Originally Posted by London Calling (Post 8047926)

Never been to aussie but always wanted to go. i`ve been reading on here a lot now at it does surprise me that a lot of people seem to return from there but from the looks of it there must be a lot of brits there as well.

I think spain is great for holidays and good for retirees but i miss the more hectic lifestyle of the UK. I never thought i`d ever say that

Originally Posted by London Calling (Post 8045667)

I use to be a clash fan a long long time ago and used the name as it was the first thing that entered my head. I agree with most of what you have said and feel better after making a plan. I spend most of my days now getting as much info as i can in planning to move back.

Originally Posted by London Calling (Post 8045331)

This is my first post and have just joined today:) I`ve been living outside the UK in Spain for over 10 years now and over the last couple of years have really become homesick even to the point of depression. I originally came to Spain with my girlfriend at the time and she was keen from the word go whereas i wasn`t. Anyway after a couple of years being here we split up and she went back to the UK. I stayed and i still don`t know why i did it:confused: Eventually i met a spanish woman and thanks to her, over the years i got accustomed to living here and to be honest quite quickly fitted into the spanish lifestyle and have even learnt the language to quite a high level which i know most brits don`t do and have developed quite a lot of spanish habits both good and bad. Despite all that i was never able to make true spanish friends (unless they were from her social group) but was lucky enough to find a good job here and that was the reason that i stayed and decided to make a good go of it. The money was good and i also did well in the buying and selling my own property here. I convinced myself that the sunny med lifestyle was the life to lead but deep down my heart always missed the greeness and rain of the UK along with my friends. I always thought that this would be a passing phase and just end up staying here in Spain. Anyway over the last 12 months things have greatly changed I am now single again but without a job but have been able to sell my house at a great price even in this depressed housing market. I know this is my window to get back to the UK but for some strange reason i have feelings of being scared not sure why, i guess i don`t want to make an expensive mistake and move to the wrong area. I look at the UK papers and the news and its all doom and gloom, i know its all media nonsense but it doesn`t help me feel confident. I speak to my friends in the UK who all say i`m mad to move back to the UK and its now become a terrible crime riden expensive place to live and according to them its like hell on earth. These friends have never ever lived abroad so they don`t know what its like, I tell them things are bad here as well but they just don`t seem to believeme and think i`m making it up. I never thought much about the phrase HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS but i now know its so true and there is no way that i can stay living in Spain, I`m so bored out of my mind, no friends or work here now, i`m single, i now hate the warm climate, i dislike the way they do things here but the worst is when i wake up in the morning. I open my eyes and cannot believe how i`ve been here for over 10 YEARS how did i let this happen:confused: quite often when i take a siesta in the afternoon as i`m not working now i often dream about the UK, i know this must sound sad but dream about it i do. I wake up and feel depressed that here i am living a life i now hate. I just miss the UK so much even with its grey and overcast skies.

Anyway i`ve now decided to stop being depressed and have set out a do or die plan to move back to the UK asap as there is nothing really to keep me here and hopefully i aim to be there after christmas but as i said i do feel tense about going back to a country that i won`t have a job in, i know has probably changed in over 10 years but luckily i have a decent budget to buy a property and be mortgage free so that is one plus point and i don`t have anybody or dependents to support.

Despite this long maybe boring story, would love to know if any others have been in a similiar situation as me?

My next question is where to move back to but i think its better to start a new post for that.

Originally Posted by London Calling (Post 8045331)

This is my first post and have just joined today:) I`ve been living outside the UK in Spain for over 10 years now and over the last couple of years have really become homesick even to the point of depression. I originally came to Spain with my girlfriend at the time and she was keen from the word go whereas i wasn`t. Anyway after a couple of years being here we split up and she went back to the UK. I stayed and i still don`t know why i did it:confused: Eventually i met a spanish woman and thanks to her, over the years i got accustomed to living here and to be honest quite quickly fitted into the spanish lifestyle and have even learnt the language to quite a high level which i know most brits don`t do and have developed quite a lot of spanish habits both good and bad. Despite all that i was never able to make true spanish friends (unless they were from her social group) but was lucky enough to find a good job here and that was the reason that i stayed and decided to make a good go of it. The money was good and i also did well in the buying and selling my own property here. I convinced myself that the sunny med lifestyle was the life to lead but deep down my heart always missed the greeness and rain of the UK along with my friends. I always thought that this would be a passing phase and just end up staying here in Spain. Anyway over the last 12 months things have greatly changed I am now single again but without a job but have been able to sell my house at a great price even in this depressed housing market. I know this is my window to get back to the UK but for some strange reason i have feelings of being scared not sure why, i guess i don`t want to make an expensive mistake and move to the wrong area. I look at the UK papers and the news and its all doom and gloom, i know its all media nonsense but it doesn`t help me feel confident. I speak to my friends in the UK who all say i`m mad to move back to the UK and its now become a terrible crime riden expensive place to live and according to them its like hell on earth. These friends have never ever lived abroad so they don`t know what its like, I tell them things are bad here as well but they just don`t seem to believeme and think i`m making it up. I never thought much about the phrase HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS but i now know its so true and there is no way that i can stay living in Spain, I`m so bored out of my mind, no friends or work here now, i`m single, i now hate the warm climate, i dislike the way they do things here but the worst is when i wake up in the morning. I open my eyes and cannot believe how i`ve been here for over 10 YEARS how did i let this happen:confused: quite often when i take a siesta in the afternoon as i`m not working now i often dream about the UK, i know this must sound sad but dream about it i do. I wake up and feel depressed that here i am living a life i now hate. I just miss the UK so much even with its grey and overcast skies.

Anyway i`ve now decided to stop being depressed and have set out a do or die plan to move back to the UK asap as there is nothing really to keep me here and hopefully i aim to be there after christmas but as i said i do feel tense about going back to a country that i won`t have a job in, i know has probably changed in over 10 years but luckily i have a decent budget to buy a property and be mortgage free so that is one plus point and i don`t have anybody or dependents to support.

Despite this long maybe boring story, would love to know if any others have been in a similiar situation as me?

My next question is where to move back to but i think its better to start a new post for that.

Originally Posted by CBANDY (Post 8051014)

I have also been in Spain for nearly 12 years and we have been thinking of a move back. I know how you feel as it is a really scarey thought. My biggest worry is not just getting work but getting a decent job. My situation is a bit different as we have 2 very young children. I am lucky as I still have quite a well paid job but I had the family out to visit last week and that made me a bit homesick. I also get the feeling of anti extranjeros (foreigners) around the workplace at the moment which is bound to happen in any recession but it makes life that little bit more difficult. If I was in your position I would be back in the UK. Even just to give it a try. best of luck with whatever you do.

Originally Posted by London Calling (Post 8045667)

I use to be a clash fan a long long time ago and used the name as it was the first thing that entered my head. I agree with most of what you have said and feel better after making a plan. I spend most of my days now getting as much info as i can in planning to move back.

Originally Posted by Fleaflyfloflum (Post 8049596)

If you miss the hectic lifestyle of London stay WELL clear of Australia..boring as batshit :rofl:

Originally Posted by CBANDY (Post 8051014)

I have also been in Spain for nearly 12 years and we have been thinking of a move back. I know how you feel as it is a really scarey thought. My biggest worry is not just getting work but getting a decent job. My situation is a bit different as we have 2 very young children. I am lucky as I still have quite a well paid job but I had the family out to visit last week and that made me a bit homesick. I also get the feeling of anti extranjeros (foreigners) around the workplace at the moment which is bound to happen in any recession but it makes life that little bit more difficult. If I was in your position I would be back in the UK. Even just to give it a try. best of luck with whatever you do.

Originally Posted by manamama (Post 8051541)

You are in a very unique position - not many have just ourselves to please!

You have absolutely nothing to hold you back.

If I was you, I would go to the UK and head to a place I know first, then buy a little car and travel around to visit as many places as I could.

Write up your Plan List and start planning. Lucky you...

I have similar feelings to you. I can't shake off that unsettling feeling. I long to go back to the UK. (I know crazy talk but I love my England and Spain is lovely but it's not home).

My children are in school and my husband works here. Plus my kids now do not want to move to "Stinky Pete" England (their words not mine). :eek:

Good luck,,,:)

Originally Posted by katana (Post 8051722)

We've been here in France for 6 years & feel the same way.We wish we were in your shoes,we've got to sell our house before we can go back.All our friends in the UK say it's horrible there now but they've not lived abroad to know how it feels.There is'nt any one thing we hate here we just feel we've got to go back.My advice would be get on the next plane back & rent somewhere,then go from there.It might be right ,it might be wrong but only you will know when you've tried it.Ay least if you rent you can go back or move ,to try new areas ,without the hassle of selling a house.
We came from Dorset & we're going back there but to another area.It's a lovely place to live & we now realise how lucky we were to have grown up there.I think it would be a very special place to beat it ,which we only know now after moving away.
Good luck & don't waste any more time thinking 'what if'.It's only as permenant as you want to make it.

Originally Posted by brits1 (Post 8054541)

Police and Theives, my old time favorite....I know how you feel....12 years in Aus and at times I feel scared of our return to the U.K...mainly this is because of listening to other peoples opions..etc....our experiences are usually totally different though and that's what counts.....you can always go home and if it does not work out at least you have tried.

good luck

Originally Posted by London Calling (Post 8055245)

As they say there is always someone worse of than yourself:) I have actually been in touch with a long lost aunt and she has invited me to stay with her while I get myself sorted out and have a good look around. Which is great and very kind of her and no rent which now means I can hire a car and have a good look around for property, areas and check out the work in each location as well. Its great becuase I can do it without rushing around.

Originally Posted by manamama (Post 8055371)

This is very good news - you are definately a Lucky So and So.

Where is your Aunt? Perhaps we can all help you do a Travel Plan.

When are you off ?

What is your job ?

Nosy arn't I?

Originally Posted by London Calling (Post 8055246)

I don`t know France that well but have heard its beautiful country and a lot of brits love living there but i suppose if you are homesick then there is no point staying there.