Not sure whether to return

**thebacons** · 28-01-2012, 07:36 AM

Glad you got home safely and happy for you that your mum is hanging in there. The only thing that I can add us you seem to be trying to justify your decision to go back to others, you don't need to do that you only need to justify your decision to yourself. At the worst it's been a experience lots don't get the chance to even make. You have gave it a go and unfortunately it just has not worked out, the pull of family is a massive thing and we don't know how this will effect us until we are here. Good luck for the future wherever that ends up being and I hope your mum pulls through.

Chris.

**PaulandVicky** · 03-02-2012, 10:17 PM

Do not return. I am sat in my bed, with the radiators on high, a oil heater at the bottom of my bed, a thick sweater, thick pj bottoms, extra thick nitted socks, king duvet double thickness, oh and a hot water bottle. It was - 6 reading on my car this morning and we have forecast for snow tomorrow. We are only in the midlands too......

This is dangerous.....he he...Please,please, please re-consider.........

**phil&Sue** · 04-02-2012, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by James

Like I said it was hard to leave my work mates especially without saying good bye

sorry that you had to go bck at such short notice, ope it goes as well as possible, sue, jack (2), phil

**James** · 12-03-2012, 09:45 PM

Quick update as some people requested I am in a strange situation, my parents are very frail so I am becoming their carer and looking after them so not looking for a job. However, although it has been very stressful and I am at the hospital a lot and I have not yet faced the money fall out but soon will be, in every other way I love being back. Yes I miss the sun and it does seem crowded but boy it it lovely here and gentle and the people the same! May say different in a few months will let you know. Not saying I will not come to Australia but if I move again I would try Europe next time, I love this continent too much to leave again for a long time! Strangely I do think money wise if I am aloowed Social Security as a resident return I may have no less expendable income then in Australia, food is so cheap. 80 pence for ready done meal in Waitrose, 15 pence for cakes etc. Anyway will upadate again in a few months

James

**snifter** · 12-03-2012, 10:17 PM

Glad you are enjoying being back :) hope things continue to work out for you.

Although must say I shop at Waitrose and I've yet to see an 80p ready meal on their shelves (unless you count the reduced bargain bin for going out of date stock) :p

**guest1255** · 13-03-2012, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by James

Quick update as some people requested I am in a strange situation, my parents are very frail so I am becoming their carer and looking after them so not looking for a job. However, although it has been very stressful and I am at the hospital a lot and I have not yet faced the money fall out but soon will be, in every other way I love being back. Yes I miss the sun and it does seem crowded but boy it it lovely here and gentle and the people the same! May say different in a few months will let you know. Not saying I will not come to Australia but if I move again I would try Europe next time, I love this continent too much to leave again for a long time! Strangely I do think money wise if I am aloowed Social Security as a resident return I may have no less expendable income then in Australia, food is so cheap. 80 pence for ready done meal in Waitrose, 15 pence for cakes etc. Anyway will upadate again in a few months

James

hi james

nice to hear you are now happy and settling in back home ...although i wish your circumstances where not so sad. good on you for giving it your best shot ...you have to follow your heart. All the best mate and hope everything works out for you :)))

tess x

**serena** · 09-05-2012, 07:23 AM

Hi James,
You said pretty much exactly what I'm thinking. Only difference is, all of us want to leave, but don't know where to go. Originally from London, we'd like to be somewhere nearish but quieter, nice architecture, school for our son etc.. Where you came from sounded nice - where was that exactly?? Not been back in 4 years, don't know if it's the right thing to do, but had enough here.
Serena

**Rachiegarlo** · 09-05-2012, 11:55 AM

Serena, why don't you try Suffolk, it has a biggish centre in Cambridge and is only a short train ride to London if you wanted to go for the day. The education in Suffolk used to be excellent, but I heard they are canning the middle school system to bring it inline with the rest of the country. Suffolk has plenty of rural countryside with old houses to visit and old towns full of thatched cottages etc.

**serena** · 09-05-2012, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Rachiegarlo

Serena, why don't you try Suffolk, it has a biggish centre in Cambridge and is only a short train ride to London if you wanted to go for the day. The education in Suffolk used to be excellent, but I heard they are canning the middle school system to bring it inline with the rest of the country. Suffolk has plenty of rural countryside with old houses to visit and old towns full of thatched cottages etc.

Thanks, I know Suffolk a bit. We lived a few years in Cambridgeshire. I don't know. I'm scouring the net for a small town that has a primary school with only a few kids! Not easy. You wouldn't believe the nightmares we've had at schools here. Currently I'm home with my six year old boy school-less. Job-less, school-less
wishing we were somewhere else. Sados' no?!

**James** · 09-05-2012, 05:23 PM

PM me Serana and I will think, tell me what you wnat ideally, would you go private, there are not many small state schools now sadly!
Plenty of homeschoolers and partial home schoolers. I think you need Dorset and Devon for any smaller free schools, although there rae some new initiatibes like the Montessori primary in Sussex under the Free School Programme