Graham Fletcher

I lived in Buckinghamshire before I left the first time but was working in Birmingham when I returned. It wasn't the country, per se, it was the people and the vibe more. It just felt so depressing and everyone seemed so angry and down... as my daughter described it, it was all so grey.

I went back to England about 6 years ago with my daughter. She was only 11 when we emigrated and had a view of England based on holidays, she felt like she needed to check it out and see where she belonged. We arrived in June, she was back in Australia by November! I had to wait until January when my lease ran out but got straight on the plane the day it expired. All the reasons for leaving in the first place were still intact and we both have absolutely no intention of returning to England ever again! That said, at least the truth about her feelings have been fully examined! At 26 and now a mother I am sure she will be an Aussie forever, just like her brothers (both in their 30's) who have no interest in going back either By contrast, we have no family in Australia and loads in England, modern technology just makes keeping in touch so easy that it has become less relevant where you are for real relationships

I'm a few hours further out from you and there is NOTHING here! lots of farmland and emptiness. but that's what happens when you chase the big money! hahaha

wasn't picking on Scots Toots! as I said, it's all about what you personally prefer, Australia has every option!

This is a really personal question so hard to call it. If you like Scottish weather then you would undoubtedly prefer not to live in the North, for example. I personally love the hot and sweaty tropical areas, far north Queensland (Cairns for example) and Darwin, Tasmania is far too cold but it is beautiful. Horses for courses

It does but after initially getting 1 year visas she now has a 3 year visa (one year wasted thanks to Covid) though each stay is limited to 3 months. The application process was a bit more difficult for the 3 year, she had to have a medical, but otherwise it is very simple. She has been traveling to Australia on them since 2014. Fortunately we are a bit older so we don't get hung up on periods of being apart for a month or two. Unfortunately the closing of the borders has kept us apart for about a year now - that has been a bit tougher - but it is an anomaly so we carry on

My significant other is a non-resident and only comes over on Tourist visas. She stays for two or three months then goes home for a month or two. The three year visa allows her as many visits as she wants. It's not how it's supposed to work but it cost about $300 including the medical rather than $7000+ for the partner visa! I plan to retire in a few years and move to her home country so it makes no sense paying out thousands when you don't have to - she has no intention of working here so it's simple. And a Tourist visa takes weeks to obtain rather than months or years!

have a trawl through www.seek.com.au too, it may give you some ideas on potential fields of work

Spent three years in Darwin, heard many stories but never saw a croc in the wild. Didn't go on the boat rides though. I was more concerned about melting during the build-up than wildlife!

See the answer from Jon French mate, he's been there and done that

that's a bit tougher at the moment I think - a fairly big Brisbane building company just announced closure yesterday. Whilst we are completely open, with the odd local lockdowns from paranoid state Premiers, the housing market is still pretty slow. Another 6 to 12 months and you should be seeing much more enthusiasm as the vaccine roll out works through the economy. in the car business we had virtually no customers for a few months and then it took off big time, I can see the housing market going the same way

thanks Domo A local dealer just brought in 5 people from Sri Lanka - they just don't have the same mechanical skill level as the UK and Europe!

Absolutely Jon. We have two dealerships either side of the NSW/QLD border. Small rural towns with Toyota, Ford and Nissan franchises. We are looking for people to come out for 4 years under sponsorship and add some skills. The biggest problem is that people always want to migrate to the big cities, Brisbane, Sydney etc... they rarely have any interest in rural life. Unfortunately it's hard to compete with the Gold Coast! We have 5 people currently on staff under sponsorships, most are looking to get permanent residency over the next couple of years. We are lucky in that we are still seeing Mechanics getting in on sponsorships despite not being on the list, we just have to do an application for each individual. I will try to send you my work email so we can correspond directly

Totally interested. Drop me your details mate

We are rural dealers either side of the NSQ/QLD border - about 4 and half hours drive out of Brisbane. It's all farming country out here so great for a quiet life, not so much fun if you are looking for beaches and partying!

sorry Bazzer, not something I've had to do. Maybe BrazilianPom86 can help, her partner's already here!

The Grapevine Italian in Heathridge - great food, but then I have to say that as my mate's the chef!

spoke to a friend in Buckinghamshire yesterday. She went to work on the train for the first time in ages, 3 passengers in a whole carriage at 8am. She went out at lunchtime for some food and struggled to find anything open... a ghost town! We have been incredibly lucky, hopefully the vaccines will work as planned and the rest of the world can get back to where we are

personal message me if you want to look in to moving to the country!

Probably the two nicest places I have lived are Darwin and Townsville - certainly not top of anyone's wish list in the UK I bet

If you like beaches and views of islands then Townsville would be worth your while visiting. I lived in an area called North Ward for a year, spectacular views across to Magnetic Island.

We sold all three houses when we divorced back in 2012 and both ex-wife and I have rented ever since. We are both perfectly happy living in other people's houses, we both move regularly when the mood takes us, me because I change towns/cities and her because she just likes trying new parts of Perth! Being free to roam or putting down roots is a very personal thing. On top of that, none of my three adult offspring have bought a house because they simply refuse to live miles from the action (new housing estates seem to be the only option for first time buyers) and they would rather spend their money enjoying themselves than locking it all away in a house deposit. It's not all doom and gloom being a renter!

We shipped our entire 3 bedroom house-full and when it arrived it disappeared in the 4 bedroom house we rented on arrival. Ended up buying a whole load more stuff just to fill it up. If you are getting a standard 4x2 home in Australia it will probably be huge compared to a house in the UK! In retrospect I probably would have sold everything and started afresh on arrival

I think the card is fairly new so can't help there. However, like you I have used them numerous times to transfer funds and they are definitely good value. If you hear anything more please share

I have my first grandchild now, living in Perth (with my daughter, not on his own or anything!!!) and I missed his first birthday thanks to McGowan. One of my sons, also in Perth, is getting married in May and if I can't get back for that me and Mark are going to be having words!