chris hogan

hi every one
we are returing on 3rd april carnt wait we have five children all are very home sick the two eldest girls carnt get jobs and dont have a social life any more perth is a loverly place but it is not for my self or my kids
good luck to those returning to uk we are going back to good old birkenhead

Rowena Chris's wife

Redlichtie

Hope to be back in North East Scotland by May 2004. We're building a house in Mandurah and it's taking forever. We're hoping the house will be finished by the end of March and it'll sell quickly - fingers crossed.....!!!

Klara

Hi everyone,

We are coming back in May. We have been living in Florida for the last 3 years and are planning to settle in London. Finally back to civilisation!

Klara

JayJay

What is it about Florida that you don't like? the reason I ask is that my parents have been on several vacations to Orlando, St Petersburg etc and were thinking about buying a place over there

janeyray

We go back as soon as the animals can fly which is 5th May and when we've sold the house!!

YIIIIIPPPPPPEEEEEEE I can't wait !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

Klara

We live in Port St Lucie, which is on the east coast, halfway between Miami and Orlando. There is no public transportation anywhere in this area; you have to drive everywhere. There is no culture here to speak of, no tall buildings or the city lifestyle we are used to. Maybe it will suit your parents if they are looking for a quiet life among their peers: all you see is old people.... everywhere! Perhaps Orlando is different - I have only visited it once, on a training course, and while there was a bigger buzz about the place, the theme park atmosphere definitely put me off.

The weather is also a factor - you may think sunshine every day is great, but wait until you have been here for a while. It gets very boring very quickly. And what is worse - Floridians just love their air conditioning! I have never been so cold in my life. Every day at work, although I wear jumpers and long trousers, sometimes even a jacket, I get very cold from the constant blow of cold air. By the end of the day my fingers are purple. The company won't turn it down because there are plenty of people who are very hot and wear shorts and t-shirt every day (<whispering> they are fat). It is the same when you go to the cinema or shopping: wear several layers and a coat and you should be fine.

ladyofthelake

Having a vacation in Florida and living here 24/7/365 are worlds apart.

dunroving

Couldn't agree more. Not being supercilious, but I can't help a wry smile coming over me when I read this kind of post (and they seem to appear with alarming regularity). Sometimes it all ends up working out fine, but I can't help worrying when someone plans a huge life change based on a vacation.

Or maybe I'm just not adventurous enough.

jeannie

You do sound stressed..... What is the problem- is it the place do you miss family, Have you made friends, do the family like it there? just being nosey dear.....three months is not very long.....

smeg

Thank you! I didn't have to pay for my move to the US from the UK, but likely will the move back, and finding somewhere that can give me a price, even vaguely, is a huge help

Thank you

smeg

jat

hi

im heading back in april - may stop off and have holiday on way back, visit friends in perth, do a few things on way - but selling stuff (rent house out so dont have selling home problem) and should be gone by end april! not sure where im heading - edinburgh or london - depends on jobs etc etc.. europe maybe - not sure....

this maybe stupid question but why did it take you 2 years to move back - waiting on passport?

melaniee

Hi there,

I tried to send you a PM but your box is full!

I just wanted to say thanks for your kind words-was there anything that cuased you to start being happier or was it just time?

There are a lot of issues that we are not happy with (see below) and so only time will tell-thanks once again,

Melanie.

melaniee

Ok-where do I start withour being a whinger!

1. Lack of ability to get jobs
2. Low wages
3. High cost of living
4. The way house prices have gone up
5. Unfriendly, unhelpful, anti-british people (a generalisation but the case with a lot of the ones we have met!)
5. High crime
6. High violence
7. No less amount of people day by day
8. No less traffic day by day

I could go on but do not want to be slated-these are our opinions and am sure that there are many happy people here!

Goodpubmisser

Don't worry about other people putting you down - we are all entitled to our opinions and our experiences in other countries is one of the main things that British Expats is about.

George Lost

Me, me! I am moving back to good old England (said "tongue-in-cheek", of course) after a 33-year absence. Am leaving Canada on Feb 18, in 8 days time. Have no idea where I am going to stay... have no job lined up... lost touch with all the relatives. But, what an adventure. Blimey.
Hope that some of the ex-pats on this board can meet up somewhere England in November to exchange stories and pat each other on the back.
Bye... and good luck, all.
Cheers. George.