Yeah, it's a tough call. I came over a few years ago and got something like 2.33..... and then watched the pound contantly climb against the Oz dollar.

It was just as irritating as watching it fall.. all the 'extra' money I could have made by hanging on. If I'd waited I could have got an extra $80k... doesn't seem so bad now given the current rates.

Well we are just gutted and feeling pretty glum about the whole situation now as I can't see any hope of improvement until the general election now at least.
I'd even be happy with 2 at this moment!

I still say it's not so bad for you guys coming out as you need time to decide where and what you want to live in. I know a few people who bought straight away and regretted it - bear in mind it's expensive to buy and sell here!

We've got an opportunity to buy a piece of land to build on and we just can't decide what to do! It now means a big stretch but if we wait two years until the rates improve then how much will houses go up as they don't seem to be stopping! Plus I'm not impressed with second hand homes in our area as they all seem to need a renno and a new house means we get a layout to suit us..........oh decisions decisions - need a crystal ball although my hindsight is pretty good

We came over 2 years ago on a 457 visa and didn't want to exchange our £'s until we got P.R. Now we have P.R the £ has bombed and we cant afford anything without a big mortgage(too old to go through all that again) and are seriously considering a return back to the U.K as I can't see the rate going up any time soon.

When we had to bring our money over in August 08 as we were buying a house we got 2.05 and I was very unhappy. A year later and I'm bearing it with better grace!

I'm thinking of sending some AUD back to the UK for my holiday back there next year.

Never seen the rate so low.

We were so lucky when we came out as we got 2.4 to the pound.

I know that feeling with my rate 1.93, bearing it with better grace also.

Me at Xmas!!!!! have just been quoted 0.54 so sending my money over today

We sold our UK property a couple of years back now when prices were still strong, so did fine there...we haven't changed into $ yet coz we're not ready to go, but will be looking to buy pretty quickly once in Oz.

In the bank, our money is earning a paltry 2%, but that's subject to tax so only marginally better than keeping it under the bed!

We're holding out to see what happens May 6th & 7th next year - a bit of post election celebration might cause a spike we can take advantage of, but until then we're checking out houses a good $100K less than we first thought

Sold house in 2004

Was moving out to Oz in 2006 & exchanged a bit of money at 2.48

Missed out on the Spike in October as I thought the Oz move may be off (my mum had recently passed away & I was a little confused about everything!)

Had just about put the move to bed but have now secured a great job in Melbourne & amn heading out in October

I kick myself everyday for not grabbing the spike but some people were talking about it getting even better & I was not sure whether I would be coming outso no need for the risk! Or so I thought?

On the positive side:

I have a job to go to
I have enough $ to get me started (car, rent, etc)
I always planned to rent for at least a year
Hopefully the rate will improve within that timeframe & if I am settled can look at moving my money & buying a place then?

Crystal balls, if we all had them we'd be millionaires. Highinsight is a wonderful thing but the past is for reference not residence!

The rate at the moment is crap, we got 2.42 in 2007 when we went for a holiday, got 1.84 when we went again three weeks ago and saw in the paper yesterday that it was 1.77! (not sure if that's tourist rate or business, I imagine tourist as it was in the London Lite!!).

We're not moving for another year anyway so we're hoping it somehow goes back up to at least 2.20 by then. Otherwise we may save for a bit longer.

Tx

You may be better off sticking it in Premium Bonds

We've got up to our limit in Premium Bonds...we win £25 per month...whoopeeee

or major shopping via internet

I get 5.11% here in Australia and the money is at call (ie not fixed term deposit). I guess this is one major reason why the australian dollar is strong, Australia offers great interest rates that are now on the way up again so the oz dollar will become even stronger.

Tell me about it last visit to Oz I had (March 08) The Bendigo bank were offering 9% on bond deposits!!!

If only I'd known what the future held!!!