Novembernorain

Hey!! We are moving back to the UK today!! We have a 4 year old and a 10 months old. Will let everyone know how it's going. Right now we are very excited but nervous at the same time.

I'm currently on the Gold Coast. People do have security screens, it's very common. My in laws have been broken into (smashed window) about 6 months ago in a fairly nice but not rich suburb and had all valuables stolen. They since had an alarm installed which apparently is also fairly common.

Hey @snifter - thank you so much for the encouragement! You're right. Making it all positive and fun is the main thing. I guess I'm just generally nervous about it all. We might tell her today. great to hear your move went smoothly. Plenty of fun and exciting things to do in Aus!

Ok, now you have made me really silly for worrying about it. Maybe I worry too much? I tend to do that. I suppose a large part of our decision making has to do with where we think is best for the kids. Maybe that's where it comes from. I'm sure they will be fine eventually, I guess I just don't want to feel guilty about taking her away from the things she loves. So I want to make it as smooth as possible. That's all!!! Is that so abnormal?

So I have posted a while ago about us thinking about moving back. We have made up our mind and decided to go for it. We really thought about it long and hard and were both 100% in the UK camp for about a month. So yesterday we told the in laws, my husband told his work and I told my mum, who's in Germany, that we will be "close by" again. We have been excited about the prospect, but somehow we are both having a little freak out! What if it's the wrong decision. We have already made the move twice. I am worried sick about telling my 4 year old. How did everyone handle this? It's such a delicate age; big emotions and tantrums and separation anxiety. She's a good kid and I know she'll love it, but I just really want to make it fun for her and as little stressful (haaaaa!) as possible. I don't even know if I should tell her that we are "moving". Maybe just say we are going on a long holiday? I know she will be so sad do move away from grandparents and cousins. I was hoping to be happy about this, and I am in a way, but also stressed out and therefore not as excited as I want to be. Positive experiences and encouragement from all you guys much appreciated!!!!

@Pixie77 how are the kids going? Coping with the cold? We are moving with a 1 and 4 yo - I'm worried sick!

Hey @desreb - thank you so much for sharing this! We are looking to move back to the UK in January (worst time to go, right?) - we are hoping to be so sick of the humidity here in QLD that we will be excited about the freezing cold. We are going to Scotland, where we lived before we moved to Aus. our kids are the same age as yours; 4 and 1. I am not worried at all about the little one. But I am so stressed and worried about the 4 yo. To the point where I don't even want to tell her we are moving. She's a proper Aussie, never wears shoes, loves the pool. How did you tell your kids? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Also, how do you get on in the UK? Do the kids like it? Are they OK in the cold? I am having a bit of a freak out this morning!!

Have you been to Comrie Croft? They have woodland Katas with wood burning stoves, MTB trails and it's just a great place to spend time with the kids. I used to work there when we lived in Scotland. You should check it out!

Interesting to hear how you chose to start fresh in Scotland. Great Choice I think. It's funny how things can change - when we first moved back to Australia two years ago, I was really enthusiastic about giving it a proper go, get involved in communities and really embrace the life here. Two years on I don't feel like it's a place where I can grow old My husband was the opposite - He absolutely hated it the first few months we've been back. He was in an awful mood for about 3 months, almost a bit depressed. But he got used to it and now he wonders if Australia is safer, better for the kids etc. It really is hard! Schooling is now on the cards for us and there isn't much here where we are. Well, there is, but it's either a school with a bad reputation or one we can't afford. I know in Scotland were we would go, there's a beautiful little primary school and kindy, and a great community around it. I did get a text this morning as the person who's offered me a job in Scotland needs to know soon. Yikes! I am just so scared of going back and be culture shocked. The story of your move is very inspiring! Lovely that kids are settling in so well. <3

We've been writing lists of Pros and Cons since Last January! They are both great places really. I am years off the Citizenship, but Husband and Kids have it and I am a PR. So I think as far as returning to Aus is concerned would be OK.It's so good to see we are not the only ones Ping Pong ing But I am tired of it and would like some stability for the kids!

Thanks for your input. Yes, we love the highlands too. I always feel so free in Scotland. Also, people talk about the great Australian outdoor lifestyle, but I always like to point out how much time we spend indoors with the aircon on here when the sun index hits 11 and you simply can't go out. I'm glad to hear you do spend plenty of time outside - I wonder sometimes if I'm just telling myself that we were just as outdoorsy there than we are here. Love the crisp mornings! DO you live in Edinburgh?

Hey Cal - thanks for your thoughts. Maybe I should word it differently; the only reason we moved to Australia was being closer to family. Everything else was fine in Scotland. I always felt free in Scotland. I have just been granted PR a few days ago via Partner Visa application, which will make it possible to go back should we decide. The Husband has dual Citizenship and the Kids he triple, so no worries there. I'm so glad ware not alone in this! It truly sometimes feels like we are th crazy people who can't make up their minds.

Hello all - My Husband and our two young children are currently living in SE QLD. We have been back and forth a few times; Scotland to Aus in 2013, back to Scotland in 2014, back to Aus in January 2016, nearly two years ago. We said this time we'll give it a proper go, however, we just can't stop thinking about going to Scotland. My husband has a job here which he really doesn't like, but is very family friendly. I'm home with the kids. I've made some great mum friends that we regularly hang out with and I feel now that we are somewhat settled. However, an opportunity has come up to fulfil a little dream of our own business in the Scottish highlands, which might mean more work, but at least it's something we'd both enjoy. The life in Aus is not bad. And I often feel guilty for moaning about it. But this seems to be a good place for it ?. My husband's close family lives here in Australia (they all migrated when he was 13). More distant relatives live in England and my family is all over Europe. Even though we both weren't born in Scotland, it has been the chosen home for us both for over 10 years. When the kids came we thought we should move closer to family so we came to Aus. But it just hasn't helped us feel more at home. I'm not coping well with the heat and humidity (moving elsewhere in Australia isn't an option as that would defeat the purpose of being here - close to family). The baby is just sweaty and hot and bothered and sticky. I remember last summer how much I hated the heat. But then the winter came and it was wonderful. I do miss the Scottish banter a lot. Talking to complete strangers. The village pub. And I do feel like the focus here is a lot on work work work. Everyone has to work so much for their huge mortgages. Everyone builds, buys, renovated houses constantly. We are years behind as we have spent our 20s travelling rather than buying a house. Now we feel like we can never enter the market here. Other than maybe live in a tiny asbestos shack! I just miss our beautiful simple life in Scotland. It was Less stressful. Also the culture, the arts, the humour. Not the coffee however. Then on the other side, there's no family there! And the weather, as much as I moan about the humidity here - I have enjoined not putting socks on for nearly two years. ? Oh dear. So now we have to make a decision. Stay here and embrace the Aussie life. Buy a 4 wheel drive and get a mortgage. Join the rat race. But have a secure income and Super etc. OR going back to grey Scotland which we love so much. Living the little highland dream of our own business. This option is certainly more risky. I also worry that no one will take us serious any more after making the overseas move 4 times!! ? I am not sure what I am hoping to achieve by posting this big brain splurge - but I am so grateful for having found this forum this afternoon. I've been reading posts since the kids went to bed. it would be great to get some input from others. How long did it take you to decide? What made you decide in the end? Does anyone have regrets? Looking forward to your thoughts

This is my first post in this forum - I have been fascinated to read many stories on here for a couple of hours now. we are currently in SE QLD - have been thinking about going back to Scotland for a while now. It's so so great to hear LKC (don't know how to tag people in here) you are being made so welcome in the Highlands. Last place we lived in Scotland was also a small village in central Scotland... And we miss it so much!!! We are unsure about going back. I worry that the kids might miss Australia too much (Mind you the oldest is 4 - I know the theory of them settling in quickly, but I'm still worried). How are the kids koping with the weather?