CrimsonPetal

Yes, spring/summer 2013 was fantastic wasn't it? Have great memories of my first summer back in UK. Hi there Melza. We lived in Perth, WA for the full six years. Back in County Durham now, yes, it's my home town . What about you? Are you back in the UK, wanting to be....?

Hello all. I used to post on PIO quite regularly when I lived in Australia, have now been back in UK a year in a few weeks. Haven't posted that much since I got back, think that says it all, just loving life! However, started to wonder how everyone is getting on here and wanted to offer my support to those moving back or desperate to do so. Life is good here! We did 6 years in Oz and I was very down towards the end, I can honestly say I've not had one moments regret since getting back, so all the best to those wanting to make the move back and go for it!

I really agree with this. So many little things that just built up to decrease my quality of life. It's not on, life is too short. But if I had to think of one big thing, it would be the isolation, both geographical in terms of what was available to us living in Perth and personal with no family nearby and only fair weather friends. Sooo glad to be back! =]

I'm late to this thread but I do get where you're coming from. Since being back in the UK I am a changed person. Only way I can describe it is I am 'me' again. =]

Lived in Perth for six years and for the last four, went to a beach only twice. They do lose their appeal rather quickly.

Wide, clear roads. Yeah, that's it.

Very interesting thread! CrimsonPetal- family of three. Arrived Perth November 2006. Departed Perth for UK January 2013. So we did six years and a couple of months. Absolutely loving being back, feeling human again!

Hello. I haven't posted in a long while but got a notification about this thread. Didn't want to ignore you so here I am. Unfortunately, I cannot really help you. There was no way that my parents could make the move so the process was ended. I have since returned to the UK so they no longer need to move anyway.

Well, I'm by no means an expert but I do know what it's like to have to make a decision like this. As you say, the pros and cons thing doesn't help, it's six of one and half a dozen of another. What helped me was just following my gut instinct. That just seems to sort out some of that confusion that you can feel making a decision like this one.

Only decent one I've found in Northern Suburbs (obviously haven't tried them all in Perth) is the Shehnai Tandoori Restaurant, Beaumaris shopping centre, Ocean Reef. Just throwing that one out there as it may help someone in need. You're welcome.

Lol, tell me about it. None of this has been easy as far as my parents, especially my mum, has been concerned. Once again I have got her hopes up only to let her down. I feel awful. Thanks for the hugs (( hugs back)) We have sort of told OH's family, told his mum we are having second thoughts, and the emails have already started arriving as to why we have changed our minds. Ironically, my OH also got a job offer just as we had made our mind up not to return yet. We will be replying to emails tonight and I also have to let my best mate know. She has been so excited. As for my mum though, I don't know how I'm going to tell her.

Yeah, I agree with this. I don't think I'm a doom and gloomer but I am a realist. It's hard to ignore some of the newspaper articles, TV news items and yes, I know the media love to focus on the negative. However, they couldn't print these things if they didn't happen, could they? I'm talking about Euro Zone crisis, unemployment etc. These things are real and are affecting a very large percentage of people. My own family in the UK included.

Yes, it's your kid's happiness that's the most important thing. You've done the right thing, enjoy it!

We've lived in Perth for over five years now ( six in November). When we moved here I guess I did think it was forever, that was the idea anyway. BUT I also envisaged my family i.e. parents and younger brother joining us at some point also. That changed about 18 months ago when I knew for definite that my family would not be emigrating ( finances mostly put paid to that) and that sort of gave me a shake up. It's quite something to face life in another country at the other side of the world from your family when it wasn't the original plan. Sort of threw me for a loop really. A lot of emotions involved. Anyway, life here has been for the most part extremely good. We have a great lifestyle and are lucky enough to be a success story as far as emigration is concerned. But recently I had a major 'wobble' and became quite desperate to return to the UK. I have missed family, my best mate, Europe and just that familiarity of the UK, you know? The rose tinted specs have definitely been working overtime though too. And when that happens you can lose sight of the good things that Australia does have to offer. Recently we made the decision to return to the UK, told parents, mates etc and have begun to pack up our house. Well, I have changed my mind...it's the oddest thing. I wrote this on another thread but it does sum it up for me, basically when I felt trapped all I could think about was escape, how I had to convince my OH that we should go 'home'. It took me 18 months. OH finally agreed and was quite looking forward to it even ( although very concerned about the job situation) and we were all set. Once the door was open for me to escape though I found that I didn't want to walk through it after all. So, we are staying in Oz for the foreseeable future, albeit with an inter-state move on the horizon (we've always wanted to try Melbourne). I'm thinking we give Oz another couple years at least and then look at the UK again. I will never say never because I know how easily people can change their minds, lol. So maybe Australia is not for forever, or maybe it is, who knows? It's right for now.