clarabella1987

Looks like such a lovely place!

I'll have a look. Thanks!

As you said each to their own. From a career perspective (and lifestyle) England is for us.

Thanks for your help. I'll have a look at those areas. Do you know if Southend-on-sea is nice? My father would like to be by the seaside (I don't mind). Thanks!

Haha my dad will be happy about the butchers! Thanks for your help :biggrin:

Thank you very much! I will have a look at those areas. Really appreciate it!

Hi Chicken66, Thank you for letting me know that. We should be alright for the ancestral visa and can fall back on the spousal visa if need be. We are planning of starting the process 3-6 months before we leave (as advised by 1st Contact Australia). Are you going through an agency to organise your spouse's visa or have have you gone through the UK Immigration and Visa department directly?

Hi jasepom, In my mind we are swapping a "comfortable" life in Australia for an exciting life in London. Every one is different. My husband and I are actually looking to progress our careers to the next stage and have decided on moving to the UK for this reason (as well as many other reasons). This decision has not been made lightly, but Australia is not offering us what we want at the moment. As I said every one is different. Thanks, Clara

Hi Sustain, Thank you for your advice. We have been saving for the last few years and are now at the stage of buying a house. Our plan is to buy a small house (or flat) and pay it off quickly (hence the small budget). I have not thought of North London though. Thank you I will have a look. I previously lived in Brighton so that could be an option (we lived in a small village near Brighton, which was lovely). However, my parents are relocating to Kent/ Essex and I would like to be near them.

My husband has a British grandparent. From my research he is eligible for an Ancestral Visa and also a Spouse Visa.

Thanks Diane! I'll have a look.

I realize my budget is quite small (we wish to have a small mortgage). We were hoping for a small house. I have searched on property sites and as such have a vague idea, but am just looking for suggestions of areas to live in Kent/Essex (and in particular areas to avoid). Thanks for your help, Clara

Hi Rupert, Thank you for your quick reply. No the North is not an option. We need to be close to London for my husband's work (I'll be studying there as well). A place near the sea is not a requirement. I'm just looking for some suggestions for nice areas (and also areas to avoid).

Hi Diane, No I am unaware of the changes for the new immigration rules into the UK. I will look into this asap. I spoke with an migration service company (1st contact Australia) last year and was told it would be easier for my husband to obtain an ancestral visa as apposed to a spousal visa. I was advised to start the process about 3-6 months before we anticipate leaving.

Hi, I'm new to this forum and am looking for suggestions for places to live in Essex/Kent. I moved to Australia with my family when I was 18 and 8 years later we are returning to the UK. I am returning with my Australian husband. We are thinking of living in Kent or Essex. Ideally we would like a nice village/market town near the seaside if possible (to keep my father happy) and close to London (30-45 minutes away). We are planning on starting a family in the next few years so an area with good primary schools would be nice. We are looking at spending about £160,000 (although this can be stretched to £200,000 plus) as this will be our first home. Does anybody know of any nice places fitting this description? Any help is very much appreciated! Clara