Guest241083

............just to add..... .............that only addressing what we percieve as bad in a culture.... ..............can we convincingly champion the good.... ...............too often we accuse many of blanketing a whole culture under the few shameful atrocities done in their name.... .................but by ignoring the wrong we see in cultural practices.......we are in danger of doing the same.... ...................IMO....

............agree there are atrocities in many cultures regarding animal cruelty.... ............but as the Muslim population is represented so negatively in the news ATM..... ............it's one more black mark against a culture already viewed with suspicion.....

............the angst being the treatment of how the animals are slaughtered....! ............often due to the religious requirements.....not humanely..... .............this contributes to the feeling of distrust to a community already viewed with suspicion due to the headline atrocities in their name....

........we have similar .........they are very negotiable once you have it ime

........a good read thankyou parley...! We cannot avert our eyes or turn our backs. To slam the door in the face of these families would betray our deepest values. It would deny our own heritage as nations, including the United States of America, that have been built by immigrants and refugees. And just as failure to act in the past - for example, by turning away Jews fleeing Nazi Germany - is a stain on our collective conscience, I believe history will judge us harshly if we do not rise to this moment."

.........would be interested in your findings.... .........as its not the easiest of the things you need to do if returning.... http://www.workgateways.com/moving-uk/uk-bank-accounts

........I'm sorry you feel like this...... ........I guess so many unhappy times have contributed..... ........but as to returning after so long..... ........the practicalities are the hardest to overcome..... ........as @Lady Rainicorn has said......maintaining ties with the U.K.makes things easier... ........a bank account ,a family adress.... .........I see Marisawright has answered your pension worry..... ..........now it's assessing the cost......I read you have a new dog.... ..........you would want to take...? ..........have you close family in the uk who would help.....put you up temporarily....? ...........friends you have remained in contact with...? ...........if your hearts set on moving.......set the wheels in motion... ............we often cite family and friends as the reason for going/staying.... ............but be sure your doing this for you.....both can of moved on without you.... ............and your social life may have to be built from scratch...... ............though I'm sure and sincerly hope.......this is the easiest of your tasks.... .............good luck.....X

..........look for something you like as much.........for as little as you can...! ..........IMO it's not easy finding anything for less as you have to accept doing without things you've got used to....! ..........easier if the home your in is too big.......but if moving just to free up money... ..........what are you prepared to do without...?

........it depends why you want to move..... .........downsize to free up money...? ..........place too big now...? ...........it costs to move.......so you would have to be sure it's a viable and wanted action....

...........you could buy somewhere smaller..... ...........same area ,smaller place...

........and an interesting read...... http://workingholiday.co/top-ten-tips-for-getting-backpacker-jobs .......another job site... http://www.workstay.com.au

http://www.backpackerjobboard.com.au/jobs/farm-work/ ........might be worth a look........good luck to you both....

..........perhaps more a state of disorder........as a knock on effect from a law passed....

..........not only for that generation...... ...........but those taught and encouraged by them..... ...........it will be a slow acceptance I feel..... ...........to consider the changes that have happened in their lifetime..... ...........to want to hold on to some percieved values.... ...........and not all homophobic....! ............just that marriage should not be an option.....it encroaches on the values and traditions of marriage as they see it... .............cripes ! I believe same sex couple should have the right..!.. ............and am putting forward beliefs of why not....

.........have been discussing this topic with my mother.....and her friends.. .........myself in the for camp.... ..........her and her friends against...... ..........their argument being that over time the framework for society has slowly been eroded away.... ..........the morals of many reaching a low.... ..........and that the marriage of same sex couples would encourage those who choose to ignore laws and society norms/ rules ...........to inturn try their cause.... ...........indeed as someone has said......if same sex is allowed......why not multiple wives ,husbands....? ...........the legal age questioned.... ...........I can see their points.........but my answer is progress.... ............acceptance of those once ostracised for their difference..... .............the framework of society has not been eroded IMO.... ..............it has and should be restructured..... ..............if nothing else in the world today.......we should encourage tolerance and acceptance of those different from ourselves.... ..............and ensure they have the same rights and titles.... ...............after all a civil ceremony is not a marriage..... .................And a marriage is between a spouse and a spouse......and should be regardless of gender IMO...

..........oh fiddle sticks form filling....! ..........same sex couple do not have equal entitlement or even respect in many situations.... ...........sorry havnt time ATM to read back..... ............but sure this would of been mentioned somewhere......

.........and that's where the problem is...! .........the name..... .........married couple have entitlements..... ..........would those couples called by a different name have the same entitlement....? ..........not so far.....

.........you mention that extended family is something you want for your son.... .........perhaps for now that's your need to be happy..... ..........and owning a home might have to wait..... ...........life's about priorities..... ............what we need for our happiness.....the rest is wants.... ..............to be met when and if we can..... ...............the best of luck ....X

.........personally I like Rockhampton ..... .........it has everything I would want in a town.... .........a hospital,schools university and airport....... ..........it has some beautiful architecture.....old world charm......with some modern buildings thrown in.... ...........it doesn't have a cosmopolitan element.....IMO.... ............but the CBD is improving , ............the markets and festivals have a good feel..... .............it's on the river but coast easily accessible..... ..............yes it does get hot in the summer...... ...............but as with anywhere.......if it's too hot .....or too cold.... ................you adapt life accordingly.....

........so pleased for you MR...! ........I lived in Parramatta over 40 years ago ........appartments blocks ,what apartment blocks ? .........lol....

............it depends on if your building in residential,rural residential or rural....

.........from experience using a reputable builder to build to lock up stage.... ..........then employing other trades for fixtures and fittings.... ...........was both less stress ful and cheaper in the long run..... ...........I know someone who did ...owner build.... ............and they found they went over budget....! ..............causing them to wait for finishing products.... ...............it's not an easy way IMO.......and yes land has to be purchased first... .................and approved for the dwelling you want,... ...................beware some areas have covenants which restrict the type/ height area of house you build.

........worth a read...! http://intellichoice.com.au/owner-builder-home-loans Once a cost estimate is approved and verified by the banks valuer or QS, then the lender issues a commencement letter. As the lender will lend only to maximum of 80% of the hard cost, then a client must contribute 20% of the funds by way of cash.Hence the construction will initially be funded the client as he will contribute his funds first to 20% of the costs. The lender will eventually complete the project by providing the 80% of funds required for the project to be complete.

..........just thought I'd add to my above posts...... ..........that convenience we are used to......is a factor of moving here..... ..........I recently stayed in a small uk town..... ..........and found it so easy for day to day living..... ..........the sheer choice....! ...........clothes shops ,supermarkets..... ............meals just needing a microwave..... ............a bus service ,regular and far reaching..... ............here you need to plan more.... ............to acess the variety of goods you often need the bigger towns and cities... ............the food available,you find more variety at the markets... .............making from scratch the usual ime way to go..... .............it is possible to find good restaurants.......but a concentrated choice you need the more populated areas.... .............distances being one of the biggest challenges initially.....soon becomes a way of life.... ..............but we are a creature of habit..... ...............a 20 min drive/ bus ride from home...... ...............a ready microwave meal.... ...............a flick of a switch for a climate controlled home.... ................a phone call and a relative to babysit at short notice..... .................may not be life here.... .................so migrating is not just moving ourselves and belongings.... ..................it's about changing the way with live.... ...................the mundane things......the shopping..... ....................planning more..... ....................managing without that family help..... .....................it's doable......in fact I found it a wonderful experience..... .....................but Australia is about so much more than sunny days.... ......................it's a way of life....IMO....

................just to add it's often the little things that try us....! ................a family supposedly returning to the uk because they couldn't find a cordial....! ................there would of been so much more than this.....but it's often the straw that breaks the camels back.... .................so it's about letting go of the familiar.........embracing the new.... .................being mentally and emotionally strong........ .................it's different........but it's a personal mindset to ensure that its in a good way....