Gary H

8 years in Cairns and 2 in SEQ GC. For me it's like comparing apples and oranges, SEQ is nowhere near as laid back, the climate I prefer down here summers up FNQ are brutal (I lived in SE Asia for 16 years so used to heat ) Crime wise it's everywhere, just much more visible, petty and annoying up FNQ, lots of antisocial behavior in both Cairns and Townsville. Health service-wise, no comparison between FNQ & SE Qld there is much more access to specialist procedures in SE Qld, but that also depends if you have a private health fund or not. In FNQ there is 1 oncall (yup you read that right 1) emergency helicopter covering Cairns to the tip of cape york and out west, a second one is in TV covering south to Mackay. SC is a good spot, We are looking at the hinterland in that region as an alternative, and between the middle of FNQ and GC will see

Both states are huge, and offer vastly different experiences depending on where you want to live, lifestyle, climate, opportunities, etc QLD out west, Far North, Gulf country, hinterlands, or the SE corner completely different, Same for WA except it is SW corner.

First up by whatever means get yourself registered somehow at a Uk address, technically you should be there, but you can always work out a way with good friends or family. For example, cheap mobile plan, Uk driving license, Look up NI number and move to address, any RN status renew at the new address. The more you can create a digital footprint in the UK in advance the easier the rest will fall in place.

Spend the money get an agent, let the agent know you hope to offset the move costs (as its works related) against tax in coming years. As for visa you can look at skills list and also know that FNQ is part of a special zone classed as remote living with appropriate visa's.We entered on a remote works visa years back, now citizens. As for property secure an air bnb have a look around, suburbs vary vastly. If I lived back there I would be looking at Redlynch area. Just left Cairns after 7 years, the summers got to us both in the end. Cairns sits in a bowl shape valley, as does the humidity. Moving now to cooler less humid climate.

When planning route back look at Singapore you have then returned from a green status country via a green status country. Routes via the middle east now require a quarantine on return. Even if you have both jabs, although its shortened to 5 days.

Maybe not hard for you or as you perceive it. I have a service dog that needs to be transported with us, plus other issues that are nobody's concern. Covid has made it all but impossible for us now in our situation.

I cannot see things opening up for at least another year and life is what passes by while you wait for the opportunity. So house sold, have a van moving off see what happens heading south for now.

Just last week Scott Morrison was in UK, posing for pics outside a UK pub with his team, the other part is referring to athletes being given exemptions, even from Victoria when it was under recent lockdown "as they had spent a long time preparing " quote from Vic dep Premier. Meanwhile as I said people cannot even travel interstate for personal affairs and relocating overseas has become troublesome. WTF indeed. As soon as things settle down a bit and we can take our dogs reliably, we are out of here, 9 years in the bin company wound up and house sold already. Its all about populist politics with this lot. https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/prime-minister-scott-morrison-visited-not-just-one-pub-on-his-uk-visit-but-three/news-story/442d67be936b584a619d88533f593259

Unfortunately a fair bit of red tape, plus depending on which route you take a possible stop over, look into relocation flights (inbound) as they occasionally offer direct Darwin to Uk/Europe flights on flight out Meanwhile whilst we have to apply for exemptions and struggle with navigating it all, Sco mo visits English Pubs with his team in what he previously stated is a Covid ravaged country, and athletes grin on TV about attending games in Japan. Madness really Good luck with the move, we are holding tight as we are struggling to get our Dog back right now

Cracks me up, the dirty water in rivers has more to do with. Crappy development, water rights going to large corporate farms, people hooning up and down waterways in jet skis, boats etc.

Sunshine coast or gold coast

Hi all, well Covid threw us a curve ball initially was returning to UK/Europe but now staying in Oz happy with the decision. Lived in Cairns 7 years and over it, sold our house in Cairns and heading South. I will be running my own business Mental Health and remote and wilderness first aid, my wife is a bookkeeper. Neither of us is interested in an apartment nor paying a premium to live on or near a beach, spent 14 years living on an island so been there and done that. After a 3 bed house garden and large garage type set up. Just undecided on GC or Sunshine Coast, heard the sunshine is hard for work ? Any how any input on experience or areas to avoid or live would be great. Cheers

Good on you for reaching out to a GP, right now you can get 20 sessions covered by medicare with a psychologist or other professional on referral. Anxiety is the most common mental illness in Australia and effects people differently. As for PTSD it's not just for military that's a very common misconception that is put right very quickly in any support group, and amongst professionals. One of the benefits of Australia compared to UK is access to services for mental health problems. Whatever you decide try and do it with a clear mind, be kind to yourself and allow yourself time to work it out. I have been where you are, as an ex remote medic with a history of severe PTSD and all it's accompanying mates, One of the things I can thank Australia for is helping me get fixed again. Now I have a clear mind, I still plan on UK but when time is right and covid pulls its head in.

I was answering the original post. Variety is/was pre brexit far better for most goods in UK. Do I have enough variety here sure I cook fresh, I also lived in SE Asia remotely for 18 years, so variety here again is better but not as good as UK. Seafood and fish Over 70% of seafood in Australia is imported, I work with the seafood harvesting industry in FNQ, believe me the good stuff is sent overseas to a higher paying markets. Fresh Veggies are available of course they are, but from my experience the most expensive I have ever purchased, it was cheaper to buy Australian avocados in Singapore then here madness. What do I want that's not here in oz food wise nothing, but that wasn't the original question. As I said I shop with intention to buy seasonal foods from source whenever possible. I have access to the FNQ tablelands so lucky in that respect. In Uk I had access to Kent farms so same applied. I use specialist Asian suppliers for other ingredients pastes etc . Coles and Woolies are just a duopoly I try to avoid

No Comparison on variety, services offered, choice and cost in supermarkets UK is years ahead. Farmers markets are the go up here in FNQ, although you have to be careful on choosing seasonal goods or risk remortgage.