OVER 50's+ MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Jan 22nd 2011, 2:13 am
#1906
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Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland UK again!
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Just read this on another site - FYI
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!
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!
Jan 22nd 2011, 2:20 am
#1907
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Joined: May 2009
Location: Cannock, Staffordshire.
Posts: 304
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
.... good on ya!
Interesting comment from you - I did NOT write this article as I stated when I copied it into FYI section - the lady who did this morning on another site was moving from UK to NZ from where she stated she lived -maybe it hit a nerve for all with a wake up call! I for one like to get to the honest and real world updates as it helps me prepare for my return and not live in la la land.
Good evening to all.
Interesting comment from you - I did NOT write this article as I stated when I copied it into FYI section - the lady who did this morning on another site was moving from UK to NZ from where she stated she lived -maybe it hit a nerve for all with a wake up call! I for one like to get to the honest and real world updates as it helps me prepare for my return and not live in la la land.
Good evening to all.
That being said the person who wrote it has written it with an eye on making their decision to move to NZ a good one. Most of us won't be impacted by the 50% tax hike being considered - it is for very high salaries - over 150,000 I believe. Also the person in question comes from the North East - which has different economic issues to the south east say - that is apparent by the comment re house prices - falling in the north East maybe - but who knows what they are doing elsewhere - some reports indicate that the south east could see a rise in house prices come this Spring.
Nothing wrong with the person writing what they did - and I know there are issues in the UK at present (just as there are here in the US) - but it needs to be read in the context of what the person wants to achieve - and they want to justify a move to NZ.
Jan 22nd 2011, 2:23 am
#1908
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
I watched Oprah too and especially with a daughter and grandkids for you Barb,it must be soooooo difficult. As you know I was in Australia last October. We thought Adelaide was very British and could not have met nicer people. So different from the USA. We just loved it. Sydney on the other hand was not at all like I had expected. We stayed in the CBD and it seemed somewhat Asian and rather unfriendly. I could see myself settled in Adelaide easily. Of course only eight days so hard to say but it felt very like "home".
Jan 22nd 2011, 2:26 am
#1909
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
DDL. I have now lived in the US 4 years longer than I did in the UK. but I think for a lot of British people the Queen is a ship that has set a steady course for England and its people for 58 years. She has always in my opinion represented our country superbly both at home and abroad. Her life has been dedicated to serving her country and it surely cannot have been easy. Prime Ministers come and go, political parties change but she is a constant. I love America but proud to be British and proud she is our Queen..Also in a more simplistic way - she's just always been there and it can be a comforting sort of feeling..Can't really explain it..
Jan 22nd 2011, 2:28 am
#1910
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
..wow only 35 for you..are you packed yet????
Jan 22nd 2011, 2:34 am
#1912
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
DDL. I have now lived in the US 4 years longer than I did in the UK. but I think for a lot of British people the Queen is a ship that has set a steady course for England and its people for 58 years. She has always in my opinion represented our country superbly both at home and abroad. Her life has been dedicated to serving her country and it surely cannot have been easy. Prime Ministers come and go, political parties change but she is a constant. I love America but proud to be British and proud she is our Queen..Also in a more simplistic way - she's just always been there and it can be a comforting sort of feeling..Can't really explain it..
I love her and was very impressed when she came to NYC last Summer and went to the WTC on one of the hottest, stickiest days of the year and was so quietly dignified as she honoured those who lost their lives. Many people who saw her said she didn't look as if she broke a sweat at all!! A fantastic represntative for our country IMHO.
Jan 22nd 2011, 2:59 am
#1913
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Both Sour Sobs & Salvation Jane cover the hills in yellow & purple & look lovely but are a nuisence to farmers.
I live in the West but looking forward to returning to Adelaide soon. If we did not have family here we would certainly return to the UK after 37yrs. Not much to do in retirement years here in Oz unless you like (or can afford) cruises.
Jan 22nd 2011, 3:02 am
#1914
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Do you also remember the hills covered in purple flowers called 'Salvation Jane'? I believe it saved the cattle in years gone by when there was a drought. In other States it is known as 'Paterson's Curse' as it is a prolific weed.
Both Sour Sobs & Salvation Jane cover the hills in yellow & purple & look lovely but are a nuisence to farmers.
I live in the West but looking forward to returning to Adelaide soon. If we did not have family here we would certainly return to the UK after 37yrs. Not much to do in retirement years here in Oz unless you like (or can afford) cruises.
Both Sour Sobs & Salvation Jane cover the hills in yellow & purple & look lovely but are a nuisence to farmers.
I live in the West but looking forward to returning to Adelaide soon. If we did not have family here we would certainly return to the UK after 37yrs. Not much to do in retirement years here in Oz unless you like (or can afford) cruises.
Jan 22nd 2011, 3:21 am
#1915
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Rodney: I know you said you had been getting your social security for the past 3 years paid by direct deposit into your US bank. Did you have any trouble getting that changed, and paid into your UK bank? Was it difficult making the change, and do they take the tax out in the US? Or do you have to file an IRS form?
Jan 22nd 2011, 3:50 am
#1916
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Location: Surrey, England
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Do you also remember the hills covered in purple flowers called 'Salvation Jane'? I believe it saved the cattle in years gone by when there was a drought. In other States it is known as 'Paterson's Curse' as it is a prolific weed.
Both Sour Sobs & Salvation Jane cover the hills in yellow & purple & look lovely but are a nuisence to farmers.
I live in the West but looking forward to returning to Adelaide soon. If we did not have family here we would certainly return to the UK after 37yrs. Not much to do in retirement years here in Oz unless you like (or can afford) cruises.
Both Sour Sobs & Salvation Jane cover the hills in yellow & purple & look lovely but are a nuisence to farmers.
I live in the West but looking forward to returning to Adelaide soon. If we did not have family here we would certainly return to the UK after 37yrs. Not much to do in retirement years here in Oz unless you like (or can afford) cruises.
You are dead right about the retirement years unless you like sitting on the beach in the sun..................NOT!
Last edited by Beedubya; Jan 22nd 2011 at 3:54 am.
Jan 22nd 2011, 3:53 am
#1917
Home Sweet Home
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Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 5,128
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
I watched Oprah too and especially with a daughter and grandkids for you Barb,it must be soooooo difficult. As you know I was in Australia last October. We thought Adelaide was very British and could not have met nicer people. So different from the USA. We just loved it. Sydney on the other hand was not at all like I had expected. We stayed in the CBD and it seemed somewhat Asian and rather unfriendly. I could see myself settled in Adelaide easily. Of course only eight days so hard to say but it felt very like "home".
Yes Sydney can be very unfriendly just like most big cities I suppose and you would have noticed the ever growing Asian (Chinese/Korean/Japanese/Singaporean) population. I forgot that in England when you say Asia you mean India and Pakistan.
Jan 22nd 2011, 3:59 am
#1918
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
OMG ---- Tyrone you certainly paint a real bad picture of UK my friend, its all doom and gloom in your eyes isent it 
almost makes me sorry that I came home 7 weeks ago ----- NOT !!! Oh will I be happy will I be sad kay sarah sarah 
Put a steak on the barbie and have a nice scooner of beer, and just take life as it comes, lighten up a little, your going to give yourself a heart attack,
YOU MY FRIEND JUST re - enforces my beleif that Brits just dont know how good they got it,
Well Im here and Im here to stay, Ive seen how a lot of other countries live including down under and I choose the good old United Kingdom,
Take care,
Rodney.
almost makes me sorry that I came home 7 weeks ago ----- NOT !!! Oh will I be happy will I be sad kay sarah sarah Put a steak on the barbie and have a nice scooner of beer, and just take life as it comes, lighten up a little, your going to give yourself a heart attack,
YOU MY FRIEND JUST re - enforces my beleif that Brits just dont know how good they got it,
Well Im here and Im here to stay, Ive seen how a lot of other countries live including down under and I choose the good old United Kingdom,
Take care,
Rodney.
Jan 22nd 2011, 4:15 am
#1920
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Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
I think the Queen deserves a medal ... perhaps she should award herself one at the next Queen's Honours ceremony.
Can you imagine anyone else of her age working as hard as she does - and always being in the public eye. Whatever you think of the monarchy she has to get credit for doing a bloody hard job.
Can you imagine anyone else of her age working as hard as she does - and always being in the public eye. Whatever you think of the monarchy she has to get credit for doing a bloody hard job.