Advice

[Ross]

Hi Guys

I am new to the forum...but hoping to get some advice from people with similar experiences...

I lived & worked in Oz for 18 months ending in June 2007. I then moved home & am now working in London. I work in finance/ accounting, have a reasonably good job etc.... However I dont like living here. My ideal place to live is Australia! Why did I move home when I could have stayed there in 2007??? - It was basically a rash decision brought on by home-sickness & a feeling that I was drifting away from my family & friends....however I regret it now & feel I made the decision too fast and before I knew it I was on a plane home. I remember being at the terminal in Sydney about to get on the plane telling myself I will regret this decision....& here I am a year later regretting it evey day.

Now I have a few issues that are stopping me from going back:
1) I am now 29 - I have to ask myself are my too old to go back? Not for visa requirements etc... but because as certain of you of a similar vintage may know at this age the pressure is bearing down to settle down, get married, get the mortgage, have the 2 kids etc..
2) Am I looking at Oz through Nostalgic glasses?? I personally dont think so. I think its the best quality of life I had. I love the outdoors, beach, relaxed way of life, the dont care attitude. Here in London its July, raining, traffic congestion, and life is completly focused on materialistic posessions.
3) Anytime I bring up the suggestion of going back to my friends/ colleagues/ family - they ALL tell me it would be a stupid move & that basically I should grow up - lifes not all about the sun, beach etc (which I never suggested it was - just that it adds to everyday quality of life)

I have travelled quite a lot. Been to the US at least once a year over the last 10, & at least one european country each year aswell. I never have thought that I would enjoy living anywhere else except for australia.

Just wondering if anyone out there is/ was in a similar position & took the plunge & went back. I want to go back on a minimum commitemet of 3 years to Sydney.

I know its probally a therapist I should be talking to at this stage - but thought Id give this forum a try first!.

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by Ross

Hi Guys

I am new to the forum...but hoping to get some advice from people with similar experiences...

Welcome to the forum.
We are a lot cheaper than therapists

Originally Posted by Ross

Now I have a few issues that are stopping me from going back:
1) I am now 29 - I have to ask myself are my too old to go back? Not for visa requirements etc... but because as certain of you of a similar vintage may know at this age the pressure is bearing down to settle down, get married, get the mortgage, have the 2 kids etc..

It's your choice what you do with your life. I was pressured at that age too to be married and have kids and strangely enough not by my parents but by certain friends and work colleagues. I did get married when I was 30 but that was because we wanted to and we've never had kids because we didn't want that.

What's to stop you getting married and having kids in Oz if that's what you want?

Originally Posted by Ross

2) Am I looking at Oz through Nostalgic glasses?? I personally dont think so. I think its the best quality of life I had. I love the outdoors, beach, relaxed way of life, the dont care attitude. Here in London its July, raining, traffic congestion, and life is completly focused on materialistic posessions.

You were here for 18 months (we've haven't been here a year yet) and you were working here so I think you got a good flavour for the country. I was only here a month on holiday when we decided to give Oz a go! I couldn't live in a city again and I certainly couldn't live back in the UK.

Originally Posted by Ross

3) Anytime I bring up the suggestion of going back to my friends/ colleagues/ family - they ALL tell me it would be a stupid move & that basically I should grow up - lifes not all about the sun, beach etc (which I never suggested it was - just that it adds to everyday quality of life)

It's amazing how people that are looking out for us can hold us back, even without meaning to. Life really is what you make it. Why does being grown up seem to mean that people can't have fun? You're also young (in comparison to me anyway ) and it's your life.

Which will you regret more? Staying in the UK or moving back to Oz?
I personally don't know anyone that's gone back to the UK although if you search the British forum or use google I know that there are people who bounce between the two because they can't decided where to settle.
You may feel home sick - it's something that most of us go through. I miss my family and friends but I don't miss the UK.

Okay I'm biased but your life is your own and the choice definitely has to be yours, not your families or your friends....

Regards,
Karen