meegs

so we leave on the 21st heading back to the UK. I am the aussie and my family lives here and now that we have hit January I can't stop crying when I think about leaving them. I know on paper it is the right decision for us as a family but man I am going to miss them. How on earth am I going to cope with this and what if I keep feeling like this when I get back to the UK. I read all the return to the uk posts and a big point for most people is that they are going back because they are missing family. God this is hard - will be warning my kids off marrying someone who is from across the other side of the world. Any other aussies in the UK because of OH and how do you manage? I just a sobbing mess and not going to be enjoying the last days I have here with my parents Cheers guys and a Happy New Year to all

Just wondering if it is cheaper to buy an iPhone in Australia or wait till we get back to the UK? I have done a quick internet search but just wondering if you guys know - thanks

So just thought I would update since I appreciate being able to vent my thoughts on this forum. I find it so helpful. We are in the process of booking tickets back to the UK for the 21st Jan. What a shock to the system going from the heat in the Pilbara to the Highlands of Scotland!!! I'm looking forward to it and will be glad to get on the plane. Thanks again guys for your replies.

kids are 3 and 4 years. I want my kids to grow up in the same place, if I had the choice. We moved around a lots as kids and this is another thought. I don't want to keep moving. But then again I seem to get itchy feet all the time. I'll just tell hubby a weekend getaway to Spain every so often would help :-)

I do want to go to Scotland... I think... and that is also where the issue is. I don't know what I want. I was happy with my life in Scotland and the reason we moved to Australia in the first place was because I missed my family. Getting here I realised life was actually pretty good over in Scotland - yes the weather is crap but hey that's not all there is in life. The only person who is sure is my hubby so I can't keep mucking him around. I am just nervous that if I get back over there and don't like it then what happens... Maybe I am just overthinking it all. Thank goodness for this forum and being able to write out thoughts. Can't talk with family about it and hubby just keen to go.

That is exactly our thinking. We know we don't want to live in Karratha but don't really see the point of moving somewhere else in Australia so that we are in Australia. I would rather live in Scotland where we can then plan on coming back for holidays. I know they won't be frequent as life does take over and you have other places you want to visit but I need to be strong and say that I want to also go to Scotland as hard as that is for my family to hear.

Hubby is a pipefitter so has worked on the oil rigs in the north sea. He says he won't have a problem getting work. He hasn't been able to find any work in this field so far here in Aus and has been working as a labourer/Trade assistant.

Thanks for the replies. I don't think getting our own place would make much of difference as we have questioned this ourselves plenty. We are living in the Pilbara where rent is up to $1000 a week so not really an option. I do think hubby has 'given up' too early but in saying that he could stay for another 12 months and be completely miserable. He knows what he wants and that is to be working a better rota and spending time with his family (me and the kids). Coming to Australia has made us realise what our priorities are and that we don't want to be working our butts off and missing out on the lives of the kids. Who knows where we will be in 5, 10 + years. I have British citizenship so it's no problem returning. Told the folks last night that we are leaving end of Jan and the tension in the house is incredible. They are saying things like 'oh miss 4 is really looking forward to going to school next year' 'the girls will miss playing in the sun'. I just don't want to leave on bad terms and if they keep going hubby is going to snap. I'm just trying to be peacemaker in all this Sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side. And this may not be the right decision but it is what makes me and hubby happy in the here and now. I'm dribbling on now... thanks again for the replies :-)

So I have posted a couple of times and read numerous posts on mbttuk and I guess I just want to write my thoughts down. Hubby is Scottish, I am Aussie. I met him over there when on a WHV and we got married and had kids. Moved to WA in April 2013. He has never settled, hasn't found the right job. I'm working full time which didn't have to do in Scotland and wouldn't have to do if we returned. We are thinking of returning back to Scotland in Jan 2014. I know it doesn't seem like we have given it a proper try but hubby just feels that life was better in Scotland. My dilemma is that I am leaving my parents and sisters. We are living with them at the moment so I think we are pretty close. But my hubby wants to go back so I am split in half with what I want. I don't mind going back to Scotland but will miss my family incredibly. We are also thinking of trying for another baby next year again which seems more possible in Scotland. Life is so tough at times and sometimes I wished that I had met the guy at the end of the road and not from the other side of the world. Just wanting reassurance really that l am doing the right thing by going with my husband as my family are laying the guilt trips on a bit thick. Cheers M

Is their a minimum on a child's passport when entering the UK. My daughter has a UK passport which expires in April. We are thinking of travelling back in Jan. Will this be a problem? I know when entering most countries you need 6 months validity but assuming you don't when entering your own country. Cheers in advance

I know it hasn't been long but financially we would be better off in the UK, I'm having to work full time here and not liking that as we have 2 little girls. I don't have to work in UK as cost of living is a lot less. I hope we don't regret it but I have been in the UK the last 6 years and it actually feels more like home to me than Aus. Plus hubby is not really enjoying it here. He only moved here because of me so can't really hold that against him, I did meet him in his home town that he has lived in all his life. Who knows where we will be in 12 months time...

we came over in April 2013 and already thinking of going back. Actually hubby talking about going back in Jan. It's just not what we thought it would be, we have realised what our priorities are and that actually we did have a really good life in the UK. Still nervous about the decision as I am the aussie and really going to miss my family...

So after a long chat with my other half last night we have decided to move back to Scotland but at the beginning of next year - not much point heading back to a Scottish winter. That way if either of our feelings change during the next few months we can make the changes in returning or not. Plus it looks like we have 'given it a good go'. After thinking about this today I feel a lot more settled. So I'm not going to worry or think about it anymore and keep an eye out for the ideal plot of land to build a house on. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest - it's not been something I can talk to anyone about due to the emotional side of it.

Thanks for your reply - My husbands family is all in Scotland so his dad, brother, nephews, cousins etc so the kids have family (just not mine)

Thanks so much for all the replies - find it really useful to read. I know I need to give it more time but its so hard to know what to do.