georgiasmammy Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Firstly thank you to so many people on the forum who have replied to my "items for sale" post. You've been absolute stars. A lot of people are asking why we're heading back to the UK and a few have said they are in a similar boat. I wanted to tell others our story, purely to help others who may be in the same situation as us to show them that they are not alone. Here goes: Basically my husband is a tool maker, we have a friend out here in Perth who's been saying to us for years that we need to come over. My husband hit his 30th birthday 2 years ago and he said that if we were going to "try" Australia then we should do it now while we're still young and also our daughter is young....... So we started the visa process etc and it was granted summer last year, had a look at doing a reccie as we'd never been to Australia before but the cost was crazy and I personally don't think you can get an idea of a country that you potentially want to live in for the rest of your life in a fortnight/couple of weeks. So we decided to sell up, come over and just see what happens. We tried securing jobs beforehand but had little or no leads to follow upon arrival. Had a holiday let for 5 weeks and that was pretty much it. Leaving the UK was by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. Our friends and family were in a mess, especially my husbands mother who absolutely adores our daughter, being her only granddaughter. She had also spent so much time bringing her up and looking after her while we both went to work. She was on her knees begging us not to go. The night before we flew out was the longest and most emotional night of my life. I remember have a crafty cigarette about 4 o'clock in the morning out the garden and thinking, "Our life isn't actually that bad. We've got a loving family, loads of friends, both got really good jobs, daughter doing so well in school.......... why the hell are we moving to Australia?"........ Anyway, we landed and at first I just wanted to get on a plane straight back home. I don't know what I was expecting really, but I just remember feeling completely and utterly lost. It doesn't matter how much research you can do........ you can never understand what it's going to be like until you actually get here. We were really fortunate enough for my husband to start work within 2 days of landing, went round cold calling to a load of engineering companies and it worked out really well. Moved out of the holiday let and into a proper rental, bought a car, put our daughter into school........ everything was going quite well. I think as well, obviously getting settled, getting into a house, daughter into school etc, seeing all the sights etc - we didn't have chance to think about people back home for a while. It was Xmas time that I think it started to become hard for us. I LOVE Xmas, I'm a big kid! Xmas in the sun wasn't quite how I imagined it to be. I know it sounds so silly but I love being cold, wrapping up in our scarfs and hats and going late night shopping in the cold, seeing all the Xmas lights in the city and playing cheesy Xmas songs full blast in the car on the way to school with my daughter. Xmas day is a massive family gathering over my mother in-laws, it's just the best time of year. I was watching the Xmas special of Gavin & Stacey on DVD and just broke down in tears, wishing I was home. My daughter was so lonely too, I hated seeing her so sad. My husband heard that his company was closing down just after Xmas. He's been trying to secure other employment ever since but everywhere is the same. No-one's got much work on and they too are laying people off. For me, this is the first time since I was 16 that I've been out of work. I've applied for 100+ jobs since October, had 1 interview and I didn't get that job. Our funds are quickly running out. If we go back to Wales now, at least we'll have some money to start back up again, get a rental, a car etc........ plus my husband's been offered his old job back as soon as we land and I know lots of people back home who'd be willing to take me on. Also, we've had an amazing 6 months here, we've got a really good idea of what Australia's like and if we want to come back we can, as long as it's within the next 4 years. I've had lots of comments from people, some showing lots of support, some saying that we've only given it 6 months and we should've given it more time. Yes we could give it more time, we could stay out here for another 6-9 months and hope that things get better. But what if my husband or I still don't find a job? There's only so long that our savings will keep us going and even then, how would we afford to get flights back home? How would we cope moving back to the UK with no money at all? Also, our daughter means everything to us, and all we want is to make her happy. She's not happy here. She's lonely, she's sad and it doesn't matter what amazing things we do here, she says, "I just want to see my family". So we've decided to head back. Like Andrew's boss said we came at the wrong time, but leaving at the right time. That's pretty much it really. There's things about Australia that I absolutely LOVE and I'm going to really miss them, but there's things about Australia that I don't really like too........ Maybe we're doing the right thing going back, maybe we're doing the wrong thing....... we're in exactly the same position we were 6 months ago coming out here, maybe it was the right/wrong thing to do coming out here - we'll never know. All I know is that we have no way of knowing what lays ahead for us in the future. All we can do is use the information at hand to make the best decision possible. And at this moment in time, with the information at hand, this is the best decision for us as a family. I'm not putting anyone off coming to Australia, far from it. This country is breathtakingly beautiful, and is a land of opportunity for so many. If you get the chance, come. I'm so glad we did. I don't wish to live my life with regrets, and I know if we hadn't made the journey here I would've regretted it for the rest of my life. Yes we're going back after 6 months, yes we haven't had much time here, yes the weather is awful back home. But there is nothing stopping us coming back in a few years if we choose to. Good luck to everyone who's making the journey, those already here in australia, and to those making their way back to blighty with us. X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 You sound like the most awesomely beautiful loving parents who have had the courage to come, give it your best shot and make a very tough decision. A lot of people come here with the future of their children at the forefront of their minds and unselfishly, you sound like your daughter is at the forefront of yours. This enormous upheaval doesn't work for everyone and many stay long beyond the time when they really should have moved on, stay and become bitter and twisted whinging poms. I'm so glad you've made what is clearly the best decision for you and your family. If you do return in the future, give us all a nudge and I'm sure there will be people here who'll do their best to make you feel welcome and supported. The best of luck in the future, thank you so much for sharing, yours will be an important post for many people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 we have just arrived here in perth... and love it so far. you have to do what u feel is best for u and ur family and if thats the uk.. then go for it! life is a journey... good luck in the future. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Portlaunay I so wish I could write the way you do, I second what you say, I'm sure if your daughter was very happy here, it would put a different light on matters, but she is not and that is what counts. As you have said, you gave it a try and will have no regrets. Good luck with the move back home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walkabout Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Thank you for sharing your story, I am sure there are lots of people in the same position as you. I think you are very brave, you made the decision to come, give it a go, but also to acknowledge that its not right for you as a family right now, it takes guts to do that! As you say, who knows what will happen in the future and for now the door is open for you to come back should you decide that the timing is right for you all. Good luck with your new adventure returning home, I hope you have a fabulous next chapter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give me a break! Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 I'm so sorry its not worked for you. I wish you ever success and happiness back in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Firstly thank you to so many people on the forum who have replied to my "items for sale" post. You've been absolute stars. A lot of people are asking why we're heading back to the UK and a few have said they are in a similar boat. I wanted to tell others our story, purely to help others who may be in the same situation as us to show them that they are not alone. Here goes: Basically my husband is a tool maker, we have a friend out here in Perth who's been saying to us for years that we need to come over. My husband hit his 30th birthday 2 years ago and he said that if we were going to "try" Australia then we should do it now while we're still young and also our daughter is young....... So we started the visa process etc and it was granted summer last year, had a look at doing a reccie as we'd never been to Australia before but the cost was crazy and I personally don't think you can get an idea of a country that you potentially want to live in for the rest of your life in a fortnight/couple of weeks. So we decided to sell up, come over and just see what happens. We tried securing jobs beforehand but had little or no leads to follow upon arrival. Had a holiday let for 5 weeks and that was pretty much it. Leaving the UK was by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. Our friends and family were in a mess, especially my husbands mother who absolutely adores our daughter, being her only granddaughter. She had also spent so much time bringing her up and looking after her while we both went to work. She was on her knees begging us not to go. The night before we flew out was the longest and most emotional night of my life. I remember have a crafty cigarette about 4 o'clock in the morning out the garden and thinking, "Our life isn't actually that bad. We've got a loving family, loads of friends, both got really good jobs, daughter doing so well in school.......... why the hell are we moving to Australia?"........ Anyway, we landed and at first I just wanted to get on a plane straight back home. I don't know what I was expecting really, but I just remember feeling completely and utterly lost. It doesn't matter how much research you can do........ you can never understand what it's going to be like until you actually get here. We were really fortunate enough for my husband to start work within 2 days of landing, went round cold calling to a load of engineering companies and it worked out really well. Moved out of the holiday let and into a proper rental, bought a car, put our daughter into school........ everything was going quite well. I think as well, obviously getting settled, getting into a house, daughter into school etc, seeing all the sights etc - we didn't have chance to think about people back home for a while. It was Xmas time that I think it started to become hard for us. I LOVE Xmas, I'm a big kid! Xmas in the sun wasn't quite how I imagined it to be. I know it sounds so silly but I love being cold, wrapping up in our scarfs and hats and going late night shopping in the cold, seeing all the Xmas lights in the city and playing cheesy Xmas songs full blast in the car on the way to school with my daughter. Xmas day is a massive family gathering over my mother in-laws, it's just the best time of year. I was watching the Xmas special of Gavin & Stacey on DVD and just broke down in tears, wishing I was home. My daughter was so lonely too, I hated seeing her so sad. My husband heard that his company was closing down just after Xmas. He's been trying to secure other employment ever since but everywhere is the same. No-one's got much work on and they too are laying people off. For me, this is the first time since I was 16 that I've been out of work. I've applied for 100+ jobs since October, had 1 interview and I didn't get that job. Our funds are quickly running out. If we go back to Wales now, at least we'll have some money to start back up again, get a rental, a car etc........ plus my husband's been offered his old job back as soon as we land and I know lots of people back home who'd be willing to take me on. Also, we've had an amazing 6 months here, we've got a really good idea of what Australia's like and if we want to come back we can, as long as it's within the next 4 years. I've had lots of comments from people, some showing lots of support, some saying that we've only given it 6 months and we should've given it more time. Yes we could give it more time, we could stay out here for another 6-9 months and hope that things get better. But what if my husband or I still don't find a job? There's only so long that our savings will keep us going and even then, how would we afford to get flights back home? How would we cope moving back to the UK with no money at all? Also, our daughter means everything to us, and all we want is to make her happy. She's not happy here. She's lonely, she's sad and it doesn't matter what amazing things we do here, she says, "I just want to see my family". So we've decided to head back. Like Andrew's boss said we came at the wrong time, but leaving at the right time. That's pretty much it really. There's things about Australia that I absolutely LOVE and I'm going to really miss them, but there's things about Australia that I don't really like too........ Maybe we're doing the right thing going back, maybe we're doing the wrong thing....... we're in exactly the same position we were 6 months ago coming out here, maybe it was the right/wrong thing to do coming out here - we'll never know. All I know is that we have no way of knowing what lays ahead for us in the future. All we can do is use the information at hand to make the best decision possible. And at this moment in time, with the information at hand, this is the best decision for us as a family. I'm not putting anyone off coming to Australia, far from it. This country is breathtakingly beautiful, and is a land of opportunity for so many. If you get the chance, come. I'm so glad we did. I don't wish to live my life with regrets, and I know if we hadn't made the journey here I would've regretted it for the rest of my life. Yes we're going back after 6 months, yes we haven't had much time here, yes the weather is awful back home. But there is nothing stopping us coming back in a few years if we choose to. Good luck to everyone who's making the journey, those already here in australia, and to those making their way back to blighty with us. X ...sad to read GM, but sad to have you go through tough times, wish we had a magic wand to wave. Try not to listen too much to peoples views and opinions about giving it longer, they haven't walked in your shoes, it's not their lives. Every credit for giving it a go,and as your pm said it ain't over yet, like the big man Arnie once said 'I'll be back'! . I'm sure if it's right at the right time, you will be back! Best of luck and look after that gorgeous girlie of yours. peax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philpom Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Well Georgiasmammy, I can understand the predicament. I am an Australian born and bred and my wife is Irish. We've been here almost 6 years from Ireland and in the past 12 months my work has been on and off and it's been difficult to pay the bills. I have been trying to convince her that we need to head for the UK as there is work for me. Even though she hasn't seen her family since we've been out here, she's reluctant to go back even though she says she misses them. I guess giving up the outdoors lifestyle would be hard, but she keeps saying that if we do go we just have to treat it like an extended holiday. The kids are also mixed in their reactions. The oldest one who was born in Ireland wants to go, the second one doesn't because it will be too cold and the 3rd one doesn't care either way. There is so much to weigh up and it's not a cheap decision to make. I am getting my UK visa ready at the moment in case it all goes pear shaped here. So much to consider but I think you're probably making the right decision whilst the jobs market is down at the moment. I have friiends with their own engineering companies and they are running lean at the moment and living hand to mouth with not being able to see any further than a month ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfie Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 I am so sorry it hasnt worked for you. Its been 19 mths for me and I still could go back even though we now have PR. Totally different from you we have no children well my sons 27 and back home in the UK. John will never be out of work but it is at a cost working away for 2 weeks at a time. Me I dont have what I call a "real job". I think you are brave to come here and even braver to admit that its not working for you do not see this as a failure see it as an adventure and an experience that some would never ever try. I wish you well for the future back in Pontypridd one consolation you will have missed most of the horrific rain they have had over there. It will still be cold enough to have a pretend Xmas on your return. Good luck for what ever you do in the future. ((((((((((( big cwtches for you all ))))))))))))))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Well Georgiasmammy, I can understand the predicament. I am an Australian born and bred and my wife is Irish. We've been here almost 6 years from Ireland and in the past 12 months my work has been on and off and it's been difficult to pay the bills. I have been trying to convince her that we need to head for the UK as there is work for me. Even though she hasn't seen her family since we've been out here, she's reluctant to go back even though she says she misses them. I guess giving up the outdoors lifestyle would be hard, but she keeps saying that if we do go we just have to treat it like an extended holiday. The kids are also mixed in their reactions. The oldest one who was born in Ireland wants to go, the second one doesn't because it will be too cold and the 3rd one doesn't care either way. There is so much to weigh up and it's not a cheap decision to make. I am getting my UK visa ready at the moment in case it all goes pear shaped here. So much to consider but I think you're probably making the right decision whilst the jobs market is down at the moment. I have friiends with their own engineering companies and they are running lean at the moment and living hand to mouth with not being able to see any further than a month ahead. Best of luck Philpom, some difficult decisions to make. Pea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelchic Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 GM if you feel like a great weight has been lifted off your shoulders by making the decision to go home then you've made the right decision. I'm a 'wherever I lay my hat that's my home' kinda girl. I embrace change. I'll be ok. But my son on the other hand is a different matter. He is very outgoing and will make friends with absolutely anyone any age. But if he's not happy, then I would head back too. But we, like you, won't know that until we're there. You are extremely lucky to have your hubby's job to go back to. I wish you the best of luck x x philpom, such hard decisions to make when everyone has a different view. You can't please all the people all of the time. I wish you the best of luck making a decision for the family. Some will be happy with the decision, some won't. You just have to accept that and move on. Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 There is no magic time for staying and knowing ... some have stayed longer and things have changed for the better and others have known right from the start - it sounds from your story that you had some reservations to begin with. Migration can be such a difficult journey and I think if you know you're not settled and know the reasons why - then why suffer and be miserable when you can do something to make things better for you and your family. As you say, nothing to stop you returning during the life of your visa, you've had a family adventure . Good luck on your journey back to the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgiasmammy Posted February 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Thank you everyone. Got just over 3 weeks left and fully intend on making the most of WA before we leave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmond8 Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Charlene, it was so lovely to finally meet you the other day there isn't much else i can say that the others haven't already said!....i really do hope that you enjoy your last few weeks here, knowing that there is a huge, huge weight off your shoulders! i really admire you for making the decision to go back and for staying true to yourselves.....Be happy Amy xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beandownunder Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 I can only echo what has already been said, what a truly honest and open post and good on you for making the tough decisions you have had to face. I hope all will work out for you and you will all be happy once again, take care and please still pop in from time to time to let us know how you're doing J xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayliandnathan Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Wishing you all the best for the future and for your return back here too South Wales Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shayne Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS. Shayne XX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfie Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 Charlene it is well know the Welsh do not travel well my mother in law reminds us constantly ! Good luck for the future xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgiasmammy Posted February 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2014 Charlene it is well know the Welsh do not travel well my mother in law reminds us constantly ! Good luck for the future xxx Lol! Damn you welsh origin! Thanks everyone once again x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.