sandrainaus

Beryl the Peril

Wow! That's almost as short a time as friends of mine took to make their decision. I think they lasted about 6 weeks, and when their shipment arrived, they sent it all home again - didn't even unpack! They were in QLD. She didn't like the sun or spiders - so not a good choice for them really, was it?!
Yes, had an amazing - really amazing time in UK. I loved every minute of it and realised just what we stupidly walked away from. I know it's not 'always' like that and everyone was riding high because it was Christmas and because they were so excited to see us. But being back reminded me how very different (and better) our life was there. (Full of fun, laughter, girlie chats, community living, looking out for each other's kids, spontaneous happenings, dogs, country walks, fantastic pubs!) One of my best friends had an on-going 'open house' for us and masses of people people came round. My son was almost 'mobbed' by his friends and body-surfed around his old classmates, cheering as they went! We had an incredible welcome home.

Meanwhile, back in Perth (groan) - now more determined than ever to get the heck out of here and back to where we belong! Just got to work on OH a bit more. He's not talking about it at the moment!

Is it next Xmas you're going back? It's a long wait, but something to look forward to!

fishfinger

Everytime I return to the UK for a visit I feel like that too. It's almost like living again! Trouble is, when I return to Canada it feels like I'm going back into prison so I've decided enough is enough and we are getting things rolling to go back to the UK.

I'm very close to my family and I miss the mum and daughter outings we had. My 8 year old cried the other night about how much he missed his family back in England and I was so shocked, he was the one whom I thought had settled so well in Canada, lots of friends etc, seemed happy with his life. I thought what am I doing to him, dragging him away from his family just to live out a dream for myself, not him.

I feel lucky to have a great family that wants to be involved in my life, lots of other people don't have that support and I will go and make the most of it.

TruBrit

[QUOTE=fishfinger;4299057]Everytime I return to the UK for a visit I feel like that too. It's almost like living again! Trouble is, when I return to Canada it feels like I'm going back into prison QUOTE]


i know exactly how you feel

hope all goes well with your return plans

Beryl the Peril

Sounds like you have 'out' lived the dream FF, and the dream has become a bit of a nightmare for you! My dream only lasted a couple of months (that's all you need in Perth to get the best out of it!) and I too, have felt like I'm a prisoner a lot of the time. It's a feeling of being 'trapped' because of not being a free agent, but part of a unit (in my case, husband and son). I would've been long gone if it was just me! I think my son would happily go back to UK now, having had a taste of being back amongst his extended family and lovely friends (he's 15 by the way) - the biggest problem is my husband, who although I think he'd return, would find it very difficult to find another job in the UK. Anyway, good luck with everything!

Nomore

Hi ..well i had a night out last night with the girls. Went to one pub and stayed there all night. Karaoke was on ( i never go on it) and ended up leaving at 10pm. Couldn't bear listening to everyone trying to be sing, gave me headache.
I felt about 50 years old sat there clapping along to songs i have never heard of
Saying that there were loads of fit lads in there, poor sods, nowhere nice for them to go.

kiwi_child

1.Mind numbing: Because there is little or nothing to stimulate the senses. It's a bland non-descript place without vision, sense of community (not the volunteer type stuff), socially dislocated, superficial, pretentious, and lacks any feel of a soul or pulse.

2. People flood in: The picture in their minds of coastline beaches, houses with pools, the 'easy' life, see it as less hectic than say sydney or melbourne and possibly cheaper airfares to UK from WA for hols.

kiwi_child

Top post! Well said. Karma sent

Beryl the Peril

For 3 of us to fly to UK recently (21st Dec to be precise!) cost a mere $7,000 - gulp! Hardly cheap. On top of that, the cost of being there, petrol, presents, meals out, copious amounts spent in Tesco, Sainsburys, and Fat Face (just because you can't resist the temptation after the shops out here!), and of course the pub! However, worth every penny in my opinion - just to escape this cripplingly dull place for just a few weeks!

When are you outta here Kiwi-Child?

davo453

Have to say my biggest disappointment on arrival in WA was the pubs.

And that remains till today 20 years after arriving.

It's not the atmosphere so much although that is lacking, but it's the music. For some reason they can't get over playing it so loud that you can't hear the person next to you talking no matter were you sit/stand in the place.

UK pubs are (or were) generally smaller in size and largely social places, they just don't get that here.

Dave

kiwi_child

I'm off to NZ in March for a couple of months hols, then I come back to finish my last few units of my degree. Will either head back to NZ then for a year or so to see how it goes, or exit Perth for UK. My trip to NZ will hopefully help to give me an update on what the work and cost of living etc is currently like there.

Sounds like expensive tickets airtickets Beryl, but I guess it's to do with what airline you use and time of year you go.

Beryl the Peril

Yes, it was a lot of money - Christmas is always the most expensive time to go - we went Singapore Airlines. If you know of a cheaper source, I'd be pleased to know. Next time (hopefully the last time!) we do that long haul flight, I'll definitely break it up a lot more! My jet lag has lasted all week and it's getting very boring! Zzzzzzzzzzzzz...........

Glad to know the end is in sight for you anyway - we were in NZ this time last year - awesome country, but not sure about living there. Our friends returned to Nelson for the 2nd time (from the UK) and left within 6 months having not been able to find work and the isolation aspect. We were very tempted to relocate to NZ, but quite glad we didn't now. The biggest thing that has got me down about Perth is the dullness and lack of 'buzz'. Despite the disgusting weather in the UK (winter) the place was full of 'buzz'. It really felt that life was going on, unlike this retirement village we all find ourselves living in over here!

blowfly

It is interesting that I also use the trem "buzz" it sums it up really.I am begining to feel that I am on medication! I felt alive in the UK but not here. I do think that it may have something to do with where I live but I am in Qld and your in Perth so perhaps not.

Royal Brunei are reasonable on their flight prices and the service was good.Jetlag seems to get you more has you get older .

Beryl the Peril

Yeah, that's interesting. I found Sydney had much more of 'buzz' to it, and I had a good social life there. But that was 20 + years ago and I was of course younger then! I would never recommend Perth to anyone now, unless they are really happy to lead a reclusive and retirement like existance. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has moved from Perth across to Brisbane, or other parts of Oz for that matter and found a real improvement. We have considered Brisbane as a possibility (OH could find work there) but it still doesn't address the issue of feeling homesick all the time! Any comments/experiences about that anyone? (in case we go and make another mistake!!)

Skyblue67

Couldn't agree more. When I have visited UK for holidays its like waking up from a coma. Can't help but think of the life you COULD have been leading. Makes you go all "Sliding Doors". Having to come back to bloody Perth is one of the most depressing feelings.....