zephyr

We're a family of 3, son was born in Perth, had 2 1/4 years there made the most of it. Moved back to UK 3 years ago and haven't looked back. Life is peachy. I work in the medical profession and occasionally talk of emigrating to Australia comes up in conversation (for varying reasons) with my patients and colleagues.....curiously the response from some when they discover I CHOSE to return to the UK from Oz is rather perplexing. Some are astonished that I would leave Nirvana (most who think this have never actually been to Australia) and others get defensive if I say anything negative (however subtle) about the place. I have a very balanced view and am aware there are pro's and cons to both the UK and Australia. For some it is paradise for others - not.

No issues' for us either. We've been back 15 months now and have settled back in fine. I sometimes get a bit wistful of what 'could have been' if we'd stayed but then I remind myself of why we came back and how lucky we are to live in such a great place.

Agree with other posters that you've been through a lot of emotional 'stress' over the last 12 months and being pregnant will no doubt be muddying the waters in terms of your feelings (good and bad!) I would say stay where you are for the time being and just try and enjoy each day as it comes. Allow yourself to enjoy your pregnancy and try not to worry about what you should do next. You sound as if you are financially stable and have some support there. After the baby arrives you can both review how you feel and see if staying for the longer term is what you want to do as a family. Your health and the baby's health are the most important and putting yourself through the stress and worry of another move when you aren't sure it's the right decision anyway might not be wise. You will have lots of opportunities to meet new Mum's ante + post natal so opportunities to make new friends will be readily available. You might also find that joining social clubs etc in the evenings become less important to you as yours and your OH's needs change over time. Good luck with your pregnancy :-)

Agree with all the other posters regarding giving the UK a shot. Your view of the UK is probably not helping in terms of trying to picture your future as a family there. It has its problems as does Australia, try to look at the positives and not the negatives as you're not allowing yourself a level playing field to base your decisions on. You say you have a great life in Australia, you may have a great life in the UK. Right now you have an unhappy wife, if you stay put is that likely to change?

To the OP 1) Why do you want to go back- what is it that you are actually hoping for back in Oz? 2) Why do you want to leave the UK?