BeachBabe2022

I would not tell her. Just tell her you are going on trip (the flight) for a overseas holiday - after some weeks she will eventually figure out you have moved permanently, and by then she will be use to the new environment. You don't tell dogs you are moving and you move them anyway, and they soon settle into a routine in the new country, so not much different to children under 7 years of age. Probably would not work with an older child though.

. I am guessing they are still being issued As this was in the media this past week: An Australian state is so desperate for workers that it's offering bargain basement $17.60 (£10) fares to entice British backpackers to come Down Under. The South Australian scheme is a modern twist on the post-war '10-pound Pom' scheme and will see Irish travellers get even cheaper trips to Australia costing just €10, or $14.90. The move comes as the battle for backpackers heats up due to worker shortages across the country.

Whatever dearie However, you completely wrong about what my views are. In the scheme of things, you know really nothing about me, my lifestyle, my home life, my work or my earnings - so you are making huge wildly inaccurate assumptions based on your own viewpoint

Most places in the world have gone down I am sure, including Australia But we are not talking about Australia are we? That is not the subject on hand.

Because that is exactly how it came across

You certainly gave me the impression that you thought I was lying....so presume you did for the other poster too

Err Whatever dear......... I am simply talking from MY experiences and the feedback I have personally been given by family and friends still living in the UK. If you have experienced different, well that is YOUR experience isn't it. Doesn't make mine less ......does it. ???

Well there could have been an ulterior motive....... I suppose you will never know for sure But you know, it could just be the absolute truth too Previously when I made a comment to family and friends in the UK, about maybe returning for a few years, each and everyone of them have said the same thing. They say the UK has changed so much for the worse, and how bad it is now. My sister and a couple of friends, have said it noticeably started to go downhill about 20 years ago, but has got rapidly worse in the past 10 years. It is not even one area. I know people who live all over the country, from Cornwall to Glasgow, and everywhere in between,.....and they all say the same thing. I think my problem would be, remembering the good times of my youth, and then being disappointed that things were not the same as I remembered. I know nowhere stays the same forever, but apparently things are now so bad, I would not recognize the place at all (or so they tell me) I have never had a pull to return, so I am not really fussed either way, if I did go back or not. But I can totally understand how you feel - as I did have a pull to get back to Australia last time I was in the UK. It is a distressing feeling to be longing to be elsewhere Hope you find some peace in your heart and soul soon

I know loads of people renting in the UK, and they all have regular inspections I was being thoroughly checked - once got into trouble for leaving dust on a light bulb. There are different tiers of managing a property, depending on how much fee you want to pay

. Don't rent it out privatey Use a real estate agent and rent it out through them The agent will ensure rent is paid on time, and they will do regularly inspections. I only rented once in the UK and it was a nightmare. Bloody neighbours would dob me in (to the owner and real estate agent), for any misdemeanor - real or imagined. If I was even an hour late with the weekly rent, agent would be on the war path And they did an inspection inside and out three times a year. Your house would be pretty safe with a reputable property manager. And you will have peace of mind

Lovely The first and last photos look absolutely gorgeous You mentioned the last photo was Jimbour House ......but what was the first one? Were they the same place? Interesting they are breeding Murray Cod in QLD. Are they planning on repopulating The Murray, or are they selling the fish commercially for food?

Must be a lot of snakes there. The town is home to about 6,000 residents, and have a number of snake removal services. I might strike that off my retirement list.

Bit small but bet tasty

I remember people eating green ants off the tree in Townsville I have never heard of that gin - sounds interesting Outstations Aboriginal, have some gorgeous bags, umbrellas and silk scarfs, that would make a unique gift. And the coaster sets from Baribunma Aboriginal are beautiful. Otherwise, you could go for a tacky Kangaroo Balls Bottle Opener or even tackier Cane Toad paperweight. Whatever you take, make sure it is Made in Australia (and not an Aussie souvenir, that was Made in China) .

Definitely seems to be an age thing I reckon. When I was in my 20s, I literally (well almost) moved suburbs, or traveled overseas at the drop of a hat with a random snap decision, and never gave it a second thought. Nowadays it takes me ages to make a decision and I often change my mind several times. However, since you say "it has been my life long dream", .......if you don't act now and stay put, I think you will live to regret not taking the opportunity when you could. You don't want to be sitting in the nursing home regretting missed opportunities. Also, emotionally you could just treat it as a temporary Working Holiday Visa (as opposed to a lifelong change), that way you take the leap, give it your absolute best for a year or two, and if you don't like it, then return to your old life. .

Interesting. Never been there exactly - well apart from making sure my car doors are locked when driving through.

Absolutely gorgeous - even better if you catch it fresh yourself.

Actually just thought of something regarding food, that has been a huge change. When I lived in the UK, the nearest I got to prawns, was those teeny tiny ones you would find in a prawn cocktail (served in a glass with sauce and lettuce). I remember those being a fancy treat, that I only ever had once a year at the office Christmas staff party. Now in Australia, I have prawns weekly. Have to peel, de-vein, marinate and cook them, or I buy cooked ones and have to peel and de-vein them. Either way, weekly is hugely different to my once yearly intake prior. Didn't know how to prepare fresh prawns when I arrived here, as pretty sure the teeny UK ones came from a jar.

Of course! And I personally think it is completely reasonable, as do the thousands of people who do the commute daily. However, just realized that most people here misunderstood my comment. I am not suggesting specifically moving to Woolongong or Terrigal. I gave them as the furthest points to consider for cheaper beach living - they are both a doable commute, but I would not want to go any further out The OP said they wanted to be near the coast. If you want to live near the coast in Sydney, then expect to pay more, than being near the coast further out (i.e.) A house in Bronte would be maybe a million dollars more, than a house further down the coast in Stanwell Tops. That was my point.

I can relate to that Found it much better to go through paces like Gumtree or Facebook Market. Or unofficial suburb car sales on the street.

I have a friend who works in London and lives in Wellingborough. About 75 minutes on the train I think she said. Then she has to travel 20 minutes on the tube to her office. She has done this trip daily for around 12 years now. That is about 70 or 80 miles each way (130 kms) - and both the areas I suggested are less than this.

No. They are NOT that long a travel time. I know loads of people who commute into the CBD every day from both these places. Some people drive, but most catch the train. Both ARE completely reasonable.

Hello Ash Yes, Sydney is a good landing spot for a wide variety of work prospects Most real estate near the coast is a tad expensive in Sydney. Therefore, the further South or further North you go - the cheaper it will be Wollongong to the South, and Terrigal on the Central Coast to the North, are both within travelling distance daily to the Sydney CBD. But I would not go too much further outside those areas, as the daily commute gets a bit long thereafter.

But yet that would STILL be safer, than floating down the crocodile infested Fitzroy River on a lilo

Well, yes, that is very true. You could do it when you were older of course, but two job offers in the pipeline is excellent (and who knows - you may not get them again) Strike while the iron is hot and grab such opportunities is my motto. Bet you will regret it if you don't. And do you really care deep down if your brothers visit or not? Besides that, you could always visit them in the UK. So really a flimsy argument! My friends mum is still making the trip nearly every year alone, and she is in her 80s (so your mum at 60 is indeed a spring chick) Agree with others, your children are safe here as they are anywhere - unless you plan on floating them down the Fitzroy River on a lilo!