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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Future return

2 replies

cjdamoo · 06/06/2012 08:40

So we have been living in Australia for approaching 4 years. We moved out here for a different life for the kids. Dhs Mum Dad Brother and sister live nearby. However they are not hands on family we rarely see them from one month to the next. The first 2 years were the hardest of my life. The kids are very happy and settled now and for the most part so am I but we both admit to missing the Uk a lot and missing the support of an involved extended family. Husbands Uncle in UK used to spend an awful lot of time with the boys and his nan was very hands on too along with my family up North.
Dh is now talking about returning. However Im unsure. I cant quite explain why a combination of the economic climate the Government and a what if we just think the grass is greener. We cannot keep uprooting everyone. Husband wants to finish his Course and then look at if it will be a viable idea.
Has anyone done this how did they find it?

OP posts:
idlevice · 06/06/2012 12:09

We have just moved back after 5yrs as we were not happy there - although there were good points about it obviously and I know there will be good and bad points about life in the UK again. I have been loving it so far, which is probably an initial high before everything gets mundane. We have never had any family near us since we had the kids (apart from the odd visit from relatives) & that was one of the aspects we moved back for. It won't be hands-on family support for us, just the opportunity for the kids to spend time with extended family on the odd weekend visit & events like Christmas.

One of the things I am enjoying is the variety of things to do with the kids - so far we have been to a woodland wildlife park, a reindeer centre, a lighthouse, a windmill, a castle, the beach (sandy ones & pebbly ones!), a pier, a medieval fayre, a village fete and we have a long list of other stuff to do. I never found there was much to do where we lived other than playgounds, indoor play centres & beach unless we travelled into the city. Here we have those & seemingly more variety & can still travel into the city for big museums & attractions. This is not just for the kids but for me too as I get fed up going to the same places with them all the time!

Also there is a children's centre nearby with free activities for the kids like gardening club, music, messy play, toy library etc

The advantages for us moving back outweighed any potential negatives like economic situation etc when making the decision. Both moves were paid for by DP's job so that helped too! There is no easy way to make the decision so good luck with it!

rockdoctor · 06/06/2012 19:40

We were in Australia for around 15 years before moving back around 5 years ago. I can't say I ever settled in Australia but, now I'm back, I can't say I'm settled here either. I think you get into a frame of mind where you are always missing aspects of the life you left behind, be it in the UK or in Australia.

Right now I am missing the Australian sunshine (it has rained for 4 days solid here over the extended bank holiday), I miss the beaches, I miss the outdoors life, particularly for the children. Most of all I miss a secure and well-paying job. Please don't underestimate the severity of the economic situation here in the UK and especially in Europe. You and your DH will find that many recruiters will ignore your Australian experience as they don't recognise the companies involved or understand relative pay scales/benefits etc.

Good luck with the decision

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