Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
Jul 29th 2014, 6:13 pm
#78
The Brit is back
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: NS, Canada 2007-2013. Now....England!
Posts: 2,211
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
More than 2 years back in the UK after spending the last 12 years in Brisbane and I can say hand on heart absolutely no regrets whatsoever. We are fortunate that we live in the most sparcely populated county in England, we have plenty of space, great neighbours in a beautiful village. There is absolutely no reason at all why you have to live on top of others in this country, you just have to to live away from the cities which is the same anywhere.
We have had brilliant medical care when we have needed it, including a broken arm my son suffered, no complaints at all, just the opposite in fact. Only yesterday afternoon I had a minor surgery on my leg at a local clinic, the service and care was brilliant. I noticed a post earlier comparing a hospital visit to the third world, then I looked at who made the post
I miss family and friends but quite honestly dont miss too much about Australia, this country gives us everything we want and more.
Some call me overly positive, weird I know, but I say it as I see it. Is it perfect here? No way but nowhere is.
We have had brilliant medical care when we have needed it, including a broken arm my son suffered, no complaints at all, just the opposite in fact. Only yesterday afternoon I had a minor surgery on my leg at a local clinic, the service and care was brilliant. I noticed a post earlier comparing a hospital visit to the third world, then I looked at who made the post
I miss family and friends but quite honestly dont miss too much about Australia, this country gives us everything we want and more.
Some call me overly positive, weird I know, but I say it as I see it. Is it perfect here? No way but nowhere is.
I am very happy where I am and *GASP HORROR* actually have no negatives at all. Does that make me annoying too?
I think if you do your research well and move out of a city, into a village or small town, you will find friendly, welcoming people like we have. I know it does depend on finances, job location, etc too as my husband travels an hour and a half each way by train to London every day and finds it tough, but it's worth it for a nice place to live.
You shouldn't judge and criticize people for being happy!
Jul 29th 2014, 6:21 pm
#79
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 67
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
Well I am fustrated at all the rules so far regarding renting a house and I havent even got there yet.....no dogs, no cats, no dss, no smokers, no children, only employed, only kids over 18........I have teens and two very small dogs and I am not employed until I get there and look around but I would have money to rent, even so, I am worried about how hard it would be for me to find a house. I am having enough trouble finding a plane that will carry two dogs in the cabin to the Uk. Otherwise they have to go as cargo or in the hold. I didnt have this trouble when we came out here, they were quietly under the seat in the plane, now it seems there are rules rules rules for everything for Ireland and the Uk.........sorry having a bad day trying to find a flight and a house.....dont have any family to stay with when we get there, fustrated already 
Jul 29th 2014, 7:03 pm
#80
The Brit is back
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: NS, Canada 2007-2013. Now....England!
Posts: 2,211
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
Well I am fustrated at all the rules so far regarding renting a house and I havent even got there yet.....no dogs, no cats, no dss, no smokers, no children, only employed, only kids over 18........I have teens and two very small dogs and I am not employed until I get there and look around but I would have money to rent, even so, I am worried about how hard it would be for me to find a house. I am having enough trouble finding a plane that will carry two dogs in the cabin to the Uk. Otherwise they have to go as cargo or in the hold. I didnt have this trouble when we came out here, they were quietly under the seat in the plane, now it seems there are rules rules rules for everything for Ireland and the Uk.........sorry having a bad day trying to find a flight and a house.....dont have any family to stay with when we get there, fustrated already
We went on Rightmove, checked houses we liked, called the agency and told them the truth - that we have a well behaved 6 year old lab who didn't scratch, bite, was house trained, etc - the kids on the other hand!
Dogs coming into the UK have to be vaccinated against rabies etc so it is more difficult to bring them here. But hopefully it will all work out for you.
Landlords have to protect themselves so normally ask for 6 months advance if you are un-employed, otherwise they ask for deposit, plus 1 months advance.
As for a job, good luck! something will come up just keep trying.
Jul 29th 2014, 7:50 pm
#81
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 745
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
Well I am fustrated at all the rules so far regarding renting a house and I havent even got there yet.....no dogs, no cats, no dss, no smokers, no children, only employed, only kids over 18........I have teens and two very small dogs and I am not employed until I get there and look around but I would have money to rent, even so, I am worried about how hard it would be for me to find a house. I am having enough trouble finding a plane that will carry two dogs in the cabin to the Uk. Otherwise they have to go as cargo or in the hold. I didnt have this trouble when we came out here, they were quietly under the seat in the plane, now it seems there are rules rules rules for everything for Ireland and the Uk.........sorry having a bad day trying to find a flight and a house.....dont have any family to stay with when we get there, fustrated already
Jul 29th 2014, 9:36 pm
#82
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 67
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
LostBrit, Keep searching for a rental - we have 2 kids and a large dog and had no trouble. Admittedly a few people did say no kids, no dogs etc but there are plenty that do.
We went on Rightmove, checked houses we liked, called the agency and told them the truth - that we have a well behaved 6 year old lab who didn't scratch, bite, was house trained, etc - the kids on the other hand!
Dogs coming into the UK have to be vaccinated against rabies etc so it is more difficult to bring them here. But hopefully it will all work out for you.
Landlords have to protect themselves so normally ask for 6 months advance if you are un-employed, otherwise they ask for deposit, plus 1 months advance.
As for a job, good luck! something will come up just keep trying.
We went on Rightmove, checked houses we liked, called the agency and told them the truth - that we have a well behaved 6 year old lab who didn't scratch, bite, was house trained, etc - the kids on the other hand!
Dogs coming into the UK have to be vaccinated against rabies etc so it is more difficult to bring them here. But hopefully it will all work out for you.
Landlords have to protect themselves so normally ask for 6 months advance if you are un-employed, otherwise they ask for deposit, plus 1 months advance.
As for a job, good luck! something will come up just keep trying.
Hi, Thanks for the encouragement.
Did you manage to find a rental while you were overseas? Or did you stay with people first?
Jul 30th 2014, 7:28 am
#83
The Brit is back
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: NS, Canada 2007-2013. Now....England!
Posts: 2,211
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
We stayed with friends for about a month which was longer than planned and really tough. 2 families (4 adults and 4 kids) in a small 4 bed house was pretty tight, and challenging...especially with a teen who did not want to be back!
Also, they did not like dogs so we had to put him with other friends and we had already been with another set of friends previous as he came over earlier than us.
So, so, SO glad when we moved into our own space!
Last edited by Lorry1; Jul 30th 2014 at 7:30 am.
Jul 30th 2014, 8:45 am
#84
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: The REAL Utopia.
Posts: 9,910
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
WOW I cant believe its been 2 years already, congratulations!
That's a little rude, I think. A person is positive about the UK and he is put down. A person speaks the same about OZ or USA and everyone is happy for him. If you have a good life here in the UK, why shouldn't you be able to be positive and shout out about it!?
Exactly! Chris' personal experiences are obviously very good ones. He seems to have set himself and his family up in a lovely area away from a city and loves it there.
I am very happy where I am and *GASP HORROR* actually have no negatives at all. Does that make me annoying too?
I think if you do your research well and move out of a city, into a village or small town, you will find friendly, welcoming people like we have. I know it does depend on finances, job location, etc too as my husband travels an hour and a half each way by train to London every day and finds it tough, but it's worth it for a nice place to live.
You shouldn't judge and criticize people for being happy!
That's a little rude, I think. A person is positive about the UK and he is put down. A person speaks the same about OZ or USA and everyone is happy for him. If you have a good life here in the UK, why shouldn't you be able to be positive and shout out about it!?
Exactly! Chris' personal experiences are obviously very good ones. He seems to have set himself and his family up in a lovely area away from a city and loves it there.
I am very happy where I am and *GASP HORROR* actually have no negatives at all. Does that make me annoying too?
I think if you do your research well and move out of a city, into a village or small town, you will find friendly, welcoming people like we have. I know it does depend on finances, job location, etc too as my husband travels an hour and a half each way by train to London every day and finds it tough, but it's worth it for a nice place to live.
You shouldn't judge and criticize people for being happy!
Its very weird being called annoyingly positive but it speaks volumes about those people lol
As you say if you wax lyrical about Australia or the US then that is perfectly acceptable. I'm certainly not going to start making up problems here to make others feel better about their decisions. As you say we have set ourselves up in a lovely place and have a great life, I wont be dragged down by a few overly negative people.
Great post
Jul 30th 2014, 8:47 am
#86
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 800
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
It seems that people who are not happy since they have moved back want everyone to feel the same. Some of us are very happy not just Chris955 and dont regret the move even though our circumstances might not be perfect. I moved back from the US about 2 1/2 months ago. Left my own house, nice car, very high paying job. Now staying with my parents, still looking for a job and back to driving a small economical car with no added extra's. Its definitely not the ideal situation for me and I am desperate to move into my own place however that being said I am happier than I have been in a long time. I love the beauty of England, how friendly the people are, how many things there are to do without driving for miles etc. I've connected with old friends and its like I have never been away. I never hated the US actually was pretty happy there but it doesn't care to the happiness I feel in the UK. Job search has now started and I remain optimistic that everything will fall in to place.
Jul 30th 2014, 8:51 am
#87
Banned
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: The REAL Utopia.
Posts: 9,910
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
It seems that people who are not happy since they have moved back want everyone to feel the same. Some of us are very happy not just Chris955 and dont regret the move even though our circumstances might not be perfect. I moved back from the US about 2 1/2 months ago. Left my own house, nice car, very high paying job. Now staying with my parents, still looking for a job and back to driving a small economical car with no added extra's. Its definitely not the ideal situation for me and I am desperate to move into my own place however that being said I am happier than I have been in a long time. I love the beauty of England, how friendly the people are, how many things there are to do without driving for miles etc. I've connected with old friends and its like I have never been away. I never hated the US actually was pretty happy there but it doesn't care to the happiness I feel in the UK. Job search has now started and I remain optimistic that everything will fall in to place.
Jul 30th 2014, 10:06 am
#88
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,004
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
Why do threads that are just asking for people's personal experiences have to turn into snidey bunfights?
("He/she started it" is a pathetic excuse, BTW).
In response to the OP, I think regrets are unavoidable for a lot of people, even if overall moving back to the UK works out. Whether or not the regrets are problematic depends a lot on your mindset and how you respond.
For me, it was difficult to ignore the considerable financial implications of moving back. UK house prices almost tripled in the time I'd been away while US house prices hardly moved (where I was, the Southeast). Taking on a large mortgage in middle age was a consequence of moving back.
Professionally, the difference between the US and UK is night and day. Regular trips back remind me of this.
For others, the move back coincides with the opposite - cashing in on favorable exchange rates or soaring house prices wherever they were, coming back to a better professional situation. Being closer to family, happier kids.
The facts of the situation are often disconnected to anything to do with the UK per se, or to wherever you moved back from per se. People who are wonderfully happy back in the UK or who have been pretty miserable since moving back home don't need to get into silly arguments about who is right - they both are "right".
Personally I have many regrets about moving back but have worked very hard at overcoming the practicalities of the situation in the UK. I am pretty content as a result of focussing on the positives and not letting the negatives get me down.
("He/she started it" is a pathetic excuse, BTW).
In response to the OP, I think regrets are unavoidable for a lot of people, even if overall moving back to the UK works out. Whether or not the regrets are problematic depends a lot on your mindset and how you respond.
For me, it was difficult to ignore the considerable financial implications of moving back. UK house prices almost tripled in the time I'd been away while US house prices hardly moved (where I was, the Southeast). Taking on a large mortgage in middle age was a consequence of moving back.
Professionally, the difference between the US and UK is night and day. Regular trips back remind me of this.
For others, the move back coincides with the opposite - cashing in on favorable exchange rates or soaring house prices wherever they were, coming back to a better professional situation. Being closer to family, happier kids.
The facts of the situation are often disconnected to anything to do with the UK per se, or to wherever you moved back from per se. People who are wonderfully happy back in the UK or who have been pretty miserable since moving back home don't need to get into silly arguments about who is right - they both are "right".
Personally I have many regrets about moving back but have worked very hard at overcoming the practicalities of the situation in the UK. I am pretty content as a result of focussing on the positives and not letting the negatives get me down.
Last edited by dunroving; Jul 30th 2014 at 10:08 am. Reason: faulty keyboard
Jul 30th 2014, 2:46 pm
#89
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,137
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
Why do threads that are just asking for people's personal experiences have to turn into snidey bunfights?
("He/she started it" is a pathetic excuse, BTW).
In response to the OP, I think regrets are unavoidable for a lot of people, even if overall moving back to the UK works out. Whether or not the regrets are problematic depends a lot on your mindset and how you respond.
For me, it was difficult to ignore the considerable financial implications of moving back. UK house prices almost tripled in the time I'd been away while US house prices hardly moved (where I was, the Southeast). Taking on a large mortgage in middle age was a consequence of moving back.
Professionally, the difference between the US and UK is night and day. Regular trips back remind me of this.
For others, the move back coincides with the opposite - cashing in on favorable exchange rates or soaring house prices wherever they were, coming back to a better professional situation. Being closer to family, happier kids.
The facts of the situation are often disconnected to anything to do with the UK per se, or to wherever you moved back from per se. People who are wonderfully happy back in the UK or who have been pretty miserable since moving back home don't need to get into silly arguments about who is right - they both are "right".
Personally I have many regrets about moving back but have worked very hard at overcoming the practicalities of the situation in the UK. I am pretty content as a result of focussing on the positives and not letting the negatives get me down.
("He/she started it" is a pathetic excuse, BTW).
In response to the OP, I think regrets are unavoidable for a lot of people, even if overall moving back to the UK works out. Whether or not the regrets are problematic depends a lot on your mindset and how you respond.
For me, it was difficult to ignore the considerable financial implications of moving back. UK house prices almost tripled in the time I'd been away while US house prices hardly moved (where I was, the Southeast). Taking on a large mortgage in middle age was a consequence of moving back.
Professionally, the difference between the US and UK is night and day. Regular trips back remind me of this.
For others, the move back coincides with the opposite - cashing in on favorable exchange rates or soaring house prices wherever they were, coming back to a better professional situation. Being closer to family, happier kids.
The facts of the situation are often disconnected to anything to do with the UK per se, or to wherever you moved back from per se. People who are wonderfully happy back in the UK or who have been pretty miserable since moving back home don't need to get into silly arguments about who is right - they both are "right".
Personally I have many regrets about moving back but have worked very hard at overcoming the practicalities of the situation in the UK. I am pretty content as a result of focussing on the positives and not letting the negatives get me down.
Jul 30th 2014, 5:58 pm
#90
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 121
re: Any regrets about moving back to the UK?
Why do threads that are just asking for people's personal experiences have to turn into snidey bunfights?
People who are wonderfully happy back in the UK or who have been pretty miserable since moving back home don't need to get into silly arguments about who is right - they both are "right".
People who are wonderfully happy back in the UK or who have been pretty miserable since moving back home don't need to get into silly arguments about who is right - they both are "right".
