freyja5032

Just going over this thread, touched by some of the very helpful and thoughtful replies. As an update, looks like I might be heading to Sydney with a work transfer in the end! I don't have much notice so panicking a bit but as you can see I've obviously had this at the back or sometimes front of my mind for quite some time... thanks guys, once again x

This might sound silly but what do you mean by tax loading? Not sure what this term means. I'm not used to the thought of private medical! I will be 30 by the time I move....

Apologies it's taken so long but thank you all so very much for your helpful replies! Especially Snifter :-) Been busy trying to see as much of Europe as possible now, before the big move-ho!

My thoughts exactly. Thanks, just wondering if there is anything obvious I need to do when I get there now, I guess!

Thank you so much, Pom Queen! I work in admin support and not sure yet most of my friends are moving to Sydney and Melbourne. I haven't really kept in touch with anyone from Adelaide aside from the occasion Facebook like and comment. Would be good to see my old neighbourhood but again, worried about bursting the rose tinted bubble.

I can't believe how fast I received your response - thank you!!! So, this is going to sound like I am making excuses but I am focusing on European travel at the moment and the most I have ever paid for a return ticket is £150 so going round the planet is a big thing for me and don't take it lightly, I know it's common to go for a few weeks but my work has never allowed such long time off. By "everyone" I mean all the forums I have been reading and most recently all my closest friends due to them hooking up with Aussies! My plan has always been to see as much of Europe as possible and then head back - might be this not was not such a brilliant idea, IDK, but I'm in too deep now :wacko:

Hi all, I came across this forum a few times whilst doing research and while I am neither a POM or in Oz, I really associate with many of the people on here!! I have yet to find an exact example of my situation so here it goes: I was born and bred in Adelaide and left the country in 1999 as a pubescent 12 year old girl - worst timing possible, by the way (bear this in mind, those of you thinking of moving with a child at that age)!!! I moved around Europe during my teenage years and finally began my independent adult life at 19 all on my own in the UK. Due to this independence, I have never had the funds to go back to Australia and see how this rose tinted memory of a country is faring without me. Every time I meet fellow Aussies in London I realise how little of the Aussie in me is actually left. I am finally in a position in life to be able to consider visiting my homeland. In my THIRTIES. This really freaks me out, as I remember and know so little of the magical land everyone is moving to and I am very worried my bubble of an idealised place will burst upon my arrival. This part alone is terrifying me. But I understand I need to just take a leap of faith and try, otherwise I will one day regret not going back. I love the UK by the way, which makes my comfortable and set life at the moment a difficult thing to give up and leave behind. I cannot afford to just visit Oz, I would rather consider flying there knowing I am going to work and sample real life - not the holiday or backpacking adventure most of my friends and acquaintances are experiencing. I am in a good place as I am single, childless, homeless (i.e. I am renting, not owning property) and have an old childrens Australian passport tucked away somewhere, needing a much overdue renewal. However, I cannot find much help online regarding returning to Australia as an ADULT. Most people returning were already adults in the first place, have at least visited the country during their residence abroad, or were offered a job while still in their host country. I would appreciate any guidance, kind words, or financial advice such as would I receive any help from the government whilst settling back in, etc, anything I can't dig up on my own. Many thanks for reading this far and hope you can help!!