Off topic, but on topic the previous recent discussions we have had on here.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...-silent-labour

Let's move to Wakefield:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011...west-yorkshire

formula tipped me off regarding UKBA stuff on the over 50s board.

This would seem to have a bearing on those who intend to only reside in the UK for six months a year:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si...on-nhs-debtors

"NHS measures for England include:

extending the time that UK residents can spend abroad without losing their automatic entitlement to free hospital treatment, from 3 months to 6 months;"

Interesting. It would seem logical to match up NHS entitlement to residence for income tax liability purposes - which I believe is 183+ days per year ... after all, NHS is funded primarily by income tax so it seems unfair for someone to have to pay UK income tax, but not be eligible for free NHS treatment.

But:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/faqs_general.htm#13nr

"To be treated as resident in the UK you must normally be physically present in the country at some time in the tax year. You will always be treated as resident if you are here for 183 days or more in the tax year. There are no exceptions to this. You count the total number of days you spend in the UK - it does not matter if you come and go several times during the year or if you are here for one stay of 183 days or more. If you are here for less than 183 days, you may still be treated as resident for the year if you visit the UK regularly and your visits average 91 days or more a tax year over a period not exceeding four years."

From The Times
February 17, 2010

The Court of Appeal ruled that Robert Gaines-Cooper was liable to pay UK tax despite spending less than 91 days a year in the country because England had remained “the centre of gravity of his life and interests”.

So he would pay income tax but not get NHS, according to the rules but presumably if deemed Resident and Ordinarily Resident by HMRC he can argue that he is also the same for the purposes of NHS.

Yes, I forgot that condition - coincidentally, just posted it on the "183 days" thread.

Not sure if this has been mentioned on here before, but I found it too late for our own rental search. The National Trust rents out properties long term (as well as their holiday rentals which are a separate entity), details here.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/estate-ag...don-52808.html

Their office seems to be based in Swindon but the properties can be anywhere. Click on the link to "View all properties to rent". There are some really interesting places.

Terms are here http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main...-renting-3.htm

May be of interest to someone.

We are finally moving in to our rented house this week, in Berkshire in one of the "Midsomer Murders" locations. I checked the Policeuk website and no recent murders to report.

Still in a quandry re buying, but we'll just sit tight for the time being.

Thanks for everyone's views and comments on here, it's been a mine of information.

Thank you for the info on the national trust property rentals. looked at few and seem more than reasonable rents and some lovely properties. might be nice to do this one summer for 2-3 months. Thanks..

Yes, location is not always about having a desirable house or flat in a desirable street, suburb or town, but about the services which are closely available. It can be a matter of compromise. I have stopped driving a car so location is important for walking to services, riding a bike, or using public transport.

Nevertheless, compromise doesn't mean we should live somewhere we don't like, in time it would impact on our well-being.

OK Aries I picked this one for you at £82500

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...-30024331.html

Certainly very cheap, but about 450 miles north from where I would like to live.

After living in Adelaide for so long, I would freeze that far north. Isn't that in the Arctic Circle?

I've allocated funds for a flat in the south somewhere. My preference would be in the Heidelberg region in south west Germany, but I would struggle to acquire their compulsory health insurance, so I'm looking from Torquay to Hastings.

I must have looked at thousands of flats in dozens of towns on the internet, but there isn't much I can do until my house here is sold. I have another open inspection in 2 hours time, so I had better get off the computer and make a sandwich for lunch.

Fingers crossed for you!

Thank you, an offer was made to-day which I will accept.

If all goes well, I will very quickly have to decide on my UK location, and that could well be tougher.

Marvelous, absolutely marvelous.

Cheers

The kind, generous and funny people warm it up

Just came back from another week in the north of England and I genuinely don't understand why anyone moves to the south. It's just another world up north - friendly, open, honest .... and that's before you even start on the scenery.