Beckfield

3 hours ago, Toots said:

You won't be considered a foreigner.  I'm sure another member who has left Australia to return to the UK after living here for years will answer any of your queries.

Good luck!

Thank you Toots.  I really hope you're right !  

I don't know if anyone has been in this position...  would welcome others' thoughts and experiences.  We're desperately trying to sell house to return home.  It's been nearly 6 months and nothing promising on the horizon so far.  Am wondering if it will ever sell, and also wondering whether it was just a silly dream thinking I could go home after so many decades of living in this country which has never been home for any of us.  Should have done it earlier but elderly parents, kids' education, lack of funds...  etc etc always something prevented us taking the step.  I am also a bit nervous that when I get there I will be considered a foreigner.  Am rather ashamed that I don't know much British history, never having learnt it here.  Not sure whether I'm being a total idiot in doing this, but somehow I just have to go home.  I don't want to die here.  I don't belong here.  Can anyone else relate or am I an absolute alien??

On ‎7‎/‎23‎/‎2017 at 12:38, Taff said:

Been in Aus for 16 years, and am now in the process of moving back.

Hi Taff,  Just want to wish you all the best with your move home.  Not long to wait now... just a few weeks.  We are going home too, as soon as the house sells.  Wish it would hurry up.  I'll be interested to hear how it goes and what the best things about being back are for you.  

On ‎11‎/‎3‎/‎2017 at 16:58, Home and Happy said:

I think you will see it through a different pair of eyes once you get back.  So much to see and do in UK.   

Yes, I'm sure you're right.  It will be a culture shock. We live in the bush.  Nothing whatsoever to do here !!  Just need to sell the house - easier said than done.  

Wow you have a lot on your plate.  The situation will change and everything passes, as we all know, but your stress levels are something you can control and I really think you need to do a 10 minute relaxation each day, - relaxing music, sink into comfy chair and focus on breathing slowly in and out.  YouTube Bill Douglas Peace As a Running Wave to You - marvelous for relaxation.  Your dilemma will change and it will all work out.  It's just hard at the moment but that will pass...  promise!   I wish you all the best. xx 

@vickyplum Thank you,  good info!  I just learned yesterday what leasehold and freehold are.  So many differences.  Appreciate your input.  

@The Pom Queen You may well be right !!  I've never heard of it, but by the sounds of it I probably wouldn't want one anyway.  Think I'll stick to looking for a normal house.  

@The Pom Queen  the one I was referring to was in North Yorkshire.  

38 minutes ago, Gbye grey sky said:

I should add that you should be cautious of conversions because downstairs a bathroom has been added and upstairs a kitchen and it can lead to poor configurations and inadequate room sizes.  But the big problem is often inadequate sound-proofing so you get to hear the people above moving around and you know what they are watching on TV etc.

Hi Gbye Grey Sky, I'm not sure if my response to your answer re maisonettes was submitted properly so repeating it here for safety's sake.  Many thanks for your explanation.  I am particularly glad you mentioned about caution re neighbor noise, as that would drive me nuts, hearing other people's TVs etc.  Thank you!   

Hi everyone, we are looking at houses for sale in England as we'll be going back within next few months.  Can anyone tell me please, what is a "maisonette"?  Is it half a house??  Or a duplex??  Thank you!  

@Home and Happy Thank you.  I am so glad to hear comments like yours.  I am, above everything else, looking forward to being in my own country.  

@bunbury61  Yes, I agree with what you say.  There's also an element of anxiety in that we've lived here so long now, what if I get home and feel like an alien.  O well I've felt like an alien a lot of the time here too.  Maybe I am one!  

@VERYSTORMY Appreciate that, thank you!

We are moving back to North Yorkshire (Scarborough specifically) as soon as our house sells.  Does anyone have any suggestions re finding interim accommodation for the gap between arriving in England and being able to move into the house we will buy?  It's complicated by the fact we'll have 2 cats and a dog with us.  I'm assuming we'll be able to board them somewhere.  Has anybody else been in this situation?  All ideas / suggestions gratefully received.

That is so encouraging to hear.  Thank you!  We are returning as soon as the house is sold.  Animals are all organized to go too and we're selling just about everything.  I have waited many many decades for this.  Couldn't go as parents were elderly and we couldn't leave them.  Now I'm elderly too but better late than never.  Australia is a good country and many Brits feel a sense of belonging here but I just didn't....   One of my siblings has already gone back and he said it's the most magical feeling to know he's back where he belongs and doesn't have to miss it any more!!!