Re: Best decision ever!!
 

I guess we all woke up and smelt the coffee!

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

Hi Lorids,

So pleased for you to hear you are enjoying being home, sounds fantasic! I know what you mean abt 'rose tinted' glasses, I was a bit worried when I returned last year to the UK for a visit, but I absolutely loved being home and felt alive, vibrant and had a peace in my heart that I just don't have here.

We are moving from Melbourne to Sydney very soon with OH's job, but already I know we will head home this year, at least OH will have 6 more months of work experience here, he has a great job here. But lately esp I long to be home, esp as our son is due to start School in September, it's a fantastic School with a real Community feel, the idea of our children growing up here literally scares the hell out of me!!

All the best, so pleased you are happy at home, ann x

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

I'd hazard a guess that a lot of the increase of people returning is due to the huge hikes in house prices and the cost of living on the East and West coast - I think a lot of those coming back are recent emigrees ie those that have been there less than 18 months and on arrival have had a huge shock at the disparity between wages and cost of living now.

Going back a few years many could sell up in the UK move to Oz and have a real pucker house and lifestyle, mortgage free - no longer the case - and I think a lot of would be emigrees don't realise this until they get there.

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

I think that is exactly it PB. Even those that come on holiday first are surprised by it all.

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

Thanks Ann
I know how you feel about your children growing up and feeling scared. I look back at our time in Perth and now truly realise how we were all just existing and making such an effort to pretend to be happy...and make the best of things gee it;'s tiring. I now have my old sense of purpose, humour and buckets of energy and really feel at peace...more than ever in fact. The amount of friends I have spoken to here have commented how flat and dull my voice sounded although I was trying to sound so positive.

I really hope you enjoy your last few months. I think when you know you are returning then it seems more like an extended holiday and you begin to enjoy the differences and experience. Our last 3 months were certainly the best but not as good as the next 3 months will be!!!
I think we have mentioned it before but the work experience is another factor for us and although OH is still over there it should be well worth it career wise as it sounds for your OH. Another 6 months is not long in the grand scheme of life!

All the very best
Lorids

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

Thanks everyone for your advice, I had kind of gone off the idea of Oz, hence why I was in this forum anyway. I am just trying to convince the hubby that the grass isnt always greener so going to print this off. It is very hard to get kids into anything when you live on an island (as we do now) as there is nothing for them to do here. My daughter currently attends dancing on the mainland, however when she gets older she wont be able to attend due to later times meanign she wouldm miss the last ferry! Wouldnt consider moving to mainland anywhere, 10 minutes on a boat and people are getting stabbed, battered, junkies, drunks left right and centre! I am thinking of france or spain now, so thats the next thing I will need to look into. Something tells me I'll still be sitting here in 20 years time wondering what to do!
Thanks again for all the advice :thumbup:

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

So glad that you are happy with your move back home!

As someone said the "live the dream lifestyle" bugs me too - there is a big difference between being on holiday and living life here. I am astonished that so many go for the bling factor and end up at the Gold Coast - bit of a joke to most Aussies as it is the home of the tourist and the self funded retirees. The sunshine loses its appeal after a while and you get paranoid about wandering outside without spf30 sunscreen. Then, when you do go out you get flies up your nose and in your ears. The beach is for holidays because when you are slogging it out in an office for 40 hours a week you sort of lose interest in getting sand in your cozzies.

Sporting facilities are good here but you get more competition in UK - this is a shallow little pond for world class competition, even our swimmers arent up there at the moment. Opportunities in the arts are also better in UK and Europe - I know many singers and musicians who have gone over for the final stages of their training. My eldest has gone back to UK having lived here all but 6 months of his life because career options are better for him there.

I think the grass we have here is a bit dried and brown actually!

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

I agree about the GC. My brother recently came over and he loved the GC in fact he spent most of his holiday down there. I live about 1/2 hour drive away and I couldn't think of a worse place to live.
I agree with the sporting facilities, they are excellent and it is very cheap and easy to get involved if you are willing. I haven't had any problem with flies yet...
You may be wondering why I am posting as it sounds like I love it here but I am still 50/50 about staying here long term but I think if I was to say anything bad about Oz in the Barbie I would get slated. There is a lot about Oz I don't like and frankly never will but there is a lot about England I don't like either. This is not home....yet.

regards Mattmc

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

Thats a great word.

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

Hi Gildoc,

If you're considering moving to Oz forget about Perth. It's like it's own wee planet.

We've been in Melbourne for 2 yrs. now and admittedly it was hard in the beginning, any change is hard.
Now we love it here.
It's not as hot as Perth, sometimes can have 4 seasons in 1 day, we have 4 definate seasons, in winter we have the snow on the nearby mountains - very good skiing, we're on the way to the Grt. Ocean Rd., this is a very cultural city, there's the beautiful Mornington Peninsula down the road, wineries, Yarra Valley, Grampian Mountains, Tazmania nearby.... Could go on and on.

We recently met an expat family who were in Perth, hated it and were considering going back to the UK, but gave Melbourne a try and are staying.

Our kids (11 and 10) really love it here. Ok, initially they were bored at school because they'd started earlier in the UK obviously, but soon settled in and we did think they weren't as challenged as in the UK, but hey, they won't be as stressed as some UK kids were.

In the Uk we had to pay extra for sports whereas here they do allsorts through the school. My daughter even played lacrosse last winter (something she'd only have played in a public school back home)
My son plays softball at school (another thing he wouldn't have played back home)

One thing, we do think the kids would be better off not going to a state secondary school (our opinion only).
They're going to go to a brilliant Catholic school nearby. No, you don't have to be Catholic to attend. They have excellent reputations and are more academically minded.

Well, I think I've covered it all,
Good luck in your decision!!!

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

Tea dear Tea, it is Britain don't you know.

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

A few points from our personal experience. The grass isn't greener, it's just a different shade. (Well, in fact most of it is yellow/brown, 'cos there's no bleedin' water!). If you want sports, come here, if you want sportsmanship, stay home. If you bring a wodge of cash over you can maybe live mortgage free, but don't think the cost of living is less here. Unless you're on a good crack over here your budget can quickly be exceeded.

As others have said, TV is crap, advertising is 'in your face' and vulgar. Lots of 'can't get it up', and 'want to last longer' kind of stuff, and no apparent watershed.

Oz is very parochial, and although I believe in patriotism and promoting your own goods/services/achievements, they take it way, way too far here.

Not trying to put a negative spin on things, just our own views. Anyway, I'll shut up, get me coat, and put me tin hat on now! ;)

Mr JJS.

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

Why, it's your point of view, if people don't like it....tough..

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

Thx Lorids, you sound at real peace with yourself, a place I am determined to be in 6 months time, everything about being here is so wrong for me and I think for our children, here's to be being back 'to normal' in 6 months!! All the best, ann x

Re: Best decision ever!!
 

Just wanted to say I loved your post.:)