movingback

Agreed with Nicky. Sit on the left side and hope for a landing from the north. If you land from the south - over Botany Bay - you won't get any view.

Aussies aren't quite as submissive - if you do this, you're more likely to get them speeding past and giving you the finger in my experience!

I'd think impossible to get what you want for $600/week. Further out - Penrith, Richmond etc it would be possible but you'd be looking at a much longer commute (hour and a half?). Plus these areas are very hot in the summer and get down to freezing at night in the winter. I had a brief look - sutherland shire a compromise. Probably 50 mins - 1 hour on the train commute? Take a look at this house/area. http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-jannali-420482258

Are you buying or renting? What is your budget?

Ha this made me laugh. Especially true if you're heading to WA in my experience

I was there last year (passing through). It didn't look especially rough to me - just like a regular largish Qld town. Nothing special but I'm sure has pleasant areas to live as well.

https://www.divinecreatures.com.au/cat-accommodation If you've got loads of money...my friend was very happy with them.

Well as I said above I've recently spent 2 months in Manchester and didn't find it to be a shithole. Theres some lovely areas, as with any big city. Didsbury, Chorlton, Monton etc etc. Just need to find the right/affordable area. For me, at this point in time, its a better place to live than Sydney.

I'm also another northerner. Wouldn't consider moving back to the UK to live in the south - partly due to family reasons, but also cost and general feel. I have a friend from North Yorkshire who just finished a 3 month assignment working as a doctor in London. He hated it and said never again. Found the people rude, disrespectful and distracted by their busy lives. Couldn't wait to get on the train back to the north. No offence meant to anyone - to each their own.

I appreciate all the suggestions. I spent a few month back there 2 years ago (in October/November) so hopefully have a recent reminder of how the cold/grey/damp weather is before making the leap! I actually really enjoyed bundling up, crisp morning etc. I'm sure the novelty will wear off somewhat but so has the hot burning never ending humid Sydney summer days..I'll look in to Bury. Hadn't really considered it as it seems too far out but looks like its on the tram line. What is Ashton under Lyne like? I still can't get past Monton as well - may have to stretch the budget a bit and look at this: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-57793810.html

I did look at Levenshulme. It does look reasonable. I was hoping for somewhere a little bit greener - most of the streets seem to be terraced red brick houses with no trees and minmal front gardens. Burnage, the next suburb south looks a bit better?

I'm looking at moving back to the Manchester area this year (or, less likely, Leeds). Currently researching areas to buy. I'm an early 30s single male. Enjoy city life but also enjoy getting out in to the country for bike rides etc. Would prefer a small house with back garden but would also be ok with unit with if in a good area and access to outside space. Budget would be about 200,000 pounds. Chorlton/Didsbury look to be out of my price range. I like Monton, but again, a house looks to be out of my price range. Any advice on areas from people who have lived in the area recently?

Excellent post. The only thing I would add is to consider your $1m budget to buy. You wouldn't get a house within a decent area (or one you would want to live in) close to the CBD for this amount. A unit with large outside space - possibly.

Interesting. According to the news it was the second wettest day ever recorded in Perth. I'm used to east coast lows in Sydney drenching the city. I'd always associated Perth with nearly rainless summers - I didn't realise they could get such massive downpours.

Wish I was there. Sydney was an absolute stinker today

I'm an avid weather buff and reviewing the BOM website today, it looks like Perth was swamped last night - 115mm!! In the middle of summer! This is unheard of out there surely? Is there much flooding/damage?

As with anywhere this depends entirely on what you do. If you're in healthcare, a teacher etc you'll be better off in Brisbane as salaries are likely similar and housing costs much lower. If you're in financial services/banking I'd think you'd be paid less in Brisbane than in Sydney.

Any links to the business? Is it profitable? I Know a few people who might be interested.

The Main Street is fantastic, probably the best I've seen in Australia. The town seemed a bit droughty to me, but I think I was there during a dry period.

I think this is entirely location dependent no matter which country you live in. I agree with you in Sydney. However, if you move somewhere like Tamworth or the outer suburbs of Adelaide, agreed, most people in their 30's would be in relationships/have kids etc. And I suspect it is similar in the UK - London vs Truro for example.

How did you manage to take the test before even applying?? ! :wink:

The ceremony was good. All over in about an hour and then free champagne and Aussie snacks. Feeling a bit anti-climatic. Going out tonight to celebrate so should put me back in the mood!

Woot woot my ceremony is tomorrow! Then just need to get the passport organised and I'll be done with visas, passports and immi paperwork for a long time I hope! Almost there

Mine came through email. I didn't get anything through the post and it specifically said in the email that this was the only contact/invite I would receive. This is in Sydney, it may vary by council.

No I'll just do a regular passport application. I still have some jobs to do at work and organising to do. So long as I'm back for summer I'll be happy Good luck getting a ceremony!