This is a last update as we are now well settled back in the UK.
After 22 years in Oz, I was very much wanting to go home, but worried by the posts from people on PIO who had regretted the move. Luckily, hubby and I are very happy. He is still working part time for his previous employer (online) and I am working in a real estate office. We have bought a beautiful house and spent a few months making it our own. We have had visits from hubbys brother and other Australian friends
The only thing I miss is my daughter. When we made the decision to come back, she was happily married and affluent. She is now a single parent and although she is not poor, the expected annual visit will not be happening. She is a wedding photographer and planned to come and stay for a month each Australian winter when she is not shooting weddings. This has been a blow, both her personal unhappiness (although she is over it now and a year down the track has a new man) and the fact we may not be seeing her and my two grandsons as often as planned. She didn't live near us in Oz, so we were used to only seeing her on high days and holidays.
Otherwise, I feel no pull back to Oz. My family are all here apart from my daughter and it has been great to see them without everyone trying not to cry because we are off to the other side of the world - again. I am having Christmas lunch with all the family at my home and it will be the first time in 23 years - fantastic.
It's autumn here now and I just love the countryside and the colours, having to wear hat, scarf, gloves and boots. But the air is so fresh and the people are so friendly. Our postman, Russell, stops for a chat. The lady from the charity shop in the nearest village waves to you. I can take quilting and knitting workshops and I have the time to do some craft. I was always exhausted with work or it was way too hot. And I can pop in and have coffee with mom and dad and not just turn up for a few days a year and then for the funeral. It sounds silly when you write it down, but these things mean a lot to me.
I was happy most of the time in Oz, or should I say content. I always missed the UK and my family, but you put up with it, don't you? But I always think of the 80/20 rule. If you're OK 80% of the time, then you can put up with the 20% not so good times.
But to those people who are very unhappy, don't be frightened. Think hard, plan well, save some money and then go for it and good luck.