Wha a great post, most of that has hit the nail on the head for me. We left to pursue a better life leaving behind family that were damn close to us.....after nearly 2 years here we are going to return. My son is coming up the his 3rd Oz birthday which makes you realise what our parents have missed out on.
We only came on a 457 visa but were thinking of going for PR but due to cost of living here, lack of pay increases etc....we are leaving. The pull has always been there but I suppose the beaches and lifestyle have been a great change from the UK. It's not just the money making us return but it has probably forced us to decide sooner than we would have.
We gave it a go, the kids got to see something different but all in all I think the biggest regret I could face is not having been there for mine and my wifes parents as they get older.
ginger