Moving back to UK

[differentnameforthis]

The decision has been made that in the next 2 years, we will move back to the UK. For good.

We have 2 children. Currently 7 & 2. And taking a dog too.

Where do I start? What do I need to do/consider?

First I would consider where potential jobs are, then find a job and then research good schools in commutable area (so find out about distances, costs, etc.). Then you can start looking at places like rightmove to rent/buy.

That's a good start, I guess! Thanks dikkertjedap!

Don't forget to have the dog on the right pet passport scheme so he can fly back with you. You need to start the injections more than seven months before travelling IIRC. It needs researching so that everything is booked for the correct time so he doesn't have to go into kennels or quarantine.

We are in the same boat! We are trying to get ourselves organized right now.

We decided that before we would make the move home my DH needed to find a job so that is our priority right now. He has had a number of interviews already - via phone or Skype. We can't afford to fly him back and forth all the time so we are trying to get at least first round interviews via Skype, so far that has worked well.

We are putting our house on the market this week since we live in an area where it takes ages for houses to sell.

We have 2 cats and 2 dogs coming too (and 4 kids). The pets need to be microchipped, THEN vaccinated against rabies, THEN have a rabies titer done (a month after the vaccination, and at an accredited lab). Ours were microchipped a couple of weeks ago, rabies titer will be done in June. You have to wait for 6 months after the blood draw for the rabies titer before you can apply for the import certificate. All the info about bringing pets in is on the DEFRA site.

Good luck!

Thanks empire & drmuffy!

The pet vax & rabies we know about, we are aware that we need at least 6mths before travel. Didn't know about the micro-chipping, so that's useful!

Dh is in the process of looking for a job, when we left the UK his boss promised him a place if ever we went back & he has been in touch with his boss in the previous job, who is crying out for staff. We are planning to head back in 2yrs, so we are aware that a lot can change, but he will see if they are still true to their promise & take it form there!

Drmuffy, when are you heading back?

That sounds promising for your DH, I hope his old boss keeps his word!

We can't go until January at the earliest due to the pet waiting period. DH has been told today that he was short-listed for a job in the UK. Yikes!

We will go in stages. DH will go first for a job, find somewhere for us to live there while I tidy up ends here. And then we cross everything we have that our house sells before me/kids/pets go! And also that our house doesn't sell before the pets are able to come with me, although that is slightly easier to deal with.

I can't think too far ahead because it all seems too overwhelming to me, I start to panic. One step at a time, I can deal with. This week, all I have to deal with is decluttering the house to get it on the market. :)

Just to add that you need 7 months for rabies. Injection, 1 month later titre test, 6 months later you can leave. We made this mistake and ended up putting our cat in a cattery for a whole month.

Thanks lula, will keep that in mind.

DrM, I am pleased for your dh, good luck to him!

We don't have a place to sell, so we aren't restricted in that way, once we know it is getting close we will ask for a 6mth lease, we have great landlords, so hopefully this won't be a problem.

We are due to inherit some money in July, so we will see what that is & then plan around that!