Been away for 41 years - disillusioned with life in Australia now and thinking of coming back to live in the UK. Had my first visit in 14 years to UK last year and regularly view property websites.

There are lots of posts from people who have moved away, but is there anyone who recently returned after living overseas for many years? Was it a good or bad decision?

looking at whats going on in sheffield lately youl need to bring your bullitt proof vest ,asbestos suit and a crash helmet. stay in oz and prosper my friend

Dont!!
Repeat, Dont!!!!
Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

agree with both the above posts, your in a much better place

the UK is full of idiots to the left and right

I recently returned to Sheffield from living in Australia for 10 years. Hardest, but best decision of my life. I have not regretted it for one minute.

PM me if you want to discuss in detail...

Been away for 41 years - disillusioned with life in Australia now and thinking of coming back to live in the UK. Had my first visit in 14 years to UK last year and regularly view property websites.

There are lots of posts from people who have moved away, but is there anyone who recently returned after living overseas for many years? Was it a good or bad decision?

I came here to Aussie 43yr ago. I think Helbco all the world is in a bit of a mess whererever you are. Can't here of anyone saying they are in paradise.You know what it's like here at the moment not saying much but the word terrorists says it all. Same with locking your door at nite who doesn't these days. Don't know where you are but we are at Newcastle near the beaches and Lake and find that very rewarding. Give it a lot of thought,try another trip over to see if that's what you really want. I lived in Sheffield all my life too
Everyone's different with different tastes and wants. I wish you all the very best Helbco in whatever you decide let it be your descision and no one elses's
Best Wishes Vera.

vhopkinson

I return back to Sheffield every year from NZ and I am saddened to see how Sheffield and its people are changing.

To return for a holiday is a totally different thing than to settle in any country, mostly you only see the good side of things.

If I was in your shoes I would try another part of Oz before making the big decision of returning to Sheffield for good.

Some of my family returned to the UK, stuck it for 8 months and returned to a different part of Oz and have been very happy and content in their decision to return.

On saying this the whole world is changing at such a rapid pace and nowhere is the same anymore.

Take my advice and weigh your decision up very carefully, think of the kind of life you want, the people you want to live amongst, the weather and of course the financial aspects.

I know people who have abandoned the UK for the wrong reasons and others who have returned to the UK and both have made the wrong moves.

Write down the pros and cons of each place and do not be swayed by hearsay, most places are what you make of them and everyone is different with different circumstances

Hope these few comments help you and the best of luck.

Happy Days!

Good advice from Popt he said it all very well
Vera

see comment below

helbco, all the best in whatever you decide, I was a proud Yorkshireman with the white rose tattoed on my heart, I returned to visit Sheffield in 1990 & wanted to come home to Oz after just 2days.

I agree with pop, we were thinking of a trip over next year, but can't make my mind up whether to buy a campervan instead and see more of Oz.

Hi Vera, hope you are going well.

thank you for your comments. They are all valid - no matter what the opinion. My situation is that I am early 50s, divorced with no children (and I have no brothers or sisters). My only family here is my mother (late 70s).

Here we have a severe water crisis and temperatures of up to 45 degrees celsius (about 115 degrees fahrenheit) in summer - and I don't live in the outback, but a major capital city!!

Would live to live on the outskirts of Sheffield (ie Peak District), but I have only a small family back in the UK - none of whom now live in Sheffield.

I am seriously considering building a house on a family property in North Wales.

I am worried about cost of living in UK (huge by my observations last year) and health care - I read an appalling story of neglect of an elderly man in the Manchester hospital system on the BBC site tonight - is this typical?

Is there any way that you could try it out for a year before cutting all ties? Maybe rent out your current property in Oz and rent a house here in Sheffield?

It would be an awful shame to move and then regret it.

Think seriously about coming back. Immigrants seem to get much better treatment here now than people with an English passport.

NHS is in a total mess don't know how old you are but if you've been in Oz for 43 years you must be in a more mature age group. Think seriously about this point. I'm dreading getting old in this country and am fearful in case me or any of my family should have to go into hospital at this present time.

Stay in the sunshine. The grass always seems greener on the other side - and with the rain we're having it looks very green here at the moment!

Think seriously about coming back. Immigrants seem to get much better treatment here now than people with an English passport.

NHS is in a total mess don't know how old you are but if you've been in Oz for 43 years you must be in a more mature age group. Think seriously about this point. I'm dreading getting old in this country and am fearful in case me or any of my family should have to go into hospital at this present time.

!It is easy to criticise the Nhs, but recently i have had treatment at both the Hallamshire hospital and Calow Chesterfield. lovely staff and prompt attention ,plus my wifes regular blood checks at Calow no more than 5mins most of the time i wait in the car.
I have a relative in Australia near Brisbane very hot in summer and many parts of OZ is a problem with flies,give me our countryside every time.

Hiya my friend now lives in Thailand and misses home so much he married last year and i went over to the wedding expences paid for, he would love to return here but he would have no work and no where to live and unfortunatly i havnt got the room for him it's so sad i will be visiting again in 8 weeks and taking him some home comforts liqurice allsorts etc he has a lovely home and wife and works in a school but lifes so cruel at times.

It is easy to criticise the Nhs, but recently i have had treatment at both the Hallamshire hospital and Calow Chesterfield. lovely staff and prompt attention ,plus my wifes regular blood checks at Calow no more than 5mins most of the time i wait in the car.
I have a relative in Australia near Brisbane very hot in summer and many parts of OZ is a problem with flies,give me our countryside every time.

It is easy to criticise the NHS but I work for them and see things that are going on at the moment.

Agree about the countryside but from what I hear the Health Service in Oz is far superior than ours.

Think seriously about coming back. Immigrants seem to get much better treatment here now than people with an English passport.

NHS is in a total mess don't know how old you are but if you've been in Oz for 43 years you must be in a more mature age group. Think seriously about this point. I'm dreading getting old in this country and am fearful in case me or any of my family should have to go into hospital at this present time.

Stay in the sunshine. The grass always seems greener on the other side - and with the rain we're having it looks very green here at the moment!
Can I just comment here and correct you - the NHS is NOT in a total mess ! You a Daily Mail reader by any chance?!!!!! 'Immigrants get better treatment here now than people with an English passport' - shame on you !

It is easy to criticise the NHS but I work for them and see things that are going on at the moment.

Agree about the countryside but from what I hear the Health Service in Oz is far superior than ours.

Then I suggest a change of career dear ! If you work for the NHS and are so disapproving- either do something about it or get out ! Put up or shut up ! Have you any personal experience of Australia health care or do you believe everything you read in the newspapers or see on TV? I know for a fact that they have huge problems over there at the moment. The OP in their opening post stated that they are disillusioned with their life in Australia.

[QUOTE=helbco;2536703]Been away for 41 years - disillusioned with life in Australia now and thinking of coming back to live in the UK. /QUOTE]

You're not that bloke who was stuck up a tree for eight days surrounded by hungry crocs are you ? :D

There are far more dangerous predators than crocodiles in the UK these days !

Well, I have visited 43 countries and lived (for between 5 months and three years) in four of them - South Africa (crime), Germany (Germans), Kuwait (got out just before Saddam invaded) and Australia (bureaucracy - as my wife said "you need a permit to sneeze"). Australia doesn't have a monopoly of bureaucracy (Germany comes a close second) but we found more of it there than anywhere else, at least in our line of business. The weather's better, though... Can't fault the NHS for how they treated my mum for 5 years until she died last September at 87 - she couldn't have had better treatment by clinicians or care workers. Now we live in North Lincolnshire and visit Sheffield about once a month. Best compromise.

It is easy to criticise the NHS but I work for them and see things that are going on at the moment.

Agree about the countryside but from what I hear the Health Service in Oz is far superior than ours.

There are really two Health Services in Australia:
State run Medicare and cover by private insurance.

To see your GP, part of your fee is refundable by Medicare; unfortunately, doctors needed a fee rise, and no amount of "information" they collected satisfied the government; so the AMA gave up and just raised the fees (our practice kept its fees down as long as we could, but our landlord wouldn't come to the party by forgoing rent rises). So now the proportion of the fee refunded to the patient is less.
Hospital accomodation and inpatient care is either "public" via Medicare, or "private", covered by insurance. As costs go up, so does the insurance premium!
Alas, public hospitals have been an area of cost-cutting. Before retiring, I became unpopular when I suggested that the Mission Statement of our hospital should be revised "to save as much money as possible for Qld Health's budget". Now, many public hospitals are entering the collapse we forecast.
Our present Federal Government is supportive of private insurance, which helps.

I was born and raised in Sheffield and emmigrated in 1981.
Since then I have been back several times, more recently in 2003 and 2005, both times doing a house swap. Doing this really does give the illusion of living back there and it's great. I love my vists "home" and enjoy all the things I cannot get here in Oz.
But, having said that, I know that I could not move back to England and be able to afford the kind of lifestyle that I have in Oz. It would be a retrograde step and not a risk I'm willing to take after all the hard work and at this stage in my life.

are you mad sheffield is the cesspit of the world. do you really want to come back to a place full of charity shops beggars and hoodies run by a council who couldnt run the proverbial p*ss up in a brewery . do yourself a favour move back to a much safer place like iraq

are you mad sheffield is the cesspit of the world. do you really want to come back to a place full of charity shops beggars and hoodies run by a council who couldnt run the proverbial p*ss up in a brewery . do yourself a favour move back to a much safer place like iraq

says the bloke thats been leaving for spain for going on 2 years and still here propping
up the bar in the rose garth:rolleyes:

Would love to live on the outskirts of Sheffield (ie Peak District), but ... I am seriously considering building a house on a family property in North Wales.

I am worried about cost of living in UK (huge by my observations last year) and health care - I read an appalling story of neglect of an elderly man in the Manchester hospital system on the BBC site tonight - is this typical?

I could recommend Crosspool, but property prices are high. It would of course be cheaper to build a house in Wales.

The BBC story isn't typical - mostly it’s only the NHS failures than are reported in the media. The best thing about the NHS is that it’s free - ask any American.

Been away for 41 years - disillusioned with life in Australia now and thinking of coming back to live in the UK. Had my first visit in 14 years to UK last year and regularly view property websites.

There are lots of posts from people who have moved away, but is there anyone who recently returned after living overseas for many years? Was it a good or bad decision?

Heya

If you weren't aware of this site, take a look, it might be of some help...

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=61
+
http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=54

Cheers

hillsbro

Aren't you forgetting all the National Health Contributions that working people have paid into the National Health over the years.

We could all have been paying into private schemes like the Americans.

Very little is free in this life.

Happy Days!

PopT - I guess you mean National Insurance. It is supposed to cover retirement pensions, income support, incapacity benefit, job-seeker's allowance, industrial injuries pensions... you name it, any kind of state handout and, incidentally, healthcare. It's clear that practically the whole cost of the N.H.S. is met from general taxation. And we are not over-taxed as a nation, even though we grumble. You only have to look at how house prices have risen in recent years to see how much purchasing power the average Brit has nowadays. As far as healthcare is concerned we're getting a bargain.

It's also perhaps worth pointing out that we have a health service, not health insurance. You don't need a piece of paper to be given free treatment - the only requirement is to be ill. While this encourages "health tourists" who arrive from all over the world with their ailments, it does avoid most of the accounting, the cost of which swallows up between 12% and 15% of the money paid into most health insurance schemes. The Germans pay 6.7% of their income for health insurance (even when retired) and employers pay the same. So it's hardly surprising that Germany has more hospitals etc. and you don't have to wait months for a hip replacement. I wouldn't have to wait either - as I have private insurance to help out where the NHS can't. And it costs a lot less than 6.7% of my pension.

hillsbro - I'm interested about your private health insurance because some of my family in the UK say it is unaffordable. I currently have top cover medical insurance here in Australia with "extras" which means I have cover to go into a private hospital with a doctor of my choice and I also can claim benefits for dentists (our public dentistry system is totally stuffed!!), physio, and a whole range of other ancillary benefits like massage and, if you need it, psychologists. This costs me about 35 pounds a month. What it is the cost of a reasonable private health insurance policy in the Uk - is this BUPA?

Otherwise, I have been very interested to ALL of the responses to my posts and at the moment I am thinking a short stay (six months) might be the best way to go, before I decide, although this is not going to happen for a little while yet. Meantime, I will allocate all my holidays to trips to the UK!!

I have a fairly low level of cover with Norwich Union and pay £28.77 per month at present. But I've had this policy for eight years and never made a claim, so (a) I might get some sort of no-claims bonus and (b) I am beginning to wonder if it's worthwhile. But while ever I can afford it I suppose I'll keep it up, though overall I'm a healthy old b*gger. Apart from an RTA in 1972 that put me in hospital for three months, in the 23 years that I've spent in the UK since then I've seen two specialists (dermatology and ENT) and swallowed a variety of pills prescribed by my GP. There was only a 2 to 3-week wait to see the specialists and so it wasn't worth going private and claiming off the Norwich, or BUPA which whom I insured in the early 1990s. Next year I'll be 60 and the pills (only statins at present) will be free.

I think a six-month trial stay in the UK would be a good idea. Onbviously, it needs a lot of thought before uprooting yourself. Of the four other countries I've lived in, Australia was the one most like home, and but for circumstances I might have stayed there (Burnie, Tasmania).

It all depends on your age. I returned to UK after 25 years and fell right on my feet, Sheffielders are by nature easy to get on with. The benefits are good if you're retired, I got electricity bills always in credit but I never actually payed one after the first 150 quid or so. The NHS isn't much cop from my experience but others will tell you different.

I was a bit lucky in that I got a place in Epworth N.Lincs which hadn't the social problems of the cities. We could walk to the shops and the people were very friendly, although a bit suspicious at first but we soon got known and accepted.

I agree with hillsbro and I've lived and worked all over the world but it's just too cold for me or I would be back like a shot.

The USA isn't what it's cracked up to be, in many areas it's third world so don't consider the USA for a minute.

Having family in Australia and the UK I would say there are good and bad aspects to life in both places, and it annoys me how people are slagging off Sheffield and the NHS on here.
I've often wondered why there aren't any hospital threads on here because Sheffield has some of the best in the country all within a short walk of each other.
I have recently experienced this care first hand and have to say how impressed I have been with the level of service, and the quality of medical care- and yes, we still are treated the same as we walk in the door, regardless of background and status.
We should be proud and supportive of our health service.
I have been a user of health care in Australia, and when I was waiting hours in A&E in Melbourne and Canberra, it felt the same as A&E at the NGH Sheffield to me!
As to whether anyone should return here- my family in Aus have no plans to do so- then neither would my family in the UK wish to move there- it all depends what you want from life

It all depends on your age. I returned to UK after 25 years and fell right on my feet, Sheffielders are by nature easy to get on with. The benefits are good if you're retired, I got electricity bills always in credit but I never actually payed one after the first 150 quid or so. The NHS isn't much cop from my experience but others will tell you different.

I was a bit lucky in that I got a place in Epworth N.Lincs which hadn't the social problems of the cities. We could walk to the shops and the people were very friendly, although a bit suspicious at first but we soon got known and accepted.

I agree with hillsbro and I've lived and worked all over the world but it's just too cold for me or I would be back like a shot.

The USA isn't what it's cracked up to be, in many areas it's third world so don't consider the USA for a minute.

Thats very interesting Florida as my husband and I are wanting to move to another State , I was wondering what States you lived in that were like 3rd worls countries, this way we can avoid them.

Poppins,

Florida is a state where hurricanes are not unknown but there isn't one purpose built shelter.The so-called escape routes never have any petrol stations open because the power lines are down and it wouldn't dawn on anybody to fit a generator. Commercial vehicles clog the escape routes, it took us 13 hours to travel 210 miles when Frances hit. Everybody lives in plastic sheds called mobile homes, very apt since a little bit of wind and they go walk-about.

Texas where you live is third world in many areas outside the big cities, you know it . The traffic control system is arachaic since it requires electricity to operate and that is in short supply when a weather ralated disaster strikes. All the idiots have to do is install roundabouts with " give way to the left " signs and the even Americans will adapt.

We had a Allegro motor van for years and travelled all over the States, it's a mess, the roads are a disgrace considering the wealth of the country. We were in Vermont one summer and a road had been washed out but there were no signs to warn drivers so we drove 35 miles until we came to a barrier so we had to turn round a retrace our steps then take a roundabout route.

Avoid them all and move abroad, we're moving to Merida in Mexico, it's also third world but it doesn't claim to be anything else.

Poppins,

It's very interesting that the only part you were interested in was the critisism of the USA. some wit will no doubt take the "roundabout " route comment and tell me there are no roundabouts.

PopT - I guess you mean National Insurance. It is supposed to cover retirement pensions, income support, incapacity benefit, job-seeker's allowance, industrial injuries pensions... you name it, any kind of state handout and, incidentally, healthcare. It's clear that practically the whole cost of the N.H.S. is met from general taxation. And we are not over-taxed as a nation, even though we grumble. You only have to look at how house prices have risen in recent years to see how much purchasing power the average Brit has nowadays. As far as healthcare is concerned we're getting a bargain.

It's also perhaps worth pointing out that we have a health service, not health insurance. You don't need a piece of paper to be given free treatment - the only requirement is to be ill. While this encourages "health tourists" who arrive from all over the world with their ailments, it does avoid most of the accounting, the cost of which swallows up between 12% and 15% of the money paid into most health insurance schemes. The Germans pay 6.7% of their income for health insurance (even when retired) and employers pay the same. So it's hardly surprising that Germany has more hospitals etc. and you don't have to wait months for a hip replacement. I wouldn't have to wait either - as I have private insurance to help out where the NHS can't. And it costs a lot less than 6.7% of my pension.
We pay a huge amount for the NHS not directly ( but indirectly) if you worked it out as a percentage of income you would be suprised at the figure.

'Immigrants get better treatment here now than people with an English passport' - shame on you !

Would you like to elaborate on that, would you like to tell me how to explain to my teenage sons that they have no chance of getting a council house/flat or affording a mortgage but yet the town centre is full of people that seem to be doing fine out of the current system.

:confused:

Been away for 41 years - disillusioned with life in Australia now and thinking of coming back to live in the UK. Had my first visit in 14 years to UK last year and regularly view property websites.

There are lots of posts from people who have moved away, but is there anyone who recently returned after living overseas for many years? Was it a good or bad decision?

Thats a big, big decision. I only moved to Oxfordshire 21 years ago, and on the odd visit back to Sheffield I have been saddenned by lots of things. The old buildings have been bombed by the planners, the road system is tragic, and the town centre has moved to Meadowhall. I think its like going back to a place where you went on holiday-its never the same.
Why not consider a new life somewhere close to Sheffield, and you can visit the place and get away as quickly as you would like ?

Would you like to elaborate on that, would you like to tell me how to explain to my teenage sons that they have no chance of getting a council house/flat or affording a mortgage but yet the town centre is full of people that seem to be doing fine out of the current system.

:confused:

If you just take a little time and care to read my post properly, I was actually referring to the care given to those who use the NHS !

If you just take a little time and care to read my post properly, I was actually referring to the care given to those who use the NHS !

If you say so .

If you say so .

Read post 17

We pay a huge amount for the NHS not directly ( but indirectly) if you worked it out as a percentage of income you would be suprised at the figure.

What we pay for the NHS is of course huge - the entire cost of running the service; many billions each year. But it is paid for out of general taxation along with everything else - education, defence, policing etc. And as a nation we are not over-taxed - if the average person had low disposable income, house prices wouldn't have rocketed in recent years. Unlike the Germans we don't have to pay (to take one example of many) a monthly "church tax" in order to be married in church, and unlike the Americans we don't have to be afraid of huge bills for healthcare or life-saving drugs.

Dear Helbco,
I am from Sheff. been here in Aust.( Canberra) for 34 years, love it, have 9 grandchildren etc.I have been back many times, trust me, Oz is the best place to be. It's easy to fall in love with old memories, I have many fond memories of my youth in Sheff. but things change, remember we can't live the past again, memories are nice but they are only memories. Derek. C.

.... trust me, Oz is the best place to be.

Having lived in five countries (including Australia) I don't think it's possible to say that any country is the best place to be. It all depends on your own lifestyle and preferences - and where exactly you live. Someone forced through circumstance to live in a seedy part of Sydney (say King's Cross) might not think much to life in Oz. But there is all the difference in the world between this environment and the one where I lived (Burnie, Tasmania) just as life in tropical Darwin or the steamy Queensland rainforest is a different kettle of fish from living in Adelaide or Perth. The best place to live is where you are happiest. I can stand cold weather but I don't like the dark winters of North Lincolnshire; otherwise it has everything else I want. I go "home" to Hillsborough about once a month, and spend the worst 6 to 8 weeks of each winter somewhere warmer. Of course, I am retired - which is exactly my point about lifestyle and preferences.

thanks again for all your comments. To Derek Clayton - I think you missed the point of my original and subsequent post - unlike you I don't have 9 grandchildren and in fact will have no family after my mother passes on.

It doesn't have to be Sheffied ( and probably won't be) but I would like to think there is some family not too far away. I am not living on memories - just wanting to have a family network around me.

I'm still unsure if I can AFFORD to retire to the UK having never worked there (I was 12 when we left) and probably not eligible for any benefits but am currently researching various websites for this.

thanks again for all your comments. To Derek Clayton - I think you missed the point of my original and subsequent post - unlike you I don't have 9 grandchildren and in fact will have no family after my mother passes on.

It doesn't have to be Sheffied ( and probably won't be) but I would like to think there is some family not too far away. I am not living on memories - just wanting to have a family network around me.

I'm still unsure if I can AFFORD to retire to the UK having never worked there (I was 12 when we left) and probably not eligible for any benefits but am currently researching various websites for this.
How are you going with the research on eligibility for benefits ??

The last time I was in Sheffield was 7 years ago and I went to the Doctor's, only to be told that I was no longer eligible for free healthcare as I had been out of the country more than 6 months. From now on when my parents visit England they have to take with them the Greek equivelent of a E111 saying that the Greek Government will pay for their healthcare if they are taken ill during their visit to England. Quite scary when you consider they are both on full pensions from the UK and only moved here after retirement.

people with an English passport'

Where do you get an English passport from, anyway?

retired i'm now moving to P.E.I (canada's east coast) alittle hard to pick the right house so many beautifull 6bed 3bath for under 65,000 pounds &a 3 bed with sea view can be had for less than 30, so many english long distance truck drivers have moved & are living the dream

How are you going with the research on eligibility for benefits ??

The last time I was in Sheffield was 7 years ago and I went to the Doctor's, only to be told that I was no longer eligible for free healthcare as I had been out of the country more than 6 months. From now on when my parents visit England they have to take with them the Greek equivelent of a E111 saying that the Greek Government will pay for their healthcare if they are taken ill during their visit to England. Quite scary when you consider they are both on full pensions from the UK and only moved here after retirement.

iwould double check that, my booklet fm U.K pensions states that i receive free heath care while on vacation in the U.K ,of course the rules may have changed.

Where do you get an English passport from, anyway?

Ask Happylady - I was quoting her ! (post 13). Do keep up !

retired i'm now moving to P.E.I (canada's east coast) alittle hard to pick the right house so many beautifull 6bed 3bath for under 65,000 pounds &a 3 bed with sea view can be had for less than 30, so many english long distance truck drivers have moved & are living the dream

But it's cold and foggy on Prince Edward Island in winter (average temperature well below zero in Jan. and Feb.) - although it's slightly warmer than further west.

It very much depends on what you intend to do and where you intend to live. I consider myself fortunate in living in the south west of the city, the Peak National Park on my doorstep, I even do a lot of the weekend shopping at Chatsworth Farm Shop and in Bakewell.

However I find the city centre a confusing miss-match of new buildings that I will never need to enter and the run down areas that are supposedly going to be redeveloped. It wouldn't bother me if I never saw the city centre again and the same goes for some districts in the city that used to be inhabited by normal folk but are now no go areas.

Don't have much experience of the National Health Service, both the wife and I have private health cover at work and wouldn't like to risk being without it.

We are both nearing the end of our working days and have talked about buying a place in the sun. Trouble is that it would get rid of the capital that we have accumulated over the years and save down-sizing we don't want to be left without a few quid in the bank.

We are going to have a look at a Park Home (a glorified caravan with a pitched roof, central heating, double glazing and proper furniture) site in our favourite part of Spain. Right next to a lovely bay, a quiet coast road and no high rise, all for £40,000. I say this because we could have the best of both worlds or use it as a trial run to see if we like Spain enough to move there permanently.

What I an attempting to say is that neither of us fancy burning our bridges and would like a choice of the UK, Spain or both.

I wish you all the best with your choice. :thumbsup:

It very much depends on what you intend to do and where you intend to live. I consider myself fortunate in living in the south west of the city, the Peak National Park on my doorstep, I even do a lot of the weekend shopping at Chatsworth Farm Shop and in Bakewell.

However I find the city centre a confusing miss-match of new buildings that I will never need to enter and the run down areas that are supposedly going to be redeveloped. It wouldn't bother me if I never saw the city centre again and the same goes for some districts in the city that used to be inhabited by normal folk but are now no go areas.

Don't have much experience of the National Health Service, both the wife and I have private health cover at work and wouldn't like to risk being without it.

We are both nearing the end of our working days and have talked about buying a place in the sun. Trouble is that it would get rid of the capital that we have accumulated over the years and save down-sizing we don't want to be left without a few quid in the bank.

We are going to have a look at a Park Home (a glorified caravan with a pitched roof, central heating, double glazing and proper furniture) site in our favourite part of Spain. Right next to a lovely bay, a quiet coast road and no high rise, all for £40,000. I say this because we could have the best of both worlds or use it as a trial run to see if we like Spain enough to move there permanently.

What I an attempting to say is that neither of us fancy burning our bridges and would like a choice of the UK, Spain or both.

I wish you all the best with your choice. :thumbsup:

Crookersey, sounds a lot like what my husband and I are thinking of doing, it's a lovely position to be in....good luck.

Although having the peak district, chatsworth farm & Bakewell on my doorstep i might have to think twice about that :huh:

I can't understand why anyone would move to P.E.I., of course it's cheap, so is most of Canada but it's Brass monkey land. how is the Green Gables by the way.

Crokesey - you seem to have my ideal lifestyle - not sure why you would want to move to Spain!

But, at the end of the day I guess it all depends on family, income and lifestyle objectives.

Right now, after all these posts, I am still aiming to re-settle in the UK - just have to work out how I am going to manage this and when, and navigate the UK pension and health system. I will have good private pension benefits but obviously looking for top-ups and support.

Crookersey, sounds a lot like what my husband and I are thinking of doing, it's a lovely position to be in....good luck.

Although having the peak district, chatsworth farm & Bakewell on my doorstep i might have to think twice about that :huh:

Thanks for the good wishes, you hit the nail firmly on the head with your last comment, that's why a Park Home that we can 'lock up an go' sounds a good idea. We are very hopeful in respect of this site as they usually situate these things in the back and beyond.

We have even researched long term car parking as we would like to buy a little run about and find that airport car store with 12 pick ups and drop offs costs £250.00 per annum. Park rental is a bit minty at £70.00 per week but it includes security, gardening and use of the pool and after all it's only a 5 minute walk to the sea and all the amenities.

So with the latter and Chatsworth and the rest of the Peak National Park to go at we would have the best of two lovely worlds. I will PM you when we have had a look at the Spanish site in October if it is as good as I think it is.
:thumbsup:

Been away for 41 years - disillusioned with life in Australia now and thinking of coming back to live in the UK. Had my first visit in 14 years to UK last year and regularly view property websites.

There are lots of posts from people who have moved away, but is there anyone who recently returned after living overseas for many years? Was it a good or bad decision?

Do yourself a favour and seek good advice before considering such a drastic step!

I lived in South Africa for five years 1971-76 then came back!!! I've had to live with 31 years of regret ever since :mad:

This country gets worse every year, no wonder there are record numbers of people leaving :gag:

I'd emigrate to Australia tomorrow but now I'm passed my sell-by date :mad:

I lived in South Africa for five years 1971-76 then came back!!! I've had to live with 31 years of regret ever since

I certainly don't regret leaving South Africa. I lived there for two years (1993-95) and that was enough. Crime, crime and more crime... When our next-door-but-one neighbour was murdered by two burglars we came home.

Of course as posters pointed out there is no Utopia but N.E. Derbyshire comes close in summer so if you can afford it a house in Derbyshire and a villa in Spain you're as close to Utopia as you'll ever get in my view.

After 13 yrs in England I am packing up and going back to Oz. Having said that, I doubt I would live anywhere but the north. I don't hate Sheffield/Derbyshire - I simply want to go back to my family. Neither place is or will ever be perfect and I don't expect Canberra to be utopia but I can't wait until we are there. If you want to buy a 2 bed house early next year pm me.............

helbco just been abit nosey are u male r female if female do you have friend called rose who used to go in the market tavern in sheffield and you used to come and visit her if so i think i know you ill wat see your reply ps i will go over to live in your house and you come and live in our house lol

no -that's not me!!

I personally dont know of one person who has left Sheffield and come back. I have more relatives in America than over here. They all went to better themselves ,and have a higher standard of living, which they all did. On the other hand when they DO come back for a visit, they always want to go into Derbyshire, or visit Chatsworth House & restaurant. Some memories for ex pats never die.:)

Yes pattricia, Derbyshire is what I miss most, we moved back for a couple of summers and there are a lot of advantages for retired people in UK but it's too overcrowded. The Government just let anybody and their grandmothers in and no housing for them, just stupid.

Been away for 41 years - disillusioned with life in Australia now and thinking of coming back to live in the UK. Had my first visit in 14 years to UK last year and regularly view property websites.

There are lots of posts from people who have moved away, but is there anyone who recently returned after living overseas for many years? Was it a good or bad decision?

fancy swopping houses then ?

After 41 years away from Sheffield, I think its definitely a case of 'better the devil you know' As it won't be the Sheffield you remember. In fact it's not just Sheffield, it's the whole of the UK. I know If I hadn't the family ties here, I would be off like a shot.
Stay where you are or as someone else has suggested a different part of Australia. You will be sadly disillusioned again if you come back here.

watching, reading, thinking!! Taking all comments on board.

Just gone through Hell on Earth with 47 centigrade (117 F) degrees, bush fires (fortunately not in my back garden - but just half an hour up the road!!) and absolutely NO rain for 2 months!!

If you saw my little garden - burnt out straw for lawn, most bushes lost at least half their leaves, burnt plants and trees. None of this from fire - just intense heat and sun! Another 38 (100F) degree day coming up! (hey - it's the first day of Autumn on Sunday!!) It's SO depressing and only going to get worse over the next few years.

Hopefully back for another 3 week trip mid-year!

Final home wont be Sheffield as don't have any family there now - but maybe North Wales or Derbyshire!

Just checking out the pension/health care issues as, because I was a child when I left, I have never worked in the UK.

Watch this space!

hi helbco,just what is it your disillousioned with in oz ,the people or the country? most of the times it depends on the people you mix with .if you were a child when you left ,i imagine you have an oz accent ,so you"ll be a novelty in sheffield for a while ..,,..i've been backwards and fowards for 40 years ..and if you want to come back and witness the suicide of a great nation.. via cultural marxism,feel free...but i think you'll find its an ugly thing to watch...don"t forget the worlds going pear shaped at the moment,

I will have good private pension benefits but obviously looking for top-ups and support.

Why do you think after 43 years away you will be entitled to any "top ups or support?

This is from:
http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-uk


"If you have not lived in the UK and paid NI contributions before, you will not normally be eligible for benefits that are based on these contributions, such as maternity allowances and the retirement pension. However, people who have paid the equivalent of NI contributions in another country may qualify for some benefits in the UK. You may also be eligible if you have been working abroad for an employer based in the UK and have paid NI contributions during this time. These conditions apply only to some types of benefit, and only to nationals of European Economic Area (EEA) countries and those that have a social security agreement with the UK. "

Are you a UK citizen or did you take Australian nationality.

Possession of a UK passport does not, automatically entitle you to become ,I forget the correct phrase, a burden on the State

Been away for 41 years - disillusioned with life in Australia now and thinking of coming back to live in the UK. Had my first visit in 14 years to UK last year and regularly view property websites.

There are lots of posts from people who have moved away, but is there anyone who recently returned after living overseas for many years? Was it a good or bad decision?

Sorry Ive come late into this thread, but as an illustration \I was recently in Newcastle and started speaking at length to a man who was brought up in Darnall and whose wife came from Firth Park.
They had not been to Sheffield for a number of years and the man had particularly had happy memories his childhood in Darnall remembering it as a poor but friendly working class area, he also thought that his wife was more 'Upmarket' when he first went out with her because she came from Firth Park. We tried to describe the current state of various areas of Sheffield to them and they were visibly shocked.
The point is things change sometimes for good sometimes for bad.
Spend a LOT of time in and around the city before finally making your decision

This thread give some "food for thought": http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=372612

I miss Sheffield terribly and doesn't help when I go back for a visit and have a great time. I usually go in the summer the warm evenings, a walk down down to the pub and and a beer or ten .... Lovely. But then I went back in Decemeber. I forgot about the cold and the very short daylight hours. My old mates and family where skint because christmas was around the corner. Don't get me wrong I had a great time but it was also an eye-opener.

I have just quickly browsed this thread, so apologies If anyone else has alrady said this, But you might want to try it out, Pick the worst months of the year, Maybe Jan/Feb and go live there a few months and see if you fit back in and want to stay.

This thread give some "food for thought": http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=372612

thanks for that hillbro - found it very enlightening. As I am not planning to live in 'downtown' Sheffield I can ignore most of the really savage negative comments.

Not planning to 'freeload' either on the UK social security system. Been fiercely independent all my life and not looking for handouts now - just wanting to have access to some services.

I thought Ulysees comments on the other thread were insightful and really summed up the issues of living in OZ.

Don't forget my original comments - would you want to stay in a country on your own, with nearest family 13,000 miles away?

thank you for your comments. They are all valid - no matter what the opinion. My situation is that I am early 50s, divorced with no children (and I have no brothers or sisters). My only family here is my mother (late 70s).

Here we have a severe water crisis and temperatures of up to 45 degrees celsius (about 115 degrees fahrenheit) in summer - and I don't live in the outback, but a major capital city!!

Would live to live on the outskirts of Sheffield (ie Peak District), but I have only a small family back in the UK - none of whom now live in Sheffield.

I am seriously considering building a house on a family property in North Wales.

I am worried about cost of living in UK (huge by my observations last year) and health care - I read an appalling story of neglect of an elderly man in the Manchester hospital system on the BBC site tonight - is this typical?
Hi There You must live in Melbourne.I used to live there also.I now live in Tweed Heads where the weather is almost perfect.There have been floods up north,fires down south and we have good sunny days,quite a bit of rain but still warm.Please think about it as i couldnt think of anything worse.There are plenty of English people living here.Good luck:thumbsup:

hi HELBCO i would be trying wollongong. it gods country. you could visit skippy. and have a swim in is big swimming pool . think of the weather in sheffield 6 to minus 4 tommorow.

When I emigrated to Canada in 1968, I quickly learned about the "thousand dollar cure". Many UK migrants would settle down in Toronto or Montreal, raise their kids, and then the wife would pine for the old country. So they would sell up, fly back home, hate it for a year, then head back to Canada. There they would have to spend money to re-establish .They would do this more than once before finally staying put. I was lucky that my wife never wanted to go back, and we did fiine. We were eight years in Canada before we flew back to Sheffield on vacation, and to be honest I wasn't sorry when the trip was over. Most of our friends had moved on and we were left visiting relatives we didn't care much for.

I have lived in Brasil for the last 35 yrs. Sorry I spent2 years in Mexico, near Acopulco, working for Davt McKee, but I know how you feel , because I´m thing of coming back,
I aways think of it this way.
Brasil is my wife, England my mother, I can change my wife, but never my mother. Or as they say, theres no place like home

Hi Percy Iggo - my Dad actually worked for Davy's - first in Sheffield and then in Australia, where it became Davy Mckee.

Anyway, as you will see it's a long time since I've been on this post and have done a lot of homework since then.

Met a UK financial planner who was actually planning to move to Australia because 'the UK's stuffed' Okay - yes, well, different life stages, but learn't a lot from that conversation.

Researched Retirement Villages for my mother - yes - very affordable BUT - monthly service fees would bankrupt!

And - finally - private health insurance. Extremely difficult to get if over 65. Quotes from 4,500 - 6,500 pounds per annum (she currently pays 750 pounds pa for top of the range). Plus, pre-existing NEVER accepted (here you pay for 12 months and claim for anything pre-existing or immediately for anything new). Premiums go up every year with age. Got to be joking - always the same no matter what age!

Well, looks like this isn't going to happen in the near future Our health care system might have it's problems (Prime Minister currently trying to wave magic wand to fix - hmmn) but if you take some responsibility and pay for private insurance (tax incentives for this) you will usually get good and prompt care instead of being on a waiting list. Emergency care is good in both countries.

Ohh I forgot to to mention pensions. So - private pensions are not compulsory in the UK? With an ageing population as bad as Australia, looks like there is a major crisis looming. Okay, so not everyone here has enough private pension but most have something to top up the government pension.

Well, looks like I'll gain a few frequent flyer points 'just visiting' for the next few years.

Cheers!

If you do return I would do what I did after leaving the army and go for one of the outlying residential towns that are free from shootings, ghettos, no go areas etc.

Ohh I forgot to to mention pensions. So - private pensions are not compulsory in the UK? With an ageing population as bad as Australia, looks like there is a major crisis looming. Okay, so not everyone here has enough private pension but most have something to top up the government pension.Cheers!Well it is a welfare state an you do pay into into the system all your working life, at least that is what was promised in the late forties. I paid into the system for 49 years.

Been away for 41 years - disillusioned with life in Australia now and thinking of coming back to live in the UK. Had my first visit in 14 years to UK last year and regularly view property websites.

There are lots of posts from people who have moved away, but is there anyone who recently returned after living overseas for many years? Was it a good or bad decision?

are you mad???????????????

You will be s****d financially. I know he aussie dollar is stronger than ever against the pound and UK property prices have dipped but whichever government get in taxes will rise. Anyone with retirement savings will be hit to fund all our immigrants and those who do not work. The UK hasn't got to grips with what a poor nation it really is in global terms - Australia is so much better off these days in comparison - so the UK continues to spend far more than it can afford...

If you turn your Aussie dollars into poundsbro buy a house then it's probably a no turning back position as I can't imagine the UK economy improving faster than the aussie economy in the next 10 years or so. Probably worth keeping your money in aus and renting in the UK until you're sure you'd like to live in the "new UK"... I'm thinking of moving the other way (IF the Aussies would take me!) as are many other people I speak to who are completely disillusioned with the disaster the UK is becoming....

helbco, regarding what others have said about relocating to a more 'suitable' part of Australia - have you ever been to Turramurra? Thirty minutes north of Sydney, it has a relatively high rainfall - lots of nice greenery and a good deal cooler (not as cool as the blue mountains, but still cooler)

I'd move to Brisbane tomorrow. Okay they've had a few bad days and 2 years of drought conditions but this year has shown a return to the old summers with storms most nights. Plenty of jobs, for instance forklift truck driving @ $26 an hour. My mate has a business in Brisbane and he says the kids there today just don't want to work. I'm too old now so we are thinking of Italy or Holland.

Well its been 3 years since you first posted, so Im guessing that you are not going to make the move.

I liked the post you made today the costs outlined are spot on. Are there any more specific questions you would like answering?

On the health topic the vast majority of people here use the NHS for free and recieve world class care. There are certain hospitals with poor rep though!

On the health topic the vast majority of people here use the NHS for free and recieve world class care. There are certain hospitals with poor rep though![/QUOTE]


Yes the NHS is a wonderful system but unless you have an emergency, once you are 'elderly' with the pain and illness that goes with that - well - not nice to wait months/years to ease the pain! I work within the medical sector and it's amazing the huge number of UK trained doctors applying for fellowship in Australia and New Zealand! Sad.

HennyPenny is right..Dont burn your bridges..Rent and rent..Both places..Just see what you have the lifestylefeel for 6 months or even a year. Green grass is sometimes sour..
Me I would stay with the sun..If it is too hot move to another state or even N.Z. Sheffield would be my last bet..The people are great but you need good money to live the lifestyle.. Ask any one in the better suburbs what it costs a week to live..OK You yorkshire LOT I am not being a snob..I mean you find it hard to go from one country to another and have the same lifestyle. If you are pushing up to the sixty mark you have not the same energy and chance taking thrill as when you were 30,odd. Look before you Leap..Pjkay