How are recent returnees
 

Hi Guys,just wandered how the recent returnees are doing.Love to hear updates.

Anyone heard from Libby since she returned.

Sue:)

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Either they are all too busy enjoying life here to reply Sue or they have seen all the rain and done a runner back to where they came from :D

Or they could just be floating around somewhere - we are about three ft deep in water now you know :D

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Hi Louise D.......I saw you're from Kings Moss....not the one in Rainford Merseyside by any chance?

Have PM'd you, hope that's OK

(Sorry for change of subject....as you were) :D

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Hi

as a recent returnee i thought it qualified me to reply, though i only spent a short time in aus.

As the majority of people who have made the big move i gave up my job, house etc only to return 4 months down the line.

Its only now that i sit back and think of what i have done. I spent four years planning the move, putting my career on hold and ending a long term relationship.

I have no long term work from Sept, as a primary school teacher I am too expensive for the vacancies that arise for 'classroom teacher'. I have only just secured a home for myself and my teenage son. Ive spent 4 months living in a cramped flat with my mum (bless her heart)

Have i any regrets, yes and no I find myself approaching 50 (a couple of years off though :o) single and jobless, not a great position to be in.

However, as has been said many a time, you dont know what you have got till its not there. Uk has its problems but i lke it here, my famyily and friends are here.

Im happy, my son is happy and thats all that counts

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Have PM'd you :)

Great post lolly, I hope that things on the job front will get better soon - stay happy :thumbup:

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Doing very well and having no regrets.... see 6 months on thread!

Re: How are recent returnees
 

We have been back for 7 months to the day. Unsure if I love being back or not. I certainly like being back but it is only now that I am realising that I won't be going back to NZ.

Miss my job, house and certain ways of life in NZ but love being near my family and friends again although don't see them as much you think you might on your return.

Bought our home at long last and move mid Sept so perhaps things will change once we have all our own things around us again and we can finally feel settled.

Our little boy has certainly taken to life here without any quibbles which is all that matters to me really.

One other thing we really miss from NZ is the coffee.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Hi we have been back now for 5 months we now have our house our dog is out of quarentine work is fine, we have no regrets for what we did. Just wish it wasnt so expensive!
Helen

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Hi there

I did post on Rovers return so rather than write again i will copy & paste so see below!!

"Hope everyone is ok & happy!!!

Sorry ive not been around for ages but its hard to get online now without a computer! Its even worse as the one in the library dosnt allow me to go on forums

Anyway just to update you all on my life!....

Im ok. Still with mum but trying hard to get somewhere to live. Megy is doing great & hasnt really been too affected. She is even using the potty now which is great as thought id never have her doing that!!

Im still sad that is all over & i do actually miss him but its getting better all the time & the good days outweigh the bad! I actually miss Oz very very slightly but certainly not enough to come back!!!

One good bit of karma is the fact his young lady finished it. I was very happy at that. We are on ok terms though so i didnt gloat!!

Ive met someone. Its still very early days but i like him & he treats me well! Good karma!!

Its great being back here & in familiar surroundings again. Anyone who says Oz is better needs their head seeing too lol!!!

Anyway, not much else at the mo but will keep you posted!

Also to all those that came back just after me ie lynne, english rose & stu etc hope your all ok & settled well!!

Take care

Judexxx"

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Been back from the Us for 6 weeks now after a 8/9 month stay.

Kids finished school there then went straight back in here as if they had never left, (eldest had only stayed 3 months and was living with mum).

Eldest daughter has out grown her trappy stage and is a p[leasure to have around now! yipee

House front- better off than most as did not sell our home so straight back into it, dog is now free to travel back so hubby is returning to US today to pack furniture and get dog, hubby has been back and forth for last 6 weeks and thats the only bad part.

Car- well before I went I had a 7 seater, there I had a Audi Q7 and now I have a much smaller car (Clio) at a disgusting price but its mine, its girly and I love it, cant believe how wonderfull it is to be bombing around again.

Jobs-hubby has job offer back here starting Sept, he could work for company hes with in US as he did before moving but after their treatment we feel no obligation to so alls good there.

I still have a valid bank auxilary contract at my local NHS trust so I can call and work at any point but I applied to do a nursing degree and was shortlisted for selection today so fingers crossed.

All in all were back doing fine, life is good and summer is apparently here but Ill keep you posted on that!

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Not sure if 12 months ago counts as recent, but 24 years after first leaving, and with a 12-month hiatus in the UK in 2000, I have certainly had my ups and downs since returning. I am now living in Scotland, with a pretty OK job (lots of major, major changes going on in my department and the university in general), access to hillwalking just out the fornt door, but one big, nagging problem that I have described in the "How important is money" thread. It has been extremely difficult to come to terms with the diea that I'll probably spend most of the 15 years to retirement spending most of my salary every month on the mortgage. It's difficult sometimes not to feel bitter at how house prices have been allowed to go ballistic over the past 5-7 years and that single fact (plus to a certain extent the plummeting dollar over the same period) has changed my financial situation from being extremely comfortable (i.e., almost mortgage-free) in the US to barely keeping my head above water in the UK. Time will tell whether I get over it, but the thought of trying to get back there enters my mind several times a day. Unlike many returnees I don't have strong family and friendship ties here and I'm not sure whether the British lifestyle is enough to sacrifice financial freedom.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

:DHi everybodt just read all your posts,and would like to wish you all the best in the future,you should all be proud of yourselfs,because you all have had a go.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

What would you do for healthcare when you retire in the US? That's a major problem living there into old age.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

In many states, if you work for the state (which I would, working in the state university system), then when you retire you are eligible to continue with the state health insurance plan. That is something I will look into very carefully. Additionally, having extra cash left over every month to invest, plus being mortgage free in the near future gives far more options in terms of investing to cover future health care costs. But this is most certainly a major issue I need to get squared away before I ever think about returning. State employees also usually have access to critical illness, disability, etc., insurance at great rates. But again, being mortgage free makes the prospect of dealing with any crisis easier to consider. Here in the UK, a single major crisis would completely screw things up - I'm barely paying the bills as it is, despite being a healthy, hardworking professional.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

A major illness could wipe millions of your bank balance...even if you have healthcare insurance. Not to mention meds...most seniors spend many hundreds of $'s per month for meds.

At least in the UK you always have access to a doctor/hospital and free (if you're retired) meds.

I only ask because we have always said we probably couldn't afford to stay here once our health fails. It's a sad fact but true.

Just one example...my daughter's school friend was diagnosed with cancer when she was 16. Both parents had excellent healthcare insurance...her mother is a nurse. After a few months of treatment the ins company refused to pay for any more treatment at Sloane Kettering in NYC. Then they refused to pay for further overnight hospital stays. About 18 mths into her treatment her parents were in debt to the tune of a $250,000. She died just before her 19th birthday...I dread to think of the debt her poor parents had amassed by then.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

That is the big issue that ruins life here for me. I miss the UK but I can live here. There are many things I like about the US and would miss but the health care issue is the spectre at the feast.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Another concern...especially if you are alone...is care homes. It seems to be usual here for elderley people to be put into homes...especially if they are living on their own and cannot care for themselves. Retirement homes cost a fortune in the US...what happens if you can't afford one? :confused:

As far as we are concerned growing old in the US is very scary...you're OK as long as you have your health and plenty of $$$'s.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

This sounds ohh so familiar............

I've been back in UK for 7 weeks now. I gave up EVERYTHING to go to Aus. House, career, long term relationship, I had a rather large workshop in the garage which took 15 or more years to amass, all gone.

I went to Aus 3 times on holiday prior to emigrating, when I emigrated my long term partner decided she would stay here.....a wise choice in hindsight! I went anyway.....bad choice.

Do I regret going?....yes, every day. Am I glad I came back? OH YES. Absolutely no regrets on that one at all.

I was lucky in so far as I got back to work within two weeks of returning (I couldn't get a job in Aus no matter what I tried) but it's only a 3 month contract and I need to be in a permanent position before I can get a mortgage, even with a 80k deposit. I've got an interview coming up for a full time position so hopefully things will start moving soon, but I've been in limbo all year living with family in Aus and here after I returned and I yearn for my own space back. Fed up being a lodger with family!. I left home at 18 and have been self sufficient ever since, turned 40 last week. Worked hard all my life, was in a fairly secure financial position before going to Aus, but back to square one now.

Aus is great for a holiday, but I couldn't live there permanently, noooo way. I do see the UK in a completely different light though since returning, a kind of nice light. It's ohh so true though, you don't realise what you've got till it's gone. I tell you all one thing. If I ever do get my life back and get into a similar position to what I was in before I emigrated, there's no way I'd give it up again.....no way.

You're all probably bored by now so I'll button my lip! nuff said.

Good luck to all, what ever position you're in, and whatever you're up to.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Just write it off to experience and have no regrets. It's been said many times on here...sometimes you have to lose something to appreciate it. So you have and now you do...so make the most of it and all the very best.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

How true! Nice to hear your thoughts, and great to hear you are happy to be back, and completely honest about it!!!!! I also came here on holiday twice before moving for good, and I agree, its no were near the same as living here..... and when I get back in December this year... i am hoping to feel the same way as you. Good on you for giving it a go!

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Jobart, just wanted to say well done for giving it a try.

And i am pleased you are back where you should be.Well done and good luck.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Hiya mate,

Its good to hear that you're enjoying life back in the UK again and things seems to be coming together for you slowly but surely. Its all experience and at least you have a different outlook on the UK now.

I'm also enjoying being back home although I'm still living with my partners folks at the minute and we haven't managed to secure jobs yet, although I've had quite a few interviews so I'm pretty sure that something will crop up soon.

I do still miss the australian houses, cleanliness, quieter roads, weather, beaches etc and I do still have moments where I question my decision to return, but those moments are few and far between and I know that we are happier here with friends, family and our old lives back. I think everyone wants the best of both worlds (I know I do!) but unfortunately its not possible.

We went to Cyprus a few days after returning to the UK and it was fantastic. Its great to know that we can hop on a plane a couple of times a year and travel to many different countries and cultures within a few hours and you can get your fix of sun and sand etc.

I also look on the UK in a different light now and I see a lot more positives than I did before I left for Oz so I will never regret migrating there (apart from the money we've lost!). We've been for walks over the West Penine Moors to Rivington Pike (see the UK pics thread) and the scenery was amazing, something that you take for granted when you live in the UK. I also plan to go to York very soon as I've not been for years and its a lovely place.

We've even had some decent weather in the UK this week, but so we should as it is August now!! lol. Plus the football season starts in 10 days and I cant wait to be sat on the JJB watching my beloved Wigan Athletic again! Typical bloke! lol.

Plus we've been able to spend time with family and friends and particularly my partners neice and nephew who are only 3 and 1, seeing them on the webcam just isn't the same.

So all in all we're verry happy to be back, but I do look fondly back to Australia and I can fully understand why lots of people settle there.

Stu :)

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Great post Stu.

I think that you really some up the reasons and difficulties in going home. I have the thing that I would be giving up a really well paid job if I went home. There are less oportunities in my field in the UK everyday and so that is my biggest concern about going home.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Hi,

We've been back for 3mths now after 2yrs in Perth. So glad we're here, don't miss anything about Perth at all except my sister in law and family and my friend Sue. Sometimes I drive down the road and think "thank God I'm not there". Weird really because when we first arrived there I loved it. It really is true about not realising what is here until you try living somewhere else. It just feels like we never left. We were luckier than some as we made a bit of money on our house in Perth and have been able to buy a house here (which we move into on Saturday!) and we couldn't have afforded to buy it before we moved to Australia. We also had a baby while we were over there, so all in all we feel like we've done pretty well. I am glad we went as although it was hard work moving and trying to settle in and then moving back, at least we gave it a good go and it just wasn't for us. I know 2 couples who moved to Perth in the last year and both have just bought houses there and I know it's awful but I can't help feeling sorry for them! Hopefully they won't be like us, but I really think you need to be there for more than a year, even 2 before you have a really good outlook on what your life there will be like.

Oh well, glad we're here, I really do think that the opportunities are far better here for the children and we are enjoying seeing our friends and going out and doing NORMAL things! Mind you, it was my little boy's 4th birthday on Tuesday and we had a party in my Mum's garden and had, wait for it ....... a barby:rofl:

Jo;)

Re: How are recent returnees
 

I know, when you start thinking about the negative possibilities in life you can scare yourself sh*tless. I hear what you say about treatment for major illness, the same thing applies to lost wages for long-term illness, lost wages due to disability, long-term care, etc.

Much of this (except health care costs) also applies in the UK, though. If I had a long-term illness or disability, I'd be destitute, lose my house, the works, too. I know there is insurance for much of that, but I'm so broke I can't afford it! Again, at least in the States I had enough spare cash each month to be able to afford some of these types of insurance.

Like you said, it's sad that you have to think that being old and ill in the US is not a feasible proposition.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Wouldn't the social services step in, in the UK?
Or am I being naive?

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Hi Stu,

Great to hear from you again buddy.

I know excactly what you mean getting out and about to see things and visit places. I've been all over since I got back! went to Wakefield last weekend to Caphouse Colliery museum. Great day if you're ever up that way, and it's free! Brought back many memories as I grew up in a mining town in the north east and my dad worked for the local colliery workshops.

Hope your job is sorted soon. Once you get that out the way everything else, house etc will just fall into place.

The new footy season, that ought to put a BIG seal of approval on your decision to return...LOL.... got your season ticket yet???:D

Know what you mean about living with the folks, it's kinda hard isnt it, as kind as they are, you still need your own space. I'm flitting between my old mum's and my sisters at the moment. Her husband's a BIG Sunderland fan.....just thought I'd squeeze that in ....LOL

Anyway buddy, don't want to steal the thread, keep us updated on your progress, looking forward to seeing photo's of your new house in blighty when you get sorted and post em!!

Cheers mate.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

I had thought that social services step in only in terms of someone being unable to take care of themselves - the government won't take over your mortgage payments, for instance, if you are disabled and unable to work. A friend's mother-in-law became unable to take care of herself a while back (she was in her 90's) and they put her in a care home that cost a heck of a lot. I'm not sure whether a free care home facility was unavailable or whether they just wanted to be able to pick and choose where she stayed. Basically, her savings were being steadily whittled away (luckily, she had some savings).

The impression I get is that while some government services are fine (emergency health care, for example), many are not (and I didn't read that in the Daily Mail). And I'm pretty sure that if you became unable to work through illness, accident, disability, you could lose your house through not being able to make mortgage payments.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

glad all is going well for you Jo - was wondering when you moved into your new house, good luck with that and am pleased to hear life is good for you:D:D

Kath

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Hi Kath,

Hurry up and sell that bloody house! I did reply to your texts, you did get them didn't you?:confused:

Jo

Re: How are recent returnees
 

[QUOTE how long was you in nz and why did you leave, intrested to know as i will be moving there soon, cheers Lee=milligano;5124346]We have been back for 7 months to the day. Unsure if I love being back or not. I certainly like being back but it is only now that I am realising that I won't be going back to NZ.

Miss my job, house and certain ways of life in NZ but love being near my family and friends again although don't see them as much you think you might on your return.

Bought our home at long last and move mid Sept so perhaps things will change once we have all our own things around us again and we can finally feel settled.

Our little boy has certainly taken to life here without any quibbles which is all that matters to me really.

One other thing we really miss from NZ is the coffee.[/QUOTE]

Re: How are recent returnees
 

We have been back 6 months already! Loving it. We miss the beach on the doorstep (a bit), but nothing else.
Pretty hacked off with not having our own home. We have been living in other peoples for the last 9 months and really need our own space/nest/control..arghhhhh.The deal is taking an age.
Enjoying getting out and visiting things/places far more than we did.Can't wait for a proper Christmas! Happier than we have ever been bar the house thing of course. Regrets? You bet. Waste of a huge amount of money, but if it wasn't this maybe it would have been some other harebrained scheme :D
On here far, far less as prefer being in the real world in the main. Still good for a laugh and catch up on here though.:)

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Can totally relate to that seasprite - if we hadn't done the whole Oz saga we deffo would have done something else drastic that cost money - sort of early mid life crisis I suppose!!

As for us - back one year almost and loving it - spent all day on the beach today with the kids plus grandma, aunty and cousins - kids are just so happy to be around family and it was just wonderful.

I have to say though, that for me, although family is important I missed England and Englishness just as much as family and friends and I am just so glad to be back and everyday I thank my lucky stars that I managed to persuade OH to come home!

Re: How are recent returnees
 

And I can relate to that! When people ask why we returned I just say that I am too English. I am thankful my husband eventually agreed too. Would rather have spent the dosh on a caravan by the sea though. Or a couple of snazzy motorbikes, or hang gliding lessons....:D
p.s are you in Hampshire?

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Congrats to all that have returned home to the UK and are glad to be back. We will be returning from Cyprus later this month and we cannot wait to get back. We miss so many things....

I just wanted to ask. Some people have said that they are living with relatives or friends and when we get back I will be going back to Mum, but hoping to apply for Council Housing.

Does anyone know if this will be difficult for us? We have no finances and have 2 children and another on the way. We have had some bad luck and been in Cyprus less than a year and want to get ourselves back on track asap.

My husband will eventually work and we hope to get a government grant to buy a property again (heard somewhere on hear about that).

If anyone can help with some advice it would be much appreciated.

Yours SweetHome x :)

Re: How are recent returnees
 

If there is room at your Mum's then you will have to wait years with the Council, getting one given to you is like finding Gold dust now day's. Renting privately is what most have to do and that is what we will be doing as well. No such thing as a government grant to buy housing.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Hi Britvic, Thanks for reply.

There is no room at my Mum's, not for all of us, so I am hoping they do house us quickly. If I can get private rent and some help then that is what we will do.

SweetHome :)

Re: How are recent returnees
 

That's what you think but the council will have other ideas, alright some areas are better than other's for council housing availability. I dont mean to put a dampener on you going home as I said we are also, but it's a cold hard fact of the matter you can not depend on being rehoused by the council.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

We are fine:) Back one year. good jobs, mortgage, good schools etc etc. I have lots of guilt about returning because OH wanted to stay. So sometimes I think we should try again, but dismiss this at the mo because I would need to be sure its not the guilt talking if you know what I mean. But for someone who didnt want to return, hes actually far more settled and sorted than me and really enjoying life with no regrets:) We have a good life with a nice lots of friends/neighbours etc. Kids do more here than they did in Oz.
My inability to truly settle is a reflection of me and the bad emotional experiences I had in Oz - its nothing to do with the UK. I have had no problems with chavs, Eastern Europens, burgalry etc etc. I feel very safe.

On anothe note - I dont think you can get grants to buy houses. there is a scheme now where you rent half the house, buy the other half (so the mortgage is lower) Rent a lot cheaper than normal so total payment less than a whole mortgage.Then, when you feel able to take on a bigger morgage, you can opt to buy house outright. maybe that was it. She needs to contact housing associations rather than the coucil for this.

Re: How are recent returnees
 

Most councils work on the basis that if you stay with a relative for more than a few days, you are housed. If your kids are under nine (?) years old, all you have to have is one bedroom in someone else's home and they will not help you at all. You have to be verifiably homeless, with no prospect of private renting, and even then you may only get a B&B for a few months. The fact that you are pregnant is irrelevant to them, until the baby is born. Coming home from Cyprus may also put you in the position of being intentionally homeless, bad luck or not, they will argue that you chose to return. This is what I have been told by five different councils around the country, the only detail I cannot specifically recall is the age at which siblings of the opposite sex qualify you for another bedroom based on need. Housing associations are your best bet really, but one of you will need to be working to get shared ownership.