louie

This change must have passed you by - "the Australian Government announced that the validity period for Resident Return Visas will be reduced from five years to one year where the applicant has not lived in Australia for more than two of the last five years. This change took effect on 15 February 2012.".

If you are going to do anything with a view to "extending" your visa, I think you'd do better, as you have the funds, to start again from scratch and get a 5 year visa, validate it and then see how you feel after a validation trip.

carling black label

Now that is a game changer, thankyou so so so much, you might have just saved me alot of money, circa £20k; if i had decided just to return to Australia so to gain a RRV for another five years validity....................:

This site is so so valuable...................

Turban Explorer

Are you sure you're not thinking about moving back to Oz because the visa is the driver? We're the same - had enough of Oz at least 2 years ago (been here nearly 5 now) but have stuck it out as it felt like we should have something tangible for our time here. We'll be in your shoes in a few years I expect - I don't think either of us will want to come back but chucking away the visa is difficult to do.

Dreamy

I hope I didn't come across as dismissive. (I probably did, reading it back)

I think that if neither of you has full faith in the success of a move then it probably won't be successful. I can understand the worry that the time is ticking away on your visa and you may not have another chance - but if you have a great life in the UK and you aren't wholeheartedly invested in moving, then stay put

quoll

If it aint broke, dont fix it!

Nothing magical about living in Australia and the older you get the harder it is to get settled back in it. I wouldnt bother in your situation - not unless you got a fabulous job opportunity, better than what you both have at the moment, not to be missed.

coldbeer

Given everything you've said, stay where you are. Aus is a great place but tough to bring pounds over at the moment and tougher if you have less working life left. We came over in 40's no kids, good savings and both with a good income but to be honest I'm not sure that at our age we'll ever have the same kind of friends here we have in the UK, or be materially as well off (and by good income I mean a lot more than average for both of us).

The weakness of the pound is an absoute killer, and the older you are the harder it is to recover. As someone said above, its up to you, not a forum but really given what you've said stay.

Dorothy

Stay where you are. You seem to have a good life where you live now, so why change it? You can come to Australia on tourist visas for holidays whenever you like if you need a fix. But in the long term, if it was me, I would stay.

carling black label

Yep, losing the visa is a big driver, having the option to live as a resident within Australia for life, having that option while in the UK for a five year period, does allow an opt out clause should circumstances change. Which in life they do, especially as we all get older and illness hits......To lose this option would be a loss to us..

We do want to come back, its just at the moment is not a good time, and we do not have much time to play with...

But thanks for you reply, much appreciated..

carling black label

No you did not...

Thanks for you reply, much appreciated

carling black label

Age is a big thing, but we both do like Australia alot.



Thanks for you reply, much appreciated

carling black label

Thanks for you reply, much appreciated

carling black label

Ummmmmmmmm, it's tough, sitting here on Easter Sunday, grey skies, cold, alot of struggling people here in the UK at the moment, through no fault of their own.....

Thanks for you reply, much appreciated

carling black label

It's tough to completely dismiss the idea of returning to Australia to give it one last go....

When we applied for our visa, in 2006/07 i think, we decided to sell the house, not sure whether it was a good or bad decision, so rented ever since. Anyway, the equity was about £46k, so this we used to validate our visa's and make the eventual move to Australia. So all in all i guess so far we have commited about £18k to the Australian dream. Feels like we have little to show for it, as both trips seemed more business like than a holiday? Also so stressful at times.

Just cannot decide whether to commit a large chunk of whats left to give it another go in Australia? Have even thought of having a three/four week holiday, one last look, if it seems a goer, then returning to the UK, giving up jobs and the rental and moving back to Australia? I think a holiday would cost circa what £6k, we would still have £22k left to make the move, or if we did not move we could make a down payment on a house here in the UK, the market is pretty flat at the mo.....

It's just the thought of living here in the UK till we both pop off our perches seems a bit too final.......If i come across as if this is just aout the money, well it is not, all the stress and emotions play a huge part, but i am just sticking to the basic fundementals of cost at the moment to use as a yardstick. Will face the real hard bits when we make the final decision.....


Thanks for all te comments Happy Easter

quoll

If you have a job you like, then dont screw around with it - take extended leave or whatever career break you can. Moving in your 40s means you dont have much time to prepare for retirement - they reckon you need a good 25 solid years of super contributions (not just the standard percentage) to get even close to something comfortable so you might well be working much longer than you think.

Going on holiday is never the same as living in a place TBH and the things that you didnt like the last time are still going to be there this time. Far better to save up your leave entitlements and pop over for long holidays if you like the place that much.

fortnum

Do you already qualify for State Pension in the UK? The pension amount isn't much, but I guess would help with the moving/living cost in Australia. Just a random thought.