H283

Update; Westpac charge a flat fee of $32 for international money transfers.

Here are my boxes! I have 4 transit and 4 book. Hopefully most of my stuff will squeeze in these!

Someone suggested that if the Uni students are on holidays there mgiht be the opportunity to rent a room short term in the halls of residence. Does anyone have any experience of this?

I remember doing a direct bank transfer from my Australian bank straight to my UK bank account. There was a small fee, but it was not much at all. You just need to know the IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and Sort code and Account number etc. You can find the IBN here; https://www.iban.com/ In Westpac log in an go to 'payments' 'add payee', then select the international option and fill in the blanks. I will see if I can find out how much it cost me in fees. Might be worth a shot if you only have to make one or two payments. (Not sure also wethere there is a limit per transaction however.)

Its tricky, because obviously the job hunt would be so much easier if everything is on the doorstep. I would be happy to stay at a BnB for a week or two, but what if I dont find a job in this time? I can live at my mums, but that is over an hour away and my transport would be limited. Also, if I put my address as here, would that cause employers to overlook my resume? I am certain that this is where I want to be based. I am happy to take a less qualified job for a short time as long as it allows mt to be in the area.

Assuming she had great memories of Oz maybe some Aussie art for the wall in her new home.

Moving back to the UK in July I have decided to base myself in Bournemouth. I have signed up to a few job sites as obviously I want to find a job as soon as possible when I get back. I also intend to find a house share to begin with. But, do I get the job first, then find accomodation after that, Or, do I find somewhere to live, even if I dont have a job yet? It is unlikely that I will have a car, so will be based about an hour away with limited public transport and very limited use of a car (thanks mum!) Obviously livning there will make the job hunt easier but it is hard to know where to base myself when I dont know where I will be working. Thoughts?

I dont want to finish the relationship. We have been together for 8 years and I love him. I guess I am just preparing myself for the worst case scenario where he decides to choose Oz over me. I am scared that my feelings towards going home will break us up. I have not really been fair to him recently, I have been distancing myself which I realise now is not really very helpful. We have had some really good chats recently and I think he is genuinely starting to see that going back to the UK would actully be a good thing. I know he is still not 100%, but it is better than his opionion a while back where he said 'I can't see anything that makes me want to come back'. I think a recent Skype call home where his parents, brother and nieces and nephews were all there made him realise the importance of having family around.

This is what I'm talking about! http://metro.co.uk/2014/05/12/11-reasons-dorset-is-the-best-place-to-live-in-the-uk-4722560/

Whenever possible I fly with Qantas. Cannot fault them. Decent enough food and good in flight service. It also helps having frequent flyer points, I am currently well on my way to a free flight back to the UK. (hint; get a credit card which earns ff points and join rental rewards so that you can pay rent with your credit card - points soon add up,) Qatar airways - appalling. They over booked my flight and sent me to Manchester (not Heathrow) when we arrived at Manchester we had to march from one end of the airport to another dragging our cases. Food and inflight entertainment all pretty ordinary. Give them a miss IMHO. Singapore airlines were great, as are Emirates.

Just thought I'd share my experience with regards to my move back to the UK and my packing progress! I will be moving back in July and will be shipping some small furniture items and boxes. My my quote is $1100 for the following inventory; 2 bedside cabinets 1 small set of drawers 1 medium chest of drawers 4 transit boxes (25kg max) 4 book boxes I am going to add a few more things to this (bike, coffee table and small bookcase) so they said the'd update the quote nearer the time with my additions! I collected the boxes from the depot, as they were used they were free, but in perfectly good condition. i have been really pleased with the service from Grace in Perth, really helpful and prompt. I will post some pictures and update my progress as I go.

I feel like I need to do something for me and to have a bit of space. To be honest, I guess I see him differently in the last few months (for a number of personal reasons I wont go into here) and am wanting him to also have some time apaert from me to decide wether he is prepared to make some sacrifices for me (and not just goegraphical sacrifices) He was absolutely adamant about staying - so if I know that deep down, how do I know that he wont want to come back after a year, 5 years, 10 years (when we potentially have kids which would make the situation far worse) I want him to want the same lfe that I want, and not just to want it beacuse I do. (To sum up; I love him and he is my best friend, but do I want to be with someone whose values are so different to mine?

I have lived in Perth for 7 years with my boyfriend (now fiancé). He initially got a job in Perth and I followed him out. To me it was jst an adventure and not forever. I am not sure how he felt about it at the time, I guess we didn’t really discuss it (which looking back we really should have done!) Anyway, 7 years later I have told him I want to move back (this is not a surprise to him - he knew how I felt all along) After a lot of discussion and a visit back at Christmas he said he still wants to stay in Perth, he said he did not see anything that made him want to return. I have told him this is not an option for me. We then decided the best option would be for me to return and make a go of things on my own. After say 6 months, we will then take stock and make a decision on what’s next; Either He joins me I return to Oz (I have said this is extremely unlikely) We go our separate ways I am planning my return for July. However - he is now saying that he will come and join me after 2 months and is planning his move back too. I am confused. All along he has been adamant about staying. I know deep down he doesn’t want to come back. I really feel like we need this time apart to be ourselves and decide what we want. I suppose I have accepted that this might the end for us, and in doing so am distancing myself from him, which I know is not fair. I am just confused and concerned that he is making a decision that will make him unhappy. I guess I just want him to stick to the original plan of 6 months to really give us time to decide what is right for us as individuals.

I have just read every post in this thread. What a nightmare! I hope that you are doing ok since you last post. I am in a similar situation in the my Finace will be staying in perth when I return in July. We will make a decision after some time apart. We are not married, which is why i feel for you, this is such a heartbreaking situation. Stay true to yourself is the only advice I can give.

Going back to Bournemouth area in July 2015 after 7 years in perth. Ooh, just hit me that it is really soon! Excited and scared, but I know it is where i belong!

Found a cool little map. Any other opinions on where to avoid?

I am heading back to the UK in July. I would like to send some of my things (basically clothes) back in the next few weeks so that they are there when I arrive. I was wondering what the best (cheapest) option would be. I had a look at Australi post, and a 5kg parcel will be $69 :arghh: I thought sea mail was the cheap option! Does anyone know of a better way for me to send clothes back home?

I guess I have always felt that Aus was not forever. It really hit me the last two times I had to say goodbye to my mum leaving the UK. I remember thinking - 'why am I putting us both through this?' Plan to return to the UK after 7 1/2 years in July.

* Family - Skype and phone just not the same as a family gathering around for Sunday lunch! I guess I value family very highly and want my children to as well * Christmas - Its just not Christmas in the sun! -mulled wine, turkey with frosty mornings beats Christmas on the beach * Belonging - To me, old friends are so important to have around - the ones you grew up with who really know you! * Distance - Part of my family when I was growing up, were in New Zealand, I guess to me it was always a bit sad that I didnt really know that side of my family that well. * Upbringing - I want my kids to have the upbringing I had - I had an awesome childhood! What seemed like endless summers playing with my cousins in the garden, walks with the family and dog in the New Forest, grandma knitting me jumpers and having to wear them when she visited, digging veggies in the garden with dad - the list is endless! Nice weather and better wages are great and I have (really) enjoyed having both, but long term, I see myself with everything listed above!

Ha ha, it has changed even in the last few years I have been here, when I first arrived nothing was open on a Sunday, but now I can happily :err: stroll around Coles on a Sunday. And remeber, I grew up in a Wiltshire village with little more that a corner shop, so I guess to me Perth is pretty cool! (But I agree, nothing like Melbourne and Sydney!)

Thak you for the words of encouragement. I am so scared about how this may turn out, but I know if I dont try, I will regret it. I sincerely hope my OH decides that a future in the UK is what he wants, but I also do not want him to resent me for making him stay somehwere that he does not love. He needs to decide where he will be happy, as do I. I guess time will tell!

Just an update. Me and my partner have made a decision about the best way forward regarding me wanting to leave and him wanting to stay in Perth. (He really wants to stay here for quality of life, I want to return as England is my home and feels it is where I belong) The plan is for me to return to the UK for around 6 months and see how I feel (once reality sets in!). Find a job and somewhere to live etc, to see if I feel differently. My partner will remain in Perth. We will then make a decision based on how we both feel after 6 months (or longer, or less!) Either he he will join me (after I have Sussed-out our 'new life', or I will come back (knowing the I gave it a shot). I guess it is a try before you buy scenario. Has as anyone else had a similar situation?

i have been spoilt living in Perth for 7 years, where there is usually quite a bit going on, so this sounds great!

I guess I just need to be somewhere out of the way of the nightlife, but close enough to public transport, with easy (ideally walkable) to the city centre. And to to know of any areas to avoid!

Glad it is now on your radar! I have always loved the south coast (holidays as a child) but like you, I need to be somewhere where there is a bit going on and good public transport (hopefully the public transport is ok - anyone have experience here?!) I grew up in a small village in Wilsthire, so know all too well what it is like to be 'stranded' with not a lot on your doorstep. I may consider this way of life again on the future, but right now its not where i need to be!