British Expatriate Network

Hi. Just want to introduce / reintroduce myself. I live in Adelaide, Australia but come from Manchester, UK. About 2 years ago I was seriously considering going back to Manchester again but I got put off by interfering family members (who probably had good intentions but didn't know what they were talking about).

Anyway that's a long, long story but to give you an idea of my situation I emigrated to Australia in 1989 with my parents, at the age of 14, leaving grandparents and cousins and aunts and uncles in UK.

I moved back there in 1993 but came back to Adelaide again in 1995. The reason for doing so is very complicated and personal but basically I was just having difficulty coping on my own and felt I had no support from anyone. I knew at the time I didn't really want to leave UK again but I saw moving back with my parents in Adelaide as a way to get away from the stress for a while. This was never intended to be permanent and I fully intended to live in UK again long term.

Anyway since 1995 I have again lived in Adelaide (no longer with my parents). I am still single but have a girlfriend in Phillipines who would very much like to live closer to me and settle down and have a family. I have visited UK every year since 1995, the most recent visit I returned from just last week.

Anyway to cut a long story short I have now realised during my recent visit that if I am ever going to make the move back I should do it fairly soon, as it's not going to get any easier. It will in all likelihood get harder if I leave it longer. I have 2 elderley grandparents who would be able to assist me a bit in terms of somewhere to live temporarily there and help me settle back in, and if I leave it too long they will not be there.

Also I would like to settle down and have a family (either with my current girlfriend or a new one) and if I leave that too much longer it will only get more difficult.

Also I am not at all happy with my job so whatever happens I need to look for a new one soon.

Finally I have bought an apartment "off the plan" but not moved in yet. It will be complete in August so if I am going to move it is probably a good idea to sell that now before it gets to the stage where I've moved in and got a mortgage.

So all in all now seems like a good time to consider moving back to UK.

What makes it hard is that I am actually quite happy with my life here at the moment overall. I have a very nice house (renting) and another nice one being built for me. I like my lifestyle in most respects so it is not a straightforward decision to make.

If I do move back I am well aware it would not be easy and this time, being in my 30s and not 19years old, I am a bit older and wiser and do not expect any support from anyone over there.

Anyway I won't bore you with any more info at the moment but does anyone have any advice for me?

you know, only you know why you want to do it, and that's the only reason you need!
Advice? not constructive, you have a GF a house, comfortable life..I'd slap you if you were a mate of mine,lol
But like I said, you gotta do what you gotta do!
Just don't burn too many bridges on the way to mancland, when the "grey" gets too much, you might want to go back again again,lol

Look both ways before crossing the road? Don't take candy from strangers?

Anyone crazy enough to want to leave the land of the Holden Ute SS needs to have their head examined.

/six months in the UK tops you'll be begging to be let back into Convictland

Sounds to me like you don't really want to go back any more, but it's hard to give up a childhood dream and admit you've changed. IMO, it won't be any harder to go back without the help of your elderly grandparents that it will with, so there's no rush. But that's based on zero personal experience.

My thoughts too, seems like your trying to convince yourself into something you decided long ago. Let it go!

I'm surprised you all think I don't really want to go back. Must be just the way I worded my post above. Anyway thanks for the thoughts!

But you really do sound as if you don't want to move back! Sounds to me that you could experience some big-time regrets if you upped and left Australia when you are so content there. I would give it some serious thought if I were you, friendly like.

Have you consulted your girlfreind on a move to the UK?
Will she miss being far away from her relatives?

As a Grandparent I wouldn't want my grandchild living with me for too long.

Make a life where you are is my advice. You live in a country that has much to offer.

Interesting points of view. I actually think I will deeply regret it in a few years time if I do NOT go back!

Yes I am quite happy with my life here at present but there's no guarantees that will continue to be the case, (and there's no guarantees anywhere of course) butI just feel a very strong need to be closer to my relatives in UK and be able to be there if they needed me and see them a bit more often, and I also am excited about the opportunities potentially avaialble in UK for me.

I know it sounds like I've made up my mind so there's no point advising me, but I am interested in all points of view!

Is there anyone on the forum that thinks I SHOULD move back to UK? If so why?

You seem to have an overpowering need to be near relatives. So perhaps you need to go back to get it out of your system.
Does your girl freind feel the same way?

Good point there Keith, and no my girlfriend does not feel the same way which does complicate things further, but it's a long distance relationship at this stage anyway so if we were to be together, one or both of us is going to have to move to another country!

I just wanted to let you know that I am in a similar situation but in America. I too want to return to UK with my American hubby and 2 children. It is such a difficult decision. Like you, we were also ready to move back about 3 years ago and were talked out of it by well meaning family members. Now, it's even harder with house prices the way they are and the fact that my daughter is making friends here.

I know our lifestyle is not going to be as good over there and it's really scary. We have a pretty good life here and I know we'll be giving a lot up. I just can't see myself being here forever. The thought depresses me. I wish we had a crystal ball.

I know some members on here said to forget your dream but I think that would be wrong. I know I don't want to. I suppose nothing has to be forever anyway and if you decided it was the wrong thing to do, then why not just return to Oz? Although, I know it's expensive all this moving about. Well, I'm rambling now, but just wanted you to know, I know how you feel. Where abouts in Masnchester are you from? I'm from Burnley.

If you do not go back to the UK soon will you live your life in Oz wondering "what if"and "why didn't I"?
Maybe going back to family will be a temporary measure, spending some time with your grandparents whilst they are still there to be with.
You can always put aside some money in case you want to return to Oz in a few years time.

There is always the possibility that returning to the UK will be all you want it to be and you will be happy to live out your life there.



BTW- Franki I was born and lived 3 yrs in Nelson and grew up in Colne.

That's amazing! I lived in Nelson for the first 16 years of my life on Carr Road, then moved to Barnoldswick. Which school did you go to?

I went to Park High in Colne.
My cousin lives in Barlic.
My other cousin went to the Catholic school, Fisher Moore as it was called then.
One cousin went to the all girls school in Burnley.