Well, it's been a tough couple of years. Nothing seems to have gone well since we've been in Ontario. Everything has been a compromise, a challenge, and a test.
It took more than 19 months for me to get a job, and every minute of that 19 months was depressing, financially very challenged, and tested our marriage, and our children's resilience. We've finally had enough.
My mum died in March, quite suddenly, but I managed to get back to see her for a few days - the first time I had seen her in 2 years. She didn't get to see her grandchildren (her only grandchildren) again.
We had to fight to get our children from their awful rough school into a school where they felt safe enough to learn. Our children had to fight to be accepted in everything they did. My husband hates his job, I hate mine.
There are things we love. The summers are fantastic, the winters are beautiful (though minus 38 wasn't fun), the falls are - well, leafy. We love the space, the fresh air, the fact that we have a driveway and 3 acres of garden. We've met good people (and bad), and we have good memories (and bad).
The shad flies, black flies and mosquitoes aren't pleasant neighbours.
Anyway, we have decided to go back. We know that 2 years isn't very long, and things could get better, but we feel it is long enough.
If we go now, our older children can go back to their old schools and study for their A levels and GCSE's respectively. If we wait, things get more difficult.
So, I'm now home schooling my daughter to help her revise for her international GCSE's.
My daughters and I head back to the UK on 5th May for the start of her exams, to start a new life, wiser, much poorer, but with 2 years more experience of life. We'll leave some good friends behind, but we'll take some good memories with us.
My husband and sons will stay here to get the house sold, and follow asap.
No regrets (except that my mother didn't see the children again), but also no sorrow that we are going back.
We came, we did our best, we had good moments and bad moments. Now it's time for a new chapter.

Good luck..

Two years is more than enough time if you don't like what you’re seeing, and you need to make that decision before you run out of money and options too

+1 I sometimes think that its better to come to that decision sooner rather than later, 2 years is ample time to make a informed decision i think. Good luck on your return.

Best of luck back in blighty.

If you remember I did warn you about the shad flies (and lack of jobs) in North Bay.

I hope the move back for you all goes well.

Yes I remember
The lack of jobs - and living in a bubble 20 years behind the times - is worse than the shad flies.
Maybe we would have been OK if we'd lived further south.
Anyway, thank you.
Onward and upward

I'm sorry to hear this, but I understand. All the best.

You must feel so relieved now that you have come to this decision. I too wish you every happiness and as stress free as possible return

moving south might have moved you forwrad to only living 5 years behind the times

Wish you absolute good luck in your future for you and your family

Sorry to hear things did not work out but happiness is what matters so chase it wherever it may lead you.

Wishing you all the best for your return. Good luck.

I was just going to say that.

Sounds like you made a good go of it and have come to a sensible decision. Wish you all the best of British luck. If nothing else, you can look back in later life and remember those times living in the wilds of Canada. How many people can say they've done that?

+1 - best wishes.

Thanks for sharing and I'm very sorry to hear it didn't work out. I haven't gone back to read all your posts. Looking back do you think you would have done anything differently? Did you do a recce trip? Did you research the job situation and lifestyle before making the move? Why did you choose North Bay?

I agree that 2 years is enough time to know that the place is not for you. However, Canada is a large, diverse country so it's possible that somewhere else might have suited you better.

I wish you and your family the best of luck on your return to the UK. I hope it works out for you.