isleofmanmike

You are right when you say a lot of homework has to be done before moving. I was looking at the tax system over in aussie and was shocked to find out how much tax is paid for quite small incomes. I would have to earn at least $100k I feel to make ends meet. How do you find utility bills and food prices. I know the house prices have shot up a lot over the last few years and mortgage rates are quite high. There is also no automatic eligability for any state pension when you retire, everything is meens tested. On the Isle of Man our tax rates are very low. Basic rate is only 10% with top rate of 18%. We also get mortgage tax reliel unlimited. On a £40,000 income I would pay only £2,000 in income tax, there is no capital gains tax or inheritance tax and no unemployment. If you pay into the Isle of Man tax syastem for 10 years before you retire the state pension is 50% higher than the UK. We have our own government and a lot of people dont realise that we are not part of the UK but a crown dependancy. Do you feel that it might be an option for you to move somewhere like Isle of Man rather than mainland UK

In reply to you and Martin Davidson, my daughter is open minded about moving to Perth, she gets on very well with my family and misses them, however has a lot of good mates here and would miss them also. My 13 year old son is quite adamant about not wanting to go to Aussie, when we were there 3 years ago on holiday he made it quite clear that he would not want to move there. However I feel that kids in aussie can be kids much longer than UK and they dont seem to have the same presures on them, more sport and outdoor life must be good for them.

St Georges girl, what is the main reason for you to leave Perth and how long have you been there for. My sister lives in Secret Harbour are you near them or other side of the city.

martin davidson

hi mike utility bills were not too bad,but i found cost of living food etc was no different to the uk really i think with house prices and food they are the same in oz as the uk,but oz has the weather.its amazing how many people do come back on the 457 because it is hard,and you do pay alot of taxes.just watched a programme on bbc1 people going to new zealand,again long hrs and less money they have opted to stay in uk? so it just shows you,well off to work now lovely speak soon regards ginney&martin boomerang pommes from essex.yeah im an essex girl

julesandco

Hi Mike,

I sent you a PM a few days ago. We're in Secret Harbour and over on a 163 business visa. Anything we can do to help, just shout.

Cheers,

Jules x

isleofmanmike

Hi Jules

Thanks for your message, dont know what you mean when you said posted a PM. It would be great to be in touch, either on this site or if you give me your email address I could mail you direct or send a message to this address [email protected]

isleofmanmike

Hi again Ginney

Thanks for the info. My email addressd is [email protected] If you want to email me please do. How do you feel the wages compare in Perth as apposed to the UK

mick69

Jules has sent you a private message. If you click on My Profile at the top of the page, there is an inbox there. Click on there and you should find a message there.
Hope this helps.
Lynne

martin davidson

hi mike just got home,i was working in an residential home and got $14hr so to me it was the same as the uk.i found that you worked alot harder for your money. i worked twice as hard there as i did here,still it was a great experience.

irishfamily

[Martin do u have to have ur nvq level 3 ? cuz i only have my level 2 and im interested in going back into elderly care work again

martin davidson

hi there im his wife who worked in a care home,i didnt have any nvqs,got certificate in demencia&altzimers i didnt need them as you can do them as you go along same over here as well.hope this has helped you regards ginney

martin davidson

i worked at the agmaroy nursing home in wilson near willetton,very nice lady called alma look her up and give her a ring she will be glad to help,and will be able to answer your questions worth a call regards ginney again

St.Georges Girl

Wow, IOM sounds like a dream. Income tax here is very high, so for me that would be a big consideration. Here's a quick run down of the main bills we pay. Then of course we have phone, mobiles, all insurances, car licence, food etc.. Not forgetting mortgage or rent if you will need to pay those.

Our shire rates this year were just under $1600
Water rates $1400 + quarterly bills for consumption
Gas averaged about $340 (we don't use much gas)
Electricity approx.$1600
Broadband $155 a quarter

As for the outdoor life and more sport, our son played just as much back home as he did the first few years we were here. Once he was in high school, the physical education dropped dramatically. Luckily he loves his sport, so played seasonal cricket & football + indoor cricket and football all year round, still does in fact. I'd say bringing a 13 year old you might be in for some problems, but only you know your own child. It wasn't easy for my son at age 10, he found the kids so immature and they were certainly way behind in school. He was bullied very badly for afew years too, so that didn't help.

We live in the northern suburbs, along the coast in Iluka, so quite a way from your sister. Have you looked on www.reiwa.com.au and www.realestate.com.au You can get a very good idea of house prices and local facilities etc. on those sites.

We've been here almost 11 years and I must admit that I have never truly settled, but I really have had enough now and want to go home to be with my extended family and to travel. Our son has always said that when he's old enough he will go home for good. This year is his final year at uni, so when he graduates, we'll take it from there. We are going home again in August for a visit, but I can't see us wanting to come back here again, although we will have to obviously. The last time we were home (2004) we could have easily stayed. I found it heart breaking having to come back here, but at least now I know that the waiting is almost over.

If there is anything else you'd like to know, just shout.

chrrissss

Hi ya i am from Perth and DH from UK he gave it 7 years most of that time he wanted to go home,he has actually got a post on here at the moment.
2 months is not enough that is pathetic and he is not giving it a go from the sounds of things, they always say to give it a good year at least .
I have lived over here 3 times first time it took me a few months before i could say i liked it,this time around its been over 8 months i am not entirely happy but still think i need longer.
Its such a hard thing when you both feel differently ,you will have to sit down and have a big talk and try and compromise try and get him to stick it out for 6 months at least then see what happens.
All the best its not easy one of the joys of being married i guess.

brits1

Don't forget that you have your family....your wife etc is whom you are going to share the rest of your life with.....and if she is not happy to come and loves the seasons then please do not come.....it can be hard if both of you are wanting to go and live overseas as it is.......you are close to your sister which is lovely but could you not arrange holidays....one year she visits you and another year you visit her? and please be careful with investing in companies etc...you are obviously very good at what you do so just tread carefully....we have our Citizenships which is a great thing to have but we have known people to come over on a B/visa and some have lost money...it happen to a couple that bought our last home...they had just come over and invested some money in a "friends" company and they lost the lot!!!!!!!
All the best and IOM is a lovely place I use to swim in the gala competitions at Summerworld......many moons ago!!
Jackie

martin davidson

hi jackie i totally agree with everything that you have said,from what i can gather mikes wife sounds very happy and content with the weather etc in the uk and like you said they can come out for hols,i had some friends yrs ago had family and wanted to do the same things,they moved and upt sticks and long story but after a few yrs sadly a family member passed away and realized they only went there bcoz of family,they were very lonely and in the end came back but at least they had spent time with them.Mike seems to have a great job i wouldnt give that up grass is always greener on the otherside but if you are lucky enough to have the funds and you can afford it then up to them,its amazing how many people do loose big time on bvisa,i think you no in yoyr heart after a few mths if oz is for you,i liked it dont get me wrong had a nice 4 by 2 house had a job but most of the time i was kidding myself and lying to my self that that is where i wanted to be,same with martin as well, then realized i wanted to be home in the uk,did this twice as you will no if you read the forum,but im very happy to be back no regrets at all,the uk is fine same as perth its what you make or do with it.Anyway its chucking it down here lovely.when we was there when it rained i used to stand outside and get soaked it was heaven as the heat did get to me big time. Well off to work now an earn some pounds ha ha ginney

isleofmanmike

Thanks St Georges Girl, Ginney and Brits 1 for your advice and comments. The bills you pay in Perth do seem high, its a wonder you can afford to live with the wages , tax etc. I have been watching 'wanted down under' quite a pathetic show realy, how can anyone make there mind up about emigrating in one week.....anyway, there has been two couples recently who were sent to Perth for a week. They visited the supermarket and could not believe the price of food....meat seems cheap but everything else was top price. I have also been posting on another thread on this site called 'do you worry about raising kids in UK' I know some of you have been posting there aswell. Anyway I think all your comments have brought home how miserable I was in Aussie, I think the idea of a holiday every year or so to see family is a good one. Any way best of luck to all you homesick poms who are considering moving back to UK...it won't be easy at first but will be worth it in the end..