Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

Hi Mandy, i won't say its not difficult but it is easier than you expect it to be! We stayed with my sister for the first week then rented a house for £400 a month (3 bed terraced which does us). My hubby is a copper so he went straight back into the force within the first week. I'm working just 2 days a week back at the hospital and the kids are back at their old school. Bring whatever money you have with you and be prepared to go hunting for a bargain! We borrowed a car from the in laws whilst looking then snapped up an R reg mondeo for £900! We still have no sofas etc but we're not bothered really. Friends and family bring round old bits of furniture, but we've opted for the retro look (inflatable chairs, sofas and beds)! We've also found stuff really cheap here, Argos and Ikea are fab and you can order online from oz and get it delivered to mates or family in the UK. Bring practical things like duvet covers, towels etc with you in your luggage, but you'll find that both Tesco and Asda do some really good stuff (duvet cover sets for £4 etc) really cheaply. We even found a Tesco Value Microwave for £20!!!! Remeber to claim for child benefit as soon as you land/child tax credits. The important thing is not to panic and sort out accommodation before you arrive back in the UK. Speak to family and friends get them to vet rental places for you, find one on a short term lease so at least you have somewhere to rest your heads for a bit! Hope this helps. Good luck Annie X

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

Sooooooooooooo agree!!!

We came back with 13 boxes of clothes & personal possessions, not much cash but have survived.

We were like refugees to begin with, most of our house is second hand (from family and charity shops) or cheap and cheerful (Tesco/Wilkinson), but it is home, everyone compliments how warm and happy it feels, not some startchy show home.

Trust me, you will always survive, sometimes you wonder how, but you do.

Some things money can't buy, for everything else there is my husband's credit card - joking! :D That would not get us far.

Best of luck
Merlot :)

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

Just read your posts in full. Are you completely happy going back to the house and area you left? I only ask because we've got our house too (it had tenants in it up until recently). We moved back in and now deeply regret it! When we left for Australia I felt as if i was leaving 'it' (the house, village, memories) behind. I was actually happy with this. Walking back into the house was awful! I actually felt sick. The house is beautiful and in a lovely village, however I felt as if I was going backwards - in my mind I'd moved on, so to return to the house just felt wrong. All the neighbours decided to 'greet' us (and by that I mean they were around constantly trying to get info about why we'd returned, some gloated and reminded us how much money we'd wasted etc). It felt very claustrophobic. The feelings passed and I began to get on with life, back to work, kids back to school, but it would have been easier if we'd have had a 'fresh' start in a different house and area. The only advice I can give is think carefully about how you'll feel going back to your roots. Go on rightmove.com and look at rentals in the area, or choose a new area (even if its down the road)! Good luck with making the right decision X

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

I know what you mean about the 'greeting'. We are not planning on returning to the UK, but some of our friends had sort of started this before we even left! Its exactly the response I would expect to get if we ever did return.......sad though.

Mrs G

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

Merlot and Glittatbabe...
Thanks, I'll remember that when we are back and struggling :D
My daughter jokes we will be living out of a cardboard box, so I guess if she can have that mindset anything above that will be luxury!
I worry and at the same time I laugh about it. But I know we can survive.
I do appreciate you taking the time to give us all encouragement though. Makes it not quite so scary.

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

We went through the 'cardboard box' thing too!!! Through all the upheaval though not one of the kids complained? I was expecting tears when we left oz as they were leaving friends etc But they said their goodbyes happily, loved getting back on the plane then laughed when there were 5 of us sleeping in a box room at my sisters house, on an air bed!!! Looking back it was hilarious (funny I didn't laugh at the time)!

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

Ahhh yesssss..the credit card!!! I think i'll end up selling my house anyway just to pay for that!

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

[QUOTE=bridiej]True but by renting it out you do make it easier to go back if you want to, you can then always sell it when you are sure you've made the right decision. Alot of people including me moved away to a country i'd never even been to before and it does take several years to make up your mind about a place, whats wrong with keeping your options open especially if you have a family to think about

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

That's the spirit that made Britain Great - he he!!!

You always surprise yourself when the chips are a little down.

Good luck
Merlot :D

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

Thanks for the advice but my mind is changing from one minute to the next!

I want to head back to the uk, when will depend on us making a final decision. Hubbie still wants to stay, I don't mind staying for longer but we need to make a decision on the house asap so this may force our hand.

The buyers were supposed to be cash buyers and has been going on since October. Now we find out they are re-mortgaging their own property to get ours and we are selling at 10k less than we wanted.

We used all our money to get here so getting back will be a problem. I agree with the fact that we may need a fresh start, i.e a new house. Yet, for a 3 bed rental in our home town it will cost us £800 per month, £500 for a 2 bed flat.

Oh, I just don't know, 1 unhappy son here in oz, one unhappy teenager in the uk and one happy husband in oz but unhappy at the thought of going back to the uk :eek: I feel like piggy in the middle!

Help!

Mandy

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

I am in the same boat as you but about 10,000 miles away

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

Oh Mandy its more complicated than we thought. Just shut yourself away from all of them and have a good old think! Maybe once the house is sold it'll be 'final'? You must be getting frustrated at not being able to put down permanent roots in oz? Maybe by throwing yourself into house buying in oz with son and husband, it'll iron out a few of the niggling doubts? Or maybe it'll just keep your mind occupied and 'off' the UK! Oh dear, I think I'm confusing you more!!!! :confused: Sorry X

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

Sell it. The house bubble is over and you don't want to be selling in a falling market.

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

Hmm. I'd definitely progress the sale because it's sounding to me like you may not have a buyer after all. Have they had a survey at least?

Re: Finacially,how is the move going to effect you?
 

Housing market has slowed, but its not falling. Spent today with estate agents etc and was gobsmacked by the prices! Wasn't away for that long but the house prices here in Anglia have still shot up!