simmo

Good to see the main migration part of the forum doing well.  Looks like PIO will be around for a bit longer

Looks like I'm not the only one getting caught out with the new location of the edit and quote buttons

On 07/09/2023 at 05:42, BritChickx said:

I've known since the first week I've been here that I will eventually move back to the UK. My partner feels the same way.

It's a funny thing really - I've spent almost a decade aiming to return to Aus after travelling here years ago and wanting give it a go at living here.

But it took me being on the other side of the world to truly realise that I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life in another country to my family. 

I think now that I'm in my 30s I've become more family orientated and maybe more family dependent. I used to see family at least fortnightly. And I never disliked where I lived in the UK either. 

My partner and I have been here for 3 months now, and obviously that isn't long enough to give it time to settle. I'm enjoying where I am and getting settled in with work and we make the most of our days off exploring but I think at some point the pull of family will make is return. In the mean time will make the most of being in Oz.

Sounds exactly like my experiance.  I had the time of my life backpacking in Australia but soon realised that living and working full time is a completly different kettle of fish.  Its an itch that needs to be scratched and if you never did it you will always be wondering "what if".  When you return, you will look at the UK and Europe with new eyes.

I would if I was there.

Stay safe.

On 19/11/2021 at 18:14, LO_in_aus said:

Hey everyone,

Hoping you can help. I've lived in Australia for 5 years and I'm moving back to the UK in 3 weeks.

In my heart, I know I'm doing the right thing. My partner and I are both on temporary visas with no path to permanent residency despite living here and paying taxes for half a decade. We are both unhappy in our careers but can't change jobs because they are tied to our visas. We both know what we want to do (he wants to be a property developer and I want to go back into Communications) but we can't. Staying here would mean settling in careers we aren't happy in.

Plus there are a lot of things I'm excited for in the UK. Being close to my family, going on country walks, going to the pub, the live music scene, the food. Plus we are able to travel so freely as we're so close to everything - the only place I've travelled to aside from the UK in the past 5 years is Bali and I LOVE travelling and exploring new cultures.

We also want to buy a house and invest in property, get a dog, go travelling (we're going to Central America for 6 months in January). We can't do any of this here because of our visas.

However, it's so so hard giving up our life here. We live in an apartment right on the beach, get paid very well, have made some good friendships here and (besides our careers) are generally happy. Everyone keeps telling us we are crazy for moving back to the UK which makes things harder.

The worst thing is, we know that if we do regret leaving then we might not be able to ever move back because we don't have Permanent Residency or citizenship. Although my current employer is gutted I'm leaving and has said he would sponsor me and re-employ me if I ever wanted to return (although I am moving away to get out of this job).

I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that I'm making the right decision as everybody keeps saying I'm mad for leaving which is so frustrating.

Has anybody ever been in a similar position? Any positive returning stories?

Thank you!

You must be back now.  How are things going?  I hope you are settling back in ok.

I just saw "flying dogs from Brisbane" and had to take a look.  

It's been quite a grey January where I am about 50-50 grey to blue sky.  Normally January is clear and crisp.  No real cold snaps though and my garden has signs of spring already.

On 13/01/2022 at 12:01, steveshe said:

I realised the day i landed this was home . Been here 22 years now and absolutely love it . Would never ever go back to UK . Been back couple of times  for a holiday and to see son and grandkids and  cannot wait to get on plane to come home . Think sometimes people look at UK through rose coloured specs , not all but some . 

And visa versa of course.

2 hours ago, Toots said:

The only 'beach' I went to in Essex was Southend and I thought it was a bit of a dump.  

It is but very slightly north is lovely

On 03/01/2022 at 06:29, Faastwalker said:

Coming up to 10 years in Aus. Married an Aussie in 2007 that I met in UK. Had twin boys, moved here when they were around 1. Was apprehensive about moving. But was really up for it in the end. Moved to my wife's parents in Cessnock. That was a mistake. We lived near London, so going from there to Cessnock was a culture shock to say the least. Felt like I'd gone back in time. Struggled to find work, became quite depressed, turned to alcohol. Fking nightmare. Started working, wife fking useless with money. It was a struggle. We eventually split up a few years ago. Was going okay on my own. Then work contract ended a year ago. Looking for work now, but also thinking about home. Missing family and friends. Never really assimilated into this place. I like it in Newcastle. But I'm completely cut off here. Feel like I'm wondering through a boring dream. Stayed for my boys. They are 11 now and ex wife has a new partner who is an arsehole. He thinks I'm an arsehole. Not going to work out is it?! Maybe time to go home? I miss a lot in the UK. Family and friends, the buzz of the cities, the countryside, the culture. Aus is a place without culture, heritage or history. All of what it has is bad, boring and dull. And I don't really go much for the beach either. Fucking sand everywhere! English skin burning. Yeah, FUN!!

You views on Australia are identical to mine.

(doesn't mean our views are right before the pile on)

It will work fine.  If not just get a £30 fire stick and plug it into the back.  

As above.  also worth bearing in mind where you are moving to.  London has emission zones that make running big cars very expensive.

On 03/01/2022 at 19:14, Bulya said:

We did a camping holiday in Cornwall.  Knickerbocker Glory the only decent thing as it rained all day every day.  We moved to God’s country not long after…  

were you poor?  Who goes camping in Cornwall? seriously!!

6 hours ago, Parley said:

You need to wear Doc Martens to walk around on those beaches..

http://assets.heart.co.uk/2014/17/brighton-beach-1398693871.jpg

That's one beach - ok stretch of coast.. but tbh so much cleaner and better than mud flats.

Just saying.

1 hour ago, Parley said:

You need to wear Doc Martens to walk around on those beaches..

http://assets.heart.co.uk/2014/17/brighton-beach-1398693871.jpg

That's one beach - ok stretch of coast.. but tbh so much cleaner 

1 hour ago, Toots said:

Also sandy beaches in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Norfolk.

And Kent and Essex..

On 06/11/2021 at 22:48, proud preston said:

I’ve posted many times before and I know it’s almost cathartic for me to post, hence why I’m doing it again. I just need the opportunity to ‘pour my heart out’ AKA - whinge  (again!) 

We arrived here 16 years ago next month. I still recall an English couple we met - maybe in their 60’s - archetypal ping pong poms. At the time we were in our mid 30’s. I remember thinking the wife seemed sad and somewhat bitter. She hated being here and it clearly showed in their relationship. Husband loved Australia yet ....happened to say one day ‘ hmm after a while it gets a bit boring here’ His wife, in a fabulous East London accent, quick as a flash snapped back in a scathing attack -  “ Bored? in f##king paradise?” Highly amusing for us newbies at the time.  However, I find I’ve become that scathing, sarcastic  person who hates the drama, sensationalism of seven TV news and any other TV prog, can’t stand the crooked government, saddened by the over development and clearing of trees, all too often looking for shade and couldn’t stand walking in these months when it’s after 8am,  love the landscape yet hate the landscape.....It’s got that I all too often despise Australia and Australians. An awful way to live and I know it’s me that is the problem as I am wallowing in my own self pity. 

Anyway, ‘stuck in paradise’ - I understand and acknowledge people will say ‘just go’ but how can I ? Our two sons  are 18 and 20 and are out right ‘Australian’ My fears came true. I’d hoped to move back so they could start secondary school in the UK or Ireland- didn’t happen. Maybe start uni back over - didn’t happen. Wasted so much time looking into fees etc etc. and planning (just me planning this!) I’d be abandoning three people I love who are my life. I have started to feel jealous of my siblings who see each other and their grandchildren, who share the same gripes about the UK but appreciate and love the UK - their home, their history and their familiarity.

This sad resolve that I’m here until I shuffle off this mortal coil,  and it makes me bloomin miserable and angry. I didn’t think this would be my life. I never disliked the UK - as many others find -  spouse wanting ‘ a better life’ . I really miss my siblings, I regret not being near my mum in her latter years, I miss the landscape and buildings in England. I’ve even become obsessed with the thought that ‘ things would have been better if we’d migrated to Canada - nearer, northern hemisphere seasons etc’

This is another whinge - I know - and I do appreciate that it can seem self indulgent as there are thousands upon thousands of people experiencing awful lives for a myriad of reasons. No easy answer. I admire those who go back and leave family. I know I couldn’t ever do that. 

Thanks all. Thanks for the opportunity to (almost) anonymously have a heartfelt pouring out of mixed up feelings. 

I don't really have any practical advice but there are some good people on here who understand exactly what you are going through.

I was lucky in that we realized very soon that Australia wasn't for us.  My kids were very young so it was easy to wipe our mouths and move on.  

My opinion (for what it's worth) would be to move back to the UK.  COVID aside, the world is a very small place and keeping in contact with your kids will be achievable now things like video calling is accessible to all.

It's a bit morbid but as you get older close friends and family start dropping like flies and you need to make the personal choice of whether spending time with these people is as important as living the "Australian dream".

Anyway, I wish you the best of British in what ever you decide to do.

A day at the beach is very different in Australia compared to what Brits are used to.

A day at the beach will involve tents, shades, gallons of sunscreen, hats, sunnies, full body sun suits and usually some RoboCop pouncing on you to warn you if you expose an inch of skin.

IMO benidorm is better.

I miss being able to just leave my wallet laying about in cafes, leaving the front door open, leaving the keys in the car, strangers just coming up, saying g'day and giving you a $50 note.

On 24/10/2020 at 12:16, bug family said:

Just wondering, at what stage did you realise that Australia was the place that you wanted or did not want to spend the rest of your days ?

For me before I had even set foot in Australia I knew and voiced, that I would want to return home to the UK one day,  As a couple we set a goal of 10 years then we would return, with hindsight this was a bit naive I now realise this, as a lot can and has happened in the 9 years we have been here, for example, we are no longer living as a married couple (we are like best buddies and share the house still), my wife no longer would consider going back home, we also have two children now, where as we came with only one,  and finally all my wife's family now live here, so she is settled......but me...I will still go home one day of that I am sure, .........................what about you?

For me it was about 6 months. For me the penny dropped when coming into land in Brisbane after a work trip to Mackay and (at 9pm) looking out of the plane's window - seeing this empty, lifeless city.  It looked like it was in lockdown.  

4 hours ago, newjez said:

I had a Volvo in 95 that had heated seats. I liked them because the heat was instant, and you didn't need to wait for the main heater to get warm.

Saying that, we have a scenic ATM and it heats up pretty quickly. BIL has a ford focus with that mesh stuff in the window which removes ice in no time.

Most "standard cars" have heaps of extras nowadays. Some of them better than others, but I do like the way you can always leave the lights on and not have to worry about it.

That's what mine has. Tiny mesh worries in the windscreen. Very fast.   I have set the headlights to flash on unlock, handy when you forget where you are parked.

6 hours ago, MARYROSE02 said:

I was thinking about leaving work in England at 930pm on winter nights and how, even with de-icer or whatever it is called, it took ages to clear my windscreen. Some of the blokes there used to take off like those blokes I've seen in some motor races? They RUN for their cars, desperate to be first out of the carpark and were able to see through an inch or two of clear screen!

My car has a heated front window screen it takes less than a minute to clear frost,  heated steering wheel and heated seats.  Not keen on the heated seats as they make you feel like you have messed yourself.  And no its not showing off - its a little corsa but somehow packed with goodies.