK.

I'm really trying to find how the disability support services work in the UK and the financial, respite, day services and accommodation that are available. It's the biggest hurdle to returning to the UK for me. The prospect of no support and being housebound with a profoundly disabled adult child is scary. I think I'll have to search UK disability forums for more specific advice. Thanks anyway Pom Queen.

Hi, Does any one have any knowledge of disability services in the Uk? I've read a few posts about people moving to OZ with autistic children but cannot find any which deal with the reverse. Melb

AGL are as good as any other utility company. There is little difference in tariffs and you can change provider if you find a better deal in the future.

Hi, I'm considering buying a property prior to moving back to the UK to use as a temporary base and then as an investment. House prices seem cheap compared to rental costs and I'm concerned that the market will pick up before I get back in about 2 years. However when browsing real estate websites it appears that properties are on the market for a lot longer than in Oz and in some cases prices are reduced. I'm unfamiliar with the UK market after away for 25 years however I have family in UK who would help. Any advice would be welcome.

Sales sites are obliged to quote the dealer trading registration even on carsales.com or drive.com. Just look for "LMCT1234" at the bottom of the webpage and then google it. It will save you having to give contact details and also the trader who "pays" to get your details even if you're just looking.