Please don't read this post...

[TC for short]

... if you're homesick & missing England!

We're going to be heading back shortly - probably around the end of May. Anyone got any hints/tips on the whole thing?

Things we're looking at are -
Removals - we've got a few quotes coming in. We're looking at upwards of $13k for a 40' sea container plus insurance which is running at around 3.5 - 4% of value. Anyone got any particular recommendations?
House cleaning - just to make things easier for us. Carpets really, and a general wipe down.
Telephones - we've got telstra mobiles, landline & broadband. Are we likely to get hit with huge fees for termination? Should we just quietly leave it?
Cars - we will have two for sale - a very nice 2004 Toyota Kluger Grande 4x4; Silver, 7 seats, all leather (rear two fold away into floor), integrated touch screen sat nav. Touch screen also controls climate control, radio, cd stacker, tape deck & various information screens. Wood trim, sunroof, electric seats, roofbars, nudge/roo bar at front, Toyota tow-bar at rear, chrome side-steps, privacy glass on rear & side windows. Absolute top of the range. New was $68 000. Selling for $30 500 to include service now & 30 months factory bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Also a 2001 (I think) Suzuki Baleno Cavaliero - 3-door hatchback, white, 1.6l manual, air-con, cd/radio/tape, tinted windows side & rear. A terrific little car, asking $6000 ono.

Also... the house! Lovely 4/5 bedroom house in Coromandel Valley. Big open fireplace in lounge. Generally open-plan downstairs living plus 2/3 bedrooms & bathroom downstairs. Upstairs master bedroom with en-suite, another bedroom, minstrel gallery landing & study with desk & bookshelves. Very large plot with lots of trees & 3 lawns. Double garage plus double carport. Covered outside entertainment area. 15 mins walk to Craigburn Primary school & 5 mins drive to Coromandel Valley Primary (International Baccalaureate). Both very good schools. $440/wk

Please give me any hints & tips on the move back. PM me if you're interested in the house or cars.

TC

[Django]

As far as house cleaning is concerned speak to Cornelia. She did a fab job on our last rental before we moved out. Carpets, walls, floors, windows, the lot. The agent was well impressed.

Pete

[suziewozie]

When we left our rental we had our carpets cleaned by Guzzler & Sas's father Len , he was very good too.
Contact him on 8387 1131.
The rest of the cleaning we did ourselves, not that much too it really.

Good luck with the move home.

[ozzieclare2be]

Hi we are also heading back too hopefully by end of september (once weve saved up enough) and are looking for tips. My mind is in a whirl atm not sure where to start!! Need to sell my car which is on finance to pay the finance off, arrghhh!! maybe we should put our lives on ebay lol xx

[julie-ruth]

OMG this is so sad why are you going back, (clare and Tc) you've always seemed so positive..

Julie

[TC for short]

I am positive - positively going back!

Seriously, I love Australia & like Adelaide much more than I expected to. Sadly though, the company I work for & who sponsored my visa have rather let me down - amongst other things, I've had 3 days leave since we came out in Jan 2008. They are the only people I can do my current job for in Australia & since Qantas have just made 1700 folk redundant I would have a battle should i decide to move out of my sphere. On the other hand, we still have our house in the UK & my old boss wants me back, so that seems the sensible option.

Clare - I like your thinking!

TC

[ozzieclare2be]

OMG this is so sad why are you going back, (clare and Tc) you've always seemed so positive..

Julie

i could give you lots of reasons, main one our life was better in the uk , im not going to dog down aus, its a great place, just not for us. We've done alot of soul searching over the past month and feel we have to make the right decision for us. Sorry to jump on your thread tc.

[TC for short]

The more, the merrier Clare!

Are you still with the RDNS?

[ozzieclare2be]

The more, the merrier Clare!

Are you still with the RDNS?

yes, really like my job, not told em yet as i dont have any firm ideas about when, we need to sell the house too. arrghh lol friend just told me about a company where you can sell it yourself privately avoiding huge fees www.anreps.com.au. Hope this helps x

[TC for short]

Thanks Clare. I'm a complete plank - the house is rented fortunately.