Toots

@Adam 005 I don't know your age but please be aware most Australian visas have an age limit of 44 meaning that those who have attained the age of 45 years are not eligible to apply for an Australian visa.

Honestly, I think you would find it too hard. You could end up hating it here. Read what Nemesis has posted above. That has caused a lot of problems for many migrants who yearn to return to their home country.

You say you your wife has family in Australia. Does family mean her parents? If not, how do her parents feel about you all moving to Australia?

Most migrants will tell you that it not an easy thing to do. In fact it is probably one of the hardest parts of migrating. Have you mentioned that you are thinking of moving to Australia? If so what was their reaction? Do you have siblings in the UK? It is an even harder decision for an only child. Have to say, I can also understand why your wife wants to be closer to her own parents. Yes, a hard decision. Good luck with it all.

The OP's application for an RRV was refused. With a bit of luck the son will be fine?

It does seem very unlikely but the whole immigration system works in very mysterious ways so who knows, he may by lucky.

I'm happy to say the years I worked in Europe and the USA I never had to see a doctor or go to a hospital. I was hoping I would be like my Mum who never had to go to hospital in her life even to have her babies. The only time she was in hospital was for the 5 days before the end of her life. Unfortunately I didn't inherit her robust good health but even so I reckon I'm still pretty healthy for an old dame. I'm glad I don't have to work in a Walmart type of place to pay for healthcare as you have described. After living in Sydney for years and years, living in Tasmania is like going back in time which suits me just fine.

Your GP sounds like a shocker and anyway isn't it against the hippocratic oath to divulge a patient's health care to anyone?

In an ideal world healthcare would be free for everyone - I agree with you there. I've never broken a bone (touch wood) but due to an inherited heart problem I do have to attend hospital now and again to keep an eye on things. Can't fault the care I've been given and ambulances are free here in Tassie - not that I've ever needed one. Hope you wife is back to good health now.

I do understand how you feel. I NEVER got used to the goodbyes when my Mum returned to Scotland after a few months here every 2nd year. It was very hard. I have always been happy in Australia but when you migrate, leaving a close loving family is without doubt the hardest part .............. it was for me even though I had lived in other countries before migrating. I have been here over 40 years now. Mum died a number of years ago but my sister comes for 3 months to visit. Many migrants return to their country of origin as they find being apart from their families too difficult. Enjoy your parents visit in February. See how you feel when they return - as I said, it isn't at all easy but life returns to normal and you just seem to get on with it.

I think migrants from the UK have to remember this is not the UK with the NHS. It's a different country and things are done differently here. It's not much use comparing the two,

Same here.

Your poor wife. That must have been horrible for her. Are you in Sydney? I'm wondering which hospital she was in. I didn't like Canterbury hospital at all but I had good (if you can call being in hospital good) care in Royal Prince Alfred and the North Shore. I think most people in Australia are prepared to pay when they go to a doctor unless that surgery bulk bills.

For some reason I thought you had already returned to the UK? Must have muddled you up with someone else. I think it depends where you live when it comes to the quality of healthcare. God knows Tasmania has its problems with regard to healthcare but we've been very lucky so far. Our GP is excellent and I'm always hoping she stays here as so many of them move to the mainland cities.

Also to be aware of shortage of rentals. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-26/how-the-rental-market-broke-can-it-be-fixed/102767494

Breezy, sunny day and only 19C but I forgot to put on a hat and my face is a bit pink.

We had a dander to great lake on Monday for a couple of days. Had snow on Tuesday That was fine as I enjoy a bit of weather. Liawanee, a very small town nearby is one of the coldest places in Tasmania and is literally in the middle of nowhere. Our dog loved to run wild for a few days. I didn't take the photos but this is what it looked like. The snow only lay for less than a day.

I'm one of the old timers here. Like some of your friends I would only go back to the UK for a holiday. I only have my sister in the UK now and as she looks forward to coming here for 3 months holiday every year I just don't have that urge to go back to the UK at all anymore. Just been speaking to my sister and she says the weather is wet and miserable where she is so I was able to tell her it is pouring with rain here too.

Yes, I should never have mentioned the Devonport hoon in his lime green ute and his appalling driving. That'll teach me.

If you approach a 4-way intersection at the same time as a vehicle who is approaching from your right and they appear to be travelling straight ahead, give way to your right. If you approach a 4-way intersection at the same time as a vehicle who is approaching from your left and right and both appear to be travelling straight ahead, give way to both. The moron in the green ute just flew through the intersection without looking at all even though he was supposed give way. There is a raised circle in the middle of the intersection with some trees in the middle of it. Devonport has loads of those roundabout things. It's not hard to understand what you are supposed to do.

I don't think you get it. He was supposed to stop. Instead he sped through. He is also one of the local morons who speed through lights when they turn red. We all recognise him. He drives a lime green ute. One day he won't be so lucky.

I was coming home in the car this morning and I had right of way on the roundabout when a car hurtled down the street and didn't even look and shot through right in front of me. Luckily I am an old chook who through past experience takes my time but if I had being going at a fair pace I would have hit him hard side on. The air was blue with very unladylike expletives I can tell you.

Devonport is a town full of roundabouts and 70% of people have no idea how they are meant to work. Appalling drivers here too.

I hope you are also considering your own health reasons. You were terribly homesick in Australia and feeling very depressed and you were also worried about your parents in the UK. Surely the NHS isn't that bad now for treating your husband. It's a big decision moving across the world again but hope it all works out for you.

When my two were at school both primary and high school had a roofed area outside with tables and benches. Always took a packed lunch or bought something from the canteen.