Lpool7 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Hi All I just wanted to post my story here for anyone interested. We moved over 10 years ago to NZ when our kids were 11 and 6. Hated the first 2 years then started to love seeing the high blue sky everyday and living in East Auckland which is still beautiful. Then 3 years ago my older son, who had already played football for NZ Schoolboys, needed a better team so we moved to Australia and he did his HSC in NSW. Luckily he is also a hard worker and did so well in his studies and got a scholarship to a US University for Studies and Football. Unfortunately my husband and I split after 20 years together but are still very close friends, we should have just only ever been friends etc. I went back to NZ 1 year ago as we could not afford the private schools here but also my yongest' old school in NZ was lovely near the beach in East Auckland so he wanted to go back. My husband then also came over to be closer to the kids home and I then moved back to Sydney as I had a better job offer. Having come back now and back from a recent visit to the UK, I cant wait to go back home to England. My opinion is that Australia is great if you have a partner, have a family/family there or if you are young but if you are single, its so hard to make friends and have a real life like I had in the UK. I think I delayed going back because of missing the high blue sky but I have realised that isnt living and I am missing out so much. I hate the Aussie work ethic of just work and even if you go out for drinks with people, its hard to make close friends. I know that if you keep meeting up with people after work in the UK, you end up going around to their homes and become good friends etc. We wanted to give the kids a safer and more varied life and they have had a great time living in 3 different countries but am certainly looking forward to having my base back in the UK. After 10 years, I feel like I have been on holiday for the whole time. Now I want a real life and settle down. I would never have not come here and NZ though, otherwise my children would not have had the wonderful opportunities that they have had (youngest is a qualified referee in NSW!). I think everyone should do this with a young family. But I can honestly say, thanks to living away from home for 10 years, I know appreciate it so much and want the quality of what is the British person, because it really is about people in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twinsmom65 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Just wanted to say welcome to PIO, and all the best for the move back. I moved back to Canada almost two years ago and yes you do see things with fresh eyes. I too don't regret my experience living in Australia. Cheers Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PontePom Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Hi All I just wanted to post my story here for anyone interested. We moved over 10 years ago to NZ when our kids were 11 and 6. Hated the first 2 years then started to love seeing the high blue sky everyday and living in East Auckland which is still beautiful. Then 3 years ago my older son, who had already played football for NZ Schoolboys, needed a better team so we moved to Australia and he did his HSC in NSW. Luckily he is also a hard worker and did so well in his studies and got a scholarship to a US University for Studies and Football. Unfortunately my husband and I split after 20 years together but are still very close friends, we should have just only ever been friends etc. I went back to NZ 1 year ago as we could not afford the private schools here but also my yongest' old school in NZ was lovely near the beach in East Auckland so he wanted to go back. My husband then also came over to be closer to the kids home and I then moved back to Sydney as I had a better job offer. Having come back now and back from a recent visit to the UK, I cant wait to go back home to England. My opinion is that Australia is great if you have a partner, have a family/family there or if you are young but if you are single, its so hard to make friends and have a real life like I had in the UK. I think I delayed going back because of missing the high blue sky but I have realised that isnt living and I am missing out so much. I hate the Aussie work ethic of just work and even if you go out for drinks with people, its hard to make close friends. I know that if you keep meeting up with people after work in the UK, you end up going around to their homes and become good friends etc. We wanted to give the kids a safer and more varied life and they have had a great time living in 3 different countries but am certainly looking forward to having my base back in the UK. After 10 years, I feel like I have been on holiday for the whole time. Now I want a real life and settle down. I would never have not come here and NZ though, otherwise my children would not have had the wonderful opportunities that they have had (youngest is a qualified referee in NSW!). I think everyone should do this with a young family. But I can honestly say, thanks to living away from home for 10 years, I know appreciate it so much and want the quality of what is the British person, because it really is about people in the end. Fantastic post and I wish you well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairystar32 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I wish you and your family all the best xxxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Good luck on your move back, hope all goes smoothly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lpool7 Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 Thanks everyone, much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Good luck with your return to the UK Sounds like you are more than ready to be here. Whereabouts are you looking to return to? Somewhere familiar or a new area? Lots of choices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lpool7 Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 I am like a lot of people who move back - want to live in a place I have dreamed of so somewhere near history, maybe Oxford or near it probably so anyone who knows a good village or town near Oxford, I would really appreciate any advice, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wakeboard1980 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Good luck with the move back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Shame we can't swap situations! We're desperate to leave Oxfordshire and move to Oz or NZ. Weather here is mis! Work ethic seems crazy too as Brits work such long hours. The history is fabulous tho and I shall definitely miss the pubs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dianaos Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Hi All I just wanted to post my story here for anyone interested. We moved over 10 years ago to NZ when our kids were 11 and 6. Hated the first 2 years then started to love seeing the high blue sky everyday and living in East Auckland which is still beautiful. Then 3 years ago my older son, who had already played football for NZ Schoolboys, needed a better team so we moved to Australia and he did his HSC in NSW. Luckily he is also a hard worker and did so well in his studies and got a scholarship to a US University for Studies and Football. Unfortunately my husband and I split after 20 years together but are still very close friends, we should have just only ever been friends etc. I went back to NZ 1 year ago as we could not afford the private schools here but also my yongest' old school in NZ was lovely near the beach in East Auckland so he wanted to go back. My husband then also came over to be closer to the kids home and I then moved back to Sydney as I had a better job offer. Having come back now and back from a recent visit to the UK, I cant wait to go back home to England. My opinion is that Australia is great if you have a partner, have a family/family there or if you are young but if you are single, its so hard to make friends and have a real life like I had in the UK. I think I delayed going back because of missing the high blue sky but I have realised that isnt living and I am missing out so much. I hate the Aussie work ethic of just work and even if you go out for drinks with people, its hard to make close friends. I know that if you keep meeting up with people after work in the UK, you end up going around to their homes and become good friends etc. We wanted to give the kids a safer and more varied life and they have had a great time living in 3 different countries but am certainly looking forward to having my base back in the UK. After 10 years, I feel like I have been on holiday for the whole time. Now I want a real life and settle down. I would never have not come here and NZ though, otherwise my children would not have had the wonderful opportunities that they have had (youngest is a qualified referee in NSW!). I think everyone should do this with a young family. But I can honestly say, thanks to living away from home for 10 years, I know appreciate it so much and want the quality of what is the British person, because it really is about people in the end. Good luck with your move. I hope it all goes well. I, too am moving back after 10 years but in the reverse direction. I moved to the UK, 10 years ago for work reasons and because of a marriage breakup. I have now met a wonderful man here in the UK (futureinoz)and we have decided to move to Oz. He is a sufferer of SAD and I have family in Oz and potential grandchildren so now seems the right time to move. I have loved my time in the UK and although I know it rains a lot I love the landscape (which wouldn't be so green without the rain), the history, the architecture (apart from pebble dash...lol) and the people so I am definitely going to miss it. So many people think the grass is greener (no pun intended) on the other side of the fence but there is good and bad about every place. I just like to think the good outweighs the bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine111 Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Hi All I just wanted to post my story here for anyone interested. We moved over 10 years ago to NZ when our kids were 11 and 6. Hated the first 2 years then started to love seeing the high blue sky everyday and living in East Auckland which is still beautiful. Then 3 years ago my older son, who had already played football for NZ Schoolboys, needed a better team so we moved to Australia and he did his HSC in NSW. Luckily he is also a hard worker and did so well in his studies and got a scholarship to a US University for Studies and Football. Unfortunately my husband and I split after 20 years together but are still very close friends, we should have just only ever been friends etc. I went back to NZ 1 year ago as we could not afford the private schools here but also my yongest' old school in NZ was lovely near the beach in East Auckland so he wanted to go back. My husband then also came over to be closer to the kids home and I then moved back to Sydney as I had a better job offer. Having come back now and back from a recent visit to the UK, I cant wait to go back home to England. My opinion is that Australia is great if you have a partner, have a family/family there or if you are young but if you are single, its so hard to make friends and have a real life like I had in the UK. I think I delayed going back because of missing the high blue sky but I have realised that isnt living and I am missing out so much. I hate the Aussie work ethic of just work and even if you go out for drinks with people, its hard to make close friends. I know that if you keep meeting up with people after work in the UK, you end up going around to their homes and become good friends etc. We wanted to give the kids a safer and more varied life and they have had a great time living in 3 different countries but am certainly looking forward to having my base back in the UK. After 10 years, I feel like I have been on holiday for the whole time. Now I want a real life and settle down. I would never have not come here and NZ though, otherwise my children would not have had the wonderful opportunities that they have had (youngest is a qualified referee in NSW!). I think everyone should do this with a young family. But I can honestly say, thanks to living away from home for 10 years, I know appreciate it so much and want the quality of what is the British person, because it really is about people in the end. wishing you all the best with your next adventure. We were away 10 yrs, like you Nz first, then work opportunities took us to Perth. Was a great adventure being away, but good to be home. Especialliy seeing the Uk through different eyes & a new appreciation! good luck:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlobeTrotta Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 "But I can honestly say, thanks to living away from home for 10 years, I know appreciate it so much and want the quality of what is the British person, because it really is about people in the end." You are so right - good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlobeTrotta Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Banbury is close and a nice village...just a thought I have relatives there...good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lpool7 Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 Thanks Globe Trotta, I have a look at Banbury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lpool7 Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 Sunshine 111 you are so right. So many people tell me I will miss the weather, but after you have 'been there, done that and bought the t-shirt' its not the same anymore. Of course it would be great if the UK had great weather, but we cant have everything and I wouldnt stay in a country till my twilight years just for the weather. In the end it came down to 'do I want to grow old here' and the answer was an easy no for me. But as mentioned, NZ and Australia have given us great opportunities but then the natural time comes to go back. I also wonder if what sort of life and where one lived in the UK makes a difference to who goes back. Maybe...but I am going back to a different place so maybe not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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