OT: Ch ch ch ch changes

[jappy]

Welcome to the Hills District then

And yes - you got that scenario in one. Castle Hill -> CBD. Luckily it's just one bus and I get to have 1.5 hours of extra sleep

 

[bovinehost]

It's an inconvenience that goes with living in a developing country.

I don't miss that. Once had a fascinating round with E Coli in a 'developing country'.

Advice - avoid E Coli if you can. It's not as tasty as they say and later you begin to perform Principles of Rocketry experiments only your body doesn't know which way it really wants to go.

I liked living abroad, mostly, but I remember this feeling of relief when the end was finally in view.

Welcome back to the world, Mark and family.

Jack

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Seatbelts with the porcelain goddess are a must.

 

[Strangeglow]

Congrats on making it back to Oz. I've always enjoyed the time I've spent in Sydney.

 

[Bill]

I'm giggling like a schoolgirl at some of the posts in this thread!

Glad to hear your news, Mark! I'd love to visit Sydney one day.

 

[AnthonyD]

Sounds like a good thing, all things considered...

Especially the regular access to Grandparents your little ones will enjoy...

 

[SteveB]

Mark,

I'm doing a mini version of what you're talking about. I'm moving back to the town where I grew up (after a 12 year sojourn the next town over). I'm only moving maybe 6 or 7 miles away, but my property taxes alone each month will be close to my current mortgage! Darn that school district that I attended K-12!

Shall we drink to oversized mortgages?

 

[phatduckk]

Shall we drink to oversized mortgages?

ya i just got me one of those. they suck!!!

 

[SteveB]

ya i just got me one of those. they suck!!!

Phatty,

The cool thing is that within a few years you won't even think twice about that mortgage payment. I bought my current house when I was 24 years old and unmarried. I thought I'd be there 5 to 7 years. Life happens, and now I'm there 12 years, 1 wife and 2 kids later.. but I close on the new place on Friday the 13th!

 

[Aussie Mark]

Shall we drink to oversized mortgages?

Any excuse to drink is fine by me! However, correct me if I'm wrong, but in the US you're able to claim your mortgage interest as a tax deduction? In Australia that's only permitted for additional investment properties, not your residence.

 

[AnthonyD]

Any excuse to drink is fine by me! However, correct me if I'm wrong, but in the US you're able to claim your mortgage interest as a tax deduction? In Australia that's only permitted for additional investment properties, not your residence.

Yes! Mortgage interest AND my insane NJ property taxes - income tax deductible... D