Originally Posted by 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..

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by Issie

IOM a dream


Now those people who say Perth is boring , then sample the IOM ( sorry Mike )

As for health care .....yes i agree cheap prescriptions, lovely up to date clean hospital.

They also have no specialist treatment over there and you have to be taken off the island to seek any further specialist treatment or wait for the doctors to come across ( which could be months ). The ICU has no specialist head injury unit yet and with TT every year , head injuries and any other serious injuries eg Burns ) have to be flown over to Liverpool to the head injury centre or Burns Unit. MY experience with ICU ( sorry cannot speak of anyother field ) was not very good.....inexperienced nurses with alot of agency back up from inexperienced nurses who came acroos because they got a relocation package.


The IOM has been my second home for many years and the thought of ever living there would be a nightmare.

Originally Posted by St.Georges Girl

Ah, well to be perfectly honest D, I know sod all about the IOM, except a friend of mine had a restaurant there for afew years. It was the amount of tax you pay there that I thought would be a dream, but as the age old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Except in Oz, because there are so few people, so inevitably you will be taxed to the hilt. I suppose everywhere has it's good and bad, there is no perfect place. Every mans utopia is personal to them.



PS. Loved the photo

Originally Posted by Issie

Thanks Love We had a lovely day

Good and bad every where i agree.

I am on the phone to the little man

Originally Posted by St.Georges Girl

Don't say that to him, he'll think you've been peeking!

Originally Posted by Issie

Well i did have a sly look when i was at his house , i could see up his boardies , he has little legs

Originally Posted by St.Georges Girl

Nooooo, that's boardies for you...

Originally Posted by Issie

IOM a dream


Now those people who say Perth is boring , then sample the IOM ( sorry Mike )

As for health care .....yes i agree cheap prescriptions, lovely up to date clean hospital.

They also have no specialist treatment over there and you have to be taken off the island to seek any further specialist treatment or wait for the doctors to come across ( which could be months ). The ICU has no specialist head injury unit yet and with TT every year , head injuries and any other serious injuries eg Burns ) have to be flown over to Liverpool to the head injury centre or Burns Unit. MY experience with ICU ( sorry cannot speak of anyother field ) was not very good.....inexperienced nurses with alot of agency back up from inexperienced nurses who came acroos because they got a relocation package.


The IOM has been my second home for many years and the thought of ever living there would be a nightmare.

Originally Posted by isleofmanmike

My experience at the hospital and people I know who have been treated on the Island does not sound anything like what you have said, have you got the Isle of Man mixed up with the Isle of White..oops... you did mention the TT and I dont think they have it there....I have had three bouts of hospital treatment on the Island and the care I recieved and the treatment prescribed etc was, I repeat, second to none. I agree they dont treat cancer and other major problems here but they have an air ambulance and fly you to UK for treatment.....A friend of mine has got cancer and the treatment he has recieved...and the spead he has had it done wasd fantastic......ALL AT NO CHARGE......NOT EVEN FOR THE AIR AMBULANCE OR AIR FARES......and dont say we pay it in taxes, if you read my other posts you will see what little tax we pay here compared to Aus and even the UK. I was admited into hospital last march with pnumonia, I saw a doctor, who was south african, within 5 mins and on a ward within half an hour, in my own private room with TV and ensuite facilities...and no I did not pay private.

As for boring I do admit it can get a bit boring over here in winter...but from about April to September there are that many events, concerts things going on if you want to get involved that boredom isn't an issue. Also you can be in Liverpool, Manchester, London, etc within a 30 to 40 mins....and dont say its to expensive because I have just booked a flight to Manchester next week end to see my beloved Man City, I am staying for three nights at my mates house and the flight cost me £75 return. I can go to Liverpool or Heysham as a foot passenger on the ferry for about £40 return, however in winter I prefer to fly because the Irish Sea can get a bit rough during the winter months.

When you said it has been your second home do you meen that you lived here or were you a visiting tourest who came accross for the bikes....

Originally Posted by daunted

I had a text from Rachie a couple of hours ago just before they boarded the plane back to the UK.
I guess everything that can be said has been on this thread but I just wanted to wish her all the happiness in the world and I look forward to updates and pics of new bubs when he/she arrives

Good luck rachie and family. You came, you gave it your best shot, its the end of one chapter but the start of a whole new one. good luck babe

Originally Posted by Wendy

Ditto that.

Good luck Rach - be happy

Originally Posted by daunted

I had a text from Rachie a couple of hours ago just before they boarded the plane back to the UK.
I guess everything that can be said has been on this thread but I just wanted to wish her all the happiness in the world and I look forward to updates and pics of new bubs when he/she arrives

Good luck rachie and family. You came, you gave it your best shot, its the end of one chapter but the start of a whole new one. good luck babe