Munnsters Down Under

Hiya

My hubby was born here along with his sister. His mum and dad came out around 1970 and stayed for 5 years then headed back home for 'family reasons' My daughter is a citizen by desent. Im the outsider!! Its weird having an Aussie hubby with a broad East Belfast accent!!

MDU

onepearlyb

I moved to an island in the Uk about 4 years ago and knew within the first WEEK it wasn't for us. We did however manage to stay 2 and a half years. I think if your instincts prove you right once, you should always be more aware of them in the future.
Dunno how "costly" is costly but I think well under $8,000 should see all our housey stuff moved from Melbourne to Uk.

*me*

happy4

Couldn't have said it better myself tracey!!

Elaine B.

Hi there

my brother just bought a little terrace house in East Belfast last year (Avoniel Road) I don't know the area but he says it's great. I don't know Comber and Ballygowan very well but I know it's a lovely part of the country, my OH (he's Canadian) lived in Downpatrick as a teenager.

We live in Toronto and it's not a bad place to live but with 2 little kids we feel it's time to move back and be closer to family, hopefully by September. We have been here 8 years and both our kids were born here. I've never been to Calgary but if your friends were to look at the Canada section of BE they'll find lots of information.

Ruby Murray

100% agree with everything you said here Tracey.....I could've said these very words myself!! I love my family to bits, but don't want to be round there every five minutes. Occasions like Christmas, birthdays, weddings, births....just being there, a drive away, makes up for this Expat lifestyle. It's made me realise that I am not a materialistic person at all....my big house, big truck, huge sunny skies and wide open spaces do not compare to the hugs and contact with your own blood.

Munnsters Down Under

Hi Everyone

Thanks for all your help and support. I have had a really bad day today to be honest. I think its really hit me the impact of coming out here and now heading home.

Anyone know the fasted way to get our belongings home?

MDU

Munnsters Down Under

Hi

I know that area really well.

I have passed on the website to my friend so I hope she gets some help from it.

Are you looking forward to going home?

MDU

lukelizzie

We have got quotes from both a company called "Chess" and also Pickfords. We have got 43 cubic meters (quite a bit) and they quoted $12000 door to door. It takes about 8 weeks.

brits1

Tracey I know excatly what you mean...I could buy our sons cars,jet skies...best mobiles etc but there is nothing that lights up my sons faces when they are with their families again...this has really hit home this week (our nephews are over on holiday..one to get married) it's their first visit to Aus...it is just wonderful to see my sons with their cousins....our boys are 17 & 14 their cousins 22 & 25....but they were always close...they use to babysit for us...and it's really funny to watch them as they have the same "actions"..tastes and humour...they even look a like...so yes you can have all the big homes and sun but that is not everything...especially when you hear them all laughing and joking around....all the tea in china cannot buy that!!! families.....they can be everything to some......so our boys they are!!!!!

CBANDY

My feelings exactly. Bit different though, We are in Spain and took a trip to Scotland to see my parents in January. Seeing my 18 month old daughter with her 4 cousins and grandparents was fantastic. There are not many kids round us so she has to play on her own a lot of the time. Although we will move to England (if we ever decide to go) it will only be a car journey up north. My only worry is what we will do for work. Been away so long now i don`t know where to start.

brits1

Hi Ruby....glad to read your thread....we have our nephews over on holidays and it is just wonderful to have some family with us....our boys are really close to their cousins..so just seeing them together it good enough reason to head home...they are wonderful boys (22 & 25) from Stalybridge (I know) but have great jobs...lovely partners and really nice homes......so it can be done in "Tameside"!!!!!...it's been great for me as I know that all "youths" are not "crims" in the U.K and that they do have manners, education and are just all round decent people......but seeing them again just makes it better as with all the bad press etc you start to "believe" the U.K is going to the dogs!!! which is just not true......
Family a good one is wonderful....priceless

brits1

I know what you mean...we have been away from England for 10 years and I am worried but I know it's for the best for my family.................Good luck and best wishes with everything.....with young children I think these times are golden....there is nothing like Grandparents for children......

CBANDY

Thank you. I am sure we will get there soon.

kelbelinoz

I do sympathise with you.
Not gone yet, but putting it all into play now, I only wish that we hadn't sold our house, would be much easier.... we are going to Norfolk, where the in laws live! 6 months has gone quick, but slow! Very wierd feeling, like in limbo....waiting to go back to your life but slowly being hypnotized by your "new life".
My boys are both at school, 5 & 10. The 10 year old had a few problems to start with, missing everyone he's grown up with, also was in a 700+ primary, now in a much smaller one. He felt lost in the large one. Very daunting when they are used to small village school.

The little one just started prep, but is actually finding it hard as the most of the class are 6yrs old , and only ever been at kindy. Ellis had already done Nursery in the uk, and is actually really ahead of them, academically and socially. They can't put him up a year as he would be with 7 year olds.
I find that the education system is very erratic, and they seem to just brush over subjects, also the level of English is really poor. Even the teachers can't spell, and have not corrected my 10 year olds work where the mistakes are obvious!! Also fed up with the continuous strikes.....they earn pretty good salaries here, and most have lessons already planned. 3 strikes in as many months!!


My husband has found work as a plumber (heating engineer in uk) really mind numbing. Also feels he cannot justify the huge drop in salary, although he has to work harder. I guess it comes down to, you can't teach an old dog new tricks, he is 41 and has 25 years experience, and wants to improve what he sees although we know that is not how to get on out here, they are already happy with their methods, so he has kept his mouth shut....

I miss myself more than anything or anyone else. I really felt that we were strong enough to do this, very independent person...just feel like a fish out of water.

With regards to Wii(consoles are universal...) and TV should the relo co not tel you? We are in same situation, hubby's beloved tv and kids Wii....hoping crown will tell me that! The tv we brought out here didn't work as the sound waves are different, but it was an old one. I'm hoping the newer ones are ok....maybe I should read the bloody instruction book!
Good luck with your move, I hope you had some fun while you've been here.
x Kel

kelbelinoz

Priceless xxxxxx
can't wait to reunite kids when we get back, my eldest misses his cousin they are both 10, like he's been in mourning. He is so happy were going back....