Toots

Autumn in Tasmania

As well as the issues with the 457 visa, the cost of rental and the cost of living is high so it would be extremely tight moneywise on your wife's salary.

There are a few websites about living on Scotland Island. Here's one. https://www.homely.com.au/scotland-island-pittwater-sydney-greater-new-south-wales

I also used to feel the same each time my Mum or sister and brother left after staying with us. It's a horrible feeling of sadness but I always got over it. As Booma said, I never felt the same sadness after staying with them in the UK or wherever my siblings were living at the time.

^^^^^^ Perhaps Pura Vida but we were interviewed by 3 different people at different times. No matter - anyway we all got on with the job and each other and received a bonus each year so we must have been doing something right. I did notice after being there a few years a psychology test was part of the interview process. My God some of the duds who passed that were totally useless. No idea if that idea is still being used at interviews these days.

Moving back to a farm in Wales sounds wonderful Hard work but a great lifestyle. Let us know how you are going once you are back. Best wishes

Absolutely! Realistically, the grass is not greener. We've been lucky but I doubt if we would have been as happy or successful if we had emigrated recently rather than over 30 years ago. Things have very defintely changed over the past few years and not for the better.

I never personally came across any discrimination in the workplace and I happily worked alongside Aussies and migrants from China, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and other migrant Brits. We all must have come across at our job interview as the best person for the job.

Hermann Nitsch just wants his 15 minutes of fame. He is one of those so called controversial artists. Take Damien Hirst for example. He's made millions from his art work and little old philistine that I am wouldn't give you 5 cents for any of his stuff.

Beautiful day here in Devonport. 21C not a cloud in the sky and very still - no breeze at all. Went for a swim at the beach. Lots of children splashing about enjoying the Easter school holiday.

This little house in Ulverstone look nice. Ulverstone is a very nice little town with lots of retired folk living there. http://www.realestate.com.au/property-villa-tas-ulverstone-124009206

We live in Devonport. Here is some Devonport info: http://tasmaniasnorthwest.com.au/explore/devonport-and-surrounds/devonport/#1 There are some very nice little bungalow style homes within your price range.

As Quoll says love is a funny old thing. Must be awful making a choice - UK or here with the man you love. Hope it all works out for you. I married an Australian and moved from the UK after we had been married 5 years (been here nearly 36 years now). Thankfully it has all worked out but it also meant lots of holidays back to the UK over the years. Will always love the UK but I also love living here. Good luck to you - whatever you decide.

We have had lovely weather over Easter. Definitely starting to get a bit cooler but people still swimming at the beach on Good Friday. The leaves are changing colour now so a real autumn has arrived.

I must be the odd one out here. I really enjoyed life in Sydney for well over 20 years and it was only getting to retirement age that I decided I'd had enough of city living. I used to spend most weekends with friends on their property near Bathurst where we shared a horse. After they sold up and moved to Nelson Bay husband and I started looking for a place outside Sydney. Looked at lots of places south of Sydney and nearly bought a house near Ulladulla but in the end we both preferred Tasmania where we had spent many happy holidays. Our 2nd son has his own place in Newtown (Sydney) and has a good job and is very content there - good friends and a girlfriend. Other son overseas. We were very lucky to buy in Sydney when house prices were"normal". Wouldn't like to be starting out there all over again now. I haven't been back since we moved here (over 3 years ago) but it's my turn to catch up with friends - they have been here a couple of times - so I'm looking forward to seeing the place again.

You're not kidding. Psychologists seem to be everywhere - schools, medical centers, referrals from workplace etc. I wonder if they actually do any good. Bet there are some rubbish ones out there.

Why couldn't your wife retrain as a psychotherapist here? I know a woman in Bowral, NSW who retrained as a psychotherapist when she was 62.

So many gorgeous beaches around Sydney and Bondi is definitely the worst. It seems to still attract loads of UK and European backpackers though.

I didn't take any of these pics. North coast of Tasmania Boat Harbour Mount Roland Fields of tulips Fields of lavender

I lived in Sydney for over 20 years and couldn't wait to get out of it. There are lovely parts of the city but overall it's just to big and busy for me. Have to say I was never bored. Always found loads of stuff to do. Also my OH and I had good, steady, well paying jobs which gave us a good standard of living so I can't knock Sydney as far as employment is concerned. Funnily enough I don't like Darling Harbour at all. So after your reccie have you decided where you might end up?

Hoxton Park is one of the many western suburbs of Sydney. It's close to the suburb of Liverpool.

What a lot of ups and downs you and your husband have had! I don't blame you for wanting to return to the UK. Hope life will be better for you there. Good luck.

I used to like chocolate digestives and hobnobs but I find them too sickly sweet now.

I watched a 3 year old TV show Boomtown about Perth/WA. One couple had paid over 3 million bucks for a largish new townhouse in Subiaco I think it was then the wife wanted it totally re-done and they were prepared to pay nearly another million for that. Just throwing money away.

As far as I know, yes you do have to reside in Australia to qualify for the Aussie pension.