Athena

I am glad to hear you made the brave move and it worked out! We are very much in the same position, moved back to the UK a little over 2 years ago. It had its challenges, but it was absolutely the right thing for us. Life feels like an adventure again and while I never say never, not looking back at all.

Thanks for all the responses, we are probably going to sell it.

Hi We have a BBQ that we purchased last year for around aus$3500 and are debating whether we should take it over to the UK when we move in a few weeks. It is a really good one, and pretty big. Wondering if that gas is compatible with UK / or easy to convert. Not sure how much it will increase our shipping cost by but likely +$500. We are using shared shipping to keep costs down and leaving most of our big furniture as it was good but has aged, taking only higher value items. Any views on if it is worth shipping or just getting a new one over in the UK? Thanks.

So that's it, coffee, large parking bays and laundry. That makes me feel very assured about the return to the UK.

Hi there, I absolutely feel your pain. I have been here for 8 years and have been pining to back for most of that time, getting stronger every year. After years of trying to convince my partner of the positives of moving, and explaining my pain in staying. He finally said ok, let's give the move a go. It came as a huge surprise. Now that we are starting to plan for our move, (perhaps late this year or next). There is a part of me which is seeing the beauty of Australia. Leaving our comfortable lives here to start again is daunting, so much more than it was when I was just dreaming of returning. Suddenly both options sound good. My point in sharing this is, don't give up on your partner coming round, find the positives, do the holiday back when you can. I found something he loves that he can take advantage of there (In our case a change of career for husband). Everyone's circumstances are different, but don't feel bad about the sacrifice he would make moving back, you have made a big sacrifice too.

Replying to my own post here, incase anyone else is in a similar situation. I have found out from a visa agent, I don't need to apply for citizenship for my children, they are citizens automatically. I am not british by decent as my husband is, but by naturalisation.

I came here excited and completely sure I would make Sydney home, but found it pretty hard to settle in the first few months. When we did buy a home, find jobs we 'liked, I felt like I had invested too much to even think about giving it up. 8 years later...and almost everyday I think about returning to the UK. With my husbands family being Australian, the move is still very much a one way conversation. However, despite our roots being planted more firmly here (kids, finances, comforts) my desire to return to the UK only increases. I am working on setting up the admin to make the move smoother, and chipping away at my husband slowly.

Hi, I am looking to apply for UK citizenship for my daughters. My husband and I are both British by decent, not birth, so they don't automatically qualify for UK passports, hence the need to apply. I have read up that it is form MN1 section 3.2 that fits their circumstances. Does anyone have any recommendations; should I do this application myself or go with a visa company. And, any recommendations on good visa companies that assist with UK applications. Thanks.

Curious, has there been any progress since you posted this back in Jan. I am in a very similar position. 8 years here and ready to go back, but husband has all his ties here.

Visas are not an issue we both have both UK and Australian passports. Age is certainly a factor, we arein our early forties, so better to do it I the next few years as work will be much harder down the track. Just wish he was as keen as me, it would make the decision slot easier.

Thanks, I certainly hope my husband would come to enjoy it, we had 5 good years there together before coming here, so there is hope. Good point about the kids And good luck with your move to Aus.

I have been in Australia 8 years and have a good life in Sydney. Two daughters under 3 and an Australian husband I met in the UK. For the last two years I have found it very difficult to think of this as my long term home. I want to return and my husband doesn't, but claims to be open to it post Covid. I miss the culture and real diversity of London, and lots of the small stuff too. I find it very hard to forge real friendships here, and miss my friends and family. My husband would miss his family and the lovely home we have built, if we moved back. It is a very comfortable life, I want to love it, but just can't stop missing the UK. I worry my nostalgia is is creating 'rose tinted lenses' Any one in a similar position or has already made the move back?