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Living overseas

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Original poster

Who else is relocating to the UK this year?

102 replies

admylin · 12/04/2009 19:49

Well, the big decision has been made and we're relocating atlast back home to the UK. I thought it would be great to have a bit of advice from those of you who are planning this too or who have already done it maybe.

First steps for me will be getting a place to live (staying at parents first) and a bank account! been out of UK since I was young free and single, returning with 2 dc and dh still be working abroad.

I guess I will have to register the dc with NHS in some way, I still have my old numbers and documents but they were only registered at teh Britsih Embassy after birth.

OP posts:
Shitemum · 20/04/2009 13:29

p.s. did you used to be the poster 'ernest'?

SuperBunny · 20/04/2009 14:16

I totally agree that shopping is not expensive in the UK, certainly not compared to here. There is no point shipping cheap items unless you are especially attached to them. I have been decluttering for a couple of weeks but we still have tons of junk. I don't know where it is coming from.

I am finding the stress of not knowing exactly when (& perhaps if) I will be moving quite hard.

Original poster
admylin · 21/04/2009 09:26

No shitemum I wasn't ernest, she is over on the German thread now as ernestthebavarian!

Superbunny, the stress of not knowing is awful isn't it. I haven't got a set date yet but I'd rather it was in the next 3 weeks if I can manage it. No idea what to do today, I should be doing something but there is so much to do and I just need to think straight and get started. So much to get rid of, it doesn't bother me but it's exhausting when it's stuff that has memories like old drawings and paintings by the dc.

Do any of you know if I can just leave my foreign bank account open and give them my UK address? I will need it to stay open for a good few months to get the deposit back as it's in my name for the flat.

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SuperBunny · 21/04/2009 18:11

Well, I still have my UK bank accounts so I don't see why you can't keep your German ones, at least for a while. My statements get sent over here. I kept my credit cards too which I am thankful for. Will make moving back much easier.

I guess I'll keep my US one - might be useful? Not sure what for...

Original poster
admylin · 21/04/2009 21:10

SuperBunny, have you got a debit card too? Do they just send you a new one when the date runs out or you always just keep the one? I know my German one is for a few years then they replace it - I'll maybe just keep it open here in Germany and then h can put money in to it and I can withdraw it in UK and pay it into my UK account. The bank manager was saying which ever way he did it I or he would have a fee to pay so might as well just get it straight out of my German account.

Stress this afternoon, neighbour came in with a pot of coffee which was very thin so didn't do me much good but I got another 3 bags rid of - she took alot of things to pass on to people she knows and for her grand-dc. 2 big bags in the bin and a load to go to paper recycling. Still looks SO much though.

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SuperBunny · 22/04/2009 04:36

I used to but I just realised they didn't send replacements for my expired ones. I am hoping it is just a matter of getting a card sent out - I still have the account and money in it so I don't see why they wouldn't.

SuperBunny · 22/04/2009 04:37

Well done on passing stuff on. I need to get rid of more. Am working on it. Slowly.

boredwithmyoldname · 22/04/2009 05:32

hello Bunny I have been homesick with you and very happy to hear this is a possibility! That's great news and I will keep everything crossed for you xxx

Original poster
admylin · 22/04/2009 07:35

Well yesterday was exhausting as I didn't seem to get much done even though I got rid of alot, still seems to be too much left. The fact that I can't really rely on h to do much once I've left makes me stressed but I should be able to just pack our stuff and leave him to finish off .

Old habits die hard I suppose, I've always just got on with it and left him to climb his career ladder. The flat round the corner which would have been great for him has gone from the online place where we saw it so must have missed that. Still looking and i'd be calmer if I knew he had found a place. Seems strange to post the letter to cancel the contract when he hasn't found anywhere.

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StillOverHere · 22/04/2009 14:56

I am so jealous of everyone who is posting on this thread. I had hoped that I would be returning home this year, but it looks unlikely now. I do hope that when you are home and settled you find time to come and post and let us know if it is the rose coloured nirvana that I think it is!! Good luck to all of you!

Original poster
admylin · 22/04/2009 15:19

Where are you StillOverHere? I have waited and waited for years now and had to decide to return alone because h didn't get a job in UK yet. Main factor was that the dc were unhappy too and that pulled me down and took away my energy to cope myself in a way. I'm really looking forward to seeing them happy again.

Done quite well today, got rid of loads of paper work and made slim line flat files for the important documents I'll be taking and left the stuff for h in neat file stoo so he has car file, insurance file and work file, and a bank file. He's never done any of the sorting and filing but he's going to have to learn now!

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StillOverHere · 22/04/2009 15:52

I am in the US and have been here for over ten years. My DH loves it here and only sees the bad in the UK. I tolerate it but in the last couple of years have felt I really want to see my family for more than a flying visit every once-in-a-while and have my DC know their cousins. They are settled here but have very, very English personalities which as they are growing older does not seem to work here! We have acutally started discussing me going alone - a major step!!

SuperBunny · 22/04/2009 18:28

bored, who are you?

Still, I may well be stuck here... atm I have no idea but i am hopeful that I will be moving. It's all out of my control. Where abouts in the US are you? I'm in the midwest. You know we have a thread for MNers in the US?

Ad, how will you transport your paperwork? I have too much to keep in hand luggage but I don't want to let any of it out of my sight in case it gets lost.

boredwithmyoldname · 22/04/2009 18:41

it's stuff

have exiled self ..no focus

really pleased to hear it's even a possibility for you xx

SuperBunny · 22/04/2009 18:46

Oh, hello my dear

Thank you - hope things are better with you.

boredwithmyoldname · 22/04/2009 18:52

hello
they are fine but i have to fight not to count the days

got those rose-tinted specs glued on

but got dh onside too now

SuperBunny · 22/04/2009 18:55

Ooo, well done! I do wonder if I have rose tinted specs too...

SuperBunny · 22/04/2009 20:13

StillOverHere, here is the US thread

Original poster
admylin · 23/04/2009 08:07

Superbunny, I have got my paperwork down to a small pile of flat files. Must admit it would be more if h was coming with us because I've left him all the files for his stuff and his work files. I have 2 files for teh dc containing birth certificates, school reports, Embassy stuff and a couple of other papers, one for me with birth, marriage, diplomas, work stuff, old P45 and the German equivelants and that's about it.

Or tell me I have forgotten something, I'm worried now? Why have you got so much? Must admit I was ruthless, and threw out loads of my old French and German study stuff because I hadn't opened it for years and if I need anything I look it up on the internet or go to a library.

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StillOverHere · 23/04/2009 18:56

Admylin, you sound really organized and I am keeping a list based on what you are doing - just-in-case!
Superbunny - I am in .......Chicago- well just North as the Metra flies. So, your weather is my weather and I can never think of anything useful to say on the USA thread, but thank-you!

SuperBunny · 24/04/2009 03:37

Good idea, I may do a list too. Ad, what about bank statements and the like? What have you done with those?

Original poster
admylin · 24/04/2009 07:53

SuperBunny, I still have the last 12 year of bank statements but they're in a bag about the size of a cereal packet (couldn't think of any other description!) and will fit in the suitcase I'll be travelling back with. I could carry them but don't really need to - lol there was never a fortune in there anyway!

I did sort through them and threw any extra pages of offers or information that I didn't need.

Next step is - I have to go and de-register at the town hall so that I can then send copies to places like the music school where we have a 2 year contract for ds's music lessons but they said if we have proof that we're leaving the country then we'll be out of the contract. I have to fill a form in each of the dc's schools too with new address and new school address. A copy ofthe de-registration should go to the child benefit office so I'll stop that in May so I can officially apply for it in UK.

Left to sort: car insurance is in my name, will let them know to put it in h's name. Phone, land line is in my name but h pays through his bank so I will phone and tell them to just change it to his name (the contract) and then all he has to do when he moves is tell them his new address and tell the electric supplier too, all possible online and easy to do.

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Original poster
admylin · 26/04/2009 21:08

Hi everyone, just came on to give a tip! I have discovered Freecycle is in most countries (thought it was just UK) and I just put 6 items on and had laods of interest so looks as if I'll get rid of unwanted stuff like that which will save me taking it all to the dump or getting someone to pick it up to trash it. There are all sorts being offered and taken.

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SuperBunny · 27/04/2009 03:04

Freecycle is great! You seem to be making good progress, Ad.

Original poster
admylin · 28/04/2009 08:21

Found someone to take quite a few bits through freecycle, better and less hassle than trying to sell it all I find. It's not even worth that much so might as well go to someone who will use it.

Told the dc someone will be picking up their old desks and chairs and ds started on, oh I quite like that chair etc - I told him I'd buy him a new one later when we have our own place but it is hard seeing them have to get rid of their stuff. Just keep reminding myself it'll all click into place eventually and they'll be happy in UK.

I'm ill today (dizzyness)so having a break atleast this morning from sorting, chucking, packing.

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