6 month update

[VERYSTORMY]

Well, it is now 6 months since we arrived back in the UK after 8 years in WA.

 

We we lived all our time in WA in Mandurah and would highly recommend it for anyone heading to WA. Great beaches, much more affordable and plenty of attractions.

 

But, we are very glad to be back.

 

Most on here know it was mainly lack of work that resulted in the move back and while we loved our time in Australia, it wasn't until we came back that we realised being forced to come back was actually a big favour to us as we had forgotten what we liked about the UK.

 

I was very lucky to find a job prior to moving and that helped hugely. In fact, we couldn't have done it otherwise. We were very broke by the time our Oz adventure ended and we had to sell everything to pay for the move. So, we landed with a suit case each and the little dog.

 

But, six months on and we have pretty much established ourselves. There is still stuff I would like - a food processor is next. But, nothing essential. We were very lucky to have kindness of family and friends who supplied essentials and gumtree was great.

 

We initially moved to the South East to an Air BnB in the village of Binfield which is lovely and then a rental in Windsor which has been a great experience.

 

But, we quickly realised that while we like Windsor, we could never afford to buy here and even renting is painful. It is also a bit more urban for us. Although a small town we prefer a rural life.

 

So, I decided to job hunt again and have had a lot of positive results and we have just accepted a job in Scotland. So, as I write, my wife is up there looking at houses. We think we have found the perfect pcottage in a tiny hamlet of 40 houses but about half hour walk to a very pretty small market town. For a fraction of the South East.

 

We have had a very good summer and spring. We arrived to one of those magical spring days on England can do. Cold with a heavy frost and everywhere glistening white but warm in the sun with clear blue sky. Since then, we had a wash out July but the rest being a wonderful summer. If anything too hot!!!

 

we have spent loads of time enjoying the countryside and foraging. This week will be elderberry for sauce, plums, apples and others. That has been great fun and the Great Park is truly great for it.

 

We we have been able to spend lots of time with friends and family which has been important to us and we never really understood how much we missed the until now.

 

Not everything has been perfect, but, nothing in life ever is. My wife did miss the house we had built in WA as we had not had it long and she had poured her heart and soul into it. This is what I was most worried about before the move. But, she now is also very glad to be back and likes the fact she no longer has a stupidly big place to clean for 2 of us. In fact, she is going a bit too much the other way and keeps pointing at places I think are too small.

 

So, all I can say is we have enjoyed our experience but are very glad to be home.

[Perthbum]

aint to bad is it old little UK :cute:

 

P.S..SCOTLAND BBBBBRRRRRRRRRR, Its a different climate up there mate, your screen name is very apt..:wink:

[Quoll]

Wow, Scotland! Didn't see that one coming! Enjoy it!

[coco12]

glad to hear you are happy in the UK, VS. I was an active member of PP (different user name) until I got my fingers burnt, however its good to hear you are well and happy x

[Quokka2005]

Love the update. Where in Scotland are you moving to?

[Gbye grey sky]

Glad things are working out so well for you both after a tough couple of years.

 

Moving to Scotland though, is that going to take you away from the friends and family that you have just reconnected with?

[srh82]

Good luck with winter in Scotland! And dealing with nationalist party politics! :jimlad:

[newjez]

It would be very ironic if you ended up in Perth again.

 

Tbh I would be up there in a shot.

[Quokka2005]

People act like scotlands always below freezing or something lol. Most of the time there wont be a drastic difference. Unless we happen to have a bad winter.. although we do have central heating up here too :wink:

 

when i went to london one january i felt colder there than scotland, it felt so damp and chilly. Scotland was warmer that week

[srh82]

People act like scotlands always below freezing or something lol. Most of the time there wont be a drastic difference. Unless we happen to have a bad winter.. although we do have central heating up here too :wink:

 

when i went to london one january i felt colder there than scotland, it felt so damp and chilly. Scotland was warmer that week

 

 

"That week" haha. I lived in Aberdeen for 15 years.

[Perthbum]

People act like scotlands always below freezing or something lol. Most of the time there wont be a drastic difference. Unless we happen to have a bad winter.. although we do have central heating up here too :wink:

 

when i went to london one january i felt colder there than scotland, it felt so damp and chilly. Scotland was warmer that week

we have a new girl working at the pub who comes from glasgow, she says it is so humid down here and feels like being in spain....lol

[Perthbum]

People act like scotlands always below freezing or something lol. Most of the time there wont be a drastic difference. Unless we happen to have a bad winter.. although we do have central heating up here too :wink:

 

when i went to london one january i felt colder there than scotland, it felt so damp and chilly. Scotland was warmer that week

that week....:biglaugh: gotta love you stacy.

[Guest]

Well, it is now 6 months since we arrived back in the UK after 8 years in WA.

 

We we lived all our time in WA in Mandurah and would highly recommend it for anyone heading to WA. Great beaches, much more affordable and plenty of attractions.

 

But, we are very glad to be back.

 

Most on here know it was mainly lack of work that resulted in the move back and while we loved our time in Australia, it wasn't until we came back that we realised being forced to come back was actually a big favour to us as we had forgotten what we liked about the UK.

 

I was very lucky to find a job prior to moving and that helped hugely. In fact, we couldn't have done it otherwise. We were very broke by the time our Oz adventure ended and we had to sell everything to pay for the move. So, we landed with a suit case each and the little dog.

 

But, six months on and we have pretty much established ourselves. There is still stuff I would like - a food processor is next. But, nothing essential. We were very lucky to have kindness of family and friends who supplied essentials and gumtree was great.

 

We initially moved to the South East to an Air BnB in the village of Binfield which is lovely and then a rental in Windsor which has been a great experience.

 

But, we quickly realised that while we like Windsor, we could never afford to buy here and even renting is painful. It is also a bit more urban for us. Although a small town we prefer a rural life.

 

So, I decided to job hunt again and have had a lot of positive results and we have just accepted a job in Scotland. So, as I write, my wife is up there looking at houses. We think we have found the perfect pcottage in a tiny hamlet of 40 houses but about half hour walk to a very pretty small market town. For a fraction of the South East.

 

We have had a very good summer and spring. We arrived to one of those magical spring days on England can do. Cold with a heavy frost and everywhere glistening white but warm in the sun with clear blue sky. Since then, we had a wash out July but the rest being a wonderful summer. If anything too hot!!!

 

we have spent loads of time enjoying the countryside and foraging. This week will be elderberry for sauce, plums, apples and others. That has been great fun and the Great Park is truly great for it.

 

We we have been able to spend lots of time with friends and family which has been important to us and we never really understood how much we missed the until now.

 

Not everything has been perfect, but, nothing in life ever is. My wife did miss the house we had built in WA as we had not had it long and she had poured her heart and soul into it. This is what I was most worried about before the move. But, she now is also very glad to be back and likes the fact she no longer has a stupidly big place to clean for 2 of us. In fact, she is going a bit too much the other way and keeps pointing at places I think are too small.

 

So, all I can say is we have enjoyed our experience but are very glad to be home.

 

I can't believe you've been back 6 months already, so glad you are happy as it wasn't you really wanted to move back.

 

And welcome to Scotland I'm guessing Aberdeenshire so probably about as far from me as you are in Windsor but maybe if you're passing through the Central Belt of the way to Smoggie you could call in for a coffee.

 

For now work ties me to the central belt but I indulge in some Highland property porn from time to time - they have just introduced a new scheme to make it financially easier to build houses and I must admit I would like to build again or live in a centuries old cottage

[JockinTas]

I'm looking forward to reading another update in 6 months about life in Scotland! Your little cottage in a small village sounds just lovely.

 

Thanks for keeping us up to date after your big move from Perth. :smile:

[VERYSTORMY]

Thanks everyone.

 

I will be working near Motherwell and we have taken a cottage in a tiny hamlet (population about 150) about 40 minutes south of near a small market town called Strathen.

 

My wife visited yesterday and viewed the property and loved it and the countryside.

 

So, will move next week.

[AJ]

Thanks everyone.

 

I will be working near Motherwell and we have taken a cottage in a tiny hamlet (population about 150) about 40 minutes south of near a small market town called Strathen.

 

My wife visited yesterday and viewed the property and loved it and the countryside.

 

So, will move next week.

Never heard of that place and I lived in Scotland most of my life!

[bristolman]

Never heard of that place and I lived in Scotland most of my life!

 

Perhaps VS meant Strathaven. Simple mistake to make in an area you aren't familiar with.

[bristolman]

Glad it's all working out for you VS, onwards and upwards.

[AJ]

 

Perhaps VS meant Strathaven. Simple mistake to make in an area you aren't familiar with.

Could be, its spelt Strathaven but you pronouce it Straven.

[Quokka2005]

we have a new girl working at the pub who comes from glasgow, she says it is so humid down here and feels like being in spain....lol

 

Well its felt like that since ive been back. Was horribly humid yesterday

[Quokka2005]

we have a new girl working at the pub who comes from glasgow, she says it is so humid down here and feels like being in spain....lol

 

Well its felt like that on and off since ive been back. Was horribly humid yesterday

[Quokka2005]

VS you'll be living quite near me. Hope you enjoy!

[Quokka2005]

"That week" haha. I lived in Aberdeen for 15 years.

 

Ive lived in south england too but was too young to remember much of it. I dont think my parents found a drastic difference in winter. They decided to move back to scotland because they preferred it here

[newjez]

Well its felt like that on and off since ive been back. Was horribly humid yesterday

 

The expectation of hot and moist is always better than the reality.

[bristolman]

The expectation of hot and moist is always better than the reality.

 

Yes when we decided to move to Brisbane we almost dismissed the idea of hot and humid, it's just weather, it will be fine. The reality is somewhat different.