I just wanted to give a shout out to all who post to and who moderate this website. It is such a hugely educational, funny, sometimes poignant place to find help.
Unless you've been an expat, no one really understands the problems , joys, heartache and sacrifices we have made to be where we are or to return from where we've been.
Just...thanks

What a gorgeous message, thanks so much for posting it

I share your gratefulness to the BE community and don't really know what I've done without it. I initially joined to ask some questions about the process of getting a spouse visa but have learned so much more and made some good mates in the process.

Best of luck with your plans to move back!

I second SOS's post! It is a great forum made even better by those who have been helped and can now help! There are rarely any serious disagreements and compassion and understanding abound. To think I only found it to ask if my non-EU husband could join me in the EU line when coming into Heathrow on holiday! We have come a long way since then!

This is a great message IMO.

It's very disappointing in the two sections that I frequent (Oz and here), to see so many posters just using the site for what they can get out of it without putting bugger all back in. I've given responding to those.

It's that back and forth that make it what it is, not one way traffic.

Great post, and I'd like to add my thanks also. The site has been a great resource for our move back to the UK from the USA.

Agreed - it's been a life-saver. Literally - you know who you are

I also share that Thank You. BE has been a lifesaver for me because without it I may still be sitting in Canada and not taken the plunge coming back to UK. I might not reply or comment as often but I usually check in daily.

Hi Feelbritish, just wondered how many of your 14 years in Canada was it in your thoughts you wanted to move back? For us its been the last 5 for sure and now the time is right to make the move.
And yes a big thank you for this forum, Always great to listen to other people in similar situations.

Hi, I think without BE I would of been in a straight Jacket lol....it was the biggest help of all really. So thank you BE and all the contributors

Probably the last 5 years. It started small, feeling lonely and out of place, then homesick for family, not necessary home and only after finding this forum did I realise I was not alone anymore! I do not miss Canada at all. My OH does and I know if I were not on the scene he would go back.

Oh wow really? Do you think it will get better when you move to a new location?

That is what I am hoping but his family issues have not got any better. Advice to people moving, some problems you experience now and are thinking that a move home can sort it out, it does not. However as a couple we are much happier back in U K

It is a good place to exchange info and express our feelings.
I speak as a grumpy old man, retired now after a lifetime of globetrotting.

Yes we're both completely through with Canada. It's been a great place for us but over the years we've become very unsettled here and once that gets into your head then it's hard to rekindle those original feelings that made us move here in the first place. It could be that we're now much older and hate the winters or it's just in our blood to become restless and want anew adventure. The life as a expat isn't always easy knowing we have options to move again.