Homesick - advice needed

[JillyC8]

Hi sorry to dump on you but I'm at my wits end (as usual made worse at this time of year). I moved away in my 20s to a town in the south of England (I am originally from Yorkshire, 5 hours away). I am now in my forties.
I married, had my two lovely children and divorced seven years ago and have been single ever since. My children are aged 12 and 9 and are well adjusted and see their dad once a fortnight if he isn't 'busy'. He moved to a town two hours away so all we have family wise are his parents who are in their seventies and who live 15 miles away.
I've been planning to move home since the divorce but never found the courage. My mum passed away two years ago and I miss her advice and support terribly. I have three siblings, one of whom I don't get on with, but generally speaking we have never been a very close family - just odd phone calls/texts and a quick get together over Christmas. My dad (aged81) is well and still lives in my childhood home and I talk to him often.
My problem is that I can't shake off the depression of not having moved back home and can't seem to achieve happiness where I am now. I am still in touch with one friend from my home town.
When I visit dad i sink into an awful depression and dread going home. I have never felt like I 'belong' in the south and constantly think of the past. Moving back would be advantageous financially as property is much cheaper in the north where I'm from.
Am I deluding myself? And would a move be too stressful for my children at their ages? My family are difficult to speak to as, all being happily married, they don't 'get' my dilemma and treat it almost as a joke at times so I no longer discuss with them.
I have some friends in the south but none I would consider as ones I couldn't live without. I just don't feel connected as I wish I could and don't tend to socialise (not that I get much chance anyway!).
Advice please ... has anyone else made a move with kids this age and has it been successful? I know I would be starting again as although I have a friend in my hometown, she is married and has her own life so wouldn't expect to see her all the time.
Thanks

In this sort of situation you have to find out your childrens wishes. If you were to move, would they choose to move with you or would they choose to stay with their dad.
What arrangements would you make to sustain contact and other more practical matters like your working life, is it transferable etc.
Its potentially a lot of exchanges on motorways for your children. Financially would you be able to return if the reality didn't match the thoughts.

If you are going to do it I would advise you do it asap before oldest starts GCSE's....

Yes talk to the children... think about the practicalities of contact...has Ex moved 2 hours closer to yorkshire

Thanks for your responses so far. As regards the children's father he is living near Oxford and we are in the south west, not too far from Taunton, so yes he has moved a way north to a degree (2 hours from us). However he has always said he he has no problem with us moving as his contact isn't great (he only has them overnight once or twice a year max) and he's happy with this, plus his sporadic fortnightly visits for a few hours. The children wouldn't choose to live with him as it isn't an option for them. He lives with his wife in a small flat and has no space for them (and from past discussions/arguments doesn't intend to move as he enjoys several holidays abroad every year and a very active social life). Although he really does love them in his own way, his idea of a good parenting is popping in to see them and paying his maintenance, which I'm grateful for but he doesn't play a particularly active role in their lives.
The truth is I've stayed where I am and have tried to make it work since he left seven years ago, but part of me died after my split and now I feel like a fish out of water. I'm worried I'm deluding myself as the area I live in now is arguably nicer than my home town, but I get so homesick and look at how much easier it would be for me to afford to live etc if I moved and I feel I would be 'going home'.
As for future contact then it would be more difficult but I would hope that the children's father would be more proactive in having them stay during holidays. If I'm honest, I don't see why I should stay in one place when he has moved on and didn't give any consideration to staying closer to his children. I take care of their needs entirely with zero support from him other than the maintenance, despite my best efforts to keep him involved.
Jobwise I'm in admin so wouldn't think I would have too much of a problem finding work....

Sorry forgot to mention, as regards the children's views they aren't overly worried either way, although I'm sure it would be a wrench for them, as it would for any child of that age and being young they are more interested in their hobbies/computer games etc than discussing moving :-/

Do what is best for you & your future happiness. The children will be ok, school wise, if you move this year. If you are unhappy now, it could get worse as the children become more independent. Best of luck whatever you decide.