somme

Well I have been on the phone all morning getting pension transfer amounts to be sent to me as you only have 6 months window of opportunity to transfer your pensions otherwise Australia will tax you on any bonuses you make even though you do not actually receive the money. Going to London to speak to a financial advisor who specialises in pension transfers abroad.
Tax can be as much as 46% and you will also get taxed on any pensions you take at a later date.

Anyone who wants the name of the financial advisor as to talk to them is free PM me.

This concentrates your mind on moving.

sophjam

Congratuations well done and all the very best for the future xx

s-jmelbournewannabe

Well guys GDAY! Thought i would revive this old thread as i've just spent the last hour reading all the old posts, would be wicked to give little updates on here, what we're doing and wherewe are etc.. how we're feeling too..

Guess i'll start with saying,'WE LOVE LIFE HERE!'

Had a few trauma's but overall we're ok.

live in Mt Creek on Sunshine Coast, still in the rental we secured from UK, just done our first 6mths and secured it for another 12 mnths at $420 pw! very good for 5 bed 2dlug. 5 mins to Mooloolaba Beach.8 mins to work for Simon. 20 min bike ride to School for Abi (which she does everyday, even in rain!) the 3 boys are settled in Kindy. Have been on a few road trips so far, the furthest was Coffs Harbour for 61/2 hrs. but have got one for 13hrs to Sydney,, not as far as some trips, but with the 4 kids it's enough. They get bored quickly.

Overall, its amazing, everything i thought it would be and more. Cant believe how quickly we've settled into life, i have had no homesickness at all, just grieving for my Grandad still, been 4 mths now. Miss him so much. He would've been very proud.

Nursing a hangover from last night after a nite on the lash in Mooloolaba. will have to have another girls nite out, can see part 3 coming on in the meetups!

Well come on guys get posting!

S-j xxxxxxxxxxx

lizzydripping

Hi S-J
So good to see your post. Great that its so good for you all there.
We went out on a reccie trip and also to validate the visas last November. Found out then that our daughter would need to do uni here in UK and not in OZ as hoped as fees too high [as perm residents and not citizens] so she's settled on Brighton [Sussex uni] and that means we have to delay going out until next June - to make sure she's settled before we leave her in the UK [have some family and she'll be 19+ then, and also as our 16 yr old will need to do a yr in the 6th form here and June's the earliest we could go] so frustrating, wish kids hadn't grown up so fast! thinking that we will have the nxt 6 mths to carry on as ususal then can start looking and preping for the move.
We went to coffs harbour and around. We were thinking of settling somewhere around Lake Maquarie [if can afford it] otherwise will look further up the coast - whats it like where you are [shops, scenery, temps] pls fill me in if you ever get chance, the best info is from brits there experiencing it
Anyway, will keep eye on site to read all the replies to your post, good to hear from you, liz.

katsmajic

We can also confirm that we are loving it here, we're in Adelaide. 2 mins from the beach, 10 mins for KOH to work, 2 mins from lil school/kindy and 10 min from high school.
We've seen dolphins off our local beach, been on the beaches loads, been and fed kangaroos and stroked koalas at Clelands, found wild roo family just up the road, been on a winery tour (me), made friends (OZ & UK friends), went down to Victor Harbour yesterday - looks miles away but was only 40 mins drive.
It was stunning, walked over to Granite Island, saw lots of dolphins....
Not been homesick at all, i miss my mum/friends but have have kept in touch via tinternet/phone etc...my mum comes over in 3 weeks - cant wait.
Found shopping/life very easy, all in all its great over here...
Kat xx

s-jmelbournewannabe

Aw Liz, how frustrating for you. Sounds like you got a plan though chick, will come good for you soon. Really good to hear from you too. Havin a bit of a ball i must admit, the only thing that gets me down is the boys at the moment, they're just at that age where everythings 'no' and just hit each other cos they want to...... 3x under 3 1/2. Oh hang on a minute...... what do mean it dosn't change!

S-j xxxxx

lizzydripping

Wow, 3 under 3 1/2 - thats got to be hard work, My two are 18 mths appart and I remember at times it was very tricky - so well done you. I hate to say it, but its true for me anyway, that the 'easy' time was when they were younger. That climate and lifestyle is perfect for kids though. I love the fact that [on the whole] the weather's reliable enough there to plan and do things outside a lot, whereas here we tend to think of using outside much less [been pouring here for about a week just to prove the point] anyway, keep us filled in on updates etc.
Liz

s-jmelbournewannabe

Ok mate, you too. x

steve`o

its great to see that youve settled in so well

regards steve

s-jmelbournewannabe

Cheers mate, i keep meaning to do an update, but never seem to get around to it. Too much to tell & not sure where to start!

S-j x

steve`o

in the beginning long long ago

s-jmelbournewannabe

jees! Would be here forever then!

SIMON GOT HIS ELECTRICAL MECHANIC LICENCE!! After all the crap, its finally been done. Reeto, now to start with the contractors, after a wee break of course!

Cheers Steve for you're info and help along the way S-j x

steve`o

who did he study with in the end ??

sophjam

Gday everyone its been a while, we are doing ok in cairns settling nicely had a few rough days but all in all enjoying the new life. Neils working in a private school in the maintenance dept and loves it so laid back. Jamie has managed to get anapprenticeship as a locksmith and is starting to settle made some friends and is ok, sophie is ok in school but would be happier if she had more of a social life at 13 who can blame her. My jobs ok we live 8mins from the town and hospital but the school run is awkward with my shifts but we are coping. Rental might be being sold on we have 7 months left on the lease not looking forward to people viewing while we are renting. Still trying to sell our home in the uk.
All in all miss family and friends back home but happy to be here was just what we needed.
xxTrudi

wardy2

Hi Trudi

Glad to hear you are doing well.

Have you managed to meet any of the cairns lot yet, did you get to go to the meet.

speak soon

kaye x