We have made the decision to go back to the UK, I know some will say we didn't give it long enough but I know where I want to be and have realised it's not Canada.
We are heading back at the beginning of May so I am now going to relax and enjoy our last 6/7 weeks here.
Our daughter has already gone back, we drove up to Toronto yesterday and she flew back. She has gone back first (staying with my brother) so that she can try and catch up and take her GCSEs. We were finding it hard to find courses that she could do in September. It was a hard seperation but we thought it was best for her and 7 weeks will hopefully go quickly.
I would like to thank the great friends I have made here who have made my last weeks here good ones, thanks, Karen and Monique.
At least we gave it a try and won't be for ever saying What If??
Thanks for listening and I wish all those setting out on their journey the best of luck. Canada is a beautiful country just not for us.

Best of luck.

You're right - I think you probably didn't give it long enough. You only experienced winter. It takes a year for most people to even start to feel like they are settling - and probably another year to actually feel settled.

However, that doesn't mean that you're making the wrong decision to go back to the UK - because Canada might just not be the place for you no matter how long you stay. There's no point in being really unhappy - life is too short for that. You've made the decision that you think is best for you and your family. I wish you the best of luck.

There's no shame in admitting that Canada isn't for you... you did it... tried it...its not for you and good on you for admitting to yourselves that you need to go home. I wish you all the best and hope you find what you are looking for. Are you going back to the same place in the UK or relocating?

Hard decision most likely, but now you have made it you have a clear path forward. Best of luck with your relocation.

Thanks everyone for your best wishes, we will be moving back to Huddesrfield where we emigrated from.

All the best with your move back to the UK. At least you tried Canada. You were brave to do that.

Good Luck to you and your family !

From my take it's better to go back sooner than later ~ Having had a really crappy time in the first six months we were close to going back..... Now our eldest daughter has returned to the Uk ~ My wife and I are separated and 3 years in I cannot see how it would even be possible (finacially) to return to the Uk. So I'm stuck with with.

Sorry to hear things haven't worked for you, I totally know how you feel. If you aren't happy there's always a way back.

After being a member on this board for some time now I am beginning to realise, if it's not working it's not working, although I wouldn't recommend going back before the first 12 months (it can take longer to settle in a new town, let alone a new country). For me it's taken a particularly cold winter and 5.5 years and some other factors to have doubts.

I wish everyone contemplating a return journey all the best. Its a tough decision to stay, it's a tough decision to go.

Maybe there's never a 'right' place for us, maybe we just sometimes pitch up in a place that seems like the right place at the right time. I was born in the UK be never felt like I fitted in, then spent my twenties and thirties as a nomad. Ten years ago, I was convinced France was home.... it was and a great decade we've had of it. But now it's time to move on, I still love my home, but it's time to go. I am sincerely hoping that I feel ' at home' in Canada for at least ten years, and I'm willing to give it a good shot. Good for you for recognising that you'd be better off not staying in Canada. In a way though, I think it's a huge relief when you finally get to the decision, it's exhausting being in the 'not sure' camp. Very best of luck with your return. I visited the UK last week for the first time in years, and had a blast. It's a super country for all sort of things, and I couldn't believe how friendly people were. Is your daughter delighted at being back 'home'?

I am sorry to hear things have not worked out for you, but you are doing what is best for you and your family. I read your other post about this and really felt for you - and it made me realise what a difficult decision my 14 year old daughter is in! We are still in the UK and planning on moving later this year - although after much debate and discussion, our daughter wants to finish year 11 and then she will emigrate with us, so we have delayed till next year.

Reading about your daughters friends discussing proms etc, and I realised that it could be us if we went earlier!!

I know that it is going to be hard for her whatever age she moves, I am hoping that by her effectively "finishing" school here, it will make it easier as many of her friends will be moving on at that time.

I moved from South Africa to the UK when I was 20, and I had an awful time of it settling here - until I started at nursing school, which gave me a whole set of new friends and a new life. I have no family here in the UK now, my nearest relative is in USA - so I am not anticipating missing too much from here......

Good luck with your move back home.

For some reason that really struck a chord with me. I think you're absolutely right.

I loved living in the UK, loved my time at uni there and there were many things I liked about the UK. I still miss family and friends, the football, the pub culture, the humour/sarcasm, the ability to hop over to other European countries, etc.

When I was 24, the opportunity to move to Canada presented itself and I took it. My wife and I had a blast in Toronto and ended up staying 7 years instead of the 1-2 years we had originally planned. Things changed again and a move back to the UK was the right option. We had a great time reconnecting with friends and family and living in London for 2 years. Eventually it was time to move on again and we've been in Maryland for the last 13 years. We've had a great time here too - visiting different places and watching our 4 children grow. However, we have 2 kids who will be going off to uni (both probably to Canada - one this September and another the following year) and we're starting to get itchy feet again. I think another move is definitely on the cards sometime over the next 2 years.

I think she is doing ok, it's her first full day back at school today so we will see ahet she says later when she phones on skype!!