Originally Posted by Jumbo_Celcius

Thank you, Nu-Shooz, I'd emailed a friend about Perth and his reply was similar i.e. he liked the "down to earth" view instead of the usual "everything is soooo wonderful", "it's a quadrillion times better than UK", "the LIFESTYLE is great" etc, etc.

I'm seriously considering leaving here earlier than planned i.e. middle of year instead of end of year. With missus away, I went to pub in city afterwork on Fri night, got hammered, got food, walked home, drank more, woke up feeling like doggy doo this morning and was too hungover to make my weekly pilgrimage to the beach, hence the reason I'm on the internet on a Sat afternoon.

Originally Posted by Jumbo_Celcius

Thank you, Nu-Shooz, I'd emailed a friend about Perth and his reply was similar i.e. he liked the "down to earth" view instead of the usual "everything is soooo wonderful", "it's a quadrillion times better than UK", "the LIFESTYLE is great" etc, etc.

I'm seriously considering leaving here earlier than planned i.e. middle of year instead of end of year. With missus away, I went to pub in city afterwork on Fri night, got hammered, got food, walked home, drank more, woke up feeling like doggy doo this morning and was too hungover to make my weekly pilgrimage to the beach, hence the reason I'm on the internet on a Sat afternoon.

Originally Posted by isleofmanmike

Great post. When I lived in Perth found that booze was the only thing that kept me sane......Where are you moving to....is it back to UK or another part of aus

Originally Posted by isleofmanmike

I was in Perth for 15 years, left in 1988 and been on the Isle of Man for the past 6 years. The IOM is not part of UK and have our own government and laws, very low tax and great health service and infastructure........Fantastic lifestyle and very low crime. Would recomend it to anyone...

Originally Posted by horrigans

Thank you all so much for your replies! I've been feeling like I've been going mad here. His parents can't understand why I'm unhappy (not that they ask me if I'm okay - they've never done that) and dh can't understand what it is that I miss about the UK or why I no longer 'get' the Aussie dream when we've spent years planning it. But the reality just doesn't match up with the dreams and despite us having come out here lots of times over the years I never thought I'd feel so homesick or just miss feeling 'ordinary' so badly. I want my life back. I don't want to spend a lifetime of people asking me if I'm on holiday here when I feel like shouting at them 'DO I LOOK LIKE I'M ON HOLIDAY???? HAVE YOU SEEN THE BAGS UNDER MY EYES??????'.

I've tried and tried to talk to him about it, but we just end up rowing. And rowing. And rowing. He's said that if I were to leave and go back to the UK, I couldn't take the children - so I feel even more trapped than ever.

He's saying one option is that we stay for another 18 months, get our citizenship and go back to the UK then, but I feel that's a carrot being dangled and that by then, the argument will be 'but we know people, but the kids know people, but we'd have to sell our house and... and... and...' and it's never gonna happen.

Will have a think about everything you've all said. I'm so relieved not to be totally alone in this and feeling like I'm going crazy here.

Sarah

Originally Posted by JAMZ

oh my god, I got chills reading about your story. It is exactly what I am going through. I have been in California for 14 years and the past 10 I have been pleading to go back. My husband has said yes a few times, but then changes his mind. I have been hanging on for so long with the hope that he will change his mind and go back, but now I realize it just isn't gonna happen. He too threatened that I couldn't take the kids. I have cried so much about it and feel so trapped. He is very good at making me feel like I am crazy to want to go home and I'm the selfish one. Whatever you do don't let it go on as long as I have cause now my kids are older (oldest 14) and they are settled. I really feel for you and know exactly what you are going through.

Originally Posted by JAMZ

oh my god, I got chills reading about your story. It is exactly what I am going through. I have been in California for 14 years and the past 10 I have been pleading to go back. My husband has said yes a few times, but then changes his mind. I have been hanging on for so long with the hope that he will change his mind and go back, but now I realize it just isn't gonna happen. He too threatened that I couldn't take the kids. I have cried so much about it and feel so trapped. He is very good at making me feel like I am crazy to want to go home and I'm the selfish one. Whatever you do don't let it go on as long as I have cause now my kids are older (oldest 14) and they are settled. I really feel for you and know exactly what you are going through.

Originally Posted by isleofmanmike

I was in Perth for 15 years, left in 1988 and been on the Isle of Man for the past 6 years. The IOM is not part of UK and have our own government and laws, very low tax and great health service and infastructure........Fantastic lifestyle and very low crime. Would recomend it to anyone...

Originally Posted by nicola411

HI Jamz

My hubby tried to pull this one on me. However after a week or so of sulking he finally asked me what was wrong. I explained to him in a calm and rational manner that the only reason I seem happier is because we are going home this year you nincampoop. So if you have dangled this carrot for a year and a half just to try and get me to enjoy myself you are an absolute liar and a tosser. Needless to say after about another week he said you are right I did say we could go home. Now we have sold the business and are just trying to sell the house and then off we blow.

good luck
n x

Originally Posted by JAMZ

Your so lucky to have made him see the light. I tried the sulk thing and it doesn't work with him. He just told me that he wished I would f**k off so he doesn't have to see my miserable face anymore!!! I don't think there is a caring bone in his body. Good luck with your move

Originally Posted by chicagojlo

Wow Jamz that is bad. If I was you I probably would have done just that by now. Kids in a hotel on his creditcard and all. I really hope you find a way out.

Originally Posted by JAMZ

Yeah, I probably should, but I think I'm too much of a nice person. Always tying to sort the problem out without too much conflict. I give in, but I think I'm starting to turn the corner. He's controlled me way too long, time to fight back.

Originally Posted by JAMZ

Your so lucky to have made him see the light. I tried the sulk thing and it doesn't work with him. He just told me that he wished I would f**k off so he doesn't have to see my miserable face anymore!!! I don't think there is a caring bone in his body. Good luck with your move

Originally Posted by LizaJane

oh I want to be back, am in NZ have been for 4 long years before that was in Isle of man for 10 yrs, my kids are manx born. For some reason decided we had outgrown the island and kids needed to see/experience something else. Wish we hadn't bothered I miss IOM much more than my home town..London. Ice cream on Peel beach yum yum!