CatMoose

Hi all I'm moving back to Oz next January, possibly Melbourne for work reasons. While I loved Melbourne 15 years ago for its hustle and bustle, I'm now after a quieter life without it being completely dead! I'm after nice cafes and restaurants and not too far from the CBD. Any ideas?

Hi all In brief, I adopted my cat as a kitten in Australia 9 years ago . I flew him back to the UK with me through JetPets who were absolutely brilliant. He was fine and adjusted no problems. Due to personal circumstances it now looks like I'll be returning to Australia next year. He's my best mate and I can't imagine not having him by my side, but I'm anxious about another long haul flight for him, especially given that he'll also need to go into quarantine. I will use another company to transport him and I'm taking him to the vet this afternoon for a health check and to get the vet's opinion. Just wondering what other folks think. Jo * Please spare me the 'Aussies don't like cats' thing. I adopted him over there as a kitten and god knows there were hundreds to choose from. Aussies are the same as us, a nation of animal lovers. I'm aware of local and state guidance around pet containment and was advised about keeping him indoors by the Aussie vets and followed local and state guidelines. Interestingly my Aussie girlfriend refused outright to keep her own cat inside.

Rural England? So did you commute? How much did you spend on petrol? How much council tax and insurance did you pay? How much of a single person's salary do you think is left over from renting here in England?? I'm not going to to get into debates here because when I moved to Oz last time I learned that much of what is on here is nonsense. Likewise, the fearmongering I was subjected to regarding how difficult I would find things when I returned to the UK was also garbage. Might have made myself clearer by saying the affordability of renting in Oz is so much better for me given salaries and other outgoings. And leave it at that.

I'm interested in what single people are paying for utility bills, transport and so on.... helps with then working out rent and commuting options

Hi all I'm probably about to start a bit of a debate but ..... I'm working out the logistics for a move back to Australia next year (Covid dependant). I lived in Adelaide for 7 years before returning to the UK in 2017. I didn't keep any old bank statements so I don't recall ball park figures for utility bill costs etc. I know that Victoria isn't South Australia obviously and MUCH will be relative, but some costs are absolute like MYKI etc If there are any single folks out there, are you okay to advise me of to monthly costs? I already know my rent target. Thanks in advance

Brexit has battered us here (financially and culturally). The pandemic has also (obviously) severely affected the economy while the wealthy get wealthier from it. I'm done, if I can work out the logistics, I'm back to Oz in a heartbeat.

I am working on the costs - very much so because it's a big move. Please also remember than in the UK, I will pay almost $200 a month in council tax, national insurance out of my salary, MOTs are law and if your car fails you will need to fix it before you drive it, I also pay $30 a month simply for owning a TV. Petrol is also much higher than in Australia as are our trains. There's a reason I was managing to save money back in Australia and not the UK. Finally, you'll need to consider the amount of work available in your profession. Much healthier in Oz.

Not at all ... given what I would earn in Melbourne, accommodation is a) more readily available and b) more affordable than in the UK

For sure, I would only ever comment on my own situation, wouldn't have a clue about any other profession. But with rent being what it is over here in the UK, my quality of life is now far less than it was in Oz. Also...god I miss Australian coffee!!

Salaries. Which is the main reason I'm planning on moving back to Australia. I moved back to the UK for multiple reasons, but 4 years later, I'm broke and simply can't afford to do what I wanted to. Don't even start me on Brexit.

Have also done the same and heard nothing. I flew my cat back to the UK with Jet Pets who were brilliant. This doesn't inspire me with much confidence.

I'm glad too... Meanwhile... if you think I was alone you're very wrong. Most renters I knew had a pet they had to sneak in. If the laws were sensible at the time we wouldn't have had to. Damage is damage at the end of the day. Also, the animal rescue places in SA were in a critical state as so many people were being forced to give up pets. It's this factor and a LOT of lobbying by tenants that eventually led to law changes. As for my situation? He was a house cat and ALL of my properties were professionally cleaned on leaving them. The last two properties I was given permission. Cheers

I'm now back in the UK (lived in Adelaide from 2009 to 2016) and looking to return to Oz with my Aussie cat Ralph. Myself and everyone I knew did not admit to having a cat - otherwise we would have had VERY FEW rental options in Adelaide. For me, I knew I would be an exceptional tenant and I was - in 5 properties. Houses were left immaculately clean and I had no problems with cat, owners or bond returns. Some people might not like it, but ...... had no choice. Bad tenants are bad tenants and won't care about someone else's property irrespective of whether they have pets or not,

Let me answer that for you I'm earning £38,000 a year in Australia- the salary I left in the U.K. was £24,000 and it's what I'll be going back to. Not to mention a crap pound thanks to the Brexit genii. In South Australia we talk about how hot the summer will be, not wonder if we'll even have one. People are more open and friendly in Australia I couldn't believe the litter and dirty streets when I went back for a visit to the UK in July compared to South Australia I find Australia, far more family friendly than the UK Australia offers a better outdoors life than the UK does I would suggest that Australia would offer most people a better life in a lot of ways, particularly if you have a family. There are many ways in which I prefer the UK, my civil rights being a big one. However, my main reasons are family and the opportunity to reimmerse myself in European culture. As always, to each their own. What works for one - will not work for another and that's as it should be. Life would be dull if we were all the same. Happy decisons and travels people

Great response - 2 thumbs up duck !

Ha! I'm a Leicester lass and I'm moving back to the UK In January (not Leicester though - a bit TOO near the family! But that's kind of the point. Nowhere in the U.k is all that far away is it? I went back to Leicester in the summer and me and a friend had tickets to see Leicester play Celtic. We drove there... Certianly helped to make my final decision to return.

I'm also bemused and the poor OP must be dreading reading these threads to get some rational points. I came over to Australia 7 years ago and used Poms in Oz to garner much needed advice in advance. Once here, I refused to consider myself an ex pat and threw myself into the lifestyle. I can't imagine spending all those years on an ex pat forum having a dig at people choosing to return. I was too busy getting my citizenship and enjoying myself. Im back on here now because I'm moving back to he U.K in January - but dear god, the negativity! To be honest, the people I want to hear from are those who have moved back and can give me some ideas and advice. If you love Australia and have no desire to return to the UK then I'm genuinely chuffed for you - seriously- but carping on about how 'crap' the U.K. is is pointless. The OP is hopefully picking thorugh the thread and getting the info needs.

Sorry - but I find the attitude of the British government towards foreign employees (and school children ffs) sickening. To each their own, but even over here in Australia I registered to vote by proxy to try and avoid Brexit. That's for another forum. Like I said, the state of UK politics is not a factor in me returning and I'm not going to get into it here.

Hi everyone I apologise if this has been answered anywhere else but I can't find it. I'm returning to the UK in January and I'll only be taking maybe 4 boxes of personal items back too (oh and a fat cat who at this point has NO idea :nah:) Other than Aus Post - does anyone know of a company I could use to send that stuff back? It literally is only about 4 moving boxes full. Again, apologies if it's had a mention elsewhere Cheers

I'm typing this from my sunny office in Adelaide . I'm on my way back to the UK in January. I've all but given up getting a job in advance (though I won't stop trying). Your post is very reassuring and a lovely way to finish my week. All the things you describe are what I miss, so it's nice to hear someone else mentioning them. I'm also looking at Manchester work wise but it'll probably have to wait until I get back to Blighty now. Good to hear your thoughts - would be interested in future updates too

You've a job to go back to?? And you're still concerned??!! Sheesh! I'm planning on going back in January. I'm trying to get a job in advance but it's proving difficult. At this point it looks like me and my cat will be moving into a friend's spare room in Wolverhampton while I job hunt. £40,000 salary?! Christ I've never earned anything like that amount. My line of work pays mid twenties. Mate to be honest, if you're going back with cash, AND a job to go back to, you should be able to save up enough to return to Oz in a couple of years time if it doesn't work out. Why not bank your cash in the UK and rent for a year to see how you get on back there? Your daughter is an adult, she'll do as she likes and rightly so. Can't speak for your son but teenagers adapt. I agree with people's concern about xenophobic shite in the UK at the moment, but it still won't put me off. I'm personally tired of how far behind the times Oz is in many ways, but that's my own personal opinion. I won't be returning to my home town - an hour away from my family is a minimum requirement! I love them dearly but I've no desire to be at their beck and call again. If I were you I'd go and treat it as a bit of an adventure, Couple of years seeing a bit of Europe and enjoying the cultural delights of the UK. Remember - it's the UK, not Mars. You can always come back, best of luck!

Lot more bigotry over here.

'Mate' ?? Just spoken to Lloyds in the UK, I'll keep you posted. No, really.

The rules are similar to many Western countries who are upping security against terrorism and fraud. I'd still refute the suggestion that closing mine before moving here was a bad move. The negativity and judgement of people on this forum is embarrassing.

I have no concerns whatsoever of opening a new UK bank account after living for 7 years in Australia. We are talking about the UK aren't we not North Korea??