empire Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 Hello, It has been a while since I last signed back into pmsinoz and I almost forgot about it. I have been living in the United Kingdom since 2016, coming up to eight years now. Since we moved to the country we moved three times and now resting in a seaside town. Eight years have changed to the point that we do not know what's different and what has changed in Australia. We know what's going on in the UK to the point that it's getting worse with the Government and the outcome with NHS is not getting any better. pension is the worst to the point that all pensions get nothing even that cost of living and just about anything is going up. pension in the UK is so bad that no one can't live on it. I'm 30 years old with my two older grandparents who are in their 70s and age on their side isn't helping to the point that it's not easy for them to move around, the last couple of weeks we have been in talks about going back to Australia to live. I do not personally want to go back however others are 50/50. Mainly for the outcome here in the UK are: The NHS system is bad, If you are sick you do not get any treatment and waiting times are bad, if you get sick you end up being sick for months waiting The government, like a kid's playground and not getting any better Cost of living, Not getting good enough money coming in then again I do not work XD Yeah, the UK has good and the bad, but then again, no difference to Australia it has good and the bad. If we end up selling, we have no other backup money, once the money has been exchanged we might be lucky to get $290 AUD however take away shipment costs plus money for a car or whatever. What's going on in Australia? Australia Vs UK regarding living? Jobs related? Even though we have a sick family member is it good to go over? Traveling on public transport like? Would be worse there or in the UK? I rather stay but other family members are in the deep end right now how things are.. What would be a better option regards to a single person once that day comes when old age gives up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 When you talk about "we" and other family members, is that you and your partner and children or your parents and yourself? If it's you and your parents and you are not keen on coming here perhaps they could come and you stay where you are happier. The cost of living in Australia is high and rentals are very hard to find. Even here in Tasmania, a decent rental at an affordable price is very rare and the cost of buying a house here has doubled in the last 10 years. With regard to public transport, it depends where you live. The big cities will have fairly good public transport but not so much in regional areas. I think it all depends where you live in the UK and here. Some lovely areas and some real dumps. Difficult to compare the two countries. The politicians here are probably much the same as the ones in the UK. Not much to write home about with regard to all of them. I have no complaints about the health service here but that could depend on the area. Good luck with your decision! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 If money is that tight, have you checked the cost of housing in Australia? Property prices, both to buy and to rent, have gone up massively. Of course it depends where you're planning to come to. For instance, property in Sydney is literally double the price of equivalent property everywhere else in Oz, except Melbourne. I assume you all have PR or citizenship? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
empire Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 21 minutes ago, Toots said: The cost of living in Australia is high and rentals are very hard to find. Even here in Tasmania, a decent rental at an affordable price is very rare and the cost of buying a house here has doubled in the last 10 years. What a coincidence, Before I moved to the UK I lived in Tassie for 10 years. Live in Burnie and as I'm aware since then the house that we sold has doubled via almost an extra $100K as it's on the coast/river with sea views. Since 10 years other than cost has doubled I do not think it has changed that much compared to Hobart. Transport in Burine is only buses and almost every two hours to go to and from Ulverstone, so unless you live in a city with a 20-minute bus route then no different to the UK.. Before moved to the UK, we were not happy with what the outcome was, The temps are getting higher and I hate the heat and summer, what made us move to the UK are: Family, mostly UK based Cooler temps Being so near and close to many locations, Can drive anyway and not need to fly Grandparents are British-born and want to go back to their roots 25 minutes ago, Toots said: I think it all depends where you live in the UK and here. Some lovely areas and some real dumps. Difficult to compare the two countries. I live in a town that's only 5mins walk to the beach, 30mins drive to Whitby and a good hour from York. Even each town has a bad and good location. I would say the UK has more history and older buildings and driving is less, as Ozz you need to fly from state to state. 27 minutes ago, Toots said: When you talk about "we" and other family members, is that you and your partner and children or your parents and yourself? If it's you and your parents and you are not keen on coming here perhaps they could come and you stay where you are happier. How things are at the moment I'm single and like anyone else can't afford things even with the cost of living so end up living with my grandparents but supporting and helping them out as age is not on their side anymore.. We end up sharing between the three of us. If I wanted to stay, would make it hard to regards money being split. Plus would take me an arm and a leg to get them to say I'm not going XD 29 minutes ago, Toots said: The politicians here are probably much the same as the ones in the UK. Not much to write home about with regard to all of them. That's a thing, I do not know what is going on, Might end up moving and a year later end up being worse off.. Here in the UK, we do not hear anything regarding what's going on from Ozz 26 minutes ago, Marisawright said: I assume you all have PR or citizenship? I'm Ausiliaan born anyway and so that's not a problem other than renewing our passports. What's the cost of buying in Tasmania then? 3 bedrooms nowadays? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 47 minutes ago, empire said: What a coincidence, Before I moved to the UK I lived in Tassie for 10 years. Live in Burnie and as I'm aware since then the house that we sold has doubled via almost an extra $100K as it's on the coast/river with sea views. Since 10 years other than cost has doubled I do not think it has changed that much compared to Hobart. Transport in Burine is only buses and almost every two hours to go to and from Ulverstone, so unless you live in a city with a 20-minute bus route then no different to the UK.. Before moved to the UK, we were not happy with what the outcome was, The temps are getting higher and I hate the heat and summer, what made us move to the UK are: Family, mostly UK based Cooler temps Being so near and close to many locations, Can drive anyway and not need to fly Grandparents are British-born and want to go back to their roots I live in a town that's only 5mins walk to the beach, 30mins drive to Whitby and a good hour from York. Even each town has a bad and good location. I would say the UK has more history and older buildings and driving is less, as Ozz you need to fly from state to state. How things are at the moment I'm single and like anyone else can't afford things even with the cost of living so end up living with my grandparents but supporting and helping them out as age is not on their side anymore.. We end up sharing between the three of us. If I wanted to stay, would make it hard to regards money being split. Plus would take me an arm and a leg to get them to say I'm not going XD That's a thing, I do not know what is going on, Might end up moving and a year later end up being worse off.. Here in the UK, we do not hear anything regarding what's going on from Ozz I'm Ausiliaan born anyway and so that's not a problem other than renewing our passports. What's the cost of buying in Tasmania then? 3 bedrooms nowadays? Hobart is now expensive to buy and rent. Average property prices over the last year range from $860,000 for houses to $807,500 for units. Houses in Hobart rent out for $585 PW units rent for $527 PW. Burnie will be a lot cheaper depending on the area. I live in Devonport. Burnie real estate: https://www.realestate.com.au/buy/in-burnie,+tas+7320/list-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DT55 Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 3 hours ago, empire said: What a coincidence, Before I moved to the UK I lived in Tassie for 10 years. Live in Burnie and as I'm aware since then the house that we sold has doubled via almost an extra $100K as it's on the coast/river with sea views. Since 10 years other than cost has doubled I do not think it has changed that much compared to Hobart. Transport in Burine is only buses and almost every two hours to go to and from Ulverstone, so unless you live in a city with a 20-minute bus route then no different to the UK.. Before moved to the UK, we were not happy with what the outcome was, The temps are getting higher and I hate the heat and summer, what made us move to the UK are: Family, mostly UK based Cooler temps Being so near and close to many locations, Can drive anyway and not need to fly Grandparents are British-born and want to go back to their roots I live in a town that's only 5mins walk to the beach, 30mins drive to Whitby and a good hour from York. Even each town has a bad and good location. I would say the UK has more history and older buildings and driving is less, as Ozz you need to fly from state to state. How things are at the moment I'm single and like anyone else can't afford things even with the cost of living so end up living with my grandparents but supporting and helping them out as age is not on their side anymore.. We end up sharing between the three of us. If I wanted to stay, would make it hard to regards money being split. Plus would take me an arm and a leg to get them to say I'm not going XD That's a thing, I do not know what is going on, Might end up moving and a year later end up being worse off.. Here in the UK, we do not hear anything regarding what's going on from Ozz I'm Ausiliaan born anyway and so that's not a problem other than renewing our passports. What's the cost of buying in Tasmania then? 3 bedrooms nowadays? Sounds like you’re living in Scarbados!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 @empire, to be honest, it sounds like you would be happier staying where you are. Cost of living is actually a bit higher in Australia than in the UK. If you're working that doesn't matter because most people earn a higher salary in Australia. But for retired people like your grandparents, or if you struggle to find work, it would be a problem. You say your former house has almost doubled - well, so has every other house in Tassie, so there's your answer to 'how much is a house'. As Toots said, look on realestate.com.au to get an idea 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 You'd be arriving with very little, $290k is going to get you nowhere if you have to take fares, sending belongings, setting up, buying cars etc. When we returned, including 2 cars, new insurances, general set up - into our own home with no mortgage we did not see much change from $100k and we aren't extravagant by any means - and that was 4 years ago. There were only 2 of us too. I seriously think you'd struggle if that's all you've got I'm not hearing great things about health down in Tas from my paramedic niece but Toots will know better what the situation would be for the slightly older folk in Tas. I don't reckon it's that great where I am either but with private health cover it doesn't take forever (colonoscopy on Medicare here estimated to be 18 months by my specialist who did the job in a week plus several thousand gap). How would your grandparents be for accessing a Centrelink pension here? They'll have to have done a good while in Australia the last time around but, even then, it's a benefit and not luxury living. If you weren't happy before, none of that has changed. For a couple of oldies (I'm their age) getting back into the community is bloody hard work once you get back, personally I find a sense of community lacking but maybe in smaller places there's more of it - but those places aren't real hubs for employment so swings and roundabouts. Bottom line you say you don't really want to go - then don't. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 @empire it's still not clear who in your family want to return to Australia. Is it only your grandparents who you live with or other family members? I think it would a huge upheaval and a very expensive move for your grandparents at their age. I honestly think life would be better for them in the UK and probably for you too as you really aren't keen on returning. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InnerVoice Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 3 hours ago, Toots said: @empire it's still not clear who in your family want to return to Australia. Is it only your grandparents who you live with or other family members? I think it would a huge upheaval and a very expensive move for your grandparents at their age. I honestly think life would be better for them in the UK and probably for you too as you really aren't keen on returning. Apologies if I've misinterpreted this, but it seems that the OP is living with his grandparents (and maybe has been all his life) and it is they who now wish to return to Australia, after living in the UK for 8 years. The question is whether the OP wishes to return with them or remain in the UK, should indeed they return to Australia. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 43 minutes ago, InnerVoice said: Apologies if I've misinterpreted this, but it seems that the OP is living with his grandparents (and maybe has been all his life) and it is they who now wish to return to Australia, after living in the UK for 8 years. The question is whether the OP wishes to return with them or remain in the UK, should indeed they return to Australia. I have just read all of the OP's comments started years ago and yes, I think you are correct. He/she just mentions grandparents. Until I read those older comments I just assumed there were other family members. That's the problem with having 2 passports. You will always be wondering if the grass is greeener. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
can1983 Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 13 hours ago, Toots said: I have just read all of the OP's comments started years ago and yes, I think you are correct. He/she just mentions grandparents. Until I read those older comments I just assumed there were other family members. That's the problem with having 2 passports. You will always be wondering if the grass is greeener. I guess having two passports is a bit of a burden. Too easy to move, sometimes visas are a good thing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 18 minutes ago, can1983 said: I guess having two passports is a bit of a burden. Too easy to move, sometimes visas are a good thing! Certainly very easy to move between 2 countries with your 2 passports if you have the cash and a lot of it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BendigoBoy Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 15 hours ago, Toots said: That's the problem with having 2 passports. You will always be wondering if the grass is greeener. Not for all of us, @Toots Not for all of us. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InnerVoice Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 2 hours ago, Toots said: Certainly very easy to move between 2 countries with your 2 passports if you have the cash and a lot of it. Or even 3 countries if you're an Aus/UK citizen, courtesy of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement with New Zealand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
can1983 Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 13 minutes ago, InnerVoice said: Or even 3 countries if you're an Aus/UK citizen, courtesy of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement with New Zealand. Its a shame the UK isn't in some sort of arrangement like that where its citizens can take an opportunity to live and work in another country. Maybe i could suggest it to them? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BendigoBoy Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 1 hour ago, can1983 said: Its a shame the UK isn't in some sort of arrangement like that where its citizens can take an opportunity to live and work in another country. Maybe i could suggest it to them? Nah, don't. If they ever did change their minds, they'd end up feeling annoyed because the French may finally realise that De Gaulle was absolutely right with his reasoning about why the UK shouldn't have been allowed into the Common Market to begin with and demand that they enter on the same terms as any other applicant country. That'd probably put the cat even further amongst the pigeons. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 @empire to get back to your post. Your grandparents may be thinking they'll be better off financially in Australia. If they're not already collecting the Australian pension, they might be right. As they lived in Australia for 30 years, they'll be eligible for the Australian pension, which is higher than the UK one -- but remember, the Aussie pension is means-tested, so if they have a lot of savings, they won't get the full amount. Here's the calculator where they can work out what they'd get: https://yourpension.com.au/APCalc/index.html Notice they'll have to declare their British pension and that will slightly reduce the amount of Aussie pension they get, too. But they should still be better off. Also, when they first arrive, they'll have money in the bank until they can buy a house -- so that might mean they have too much money to qualify for the pension straight away. Once they've worked out what income they'll have, they also need to think about the higher cost of living and the cost of housing. There's no benefit in having a higher income if it's going to get eaten up in costs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 On 12/03/2024 at 09:00, empire said: I'm Ausiliaan born anyway and so that's not a problem other than renewing our passports. That's OK for you but you mention that your grandparents are British born. Did they acquire Australian citizenship when they were living here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
empire Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 5 hours ago, Marisawright said: @empire to get back to your post. Your grandparents may be thinking they'll be better off financially in Australia. If they're not already collecting the Australian pension, they might be right. As they lived in Australia for 30 years, they'll be eligible for the Australian pension, which is higher than the UK one -- but remember, the Aussie pension is means-tested, so if they have a lot of savings, they won't get the full amount. Here's the calculator where they can work out what they'd get: https://yourpension.com.au/APCalc/index.html Notice they'll have to declare their British pension and that will slightly reduce the amount of Aussie pension they get, too. But they should still be better off. Also, when they first arrive, they'll have money in the bank until they can buy a house -- so that might mean they have too much money to qualify for the pension straight away. Once they've worked out what income they'll have, they also need to think about the higher cost of living and the cost of housing. There's no benefit in having a higher income if it's going to get eaten up in costs. They lived over there for 30 years and they already have an Australian pension, plus a UK pension. With the exchange rate, it is almost half, that being said one gets more UK pension and the other member gets more Australian pension that's based on how long they have been working and based on being in the country. Back 15 years ago in Australia, they were working not just to get their Australian pension but also to work, but now that's not an option since they are both in their 70s and with health not good. Xd So before we left they just stopped working and back then we had like $280K to move to the UK with XD and at the time with a good rate back in 2015, Now in 2024 we would lose out more So as of now, they get both pensions. Would not be ranted, end up buying, renew passports, Car, and all other's expensive. We still do have the Australian dollar/bank however might be enough to towards a car, if lucky. 3 hours ago, Skani said: Did they acquire Australian citizenship when they were living here? Yes, they are all good in terms of citizenship.. 11 hours ago, Toots said: Certainly very easy to move between 2 countries with your 2 passports if you have the cash and a lot of it. We do have both PAssports, however, they both are expired XD plus the UK passport has now changed since we left the EU - WOuld cost almost £1000 to renew both passports per person. On 12/03/2024 at 10:12, Toots said: I have just read all of the OP's comments started years ago and yes, I think you are correct. He/she just mentions grandparents. Until I read those older comments I just assumed there were other family members. That's the problem with having 2 passports. You will always be wondering if the grass is greeener. Just the three of us, Me and two people in their 70s On 11/03/2024 at 22:54, Toots said: Hobart is now expensive to buy and rent. Average property prices over the last year range from $860,000 for houses to $807,500 for units. Houses in Hobart rent out for $585 PW units rent for $527 PW. Burnie will be a lot cheaper depending on the area. I live in Devonport. Before we left around, looking back 15 years ago we bought a home in Burnie for $120K we renovated and sold it in 2015 for $240 - a home on the river looking at the ocean. Now that home would cost double. I heard that the house has not been up for sale since we sold it in 2015 and via Google Maps, it has not changed since we left it. We looked into the sold properties from that street and they have an average of $300K I moved to Tassie when I was 9 years old and Devenport was my first stopover for 5 months' rent LOL On 12/03/2024 at 09:24, InnerVoice said: The question is whether the OP wishes to return with them or remain in the UK, should indeed they return to Australia. I rather stay in the UK, unless I was invited to go back knowing that I have a very good job that I would take on. Others well, they half/half mainly for: The health system is crap High streets are getting worse less banks and fewer stores Full of woke and different cultures taken over British and the UK is not the UK anymore, it's like Sydney, and parts of Sydney are like you are walking in China. Penson, UK doesn't give a FLIP about older people. Scray world feeling Government not giving what people want, kids playing in the football grounds - Government is bad/crap - Needs kicking out Regards Job/work there is nothing regarding that on both ends for me... Doesn't help that I'm on a disability myself... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluequay Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 (edited) I believe their UK state pensions will be frozen if they move back to Australia so no more cost of living increases. Edited March 13 by bluequay clarification Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
empire Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 56 minutes ago, bluequay said: I believe their UK state pensions will be frozen if they move back to Australia so no more cost of living increases. You can get your State Pension in any country in the world, but got to tell the Department for Work and Pensions about it.. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/work-learning/retirement/moving-abroad-in-retirement/#:~:text=You can get your State,the cost-of-living. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluequay Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 8 minutes ago, empire said: You can get your State Pension in any country in the world, but got to tell the Department for Work and Pensions about it.. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/work-learning/retirement/moving-abroad-in-retirement/#:~:text=You can get your State,the cost-of-living. Yes you can but you won't get the annual cost of living uplift if you move to Australia as it doesn't have a social security agreement with the UK. It is frozen at the amount you received when you leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 (edited) 7 hours ago, empire said: You can get your State Pension in any country in the world, but got to tell the Department for Work and Pensions about it.. Yes you can, BUT there's one snag. If you look at the article you linked to, it says that: Depending on which country you move to, your pension may be frozen at a certain rate or linked to the cost-of-living. Australia is one of those countries where it's frozen. Whatever figure they're getting when they move to Australia, that's the figure it will stay at forever. No increases. Can you imagine how they'd be managing now, if they still had to live on the pension they were getting ten years ago? That might not be too bad, IF returning to Australia would mean getting more Australian pension. It might balance out. That's why they need to use that calculator. Edited March 13 by Marisawright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 9 hours ago, empire said: Others well, they half/half mainly for: The health system is crap High streets are getting worse less banks and fewer stores Are they remembering that the health system here isn't free? Most GPs have stopped bulk-billing now. At the moment, you can still find some that bulk-bill pensioners, but I'm not sure how long that will last. That means they'll have to pay every time they visit the doctor. Some doctors charge as much as $80 per visit. The waiting lists for hospital treatment are the same as in the UK. I'm sorry to say. As you'll remember, a lot of Australians avoid the waiting lists because they pay for private health insurance, but it doesn't sound like you or your grandparents could afford that. How many medications are they on? In the UK they get their prescriptions free. In Australia, they'll have to pay for them. It's $7.70 per item, and that can mount up over a year. As for banks -- Australian banks are doing it too. https://7news.com.au/news/union-slams-decision-to-close-all-bankwest-branches-in-western-australia-and-shift-focus-to-digital-services-c-13862175 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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