I couldn't agree with you more, that's why we, although OH is American, are going back next May. Daughter went back two years ago to go to Uni and mum is over there not getting any younger. All those other things, not as important like you say healthcare, politics, bread (disgusting), but still add up. My heart, after nearly 5 years, is definitely not here anymore and would go back tomorrow given the chance. Neither of us will have jobs when we go, but I am fortunate in that I shouldn't have a problem getting one once there. Just go for it, things always work out eventually!

Hey Ezzie,

Well there was the realisation that although I had minor complaints, I had well and truly set up shop in Australia, I mean i was there for 9 years, I had friends, made roots, I loved the long hot summers and I loved the feeling of coming back to Europe for holidays.

When I came back to the UK and tried to tell myself it was for good, I never really believed it, friends i had grown up with in blighty had changed so much, I had changed too, we had nothing in common. I realised at the end of the day, going back to the UK once every couple of years was the best possible outcome and if i had to choose where i would spend 340 days a year, it was Australia over the UK. My choice, and the other 26 days would be Europe and Asia.

I read a book called The Power of now, by Eckhart Tolle and a big realisation of the fact my mind was controlling me, and making me miserable and not able to live in the moment is a changing point for me too. Learning to stop worrying about the past and constantly looking round the corner and living in the moment made things so much easier.

Its funny though, I have no regrets at all for the money it cost me to work that out. I was bored and unsettled, and now back in Melbourne blessed and much happier. Still that my own story, there are plenty who have gone back to the UK after many years away and fallen in love with England again.

I love England from Afar, it tastes much better that way.

Progress has been unbelievably slow, I had one job lead which eventually fell through (40% pay cut….) and one chat with an agency (Michael Page).

To make matters even worse I’m now well and truly upside down with my mortgage in the USA, the county re-assessed my property value and devalued my property by a whopping $200,000 (everyone around here is much the same boat), shame I sunk so much of our life savings into it. To return to the UK now would ensure that I am well and truly broke……….

After much discussion, my wife has semi-persuaded me to stick it out here for another year or so, I appreciate all of the advice given by all those who have posted here, it has provided me with a great deal to think about.


many thanks.

Hopefully prices will rebound a bit before you finally make a move at least so you can take a bit back eh!
Our house has fallen by half, but we've been here so long we'd still make a profit, but the more we take back the better.

Can you rent your property until such time prices start to bounce back?

Where abouts are you? I also have a house to sell in SC. It sucks. I only bought it 2 years ago and stand to lose everything I put into it. But as I can't afford my present mortgage without making drastic changes, getting a full time job, and then still worrying about any future medical costs, even with health insurance, you still pay as you well know. Plus I am single so no help from anyone. I can't bear the thought of having to stay here another year or more in that situation, putting my life on hold. Life is too short, time is precious. I would rather be broke surrounded by my own people in my own country than in a foreign one with strangers. Did think about renting, again very risky, not easy, stressful, no guarantee...........nope.

I'm in VA. My next door neghbour just lost her house after months and months of trying to keep up with the payments, foreclosure and then a quick sale by the bank for $100k less than what i still owe on mine... If i was able to rent mine it would be well short of the monthly morgage payment to the tune of $500 +, I guess it sucks to be me.

I have made zero progress in finding a job in the UK or Europe. One 15 minute phone call from a UK agency, promises, promises and then nothing..... so no suprise there then

Heathcare continuess to be a confusing and expensive joke, my 7 year old son spent 8 hours in a hospital emergancy room a coupel of months ago and despite having insurance I am significantly out of pocket with multiple items apparently not covered by my insurance. *go figure eh. The bills contiue to arrive.

There is not a day goes by without me thinking about getting out of here for sure your not alone!

Lets keep all fingers, toes, limbs, everything we can crossed, that we get what we want in 2010 - a one way trip back home!!!

#25 This is a great reply - I can so relate! I just experienced over 24 months of wanting to move back to the UK after 20+ years in CA. I planned for 12 months and made it happen. The trips to Tesco's and relearning how to count change in pence, the countryside, the tv, all very exciting. But starting to settle into life here and many doubts arose. I've been here only 3 months, but am cutting my losses now and heading back to the US next year. I'm disappointed that I'm not able to live my English dream, but it's so very different. I hope if you come back you feel settled and will have made the right choice for you and your family. All the best and good luck.

I so understand with several members caught up in the house market crash in the us.
Iv'e a house here in Florida and the house prices here has gone rock bottom, i sure hope that it's bottomed out now.
I bought my house some 2 yrs ago and got it 60/70k cheaper than what was it was valued at...even with that good head start its hard to even get what i payed.. been on the market 3 plus months now, with no veiws/offers, even tho i droped the price 20k in that short time of being on the market..

I would feel very, very, lucky to break even on this house to be honest.
Yep, rent the house out is a option, but ive been down that rd before also on this property and had no ends of problems with the tennant and i finally got a court order to kick them out...also the judge ordered the tennant to pay 10k in losses and damages to me.
kinda strange the laws here in Florida, the judge can order the tennant/s out and he/she have to pay x amount but the judge can't make them pay....crazy huh? ....hmmmm ok now try and get your cash back now.... it's a nightmare..

So my advice to anybody whos thinking of renting to ride the storm, then have a good hard think of what could go wrong, and if you live in my state, then i would double, triple think about it...

Anyways....lets all pray that 2010 would turn around, somehow. i feel at this stage is the only way is up....fingers crossed..


Best wishes all merry xmas and hopefully a much better new year...

Me too, lucky to break even on house, bought 2 and 1/2 years ago, in SC, now selling at less than I paid for it, get no money back. Have to keep telling myself I paid to be on a vacation in a resort area for 2 years, instead of I bought a house at the wrong time in a high price area (Charleston) - that way I feel a little better at losing money. Also, dread thought of renting. But how long do you wait, when it's eating up money every month, and you are not getting any younger to make this major move to the UK? Thought about walking away, but they can trace you internationally these days and take every penny you have. And then there's that guilty conscience.......So, think very carefully, all those out there, who are questioning a move either to or from the UK. Do it for the right reasons, using both head and heart to reach a decision, weighing all pros and cons. Because if you don't, you can find yourself trapped, stuck in a waiting room of life, like so many of us.

May the year 2010 attract the answers to all our dreams!

Actually that is a scary thought, I've been back 6 months to the day in the UK now and think I've been very lucky. Friends have stayed the same as well as family. Coming back from Canada, the winter in the UK feels pretty feeble. In fact it's hard to see what all the fuss is about. I'm just happy that the snow melts after a couple of days here.

Wherever you are normal life can get you down. Inevietably there are some frustrating things about being back in the UK but I'm still very happy to be back. Maybe I didn't have such huge expectations in the first place.

Sounds like a classic case of reverse culture shock. No doubt, North America can be a very comfortable place to live. After 20+ years in CA, is 3 months in the UK enough time to make up your mind? I would be interested to hear what made you decide to return to CA.

I will have been back 3 months tomorrow to the day after 44 years in Canada. Is everything roses and sunshine, definetly not, but I still am very optimistic about my future here. It will be hard work, not just physically but emotionaly also, I came with my eyes wide open to the UK 's warts, but I am still glad I started the journey.

At least you have had the experience of living in another country. If you had not moved, you would probably be saying to yourself "Maybe I should have gone to.......????". Everywhere has it's pros and cons. I am going back to the UK this year after 22 years in Canada and 8 years in South Africa. It is not that I do not like Canada or that I think the UK is Utopia, I just feel it is time for a change and I have no regrets. Maybe I need a new challenge? We are truly in the Global Village.