Sunshine111 Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Top 20 tips for moving back to uk (Anyone think of anything else?!) 1.) write a 1,3,5 yr plan 2.) write this individually /couples/family 3.) think why you left in 1st place (help determine where to move) 4.) don't underestimate how long it can take to re-settle. 5.) 5yrs* is harder 6.) move in summer (creates positive memories!) 7.) expect to miss oz 8.) have regular review points - is everyone benefiting/happy 9.) don't expect to just slot into extended family, dynamics change particularly after 5yrs* 10.) have a top 20 list of places to visit in uk 11.) join national trust 12.) but a tent - is big over here now 13.) join tesco club card - great for days out saviings to parks 14.) book an overseas holiday in your 2nd year bsck 15.) expect year 3 to be naff, novelty worn off 16.) with the pioneering spirit you've gained do something new, set up a business/renovate a property. Take courage! 17.) be kind to yourself 18.) be kind to yourself 19.) research research research - areas to move back too 20.) don't believe the doom mongers, it is comparable to any other 1st world country. Determination and planning are key. Roman wasn't built in a day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunt Agatha Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Are you back already @Sunshine111? We're in the process of moving so my tips would be more about planning the move itself but n terms of being back in the UK I would add: Get on the electoral roll as soon as you return Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Treat it as a move forward not a move back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 IF we go, I'll certainly be treating it as a move forward, not back. I've been away so long (30 years) that when I think of moving to the UK, I don't think of it as moving "home" at all. I'm just moving to yet another foreign country, which I've done twice in my life before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinker78 Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 This is a great list so thanks! Apparently, the rule of thumb is that for every year you've been away, it takes a month to settle. I can see this being true. I'm expecting it to take a least a year, and I'm not expecting to like the things I didn't like before. But, I am expecting to appreciate certain things more....i am also not expecting to be friends with the same people (most have moved on, after a decade, only a tiny handful remain in touch), nor find it easy. I will miss Australia and expect to feel 'homesick ' for it. If you are realistic as opposed to idealistic it should ease the transition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy1982 Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I'm not expecting to like the things I didn't like before. But, I am expecting to appreciate certain things more What great quote, one that I can connect with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcorners Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Great list, I like the pioneering spirit part! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Excellent list! Cant think of much more to add really except perhaps join a group (mine are knitting groups - great people, good fun, lots of enabling) and don't expect the hole you left in other peoples' lives to still be there. oh yeah - invest in M&S thermal t shirts and leggings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toussaint Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Top 20 tips for moving back to uk(Anyone think of anything else?!) 6 years in OZ, back 9 months 1.) write a 1,3,5 yr plan - good point, we made a relatively quick decision to return, still wandering round like headless chooks - vote myself a fail on that one 2.) write this individually /couples/family - see above - fail 3.) think why you left in 1st place - left UK or OZ, confused on both! (help determine where to move) 4.) don't underestimate how long it can take to re-settle. Or, to cofuse issues, how you can initially settle, and then unsettle! 5.) 5yrs* is harder -- Indeed, to much water under the bridge in some ways 6.) move in summer (creates positive memories!) 7.) expect to miss oz - never thought I wood, but really do, forgotton the bad bits now, just like I forgot the bad bits about the UK! 8.) have regular review points -see fail 1 and 2, will do is everyone benefiting/happy 9.) don't expect to just slot into extended family, dynamics change - defo, havent seen 3/4 of what i considered close family, maybe a few noses out of joint, a bit of jealousy and a bit of serves you right for trying something particularly after 5yrs* 10.) have a top 20 list of places to visit in uk - good idea again 11.) join national trust - maybe 12.) but a tent - is big over here now - naahh 13.) join tesco club card - great for days out saviings to parks - 14.) book an overseas holiday in your 2nd year bsck 15.) expect year 3 to be naff, novelty worn off - not there yet, but if we do ping-pong, that is when it will be 16.) with the pioneering spirit you've gained do something new, set up a business/renovate a property. Take courage! - here here 17.) be kind to yourself - aint gonna happen! 18.) be kind to yourself - see 17 19.) research research research - areas to move back too - researched it pretty well as we returned to our house of 27 years! 20.) don't believe the doom mongers, it is comparable to any other 1st world country. Determination and planning are key. Roman wasn't built in a day! Agree, Brits are pretty self pittying in some respects Hope you don't mind my hijacking of your list!:wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine111 Posted October 31, 2014 Author Share Posted October 31, 2014 Hope you don't mind my hijacking of your list!:wink: Not at all toussaint. Not like school where you pass or fail, actually this is based on my experience after 3yrs of being in the uk having been away 10 yrs. my experience having not moved back to the same area, I see the uk in a better light. it is a far cry from the country we left because it was going down the pan. We researched, researched Researched - yet are a victim of our own success!! Our kids love it here, 5&1yrs when we left Perth. Oldest has more of a connection now. Me I feel the connection up oz & really miss it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzybangs Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 This is a great list so thanks! Apparently, the rule of thumb is that for every year you've been away, it takes a month to settle. I can see this being true. I'm expecting it to take a least a year, and I'm not expecting to like the things I didn't like before. But, I am expecting to appreciate certain things more....i am also not expecting to be friends with the same people (most have moved on, after a decade, only a tiny handful remain in touch), nor find it easy. I will miss Australia and expect to feel 'homesick ' for it. If you are realistic as opposed to idealistic it should ease the transition. Just started reading the post but cannot get past this comment! I went back for a year (had to return in April this year) after 32 years away. Woke in Newbury first morning where we had overnight stop, at 5am in March last year and went to look at the place. It was cold, damp, trees were bare of leaves but I was grinning the whole 2 hours I walked and didn't stop until we booked our flights back to Oz when I went into depression at the thought! Ergo, it took a few hours sleep, not 32 months! We are going back for good next year and I wish I'd returned many years earlier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Fuller Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Top 20 tips for moving back to uk(Anyone think of anything else?!) 1.) write a 1,3,5 yr plan 2.) write this individually /couples/family 3.) think why you left in 1st place (help determine where to move) 4.) don't underestimate how long it can take to re-settle. 5.) 5yrs* is harder 6.) move in summer (creates positive memories!) 7.) expect to miss oz 8.) have regular review points - is everyone benefiting/happy 9.) don't expect to just slot into extended family, dynamics change particularly after 5yrs* 10.) have a top 20 list of places to visit in uk 11.) join national trust 12.) but a tent - is big over here now 13.) join tesco club card - great for days out saviings to parks 14.) book an overseas holiday in your 2nd year bsck 15.) expect year 3 to be naff, novelty worn off 16.) with the pioneering spirit you've gained do something new, set up a business/renovate a property. Take courage! 17.) be kind to yourself 18.) be kind to yourself 19.) research research research - areas to move back too 20.) don't believe the doom mongers, it is comparable to any other 1st world country. Determination and planning are key. Roman wasn't built in a day! This is brilliant and makes more sense now we are back in the UK. We have only been back 3 months so very early days, but this list is useful. I would agree that surprisingly (as I was soooo homesick) I do miss Australia in many ways. I also do agree to have a 1 year plan...re-assess the situation are we happy and benefitting from being back. And god we should sooooo have moved back in spring. haha. But all great tips ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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