Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Jan 20th 2011 | 10:45 pm
#16
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,910
From: The REAL Utopia.
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
I find this myself, I am very confused when people say how friendly Aussies are especially compared to the miserable Brits. I have heard on another forum how Brits walk along the street with their heads down to they don't have to make eye contact with anyone, what planet are these people on ? 
I find the Brits very friendly people compared to other nations.That is one thing me and my OH miss so much about the UK.He would say "it takes me hours to cut the grass" and it was because everyone going by would stop and talk.Here no one even gives a nod never mind 5 mins of their time to chat.That is some thing we are looking forward to so much ,a good laugh with the Brits 
Jan 21st 2011 | 4:12 am
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 107
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Hi All, So interesting to read all the posts by people who are a a few years ahead of us....or not I hope! We have lodged our visa application for NZ and are awaiting a reply. Who knows how things will work out but we obviously hope we love it in NZ and settle for life....but who knows.
All i'll say regarding the UK, especially in the N.E (i'm from Stokesley nr Middlesbrough) is things have changed dramatically in the past 2 years. The economy is in a real mess and will be for some time. Jobs are very hard to come by (unemployment is currently at 2.5M nationally and 10% in the N.E. this will only get worse with large scale redundancies in the public sector planned for 2011. Inflation is at 3.7% and the R.P.I is 4.8% including fuel prices, so prices are increasing, jobs are hard to find and salary's/hours are been reduced in an effort to save jobs!
One thing to watch if you are returning to the UK is house prices, they are falling quickly and are anticipated to fall by 10% to 20% in the next 18 months depending who you listen to. I have and a large number of other people are selling, banking the money and renting. Also, interest rates are expected to start going up from this summer which are foretasted to increase the average UK mortgage by £1K per month.
VAT has just been increased to 20% and the top rate of income tax has been raised to 50%. If you add the increases in tax, interest rates and consumable prices (fuel has gone up 10p per ltr in a month) and add to the mix difficulties in job retention and a decline in salary's it doesn't paint a bright future. Many economists are predicting a tough economic climate for the next 20 years!!
So, all I will say is think long and hard about returning to the UK, get as much information on the UK as you possibly can, in fact treat it like a foreign country you haven't visited before because in many many ways it is!
lastly have a look at the adverse weather condition we've encountered here in the last two years, again those are predicted to continue.
However, i'll wish you all the very best of luck with your decision and I hope it works out for you and your family whatever you decide.
GOOD LUCK!
All i'll say regarding the UK, especially in the N.E (i'm from Stokesley nr Middlesbrough) is things have changed dramatically in the past 2 years. The economy is in a real mess and will be for some time. Jobs are very hard to come by (unemployment is currently at 2.5M nationally and 10% in the N.E. this will only get worse with large scale redundancies in the public sector planned for 2011. Inflation is at 3.7% and the R.P.I is 4.8% including fuel prices, so prices are increasing, jobs are hard to find and salary's/hours are been reduced in an effort to save jobs!
One thing to watch if you are returning to the UK is house prices, they are falling quickly and are anticipated to fall by 10% to 20% in the next 18 months depending who you listen to. I have and a large number of other people are selling, banking the money and renting. Also, interest rates are expected to start going up from this summer which are foretasted to increase the average UK mortgage by £1K per month.
VAT has just been increased to 20% and the top rate of income tax has been raised to 50%. If you add the increases in tax, interest rates and consumable prices (fuel has gone up 10p per ltr in a month) and add to the mix difficulties in job retention and a decline in salary's it doesn't paint a bright future. Many economists are predicting a tough economic climate for the next 20 years!!
So, all I will say is think long and hard about returning to the UK, get as much information on the UK as you possibly can, in fact treat it like a foreign country you haven't visited before because in many many ways it is!
lastly have a look at the adverse weather condition we've encountered here in the last two years, again those are predicted to continue.
However, i'll wish you all the very best of luck with your decision and I hope it works out for you and your family whatever you decide.
GOOD LUCK!
Jan 21st 2011 | 5:44 am
#18
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 353
From: Alberta to Kendal
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Hi All, So interesting to read all the posts by people who are a a few years ahead of us....or not I hope! We have lodged our visa application for NZ and are awaiting a reply. Who knows how things will work out but we obviously hope we love it in NZ and settle for life....but who knows.
All i'll say regarding the UK, especially in the N.E (i'm from Stokesley nr Middlesbrough) is things have changed dramatically in the past 2 years. The economy is in a real mess and will be for some time. Jobs are very hard to come by (unemployment is currently at 2.5M nationally and 10% in the N.E. this will only get worse with large scale redundancies in the public sector planned for 2011. Inflation is at 3.7% and the R.P.I is 4.8% including fuel prices, so prices are increasing, jobs are hard to find and salary's/hours are been reduced in an effort to save jobs!
One thing to watch if you are returning to the UK is house prices, they are falling quickly and are anticipated to fall by 10% to 20% in the next 18 months depending who you listen to. I have and a large number of other people are selling, banking the money and renting. Also, interest rates are expected to start going up from this summer which are foretasted to increase the average UK mortgage by £1K per month.
VAT has just been increased to 20% and the top rate of income tax has been raised to 50%. If you add the increases in tax, interest rates and consumable prices (fuel has gone up 10p per ltr in a month) and add to the mix difficulties in job retention and a decline in salary's it doesn't paint a bright future. Many economists are predicting a tough economic climate for the next 20 years!!
So, all I will say is think long and hard about returning to the UK, get as much information on the UK as you possibly can, in fact treat it like a foreign country you haven't visited before because in many many ways it is!
lastly have a look at the adverse weather condition we've encountered here in the last two years, again those are predicted to continue.
However, i'll wish you all the very best of luck with your decision and I hope it works out for you and your family whatever you decide.
GOOD LUCK!
All i'll say regarding the UK, especially in the N.E (i'm from Stokesley nr Middlesbrough) is things have changed dramatically in the past 2 years. The economy is in a real mess and will be for some time. Jobs are very hard to come by (unemployment is currently at 2.5M nationally and 10% in the N.E. this will only get worse with large scale redundancies in the public sector planned for 2011. Inflation is at 3.7% and the R.P.I is 4.8% including fuel prices, so prices are increasing, jobs are hard to find and salary's/hours are been reduced in an effort to save jobs!
One thing to watch if you are returning to the UK is house prices, they are falling quickly and are anticipated to fall by 10% to 20% in the next 18 months depending who you listen to. I have and a large number of other people are selling, banking the money and renting. Also, interest rates are expected to start going up from this summer which are foretasted to increase the average UK mortgage by £1K per month.
VAT has just been increased to 20% and the top rate of income tax has been raised to 50%. If you add the increases in tax, interest rates and consumable prices (fuel has gone up 10p per ltr in a month) and add to the mix difficulties in job retention and a decline in salary's it doesn't paint a bright future. Many economists are predicting a tough economic climate for the next 20 years!!
So, all I will say is think long and hard about returning to the UK, get as much information on the UK as you possibly can, in fact treat it like a foreign country you haven't visited before because in many many ways it is!
lastly have a look at the adverse weather condition we've encountered here in the last two years, again those are predicted to continue.
However, i'll wish you all the very best of luck with your decision and I hope it works out for you and your family whatever you decide.
GOOD LUCK!
But facts are facts.....we need to face it !
thanks alot
Jan 21st 2011 | 6:49 am
#19
Just hanging around
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,447
From: Back in England
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Gaz is posting from the worst hit part of England, the north east, which is bound to colour his point of view. It's very tough up there economically, and the weather tends to be particularly bad in the north east.
We moved from Whitby to Devon for a reason.
But yes, the country has severe economica problems and people are going to have to compensate for years of governments providing services they couldn't actually afford.
It's not that different in Canada, though Alberta's been a bit cushioned, I believe. (We came back from Canada in 2009) Ontario's been hit pretty hard and unemployment's high in many places. So a lot of it is where you choose to live and where you can live.
I don't know how NZ's economy is these days. They went down the tubes badly a while back but had the grit to tough it up and straighten it out. I hope they stuck to their frugality.
From today's New Zealand Herald. "The New Zealand dollar fell to a three-week low today as underlying trends in retail sales data suggested the economy was weak ..."
I'm not trying to sway anyone's decisions, just saying that the shaky economic situation is world wide, and no where promises a smooth course in the next decade or so. Folly to think it will. It's all about individuals and their individual situations.
Bev
We moved from Whitby to Devon for a reason.
But yes, the country has severe economica problems and people are going to have to compensate for years of governments providing services they couldn't actually afford.
It's not that different in Canada, though Alberta's been a bit cushioned, I believe. (We came back from Canada in 2009) Ontario's been hit pretty hard and unemployment's high in many places. So a lot of it is where you choose to live and where you can live.
I don't know how NZ's economy is these days. They went down the tubes badly a while back but had the grit to tough it up and straighten it out. I hope they stuck to their frugality.
From today's New Zealand Herald. "The New Zealand dollar fell to a three-week low today as underlying trends in retail sales data suggested the economy was weak ..."
I'm not trying to sway anyone's decisions, just saying that the shaky economic situation is world wide, and no where promises a smooth course in the next decade or so. Folly to think it will. It's all about individuals and their individual situations.
Bev
Jan 21st 2011 | 7:26 am
#20
Lost in Space
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 804
From: Stockport, Cheshire, UK
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
we have been away 10yrs and are looking to go back,when the house sells.We are so scared of making the wrong choice,but know we dont want to live here in Alberta any longer.One day we are going back the next we are moving to a different part........just cant decide.But so glad the school is sorted etc let us know how it all goes.
good luck
good luck
Jan 21st 2011 | 7:28 am
#21
Lost in Space
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 804
From: Stockport, Cheshire, UK
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
After 2 and a half years away, we had forgotten the variety of shopping that's available here - far more than there was in WA.
We'd also forgotten how small the roads are and how muddy everything is! We built our house on sand and rarely saw mud.
Where we lived in oz, the roads and paths were new - so very smooth. Here the roads and paths are in desperate need of repair. It's just a small thing that makes no real difference to every day life, just something we've noticed!
We'd forgotten how friendly everyone is though! We got such a lovely welcome from everyone when we returned to my daughter's school. We expected people to be depressed and miserable here, but we haven't found that at all. There is a general feeling that people are worried about their finances and job security, but they are just getting on with it and not letting it get to them.
We'd also forgotten how small the roads are and how muddy everything is! We built our house on sand and rarely saw mud.
Where we lived in oz, the roads and paths were new - so very smooth. Here the roads and paths are in desperate need of repair. It's just a small thing that makes no real difference to every day life, just something we've noticed!
We'd forgotten how friendly everyone is though! We got such a lovely welcome from everyone when we returned to my daughter's school. We expected people to be depressed and miserable here, but we haven't found that at all. There is a general feeling that people are worried about their finances and job security, but they are just getting on with it and not letting it get to them.
Jan 21st 2011 | 7:33 am
#22
Lost in Space
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 804
From: Stockport, Cheshire, UK
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Hi All, So interesting to read all the posts by people who are a a few years ahead of us....or not I hope! We have lodged our visa application for NZ and are awaiting a reply. Who knows how things will work out but we obviously hope we love it in NZ and settle for life....but who knows.
All i'll say regarding the UK, especially in the N.E (i'm from Stokesley nr Middlesbrough) is things have changed dramatically in the past 2 years. The economy is in a real mess and will be for some time. Jobs are very hard to come by (unemployment is currently at 2.5M nationally and 10% in the N.E. this will only get worse with large scale redundancies in the public sector planned for 2011. Inflation is at 3.7% and the R.P.I is 4.8% including fuel prices, so prices are increasing, jobs are hard to find and salary's/hours are been reduced in an effort to save jobs!
One thing to watch if you are returning to the UK is house prices, they are falling quickly and are anticipated to fall by 10% to 20% in the next 18 months depending who you listen to. I have and a large number of other people are selling, banking the money and renting. Also, interest rates are expected to start going up from this summer which are foretasted to increase the average UK mortgage by £1K per month.
VAT has just been increased to 20% and the top rate of income tax has been raised to 50%. If you add the increases in tax, interest rates and consumable prices (fuel has gone up 10p per ltr in a month) and add to the mix difficulties in job retention and a decline in salary's it doesn't paint a bright future. Many economists are predicting a tough economic climate for the next 20 years!!
So, all I will say is think long and hard about returning to the UK, get as much information on the UK as you possibly can, in fact treat it like a foreign country you haven't visited before because in many many ways it is!
lastly have a look at the adverse weather condition we've encountered here in the last two years, again those are predicted to continue.
However, i'll wish you all the very best of luck with your decision and I hope it works out for you and your family whatever you decide.
GOOD LUCK!
All i'll say regarding the UK, especially in the N.E (i'm from Stokesley nr Middlesbrough) is things have changed dramatically in the past 2 years. The economy is in a real mess and will be for some time. Jobs are very hard to come by (unemployment is currently at 2.5M nationally and 10% in the N.E. this will only get worse with large scale redundancies in the public sector planned for 2011. Inflation is at 3.7% and the R.P.I is 4.8% including fuel prices, so prices are increasing, jobs are hard to find and salary's/hours are been reduced in an effort to save jobs!
One thing to watch if you are returning to the UK is house prices, they are falling quickly and are anticipated to fall by 10% to 20% in the next 18 months depending who you listen to. I have and a large number of other people are selling, banking the money and renting. Also, interest rates are expected to start going up from this summer which are foretasted to increase the average UK mortgage by £1K per month.
VAT has just been increased to 20% and the top rate of income tax has been raised to 50%. If you add the increases in tax, interest rates and consumable prices (fuel has gone up 10p per ltr in a month) and add to the mix difficulties in job retention and a decline in salary's it doesn't paint a bright future. Many economists are predicting a tough economic climate for the next 20 years!!
So, all I will say is think long and hard about returning to the UK, get as much information on the UK as you possibly can, in fact treat it like a foreign country you haven't visited before because in many many ways it is!
lastly have a look at the adverse weather condition we've encountered here in the last two years, again those are predicted to continue.
However, i'll wish you all the very best of luck with your decision and I hope it works out for you and your family whatever you decide.
GOOD LUCK!
The UK is hit by recession but if you are skilled and resourceful there is work. If you are a teacher like myself there is no end of supply teaching (unlike BC). I know I am here to stay along with the good, the bad and the ugly.
Jan 21st 2011 | 9:00 am
#23
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,910
From: The REAL Utopia.
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Wow, nice positive 1st post As has been said the NE tends to cop it pretty hard compared to other areas further south, for instance the unemployment rate in the SW is under 6%, much the same as where we are now. I don't personally know anyone out of work 'back home'.
I just read that it is expected that house prices are set to jump in the spring, I would prefer it if they did fall further to be honest, like here they are overinflated.
Inflation in NZ currently stands at 4% and unemployment at 6.4%, interest rates are 3%.
I would be interested to know exactly who has forecast that UK interest rates will increase to the point they will put mortgage payments up by 1000 pounds, that is an enormous increase.
Wages increased last year in the UK by an average of 3% apparently last year.
Most economists I have read have in fact said that times could be tough for 2 years, I haven't read anyone saying 20 years
As far as the weather I wont say too much about that as I come from Brisbane and I think most people are familiar with our recent problems.
All in all it appears you have read the most negative, pessimistic forecasts and multiplied them a few times.
Good luck in NZ.
As has been said the NE tends to cop it pretty hard compared to other areas further south, for instance the unemployment rate in the SW is under 6%, much the same as where we are now. I don't personally know anyone out of work 'back home'.I just read that it is expected that house prices are set to jump in the spring, I would prefer it if they did fall further to be honest, like here they are overinflated.
Inflation in NZ currently stands at 4% and unemployment at 6.4%, interest rates are 3%.
I would be interested to know exactly who has forecast that UK interest rates will increase to the point they will put mortgage payments up by 1000 pounds, that is an enormous increase.
Wages increased last year in the UK by an average of 3% apparently last year.
Most economists I have read have in fact said that times could be tough for 2 years, I haven't read anyone saying 20 years
As far as the weather I wont say too much about that as I come from Brisbane and I think most people are familiar with our recent problems.
All in all it appears you have read the most negative, pessimistic forecasts and multiplied them a few times.
Good luck in NZ.
Hi All, So interesting to read all the posts by people who are a a few years ahead of us....or not I hope! We have lodged our visa application for NZ and are awaiting a reply. Who knows how things will work out but we obviously hope we love it in NZ and settle for life....but who knows.
All i'll say regarding the UK, especially in the N.E (i'm from Stokesley nr Middlesbrough) is things have changed dramatically in the past 2 years. The economy is in a real mess and will be for some time. Jobs are very hard to come by (unemployment is currently at 2.5M nationally and 10% in the N.E. this will only get worse with large scale redundancies in the public sector planned for 2011. Inflation is at 3.7% and the R.P.I is 4.8% including fuel prices, so prices are increasing, jobs are hard to find and salary's/hours are been reduced in an effort to save jobs!
One thing to watch if you are returning to the UK is house prices, they are falling quickly and are anticipated to fall by 10% to 20% in the next 18 months depending who you listen to. I have and a large number of other people are selling, banking the money and renting. Also, interest rates are expected to start going up from this summer which are foretasted to increase the average UK mortgage by £1K per month.
VAT has just been increased to 20% and the top rate of income tax has been raised to 50%. If you add the increases in tax, interest rates and consumable prices (fuel has gone up 10p per ltr in a month) and add to the mix difficulties in job retention and a decline in salary's it doesn't paint a bright future. Many economists are predicting a tough economic climate for the next 20 years!!
So, all I will say is think long and hard about returning to the UK, get as much information on the UK as you possibly can, in fact treat it like a foreign country you haven't visited before because in many many ways it is!
lastly have a look at the adverse weather condition we've encountered here in the last two years, again those are predicted to continue.
However, i'll wish you all the very best of luck with your decision and I hope it works out for you and your family whatever you decide.
GOOD LUCK!
All i'll say regarding the UK, especially in the N.E (i'm from Stokesley nr Middlesbrough) is things have changed dramatically in the past 2 years. The economy is in a real mess and will be for some time. Jobs are very hard to come by (unemployment is currently at 2.5M nationally and 10% in the N.E. this will only get worse with large scale redundancies in the public sector planned for 2011. Inflation is at 3.7% and the R.P.I is 4.8% including fuel prices, so prices are increasing, jobs are hard to find and salary's/hours are been reduced in an effort to save jobs!
One thing to watch if you are returning to the UK is house prices, they are falling quickly and are anticipated to fall by 10% to 20% in the next 18 months depending who you listen to. I have and a large number of other people are selling, banking the money and renting. Also, interest rates are expected to start going up from this summer which are foretasted to increase the average UK mortgage by £1K per month.
VAT has just been increased to 20% and the top rate of income tax has been raised to 50%. If you add the increases in tax, interest rates and consumable prices (fuel has gone up 10p per ltr in a month) and add to the mix difficulties in job retention and a decline in salary's it doesn't paint a bright future. Many economists are predicting a tough economic climate for the next 20 years!!
So, all I will say is think long and hard about returning to the UK, get as much information on the UK as you possibly can, in fact treat it like a foreign country you haven't visited before because in many many ways it is!
lastly have a look at the adverse weather condition we've encountered here in the last two years, again those are predicted to continue.
However, i'll wish you all the very best of luck with your decision and I hope it works out for you and your family whatever you decide.
GOOD LUCK!
Jan 21st 2011 | 10:30 am
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 353
From: Alberta to Kendal
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Jan 21st 2011 | 10:37 am
#25
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 12,090
From: Yam Yam land
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
I find this myself, I am very confused when people say how friendly Aussies are especially compared to the miserable Brits. I have heard on another forum how Brits walk along the street with their heads down to they don't have to make eye contact with anyone, what planet are these people on ?
Well there are places in the UK that you walk around with your head down so you don't get it kicked in, let's not kid ourselves.
Generalising it to the whole population is the problem, as is pretending it's not like that anywhere.
Jan 21st 2011 | 11:09 am
#26
Home Sweet Home
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,128
From: Surrey, England
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
I find this myself, I am very confused when people say how friendly Aussies are especially compared to the miserable Brits. I have heard on another forum how Brits walk along the street with their heads down to they don't have to make eye contact with anyone, what planet are these people on ?
Planet Rose Coloured Spectacles.
Jan 21st 2011 | 11:13 am
#28
Home Sweet Home
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,128
From: Surrey, England
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
Gaz is posting from the worst hit part of England, the north east, which is bound to colour his point of view. It's very tough up there economically, and the weather tends to be particularly bad in the north east.
We moved from Whitby to Devon for a reason.
But yes, the country has severe economica problems and people are going to have to compensate for years of governments providing services they couldn't actually afford.
It's not that different in Canada, though Alberta's been a bit cushioned, I believe. (We came back from Canada in 2009) Ontario's been hit pretty hard and unemployment's high in many places. So a lot of it is where you choose to live and where you can live.
I don't know how NZ's economy is these days. They went down the tubes badly a while back but had the grit to tough it up and straighten it out. I hope they stuck to their frugality.
From today's New Zealand Herald. "The New Zealand dollar fell to a three-week low today as underlying trends in retail sales data suggested the economy was weak ..."
I'm not trying to sway anyone's decisions, just saying that the shaky economic situation is world wide, and no where promises a smooth course in the next decade or so. Folly to think it will. It's all about individuals and their individual situations.
Bev
We moved from Whitby to Devon for a reason.
But yes, the country has severe economica problems and people are going to have to compensate for years of governments providing services they couldn't actually afford.
It's not that different in Canada, though Alberta's been a bit cushioned, I believe. (We came back from Canada in 2009) Ontario's been hit pretty hard and unemployment's high in many places. So a lot of it is where you choose to live and where you can live.
I don't know how NZ's economy is these days. They went down the tubes badly a while back but had the grit to tough it up and straighten it out. I hope they stuck to their frugality.
From today's New Zealand Herald. "The New Zealand dollar fell to a three-week low today as underlying trends in retail sales data suggested the economy was weak ..."
I'm not trying to sway anyone's decisions, just saying that the shaky economic situation is world wide, and no where promises a smooth course in the next decade or so. Folly to think it will. It's all about individuals and their individual situations.
Bev
She is waiting to join him as soon as he has a job, so far not even an interview and he is an experienced manager with 30 plus years up his sleeve plus many industry contacts.
You are right Bev, it's a world wide situation, not just the UK as The Daily Fail would have everybody believe.
Jan 21st 2011 | 11:15 am
#30
Home Sweet Home
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,128
From: Surrey, England
Re: Back in the UK - 4 days update!
There are good and bad parts and people in every country in the whole wide world.
