Nanna

We have had a medicare card since we lived there in the 80s and the latest updated one doesn't expire for a couple of years so hopefully we will immediately qualify for all senior benefits and cards. (???) It just never got cancelled when we returned to the UK in the 80s even tho we told them that. Bonus! However the cost of living in Australia, food prices etc now compared to the UK, and the cost of all lovely houses on that coastline are so high it is still so very worrying to the point of anxiety. To have to get paid work from my son to assist with the household bills at 70 years of age is ridiculous . Ironically if we didnt need that extra cash we would gladly help him anyway but its better to do it by choice than necessity. So watch this space cos my husband thinks we may need to rethink it all which breaks my . He can handle that but I'm not sure I can. Only seeing my kids on the occasional holiday is not ideal for sensitive me but nor is living in a property we dislike. When we are not with the family we have to create our own lives and therefore need to be happy on all counts. This is all so sad and each of the two choices (Australia or UK) could be wrong and either would be a permanent choice. I can't easily handle losing that opportunity and not be with them. The cost to even try it for a period is so financially high and then to maybe have to admit its not right and have to return to the UK and buy another home we wouldn't really like is not something I want to consider. We did consider just coming in and renting to see if we were happy . We thought we could sell our UK home from there - until the tax office informed us that as non UK residents we would pay capital gains at 40%. We have considered all angles and it's either 1. We sell this seaside home in a brilliant location and compromise ourselves on every level in Australia or 2. We stay here and only see our total family in person a few more times. Neither situation is good. So nothings changed since I joined thus forum except to say MONDAY is deadline to sign our home away. So it's crucial to get it right. Anyway on the advice of my gp I have a private counselling session booked tomorrow (Friday) to try and clear my "blinkered" thoughts. Personally I don't see how they can help but maybe its worth a shot!

Thank you Loopylu. So in each year what is the total cost to you? I font think we will qualify for discount cards as our capital would still he in the bank and altho worryingly not enough to give us a great lifestyle itcwould probably be too much to qualify. But does that also apply to eligibility for a PBS card?

And is a reverse mortgage to release equity from your house a common practice and safe?

Hi Ramot why don't you qualify for that card?

Thank you for that. An example : dialysis at home etc. Not that we need anything but we are all getting older - does stuff like that have to be paid for if you have no health insurance? Any ideas?

Will we have to pay for all outpatients appointments, all medicine, all equipment needed,all homecare etc?

And now hubby has covid just to add to the stress!

Our solicitor in Australia advises us we still have the potential to reapply within 5 years of the Re-grant. Still a concern tho.

Ironically where we live isn't cheap but compared to Australia it is. We lost 54% of our capital to live there and the exchange rates for the our state pension is a concern. I am/have died I side.

Plus the worry of losing the RRV if we don't come

Without doubt financially, house and travel wise it is UK - its the emotion I struggle with being away from my family for the most part of the remainder of our lives- but then if I live there my head argues that the money restrictions and the constraints put on us by limited property choice with other big compromises to do with freedom there stops me!!! I am still getting nowhere but nearer a looney bin.

But here's another option. I'm scared to not have something to fall back on- in case But there is a little apartment here being built with sea views. It gives me a bit of peace of mind to have something to fall back on BUT we can't view till mid July and we have to agree to exchange in 6 weeks *end Aug. So I am wondering if we should sell this house now, sell most of furniture, still come to Australia after viewing that apartment, and then decide which way its going to go. We would lose £7k deposit if we don't continue with the purchase but if we come to Australia, realise in a couple of weeks it's not going to work then we have that apartment to complete on. ??? The apartment isn't ready till Oct so if we decide UK is for us we fly back then, get furniture out of storage If its Australia we just don't buy it and ship furniture. All costly BUT is it a good plan?

Been to the doctors. All they said was make the decision to end my nightmare!! And no my gut doesn't say remain UK or go to Aus. I have now well and truly cracked up under the pressure and woke crying my eyes out. So I think I will stop this forum for now but thank you everyone for trying to help.

Renting for 4 years while we wait to apply for citizenship Is definitely not an option for either of us. Rents are astronomical there compared to what we would achieve on ours and having rented three times before in Australia its like being in continuous limbo. We are already stuck in that situation. We just need to get on with our lives cos it's passing us by way too quickly. But thank you for the suggestion.

Sorry I can't get to the correct thread! But husband was all for it until the house prices there went berserk and the exchange rate dropped. Now he questions himself for those 2 reasons. A friend says it's only about a suburb with a beach, another suburb with a beach and so on and there's no depth / soul to it at all and others here question why we do we want to live there and just sit about and wait to die whereas here we would be as free as a bird! Too confusing.

And to add to that I daren't even come for a holiday now in case we kick ourselves and to say farewell to everyone there never knowing when or how I will see them again destroys me. So a comfortable life living in a great seaside location in the UK and a life that is or can be so variable with travel etc but very depressing and freezing at times OR a frugal life in Australia with restrictions but with my boys. .......... Someone PLEASE TELL ME! Before I explode!!!!

I don't feel I will ever be happy again. I'm just so sad to the point I want to run away and never face the responsibility again. I love your blue skies, walking the beaches, being around near my boys but I do find it "constrained" too. No transport to speak of in their area, driving everywhere which is OK while you can drive, not much architecture, history, areas of beautiful parks (just play areas), whereas UK is so close to Europe and in 2 hours I can be lunching in Paris, I can train to different countries, fly to them in short flight times, visit country pubs, motorhome all over to see different places - not just another suburb, stay in beautiful hotels, walk in the countryside without fear of snakes, spiders etc, etc etc. I have a stunning location and am near all facilities needed especially as we age BUT I hate the depressing skies and cold weather here, I hate I can't see, hug and be with my boys, bike ride and walk nearly every day. I hate Christmas without them. I hate being stuck indoors. I am so scared of being alone when I am old and frail. I am a COMPLETE AND UTTER WRECK. And sad as this is I've tried mediums. They all tell me exactly what my situation is but not what I should do or where I should be. I have to choose my own path - BUT I CANT and no matter what my gorgeous hubby says I don't want to resent any decision he makes because I find it impossible. My life is a nightmare and we have done this to ourselves

Oh thats so sad. Me in reverse! I feel like jumping off the planet. I used to love my life (except winters-they are diabolical) We had a business in the UK with our sons - till they went to Australia and it was great being with them and watch them blossom. Now they have a business there they would like us to share again but the thought of arriving and struggling to find anything we could afford or even want to live in puts me us both in panic mode. Staying here enduring the winters puts me in panic mode and to have to visit and break my heart each time I have to leave isn't something I am good at. In fact I'm dreadful. Never am good at saying farewell to them- even worse now I'm cracking up. We don't want to move up or down coast- too touristy and apartments and high rise and what's the point of moving there and not be near enough for school drop offs and pick up. We have a stunning location here - it just doesn't have my family to share it with. Thank you all so much for your messages - I am just a hopeless mess.

I think it's more to do with not having them in my life rather than the other way round. The prospect of the survivor of us without ANY family is stressful enough. Its so sad but my husband says as we are so much better off here financially it coild be too great a risk - one he isn't certain we should take - and we certainly couldn't waste money on rent. It's not a nice feeling to be so unhappy you are not sure which way to go at the crossroads. Hence I am 'stuck'. I thank you all for trying to help. X

I'm so confused and stressed out. Australia with children around especially if support needed but with extreme weather or UK with more variety but dread of being alone in old age. At any rate I might nio reach it cos I am so distressed. How can anyone choose!? It's heart wrenching either way.

Not goid at all. We need to be near the sobs to help run their business and with the grandchildren . We now think we will be taxed on our UK pension which we have tax free here but at 32.5% in Australia? It just doesn't get better a quote fir pvt health was £5000 2 years ago. We calculate with the high house prices a high rates and vist if living about $80k with pvt medical. So all in all . So $600k and $20 now In pensions it would last 19 years if no medical issues - unlikely at our age and the stress we are under. We have the RRV, I think I mentioned which one earlier. I can't sleep for fear of what to do.

Gutted! After years of planning and being honoured to get Residency it looks like the dream to be with our whole family is shattered by lack of money. After buying a very small home there near to them we are now looking at having only $600k and with UK state pensions and private pensions equal to about $30k per year to last for life, however long that will be, and with having to pay private medical etc should we risk it? By our calculations it will only last 6-7 years at the most provided there are no medical issues and at 70 years of age!! 4 years to wait for senior health cards and no Australian pension. Worrying!!reckless?

Can anyone answer this please. If I have a medicare card (as a senior) and am a permanent Resident do I qualify for the PBS discounted scheme for medicine ?

That is a big worry. No one has a crystal ball and we could sell our house to be there and be sent back. What a dilemma !!

Thank you so much for that information and also for your advice. My husband has asked would it be possible to give us an indication of what your parents lifestyle and cost of living is like per year excluding their rent and which state are they in? I believe private medical is about 4 to $5,000 per annum per couple. Does that sound about right? Do you know if they are taxed in the UK and Australia on their pensions?