Back to the UK after 5 months.

**rayman1** · 16-03-2010, 02:10 AM

Hello. I am new to the forum but would like to share my experience with everyone warts and all.
After 2 years of waiting to come to Brisbane we finally arrived in Nov.We left a great life in the UK, jobs, family, friends, etc hoping Oz would offer so much more. The wife did show concerns; massive hit on our house so sold for alot less, raising mortgage and house prices in Brisbane and were we too old for the move (both in our 40's). 2 teenage children that we wondered if they will settle but we (especially me) went with the flow saying it will be ok.
5 months on it isn't for me or my daughter. I have been struggling for weeks with the change and know in my heart I got more wrapped up in the adventure of coming over than the reality. Im not a hot weather lover or beach person (why come to Australia, you may ask. I really don't know!!). We came over with little money due to circumstances and now are in a position of not having enough money even to put down on a nice house, never mind affording the mortgage payment that would take 50% plus of our income a week. We have never had this issue and is affecting me greatly.
My wife likes it here and son does but if we are struggling what life is that!! For the sake of my mental health and general wellbeing we have decided to return. If we go back soon the kids can get back in their school and not interfere too much with my sons GCSE's. Job wise we will have to start looking again but fingers crossed. The houses are still low in South Yorkshire so can get on the property ladder ok. We still have some money over in the UK because we dare not bring it over because of the poor exchange rates.
I am not knocking Australia. It is a lovely country with lower crime and better weather (if you like sun). Would it be better for my children, I don't know. My son was doing really well in the UK and we did not have a bad life. The education here doesn't seem better and asking around the uni's are not as good as the UK.
3 things I would recommend for people who are thinking of emigrating;

1. Bring alot of money. Brisbane is soo expensive and house/rental is going through the roof.
2. Come when you are young and so are your kids.
3. If you are happy with life where you are, stick to it. Don't try and mend something that is not broken.

I know 5 months is not long but we need to go back soon to get our lifes back on track and not mess the kids education up. This experience has taught me how much I do love my wife, my family and happiness for us was right there in front of us, not at the other side of the world.

**sykestykes** · 16-03-2010, 02:15 AM

Thank you for a brave and honest post, Rayman. Good luck with your return to the UK, I hope you all settle back to your old lives very quickly

Sue x

**guest30038** · 16-03-2010, 02:22 AM

Originally Posted by sykestykes

Thank you for a brave and honest post, Rayman. Good luck with your return to the UK, I hope you all settle back to your old lives very quickly

Sue x

I second that. All the best mate.

kev

brissygas · 16-03-2010, 02:32 AM

Thanks for posting that, I live in Brisbane and love it, shame you don't feel the same, good luck back in the UK.

**sophi** · 16-03-2010, 02:46 AM

Originally Posted by rayman1

Hello. I am new to the forum but would like to share my experience with everyone warts and all.
After 2 years of waiting to come to Brisbane we finally arrived in Nov.We left a great life in the UK, jobs, family, friends, etc hoping Oz would offer so much more. The wife did show concerns; massive hit on our house so sold for alot less, raising mortgage and house prices in Brisbane and were we too old for the move (both in our 40's). 2 teenage children that we wondered if they will settle but we (especially me) went with the flow saying it will be ok.
5 months on it isn't for me or my daughter. I have been struggling for weeks with the change and know in my heart I got more wrapped up in the adventure of coming over than the reality. Im not a hot weather lover or beach person (why come to Australia, you may ask. I really don't know!!). We came over with little money due to circumstances and now are in a position of not having enough money even to put down on a nice house, never mind affording the mortgage payment that would take 50% plus of our income a week. We have never had this issue and is affecting me greatly.
My wife likes it here and son does but if we are struggling what life is that!! For the sake of my mental health and general wellbeing we have decided to return. If we go back soon the kids can get back in their school and not interfere too much with my sons GCSE's. Job wise we will have to start looking again but fingers crossed. The houses are still low in South Yorkshire so can get on the property ladder ok. We still have some money over in the UK because we dare not bring it over because of the poor exchange rates.
I am not knocking Australia. It is a lovely country with lower crime and better weather (if you like sun). Would it be better for my children, I don't know. My son was doing really well in the UK and we did not have a bad life. The education here doesn't seem better and asking around the uni's are not as good as the UK.
3 things I would recommend for people who are thinking of emigrating;

1. Bring alot of money. Brisbane is soo expensive and house/rental is going through the roof.
2. Come when you are young and so are your kids.
3. If you are happy with life where you are, stick to it. Don't try and mend something that is not broken.

I know 5 months is not long but we need to go back soon to get our lifes back on track and not mess the kids education up. This experience has taught me how much I do love my wife, my family and happiness for us was right there in front of us, not at the other side of the world.

I totally feel for you, reading your post bought a tear to my eye, when are you returning? We have only been here a few months extra than you but we know we want to return, we thought we were prepared for all the hard times that were to follow, but we werent,i dont think anything can prepare you of longing of family, friend's ect.... We are staying for another 6 months but we know our feelings wont change, We feel like we are in mourning, and are counting down the days to our return. wishing you all the best with your plans and wishing all the people who move out here and love it all the best as well, but its not for everybody and at least you wont always be wondering what if.

**mrcatania** · 16-03-2010, 02:54 AM

Originally Posted by sophi

I totally feel for you, reading your post bought a tear to my eye, when are you returning? We have only been here a few months extra than you but we know we want to return, we thought we were prepared for all the hard times that were to follow, but we werent,i dont think anything can prepare you of longing of family, friend's ect.... We are staying for another 6 months but we know our feelings wont change, We feel like we are in mourning, and are counting down the days to our return. wishing you all the best with your plans and wishing all the people who move out here and love it all the best as well, but its not for everybody and at least you wont always be wondering what if.

'Mourning' that is exactly how I feel, gut wrentching sickness everyday, not just homesickness, but anger and regret of what I had in London.... and left, like a loved one that has passed away you seem helpless to get your life back together. I have never felt like this in my life and never wish to again. It has been scary.
This is coming from somone who visited here many times and loved Australia, you just don't know how it will affect you. Nothing can prepare you for this.

**mrcatania** · 16-03-2010, 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by rayman1

Hello. I am new to the forum but would like to share my experience with everyone warts and all.
After 2 years of waiting to come to Brisbane we finally arrived in Nov.We left a great life in the UK, jobs, family, friends, etc hoping Oz would offer so much more. The wife did show concerns; massive hit on our house so sold for alot less, raising mortgage and house prices in Brisbane and were we too old for the move (both in our 40's). 2 teenage children that we wondered if they will settle but we (especially me) went with the flow saying it will be ok.
5 months on it isn't for me or my daughter. I have been struggling for weeks with the change and know in my heart I got more wrapped up in the adventure of coming over than the reality. Im not a hot weather lover or beach person (why come to Australia, you may ask. I really don't know!!). We came over with little money due to circumstances and now are in a position of not having enough money even to put down on a nice house, never mind affording the mortgage payment that would take 50% plus of our income a week. We have never had this issue and is affecting me greatly.
My wife likes it here and son does but if we are struggling what life is that!! For the sake of my mental health and general wellbeing we have decided to return. If we go back soon the kids can get back in their school and not interfere too much with my sons GCSE's. Job wise we will have to start looking again but fingers crossed. The houses are still low in South Yorkshire so can get on the property ladder ok. We still have some money over in the UK because we dare not bring it over because of the poor exchange rates.
I am not knocking Australia. It is a lovely country with lower crime and better weather (if you like sun). Would it be better for my children, I don't know. My son was doing really well in the UK and we did not have a bad life. The education here doesn't seem better and asking around the uni's are not as good as the UK.
3 things I would recommend for people who are thinking of emigrating;

1. Bring alot of money. Brisbane is soo expensive and house/rental is going through the roof.
2. Come when you are young and so are your kids.
3. If you are happy with life where you are, stick to it. Don't try and mend something that is not broken.

I know 5 months is not long but we need to go back soon to get our lifes back on track and not mess the kids education up. This experience has taught me how much I do love my wife, my family and happiness for us was right there in front of us, not at the other side of the world.

Some very true and helpful points raised there. Thankyou. But for me, like yourselves, I found this out the hard way.
Hope all goes well in the UK.

**sophi** · 16-03-2010, 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by mrcatania

Some very true and helpful points raised there. Thankyou. But for me, like yourselves, I found this out the hard way.
Hope all goes well in the UK.

What we put our selves through hey!!! at least THIS SIGHT is great for of loading our feelings and knowing we arnt alone. people who havent felt like this dont understand just how hard and horible it is. The feeling of wakening every morning with your stomach in knots and wanting to scream. feeling like we are locked up in a prison and the feelings go on.......

to all

**TaniaColin** · 16-03-2010, 03:36 AM

Best of luck to you and your family on the return to Uk

Tania x

**guest30038** · 16-03-2010, 03:42 AM

[QUOTE=sophi;710107The feeling of wakening every morning with your stomach in knots and wanting to scream. feeling like we are locked up in a prison and the feelings go on.......

to all[/QUOTE]

Bit like my first marriage really