Moving back: An online diary!
 

I'm starting this thread for my own benefit, but it may be of interest to people who are in a similar situation.
I'll update this regularly every time something happens or when I have a few thoughts that are worth sharing.

INTRO:

I'm 59 years old. I left the UK in 1987.
I moved to the USA, then to Mexico and finally, for the last 18 years I've been living in Thailand.
I'm moving back to the UK on November 4th for good.

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

Update: September 2nd, 2019

I don't really want to go back, but due to circumstances created entirely by me, I am.
(I'll explain that gobble-de-gook when I'm on safer ground in November!)

Scared and Excited!

I've had a great run of adventure and excitement, but I want to get back to the Isle of Wight and see out 'the back nine' in familiar and safer surroundings.
I'm single and in good health but even so, I imagine securing regular work on 'The Island' isn't going to be all that easy.
(I'm just looking for something that pays the rent.)
I will have some savings and I have some temporary lodgings to go to.

Practicalities.

Yesterday I applied online for inclusion on the electoral roll.
I also applied online and paid for an updated provisional driver's license.
I'm using the address of my temporary lodgings in the UK.
I'll update on the progress of those two events.

When I get home:

I need to open a 'Basic Bank Account' as I don't have any credit.
After some research, I've decided that Barclay's Bank seems like the best option.

I need to register with a doctor, too.
Research has indicated that this is a very easy process, although it has to be done in person.

In order, after that... buy transport, find a job, find a flat neat the job!
Easy, eh?

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

Someone is coming to look at my car tomorrow.
It's a 2001 Mazda 2.
In the UK it would probably fetch about £500.
In Thailand, the resale value of cars is very high so I could get over £4,000.

We'll see. I'll be sorry to say goodbye to the car.
I bought it new at our local Mazda shop. :(

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

Thanks, Durham Lad!

Just finished cleaning the car to attempt to make it look worth £4,000!

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

I just opened an account with Barclays and I had the account open in 30 minutes, Received a debit card and PIN number in 3 days. even got online banking set up.

It was very easy and painless.

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

We were out of the UK for a similar period to yourself, 1987 to 2017. Once we had sold our car, and moved out of our place in Texas we spent several days in a hotel, with a hire car after selling ours, just tidying up our affairs, and from the hotel managed the transfer of money to our lawyer handling the purchase of our house. On arrival at Manchester Airport, standing on the platform waiting for the train, we received the phone call saying that our house purchase was completing that day. We already had a rented house established and after getting off the train, and taxi home, we walked down to the estate agents at 4pm to collect our keys.

Pretty frantic at the time, but good memories to look back on now. Hopefully your move will go as well.

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

I moved to Texas for a few years. Most of the time in Irving. Also lived in New Orleans, too.
Loved both places for very different reasons.

Cheers... yaw'll!

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

Preparations:

I'm not leaving for another two months, but there are still things that can be done.

I've applied for a free SIM card which is being mailed to my brother.
He'll activate it, send me the number and top it up with a fiver of credit.

Also, you can apply for the Barclay's Basic Bank Account online... but you need a mobile number complete the application, hence the SIM card request.

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

Did you do it online or at a branch?

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

Update:

I'm on the electoral role already! That was quick!

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...5c0c7a9652.png
Voter!

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

Update:

Sold the car for about £4,200 (155,000 baht)

I think I could have waited a few weeks and got more, but frankly, I didn't want the stress of waiting till the last minute to get this sorted out.
So, I willingly took the hit just for my peace of mind.
I'll get the paperwork sorted out tomorrow and organize a hire car for a few weeks.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...eba835f156.png

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

Update:

Email confirmation that my SIM card is on its way. Yay!

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...58ae99f551.png

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

Re: Moving back: An online diary!
 

There's a thought! Funny thing, though...
When I did my research, the government website specifically said that electoral rolls weren't updated in October or November.
Yet here I am, already registered! Strange... but good!