LukeandJo

We have been here 2 1/2 years, settled in Auckland. I (Luke) got a job within 3 weeks and doing well with the company. Jo, once our son was ready for nursery found work quickly and were into NZ life...

The homesickness lasted a while but these things take time, it is a big step to move from the UK to NZ and start fresh. So we were strong and gave it time.
We have just come back from a UK visit after 2 1/2 years away, I wanted to see the UK as a drab, dreary place with unhappy people... but in fact I saw the total opposite.

I spent a few days in London which felt very prosperous and vibrant.
Lincoln felt like an actual city, people were happy and everything really felt on the up.

Jo is still there for another couple of weeks, I have come back early to get back to work. When she returns I am going to tell her that I want to go back and live in the UK again.

I left my brothers and family whom I am really close to, it was heart ache to leave them... they are doing so well and in a sense we are not a part of their lives anymore.

Our NZ position is great, but I know we can take what we have gained over the last 2 1/2 yrs and apply it to a life back in the UK.

NZ is a great place, but to sacrifice leaving family and having such a huge emptiness inside out weighs the NZ outdoors lifestyle so many people desire.

It will be a long conversation for sure...I will leave with alot of career experience and certainly a different outlook in life.

We shall see what comes of the discussions...

Assanah

Good luck Luke - sounds like the UK is the place to be. I always enjoyed my visits to the UK immensely and there are not many cities in the world that can compete with London in vibrancy

MrsFychan

how long holiday did you have there? I say holiday as that it what it was, not trying to get a job, not trying to find accommodation not trying to establish yourselves again.

Did you have these feelings before you went?, could it just be seeing people again and a bit of rose tinted glasses?

Snap Shot

Good luck. I should imagine going back is as difficult as coming here was in the first place. The lists, incessant organisation, financial and emotional stress is probably similar.

Don't think that you wont miss anything about your Auckland life. Against the day we exit Wanganui, I know there'll be things that I'll miss about this place.

LukeandJo

Those feelings have always been with us. Going back for a holiday has really ignited the flame.

Mind made up...

MrsFychan

hope Jo feels the same

best wishes

NZ4Now

I know all the things you're saying hence our move home in 3 weeks time

Good luck

MrsFychan

don't forget to put your details in the Arrivals and Departure sticky

NZ4Now

I'm going back to the UK

pixiewink

Good for you luke!

Those feelings of being a permanent tourist remains with me....has done for some time .....

First real trip back in 8 years is in the planning....I plan to go with an open mind...so I can see the place with warts'n'all.

I keep getting mixed opinions from people over the situation in the uk, I need to go see for myself....I may find that its not all its cracked up to be in "MY" head.....and stay here for another 8 years....Who knows....

Good luck with the next chapter of your lives....Hope Jo has loved her stay as much as you & that the planning for your return starts soon....

LukeandJo

Jo and I having a skype session tonight. No doubt the topic will certainly crop up...

pixiewink

Good luck, Duck!

NZ4Now

LukeandJo

We both are coming to an agreement about it... for a move back to the UK, but while we are this side of the world do a little bit of travelling and end up in the UK; Starting a fresh chapter...

Assanah

Good on you! Happy traveling. Many awesome place to visit down-under! And good luck with your move back.