Melbpom

3 hours ago, newjez said:

Looks like a huntsman. 

I don't think so. Huntsman spiders are larger and hairier. We had one (called Harry) that lived in the corner of a room at ceiling height, and would move from room to room. Harmless and best left alone. 

I would have thought the most important factor is your girlfriend. Have you discussed long term issues such as marriage and children?

13 hours ago, Marisawright said:

One point worth noting is that it's not a "normal" falling market.  Melbourne house prices went ballistic about two years ago.  Although people are getting their knickers in a knot about the current drop, prices are still higher today than they were two years ago!   For instance, shortly after we arrived, we almost bought a unit for $650,000.   We didn't (still kicking myself).  Another unit in the same block is now on sale for $700,000, even though prices have dropped back in the last few months. 

At the moment it seems that stock is low, who puts their property up for sale in a falling market. The only stock I can see are the ones that developers are passing by, i.e. it's not worth their time/money/risk to buy an older property on a large block and knock it down and build townhouses. Quality stock is scarce and I think that this is skewing the sold price trend downwards.

On 08/04/2019 at 17:32, Yasmin1991 said:

Hi everyone, 

Moving from UK to Melbourne next summer. Just trying to get to know some areas, I am a paediatric nurse and it is likely I'll try and find work in Monash Children's Hospital. Can anyone recommend any nice areas for a young family approx no more than 45 mins away. Somewhere with good schools & affordable

Thanks in advance! 

Are you talking about Monash Hospital in Clayton as opposed to Berwick? if so I'd look at Mount Waverley. There's a nice shopping centre close to the railway line and Mount Waverley Secondary College is sought after.  

Yes, I have just got word that my shipment is due to depart soon, so I'm panicking unnecessarily. 

Yes it is a shared container and I didn't think to ask about shipping times and had no idea that I could enquire about which ship.

When I shipped the other way it all happened in a timely manner and I assumed the move back would be similar.

The only things I'll miss are proper beds and warm clothing. I can live without the rest.

I'm shipping stuff back to Australia with a well known firm who were excellent when it came to packing.

However that was 7 weeks ago and my shipment hasn't moved from the UK base.

Now I'm getting concerned that this is taking too long. Anyone else experienced this?

False advertising, this is clearly an invisibility cloak.

I don't know anything about the Sydney market but I'm watching the Melbourne market and imho I can't see prices tanking until there is a rise in interest rates. I gather that the Reserve bank is more likely to cut rates in the next couple of months which will most likely slow the property downturn. So if there's a property that ticks all the boxes I will probably buy. You might want to look at a TV show called Your Money (channel 95) which sometimes has segments on property.

If you go, don't sell up until you are well an truly settled and you are sure that things will be OK with your son.

After 18 years you are probably more Australian than you think.

26 minutes ago, Violetcrumble said:

Amazingly my hubby has agreed that he'd sign whatever he had too allowing me to take our children to Australia and him stay here. That did shock me and I'm not sure he'd actually go through with it. Those were his words, I've never asked he just blurted it out. 

Are you not tempted to take this offer and run with it? If you have a lot of support in Australia then surely that would compensate for lack of contact with Dad?

Any one know if there would be a problem with an ostrich leather bag? it's years old and has sentimental value.

10 hours ago, Devonuk said:

So basically you pay tax twice?? 

Don't know but I've asked Alan Collett to sort mine out. He's on this forum and is very helpful.

48 minutes ago, Amber Snowball said:

……. and took a slightly less desirable property.

I'd add also, look for a property that's been vacant for a while and ask the agent for a copy of the application form to which you can add your own story. If you apply online it's harder to skip questions that you may not be able to answer.

Entity, I am in the process of moving back to Australia and leaving behind my parents who are in their late 70's. Will they miss me and will I miss them, yes of course but they are fit and healthy and have travelled widely themselves. If they were ill then maybe it would be harder but thankfully they're not. There has never been an expectation that I would care for them (in a hands on way) in their old age. They in their turn were living overseas when their parents eventually went into care homes.

I am returning to Australia because I think I have a better quality of life there and have been miserable here. The other really important reason is that I miss my youngest son who stayed behind to go to uni. He is not quite on his feet yet and is pleased that I and my oldest son are returning.

What I'm trying to say is that all family situations are different and only you can go with your gut and do whatever feels right.

It's the embedded links that concern me. Just don't know where you would be directed.

17 minutes ago, Tash82 said:

Thanks @Melbpom i did consider it - until embarrassingly my daughter's high school home work had me stumped!!  I don't remember learning half the stuff they do now   Maybe my brain isn't what it was.

Yes, I fully understand having had a son go through maths and sciences at high school recently. But saying that it is easy to get onto a graduate conversion course in these subjects and you would be specialising in one area rather than the whole curriculum for primary level.

Good luck with your choice either way.

It sounds like you've decided on a path, but if you go down the teaching route, then what about choosing STEM subjects at secondary level?

I would put the needs of your family first and if that means a move back to Australia then go. You're already familiar with the lifestyle and while the kids won't remember much given their ages, if you're happy they will be. As for parents, yes it will be hard to leave them and there'll be a certain amount of guilt but you can always make regular visits back and maybe they can visit.

On ‎28‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 03:56, Marisawright said:

One thing I'd suggest looking into is their eligibility for support services.  I don't know enough about it, but I believe there are residency requirements before you can get some social services, aged care etc, which they might need if his wife is unwell.

I'd encourage your pal and his wife to consider carefully a move back to the UK. I moved recently to the UK (and am about to return to Oz) and what I failed to plan for was the length of time it took to get support services in place (if at all). The system is different in that social care is controlled by local authorities rather than the Department of Human Services (in Australia) and this means that there is no consistency. Add this to austerity and some councils being under financial pressure and as a new arrival being at the back of the queue.

Maybe take a look at carer's UK forum https://www.carersuk.org/forum

1 hour ago, skippy2009 said:

Check out one way car hire or a local airport taxi service, stress free and convenient, given the cost of train and taxi fares maybe very little saving using public transport/taxi, possibly worth it given your circumstances, good luck!!        

Yes, thank you, I'm thinking of taxi even if it costs a bit more it's worth it especially before embarking on a long haul flight.

1 minute ago, Amber Snowball said:

Train maybe?

We use virgin from crewe to Euston, only takes about 90 minutes. Is there something similar from Brum?

I would personally but with a heap of luggage and autistic son getting across London is too hard.

1 hour ago, skippy2009 said:

I'm an ex TA, and live 40 minutes from BHX and EMA, 99.9% certain flights from the midlands to LHR ceased many years ago,  I remember my parents flying from BHX and EMA to LHR connecting with long haul flights,  I have checked and there are no direct flights from the midlands to LHR, hope this helps.    

Yes thank you this does help. I'll look at driving or National Express.

I'm looking for a couple of one way flights from Birmingham to London, Heathrow and admittedly it's been a while since I've looked at any internal UK flights but the ones I'm getting (from Expedia) take 4 or 5 hours and go via odd places like Dublin or Aberdeen. I've looked at Webjet and I could get to Spain cheaper and faster. This should be easy, anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

I'd recommend forgetting about pork pies and trying Vietnamese pork rolls instead.