Martinbjulieb

Hi @PatrickA we have done just this only last March. Our children had just started years 7 and 9 in Australia when we moved at the beginning of March. Obviously the schools were more than half way through the school year here so we wanted to put them back a year. HOWEVER, had we known before we left Australia that school places are approved by local councils and if you want to put a child back a year it has to be approved by them, we would have instigated the process before we left. So the temporary school that they went to when we arrived whilst we were living in a holiday rental and waiting for my husband to find a job could not let us put them back a year. For the remaining term they stayed in their appropriate year and then once we moved to our permanent home we were able to address the matter properly, made easier as we chose an Academy school which have their own say in such matters and it was not a problem at all. So, in September our son started year 9 again but our daughter started year 8 (her correct year) as it was agreed that she has more than enough time to catch up. So if you know where you are moving first approach the school to see what their admissions policy is, ie is it done through the Council or directly, if it is done through the council I would say that you would need their approval to put a student back for a year. PM me if you want anymore info. 

Good luck.

We were in Perth for 10 years and your reasons for wanting to move back were exactly ours for moving back last March. Definitely do it whilst your kids are younger, ours were 11 and 13 when we came back last year and whilst we haven’t had any real issues, they were both very happy to move, we wish we had been braver a few years before! PM me if you want any help or advice on moving from Perth. I have done a few posts on here with lots of information too. Good luck, and don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you are mad. We simply could not bear the thought of being in Perth for the rest of our lives and like others have said, once your kids grow up and settle down there might be grand children and then you will be stuck. My biggest nightmare thought was that one day our children would say “right, we’re off to England to see what it is like there for a few years” and us being trapped in Perth! 

@ajcooper My husbands licence had expired, we just got the forms from the postoffice, had a new photo done and sent it off. If you have your expired licence then send that too. Then once you have your licence you can change addresses online through the GOV.UK website.

We too had a “space” problem last March when we returned with four of us, four cases and a dog and crate! We unscrewed the crate and stacked the pieces inside each other and then put bags or anything we could inside it. Good luck @Nijallo

On 23/01/2018 at 07:10, torn said:

Yes I feel like it's a now or never situation as my 8 year old will soon become too old to move I think. I like Brisbane but it's too humid and hot for me and Perth is just too far away from anything (sorry to those who live in and love Perth :)) Melbourne I think is slightly more affordable than Sydney (not by much though) but at least doesn't have the humidity. It seems to have ridiculous heatwaves but they break unlike here in Canberra where it's just never ending now. 

It definitely is, one of our many reasons for returning to the U.K. after 10 years. Also Perth is unbelievably hot, from November to April it was unbearable (for us) others love it but we found it debilitating. We grew to love July and August! 

8 hours ago, Beckfield said:

• Hello Ryan&Rosie,  we're in a similar situation.  My research has shown that the vast majority of animals doing this long trip cope very well.  Ours are doing the one with the overnight stop in Dubai, after deliberating about "getting it over with" asap and not having a stop, or giving them a stop where they can hopefully rest and have a break from travelling.   A family member did the trip with his 13 year old cat and it went very well.  The only problem with that was the company's driver who took the cat from Heathrow to Gloucestershire was not very nice and complained about the cat miaowing all the way, then threw the cage down when he got there (and yes there were repercussions).  Aside from that it went very well.  I have made personal contact with the sub-company who do the UK driving component, in light of the experience I just relayed and have also researched them.  Nothing adverse so far... All the best with it.  

We came back last March with our then 2 year old Bedlingon Terrier. Despite being a Terrier she is very nervous and is literally at our side 24/7. She was absolutely fine on the journey. We used Dogtainers (Perth) and they were fabulous. She flew very early in the morning and they came to our house to pick her up. 

I believe that animals have to have a stop over of at least 7 hours in Dubai (or wherever) as a comfort break. She actually had a bit longer there. I even contacted the animal centre and spoke to someone who immediately went away to find out about her and called me back to let me know how she was. We flew into Manchester and she was ready 90 minutes after we landed. However, I believe last April the rules changed and they now take longer to clear customs but your chosen company will let you know about that. Good luck.

On 30/10/2017 at 10:58, Pixie77 said:

OK thanks.... His super company have said they can release it & we've been sent forms so I'll go & double check. Thanks 

Hi @Pixie77 did you find out anything from your super company? This is something we are interested in. It seems Australian super companies are eager for you to transfer pensions from the U.K. over there but when it comes to moving them back they are not so eager?

I agree with Pom Queen. Basically the TOR is just a list of what you own and are bringing over. We insured with LP on a 20ft container from Chess, including a Harley motorbike and it was around £450. Note that you cannot insure jewellery so take anything like that in your hand luggage. Also if you bring your boat Customs will state that you cannot sell it for a year or else you will have to pay the VAT that would have been due. I am saying this as this is what happened with our bike so I assume a boat will be the same. Also LP insure your belongings for up to 3 months after docking if they are going into storage. For furniture I would look at the cost of replacement over here because that is how claims are based. We had a claim and LP were fantastic and paid within 2 weeks.

Yes, definitely ship white goods back if you have room and they are  in good working order. We shipped our fridge, 10 years old but still works properly. We used it as a second fridge after a while there and the inside light broke. Miraculously it has started working again since being back?Also bought our drier. 

On 18/09/2017 at 03:06, Nunu10 said:

Thanks again everyone for all your advice!

Thought it was time to update after this original post I made in July. Well we made the decision to go back to the UK and now it's all happening!!

Hubby flies our TODAY ..... after following advice on here and putting some feelers out for jobs in the UK, we were surprised how receptive employers were to considering a candidate who wasn't even in the UK. He was offered a job after 3 skype Interviews with one company and he starts next week!!!!!!! We still can't quite believe it

The kids and I will be in Perth for another 80 days and are busy packing and selling and sorting..... but we will be home in time for Christmas and cannot wait.

It's a rollercoaster isn't it just! But so far, so good!!!

 

 

Fantastic!! It will fly by. Any questions about the move you can PM me if you like!

Where are you moving to?

Welcome home LKC. Now you have your internet up and running I will reply to your email!! ? J 

Downderry in Cornwall.


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Very happy for you! You will be on home soil before you know it.

Good luck with it all[emoji4]

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Premium Bonds?? No risk and you can withdraw them whenever you want.
Limit is £50k per person I think.



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Hi Martinbjulieb - that is really helpful and very similar to our situation.  Whilst your son would be almost 17 when finishing Year 11 ours would be 17.5yrs.  It is certainly something to pursue.  Out of interest, what part of the UK are you?  Also, is your son in a government or public (fee paying) school?
Thanks again for sharing your experience.

We came back in March and our children had just started Years 7 and 9 in Australia. For the end of school year in the U.K. our son went back to Year 8 and will start a full year of Year 9 in September. Daughter is going to Year 8 in September as she still has time to catch up. Both June birthdays and have just turned 14 and 12.
The school was fully supportive of our request to hold back a year.


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Wear it definitely.


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On 11/08/2017 at 05:45, Phil & Vikki said:

We have not moved back yet, but from what we hear we are counting on a few months on the boat and a few weeks to be cleared.

You shouldn't be a few months on the boat, unless you ask for a delayed shipment. Our shipment left Perth on the 6th March and arrived on the 5th of April. Cleared customs by the 11th, which included a weekend.

Our stuff arrived on the 5th April which was a Wednesday and  was cleared by the 11th. So that was 7 days which included a weekend.

My parents bought Premium Bonds for our children. No problem having them when you don't live in the UK and you can register and manage online.


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2 hours ago, ScottieGirl said:

That said POF is required for all buyers not cash buyers. Mortgagees have to show they have approval in place, there is standard documentation which shows how much they can borrow.  I can see why, there is very little stock on the market but quite a few sales round here are falling through so if buyers have more than one offer they may want to choose the safest.

Absolutely they would want to choose the safest. The same anywhere I guess. In Perth we had an offer but the buyers were coming from South Africa and both didn't have full residency. Naturally we turned that down!! Too risky!! 

On 08/08/2017 at 07:22, Mhags said:

So one week on ... Discovering the delights ( not) of Facebook selling! NIL! NIL! Waaaaaah! But as someone picked up my butchers block she remarked she liked the plants on the back door steps...sold for $30! 

Can anyone give me a rough idea of what a 20' container will likely cost? All our expenses were paid by Scott's company when we moved here and they were very generous! Now it's my purse that's paying! 

 

Anyone recommend particular Shippers? We used Britannia leaving UK who are Chess Wilson out here, I don't want to feel ripped off but if I had a rough idea beforehand might numb the shock! 

We have so much 'stuff' and I'm determined I'm not taking any crap back and trying hard not to be over emotional about things.

 

have managed to chuck out my 40th birthday cards (8 years ago) and last year's Christmas cards...wondering why I'd ever kept them.

 

onwards...10 weeks and counting down! 

We used Chess who in turn used Britannia at this end. 20 ft container cost us just under $8k including a motorbike crate. They originally quoted us a bit more but I did a bit of haggling! Very happy with them. Used Letton Percival for insurance.

Good luck for the move and our condolences on your sad loss.?

Is there any way to show proof of funds without displaying your bank statement? I'm in a similar position and looking at a cash purchase and wondered if there's another way, maybe the bank would certify that there are adequate funds or something like that.

Love a good whinge.

We’ve been here 10 years+ now and have ties that can’t be undone; otherwise I would be out of here like a shot.

House – Like the OP, I never thought I would be spending more than 550,000 anything on a home, not even Lira or Rupiah. Our house defies all the laws of thermodynamics, it’s considerably colder inside than out, all surfaces acting like anti-radiators. The workmanship throughout is extremely poor, everything having a short lifespan including fixtures and fittings which are very cheaply made but not so cheap to get fitted. We have reverse cycle air-con which isn’t a patch on central heating, it becomes stifling very quickly then the heat dissipates in seconds once you turn it off. It’s our home but I feel no massive affinity towards it, even after 8 years.

Pool – I don’t know who these people are who swim in Perth in October, they must have volcanic springs under the house. I went in once before Xmas last summer and about half a dozen times afterwards. Biggest money pit in existence. Pools are OK if you have young kids who will get in regardless of the weather otherwise I’d avoid. Expensive mistake to learn for us. You could throw even more money at it and get your pool heated to buy you another 2 months swimming but after a while, you lose the will.

Neighbours – Know them to say Hello to, after 8 years. Our street is like a graveyard after about 6pm.

Night-time – Speaking of 6pm, why does 6pm feel like midnight? Even if I nip to the shops about 6.30pm, it feels like the middle of the night. The only way to counter this is to go to bed about 8pm. Which we do.

TV – Atrocious, takes 4 hours to watch a movie. If you hate TV sport, you’ve had it, as sporting events are prime-time here. Everything else is reality TV with deadheads or celeb TV with people you’ve never heard of. And 4 presenters being rotated as nauseum.

Aussies – After 10+ years, I still don’t get them. The older ones are OK, the younger ones I struggle with in the main. That whole laid-back Aussie thing, I don’t buy it, they’re rude and aggressive. And lazy, I guess that’s where the ‘laid-back’ possibly comes in. We moved to Australia determined not to buy into ‘Little Britain’ but that didn’t last long, you need people to relate to. Aussies are very different to us, fair enough I guess. But I’d say most people aren’t expecting it. Plus, sense of humour that would shame a German.

Social life – The wife and I go out but I wouldn’t exactly call it socialising, we sit in places where other people are but that’s about it. Pubs aren’t the same and the cost is really prohibitive. The only thriving business sector in Perth is Bottleshops, most people tend to be stop-at-home alcoholics. If they’re not into ice that is.

Eating & drinking – Here’s last week’s examples; the wife and her mate went to a Chinese in Jindalee, they got 1 prawn dish and 1 special fried rice, drank table water, $48. That’s 28 pound. For 1 meal. Between them. Then Saturday we went to Noble Falls for a walk, went the Tavern for lunch. $150, I had 3 pints. 2 meals and a pint and a half was $87. Then Sunday we took our nieces for lunch to a place in Mindarie. $150 for 2 adults, 2 kids. I had 2 ciders. It’s an absolute rip-off. Plus, it’s so hit-and-miss in terms of quality it makes it pointless. There’s a reason why the National dish of Australia is Hungry Jacks, it’s cheap and the same everywhere. I know Wetherspoons is rubbish but casual dining in the UK is better quality for a fraction of the price.

Other rip-offs – Bought some kitchen lights from a major retailer start of June, had to order them. $450. A month later, no contact so we went in. 16 year clerk told us ‘sorry no stock, I’ll try and order but it might be September’. When I asked whether anyone was ever going to contact us to inform us of this or whether they were just going to keep the $450 for a laugh, he just shrugged and said ‘nothing to do with me’.

Tradesman – Rip-off, and very poor.

Jobs – My wife was a Senior Project Manager in Economic Regeneration in the UK. Here she is an Event Coordinator in an old people’s home because it’s all she could get 10 years ago. She likes it but it’s not her career, she is never shortlisted for any jobs she goes for. I work in IT and am working on stuff I wouldn’t have bothered with 15 years ago in the UK. Don’t whatever you do make a career move to Perth unless you’re a labourer or a brickie or whatever. And those days are gone I think.

Culture – Prepare to lose track of anything contemporary. It’s 1982 in Perth.

Your kids – Most people move here for a better life for their kids. I agree that for little ones, it’s great, there’s parks and beaches galore and the summer allows a great outdoor life. However, once your kids hit mid-teens, they will be bored shitless unless (i) they are high academic achievers or (ii) they are very sporty. Not much doing here for teens and young adults, no jobs, $12 a pint, highlight of your week is an out-of-control party and a run-in with police, whilst off your cake on spliffs and cheap grog. No thanks.

The good stuff:



Scenery – The beach, The Hills, the walks, all very nice, I like them. If you live anywhere in Perth, make it the Hills. It’s beautiful. Everywhere else is lame, new (or embarrassingly 80s) and sterile.
Thanks for listening. xx

there is a lot of antagonism towards people coming from outside with new ideas, or at least that was mine and my wife's experience,