OzUK68

Hey there thinker78. I'm in a similiar situation to you. I'm an Aussie who lived blissfully in the UK from 1991-2007 and now, after 7 years of being in Brisbane I am ready to make tracks and return to life in England for good. I would never have come back if not for my elderly parents and, except for the odd trip back to see close friends and visit my old haunts, I've spent many a day feeling displaced in Australia. And I was born here!! Each time I've spent my holidays in the UK I have come alive and each time I had to leave again I felt horribly depressed. And all it boils down to is my cultural preferences. Just like it does for you!! So my advice, for what it's worth, is not give a second thought to those polar opposites out there who confuse you about where to live or what to think. It's your journey, not there's. Your make-up, not there's. I have a friend who moved back to the UK after 35 years in Australia and the first thing she said to me was "I've learned to love Christmas again." Lol ;-)

It might be an idea to post an advert on Sydney's Gumtree site with your photo. Anything can happen in a week! There's a nice quiet hostel in Potts Point (close to the city) called the Blue Parrot www.blueparrot.com.au . It was renovated a year or two ago. It could be an option in case you get stuck. Coogee Beach also has a good choice of hostels and the buses into the city run frequently. Good luck ;-)