Kazz

Thanks Melza, that certainly gives me more the think about. Yes, my main reason for considering going back is the pull of those family ties. I've been back a couple of times in the past few years, the last time on my own and it was so great to get quality time with them. But moving back is such a big move and not once I can afford to reverse in a hurry if it's the wrong decision. I am going to be joining yoga or pilates classes in the new year and I've just given up work to return to full time study, which will give me the chance to meet more people and hopefully make more friends. You're right, my parents won't be around forever, I guess that's part of it, I hate the thought of only seeing them a handful more times if I can only go back every few years. I try to look at it from every angle, but it's nice to have unbiased opinions, so thank you.

Thanks Blossom, that's my biggest worry. I'd hate to go through the upheaval to realise it was the wrong decision. A compromise would be to save as much as possible so I can afford to visit home more often I suppose. Not easy given the ever increasing cost of living in Australia.

We've been in Australia for 7 years, living both in WA and in regional NSW. We've loved it, it was hard initially to get settled in but we have made a nice life for ourselves. But, I've never stopped missing my family for a single day since we left the UK. I thought it would ease, but as my parents age, I feel horrid being so far away and miss them terribly. I've found making friends in Australia much harder than anticipated. We're a sociable couple and have met nice people, but there's a big leap from acquaintance to friend. The friends we have made have been English. I never wanted to be once of those Brits who surrounded myself with English only friends, so this was not by design. I think when amongst folk from home, we just get each other better. But with no family and limited friend network, life here can be very lonely, although it affects me more than my other half. We've been able to afford ourselves a lovely home on a few acres here, so moving back to our busy & crowded old home town would not be an option. We have been spoilt I know, but we do like the space of the country so would want to keep fields & rivers around us if we chose to move back. Unfortunately those areas don't offer the best work prospects. Much as I feel it would make my heart happier to be closer to my loved ones, we have to practical and look at the price of houses and lower earning potential in the UK. If we go back and can't get reasonable jobs, it'll be so tough resettling and it costs such a lot to move across the globe and we can't afford to pingpong.

Does anyone know how the Australian trade skills compare to the UK? My partner is an advanced rigger here in New South Wales. Looking at similar jobs being advertised in the UK, they call for at least an NVQ 3 certificate. How does the Australian qualification compare?