Will I be able to return to U.K. life

[Blippimakesyouhyper]

Have lived abroad for many years, travelled lots etc. We’re due to return to live in the U.K. after Christmas. Mainly due to wanting dc, 3 to be closer to grandparents and have British schooling.
The lifestyles are worlds apart, between both places, both places have their negatives & positives.
I just really thought about it the other day when we were attending a friends birthday party, nearly all dads were there too aswell as mums…it was a random Tuesday in the middle of the day. It was hot and sunny, cocktails, playing in the pool etc.
When we go back, we don’t have the same job flexibility as many do here and I can’t see Dh being off in the middle of the day and attending parties and so on.
Beginning to worry I’ll feel trapped and hemmed in

@RainCoffeeBook it’s not a town, it’s a village up north. I said lidos ‘local to us’ not four in the ‘mythical’ town! It’s not particularly rich either, mostly farming. My point is that your experience of the U.K. is not indicative of all of the U.K…

I am from the UK. I lived in Luxembourg for a long time and then moved back to the UK a few years ago. It was hard at first but I quickly settled back in.

the obsession with materialism, celebs and shopping is you hyper focussing on reasons not to come back. It simply isn’t true…Not everyone in the UK is like this 🤣 if you find yourself surrounded by people like this then you need new friends!

But if you expect to be miserable here then don’t come back. It would make you bitter and your children and husband will have to live with your mood.

Good luck with your decision

Where is this mythical "Up North"? Not sure I have visited these strange lands.

It sounds like a tough decision OP - but some really interesting thoughts and perspectives on this thread.

Does leave me wondering why those who are obviously so unhappy living in the UK are still here though.

@speakout Eh? I was replying to a previous poster who lived in the North of Portugal?! I replied that I liked it up North but wanted want to live there…various reasons?
In the U.K. I’m originally from up North and I like it! Is it ok to call it up north 🙄

@liveforsummer I take my hat off to you, managing to enjoy a gallery or dinner party with toddlers! It's not at all the same for me.

I like doing different things here with the kids. I'm outside a LOT more, in the parks, pool, plazas. I would very much miss that if I went back. But each to their own, obviously.

*But wouldn’t want to live there…for various reasons

@lifesnotaspectatorsport Same 😂my dc is v active, we need big, open spaces..woods, beach, parks, playgrounds etc

@boopdeflouff Whereabouts are you?

I know you can find all those things in the U.K. but ... brrrrrrrrrrr!! I've become addicted to sunshine and warm weather.

I moved back to the UK 3 years ago and I was nervous about it. I’d been away for 15 years and moved around a number of countries. Our lifestyle was great but I wanted my children to experience life in the UK (they were born abroad), and know what is it was like to be around family, to make it to family weddings, funerals, birthday parties (we lived in Asia and North America). I wasn’t looking forward to the weather, mostly, and I’d heard loads about re-entry shock in expats.

Its actually been great. I live an hour away from my family so it’s so easy just to pop out and meet my mum for lunch on a Saturday or have everyone round for Sunday lunch. My in-laws are 3 hours away and we can visit for a weekend every so often instead of a week or more at Christmas/summer holidays.

The weather is crap. And as a former trailing spouse I’m finding it hard to get work (not helped by the pandemic), but we’re ok. Having the children be around their cousins and aunts and grandparents is just the best. It’s honestly all been easier than I expected and I don’t regret it at all.

I think you mixed the OP up with me. She is in Europe. I'm in Florida.

Offensive? Talk about pot calling the kettle black! Do you really think there is no culture beyond Disney World in Florida? You are really showing your ignorance saying that.

There is no lack of culture here compared to the UK! Where I live there is a thriving arts scene - lots of theatres, orchestras, opera, visual arts, great restaurants, etc.

My children grew up in Florida and had a way greater exposure to culture during their education than I ever did growing up in the UK.

Do you think you'd really be seeing loved ones a few times per week, and would you even want that? I wish I could see my family a lot more than I currently do, but I wouldn't want to live down the road and see them more than weekly!

I do miss the UK, of course, and I know I'm lucky to be able to visit relatively frequently. Not having that option for two years during the pandemic was extremely hard.

@Anonymous48 I have sent you a private message, hope you don't mind.

I am in Switzerland