Originally Posted by JRB

Thanks for replies, I am still in a panic about it. We have all got citizenship so that's cool. We are looking to live in Woodbridge and fingers crossed husband will get job within commutable distance e.g Ipswich or something. If he does end up working in London (but we really hope not) then we'd have to look at moving nearer to there e.g Colchester, Chelmsford area. It's abit crazy going back in middle of winter but it really was a case of now or never so we gotta try.
I spoke to my mum last night to break the news and instead of being really happy about it all she was going on about was , you're giving up your nice house, husband giving up good job and kept on reminding me about how I hated the UK weather etc etc. So that made me feel great about it..........not!!!I then spoke to brother in law who had moved back to UK from Sydney after 10 years there and they have been back 2 years and they are loving it, they are really happy that we're coming back and also he was saying how the seasons are really great here and now we're abit older in life about how the things in life you like change. He said when in his 20's in Sydney life was about surfing, beach, sun etc but now heading to 40s and lots of the things in UK are more appealing now, even historic buildings!!!.
I am not entirely sure we are doing the right thing - that's why it's taken 2 years to get to this stage. Little kids are aged 3 and 1 so we want to try now as when they start school we want to be settled. Even last night I said to my husband, can you withdraw your work notice and keep your contract? He probably could but he said it wouldn't be the same there and we really have to go. Poor guy, I think it must drive him mad. I guess if we do go and end up coming back at least we will be settled next time and at least the kids would know their extended family and have those memories for life. Good luck to all of you doing the same thing. For those heading to suffolk we should keep in touch.

Originally Posted by JRB

Thanks for replies, I am still in a panic about it. We have all got citizenship so that's cool. We are looking to live in Woodbridge <snip>

Originally Posted by Exile

I completely understand where you're coming from here. My parents also tell me I'll rue the day I ever came back, but there is no way they can really understand. They don't have the same experiences we have.

I'm reaching the point where the issue of going back has become a daily preoccupation, and I think when it gets to that stage (as a wise person on here once pointed out to me) you have to go back, even if only to prove yourself wrong. I keep convincing myself that we have a great life here in Perth (and we do), but the feeling that this is not where I belong just will not go away, and it hits me every time with absolute certainty that I need to go back to England. I will then spend the next day or two talking myself out of it, as it's easier to give in to inertia than to go through a big upheaval. I ride this emotional roller coaster every couple of days now.

We may stay one more year as my kids have chance to go to a school here that will help them remain bilingual, but I think it is inevitable that we will go back within the next year or two. I just hope they don't put down roots that are too strong during that time. My oldest would be nine or ten by then, so I think that would be our last chance.

I would definitely listen to your brother-in-law on this one, not your mum!

Originally Posted by JRB

Wow- Woodbridge! My mum and dad, one sister and family in Felixstowe... <snip>

Originally Posted by Exile

I completely understand where you're coming from here. My parents also tell me I'll rue the day I ever came back, but there is no way they can really understand. They don't have the same experiences we have.

I'm reaching the point where the issue of going back has become a daily preoccupation, and I think when it gets to that stage (as a wise person on here once pointed out to me) you have to go back, even if only to prove yourself wrong. I keep convincing myself that we have a great life here in Perth (and we do), but the feeling that this is not where I belong just will not go away, and it hits me every time with absolute certainty that I need to go back to England. I will then spend the next day or two talking myself out of it, as it's easier to give in to inertia than to go through a big upheaval. I ride this emotional roller coaster every couple of days now.

We may stay one more year as my kids have chance to go to a school here that will help them remain bilingual, but I think it is inevitable that we will go back within the next year or two. I just hope they don't put down roots that are too strong during that time. My oldest would be nine or ten by then, so I think that would be our last chance.

I would definitely listen to your brother-in-law on this one, not your mum!

Originally Posted by rodders39

Woodbridge is quite possibly the best place to live in Suffolk. We loved it and I've lived in that area (radius 15 miles) for 30 years... It is just country enough but also close enough to arterial roads and trains to do what you want... There's a train into Liverpool street for the commuters if you want... It's got a really good state school and similar private one. Really quaint centre with lots of boutique shops, etc. We actually lived up the old Felixstowe Road just about a mile from the BT research centre. Avoid the Melton end - not good down there. Felixstowe has never done anything much for me, but then I was in the shipping business which totally dominates that town... If you'd like any more info I'll PM you...! Hope the job at BT Martlesham comes off...