My take on return to the UK
Oct 27th 2011, 12:06 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 72
My take on return to the UK
Having been in Australia for five years and due to changing family circumstances and the favourable exchange rate......we decided it was time to return. Initially we loved Australia but I did have a hard time finding work, I think this was due to the area we lived. I did lots of casual jobs and about a year before our return I found a job I loved. We didn't have a mortgage and we had more disposable income than we had ever had. We were pretty happy.
We had left three grown up single children in the UK and over the years they had formed relationships and decided to have their own children so we were in a position of shall we return or shan't we. After much deliberation we decided that although we loved living here, we felt that we couldn't see ourselves growing old here. The pull of family was getting stronger, grandchildren we hadn't seen, parents getting older, daughter's wedding etc etc.
Anyway we left our jobs, packed up, sorted the dogs ready for their return, sold the house and off we went. We had to travel for five weeks around Australia with two dogs as certain members of our family in the UK that could of helped, decided not to which delayed our return, cost us a lot of money and added to the stress. This did make me question our return. Anyway we returned to the UK in July and so far things have been sort of ok.
The family side of things have been up and down. Living in Australia we didn't have to put up with the family shite which I have to admit was a bloody bonus. Yes it's nice to see the grandchildren but as selfish as it sounds I much preferred not having to deal with the family issues!
Things I've found on the positive side:
Pubs.....loving the old pubs, atmosphere, log fires etc.
Sense of humour.....British beats Australia hands down.
Beauty.....taken for granted....maybe....but the countryside is beautiful and the old market towns are gorgeous.
Nice to be with people that "get you"
Able to take the dogs on a long country walk without worrying about being bitten by snakes, killer ticks etc.
Cheaper and better shopping.
Negative side:
Doom and gloom....haven't read a newspaper since being back and don't really watch much news but the brits love to moan.
Job situation not great, there seem to be a lot of jobs advertised but a lot of applicants per job.
House prices are ok but people that bought in the boom are still thinking they can make a profit so unwilling to drop on price as don't want to lose money.
Houses are tiny and every bugger seems to think it's ok to pave the garden! WTF!
Phone signal is shite! When we were traveling around Oz we were always able to get 3G. Not here....I only have to go in Waitrose and no signal!
We had to wait 5 weeks to get internet connection! We had to go down to the local cafe every day to get on the internet as they had free wifi.
Weather...hasn't really bothered me that much but must admit the grey sky does grate a little bit!
Was it worth it.......not sure yet. I will let you know when I decide.......
We had left three grown up single children in the UK and over the years they had formed relationships and decided to have their own children so we were in a position of shall we return or shan't we. After much deliberation we decided that although we loved living here, we felt that we couldn't see ourselves growing old here. The pull of family was getting stronger, grandchildren we hadn't seen, parents getting older, daughter's wedding etc etc.
Anyway we left our jobs, packed up, sorted the dogs ready for their return, sold the house and off we went. We had to travel for five weeks around Australia with two dogs as certain members of our family in the UK that could of helped, decided not to which delayed our return, cost us a lot of money and added to the stress. This did make me question our return. Anyway we returned to the UK in July and so far things have been sort of ok.
The family side of things have been up and down. Living in Australia we didn't have to put up with the family shite which I have to admit was a bloody bonus. Yes it's nice to see the grandchildren but as selfish as it sounds I much preferred not having to deal with the family issues!
Things I've found on the positive side:
Pubs.....loving the old pubs, atmosphere, log fires etc.
Sense of humour.....British beats Australia hands down.
Beauty.....taken for granted....maybe....but the countryside is beautiful and the old market towns are gorgeous.
Nice to be with people that "get you"
Able to take the dogs on a long country walk without worrying about being bitten by snakes, killer ticks etc.
Cheaper and better shopping.
Negative side:
Doom and gloom....haven't read a newspaper since being back and don't really watch much news but the brits love to moan.
Job situation not great, there seem to be a lot of jobs advertised but a lot of applicants per job.
House prices are ok but people that bought in the boom are still thinking they can make a profit so unwilling to drop on price as don't want to lose money.
Houses are tiny and every bugger seems to think it's ok to pave the garden! WTF!
Phone signal is shite! When we were traveling around Oz we were always able to get 3G. Not here....I only have to go in Waitrose and no signal!
We had to wait 5 weeks to get internet connection! We had to go down to the local cafe every day to get on the internet as they had free wifi.
Weather...hasn't really bothered me that much but must admit the grey sky does grate a little bit!
Was it worth it.......not sure yet. I will let you know when I decide.......
Oct 27th 2011, 12:13 am
#2
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 72
Re: My take on return to the UK
Add on...they are currently playing wanted down under on BBC at the moment. What a load of shite that is.... how naive are these people! Yeah we surf all the time, don't work and the wages and houses are amazing. What they don't say is that you work 40 plus hours per week, watch tele every night, shopping at the weekend. Same as UK but the sun shines more!
Oct 27th 2011, 2:23 am
#3
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: The REAL Utopia.
Posts: 9,910
Re: My take on return to the UK
What a nice refreshing post, you are in a wonderful part of the country, I love the Cotswolds.
It's funny because I am labelled a 'hater' by some on here but that couldn't be further from the truth. I have lived in both countries for almost equal amounts of time and truly love both in different ways. For us the UK is going to offer us more, for others it is the opposite.
The ironic thing is that we are hopefully going to be able to have a bigger house back in the UK, many of your other points I agree with.
It's funny because I am labelled a 'hater' by some on here but that couldn't be further from the truth. I have lived in both countries for almost equal amounts of time and truly love both in different ways. For us the UK is going to offer us more, for others it is the opposite.
The ironic thing is that we are hopefully going to be able to have a bigger house back in the UK, many of your other points I agree with.
Oct 27th 2011, 2:52 am
#4
---
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,994
Re: My take on return to the UK
I have come to realise in my 5 years overseas that I miss my family and it hurts, but I am generally happier missing them.
Oct 27th 2011, 6:24 am
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Scotland
Posts: 3,337
Re: My take on return to the UK
Intersting post. These are the things we have to think about over the next month and decide on if we return to the UK.
Job area doesnt concern me as it will stay doing the same job i do now.
Do worry about the weather.
Job area doesnt concern me as it will stay doing the same job i do now.
Do worry about the weather.
Oct 27th 2011, 7:47 am
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 8,378
Re: My take on return to the UK
Weather for the past couple of months where I have been (mainly south east but up as far as the North of Scotland) has been fabulous. On Monday the girls and I went for lunch and we ate outside in the sunshine wearing t shirts (and no flies either!). I have been amazed at the number of days where there has been sunshine and clear blue skies - guess I was expecting the drab grey because that is what everyone tells me it always is! I am expecting a cold winter so it wont come as any surprise!
Positives for me are
Courteous drivers
The NHS (with parents having 3 ambulances and hospital visits between them +after care rehab services)
The variety of things to do/see/buy/ all within a small radius
The negatives are
The impending restrictions of caring for two slightly cantankerous elderly parents
Waving goodbye to the smiliest little granddaughter yesterday as she (and her parents and sister!) went on the bus to Heathrow to return to Australia (mind you, I resented their intrusion into our lives in Canberra as they lived on our block - looks like I wont be getting too much 'me' time in retirement anyway)
OP, hope your return goes well - dont read the papers, it makes for a much less gloomier outlook!!
Positives for me are
Courteous drivers
The NHS (with parents having 3 ambulances and hospital visits between them +after care rehab services)
The variety of things to do/see/buy/ all within a small radius
The negatives are
The impending restrictions of caring for two slightly cantankerous elderly parents
Waving goodbye to the smiliest little granddaughter yesterday as she (and her parents and sister!) went on the bus to Heathrow to return to Australia (mind you, I resented their intrusion into our lives in Canberra as they lived on our block - looks like I wont be getting too much 'me' time in retirement anyway)
OP, hope your return goes well - dont read the papers, it makes for a much less gloomier outlook!!
Oct 27th 2011, 8:07 am
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,584
Re: My take on return to the UK
We had to travel for five weeks around Australia with two dogs as certain members of our family in the UK that could of helped, decided not to which delayed our return, cost us a lot of money and added to the stress. This did make me question our return. Anyway we returned to the UK in July and so far things have been sort of ok.
The family side of things have been up and down. Living in Australia we didn't have to put up with the family shite which I have to admit was a bloody bonus. Yes it's nice to see the grandchildren but as selfish as it sounds I much preferred not having to deal with the family issues!
The family side of things have been up and down. Living in Australia we didn't have to put up with the family shite which I have to admit was a bloody bonus. Yes it's nice to see the grandchildren but as selfish as it sounds I much preferred not having to deal with the family issues!
Oct 27th 2011, 8:18 am
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,526
Re: My take on return to the UK
Weather for the past couple of months where I have been (mainly south east but up as far as the North of Scotland) has been fabulous. On Monday the girls and I went for lunch and we ate outside in the sunshine wearing t shirts (and no flies either!). I have been amazed at the number of days where there has been sunshine and clear blue skies - guess I was expecting the drab grey because that is what everyone tells me it always is! I am expecting a cold winter so it wont come as any surprise!
Positives for me are
Courteous drivers
The NHS (with parents having 3 ambulances and hospital visits between them +after care rehab services)
The variety of things to do/see/buy/ all within a small radius
The negatives are
The impending restrictions of caring for two slightly cantankerous elderly parents
Waving goodbye to the smiliest little granddaughter yesterday as she (and her parents and sister!) went on the bus to Heathrow to return to Australia (mind you, I resented their intrusion into our lives in Canberra as they lived on our block - looks like I wont be getting too much 'me' time in retirement anyway)
OP, hope your return goes well - dont read the papers, it makes for a much less gloomier outlook!!
Positives for me are
Courteous drivers
The NHS (with parents having 3 ambulances and hospital visits between them +after care rehab services)
The variety of things to do/see/buy/ all within a small radius
The negatives are
The impending restrictions of caring for two slightly cantankerous elderly parents
Waving goodbye to the smiliest little granddaughter yesterday as she (and her parents and sister!) went on the bus to Heathrow to return to Australia (mind you, I resented their intrusion into our lives in Canberra as they lived on our block - looks like I wont be getting too much 'me' time in retirement anyway)
OP, hope your return goes well - dont read the papers, it makes for a much less gloomier outlook!!
Just up the road really. I want to give it a go... It'll take your mind of the elderly rellies .
Enjoy yourself in the UK
Oct 27th 2011, 8:27 am
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: My take on return to the UK
Having been in Australia for five years and due to changing family circumstances and the favourable exchange rate......we decided it was time to return. Initially we loved Australia but I did have a hard time finding work, I think this was due to the area we lived. I did lots of casual jobs and about a year before our return I found a job I loved. We didn't have a mortgage and we had more disposable income than we had ever had. We were pretty happy.
We had left three grown up single children in the UK and over the years they had formed relationships and decided to have their own children so we were in a position of shall we return or shan't we. After much deliberation we decided that although we loved living here, we felt that we couldn't see ourselves growing old here. The pull of family was getting stronger, grandchildren we hadn't seen, parents getting older, daughter's wedding etc etc.
Anyway we left our jobs, packed up, sorted the dogs ready for their return, sold the house and off we went. We had to travel for five weeks around Australia with two dogs as certain members of our family in the UK that could of helped, decided not to which delayed our return, cost us a lot of money and added to the stress. This did make me question our return. Anyway we returned to the UK in July and so far things have been sort of ok.
The family side of things have been up and down. Living in Australia we didn't have to put up with the family shite which I have to admit was a bloody bonus. Yes it's nice to see the grandchildren but as selfish as it sounds I much preferred not having to deal with the family issues!
Things I've found on the positive side:
Pubs.....loving the old pubs, atmosphere, log fires etc.
Sense of humour.....British beats Australia hands down.
Beauty.....taken for granted....maybe....but the countryside is beautiful and the old market towns are gorgeous.
Nice to be with people that "get you"
Able to take the dogs on a long country walk without worrying about being bitten by snakes, killer ticks etc.
Cheaper and better shopping.
Negative side:
Doom and gloom....haven't read a newspaper since being back and don't really watch much news but the brits love to moan.
Job situation not great, there seem to be a lot of jobs advertised but a lot of applicants per job.
House prices are ok but people that bought in the boom are still thinking they can make a profit so unwilling to drop on price as don't want to lose money.
Houses are tiny and every bugger seems to think it's ok to pave the garden! WTF!
Phone signal is shite! When we were traveling around Oz we were always able to get 3G. Not here....I only have to go in Waitrose and no signal!
We had to wait 5 weeks to get internet connection! We had to go down to the local cafe every day to get on the internet as they had free wifi.
Weather...hasn't really bothered me that much but must admit the grey sky does grate a little bit!
Was it worth it.......not sure yet. I will let you know when I decide.......
We had left three grown up single children in the UK and over the years they had formed relationships and decided to have their own children so we were in a position of shall we return or shan't we. After much deliberation we decided that although we loved living here, we felt that we couldn't see ourselves growing old here. The pull of family was getting stronger, grandchildren we hadn't seen, parents getting older, daughter's wedding etc etc.
Anyway we left our jobs, packed up, sorted the dogs ready for their return, sold the house and off we went. We had to travel for five weeks around Australia with two dogs as certain members of our family in the UK that could of helped, decided not to which delayed our return, cost us a lot of money and added to the stress. This did make me question our return. Anyway we returned to the UK in July and so far things have been sort of ok.
The family side of things have been up and down. Living in Australia we didn't have to put up with the family shite which I have to admit was a bloody bonus. Yes it's nice to see the grandchildren but as selfish as it sounds I much preferred not having to deal with the family issues!
Things I've found on the positive side:
Pubs.....loving the old pubs, atmosphere, log fires etc.
Sense of humour.....British beats Australia hands down.
Beauty.....taken for granted....maybe....but the countryside is beautiful and the old market towns are gorgeous.
Nice to be with people that "get you"
Able to take the dogs on a long country walk without worrying about being bitten by snakes, killer ticks etc.
Cheaper and better shopping.
Negative side:
Doom and gloom....haven't read a newspaper since being back and don't really watch much news but the brits love to moan.
Job situation not great, there seem to be a lot of jobs advertised but a lot of applicants per job.
House prices are ok but people that bought in the boom are still thinking they can make a profit so unwilling to drop on price as don't want to lose money.
Houses are tiny and every bugger seems to think it's ok to pave the garden! WTF!
Phone signal is shite! When we were traveling around Oz we were always able to get 3G. Not here....I only have to go in Waitrose and no signal!
We had to wait 5 weeks to get internet connection! We had to go down to the local cafe every day to get on the internet as they had free wifi.
Weather...hasn't really bothered me that much but must admit the grey sky does grate a little bit!
Was it worth it.......not sure yet. I will let you know when I decide.......
Focus on the positives.
It's your life, you make it. Some people will take you to task over details you have said, 'blue sky/grey sky', 'log fire' 'no log fire' ...mobile phone reception...the possibilities are endless....but we all get different deals.
Oct 27th 2011, 11:25 am
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 8,378
Re: My take on return to the UK
Hey Quoll... Can you go and do this for me and tell me what it's like please
Just up the road really. I want to give it a go... It'll take your mind of the elderly rellies .
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RXozxnhp9Ck
Enjoy yourself in the UK
Just up the road really. I want to give it a go... It'll take your mind of the elderly rellies .
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RXozxnhp9Ck
Enjoy yourself in the UK
Oct 27th 2011, 11:50 am
#13
FREE TIBET
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 18,840
Re: My take on return to the UK
Hey Quoll... Can you go and do this for me and tell me what it's like please
Just up the road really. I want to give it a go... It'll take your mind of the elderly rellies .
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RXozxnhp9Ck
Enjoy yourself in the UK
Just up the road really. I want to give it a go... It'll take your mind of the elderly rellies .
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RXozxnhp9Ck
Enjoy yourself in the UK
Oct 27th 2011, 12:18 pm
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,526
Re: My take on return to the UK
Might work up to it. Gained a fear of heights here in Aus... after climbing up one of those big concrete Wheat Silos you see through NSW. What I didnt realise before agreeing on the tour, was not only how high they go also the fact that inside they only have those thin iron ladders with see through metal mesh platforms at every turn... Hence when you get up really high near the conveyor belt and your jumping across gaps big enough to fall through... you can see right through the metal mesh platforms to the ground. I didnt notice myself getting worried until all of a sudden I just froze.
Been dodgy with heights since that day... and never had bother with them before that day.
So I really may give that Skydiving thing a go... just to see if I can take the next step.
Sorry for the digression to thread.... but it is part of life in Aus... Country wheat silos I mean LOL
.
Oct 27th 2011, 12:31 pm
#15
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: My take on return to the UK
Might work up to it. Gained a fear of heights here in Aus... after climbing up one of those big concrete Wheat Silos you see through NSW. What I didnt realise before agreeing on the tour, was not only how high they go also the fact that inside they only have those thin iron ladders with see through metal mesh platforms at every turn... Hence when you get up really high near the conveyor belt and your jumping across gaps big enough to fall through... you can see right through the metal mesh platforms to the ground. I didnt notice myself getting worried until all of a sudden I just froze.
Been dodgy with heights since that day... and never had bother with them before that day.
So I really may give that Skydiving thing a go... just to see if I can take the next step.
Sorry for the digression to thread.... but it is part of life in Aus... Country wheat silos I mean LOL
.
Been dodgy with heights since that day... and never had bother with them before that day.
So I really may give that Skydiving thing a go... just to see if I can take the next step.
Sorry for the digression to thread.... but it is part of life in Aus... Country wheat silos I mean LOL
.
Sorry OP, great post, hope the move works out, and 'things' settle down for you. Another one who loves the line about missing family. So true.