"Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I've posted a couple of times about our plans to return in early 2012, which have been triggered by my daughter's plan to attend uni in the UK. My wife and I are in any case both ready to spend some time back in the old country (we left in 1995).

There are a few of us on here that would love to return but can't, or are not sure when, and there are others that are in the process of moving right now, plus a few who have made the move and are reporting back on how they are going.

So maybe we can have a thread for the "inbetweenies", who have a definite plan, but it is still a way off. In my own case I have posted before about how to stay motivated and avoid a state of mind where we are just ticking off the months (18 months is a long time with hopefully a lot of positive life experiences to enjoy!).

Are you in similar circumstances? What has been the trigger for you, or has it been more of a gradual realisation? Or do you have a general desire to return that you need to firm up on and turn into a concrete plan?

We have taken a big step in getting a UK mortgage to go alongside our Aussie one, and we have bought a house in the UK. Next week our first tenant will move in. We have never been landlords before so this in itself is a new experience.

What steps, however small, have you taken to turn your desire to return into reality?

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

We have to wait till Ds#2 graduates from High school in 2012, so any time after that for us, he wants to return and become a policeman.
So far all we are doing in clearing out closets and getting the house fixed up. Outside is all painted, kids bathroom is re done, ours will be done in August, (new basins, mirrors medicine cabs etc)
But thats all we have really done.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I am hoping for summer 2011. But hubby is scared he has ping ponged enough and he never was a risk taker (i am still paying off the sexual favours i promised him from the last pong over...lololol).

I am decluttering and sorting at the moment. I think that when I go back to work it will be better ...less time on my hands. I am also researching all the stuff about schools and where my kids will fit.

I knew it was a mistake to come back to Canada 1 year in to our time here. I kept trying to make it work. And to be honest it is not bad, but I know what I want out of life and I feel I will get it over there.

So now I am trying to make our quality of life better and keeping everyone happy here. Till I can better propose my ideas.

I see my parents and his parents - I look at where they are in their lives and I know if i plan it right and work hard we can have it better when we get to their age. My mom and I had a long talk and she supports my decision (weirdly enough). She realizes if she had been planning in her late 30's like me she would be in a better place now.

It took us 2 years to pong back over to Canada...i am hoping it will be less this time!

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

:rofl: That made me spit tea all over :rofl:
Sounds like a dealy that my Dh would love to make :eek:

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

Would love to return home. I've written many a time on other threads about my OH liking it here. He has a boat and enjoys fishing. We have been here over 6 years and I have hated it here for over 6 years. He said to give it at least 3 years but in that time my kids have grown up as Kiwis.My oldest is doing his NCEAs and my youngest will start hers next year. It's not a good time to change their education. Before my daughter starts her important NCEA years I'm taking her back home to England. She was only 7 when we left. Just booked a flight ...there are some good deals at the moment. OH has now said that he wouldn't mind going back but we need first to get our citizienship. The kids may want to return to NZ or we/they might like to try OZ. After struggling all this time I want something to show for it.
I find life so boring here and life just goes from day to day.I haven't made any real friends here but that is probably my mindset. I miss my old friends and,even if they can be annoying, my family.
I am really looking forward to going back in a couple of months and I hope my daughter enjoys it too. It is just too expensive for all of us to go back for a visit.And my son and OH aren't that bothered.
I last went back 3years ago on my own. It was like putting on an old pair of slippers. I picked up with friends as though I'd only seen them the day before.
It made me even more unsettled. Some people here said that I would return and be able to embrace the life here.No. I can't get excited about anything here even birthdays or especially Christmas. I have missed so many a Christmas. The World Cup has come and gone without any fuss here. I just feel apart from the rest of the World and people.The humour...the light-hearted banter that you can find anywhere.
I feel time is just slipping away. I would rather try Australia than stay here. At least it seems in more contact with the outside world and on the holidays we've had there, it seems livelier and with a better atmosphere of just 'being'
.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

We are moving back to the UK in the next 18 months and we are also ping pongers (although my hubby wasn't lucky enough for sexual favours ha ha!!). It kind of feels like I am in limbo and I would go tomorrow if I could. We are in Brisbane and as much as I like it here, I don't like it as much as I like my friends and family even if the UK is cold and wet most of the time!! My husband and daughter love it here although Scarlet (6) will be happy anywhere she has that sort of chilled laid back type of personality which is great. The other thing is I am pregnant, due in January (Australia Day unbelievably!!) and I don't want to wait another 18 months and take home a toddler to introduce to my family! Anyway my whinge over, it good to know I am not the only one in limbo - need to make the most of the rest of our time here and see more of Australia while we have the chance :)

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I am living in Mallorca and have been here for 13 years. Met my husband here and we now have a 2 year old daughter and a baby on the way. We are moving back to Wales in Dec. I am so incredibly homesick, miss my family so much. Luckily my husband who´s half French/Spanish is willing to give it a try back in the UK.
After initially loving the lifestyle here in Mallorca I have gradually found myself becoming increasingly disillusioned with the place. I feel that I have outgrown this small island and want to experience life in the UK and let my daughter grow up in enjoying all the things I did. I know its not going to be easy but with the help of friends and family Im hoping we are making the right move. Time will tell.
Im getting the house ready for the move and having a big (long overdue clearout). My friend is renting our house for a year until we decide if we are going to stay in the UK for good.
Im sooo excited, begining to feel alive again! Cant wait.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I am hoping to return in 3 years. I would love to go now to be honest but my daughter is at a crucial stage in school and they finish at 18 here in NS. She would be doing her GCSE's in England next year, and I don't want her to have to struggle through those after being out of the school system so long.

We have been here 3 years, and although there is nothing really that I dislike about Canada, for me it isn't home and my heart just isn't here.

Hubby loves it here and really does NOT want to return to that "cess pit" at all. Although he has said that he will go back if it's what I really want though.
We have tentatively planned that in 2 and a half years we will all sit down and ask what everyone wants to do - stay or return.

We went through years of planning and waiting for this move to Canada, and so all is not lost, we are going to apply for citizenship this year incase we want to return later on.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I have been in Canada now 16 months and dream about going back home every day. I wish I could be Dorothy in the Wizard of OZ and just click those shoes. If i had my own way, I would like to think about heading back end of 2011/ 2012 and still aiming for that really. But unfortunately hubby loves it so still causing conflict for our future. On a postive, i had another moment the other day with him and he changed his tune a bit. Well he told me not to put my hopes up. But it was nice to hear something different for a change. He said i would be willing for us to move any in the world even UK if we can have a better life. However he also added the UK is not the place to be right now, the economy is still bad etc and we are doing well here right now. That i do agree with, but what concerns me is when will the UK pick up enough to convince my hubby, lets go! We have no kids in the equation at the moment so think it will be easier to make the move now.I pray now everyday for a miracle. I hope the economy starts to pick up by the end of 2011/2012. :thumbup:

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

See the way I look at this is, we won't go back till hubby has a job in hand. He was well thought of in his field over there. He developed and piloted alot of ground breaking IT projects while we were over there. He had a bit of a reputation lol he was the Canadian guy who drove everyone nuts, but got things done! So if he can get a job while all economy down it is the best time to go back. House prices will be low, vacations and day trips over there are already slashing their prices (Alton towers has kids for free all this summer). Companies will be doing all they can to get people to buy stuff.

I am slowly paring away at my hubby's worries.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

E-mailed a friend in England as soon as I booked for my trip home. She has just phoned me and we have had such a laugh. We are so looking forward to seeing each other again. I stayed for a while, with her and her family, 3 years ago and before that it was 3 years before that when we left. Your friends are your friends are your friends. No-one comes close here. She told me some local gossip and is spreading the word that I'm coming. Can't wait.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I can relate to what you say about a small island. We previously lived in Nassau. Of course the lifestyle was good, plenty of visitors (too many actually) but we suffered from "island fever" and just had to get away 2 or 3 times per year. Luckily Ft. Lauderdale was within an hour by plane; we used to stay in the local "Sheraton Suites", hire a car, turn on the radio, and drive like hell until we recovered a sense of space and scale!

It sounds like you have the ideal situation, in that you can spend a year in the UK and see how you go without burning any bridges. We will sell our house here, but we are now citizens, so ping-ponging is not out of the question (although the sexual favours mentioned earlier could encourage me to stay put, or move, whatever my OH wants ;-)

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

Hoping to move back next summer, basically holding out for citizenship. Have been here nearly 4 years and have really tried to make it work but just keep getting knocked back. OH has had several lay offs, nearly severed his fingers off in a work related accident and we are stuck in the middle of nowhere in a small prairie town (ok they call it a city), so basically not a lot of opportunities for the kids when they leave school. We couldn't afford for them to go to college or Uni and now with the economy it's even worse.

Perhaps if we moved to another province things would pick up for us, but now that we've made the decision to go home it just feels the right thing to do. I'm really excited to get back and for the kids to see family they've forgotten. It was after OH's last lay off having been working away for the last 6 months that I realised I was fed up with it all and I didn't come here to be apart from him and feeling like a single parent living one day to the next wondering if there was enough money to put food on the table.

To be honest I would go now but acreage has to sell (not that we will come out with anything) I joked to OH that if by the time we get citizenship we still haven't sold we should just stop paying the mortgage and get the bank to take it off us:rofl:

When we decided to move to Canada it was because we wanted to do something different and an opportunity came up and we thought why not! As we've all heard before much better to try something than regret not doing it later on in life. So the way I look at is we've had an adventure, yes it's cost us money and left us penniless but you can't take it with you and I won't have regrets. Life is about taking risks and if you don't take risks then it's very hard to appreciate life in all it's glory!

What have I learnt, that I'm not that keen on snow especially when it stops you riding for 7 months of the year!:D

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

Your friends, are your friends.....

Love that KentishLass and so, so true. I've kept in close contact with my girlfriends for 7 years of being away and they are a huge part of my return. I realise I could never replace them. They've been with me (trans-Atlantic) through 2 births, a miscarriage, a ruptured achilels, my father dying and countless other moments. I'll trade that for anything I have here......and I am.....as of Nov.....gone.......yipeeeeee......here on the other hand I feel I've been shunned as our leave date gets closer. It's a social punishment and I've seen it happen before to someone else. Bizarre, sad, and mean I think but all the more reason to go!

Have a fantastic time with your friends!

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

Good luck in yor return. It's awful when your partner is away all the time working. It makes the whole 'paradise' living pointless. I wish you well in the UK. I'm sure things will fall into place.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

Well I was hoping to be going back in time for teh school year this year ...
But of course it is all hindered on a job for OH.

Can't complain as I am at home with 3, soon to be 4 children. (well I do complain but doesn't get anywhere - so I joined this website).

OH was highly thought of in his field in Scotland and his old company will take him back as soon as they have the work in the company (well can hardly ask them to kick someone off the team).
So hoping that it will be the early part of next year.


My fingers and toes are crossed for that.

OH doesn't mind where we live, (and his theory is that we are here now so why move again:() but I want to go back as I feel that life is dead here in NZ. I changed too much in my time away to settle back here. I got used to history and culture and humour all around, and it just isn't here.


So we too, are just going with the flow and I am hoping and praying that something comes up soon. I am clearing out cupboards and kids drawers of out grown stuff. Researching what to ship and what to sell etc while I wait for d-day.

Of course I threaten to book the kids and my tickets one way regularily and the other day my OH told me that that was fine - just to give him the news whilst stripping off:o - If it gets us home and him a happy man - Not a problem.:rofl:

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I've read a couple of posts where people have commented about being 'socially shunned' after making the descision to return to the UK. Why do you think this is?
I hope it doesn't happen to me, as I have made a few good friends here and would like to remain so.

I guess they feel a bit betrayed as they have opened up to you and welcomed you to their 'home'.

We have had fantastic opportunities here and hubby is about to start a great job working for a huge company. After 3 years we are finally financially secure, and earning the comparison to what we did in England.
I too have a great job working in a Travel Agency with the hours I want.

But...it doesn't make me happy enough to stay. :(

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I hope it won't happen to you! I feel like there's an elephant in the room all the time and that we are the subject of much discussion. We are constantly being 'advised' what to do even down to out 2 month road trip. I think they may have good intentions but I'm honestly not sure some days!

I have a new baby (so not a great deal of sleep) and had vertigo/ear infection so was pretty ill for a while, so maybe I'm just paranoid. Friends would go off to places I couldn't venture on a good day never mind with a spinning head. It was really grim and again I felt very isolated. My girlfriends in the UK called daily as they were so worried. They're so sweet and confirm my reasons for going home. I have the most loving, funny, loyal and dynamic friends and I can't wait to share good and bad times with them again.

I do have a couple of friends here who have shown 100% love and support. We'll miss them terribly but they've promised to come over. They both love the UK so we'll see them again. I think those that are critical of our move are doubting their own existance here.

Your true friends will support you regardless of whether you stay or go. And goodness....the job thing will be tricky to leave eh? Life is so COMPLICATED!

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I have wonderful friends in the U>S but my best mate in the entire world is in the UK and when i speak to her or visit it is like not a day past, I may move back by early net year, it will be nice to have kids and grow old having a cuppa once or twice a week with my child hood BFF, they get the laughs and all the silly crap we did so much more than anyone here would,i miss the realness... good luck girl!:thumbsup:

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I completely understand I have mates here, but nnot like home... just to have a laugh and a cuppa and feel at home again would be lovely, i have been in florida since i was 12 and now i am 32 and still never really felt at home. i know gettting a job and getting set up will be tricky but right now i am inbetween jobs have lost everything and living out my friends spare room ,so england is sounding lovely right now.. good luck!:thumbsup:

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

My boyfriend and I are planning on going home to Dublin within the next two years. We have been in Australia since July 2008 (oh, how those 2 years have flown by) and, while I enjoy living here sometimes, most of the time I wish to be back in rainy Ireland with my family and friends around me.

We will likely be moving to Melbourne in February/March 2011 and will live there until July 2012 at which stage we will apply for our Australian citizenship. After this we will hopefully move back to Ireland where there will be numerous well paid jobs;).

I cannot wait to get back to Ireland however circumstances at the moment mean that we need to stay here.

I am enjoying plannning our return home and will be following this thread to hear of other people's plans about returning home:thumbsup:!!!

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

Wow, there seem to be so many of us and quite a few in Canada too.
We are hoping to head back in the next year or so, I would love to think it will be next year , hubby is thinking 2 years but that is because he is more worried about the economy than I am.
We have just sold our house (which is a huge relief) and are moving into rented accomodation . We are going to try and make the most of the time we have left and renting will hopefully give us a bit more cash to do that.
I think our time here has taught me a lot, I find the people here a bit too conformist and suburban life is just too dull. Looking forward to getting back to somewhere with a bit of life- warts and all.:thumbsup:

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

After 5 years of being unhappy here and accepting that my feelings aren't going to change. I'm having to look long term before i can return.
Eldest daughter is 15, so would be unfair to disrupt her education now. Plus she is happy here :blink: If i focus on when she finishes school youngest will then be 15! same problem.
To keep me going, i tell myself that i will head home when the youngest reaches 18. It might be that i have to return alone:unsure: If thats the case i might not be brave enough but the wishful thinking helps me get through my day.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

Just checking you or he has researched this element too. I think joining any UK force now, you have to have been a resident in the country for the three years preceding your application (bit like the university fees ;)).

I'm pretty sure this is the case so just a heads up (but don't take me as gospel). No harm in a few years of life experience before joining anyway :)

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I live in the USA been here 13 year twins 18 next month and a 19 year old, I too will probably be going home alone... i have been here and unhappy for all the 13 years........wanting to go back but put the family first and now.......58 years old and may have to go it alone. My plans are in the works, I have made enquiries about my pension, found out I still have a bank account open.... going back for 8 weeks in Sept. ( my family dont know yet) My mum is 88 and I want to spend time with her, I have missed so much and I know my family have missed us all so much too..all those Christmases spent with out us and us with out them.......
Applied for my Citizenship this past week,my family are all US citizens.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I guess I dont really belong here as I am British and moving back to Australia. We lived in Australia from 2002 until 2005 and to be honest looking back I didnt make the most of the opportunities that came my way before we decided to move back to the UK.

After the first year back in the UK it slowly became apparent that we had made a bad decision. Australia has it's fair share of social issues but the chav culture that seems to have taken hold here now is pretty bad.

My son was born a few years ago and that really changed our view points, we took him over to Australia at 6 months old to meet some family and we loved it. I know it was just a holiday, but being a bit more mature (was early 20's when I was there originally and straight out of Uni) I was just able to apprechiate what was on offer more.

We have just been through the coldest winter since 1979 in the UK. From around the 19th December until the 14th January we had snow on the ground and every day the temp was close to freezing, dropping to -12c some nights. The car got stuck, we couldnt get public transport to work as they were either on strike or wouldnt run in the conditions, it really ground us down and motivated out move back to Australia even more.

I wish we remained in Australia back in 2005 and never thought about coming back to the UK, it would have savend much time and finances, I feel sick when I think about the money we have wasted.

But we have a family now and we are in our early 30's and now is the time to settle for good.

All we have to do if we get home sick for the UK again is think of winter 2009/10 and what a shocker it was.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

The economy is on a knife edge here at the moment and I can understand his concerns. I work in the public sector here and I feel the axe every day ready to fall on me. Unemployment will hit the 3 million mark by early next year I would think as the public sector cut backs take hold in the Autumn. The private sector will not generate enough jobs to take the potential flood of public sector redundancies, it is hard here at the moment, lots of uncertainties.

Personally I can't wait to jump ship and get out of the UK again asap. Not saying that Australia will be any better, but at least they regulated their banks better and have vast natural resources which helped shelter them from the worst.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

only -12? you're lucky ;)

Mind you, this winter was relatively mild compared to the last 2 we were here. The lowest this year was -19 compared to -30/35 last year :eek:

That's one thing I really appreciate here in Canada - it snows and the ploughs come out. There are no delays, life just carries on as normal.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

When we left Australia we were not shunned so much at that end, but in the UK I would say it has been difficult.

When I talk to a person about my past or in an interview for a job the response is always the same 'Why on earth would you come back'. At work I am always that crazy person who went to Australia and was insane enough to return. It does grind you down after a while.

Unfortunatley in my line of work I have come in contact with people who have tried and failed to get to Australia

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

That's harsh!
The thing people don't understand is how tough it is to be away from friends and family. I definately appreciate the UK more now that I have been away for 3 years.
It all seems so lovely and easy to emigrate but in reality when you have left, it's really tough!

You just have to learn to brush it off and remember why you left OZ. People think you're mad returning, but they haven't left their lives, friends and families and can't appreciate how tough that is!

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

They also haven't lived anywhere else and realized that nowhere is all it's cracked up to be. People in England have no idea how lucky they are to have the NHS for example. They just take it for granted, but let them move here and start paying over $1,000 per month for insurance (if they're lucky enough to be able to get it at all).

The only thing that makes me think it would be mad to return is the negativity of the type of people who say we're mad to return. I know their moaning will drive me mad.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I'm dreading that too. I constantly have the 'You must be mad to be leaving the island' from all and sundry, so to have the 'You must be mad to be back' may make me violent!!!!

This whole process is much more stressful and upsetting than I anticipated. Wine isn't helping either! Now what do I do?

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I've been here for 5 years and I just realized, or accepted that i've been miserable for most of that time. I'm not one to talk about mistakes, and usually just say i'm glad I had a go, but this may actually have been a mistake. Of course, if I traveled back in time and told mysel five years ago not to do it, I would not have listened because I was so intent on coming here. So, I suppose, it was something I had to try. Plus, I did meet my husband here.

After a lot of thought and many discussions, I think it's pretty likely thet we will be moving to the UK 2011/2012. DH has always been open to the idea and actually wants to move to the UK, which is great! I do worry about him having feelings like I have, though. What if he gets homesick, or doesn't like it there as much as he thought?

Anyway, I've tried to fit in, but I just don't feel like I ever have. Sometimes I hang on to the dream of being here and maybe living somewhere more exciting in the US, but I know deep down that I'd still miss my family, which is a big part of me wanting to go home. I'm pregnant right now and it's hard to imagine raising a child so far away from my family. I think if we are going to do this, we need to do it soon. So, we've given ourselves a bottom line. If we aren't in a better, happier position by the time I am eligible for citizenship, then we will pack up and get out of here.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

I kid you not, every person I have discussed my background with since I returned have all stated 'but why on earth would you come back', even my family said the same !

During the first few months I had around 8 interviews before I got the job I wanted and in EVERY interview they said 'why would you want to come back from Australia', I am sure they thought something was wrong with me. It got to the point where I would just sigh and come out with a well rehearsed mantra.

These are hard times in the UK and the TV is flooded with programmes like 'Wanted down under' many want to leave, but for many it is just a dream and you are their target if you have done it and returned. I had a couple of very nasty comments in the first few months of my first job back.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

Let's face it, these are hard times everywhere.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

i second that sally, 9 years into our mortgage here in the USA and owe far more than it is worth today, very scary.......me I would go home tomorrow..... one day I will though in the not so distant future.
Good luck to everyone moving onwards and upwards though...

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

QUOTE I kid you not, every person I have discussed my background with since I returned have all stated 'but why on earth would you come back', even my family said the same !

During the first few months I had around 8 interviews before I got the job I wanted and in EVERY interview they said 'why would you want to come back from Australia', I am sure they thought something was wrong with me. It got to the point where I would just sigh and come out with a well rehearsed mantra. UNQUOTE (Sorry, I messed up the quote thingy somehow)

We've had the same reaction from family here (brother) and back in the UK (my Dad). I have an interesting and well-paid job here; I'd be pretty confident about getting a similar job in the UK but I reckon the pay will be considerably less.

But of course it is not all about "standard of living" as we all know. I always thought that was a strange phrase. There's something more like a "satisfaction index" which takes in your OH and children's dreams and desires, your circle of friends, local community involvement, and so on; whatever is important to you.

And behind all that there is this strange thing we call "culture". In my company's terms we describe culture as "the way people are expected to behave". For those of us planning to return, I guess the way that we are expected to behave, and the way that others behave, in our current locations, is not doing it for us one way or another.

I don't think it's about one being better or worse than another; they are simply different.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

When we told family we had decided to start the proceedings to come home they all had positive reactions. OH family were ecstatic and my family were sad it hasn't worked out but are really happy we are coming back.

My friends on facebook are looking forward to seeing us, I don't think one person has asked why we want to go back. But when I asked my dad what was the economy like as I heard the UK was having it bad, he just said everything is ticking along, yes there have been job layoffs but there's work if you want it.

To be honest I really don't think it can get much worse for us. OH has been laid off 4 times and put on job share once. He's now labouring for $13 an hour and I have a part time job at $10 an hour. Going to try and go full time after school holidays as it's not worth working more hours to pay childcare.

Trouble is now we've decided to leave it's very hard to stay motivated as one close friend said we've already left in our heads. So that's why I think people may become distant. Especially if they don't want to hear about England all the time:rofl:

If we sell our place I think we may decide just to go, the thought of not doing another Canadian winter is very tempting.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

Told my Mum that we could be thinking of returning but she said that we are 'a lot safer here as everyone is getting stabbed over there!'
Going back for a much-needed trip home soon,so will see for myself.

Been hanging on because of my kids. Here to give them a 'better life' but my teenage boy is really messing up.That could be another thread because I'd like to hear how other families have got on. They have a lot of freedom early, so by the time they reach teenage years it's hard to contain them. If they grow out of sport, there isn't really anything for them but I suppose there are bored kids everywhere.

Re: "Inbetweenies" Thread:For those who are definitely returning, but not for a while
 

"Everyone is getting stabbed over there!" Have you read the thread 'What I will miss most about Australia?' - it's hilarious after the first few posts!
I'm sure everyone is not really getting stabbed though...there will be no-one left! lol