spouse of scouse

We're going back to Australia. Scouse has given it his best shot but he's just not happy here, the only place he wants to be is Oz. I've loved being here from day 1 but I was happy in Perth too, and will be again.

What's made the decision easier for me is that there's been no pressure from scouse, if I don't want to go back he'll stay and I know the man well enough to know that there'd never be any recriminations. The deciding factor for me is one happy person/one unhappy person in the UK, two happy people in Perth. No contest.

Now 'all' we need to do is work out the finances There's no doubt we'll take a hit in our income, but we'll be ok. We need to work through the best way to maximise our income in Oz, as we've sunk the majority of our funds into property here in the UK. As the designated admin person of the two of us , I'll learn as much as I can on my own and then get some professional advice.

Life's a big adventure, isn't it?

Dorothy

Yes, it certainly is an adventure. It's a big decision but it probably feels like a weight has been lifted now it's made.

Best of luck with selling your house and for a buyer with loads of £.

spouse of scouse

Thanks mate Yes, it's good to stop thinking and wondering, and start sorting things out.
I'll need to start making lists! Lots of lists!!

michali

I feel sad to hear your news but once you are both happy, that is all that matters. I suppose one bright spot in this is that you won’t have to through the stress of applying for any more visas to stay here! And, yes, life is an adventure and every move we make or step we take is part of our life experience. Do keep us updated and DONT leave the forum!!

spouse of scouse

Thanks for the lovely thoughts Michali. No way the forum will get rid of me, I enjoy it too much! I'll just be posting from a different place

prospect

I'm glad made you've made lots in your family happy! Walking thru those gates last week, we left a trail of upset immediate family behind, which was so hard to walk away from. Back home, I have quite a number of friends in a similar position with whom all we discuss is the concept of 'home' and where to make it; options sure make things more complicated these days. We made this decision for our kids but I also already wonder if we are setting them up for a life on not being sure quite where to make theirs. Can't worry about that -- but the thought does pop up every now and then. Relieved to hear you have a decision - and yes nothing better than a long list of tasks ahead to get sorted. All the best with things.

BuckinghamshireBoy

Bonza! Good on yer both!

Not an easy decision I'm sure, but as you say "The deciding factor for me is one happy person/one unhappy person in the UK, two happy people in Perth. No contest."

Perth is cool - despite what some others are saying in the "Capital of Cool" thread. I know Melbourne best, quite like that place. Sydney I'm not too fond of, and Cairns appears full of intoxicated Japanese

Massive adventure, wishing you all the best with it.

michali

I wouldn’t worry about the children, prospect. Kids are remarkably resilient and will make their own decisions when the time comes as to where they will live. Our two lived in three different countries and are now settled in the UK....but who knows if they would move at some point?! Hope not because that is why we came back! Seriously though, giving children the opportunity to live in different countries with different cultures can only enhance their life experience. Enjoy your time!

NiHao

I'm glad you have the peace of having made a decision but sorry you have to go through the process/cost of moving again. Life really is an adventure, it doesn't matter how much we think we've got things planned out we still get curve balls like this, who'd have guessed Scouse would want to move back! I hope you will look back on your time together in the UK with fond memories as you enjoy living in Perth again. What sort of time scale are thinking till the move?

spouse of scouse

Oh boy, do I feel for you re the upset family! Everything about moving from Australia to the UK was happy except for that. Not that my family weren't happy for me, they were, but seeing them try to hold back the tears at 'the last goodbye' and failing miserably is just so sad

You're doing a wonderful thing for your kids. Whether or not they decide to return to Australia or live elsewhere when they've grown up, the experience of living in another country can only be beneficial.

Thanks very much for your lovely post - I'll be keeping an eye on how things are going for you. In a nice way, not a stalking way of course! Cheers.

spouse of scouse

Thanks NiHao, you wise and wonderful woman. Yes, never entered my head that Scouse would want to return to Oz! I count ourselves as very fortunate to have the choice though. It's been great for me to live in the UK, and as for Scouse, I think it's given him a fresh perspective of Australia. At least, I hope it has because if he wants to move back to the UK in a couple of years he can bloody well go on his own!

Definitely by the end of this year, sooner if at all possible. So much to do and sort out.

spouse of scouse

Oh that bloody 'Capital of Cool' thread! Just as well that I don't pay much attention to all that malarky, I'd be as miserable as sin by now

Had to laugh at your take on Cairns, I've only visited briefly but any place full of intoxicated Japanese sounds quite fun

Thanks very much for the encouragement

Caroline in Arizona

Spouse of scouse - I’m sure you are feeling a huge sense of relief now that the decision has been made to return to Australia. All the very best with your list-making! Thanks for your support as we make the move back to Scotland hopefully this summer - one TKR surgery down for my DH and one to go!!

spouse of scouse

Thanks Caroline - yes, it's good to be able to focus instead of wondering! I'm spending a lot of time getting reacquainted with the property market back home, *hopefully* this will be our last move so I want to get it right.

How's your DH going? Is his surgeon optimistic that the surgery was successful, and is he (husband, not surgeon!) managing the exercising ok?

Summer - eeek, that'll come around quickly! Hope all's going well.

Caroline in Arizona

Spouse of scouse - DH is doing well. Pretty intense recovery with the pain, swelling and PT. I’ve become a cheerleader and counter of the repetitions. I even join in with some of the exercises for moral support. He saw the surgeon today and next TKR scheduled for 14th March. If my DH waited too long I don’t think he’d want to go through this again!