Basically i moved to Aus 3 years ago and i do enjoy it, last November 2009 i came back to UK for a 3 month holiday to see friends and fam and clarify the fact that i do want to stay in Aus (thinking 3 months would be enough to get it out of my system). I head back to Australia this Friday and i honestly dont think i want to, i've slotted straight back in with old friends and realised what i miss about England, and as a consequence am thinking about moving back.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation?? x

I always feel that way when I have to leave UK! I am the one in a straight jacket, kicking and screaming as the Qantas plane rolls off

In all seriousness, if you can move to UK and dont have encumbrances and you can find what you want out of life there then go for it. Last thing you want is to be wondering "what if" (LOL that's what the "go for it to Australia" crowd say). You were obviously harbouring some doubts when you went for your extended trip otherwise why would you have wanted to get it out of your system? If Aus doesnt gel for you then cut and run IMHO

You should be where you feel you belong. You can't force these things. Time makes it easier to settle but why force yourself if it doesn't happen naturally.

Thanks
I think ill give it about a month once i get back to oz and see if i still feel the same way! x

I think you have it in a nutshell.....wish we'd have gone home when we felt we should of rather than keep trying and getting use to does not always mean it's "right" for you...

Yes...after our first visit "home" we spent 7 years in Aus before we went back for a visit...just because we wanted to put down roots here in Aus...we kind of thought we had done it hence the trip home....but I can say....we still did not think of Aus home if we were honest even then...we went for our visit had a great time and kept thinking this is just a holiday...that's why we are enjoying ourselves but we realised halfway through the holiday we had not missed or even thought of Aus at all.....it was just like a dream we had been...anyway got back to Aus....and built another new home....hoping to feel settled but we did not....went back for another visit and just knew it was were we belonged...warts and all....just wish we had done it sooner for various reasons...nothing against Aus but in all our time and adventures here we never felt home or even Australian...no matter how hard we tried...I think we felt guilty in some ways at first for feeling like that....it is a confusing time after a visit home...just give yourself time when back in Aus and see how you feel but if the feeling is of wanting to go back...then go....don't think twice...my problem (one of many...lol) is that I sometimes "think" to much....

take care

It's easier giving advice to someone else though..........we're still here!

Exactly...I especially "think" too much. I just got off the phone with my brother where I told him that I really want to move home this summer (have been saying that for the last couple of years), and used the word "if" I move home..........

I know that as time passes I will think too much and talk myself out of it, but I do want to move back home. I just need to DO IT!!!

Reading these threads puts a lot into perspective...........it is not easy to move from one country to another, no matter how much you want to. But, I think the actual move is easier than the head games you play with yourself thinking "what if".

So, I have finally decided to move back home and am putting the wheels into motion, I just needed to spill my guts to someone, my brother, who was extremely supportive (whereas my mother will be a totally different matter, oh well) before I actually started the REAL move home.

and, Quoll, I love your posts, they have kept me going when I have been down about being here and not home. You sound like a lovely woman

Good luck to everyone that is contemplating moving home as I know how difficult it is.

I try to give advice only when asked to and then I am loathed to...honestly...infact I seem to be claming up quite a lot recently (you cannot tell from my time spent on expats..lol) but we are going home...decision made...that was I thought the hardest part...until I started to get quotes...etc...lol...it is an awful time though if you are in the mind frame of "just cannot seem to know what's best"...your mind plays tricks on you etc...one min. life is great then the next you just feel so homesick...etc..so it's not for me easy to give advice as I would hate to sway someone just because I feel that way... all this is driving me nuts..lol..

I can understand most in this thread.

Right now I’m typing this as I look out the window at all the snow and love it. I came back in November for a 4 week holiday (Ireland and UK.... I soon extended it to include Christmas so I could spend it with family, I then wanted to see more of Europe so extended it again.

I fly back to Australia next week and I’m devastated, trying to work out if I should bother going back (will be living there at least another 3 years if I do) or stay here, where home is and start my life again... happy.

It’s a mess and as the days tick down to the flight back to that place it gets worse and worse.

More snow! Where are you? It sounds picture perfect! I don't envy your decision but not knowing all your circumstances and just reading your post you sound so peaceful....content....a nice place to be. Best wishes to you and happy days back home.

So true. One day I feel invigorated and excited about moving back, the next I feel exhausted and depressed and wonder what the hell I'm doing. I am pregnant though and a little madder than normal! I guess it's all part of the process and I'm trying to fight off those days with doing stuff. So, I'm tottering up a ladder today (not too high) finishing trim work and then I'l start taping up the hall ready to paint that. At least it stops me thinking about stuff too much!

So, just a little message to say you're quite NORMAL......for an expat that is!!! All the best, Lily.

Good god you aren't due anytime soon are you? I went pretty mad towards the end of having the first one and was up ladders decorating and painting, much to the horror of friends and family. I slept through the second one so don't remember much

I know, I know....bananas! I've just taken a ton of stuff to the Sally Ann, walked the dog, made spaghetti and now painting.....just thought I'd have a wee rest. But yes, pregnant women and ladders shouldn't mix but at 5ft 2in and 10ft ceiling what's a girl to do? I'll let you know if I survive the next few hours!

And how did you snooze through the second one. Where was number one? I slept through number one....bliss. Although we did a massive reno in that house too!