Homesick.........
 

This is more a 'get it off my chest' kind of post..... but am I the only one feeling homesick???

I have been in Canada for almost 4 years now, and recently moved to Alberta from BC, but for the last little while I have the overwhelming feeling of homesickness..................

I watch the news, and I go online to see what the economy really is like, are there any jobs to go to??????

Although for the most post, I have enjoyed my time in Canada, but I am, and always will be a true BRIT........... maybe its the weather, or lack of sunshine, is it just me, or does anyone else, really miss home, and have a yearning to go back???

Re: Homesick.........
 

I think most people go through waves of homesickness. Some people get over it, some don't. You've been in Canada for 4 years which is a pretty good amount of time before feeling homesick. Will these feelings pass or do you think you will consider returning? I've only be in Oz for 6 months and have been homesick for about 4 of them. I'm going back to the UK in May. I have realised that I am too British to want to change to the OZ way of life. I love the hustle and bustle of the UK. I love it that there is so much History there and Europe is just a stones throw away. There is so much beauty in the UK. I just didn't realise it until now. I like the beaches here and the weather but that's all. I am looking forward to returning and getting my life back.

What ever you decide, good luck.:thumbsup: Nikki

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Did the homesickness start when you moved to Alberta, or had you been feeling that way before? The reason I ask is that I recently moved from Queensland down to Victoria in Aus and this was supposed to be our big move... a new start in Australia giving me an experience in a city that everyone kept telling me would be 'more me' (whatever that means!) and I was excited and optimistic about the change as Queensland had never really done it for me.

Within weeks of being here though I came to the realisation that no matter which city I was living in here, it just isn't 'home'. Luckily, my Aussie DH agrees and we've started planning our move back to Scotland. I love Australia, don't get me wrong. I just love Scotland and my friends and family back there more. It took a move to another part of Australia to teach me that :)

Re: Homesick.........
 

I grew up in the UK, but moved to Hong Kong when I was 21 and to South Africa a few years later, so I've been an "expat" for more than 30 years now. Can't say I've ever been homesick at all, but I suppose I've always felt that "home" is where I happen to be.

My wife moved back to Scotland nearly three years ago, and wanted me to join her. I was reluctant, because I hadn't been there for over 20 years, didn't have any strong links to the country (I'm not good at keeping in touch with people) and was quite happy in SA. Anyway, she talked me into visiting last year and I arrived, en route, in London. I thought I was going to feel like a complete stranger, but found that I was actually quite at home there. I suppsoe places with a long, visible, history have a sense of permanence about them. I spent two weeks in Scotland, and flew back, with mixed feelings. I returned to Scotland for six weeks in January and, this time, realised that I didn't want to leave again. My wife has a lot to do with it, obviously, but there was something else that I can't explain. I do tend to trust my instincts, and they're telling me to go back, so I'm returning in a couple of months for good.

Follow your heart. I think you know what you want to do, if you're still unsettled and feeling homesick after four years. All the best.

Re: Homesick.........
 

Fully understand about wanting to try and live in a city. We thought about moving to a big city but after reading losts of posts from people were unhappy living in a big city we realised that moving wouldn't be the answer. Home would be the only plaCe for us to be truely happy. Well done for giving it a go. Hope you get home soon. X

Re: Homesick.........
 

So sorry you're feeling like this, it's an awful feeling. I've only been in Aus for 7 months, but I seem to be coming out of the homesickness feeling and really starting to enjoy my time here, but the first few months were horrendous. But, at the back of my mind I know who I am and where I truly belong and it's not here. It's so hard, because a good degree of me knows that we could have a very successful and enjoyable future here, but home pulls so strongly that I can't ignore it.

You've been away for almost four years, and in that time you'll probably have ridden the rollercoaster of emotions like everyone else. Were you happy in BC? was it the move to Alberta that gave rise to your yearning to go back to the UK? I'm a beginner at this whole emigrating business, so maybe I'm not in a position to offer any useful advice, but I get scared at the thought of if I stay here and reach the point of no return to England, what then. My children have no extended family out here, and I possibly run the risk of them blaming me for uprooting them from their happy existence in the UK, and plonking them in such an isolated part of the world.

Aus isn't Canada, and I hope this is just a passing emotion that we all experience from time to time. If it's prolonged then maybe you will have to reconsider your options.

Good luck to you. :)

Re: Homesick.........
 

Have you got a job? We have been thinking of returning for the las 2 years but my biggest fear is not finding a job.

Re: Homesick.........
 

I wonder if this new found homesickness coincides with your move to Alberta?

In one way, this is another new place to get to know, somewhere new to find your way around, somewhere new to find new friends, settle into work, whatever. If you are feeling even a little bit unsettled by any of those kinds of things, then doubts or daydreaming of days gone by might find the chinks in your armour! Would you be interested in linking up with any of the BE people near your area (or is that your idea of hell? ;) ).

The other thing that I might hint at could be the weather!! I'm in Alberta and I'm having quite a sense of humour failure this month, as are most people I talk to. Does that bother you at all? Did you move from the more temperate but somewhat soggy west coast, or from the drier BC interior? The Alberta winter has been particularly cold this year (she says with British understatement).

I wish you well; to last 4 years without this hitting you is quite impressive - but are you feeling unsettled by other things too, or do you think this is a real yearning to return? Would a decent holiday this year be possible to go and have a look-see? See how you feel when you physically land there and walk around. Is finding a decent job on the cards at the moment?

It could simply be that your time in Canada has run it's course. You've done what you wanted to do, you've had a good time, but you might be moving into another phase of your life and are re-assessing if this is where you want to be for the next five years?

Good luck with it all - good place to come and vent, are you are certainly not the only one to think like this. My only advice at this point is not rush into any decision making. See if this a phase that will pass, or if it is much more deep-seated ...... :)

Re: Homesick.........
 

I've been an expat over 20 years (with one year back in UK) I think of moving home daily, I'm homesick too, it never went away. But I'm not depressed (I don't think)
I live for the next trip home or next trip by Mum to come here and bring Britain with her.

Re: Homesick.........
 

I work for myself, and haven't had a job in the sense of having a full time employer for donkeys years. No reason to change now.

Re: Homesick.........
 

Ok I'll make you feel better about going back to the UK. Like you I have been in Canada for 4 years, We are returning to the UK on June 15th because my business (I've been running it from Canada for 4 years) is doing great despite of the recession. I have many clients who are also doing very well.

Sure there are a lot of companies going under but when you look at it, most of those were performing only marginally in the good times, it only took a few % fall in sales to knock them over the edge. Also you need to look longterm, once the so called "good times" return in a few years, house prices and everything will start rising again, and you will be regretting not going now.

House prices, rents, Cars etc have not been cheaper than now for a long time in the Uk which makes it an excellent time to go back. Finally the whole thing is affecting Canada in just the same way, did you see the latest Canadian Job loss figures?

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I could have written this post after 5 years in Perth. you do not realise what you have got till it is gone.

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jonfrank123 - hope you don't mind me asking, but what kind of business do you operate. Just curious as you're in Montreal and running a business in the UK??

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:confused:I would just like to say thank you for this post and different answers provided, especially Nikki. It has helped me a great deal today!

I am in the early stages of a move that I planned for 8 years before achieving. 2 years ago, I found that my life has started to settle and I was actually happy for the first time during the whole process of moving to Canada, I loved my job, had great friends, started new hobbies etc etc. Many a time I felt that I just had to keep going with it as it had taken so much time, effort and money that I cannot say no, and at least now, whatever the outcome, I cannot say I never did it.

It just isnt right though. Yes I know I am in my first month here and there is still the possibility it will change. I am also willing to give it a good effort whilst I am here but I have felt so much better after reading Nikki's post that if, in 6 months, I decide to go home......I am not a failure.......I too have found that I didnt really appreciate what I had until it was gone. I think I would be happy at home if I gave it my all (everything was kind of put on hold for 3.5 years after application in the mistaken thought that I was focused on Canada and nothing could stop it)

On the positive side, I now have my Permanent Residence, so I have 3 years leeway if I do move home to decide either way.....so what that I have spent a little money on what I thought was a dream.....it is just me so at least I haven't caused much upheaval to others.

Thanks guys

Re: Homesick.........
 

I feel the same, Nikki, too British to change. It takes something like emigrating to see it though, doesn't it. I'm into my seventh month now, and due to go back in July. My homesickness has got loads better, thankfully. I don't wake up with that awful gut wrenching feeling of emptiness now - which I'm glad about. That said, the first thing on my mind as soon as I wake up is England. Same as you, I like the sun and the beaches, but the UK has so much more to offer, and I don't want to deny my boys the opportunity to grow up surrounded by fabulous architecture, culture, history etc. If you come from a really crappy area of England (and there are many) then Perth is probably a utopia, but we have our house not far from the peak district, and if we want a city then there are four or five within an hour away.

Last Saturday I walked with my neighbour to a local park with our kids. It took us about 20 mins to get there, and I was gobsmacked by the fact we saw nobody in that time. The same happened walking back, it's like living in a ghost town. Back home, I could walk to the corner shop and pass at least 20 people in the process. I live in quite a large suburb, but where is everyone?!!

Hope you have a great journey back in May :)