miw54

Hi We tried it last year and enjoyed sitting for two different people. However, we are a retired couple. I think most sitters prefer single people or older couples and often don't want sitters with children or their own pets. We are going to do it again later this year with a view to travelling to different places. Its a good way to get around without hassle of trying to find accommodation. :smile:

Hi We used to live in Helensvale and could travel to Brisbane within an hour. There are some lovely houses there and good facilities. We really liked it. Houses there and at Monterey Keys are good value compared with other areas of the Coast.

Can someone just clarify something for me. I know that the social security agreement between Australia and UK ended in 2001. Before this anyone with PR who had lived and worked in either country could equally have those years credited toward the pension e.g. if you live in the UK at pension age you can claim for the years you worked in Oz prior to 2001 and as long as you remain in the UK you are provided with pension covering those years. However, if you move back to Oz you lose the credit for those years. Does the same apply in Australia e.g. if you reside there at pension age can the years you worked in UK prior to 2001 be included in the calculations for the qualifying period ? Hope this makes sense ! Thank you.

I am an Aromatherapist and have a great collection of pure essential oils that I was intending bringing with me when I return to Oz. I saw a post earlier where someone had something confiscated because it wasn't allowed in the country. Does anyone know if the oils would be refused as they are extracted from plants. I hope not as it will be hugely expensive to replace them all but I don't want to be fined or charged a lot of money for them to be destroyed on arrival.:cry:

We are in the process of moving back to Oz and looking to buy a house on the Gold Coast. I am amazed at the number of houses that are standing empty and wonder why this can be. Some of them are beautiful and clearly had a lot of money spent on them. I currently have a about 15 properties saved that I would like to view when I get there but the majority of them are empty. I wonder where the owners have gone and why they have left before selling. No doubt I will find out when I get there but just wondered if it was confined to the Gold coast or a general pattern.:confused:

We are moving shortly to the Gold Coast and are interested in using a move cube but can't quite get a true idea of what you can fit into the different sizes. We have decided to only take small household items like towels and kitchen utensils/pots and pans, pictures and ornaments. The largest items we will be taking are the lawn mower and some other useful tools. We are not taking any items of furniture. We estimate most of our things would fit into about 8 tea chests. I wonder if anyone has used a move cube for a similar amount of stuff and which size they used. My other questions are about events at the destination i.e. Are there any further charges on arrival, especially if boxes are packed by ourselves. Also, we won't have an address of our own for a few weeks so do they have a collection point to pick up from ? I know we can ask Sevenseas some of these questions when the time comes but just curious to know through experiences of others.:biggrin:

Thanks everyone for your replies. We would always prefer to have a pool but if it makes a big difference to bills then we would have to think about it when looking for a property to buy.:cool:

Hi We are in the process of returning to Oz after being in the UK for some years. We are going to be buying a house on the Gold Coast but are wondering whether to look for one with a pool or not. We did have one when we lived there many years ago but I understand from friends and family that energy costs have soared in Oz. Since we are returning with not too great an income we do need to be mindful of running costs and wondered if anyone was able to give an idea of the impact of having a pool on energy and water bills and also rates. Thanks so much Margaret

I am always proud to be British but so glad I am an Ozzie citizen and can live in the sun rather than under grey skies !!

Hi Nurseam You have received a lot of down to earth sensible replies and the fact is, most people are torn when faced with the decision of where to be. However, as a ping pong pom, I always say nothing is for ever and my philosophy is that it is better to regret doing something than regret not doing it. Why don't you look on it as an adventure - you really can always come back. Oz is wonderful and although I am currently in the UK and have been back and forth several times (mainly on account of family matters), and probably somewhat less financially well off than I could have been if I'd have stayed put - I would not have missed the Oz experience for anything. I love the place. Good luck and go with your heart.

Hello Just wondered if anyone had any experience of applying for the 115 remaining relative subclass. Our only son is wanting to join us out in OZ (we are Australian Citizens but acquired this whilst he was away at uni in the UK). Although he had permanent residency and went to secondary school in Oz he only did 5 years and then worked for a short time so has a tax file no. However, whilst over in the UK on holiday he decided he wanted to stay and study there. Consequently his permanent residency visa expired and he settled to life in the UK. Last year he and his long time partner ended their relationship (not married) and he now wants to return to live with ourselves in Australia. Initial enquiries suggest that this category is no longer treated as a priority and he was told it is subject to capping and queueing and that it could take up to 15 years !!! We hope not. One thing that caught my eye was that the visa can be sought whilst the person is in Australia which surprised me. I am wondering what kind of visa he might initially come on and then perhaps be able to apply for this one whilst over there. Not sure if it would speed things up but hate to think of him having to wait 15 years. Thanks for any info Margaret

Hi You should go with your heart. Nothing is for ever and you can always return if things don't work out the way you want them to and there is nothing worse than continually pondering on whether or not you should do something. My motto is 'that it is better to regret doing something than to regret not doing it'. You are really sensible to leave your apartment rented out in Sydney as you are keeping a good option open for if you do return. Property prices in London are steep at the moment. We have done this several times. It leads to an unsettled life but an interesting one !! Good luck and don't be afraid.

Many thanks for this Andy, I will check out the links. Kind regards Margaret

Yes, I caused a deafening silence in my first job when I announced that I still couldn't find a file that was needed even though I had spent the whole afternoon 'rooting in the storeroom'. Someone then kindly explained what it meant in Oz. I was equally silenced in the same job when someone asked me to get some durex out of the drawer (this is sellotape in Oz). We still laugh about it now..

We used Crown in Australia between states and because we were so impressed with them, used them again to ship to UK. We could not complain about anything. Their guys were great and they delivered to our house in the time expected. We would use them again. Margaret

Hello Toni We have relocated back and forth a number of times. Each time we go back to Queensland we just book a month in a holiday home (We always use Goldcoast Holiday homes in Coolangatta as the girls there are really helpful) until we find something longer term. Although the rates are higher than longer term rentals, the price includes everything so no other bills. It suits us. They also do short term rentals i.e. up to 3 months. Worth giving them a look. We always just hire a car from the airport for a week or two until we buy one and usually organise it from the UK before we go. Good luck. Queensland is great. Margaret

Hi I am a British born Australian Citizen having lived and worked in both the UK and Australia over the last 25 years. I currently work in the UK for a Local Authority and have accrued a small government final salary pension which I am going to take in April this year before returning to retire in Oz. I have also qualified for some of the UK state pension and as I have turned 60 am able to claim that already. I have been searching forums to see if anyone else is asking the same questions as me but so far cannot quite find the answer although I have learned a lot in the process. I have ascertained that I can gain UK tax relief on both pensions when I become permanently resident in Australia but I am a little confused about the tax implications on my rather limited income in Australia. Am I right in presuming that I will only pay tax on the income that is above the usual tax free threshold for any resident Australian. Also, the big question is, if I return in May as intended will I have to pay tax in Australia on the lump sum that I will receive tax free in the UK as part of my local government pension as it will fall within the current financial year for OZ (i.e. July to June). would I be better waiting to settle back in Oz after the new financial year commences. At present I have no other income in Australia. Hope this makes sense and any advice will be greatly appreciated.:confused: Many thanks