Emigrating to Australia

You've thought it through and made your decision.

Just remember, you won't be able to base your whole life around the grandchildren, as you did when bringing up your own family. You'll need a life too. I'm sure you'll find one!

Good luck, we're in the same situation with both children and GC being in Australia. We have a house there and for now, both retired and 70+, spend half our time there and half here, my mum is still here 90. But we love our life there the people are so friendly, weather of course. We understood it would take a lot longer than 7 years to get the Visa, might have to check it out again.
As long as you've done your sums correctly Id go for it, as has been said family is everything.

Live life adventurously! Good luck, family is the best incentive.

Sue500 you have the ideal solution in my view! Unfortunately, I am not in a position to purchase a property in Australia and I was not aware this was even possible. The parental visa situation is very complex and the demand for visas far exceeds the amount allocated in this category each year. There have been many major changes in recent years. One of these changes is designed to assist parents aged 67 or over who have more children in Australia than any other country. provided you are in Australia on a visitor visa you can now apply for an Aged Parent visa, and whilst this is being processed, you are granted a bridging visa, which allows you to stay in Australia legally. Unbelievably, the queue time for the grant of this visa is currently 31 years, and as you have to be 67 years old before you can apply, the chances are high that you will live in Australia legally on a bridging visa for the rest of your life. This is the route I was considering, as I met several people who were living very happily in Australia on this visa who assured me it is very popular but all advised engaging a qualified immigration Agent to handle the application.good luck if, and when, you decide to make the move xxx

Until the day he died my FIL regretted not moving out to New Zealand when my husband and siblings were young. My MIL changed her mind at the very last minute and refused to go. His friend and his family who they planned to move with, all went and had a great life. Regret is a terrible thing.

Both of my offspring are in Australia plus 4 grandchildren, so I know exactly how you feel. I have no desire to leave my own country, but I would go if my DH showed any interest. He will never emigrate, so it will not be happening. May you have a safe journey and enjoy many happy years with your family.

Do it and be with your family. Good luck.

I am positive you will have done your homework after seven years of waiting. I think it is marvellous to live the rest of your lives with your children and grandchildren around you.

Good luck to the both of you and may you spend many, many wonderful years with your family.

WE DID IT! No regrets at all. One child, our daughter met an Aussie and moved to Melbourne to live with him within 6 months of meeting him. She was 29, hated kids and was having none of them. 16 years later we have 3 grandchildren ❤️❤️❤️ We were still working then and visited as many time as we could(17 times in 10 years) and loved everything about it from the first visit. We applied for the contributory parental visa which only took 2 years but was very expensive! We carried on working/visiting even after we had the visas until my husband had to have a double bypass. 🤦‍♀️❤️ That was it for us, sold up and moved over within 6 months of the op. Melbourne for 4 years and now in Queensland. We say to each other regularly’ how on earth did we end up here?’😎🤪 It’s paradise. You will have no problem meeting people and making friends, the good weather lends itself to any sort of activity you want. Mind you, Melbourne really does have 4 seasons in one day! Up here on the Sunshine Coast it’s sunshine all the way. 😎 Yes it’s hot in the summer and humidity is high but we use Aircon like we used heating in the UK. it’s mid winter now and it’s a very pleasant 22 most days. You won’t believe how many Brits are over here, Our neighbours are from London and our previous neighbours were from Leeds. 😮 we are 72 and 77, don’t miss a thing apart from a decent Chinese curry. Just wish we’d done it sooner.

When my Dad came he had to pay full medical bills and take out private insurance for hospital cover. He was allowed to purchase his retirement village house but he had to have a certain amount of capital. They change the rules from time to time, it is worth checking just to make sure. They reviewed his stay every few years but he only lived 5 years after he came so he was fine. My mother in law wanted to come at one stage but they wouldn’t accept her because she still had a son in the uk and not much financial backing. She wouldn’t have been able to afford a house or expensive insurance.
They really make you jump through hoops here.

The Australian state does now want immigrants who are going to be a burden on the tax payer - hence the hoops and the expensive visas and insurance requirements. We could learn a lot from their immigration policies.

UK learn from another country ? I don’t think so. They think they are the best. Most humane, most enlightened, best in the world. They have wonderful services across the board. At least that’s what they used to tell us when I was growing up.

That was a long long time ago nanna. (No offence ).
Fings definitely ain’t what they used to be.
Not all bad but the last 14 years haven’t been great.

I came to Australia at age 58 and I wish I had come here when I was younger. My grandchildren are my joy. Rent your house in the UK if you are unsure. Good luck

Thank you all for your helpful and kind comments. We have taken the plunge and yesterday made the final payment for our visas which should be ours in a couple of weeks. Our last holiday visit is booked, we will spend our first Christmas with our granddaughters this year. Will also be using the time to look for suitable areas to live! The winter will be spent sorting out all the “stuff” we have accumulated over the years, anyone interested in a canteen of cutlery?? Thanks again!

Well doneCamPAnn I am sure you won’t regret it, even if it seems a bit strange at first! Are you going to a warm part or down South?

How wonderful CamPAnn. I'm sure there must have been a lot of soul searching and of course you must feel a bit apprehensive - a bit like pre-wedding nerves!

I think it's absolutely marvellous that you're taking this big step and embarking on a new chapter in your life. Lots of happiness and new adventures to look forward to.

I wish you all the luck in the world - enjoy.

Our family all live in the Sydney area where property prices match those in London! We will be looking in areas with good public transport where buying or renting will be more affordable.

Hope all goes well for you.
My DD lives in Sydney and we visit every year now for a couple of months but we have another DD who lives down the road from us so we won’t be going permanently. I have a very close relationship with my sisters and their families and I would be loath to give that up. I just hope that we will be able to keep on traveling back and forth.
Are you allowed to buy a ‘secondhand’ house or do you have to buy a new build?