Gothnet Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 If you'd told me two years ago as I was booking my flight and preparing to fly out in four or five weeks, that I'd have decided to ship out again by now, I would have probably laughed in your face... Everyone likes a story so here's a quick one - I needed a change from London; after almost a decade the big city life was starting to tire me. It was great in my 20s, not so much now. So I decided to come out to Oz. Perth seemed good because there were a couple of folks I knew and a job waiting for me if I could get a visa. A year of gathering paperwork, filling out forms and waiting with bated breath and it was off, off to the dreamland in the sun. I bought a small-ish 4x4 and spent the first 4 months on the road, did a complete circuit of the coast, saw wonderful sights, met wonderful people and enjoyed myself no end. I got back to Perth and reality hit... but that was OK, a new job and a new life was fun and exciting too. I went furniture shopping and bought a new tv and tried to settle into the routine of getting up in the morning and going to work again :mad: Fast forward a year or so, I'd settled into the Perth life but not made a lot of friends and was a little lonely. I took a trip back to the UK to visit friends and family and realised that everything I did in those three weeks was everything my life was missing over here - lazy afternoons in the pub with folks I'd known for a decade (or two, or even three in soime cases), familiar faces, familiar places and a good British curry. Coming back to Perth after that was still good - I had missed the sunshine and the space, and London is oh-so dirty and filthy by comparison, but by this point I think I'd started telling myself Perth was temporary and I'd just stick around for the four or so years to get citizenship (and with it the ability to move around freely), then think about going back 'home'. Over the next few months everything just completely lost its shine. By Christmas, even though I wasn't on my own for Christmas day, I was just miserable and barely making it out of the house or even out of bed on my days off, missing everyone back home and thinking about them *all* the time. My mother picked up on this over the phone and nagged at me that I ought to make more of an effort to meet people or seriously think about coming back, to which I snapped "that's exactly what I am thinking about", and realised that it was, and that this Oz experiment was over. As soon as that happened and I knew I was going to go home again the depression lifted. I dearly love Australia, its hugeness, its natural beauty, its people and even its vegemite is acceptable :biggrin: But in the end the people I want in my life aren't here and that matters more. Really it was over as soon as I started to think it wasn't forever. In a few months when the rental lease is up I'm going to head on home. It's been an overwhelmingly positive experience, especially my four months on the road, and I'll be back to visit sooner or later but that's it for now... So, anyone know a good international removal firm or even a cheaper way of shipping stuff from Perth to... wherever the hell I end up next in the UK? I cut my worldly possessions down to two suitcases on the way over, then rented an unfurnished house and have more stuff than ever before! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckleface Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I don't usually respond to posts in this section but your post is one of the nicest I have read :notworthy: Good luck and hope the move 'home' goes smoothly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Good luck, hun! Just remember when its cold and miserable over there- you are amongst friends! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackboots Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 You have to do what is right for you , who is to say you may end up in canada next time you decide a move .. the worlds getting smaller and its great to get out and see it :wink: lovely post !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest17301 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Great post, sounds like youve had fun in Australia if nothing else..what an experience, its what life is all about after all...who knows where you'll be in another 5 years, thats the most exciting bit......the not knowing, go wherever your heart takes you and sod the rest of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supa Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 What a lovely post. Beautifully written, succinct and interesting - perhaps try being a writer?! Well done on your Oz experiment and all the best for the next chapter in your life; sounds like you are making the right decision for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Good luck with the move! Sometimes there is just no putting the finger on what isn't quite right but you will know when it is right! Hope the next step in your life adventure is all that you wish it to be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gothnet Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 Thanks for all the positive responses - it's true, we never know where we're going to end up in life, and a couple of years can be a lifetime in itself. And thanks supa, I had been thinking about a change of career! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Great post ... good luck .... I suspect your travelling days aren't over and there's more of the world to see for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine111 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 great post and good luck with your next adventure. Used Grace from Perth ourselves last August. All boxes no furniture. They were the cheapest at the time and you could pick the boxes up from their forrestfield depot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gothnet Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 great post and good luck with your next adventure. Used Grace from Perth ourselves last August. All boxes no furniture. They were the cheapest at the time and you could pick the boxes up from their forrestfield depot. Hey, thanks for that, I've applied for a quote from them now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 God - it's nice to get a post in this section without people jumping on the returnee. Enjoy, and remember, you can always visit Oz again. I think you may even be able to count the time you spend in the UK if you want to go for citizenship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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