costa123 Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 This is my first post on here so apologies if I’m repeating what so many other people have already asked! Little bit of background, I came out to OZ on my own back in 2009 on a one year visa with the view to heading back home after that. Typical story, met my husband at work a few months later and then got sponsored, residency, citizenship etc. About 4 years in started to get quite homesick but hubby wanted to stay here forever (he is also from the UK) 15 months ago we had a baby and unfortunately I suffered with PND which was made worse by the crippling homesickness of not having family support here. After 2 trips home last year to visit my husband finally agreed to give it a go moving back to the UK next year after he has been in his current job for a while (he recently got a promotion) so that he can hopefully get a decent job back home. I just can’t handle raising another child out here away from family and close friends. I literally cannot wait to move back and would go tomorrow if I could but know there needs to be a compromise. At the moment we are undecided as to where to live in the UK as his family is from the Midlands and mine are in London. I know he would get a better job in London but he’s not sure if he wants to do a long commute (we couldn’t afford to live in London itself) but I really don’t want to move up north as I don’t get on with his family and we would like to have a second child once we move back and I want to be nearer to my mum for support. Anyway, I guess I should be relieved that we are moving back to the UK regardless of where we go. Does anyone have any advice on the basics that we should try in get in place before we move back? I have no idea where to start. Neither of us own property either back home or here. What do we do with our super here? I’m pretty sure we can’t take it with us but should we be shopping around for a fund with low fees? Have we lost our residency status in the UK given that we will have been over here for around 8 years by the time we go back? I’d like to alleviate as much stress before we move back if I can by being organised! We would be looking to rent as soon as we get home, do you know if that would be an issue if we don’t have any credit rating for the last 8 years? Sorry for all the questions but if anyone has any general advice I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Hi and welcome. First, no, you don't lose your residency, though getting certain things will require waiting periods such as benefits. Where to live is always a hard one. We have just moved back to the UK after 8 years. We went to Australia from Leicester and would have liked to have lived back there, but I got a job near London - very close to Heathrow. So, we have moved down here. It is significantly more expensive to live in the South East, but, salaries are usually higher. For example, I get about 8k more for living here than I would in the midlands. While this doesn't fully make up for it, it does help and with some careful house hunting you can get somewhere nice without going over board. Also, the commutes are not necessarily that bad by going further out and getting a cheaper rental. The roads don't really get busy until very close to London. However, don't assume that you cant get a well paid job in the midlands or even north. Most of my friends are in the midlands and north and earn as much as they would and have careers just as good as they would if they lived in London. But, are much better off financially as a result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patphillips47 Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 There is right of abode and then the habitual residence scenario If you have a British passport you have the right of abode but if you try to claim benefits you need to prove your a resident Scenario with us in in 2001 we came back to look after my Mum and attempts to claim a rates rebate as our Aussie income was below the threshold we were not claiming any jobseekers sickness or disability benefits in the UK etc as we had Aussie pensions Had a long protracted interview gave them all our details ie we had sold house in Oz brought furniture car etc to the UK and bought a house They came back with no you can't have resident status as you left a bank account and children in Australia We came back with our children are not dependant they are mids 30's with family's of there own and the Australian bank account is left open because we have our Australian pensions paid into it They had the details of my Mum ,in her 90's and me an only child and she had not other living relatives in the UK When I said Should we stop our Aussie pensions and claim in the UK we were told Oh no you can't do that and the next day we revived a letter stating we had our residency back On the job front we are from the north east with a supposedly high unemployment level Within a week of coming back I had 3 full time job offers and I was mid 50's I always say there is work there if you look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Will add, I had my job lined up to start before I arrived - Applied from Oz, had skype interview, got the job, flew home a week last sunday and started on the Tuesday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 I tend to think unless you were to live within a stones throw of your Mum, support as such isn't going to be on tap. Having had PND myself and knowing how horrible it is, yes I can appreciate you wanting to be close to your Mum but PND does not last forever and at some point you own families needs and wants are going to come to the forefront (we lived almost 2 hours away from my parents when I had my baby and then moved while I was suffering PND another hour plus further away but we got through it). I guess what I am saying is don't bank or plan on being too close to your Mum distance wise. You could end up an hour or two away and its not the end of the world. Having another baby is not a given, so don't plan for something that hasn't happened yet IYKWIM. Cross those bridges if and when you need to. I'd say its more important to just get back to England, for your husband to be able to secure work and for that to be decent and then the other things will follow. If he finds a good job up north a bit for a while, so be it I think. What will matter more in the long term is that your husband can find a decent job he enjoys that is something he can cope with commute wise and not being the one to commute hours each way because you want to be closer to family or some such. Credit history wise, you'll have zip in the UK. I'd look to opening up an account there while you are still in Aus. Some UK banks are in Aus and you can do this with them. Pay something in to the account so you can build up a bit funds wise perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amibovered Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 I tend to think unless you were to live within a stones throw of your Mum, support as such isn't going to be on tap. Having had PND myself and knowing how horrible it is, yes I can appreciate you wanting to be close to your Mum but PND does not last forever and at some point you own families needs and wants are going to come to the forefront (we lived almost 2 hours away from my parents when I had my baby and then moved while I was suffering PND another hour plus further away but we got through it). I guess what I am saying is don't bank or plan on being too close to your Mum distance wise. You could end up an hour or two away and its not the end of the world. What will matter more in the long term is that your husband can find a decent job he enjoys that is something he can cope with commute wise and not being the one to commute hours each way because you want to be closer to family or some such. Having another baby is not a given, so don't plan for something that hasn't happened yet IYKWIM. Cross those bridges if and when you need to. I'd say its more important to just get back to England, for your husband to be able to secure work and for that to be decent and then the other things will follow. If he finds a good job up north a bit, so be it I think. Credit history wise, you'll have zip in the UK. I'd look to opening up an account there while you are still in Aus. Some UK banks are in Aus and you can do this with them. Pay something in to the account so you can build up a bit funds wise perhaps? Save yourself a lot of aggravation and do this !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Save yourself a lot of aggravation and do this !!!! Can't be done, none of the banks allow you,to open an account from overseas any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJT Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Can't be done, none of the banks allow you,to open an account from overseas any more.I spoke with HSBC and they will open up a UK account if you have an Australian one, it costs $200 but I believe you can still do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I spoke with HSBC and they will open up a UK account if you have an Australian one, it costs $200 but I believe you can still do it. That's worth a try. Citibank were still advertising the same service recently but they say new British bankibg regulations prevent them doing it now. And none of the High Street banks will do it now, we checked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wa7 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 This is my first post on here so apologies if I’m repeating what so many other people have already asked! Little bit of background, I came out to OZ on my own back in 2009 on a one year visa with the view to heading back home after that. Typical story, met my husband at work a few months later and then got sponsored, residency, citizenship etc. About 4 years in started to get quite homesick but hubby wanted to stay here forever (he is also from the UK) 15 months ago we had a baby and unfortunately I suffered with PND which was made worse by the crippling homesickness of not having family support here. After 2 trips home last year to visit my husband finally agreed to give it a go moving back to the UK next year after he has been in his current job for a while (he recently got a promotion) so that he can hopefully get a decent job back home. I just can’t handle raising another child out here away from family and close friends. I literally cannot wait to move back and would go tomorrow if I could but know there needs to be a compromise. At the moment we are undecided as to where to live in the UK as his family is from the Midlands and mine are in London. I know he would get a better job in London but he’s not sure if he wants to do a long commute (we couldn’t afford to live in London itself) but I really don’t want to move up north as I don’t get on with his family and we would like to have a second child once we move back and I want to be nearer to my mum for support. Anyway, I guess I should be relieved that we are moving back to the UK regardless of where we go. Does anyone have any advice on the basics that we should try in get in place before we move back? I have no idea where to start. Neither of us own property either back home or here. What do we do with our super here? I’m pretty sure we can’t take it with us but should we be shopping around for a fund with low fees? Have we lost our residency status in the UK given that we will have been over here for around 8 years by the time we go back? I’d like to alleviate as much stress before we move back if I can by being organised! We would be looking to rent as soon as we get home, do you know if that would be an issue if we don’t have any credit rating for the last 8 years? Sorry for all the questions but if anyone has any general advice I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance! Regarding super I would see if you could talk to one of those companies that specialises in getting a uk pension into oz they could help doing it the other way or ring around some good accountants and they should be able to help. You haven't lost uk residency, as for renting I don't know,if you could maybe stay with friends for a month or so just to get settled?? Splitting bills will work out good for all ?? Then this will give bit of time to look at renting/buying a place, if you have trouble getting a rental and if you can afford it offering 2 or 3 months in advance may show some good faith. We had similar issues with credit rating, money in bank but no history............... You will get there in the end chin up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 A couple of practical tips. We used Airbnb for an initial place to stay - we got a little cottage for a decent price. We have managed to get a long term rental without any hassle. Picking up the keys tomorrow. We have also discovered opening a bank account isn't that hard. Impossible online but have just spoken to Halifax and they are happy to open a basic current account with just our passports as proof of ID if we go into the branch to open it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 A couple of practical tips. We used Airbnb for an initial place to stay - we got a little cottage for a decent price. We have managed to get a long term rental without any hassle. Picking up the keys tomorrow. We have also discovered opening a bank account isn't that hard. Impossible online but have just spoken to Halifax and they are happy to open a basic current account with just our passports as proof of ID if we go into the branch to open it. If you have a British passport, any bank will say that BUT when you sit down with the bank official to do the paperwork, you'll discover they need a proof of address in the UK as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 About 4 years in started to get quite homesick but hubby wanted to stay here forever (he is also from the UK) 15 months ago we had a baby and unfortunately I suffered with PND which was made worse by the crippling homesickness of not having family support here. After 2 trips home last year to visit my husband finally agreed to give it a go moving back to the UK next year after he has been in his current job for a while (he recently got a promotion) so that he can hopefully get a decent job back home. I just can’t handle raising another child out here away from family and close friends. I literally cannot wait to move back and would go tomorrow if I could but know there needs to be a compromise. At the moment we are undecided as to where to live in the UK as his family is from the Midlands and mine are in London. I know he would get a better job in London but he’s not sure if he wants to do a long commute (we couldn’t afford to live in London itself) but I really don’t want to move up north as I don’t get on with his family and we would like to have a second child once we move back and I want to be nearer to my mum for support. Anyway, I guess I should be relieved that we are moving back to the UK regardless of where we go. It appears the reason the two of you are moving back is because you miss and need the support of your family not he his. If so it's a no-brainer that you need to move to London where your family is. Of course you could see them a lot more living in the Midlands than living in Australia but if you still weren't seeing them enough you'd be as unhappy in the Midlands as you are in Australia. On the flip side of that of course is the risk that your other half will be depressed through missing Australia so I understand you want to accommodate him, but if he's not (emotionally) close to his family then being in the Midlands isn't going to make a big difference to how much he misses Australia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 If you have a British passport, any bank will say that BUT when you sit down with the bank official to do the paperwork, you'll discover they need a proof of address in the UK as well. Lucky they've got their names on a long term rental agreement then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 If you have a British passport, any bank will say that BUT when you sit down with the bank official to do the paperwork, you'll discover they need a proof of address in the UK as well. I mentioned that, and I had spoken to other banks who said they needed proof of address, but Halifax and Yorkshire didn't want it as long as we had UK passports. Opted for Halifax over Yorkshire purely because they have a branch in Windsor and the nearest Yorkshire is Piccadilly and I will be in Windsor Friday morning to pick up keys and got an appointment at the bank for straight after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Banks can have their own policies but all must apply the money laundering regulations https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proof-of-identity-checklist/proof-of-identity-checklist You must have proof of address - a tenancy agreement is a valid proof of address Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I have lived in many different parts of the UK and the quality of life in different areas is very different - of course what suits one person doesn't suit another. We lived in Essex and commuted to London and I hated it - I was getting home at 20:30 most nights and a proper night out meant a £80 taxi fare home. I travel to London quite a lot for business now and love it! I stay in hotels walking distance from the office, I love the South bank vibe (so alive after Perth!) and since it's a break from parental responsibilities I fantasise about life being like that - of course I couldn't possibly afford to live there! I think working in London is pretty miserable unless you're rich enough to live there, and although the attractions are tantalisingly close most people end up living their lives in dormitory towns (apt name!). What does your OH do? His work opportunities are going to dictate a lot in terms of quality of life and there are regional hubs in the UK depending on what you do. I work primarily in the finance sector and find Edinburgh/Glasgow as absolutely enough work for me (I've been head hunted by two companies in the last week!), pay is marginally less - 10% maybe but the cost of living is SO much less that instead of a two-bed flat we live in a 4-bed detached house. Plus I get the cultural benefits of living close to two major cities with great transport. Not suggesting Scotland for you, just saying there are areas outside London which have ample opportunity depending on the sector. Plenty of us have made the move - we did it after 5 years in Perth so come back and ask your questions as they arise. It's a while off yet but you'll need both a valid Australian and British passport when you make the move - some people forget that and it gets tense in the last days before they fly home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shayman Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 As a Yorkshireman I am no doubt biased but Leeds is a city very much on the up in terms of investment and job opportunities (combined with decent living standards and reasonable living costs). It is also easy to get direct trains to London and the Midlands, albeit the London journey can be a major rip off if not booked in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I think a lot of people used to living in London don't realise that they can get the same jobs in other parts of the UK. A friend of mine starts a new job on Monday as a Microsoft project manager. In Middlesbrough of all places. My best mate is a senior programmer in Leicester and another is a senior software engineer in a small town Lancashire. Both are paid only a few grand less than they would earn in London, but have living costs of a fraction of London. And London St Pancras is less than an hour by train from Leicester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patphillips47 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I think a lot of people used to living in London don't realise that they can get the same jobs in other parts of the UK. A friend of mine starts a new job on Monday as a Microsoft project manager. In Middlesbrough of all places. My best mate is a senior programmer in Leicester and another is a senior software engineer in a small town Lancashire. Both are paid only a few grand less than they would earn in London, but have living costs of a fraction of London. And London St Pancras is less than an hour by train from Leicester. What's wrong with Middlebrough LOL - the commute from the North to London is very easy now seemingly Durham is particularly popular too for some who work in London but travel home at weekends Housing is much cheaper either to rent or buy and yes costs are much cheaper Nissan in Sunderland , well it's Washington but near enough , has opened up a lot of opportunities and satellite buisness are springing up everywhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 What's wrong with Middlebrough LOL - the commute from the North to London is very easy now seemingly Durham is particularly popular too for some who work in London but travel home at weekends Housing is much cheaper either to rent or buy and yes costs are much cheaper Nissan in Sunderland , well it's Washington but near enough , has opened up a lot of opportunities and satellite buisness are springing up everywhere Nothing wrong with Boro - I am a Boro lad born and bred. But, it isn't somewhere many would associate with Microsoft. There again, many don't realise that IBM have recently opened a massive centre in Leicester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bell123321 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 As a Yorkshireman I am no doubt biased but Leeds is a city very much on the up in terms of investment and job opportunities (combined with decent living standards and reasonable living costs). It is also easy to get direct trains to London and the Midlands, albeit the London journey can be a major rip off if not booked in advance. I have lived in both Leeds and 30 minutes train journey outside London. I agree that Leeds is very reasonable living costs, the city is also had a lot of investments in the last few years building a brand new shopping centre. There used to also be plenty of jobs too. I do like living down south too but would live in Leeds again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patphillips47 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Nothing wrong with Boro - I am a Boro lad born and bred. But, it isn't somewhere many would associate with Microsoft. There again, many don't realise that IBM have recently opened a massive centre in Leicester. We better not mention football then LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Posted March 18, 2016 Share Posted March 18, 2016 I would agree. If you have been away a long time you will see big changes, lots of places that were once considered less desirable than the South, are now revamped, regenerated and are most definitely "on the up". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
costa123 Posted March 18, 2016 Author Share Posted March 18, 2016 Hi and welcome. First, no, you don't lose your residency, though getting certain things will require waiting periods such as benefits. Where to live is always a hard one. We have just moved back to the UK after 8 years. We went to Australia from Leicester and would have liked to have lived back there, but I got a job near London - very close to Heathrow. So, we have moved down here. It is significantly more expensive to live in the South East, but, salaries are usually higher. For example, I get about 8k more for living here than I would in the midlands. While this doesn't fully make up for it, it does help and with some careful house hunting you can get somewhere nice without going over board. Also, the commutes are not necessarily that bad by going further out and getting a cheaper rental. The roads don't really get busy until very close to London. However, don't assume that you cant get a well paid job in the midlands or even north. Most of my friends are in the midlands and north and earn as much as they would and have careers just as good as they would if they lived in London. But, are much better off financially as a result. thanks! I guess I just need to be a bit more open to the idea of where we end up living. To be honest it will just be good to be back home and the U.K. is so small anyway. Are you enjoying being back, do you feel it was the right decision? We will have been over here 8 years too by the time we leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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