Rustybarnacle

11 hours ago, Wanderer Returns said:

You're not alone. Maybe we underestimate the importance of family when we're younger. In our 20's and 30's it tends to be "all about me", but at some point (often when children arrive) we start to appreciate family far more, and the structure and support they provide. I'm sure if I'd had siblings I would've never considered migrating to Australia, and it's only been since my last surviving family member passed on do I no longer feel the pull to return to the UK. That said, I wish I was over there right now to watch the football in the pub!

You've summed up how you feel very thoughtfully, and based on that returning to the UK would seem the right choice for you. Always good to hang on to that Aussie citizenship though, as you never quite know what the future may bring.

Thank you, I think you summed it up perfectly, you don't know what you appreciate until it's gone.

3 hours ago, Rallyman said:

I doubt you are on your own with those feelings, I think a lot of people were ok pre covid that if that feeling crept in you could quickly sort a trip back or family could come out , The biggest anguish for me is the not knowing when we can travel again and it’s starting to play on my mind. 
good luck 

And to you, it's very hard and I feel for everyone during this time. Hopefully things change very soon.

14 hours ago, kungfustu said:

After 3 years in Perth we returned to our "old town"......we found it to be exactly as we left it 3 years earlier.....the only thing that had changed was us.....we had realised that the lifestyle we actually wanted was right there in front of us the whole time.....its funny because you often don't realise what you had/have until you have lost it.....unlike the OP we never came back because of family....we just felt our lives were empty in Perth and we were going through the motions.....could have stayed for another 10 years but wisley chose to return and its not a decision we have ever regreted or even dwelled on.....To the OP.....dont be unhappy.....life is too short to be unhappy.....its a great time to return.....there is a good vibe in the country at the moment......its coming home!

Thanks for the advice, that is how we are feeling, we could stay here forever but would be going through the motions not actually living.

We have lived in Adelaide for 10 years quiet happily, but now we have a hollow feeling and want to go back home to be with family.

Since moving to Australia we have had our first child, since his arrival we miss the comfort of family and the feeling of belonging. Suddenly we feel very alone.

Australia has been very kind to us and our lives have changed dramatically since our arrival, we had a busy life enjoying all Australia has to offer but now none of that seems to matter.

We understand that Covid has a lot to play in how we feel and not being able to see family for so long has certainly bought feeling's to the forefront, but it has also made us appreciate them more and understand what is important in life.

Does anyone else feel like this or felt like it?