Originally Posted by tracygrigor (Post 8565491)

Why did you leave in the first place?
To join my family who had emigrated three years prior to RSA.

Where did you go to and why did you pick that place?
My parent's emigrated to Johannesburg, South Africa in my last year of college. I stayed and completed my last year of study and went to London to seek my fortune. My family did not support that descision and made it quite difficult for me to remain in England. I went to visit my parents, met a Rhodesian man and fell in love - got married - had children - SA became completely full of nonsense and have been wanting to move for the past 13 years......

Why did you return?
I have not returned yet, well only for holidays. I am planning the return trip for 2012.
I am apprehensive if I am doing the right thing for my family - how will my husband fair? Will my kids adapt to the indoor lifestyle - don't know - not sure..... Am I going to still hate the weather? Will my kids become right yobs like the media portrays most of the British youth to be of late? Will I be able to find Biltong, Mrs. Balls Chutney and how many times can you braai in the rain with out despairing? Will I still support the Bokke?

Are you truly happy back in the UK or are you too stubborn to admit you were wrong moving back?
My husband has been stubborn up until a few years ago at how dire SA has become. SA is a most beautiful, diverse and amazing place to be. I love it like my homeland. However the BS that goes with being white in a black land has become all too real and the prospects for my children - 3 boys & 2 girls seem bleak to say the least. I once had a wonderful dream that my children would grow up not seeing colour, race or creed. Sadly it is all too apparent here and their colour is against them.

Originally Posted by Lorry1 (Post 8537314)

Hi to everyone who left the UK and have returned, I Just have a couple of questions and would like honest answers.

Why did you leave in the first place?
Where did you go to and why did you pick that place?
Why did you return?
Are you truly happy back in the UK or are you too stubborn to admit you were wrong moving back?

Just a thought ;)

Originally Posted by mikelincs (Post 8549860)

we moved from the UK to Spain after I retired, we enjoyed our time there, BUT, with the changing exchange rate of the pound against the Euro, after 4 years, and with yearly pension increases, the money we were getting was 40% LESS than we were getting when we moved out, so the main reason to move back was financial, and at least we were in a position to do so as we had no property to sell in Spain. We are thoroughly enjoying being back.

Originally Posted by dontheturner (Post 8712325)

Oh Dear ! Mikelincs - You have almost totally put my mind at rest! - Every day, I think the opposite to the way I felt the day before! crazy mixed up feelings and thoughts.My Wife for 34 years died, in a nursing home, and at the age of 76, I felt so so lonely. Met a lady of 54 on the web, - who lived in Thailand and was retired -chatted, for 6 months, every day, then came with my best mate, for two weeks holiday, to meet her. Got engaged to her, set wheels in motion, to build a bungalow. came back in 4 months, to find it built. Took her to Bangkok, and put a ring on her finger, then home again, came back another four months later, then had an English wedding in the Consular's ''Regent House'', and took her to my home in Shropshire. By the Novemeber, her teeth were chattering, she was so cold. So, got GB Liners of Hereford, to pack and ship everything, and came back to Thailand, to live in this new bungalow - my only daughter, was heartbroken, but I thought, What the hell - she hardly visits, so I gave it no more thought. Three years on, and due to the British Pound - going down the Pan, my pensions, are less 40%, and Thailands weather has gone through the roof, - I can hardly breathe, and do stay in the Air Con, mostly. So, we are giving things away - cannot sell much here, no one has much cash! - And we have to get the tenants in my UK home out, and then try to buy furniture on the cheap, and hopefully wait for the rises to resume. (even finding UK car insurance seems hard, as I am almost 80 ) So, Mike, Any good advice gladly taken! - date is not yet set in stone, but we are hoping for March 20 next year. regards Don

Originally Posted by Chi_town (Post 8712877)

Don, I just had to jump in here and say I think you are marvellous to be doing this at your age. My Dad is 76 and will not even go on vacation anymore, all he wants to do is sit at home.
So good for you and I hope everything works out for you and your wife!