BacktoDemocracy Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 I've lived in Australia for 8 years, and it just struck me one day that I couldn't live here anymore. It's hard to put a finger on it, but my wife and I went to New York on holiday which changed our feelings. Once we came back, it was all seemed so slow, close-minded, stagnant and really hit home what was important. Would love to know everyone's thoughts on why, or the exact moment, they decided to make the decision. When Oz decide that Tony Abbott and the Liberal party was capable of running a country and Qeeunsland decided Campbell Newman could run a state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 The exact moment was at Schiphol Airport going back to Australia after the most disastrous holiday in the UK. The real moment was the evening before when my 9 year old said goodbye to his best friend and was heartbroken in a way I had never seen him before - absolute gutteral grief and begging not to go back to Australia. The next morning I said goodbye to my parents and there were tears too and at the airport I asked myself the question why we were going back and I had no good answer - we returned for good pretty much a year to the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H283 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 I guess I have always felt that Aus was not forever. It really hit me the last two times I had to say goodbye to my mum leaving the UK. I remember thinking - 'why am I putting us both through this?' Plan to return to the UK after 7 1/2 years in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BacktoDemocracy Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 I decided to go back after 8 years when I realised that Oz was never going to change, it always felt very parochial, very inward looking both as a country and as a society, I realised that nobody was interested in what anybody in Europe was doing, they were only interested in emulating the USA in a completely uncritical slavish fashion. And what made up my mind was how there was no alternative view ever talked about, everything was about personalities and relationships never about what was the right thing to do or sticking to a policy or philosophy, which meant that no one with connections was ever going to be held accountable. I felt that if that was the case then there was never going to be a new idea talked about by anyone in any sphere because it was far too risky to have ideas. Also the constant resurgence of corruption at every level whether it was politicians or businesses was indicative of an unwillingness to make hard choices, it was always about doing the easiest option, even if it meant redoing everything every couple of years, short termism was a way of life at every level, which of course is the name of the game now in the electronic age but at least elsewhere there is some sounds of rational dissent from parts of the establishment which see it as their duty to point out the failings of policy. I never felt that beyond Fairfax press there was anything to relieve the boredom of paucity of ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotty Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 I am actually an Aussie. Born here and lived here for all of my 60 years. I married an Englishman who hated the UK. We were subsequently divorced. I worked in the UK for several months during 2004 and fell madly in love with everything about it. I came back singing it's praises and saying how much better it was than Australia in every possible way; the food, the scenery, the history, the medical system and most of the people. My son and I have Right Of Abode and are contemplating a permanent move to the UK this year. I joined this forum to help me decide whether or not to do so. Most of the criticisms aimed at Australia, I agree with. However, as most of you have expressed pros and cons relating to both continents, I'm really confused about whether or not to do it. One of my concerns is, many of you want to go back primarily due to homesickness, which I did experience while over there. There was that feeling of 'not belonging'. I'm worried we'll do what you've done; move and then regret it. My other main concern, which I know will seem minor to some, is the experience my pet dog will have on the plane. I've read lots on the forum about HOW to send dogs over but nobody ever says what the experience was like for the dog. From when you part with them, it's about 2 days before you see them again when you pick them up at Heathrow. Can someone please tell me, good and bad, what actually happened in that time. Do they go hungry? Is the Singapore stopover safe? Do they defecate in their crates and have to lay in it for hours? Are they exercised at any point with other dogs that may attack them? I definitely wont risk my dog until I'm sure. In fact, truth be told, that's the main thing stopping me from going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 I am actually an Aussie. Born here and lived here for all of my 60 years. I married an Englishman who hated the UK. We were subsequently divorced. I worked in the UK for several months during 2004 and fell madly in love with everything about it. I came back singing it's praises and saying how much better it was than Australia in every possible way; the food, the scenery, the history, the medical system and most of the people. My son and I have Right Of Abode and are contemplating a permanent move to the UK this year. I joined this forum to help me decide whether or not to do so. Most of the criticisms aimed at Australia, I agree with. However, as most of you have expressed pros and cons relating to both continents, I'm really confused about whether or not to do it. One of my concerns is, many of you want to go back primarily due to homesickness, which I did experience while over there. There was that feeling of 'not belonging'. I'm worried we'll do what you've done; move and then regret it. My other main concern, which I know will seem minor to some, is the experience my pet dog will have on the plane. I've read lots on the forum about HOW to send dogs over but nobody ever says what the experience was like for the dog. From when you part with them, it's about 2 days before you see them again when you pick them up at Heathrow. Can someone please tell me, good and bad, what actually happened in that time. Do they go hungry? Is the Singapore stopover safe? Do they defecate in their crates and have to lay in it for hours? Are they exercised at any point with other dogs that may attack them? I definitely wont risk my dog until I'm sure. In fact, truth be told, that's the main thing stopping me from going. Hi Snotty, I assure you your pet dog will be fine - we brought our cat back from Australia, there are very strict guidelines about animal transportation and they are very well treated. They have to have a break out of their crate and be fed and watered but there could be no possibility of theme being attacked by another animal. Realistically it is possible they will defecate in their crate but if our cat did then her and the crate were spotlessly clean when we collected her from Heathrow. Animals do not travel as 'cargo' there is a special hold for them, it is air-conditioned to be at the right temperature, although it is dark - I was told this helps them to simply sleep which makes sense. Unless your dog is one of the breeds unknown to have breathing difficulties of is particularly old or has specific health problems then it would be absolutely fine. if you go onto the 'Pets' part of the forum and pose your questions there you will get more answers and I am sure Bob from PetAir will be able to reassure you too. I definitely wouldn't let the dog stop you but whether it is the right thing for you is a different question. My main reasons for returning to Scotland were a feeling of not belonging, I did have friends but I still felt like there was a cultural divide - and friends I made from SA and Denmark said the same, we bonded on our lack of belonging but still didn't belong together (if that makes sense!) and I didn't want to be an 'expat' reminiscing about the 'old country', the second reason was I missed the beauty of the landscape - I can see the beauty of the Australian coast and the bush but I don't feel it in my heart in the same way. There is a Tim Winton quote about the sea - something about looking West and feeling home and my heart ached reading it because I knew I would never feel that way however much i wanted to. The truth is if I was Australian I probably would have ached for the sea and the bush if I'd moved to the UK, our natural surroundings become part of us from an early age (nothing mystical, just simple psychology). In fact friends visited the UK from Perth and expressed how they had missed the ocean until they got to Brighton. The fact you have spent a few months though and were working not just on holiday means you have some idea how you would feel. At 60 though would you be going there to work? It could be challenging, depending on your profession to find work. You would also need to get VERY serious pension advice - you will be able to find out some info from here, we have some members in similar positions who have done a lot of research. There is a MBTTUK group if you want to PM 'The Pom Queen' then she will add you - you don't actually have to be moving 'back' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHeart Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 Hi Snotty, I assure you your pet dog will be fine - we brought our cat back from Australia, there are very strict guidelines about animal transportation and they are very well treated. They have to have a break out of their crate and be fed and watered but there could be no possibility of theme being attacked by another animal. Realistically it is possible they will defecate in their crate but if our cat did then her and the crate were spotlessly clean when we collected her from Heathrow. Animals do not travel as 'cargo' there is a special hold for them, it is air-conditioned to be at the right temperature, although it is dark - I was told this helps them to simply sleep which makes sense. Unless your dog is one of the breeds unknown to have breathing difficulties of is particularly old or has specific health problems then it would be absolutely fine. if you go onto the 'Pets' part of the forum and pose your questions there you will get more answers and I am sure Bob from PetAir will be able to reassure you too. I definitely wouldn't let the dog stop you but whether it is the right thing for you is a different question. My main reasons for returning to Scotland were a feeling of not belonging, I did have friends but I still felt like there was a cultural divide - and friends I made from SA and Denmark said the same, we bonded on our lack of belonging but still didn't belong together (if that makes sense!) and I didn't want to be an 'expat' reminiscing about the 'old country', the second reason was I missed the beauty of the landscape - I can see the beauty of the Australian coast and the bush but I don't feel it in my heart in the same way. There is a Tim Winton quote about the sea - something about looking West and feeling home and my heart ached reading it because I knew I would never feel that way however much i wanted to. The truth is if I was Australian I probably would have ached for the sea and the bush if I'd moved to the UK, our natural surroundings become part of us from an early age (nothing mystical, just simple psychology). In fact friends visited the UK from Perth and expressed how they had missed the ocean until they got to Brighton. The fact you have spent a few months though and were working not just on holiday means you have some idea how you would feel. At 60 though would you be going there to work? It could be challenging, depending on your profession to find work. You would also need to get VERY serious pension advice - you will be able to find out some info from here, we have some members in similar positions who have done a lot of research. There is a MBTTUK group if you want to PM 'The Pom Queen' then she will add you - you don't actually have to be moving 'back' I don't think pets come out of their crates once in tbh, my OH works at the airport and handles pet crates, he once got hauled over the coals by customs for breaking a seal so he could get into the crate and give a dog water as there was some problem with it and the animal was distressed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 I don't think pets come out of their crates once in tbh, my OH works at the airport and handles pet crates, he once got hauled over the coals by customs for breaking a seal so he could get into the crate and give a dog water as there was some problem with it and the animal was distressed... I could be wrong, the reason I thought this is we looked into doing the shipping ourselves with KLM and this is what it says on their website [h=2]Live Pets[/h]Dogs and cats deserve the same level of comfort and attention as our passengers. We transport your companions in climate-controlled, pressurised compartments, ensuring the health and well-being of your pet. In transit, cats and dogs are temporarily housed in larger kennels and given food and water. In short, your pet receives royal treatment at our Animal Hotel. IATA standard sky kennels available in various sizes worldwide Kennels cleaned in transit A unique dog-walking service; cats get their own litter box I expect they have to be received at the animal handling centre and only then are taken out of their crates so anyone opening it else where would get a flea in their ear but I could be wrong, I am sure PetAir would know for certain. From what I remember though when we were doing the research there is a restriction on how long they can be in the crate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 I am actually an Aussie. Born here and lived here for all of my 60 years.... I definitely wont risk my dog until I'm sure. In fact, truth be told, that's the main thing stopping me from going. There is one other thing that may stop you, I'm afraid, unless you're very well off. If you leave now, you won't be able to get your Australian government pension. You probably won't be able to get a British pension either. Which means if you don't have enough in your superannuation/house to last you till you die, you could end up destitute. To get the Australian pension, you'll have to stay in Australia until you reach pension age so you can claim it, and then you can leave - but as you know, that's several years away yet. If you're planning to work when you arrive in the UK, you'll earn some NI contributions and you may be able to make extra payments so you can get some British pension instead, it would be worth looking into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzybangs Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 There is one other thing that may stop you, I'm afraid, unless you're very well off. If you leave now, you won't be able to get your Australian government pension. You probably won't be able to get a British pension either. Which means if you don't have enough in your superannuation/house to last you till you die, you could end up destitute. To get the Australian pension, you'll have to stay in Australia until you reach pension age so you can claim it, and then you can leave - but as you know, that's several years away yet. If you're planning to work when you arrive in the UK, you'll earn some NI contributions and you may be able to make extra payments so you can get some British pension instead, it would be worth looking into. This is not correct. Suggest you do your own research but you have to have lived here for 10 years and be here when you apply. You can apply from many countries (can from Dublin too if you live there) but not the UK. You also have to have lived here (been domicile) for the full year before applying to make it portable. If you arrive later, you must be here for 2 years after getting it for it to be portable. Obviously, the amount you get is worked out on how many years you have lived here. I will have lived here for a full 34 years when I get mine this year so will get 34/35ths of the age pension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miley123 Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I could be wrong, the reason I thought this is we looked into doing the shipping ourselves with KLM and this is what it says on their website Live Pets Dogs and cats deserve the same level of comfort and attention as our passengers. We transport your companions in climate-controlled, pressurised compartments, ensuring the health and well-being of your pet. In transit, cats and dogs are temporarily housed in larger kennels and given food and water. In short, your pet receives royal treatment at our Animal Hotel. IATA standard sky kennels available in various sizes worldwide Kennels cleaned in transit A unique dog-walking service; cats get their own litter box I expect they have to be received at the animal handling centre and only then are taken out of their crates so anyone opening it else where would get a flea in their ear but I could be wrong, I am sure PetAir would know for certain. From what I remember though when we were doing the research there is a restriction on how long they can be in the crate. Yes I agree with Lady Rainicorn, we have just booked our retriever to travel back to the UK on Emirates using a travel vet specialist and he has booked our dog into a transit animal care centre as it is mandatory for the animals to have a break from the crate for at least 6 hours in Dubai between fiights where they are watered, cleaned, fed and walked and given a bit of TLC. I would have thought it is only the staff from the airport animal handling centres that are able to open the crates for security reasons, and I know at Heathrow it is the animal handlers who collect the animals direct from the planes. If you search the internet you can find lots of videos and information about animals and in particular dogs travelling via air, HARC (Heathrow Animal Reception Centre) produces its own youtube videos which are worth a watch as do the Dubai transit kennels, and all the animals look happy and well in transit and at the end of their flights when they are reunited with their owners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotty Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Thank you so much, Lady Raincorn, for your helpful advice. I really appreciate your taking the time to reply. You've put my mind somewhat at ease about my dog and I will do as you suggest to find more information about that side of things. Regarding the work situation, I am still a registered teacher with experience teaching University, Secondary and Primary schools and I am also a qualified Hairdresser, currently operating my own salon. Apart from that, I'm considering self-funded retirement, so hopefully, pensions won't come into it. I completely understand what you mean about the feelings of not belonging. For me, it was a cultural thing. I felt completely at home in the UK landscape (my forebears are Scottish, Irish and Welsh), and I detest the Australian bush. The beach just gives me sunburn. I did fit in well in the UK and made some very good friends there. As you said, it seems to be the cultural differences that prove the most challenging. You do feel a bit like an alien and some people go out of their way to reinforce that for you. Maybe that happens to everyone who moves to a different country. I did feel as though I had to 'prove' myself to every new person I met; to show that not all Aussies are loud, aggressive, boozing 'convicts' who like barbeques. It does become exhausting and sometimes disheartening. My UK friends have experienced the same when they moved here. As you said, you don't really notice it until you meet up with one of your 'own kind', then you realise there are differences. I thought people must get used to it after a while, but reading all the forum posts and speaking with my friends who've moved here from other countries, I no longer think everyone does. I guess its a trade-off. If there are enough pluses about the new life in the new country, maybe that part is tolerable. If not, I guess, so far, we can all go back. No real harm done and maybe some great experiences under our belts. You've all given me much food for thought. Thank you so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHeart Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 [h=2]Who takes care of my pet before and during their flight?Pets are kept with airline staff usually separate from other cargo to minimize stress. Pets get priority over other flight cargo; they are put on the flight last and taken off first and are treated like VIPs by the airlines. During their flight no airline staff can access them. In case of long haul flights, during transit pets are checked by airline ground staff and their water bowls are refilled. They are not allowed to come out of their crates due to quarantine regulations. If any pet appears unwell they will be let out of their crates for vet access, this is only as a last resort. Maybe it's just some carriers then, it was always my understanding that they stayed in crate from UK to AU. I guess it depends if there's a connecting flight or if they're staying in the transit city for a number of days...though that sounds complicated. [/h] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotty Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Thank you to everyone who replied to my post. My computer is mucking up a bit and so far, I've only been able to read and reply to Lady Raincorn. Hoping the situation remedies itself shortly and I can access all your replies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 This is not correct. It is correct. I said, if the OP leaves Australia now - when she's 60, she won't be able to claim their Australian pension in the UK, which is where she plans on going. The only way she'll be able to claim the pension is if she upheaves herself again when she reaches pensionable age, and comes back to live in Australia for two years. The cost of doing that would likely be prohibitive because for two years, she'd effectively have to set up home all over again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellmer Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 We are really thinking the same, but we are on the Sunshine Coast where it is slow. Where are you? Have you thought about moving to the city for a more cultured and dynamic lifestyle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbourne Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I missed the beauty of the landscape - I can see the beauty of the Australian coast and the bush but I don't feel it in my heart in the same way. I know EXACTLY what you mean. Simple things like trees - they may look the same but don't feel the same. Same goes for fields, roadways, and cathedrals. In fact, everything. In the UK, everything around you gives you a sense of something so much bigger than yourself. There is a sense of majesty. Nowhere else has that for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shak Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 As soon as I started to feel Ill all the time is when I knew I have to be at home as it may all be due to being so far and lonely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I've lived in Australia for 8 years, and it just struck me one day that I couldn't live here anymore. It's hard to put a finger on it, but my wife and I went to New York on holiday which changed our feelings. Once we came back, it was all seemed so slow, close-minded, stagnant and really hit home what was important. Would love to know everyone's thoughts on why, or the exact moment, they decided to make the decision. I travelled back to the u.k on holiday from w.a ,with my wife and 2 yr old,Aussie born daughter...all 4 of her grand parents were alive then. We went to Cornwall ..the cotswolds ...etc .....spent time all your old friends...and yes,the world hadn't stopped turning whilst we were away ...they were all having multiple holidays ...upgrading their cars etc When we arrived back ,one of the first people I saw ,was an Aussie mate of mine ...the first thing he said was " welcome back to the lucky country ".....it didn't feel that way,although Australia had been very good to us ...we were back in the u.k by November...then the fun started Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I've lived in Australia for 8 years, and it just struck me one day that I couldn't live here anymore. It's hard to put a finger on it, but my wife and I went to New York on holiday which changed our feelings. Once we came back, it was all seemed so slow, close-minded, stagnant and really hit home what was important. Would love to know everyone's thoughts on why, or the exact moment, they decided to make the decision. The word you are looking for is DEPTH .....to some ,Australia just has a shiny veneer ,it lacks DEPTH ....europe has layers upon layers of history ,art,culture ....which gives it DEPTH .....north America has a bit ,but nothing like Europe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I've lived in Australia for 8 years, and it just struck me one day that I couldn't live here anymore. It's hard to put a finger on it, but my wife and I went to New York on holiday which changed our feelings. Once we came back, it was all seemed so slow, close-minded, stagnant and really hit home what was important. Would love to know everyone's thoughts on why, or the exact moment, they decided to make the decision. The word you are looking for is DEPTH .....to some ,Australia just has a shiny veneer ,it lacks DEPTH ....europe has layers upon layers of history ,art,culture ....which gives it DEPTH .....north America has a bit ,but nothing like Europe P.s ...when are in London , new York or Paris ,you feel like you are somewhere that's important ,that matters,that's connected Although great cities,I never felt that in Perth or Melbourne .....i could make a case for Sydney though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foolboy Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I remember stepping on to the plane to leave for Australia and feeling like it just wasn't right. I was eleven and 36 years later I am still here. Australia as never been my home but I have stayed here for my family. Last year I woke up in the nero ward after my second brian operation. Looking around everyone looked really sick and I realised you can't waste your life in a country you are not happy in. I decided that night I was going to do what ever I needed to to get back to the UK. In 4 weeks I'm going home and can't wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foolboy Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Sorry everyone that should be brain lol. I knew that surgeon was lying when he said I was as good as new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacaranda Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Good news Foolboy!You'll be coming back at a good time....weather has been great where I am.Where are you heading? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 When Oz decide that Tony Abbott and the Liberal party was capable of running a country and Qeeunsland decided Campbell Newman could run a state. Hah! My English wife says we are going to live in Australia if UKIP ever get elected or form a coalition. There are worse things than Abbott. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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