Going Back

[The Monaghans]

Evening all!

Those of you who have been members for a few years will remember us as regular posters about 3 or 4 years back. We have been in Adelaide since July 2007 and have loved pretty much every single minute here. We've made the most fabulous friends we could wish for, we live in a lovely little house, in a quiet, leafy area with our own pool and we've spent many an evening down at Port Noarlunga beach eating delicious fish and chips and watching the most perfect sunsets.

But. There's always a but isn't there? The but here is that we've decided that financially and emotionally, our future lies back in the UK, not here in Australia. I don't want to get into a long, heated debate about where's better, I'm not interested in hearing "But you haven't been here long enough!" or "You must be mad, I wouldn't go back if you paid me!". The fact is, we badly underestimated two things, how much we would need to earn to live comfortably and how much we would miss our family and friends back in the UK.

We both work, Richie full time and me part time. We get by, but that's all we do. There's nothing left over to put to one side for a rainy day. Holidays, except for camping around SA or the occasional trip to Perth to see family, are completely out of the question. We would never be able to save enough to have a holiday in the UK, we'd have to take out a bank loan. If ever we got a phone call to say one of our parents was ill, we'd be absolutely banjaxed, we simply don't have the money. I skype my mum every Sunday and it shocks me to see how much she's ageing. She's a widow and I'm an only child, she's completely alone and I took her only two grandchildren to the other side of the world when they were just babies. That's a hard thing to live with, trust me.

So. We've talked and talked and talked, and this is the decision that we've made. I would never, never badmouth Adelaide. We truly have loved living here, for families with children it's the best place in the world to live, I honestly believe that. But (there's that word again) we've decided we want our children to know their grandparents and we want to be in a financial position to give them the occasional foreign holiday and the odd trip to TGI's. We are both lucky that we have jobs to go back to and we've managed to sort a house out as well. If we can sell our house reasonably quickly, we expect to be back in the UK by July or thereabouts.

For those about to come over, don't hesitate. Adelaide is a beautiful city with so much to offer. For those of you already here, enjoy every single moment of it because you are truly very, very lucky!

Thanks for listening. :)

[Diane]

I think you're very brave and I'm sure you are making the right decision. You've given it a try, given your family a great adventure to look back on, and I really do think from the sounds of it you're doing the right thing. All the very best, enjoy the time with your Mum, and give my love to Europe!
Diane

[happy feet]

OMG, well never thought i would read a post about going back from u....I have been here 13 months and have read many of you post's most before i got here...I really admire you all for the decision you have made has got to be harder than the decision to come here, and also the fact you not in the "hate in bridgade". I completley understand how you feel,we are in the same situation and are struggling with the stay or go feelin,mainly due to being worst off, and not being able to enjoying what Oz has to offer due to money!!!!
Well done for being brave enough to make such a hard decision, and Good luck with your journey home
All the best
Cara xxx

[nurse sue]

good on you for making the decision to go back for family - we put off our plans to emigrate back in 2006 due to my mum falling ill. although it scuppered us both financially and in the visa process itself, i have no regrets. when i posted that my mum died, all the pms on the other forums i go on all said the same thing; they wish they had been with parents when they died, but had been stuck in aus.
family input into kids lives is so important, and you have given your kids an amazing experience in the 2+ years you have been there.
enjoy life back in the uk

[SA Great]

Great post guys and I wish you all the best for your return to the UK. You can have a good life here and a good life there. Give yourselves a big pat on the back for giving it a go.

[Trakki]

well that certainly was a shock to read but you seem to have come to a decision that suits you as a family which is the most important thing. It is a very big decision and we wish you lots of luck for the future. Good luck to you all and hope to catch you at the school before you leave.

[the4hopes]

Hi Liz, You have given your best, it must be so hard for everyone with young children, it's such a fantastic place here to bring them up, although they are away from grandparents, I am finding it hard enough with 2 teenage girls away from my mum and dad, I really don't think I could have done it when they were younger, so I would like to say a big well done to everyone who has small children, you are amazing! Whether you stay here or go back to the UK!

[scooterdan]

Hey!

Yeah...shock to read!!

But you have done it...lived it and enjoyed it!!

Good luck for the future and nice one for making such a tough choice!

Dan

[Tyke]

Ouch!!!!!

Reading your post I am truly and genuinely saddened but appreciate where you are coming from.

You HAVE been here long enough.

You are rational and sane - no irrational "I'm missing Coronation St" or any S%@$e like that.


As you are a long term poster here + a friend I am shocked but at the same time respect you hugely for your post and honesty.

Obviously Birmingham invented everything/is the centre of the cultural world/ Is a Utopia and makes Adelaide pale in existence .

( Tell which part I'm kidding with)

Best of luck Loves to You and Yours ;);)

A genuinely upset but understanding Tyke

[katsmajic]

Good Luck Liz & family

your posts are always good - and were helpful a few years ago when we were setting out on our adventure.