To ask if anyone has left UK, moved back and now hates it?

[Sillawithans]

Just that really, no offence intended to anyone.

backinthevillage - that all sounds very, very tough. I felt like lying down after I’d read your post .
Am heading back to the UK myself after 15yrs. I’m a bit terrified as no desire to leave where I am.

I left England when I was 19, moved around quite a lot, but mostly 30 years in Sydney, we moved back to England about 6 years ago, with kids 15 and 18 (everyone agreed). I like it for the most part, love Londom, love Europe and all the differences, found Austalia too much the same, remote and beachy, which we're not really into, although I love Sydney. Obviously pros and cons for any country and its a personal feeling at the end of the day. My daughter has just gone back 'home' to Sydney because she prefers it..

@Barnowl25 I agree with you about the difficulty of making friends but I don't think it's unique to UK. I've moved between france UK, Switzerland and Oz and most times it was hard, especially once having kids. Even in 'laidback' Australia it took a long time to make good, real friends - and this was with primary school aged children.Coming back to UK with adult children even harder but I put that down to a different phase, and not working. I'm glad you have a great job and lovely workmates, I'm building up a lovely community slowly after 6 years back.

I think so :) I’m still in touch with our old neighbours. I am a permanent resident (green card holder) but since I’ve been out of the USA over a year I’ll probably have to jump through a few hoops to get back in.

I’m sorry you experienced the same with friends, do you think you’ll see them anytime soon?

@Alicay

backinthevillage - that all sounds very, very tough. I felt like lying down after I’d read your post . Am heading back to the UK myself after 15yrs. I’m a bit terrified as no desire to leave where I am.

Thanks for acknowledging that :) it’s been very very tough, but now I’m gradually talking it out and starting the healing process.

Where is it you’re living now? That’s got to be a hard choice to make since you don’t want to leave.

I lived in Spain for two years so not that long. I missed seasons (but this May can piss off) I missed my family.
I miss the Spanish food, sunshine and relaxed lifestyle but I don't miss the bureaucracy, the petty crime, precarious employment. Ideally I'd like to spend my 90 permitted days there per year. I prefer the UK but my God the weather!