We returned to the UK in the cold of Feb 2012 after leaving a sun scored Melbourne summer and 7 years of the best experiences anyone could hope for.

My OH is a Melbourne lass so that was all very emotional for her leaving her family.

The one thing that helped was that we have both previously lived in the UK with particular focus on London.

We made a decision to move to London because realistically for the type of work we do London is the best place for this.

I was able to work for my company remotely for two months which helped enourmously before landing a contract position here.

The main reason we came back was because I was very keen to spend some time with my nieces, mum and sister.

I have been missing Australia quite a lot but I have mentally prepared for that.

We spend time with family and have booked lots of short trips to the continent.

We are doing everything we can at 100% to take full advantage of everything we have here. Even though we have no time limit on how long we can stay.

To avoid worrying about decisions and what is right or wrong we just take things six months at a time.

One thing people on the forum forget sometimes is how brave you all are, you made the decision to leave the UK and move, and you made the same decision to come back.

Give yourselves a break and just enjoy life we are all very lucky.

This definitely brought my spirits up- thank you golgo13! I'm heading back to the UK in 5 months minus my parents! My mum loves it here in the US and can't see herself ever going back, while my step-dad's American born and bred- he'd never move either. I was born in the UK and have been strangely attached to it and never settled here in the US even though I've been here nearly my whole life! It is difficult to leave family, but I'm really happy to be going somewhere where I can really see possibilities for myself and more happiness. Your post reminded me of that just when I needed it (having doubts) so thank you!

Thanks for the update- sounds like you have a very balanced view on your experience- hope that your wife settles down and that you get to enjoy time with your family. Lifes too short!!