Sorry to hear that Kingseat.

Is it that you don't like Perth or that you miss home? Will things be easier once you gain PR and the littl'uns at school and you can be more independent?

aw poor you. How long left til the studies are finished?

My one piece of advice would be don't make any hasty decisions ... especially after all you've put in to be here.

<<hugs>> from shears

I know but i was not sure what else to say

I forgot to put good luck in what you decide Kingseat i hope things work out for the best for you and your family x

Lindzi

It must be really hard when as a couple/family you are split on how you are feeling. The student visa is really tough, especially at the moment!!

Good luck to you!!
Mandy

Sorry you are feeling that way love, anything any of us can do?

We're here until he finishes the course which at the moment will be January next year but our visas run until September 2011.

Nothing anyone can do as it is me who needs to get my head straight!

Even moving in a city can totally change your lifestyle. Big difference between inner and outer suburbs, beachside, hillside etc

Mr brother and SIL and 3 small children were in Brisbane for 18 months. He loved it but she couldn't settle. She was desperate to come home but he wanted to stay. So they agreed to try another state before coming back here. They went to Melbourne as they had friends living there and have never looked back. They are both so happy. My SIL has made loads of new friends, something she found difficult in BNE (not sure why that was ) and neither of them are contemplating moving back here to the UK again. They have now been in MEL for just over a year.

I think that is what they call a "Trifecta" ... perfect fit for me

Maybe explore QLD, NSW and VIC , If you have the chance drive from Brisbane down to Melbourne maybe hire a campervan and you get to see the countryside not just the cities.

When we first came to Oz we did months and months of research about the states and decided on Adelaide as we wanted seasons, small town feel, warmer weather etc...... 1 year on and we had had enough really. Untill you actually live somewhere you never really know what the place is like. Adelaide turned out to be freezing in the winter, and altogether not that different from the UK. We had friends up in QLD and came for a look. Returned home, sold house and drove up to QLD. Certainly the best thing we ever did.
Angela xx

Why are you unhappy?

Can you actually pinpoint the reasons?

Are you just missing family / friends and familiarity? Or is it something about the suburb or city you dislike? Or is it the country in general – the people, the weather, the animals etc...

If you are missing family / friends and familiarity – chances are you will be unhappy everywhere.

But if it is just the area you live in – then chances are you can be very happy elsewhere.

I didn’t really like living in a remote outback country town, as the locals were very parochial. But I absolutely love living where I now live (outskirts of Sydney), as ironically the locals are really friendly.

I love Sydney, as there are so many things to do so close to the city: A beautiful harbour for sailing, gorgeous national parks, theatres, art galleries, great food (cheap food), restaurants, scenic walks, good colleges and unis, historic sites, swimming and surfing beaches galore, waterfalls, wineries, mountains (snow in winter in the Blue Mountains only an hour from Sydney + skiing in the Snowy Mountains is only a 4.5 hour drive from Sydney).

Of course, some of the suburbs are absolutely shite – so choose wisely. Or even better, take a little holiday and check it out first.

If I didn’t live in Sydney – my other choices would be somewhere like the NSW Northern Rivers Region OR somewhere along the The Waterfall Way drive in NSW OR Atherton Tablelands in QLD.

Sadly not much work in these places, so Sydney is a better bet.

So can you actually pinpoint the reasons for being unhappy?

It is not long until January 2011 - so just go with the flow and try to find things that will make you happy in the meantime.

If your visas run out in September 2011, I highly suggest that (if you haven’t done so already) you buy a cheap car (or take a bus) and do a bit of travelling before you go home to the UK.

A city is a city is a city is a city – pretty much the same the world over - so get out and see the REAL Australia.

The natural wonders like the wildflowers of WA, the waterfalls, the sacred sites (aboriginal dreamtime), the unique wildlife, the world heritage ancient rainforests, the national parks, the wild coastline, the hot springs, the outback tracks, the “historic” pubs, the bushranger caves, swim with the dolphins, learn to play the didgeridoo, go 4WD up Cape York (take the old track if you dare), driving in the outback desert, go fishing in a billabong (watch out for crocs), fly over the Bungle Bungles, got spooked at Hanging Rock, experience the energies at the Olgas, climb Ayres Rock, camp at the Devils Marbles, see the UFOs and lights in Min Min, track a swamp bunyip in the Blue Mountains, crack open a coconut on a deserted Cape Tribulation beach......oh yes, and watch out for drop bears!

You can pick-up backpackers to share the cost of petrol and should be able to find cash in hand / fruit picking jobs on the road. You can do it really cheaply (i.e.) backpacker hostels, YHA's or camping.

Do NOT go back to the UK without seeing these wonderful sites, as they are truly amazing. This is how you fall in love with Australia.

I fell in love with Australia in Cape Tribulation:
http://www.google.com.au/images?rls=...ed=0CEAQsAQwBA

Hi Kingseat, if you want to meet up for a chat and cup of tea, let me know. I travelled around Australia as a backpacker for a year, then from Perth to Sydney to Brisbane on my next trip. If you did decide to try other states, you could meet BE members in each location, as well as have a great trip. I know what it's like living in Perth, and feeling that I've got to get out.

Were in QLD for work and every day miss WA - but then we were there a long time, friends etc. We'll go back in a couple of years I think. Its the humidity, hills and traffic that kill us in BNE. WA is really our home and we know it now!