Some fantastic posts in here and lots of people feeling split between two countries and not knowing if they made the right decision.

A couple of things from me, as a first poster who has been reading the posts and knows how you all feel.

1. Good on you for trying to have a crack at it somewhere else !! I come from Cornwall and beautiful as it is, so many people there just wouldnt ever think of going anywhere else in the world except the algarve and a rugby tour to a cold wet remote country. We have all done it, and done it in style, other side of the world in some cases and if it hasnt worked out, then thats ok..

2. I have travelled a fair bit and (have lived in Aus for 8 years) have been to some sweet spots, but regardless of how much space, and beautiful it is, the people I have met on the journey have always made the experience what it was..

That brings me to MY point as to why I have chosen to go back to the UK after living here in Melbourne for 8 years.

I am moving back to England, not because its cold, wet, more crime blah blah blah, but because people "get me" there and I have had my time away, and its time to go HOME.

Australia is to AFL what England is to Football...and that sums it up for anyone who knows where I am going with that.

What sealed it for me was a recent 5 week holiday in Europe, in which I got to spend time with so many old mates, see some fab countries in Europe and it made me feel I had just woken up and felt amazing and all so close, I forgot, one hour and I am in Spain, 2 hours italy, how bloody unreal.

I have never been afraid of the devil i dont know, but this has been a tough decision and I have chopped and changed my mind and driven all my friends nuts about it. For reasons I wont bore you with, I havent bothered to get my residency here and NOW, I want to go home, family and people here are all saying, "get it, at least then if you dont like what you went back for you can come back"..Well, I dont want it, and if I do get it I have to stay for another 3 years as part of the deal with the company willing to nominate me, which is fair enough...I know it is the logical thing to do but I believe if I should have done it, I should have done it 4 years ago and now I want to go home..

Unless all the silly arsed brits leave the UK tomorrow, I wont be making a bad decision. Its the people, the humour, Europe...as for the rest, work, living, it would be same shi* different bucket..

I am taking 2 cats, thats the only painful part. $4k to get them back (including all the blood tests and rabies shots etc), $900 to get me back, how crazy...

There does appear to be quite a lot of Aussie bashing on these boards and in other ex pat forums and I think thats quite unfair in many cases. The Australians have lots to be proud of, its a young country and done really well and the people here, whilst they take the pis*, welcome brits with open arms and are pretty cool people.

But when it all comes down to it, its your family, friends you grew up with and that feeling you are surrounded by likeminded people who understand your sense of humour...Well it is for me anyway..

Good luck everybody..

That was a really good post.
Its a tough decision to return or to stay isnt it.
I love the way your reasons for going back are a pull to UK rather than a push from Oz. And that going back to Europe made you see clarity.
A really balanced post not wrought with emotion - good for you.
As another heading back after 7 years, your reasons strike a huge cord with me & are among my reasons to head back.
You're right that alot of Oz bashing goes on on here - I find it quite entertaining tbh. Some issues people have I agree wholeheartedly with - isolation, sexism, men - some I dont. If you are moving home though or are unhappy here, you obviously tend to focus & voice more the reasons you're leaving, almost justyfing it. Slating the whole place though is extremely immature and everyone who does deserve a slapped botty
Good luck moving back, enjoy it
x

Very well said.

Your conclusion, in my opinion, is spot on.

Thanks for your post. I've been lurking for a while and decided to reply because I feel the same. I've been here for over 4 years now, and I feel that it is time to go...back

Great post Sherro

About Australians. I think they are ok in their own way. The problem arises for me in that i'm just not Australian! The same way they are not Brits and thats where some of the clashes arise. Neither is at fault but i have come to realise i just dont agree with certain aspects of their culture ie sexism, she'll be right attitudes etc. By the same token they may not like some of our British traits either.
Unfortunately, i was a woman in the UK during the 80s when women learnt to become little powerhouses and not to automatically take second place to the guys. In my experience here, many women seem comfortable with doing so and it grates with me!

All i do know is, it sometimes leads to that feeling of not "getting" me. I cannot wait to get back to where i feel i am understood.

GREAT POST......... I really enjoyed reading it!!!!!!!!!!