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Living overseas

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

Moving back to U.K.

27 replies

flippetty · 07/12/2024 06:59

How on earth do people decide whether to stay abroad indefinitely or move back to the U.K.? It feels like either way we will regret things.

We moved abroad supposedly for 2 years but that was 8 years ago. It wasn't meant to be a permanent move and I always assumed we'd be back for secondary education of our children. But now that time is nearly here and because we ended up staying longer our lives are intertwined here. We're in Europe and there are many benefits to where we are over the U.K., but equally I can't imagine never going back to live in the place I feel is home. There are pros and cons for the kids and work is flexible.

It feels like a huge decision whichever we do - if we move back and life is harder, we won't be able to reverse the decision. If we don't, it feels like I've spent my adult life in a way I never asked for or necessarily wanted.

How does one decide when there isn't a strong external force? The main pulls to U.K. are family, perhaps secondary schooling, and the fact that it is home. The main pulls here are quality of life, not uprooting everyone. Help.

OP posts:
Coldtoesandsand · 12/07/2025 11:33

flippetty · 10/12/2024 15:19

Thank you for all these helpful points and views.

My heart says go home my head says stay here.

Unfortunately we can't afford international schools here - if we could I think we would stay.

But yes I am homesick. I worry that we will miss the healthcare and the air quality! And yes the friendships too.

Did you end up making a decision and how is it going?

flippetty · 14/07/2025 21:01

We still haven’t made a final decision. But at the moment it looks like we may stay here. I think the benefits for the family as a whole seem to be swaying me at the moment!

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