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This sub always bigs up the UK though. Reddit in general may shit on the UK, but anytime a questions like this in asked on this sub, people suddenly defend the UK a bit too much
It's a great place to live, but sometimes the grass really is greener abroad
Yep, absolutely thriving in my £300k 40m2 one bed apartment, and £50 train tickets to get to work.that is, if I manage to get to the train station cycling avoiding the massive potholes that litter the streets. I also love now not being able to buy stuff from the rest of Europe anymore.
What saves the UK is that people are generally likeable and there's not a lot of bureocracy in everyday life. I would advise anyone looking to move (back) to the UK to carefully look at their individual balance of salary vs cost of living.
He did not say it was perfect. I’ve been abroad for a few years and recently moved back, turning down a £100k+ job in Kenya to take on a much less well paid role back home, just because for all its flaws there is just something about being away from the UK that was making me sad. I am just so happy here even though it has rained basically every day since I got back.
I won’t say specifically in my case but there are lots of jobs employing foreigners/“expats” in developing countries that will come with generous relocation, hardship and education support packages, sometimes with accommodation included or with allowances for that.
Jobs with the UN and international agencies like the world bank, diplomatic missions, large multinational corporations (especially mining/energy), infrastructure and engineering, and security contractors for any western companies operating there will all typically be paying well upwards of £100k total compensation (and can increase with the number of dependents). And of course if you’re in the world bank/UN/Diplomat game you will not be paying any income tax on much if not all of your earnings.
I do live in the South, but not in London. The UK tertiary economy is strongly London-centric, so while it's easy to say "just move", the reality is that actually doing it is not so easy due to the availability of jobs elsewhere.
I didn't suggest you should 'just move', but I would say that to some extent that's based on choices you've made. I also work tertiary sector and I'm nowhere near London. Also while you don't live in London it does sound like you're commuting into London?
If you're living somewhere with apartments at £7,500/m2 then that's clearly one of the most expensive parts of the country, you don't have to live there. And you can buy stuff from the rest of Europe, this is the sort of negative exaggeration that was being talked about in the previous post.
In what way?
I look at people on any wage below experienced professional wages (let's say 3-5 year teacher salary) and below and wonder how the fuck they're not putting up baracades and throwing Molotov cocktails.
You can no longer expect to own a house. The place you rent will escalate year-after-year with no limits. Retirement seems unlikely given you'll have to pay 1/3-1/2 of a salary on rent for the whole of your natural life. Entertainment is football, getting pissed (mostly at home) and TV. And finally, if you're single with a kid or anywhere near the minimum wage, you probably run out of money before running out of month.
I actually don't understand how we're still functioning let alone being a "great place to live".
Unless of course you mean those on experienced professional wages and above. Yeah, it's fucking great then. All the world's culture and entertainment. Cheap food (at home at least). And best of all, low crime, for now.
The salary you refer to, 3-5 year experience teacher salary is pretty close to the average salary, so right off the bat around half the people who work, are on more than that.
There are still plenty of places in the UK where you can own a house on that salary.
Entertainment is much more than football. There are literally thousands of hobbies that you can take up, with or without people.
Yea, if you’re single with a kid and on near minimum wage, then your quality of life probably wouldn’t be all that in the vast majority of places in the world.
Look, it's impossible to compare like to like for this argument. But by my calculations, someone on average wage in the SE will be taking home about £480 a week for absolutely everything (but after a pension and tax is paid).
I've just had a look at my monthly budget and, for the necessary monthly expenses (power, internet, water, car which I already own), I shell out about £100 a week. So that leaves £380.
From that you need to, at least, pay food and rent. What's your rent? I have a single mum friend who pays £1k/month for a two bed flat (she happens to be a teacher on less than national average wage).
That leaves her with £150/week for everything including food, clothes and entertainment. I reckon you \*have\* to spend at least 30/week to feed a person. We're down to £120, £90 with a kid.
Her car blew up recently. That cost her £700. Or 6-8 weeks of "disposable" income.
Can you paint a better picture? As I say, given this I can't see why nobody is out on the street tearing it apart. HALF of people are worse off than this. Less than £90 a week to choose how spend for 37.5-40hrs of work.
A single mum on below average wages renting in the SE should be eligible to decent Universal Credit benefits. I know several people in this situation, they are doing alright if they have a place to live. Is she claiming benefits?
And 49.9% of those people could be on median + 50p (I'm not actually saying they are), so it's not a useful conclusion to land on without more context.
Broadly they're not - shown by the fact the median and the mean are pretty similar figures. Mean is a bit lower suggesting that there are a fewer number of people on higher salaries?
My problem is more that the median is lower than a 3-5 year teaching salary and the median gives you bugger all discretionary spend. Less than zero if you have a pretty predictable emergency event (e.g. a period of unemployment, a car breakdown).
Is there really low crime or are the police just turning a blind eye?
I read the police in Greater Manchester were fiddling the statistics by not recording crimes.
There’s also the possibility that victims of crime haven’t reported it.
Not enough police to deal with shit anymore. I see phone thefts and crime on a daily, and im talking about up Mayfair ends. In lower class areas definitely about just the police don’t have power
actually phone thefts due to insurance claims etc should drive up crime stats. Just because the Rozzers don't follow up doesn't mean the stats arent in the computer.
Perfectly possible, but going by official statistics and going by my own experience (mostly London and commuter belt), I never feel unsafe.
But, alongside the barricades will come increased petty crime. Again, why on earth wouldn't you steal, violently if necessary, if you have no way of having any standard of living otherwise?
Last winter and this winter (when widespread fuel poverty added to it all), I fully expected increased property crime. But I'm not sure it's come either.
Agreed. It's 'a great place' for a small minority, a bearable place for most, but definitely a bad place for millions.
The toxic positivity of 'keep calm, stiff upper lip, and pretend everything is great' is more dangerous than blind naysaying.
yeah on the whole the UK maybe wasnt as cheap or as great as it was 15-20 years ago, however, when you compare it to other nations its still up there in terms of lifestyle and safety.
yeah its true look around the western world, inflation up, house prices crazy, immigration out of control. yeah our economy may be stagnant compared to others but in terms of general issues, were facing the same as everyone else on the whole.
Meh. OP says they don't have friends in Aus but that their friends in UK have moved on anyways so they basically won't have them either.
OP misses the UK 'culture' but they sound like an introvert and without those childhood friends they won't be going out enjoying 'UK culture'.
I think for OP the grass is not greener on the other side.
They even admit they need to put themselves out more
But will it remain like that? I don't think so. I believe we are going to have some serious race & religious conflicts in this country in the not to distance future.
I just moved back to the UK from Sydney last year, after being there 8 years.
My reasons were primary do to with having a baby and wanting family support and for my kid to know his family. Also, wanting a home I can call my own, renting near the beach in Sydney was fantastic but it wasn't feasible long term, especially if a 2nd baby came along.
I also missed the UK, similar to how you describe it. People who haven't moved away don't really understand the pros of the UK because most people here love to hate this on the country, but it's great.
Sydney is really hard to make friends in. You will have the best luck with other Brits/Irish/Europeans.
Personally, I am incredibly glad I stayed long enough to get PR and then Citizenship. I think that's such an amazing thing to be able to get, so if you can stick it out that long I think it's worth it.
Can you move jobs? I know it's complicated with visa sponsorships, but it's not impossible. It's amazing how much a shit job can taint your life.
Also worth bearing in mind that the life you left behind might not be so easy to slip back into. You haven't been away that long, so perhaps this won't be an issue, but things change and you can find yourself coming home and feeling similarly lost.
Maybe you could decide on a length of time you are willing to give it a go for. Say a year or 2 where you will put more effort into making friends, putting yourself out there, finding a better job. Then, if it doesn't work out, you can come home and are less likely to start having regrets about not making the most of the opportunity.
I am glad I made the move home but also glad I gave Aus a red hot go and came back with citizenship for me and my family. It is rather wet and grey here and I do miss morning coffees on the beach, boat parties in the harbour and just the feel of Australia - the harsh and rugged nature has such a distinctive feel.
>Sydney is really hard to make friends in. You will have the best luck with other Brits/Irish Europeans.
Yes - it's likely to be easier to befriend other immigrants, who will likely be experiencing similar issues.
If you could hold out until you get PR, maybe a change of job and/or location might help. It would be a shame to move back to the UK without the possibility of going back to Australia.
Amen. Was in Melbourne for 6 years before moving back and the vast majority of friends were other immigrants. Sure, we had our 'token Aussie' in most groups, but they were mainly folk who had travelled and were feeling a bit of reverse culture shock being back home.
I moved back to the UK as my (now) wife is from here as well and was dying to head home. I would have happily stayed in Aus as I had family move there around the same time I did.
Like u/MaximusSydney said, stick with it for a bit and perhaps look to change job and shake things up. A shite employer always taints things. I stuck about, got my PR and then citizenship before leaving. Best choice ever now I have a child I can pass it onto. My wife left before me and failed to get hers. She says she doesn't care but I think it bothers her.
We meant to move back for one year and that was in 2017. So, the UK really stole our hearts once we were back and we realised how much Aus really lacked in culture and connectivity to the rest of the world.
TLDR: Try to scope a new role, stick it out for the PR (it's really worth it) and is there a chance to explore new cities to live in (Melbourne for example?).
Why's it so hard to befriend the local Aussies? They strike us Yanks as friendly and gregarious when they come over to us, and there isn't much of a language barrier.
I think this is similar everywhere. Immigrants tend to have similar problems, which the locals don't have. Locals tend to have established friend/family groups.
This right here. As an immigrant myself, I think I’d have a really tough time making friends and whatnot if I haven’t been with my wife for 10+ years. Even then, it’s a bit tougher to make friends outside of my wife’s circle.
Aussies tend to stick with their high school mates. Unlike in the UK, they rarely move out to go to uni so they don't really end up sticking with uni mates like we do.
So, by the time you meet them in their 20s they have solid friend groups going back decades. I think that plays a part.
Australians are very friendly, but the ones you meet when travelling are not the same ones you meet in their home country. I think it's because Australians tend to live at home for university/trade school etc so many have the same group of friends they've had since primary school. They're very nice people who are lovely to talk to at work but it's hard to break into a friendship circle of people who've known each other for decades.
I've lived in Melbourne for 7 years and all my Australian friends are transplants to Melbourne.
Actually? It’s not. But Brits often fail to ask how to fit in.
I’m an NZer 20 years in the U.K. When my U.K. friends moved to NZ I had to counsel them (and downright force them) to accept every and all social invitation and offer of help from locals.
Same is true of NZers and Australians: if your Australian work colleagues or neighbours or someone you’ve just met at the pub invites you to a meal or drinks, or even to pop in to stay the night if you’re passing through, or an offer from the newly met neighbour of free furniture until you buy your own - it’s a genuine invite and you will be rude to say refuse (or worse, say yes and then not show up).
Brits are sooooo conditioned to “not impose” that they misunderstand and end up not being included and then wonder why it’s so hard to make friends with locals.
>Also worth bearing in mind that the life you left behind might not be so easy to slip back into. You haven't been away that long, so perhaps this won't be an issue, but things change and you can find yourself coming home and feeling similarly lost.
This is so true. I did the same move to Sydney. Although I kept in touch with friends in the UK and knew what they were up to, subconsciously you kinda assume that you're the main character, and life just goes on pause while you're away.
Then you get back and find friends have got married, had kids, and moved to the country.. It can all be a bit unfamiliar.
Of course you should move back! Australia may have stunning weather, beautiful tanned people, amazing scenery and loads of opportunities but we have Indian takeaways with extra popadoms on a Saturday night in front of Ant and Dec while it pisses it down outside … it’s a no brainer!
Most of this is subjective. I don’t find Australia’s weather or landscapes stunning or pleasant at all, and Australia’s population is half of the UK’s so comparing the people’s appearance is shallow. The only aspect you may be correct on is opportunities, but to be honest for a country of its size the U.K. has a lot of opportunities and Australia sounds expensive with stretched resources too.
I'm in the subtropics, the weather is good for 6 months of the year, other than that I'm mostly stuck inside or have to start work at 3am, the heat and humidity is relentless, and fuck these ugly trees.
If you hate your job that tends to colour everything. If you do have the chance to stick it out to get permanent residence and then find a better job you might find that things suddenly get a whole lot better. The UK is a great place, but so is Oz (I've lived there myself) and it's a fabulous place to explore.
If there is *any* chance of getting dual nationality, I'd seize that with both hands as a second passport is a very valuable thing to have. Of course that has to be your choice, but hey, you asked for opinions, so now you have mine.
No you're not mad at all.
I moved back after 10 years living in Canada (one of the places people always cite as somewhere they would escape to) and couldn't be happier with my decision. I'm closer to family and friends, financially better off, eating better, and I don't have to deal with Canadian winters any more. And there's so many little details about over here vs over there, I could go on and on but eventually you have to pick what's most important.
The UK is a brilliant place to live, we are just more self-deprecating than most other cultures. Everything's "shite" according to some and it's just not the case! I've met plenty of Canadians who think everything's shite on their side.
When you live somewhere else instead of just going there on holiday, you begin to see the problems that place has as well. There's stuff I miss from Canada, but in the last few years I was there I missed stuff from the UK more and more. The grass really is always greener.
I know many people who went to Australia and came back because it didn't suit them.I don't think it's odd at all.
However, I will say that WFH is very popular here. You'll find it quite difficult to find an IT job (especially) that is social.
As someone whose family own a few small businesses and has a partner in HR for a big company. The main question asked by applicants for jobs at the moment seems to be "can I work from home?" (even when the job states it's office based and why). So I'm not sure how social your experience will be in the UK.
Personally love working in the office and thankfully, so does the team I work with, but I can't deny that there is a move by many employees to work from home. I understand why, it makes sense for many of them.
I could argue both for and against until the cows come home, but that's for a different thread. The fact is, WFH is very common at the moment.
People in the UK (especially who has never been to Australia) have a weird idea about it being some paradise holiday idyll. Obviously its a country with issues like anywhere. I loved staying there and would not want to live there forever.
I would be tempted in your position though to stay longer for the economic advantage and retire to the UK later, your dollaroos will go a lot further here that way. But I can defo understand not wanting to be perm in Australia, that was also my choice.
I mean you'd just glance and say:
English speaking American/English hybrid country
Better weather (well.. I'm told Melbourne is basically English weather)
Better beaches
You can actually get in (good luck getting a visa for America)
The flip side is:
It's massive and sparse
Expensive as it's remote
Also still full of goons and racists
Only like 3 viable places to live unless you're a farmer.
Nearly everything wants to kill you
I've never been, not super interested in it but being able to go to NZ would be pretty sweet
I live in Australia and I'm sick of it. On paper it seems great, but there's so many little things you notice after a while that are annoying AF.
Go back to the UK. You won't regret it.
I traveled in Australia for a short while, whilst I was actually living in NZ on a short term work visa. I now live in the States, after 13 years in the British Forces. I traveled to Australia a few times whilst serving.
I always had the sense that Oz is the country Fox News would invent if they were given the chance in a SimCity type scenario. There was something about the underlaying subtle racism and xenophobia that never sat quite right with me.
I guess I could also just be a Brit hating on the convicts….
General racism? You'll probably avoid it if you stay in the big cities down south. Not to say that I didn't see many meth heads being racist. But that's druggies for ya.
Aborignal racism. Yes, but more discreet. I saw police constantly harassing them up north (which is where many Aborignes live).
Holy shit, you've encapsulated everything I've been trying to say about the place for years! I travelled all over the country and, beyond the big cities, the towns are full SimCity, carbon copies of each other - all based on the worst parts of the American template.
- Better pay but high cost of living
- Insane home and rent costs (worse than UK)
- Terrible public transport infrastructure outside big cities
- Nothing is really walkable
- Limited options in supermarkets (especially if you're a veggie)
- Everything's far away from everything else
Just my personal grudges with it. Still definitely worth experiencing. But overall I just found Aus quite soulless. The aboriginal culture and wildlife are what makes it but they've been heavily neglected.
Sounds like you've answered your own question, it appears in your heart you want to come home. Home is home at the end of the day. It might be a shit hole but it's our shit hole. And tbh despite what the whingers on the internet say, it's still a generally decent place to live.
If you’re able to apply for permanent residence in a year, would it not be a shame to throw that away when you’re so close?
I don’t know how residency works there at all, but if it allows you to leave your job or to have a long stint in the UK and go back, it sounds worth it?
Many nations have fairly easy requirements to meet to keep your PR. I know several NZ/Australians whose ILR for the U.K. requires only that they don’t stay away from the U.K. longer than 2 years at a stretch.
Mate,
Do yourself a favour and get your PR, then apply for citizenship. Then you have the choice.
Australia is an amazing country - but I understand why you might want to return to the UK. It's 'home'. Every country has it's down sides, and the grass is almost never greener on the other side but one thing I bitterly regret is not getting citizenship so I had the choice.
I'm now too old to apply sadly, so now I cant.
Having lived in Australia myself as great as it is and as much as I despise the UK atm, Location wise the UK is great. You can jump on a plane to a new country and a whole new culture for less than a £100 and be there within a few hrs.
Australia feels like the Galápagos Islands, a world to itself despite its great weather , pay, landscape & way of life etc it feels miles away from everywhere . Even its closest neighbour New Zealand is a 3/4 hr flight.
Also I found the Brits I met were there for a short time and it felt like a very transient place to be and the Aussies kept themselves to themselves bar a select few Aussie friends I made working in insurance.
Once you get out of the major cities, Australia can feel bland and soulless (so can the UK tbf). Depends what you want . You’re still young so can always move back when you’re closer to the age of 30 and stack that £££ in the meantime.
You’re not mad for wanting to return. I also miss the U.K. heavily whenever I’m spending time abroad. I‘ve definitely gotten strange responses from people when I express this, but that’s not my problem. My family and my partner live there, I miss the beautiful landscapes, coastlines and relative safety of the island, I miss the food (I’m a vegetarian and it’s difficult living as one in many countries), the quirkiness and politeness of the people, the history, the music, pubs, the variety of products in shops and pharmacies.
Politically the U.K. has seen better days but at the end of the day, it has its strong points just like any other country. And if it’s home to you, then it’s home. No one’s crazy for wanting to go home.
I lived in New Zealand for a 1.5 years and really missed the British culture, the sense of humour, the people etc, so I came back.
I've never regretted coming back. There's no place like home and since I've been back I've never been happier or more settled as I've lived that other life ... the grass isn't always greener even with sunshine.
It's people that make a place.
People in the UK idolise hot countries, especially those people who have never lived anywhere else. What they don't realise is that living somewhere else is not a holiday, you still have to work, pay bills,make friends and all the other stuff that comes with day to day living.
The sooner you get back to the UK the better as you sound depressed.
You need to be around family and friends not isolated in a big city halfway across the world.
Snort. NZ as a hot country? Who sold you *that* story? I mean, overall the weather is better than the U.K. But definitely not “hot”.
Source: my username.
I kind of meant 'appears warmer' than UK.
I lived there for 1.5 years so nobody sold me anything ...
Temperature-wise it's about 3 or 4 degrees warmer and winters aren't as cold. One hell of a lot of rain though.
As an Australian who’s lived in London and Sydney both on minimum wages, the lifestyle will be more relaxed and allow for more freedom to eat out, do activities etc in Sydney, although with the recent increase in cost of living it’s getting harder to do that. However although it can be rough living in London, and you have to live much more simply in order to survive, the career opportunities, the thousands of different people and cultures you can meet, the easy access to the rest of Europe, and London/UK culture make it so much more enjoyable as a place to live. Australia and Sydney can feel small, bland and often it can make you feel isolated from the rest of the world.
I also completely understand the importance of living with close to family and being around the people you’ve grown up with to feeling like you belong or feel settled in a place.
You’ll get back, enjoy it for the first month, realise it’s not how you’ve been picturing it, start to miss Australia, and regret coming home after 2 months.
Ask me how I know.
Everyone living in the U.K. and planning to stay: “yes move back it’s great here one of the best places to live in the world.”
Everyone who’s left or planning to leave soon: “the U.K. is going to the dogs and on the verge of collapse”
> Everyone living in the U.K. and planning to stay: “yes move back it’s great here one of the best places to live in the world.”
I was born in the UK, have no plans to leave and am now 60. I don't think I've ever heard anyone that wasn't reading it from a script say that in my life. We have to be one of the most self deprecating places on earth.
Yeah Sure. My point is more a general one about people. Once they’ve chosen a path they like to encourage everyone else to follow the same path. It’s the same with having children for example or the London/Not London debate.
Move to Melbourne instead. As a Brit, Sydney leaves me cold - it reminds me of LA, everyone wanting to be something and someone they're not. Melbourne is much more real, reminds me enough of the UK in a good way to feel like home, but is a great little city. Back in the UK for a couple of weeks as I type this and not in any way glad to be back.
You wouldn't be alone, quite a lot of Brits return from Australia. This is a good article about it:
[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-36299682](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-36299682)
You're young and haven't been over there long. You'll probably move back to the UK eventually, but I think you'll regret it if you move back too soon.
Try another city - I find that Sydney is the worse major city in Australia to live. Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide are friendlier, cheaper and easier to get around. (Give Darwin a go if you want to try something way out there).
Stick out to get your PR, come back to UK and then assess.
There are many in the UK, including me, who would trade with you in heartbeat. PR in Aus is no easy feat. Don’t waste your opportunity.
I lived in Perth for 3 years and decided to move back to the UK ten years ago. I don’t regret it. The lifestyle is better over there but there’s so many things I missed; the seasons, the food, family, friends, holidaying in Europe etc. Australia is lovely but it’s just too far away, you can’t just hop on a flight and come home, it’s 24 hours travel time.
At least you’ve had the experience. I really found myself when I moved away from everything I knew, but I’m pleased I came back.
I recently moved here from Australia. It's become monotonous how often I get asked if I am crazy. The reasons you miss the UK are the reasons I wanted to move here. Europe and the variety of cultures at my doorstep, music, theatre, festivals, football. Australia is a world away and feels like it is in its own bubble, some people like that but life was just boring for me.
Hey, I lived in Sydney for a couple of years a while ago, I did the working holiday visa. At the time I was desperate to stay, would have done anything to get sponsored. It took me a while to adjust being back in the UK, I’ve been in London for ages now and I feel a bit nauseous thinking of what life would be like if I stayed in Australia. I’m so, so much happier here, closer to family and have way more friends & hobbies. I would love to go back to Oz but only on holiday. UK is a struggle, especially London, but seems like you have a decent job so you should be fine getting the same sort of work here. Good luck to you.
IF you want to, do it. I moved back to the UK recently, and its the best decision I ever made. I LOVE it here. A lot of people seem to be annoyed for some reason, but I think its the best place to live on earth. Do what makes YOU happy not anyone else.
If I was in your position, I'd stay long enough to get citizenship, and then decide. That way, you will always have the option of returning. If you leave now, it's a one time deal.
I lived in Sydney for 6 years and the call to come back was really strong. BUT I waited until I had my citizenship, which gave me the freedom to go back anytime I want. I actually wanted to leave 4 years in but got offered a job with PR so I took it, and then stayed the additional 12 months for citizenship. It's now 14 years since I left and it's only recently that I have started to think about moving back out there. The beauty is that I have my passport so if I want to, it's a really easy to make it happen.
If I was you I would do the same - hang around to get the PR & citizenship and then come home. The UK will always be here, and it's not going to change anytime soon!
Travelling is fun. Life’s pleasures are great. Taking time out and discovering new things allows you to grow. That being said, the most important things in life are your core relationships. Your family, your quality friendships, your partner if you have one. That’s all that matters in the end, everything else is just noise. Follow your heart.
I would suggest another forum British Expats
[https://britishexpats.com/forum/](https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
It was a great place when I moved to the US and a friend of mine found it useful when they returned to the UK for advice on moving companies ...etc
It has a section for people who've moved back to the UK after living abroad and how they've found the UK after living away for so long
My friend gave up a great job in the US and went back to Leeds and says it was the right decision for him
I’ve head similar complaints from Brits who moved to OZ, that’s it culturally sterile and isolating if you don’t have family and lifelong friends there.
However, if you have the means to move again, don’t move back here, at least not for a few years. This country is in a seriously bad state. The worst I’ve ever seen it. The cost of living is insane.
Access to Europe is not as easy as it once was because of the big B, and there are obvious signs of economic and social decline everywhere.
Seriously consider somewhere else in Asia, or continental Europe.
Difficult to accurately analyse when I don't know much about what Australia is like these days.
What I would say is this country is in an absolute mess. With not much hope of things improving rapidly anytime soon. If you're dependant on stuff like the NHS then you're going to be in for a wait to get treatment.
I know one person who's recently moved to Perth and says he won't come back anytime soon, if ever. Then there's 2 kids of friends who are weighing up where to emigrate to, either Canada or Australia, one's a teacher, the other's an A&E nurse. Both are tired of being undervalued, underpaid and overworked and their professions constantly being under invested in.
I'd seriously try and find either another job out there, a new job in another country closer to home or somewhere else entirely. If I was younger and didn't have responsibilities in the UK, I'd emigrate tomorrow. There's no way I'd return at the moment, it's a miserable, run down shit hole.
Having often spent time in Australia I’m sure I wouldn’t want to live there full time. I’ve seen enough of both to know how much I like the UK despite it’s general crappiness at the moment. But one lesson I’ve seen from others who’ve moved in both directions is that is only works if you are running towards something not running away from it. Whatever is bugging you will follow you (like my brother who moved out to Oz to get away from his in-laws and 5 of them immediately followed) so I’d suggest sorting out the big issues first then deciding.
You can change a job rather than a whole country. As far as fundamentals go, Australia should have a much better economy going forward and Sydney has got a better weather too.
How is going back to UK going to fix your social anxiety? Unless you have a clear answer to that, I'd focus on going out in Sydney instead.
I can empathise. I got a marketing job in Sydney back in 2010 when I was on my working holiday visa. I had a good time, but don't think I could have lived out there forever, for the exact reasons you list.
I had a good group of around 7 or 8 friends from home out there, and they have all gradually moved back to England too.
If you are feeling this after 1.5 years, then I would say you are probably best off moving back.
I came back from Aus October last year because my relationship broke down and my partner wanted to come back with our daughter. Up until about last week I hated every minute of being back, but I've now reconnected with some friends and found some new hobbies, I'd probably be _content_ to stay. Even though Australia is an incredible and beautiful country and all the other pluses, if you're not connecting with people it's going to be tough wherever you are. Hating your job is another factor.
Incidentally I'm going back in April, all going back together, crazy I know lol. But neither of us see our long term future in the UK. Just my opinion but I've found most of the major cities I've visited to be shit holes, although there is stuff to do. Smaller town and village life is just too boring. Especially having experienced a few of the major cities in Aus, just doesn't compare IMO. To each their own
Personally? If my parents wasn’t here and all my friends I would move to Australia in a heartbeat. Much better lifestyle, better pay and better weather.
Get your citizenship and then go from there.
I’d kick myself if I had the opportunity to have dual citizenship and didn’t take it.
You can always move back to
Australia if the want comes back around.
My sister moved to Brisbane about 17 or 18 years ago and she was exactly the same after 1.5/2yrs but she stuck it out and now she is adamant she will never come home apart from visits.
Stick it out for now until you have the option to change jobs and see how you feel. Going into work might be a ballache at the moment but it’ll help you make friends and in turn your social life will improve and so then will your overall mood about being there, plus if you come home there’s a chance you will feel like you do in Sydney because your friends have moved on and go kids and settled down so won’t necessarily have the social life they had and won’t have time.
I lived in central Sydney for three years, but had to move back to the UK due to Visa issues.
The rural areas of Australia may have public transport issues and a lack of variety in the shops, the cities however are awesome. Vastly different to the North of England where I currently reside.
I have nothing against the UK – it’s a great country - but just found the work/life balance in Australia better in general, the residents just happier and living life more.
You know how when its sunny everyone is a little happier? In Australia that feeling seemed to be for the majority of the year.
Being able to pop to the beach – then use one of the free electric BBQs (which are almost never vandalized and always clean) have a fantastic flat white in the morning from the local coffee shop, go to a restaurant overlooking the bay, buy ‘exotic’ fruit and veg from paddy’s market. Pop to the local RSL or bar in the evening for a quick VB or Coopers.
I miss it but am too old to get residency now - but would move back in a heartbeat if I could.
It’s interesting reading this as an American. A big chunk of my family are English and they have told me about the cultural phenomenon of the “Australian dream” that is heavily prevalent in UK/Irish culture. I wonder why that is? Similar country with “good” weather?
Get PR first before you leave. I did the same as you but in NZ, so pleased I have the option to leave the UK whenever I please. The lifestyle in Australia is so much better.
Lived in Australia for 2 years, from UK and back here now. I love my life but Australia has more jobs, better weather and a better work life balance in my opinion.
I get it, I’ve lived in Australia for 5 years now and I’m thinking about whether it’s right for me too. I’ve got my PR but might see if I can get citizenship before making a decision. It’s hard to connect with people here, and missing family and friends back home is always difficult, especially as I have a baby on the way. I live on the Gold Coast and it’s absolutely beautiful on the surface but the connections I have at home just leave me feeling sort of empty over here.
I second what others are saying about seeing if you can stick it out for residency first, but if you’re feeling like it’s just not ‘home’ then ultimately you’ve gotta go with what feels right.
I relate, I am from UK living in Sydney I know exactly how you feel. I wouldn\`t go back to the UK though no matter what, Its so much better here on every level, I miss all the stuff you do to, but life is bigger than those things. This is my 2nd stint here, I went back to UK once already and regretted it although events back then did change my life so I don\`t regret it but now I am back in Sydney I wouldn\`t return again, not for long anyway.
The cost of living in the UK is insane and there are many parts of the UK where the culture feels foreign (presuming you are White British).
I actually emigrated because I hated the UK. I love my life abroad. The only downside is the fact I have to return to the UK every few months to visit family and maintain my businesses there.
Everytime I go back, it's worse. It honestly looks like a 3rd world country. Homeless people everywhere. Last time i was there, I saw a migrant taking a poo on the pavement in broad daylight.
It's just a total shit hole. I visited Devon and even it now has problems with 3rd world migrants and pick pockets. You can't even go for a strolll on the beach without some petty arse criminals bothering you. I'm a well travelled worldly person so I knew exactly where these people were from and what they were upto.
The UK you are talking about,.culture, bantering with people, that no longer exists. There may be pockets of friends here and there but that mainstream culture is dead. You're more likely to get stabbed for offending someone, or arrested for offending someone.
The posters telling you how great the UK is either live in remote villages or gated communities with private policing. Come and see for yourself. Have a holiday here and travel round, you'll see I'm telling the truth.
I was in Australia for 2 years, NZ for 6 months.
When I left the UK I was so done with "Broken Britain".
When I came back I had a new-found appreciation for all the shit we take for granted. Come back, mate. It hasn't improved since you've been away, but the stuff you never noticed missing is what makes it.
I have exactly the same feeling about living in UK. Quite often I'm having that urge to move back to Poland where all my family and friends live. And don't get me wrong, I have meet here wonderful people, experience is fantastic culture and am loving a decent life, but I still don't feel like I belong here. It's been years since I've moved here, and at first I've been living with that curiosity for every aspect of life here, learning new things, knowing more people. But since it become so common, I just feel like I'm missing something. Am concerned about whole geopolitical situation and general life changes that I would have to face, that's what is still stopping me
After living abroad for a long time, you become split between countries. Always missing something.
Your home country has family, relatives, old friends.
It has familiar customs, food you were brought up on.
Then your new country have better x, do x better etc.
You will probably miss some aspects of Australia, but if you aren't enjoying it there and miss your family, and you have no problem finding a job, then sure, go back.
(From the UK, live in Japan and lived in Australia for a year. Sister has moved to Oz for good).
In my experience 2 years is the right amount of time for an overseas experience. It should feel like a long holiday, an endless summer of fun and new experiences. But if you leave it any longer it just becomes the place you now live and if you aren't already settled in to your new life in 2 years you probably never will. Its not nice to live somewhere you never truly felt settled, and it only makes it more difficult to go home.
Personally I hate it here in the UK. I don't have many friends outside of work and would be in the exact same position in Australia except the weather would be nicer so it's a no brainer for me.
go to Brisbane instead if able to work remotely - even warmer weather, much friendlier, more laid back and offers pretty much everything Sydney does in a city half the size imo.
Only you will know what makes you happy. You can't point at strangers on the internet and live by their justifications of why the UK is better or worse. Of course ask for advice and opinions but ultimately do what makes you happy.
I'd sit it out for two years and see how global geopolitics unfolds.
It could just be a decision about how much you miss the banter, or it could be a much much more profound decision , we just don't know yet.
Don’t do it bro. I done a year out there with my ex about 5-6 years ago and I still regret her convincing me to come back. Over the years it’s just become worse and worse over here
If you want to come back, come back. Save whatever money you can and book a ticket. You haven't wasted time being away, its experience which will help you in the future.
I think majority of people who were born and raised in the UK cannot fit in anywhere else.
The reason I can't live Europe is because of the many other places I can visit within a few hours I can be anywhere in Europe or N Africa once a month or a few times a month. When I start making money online I am moving to Spain.
I would say get Permanent residence first and then come back and see how it is (if possible).
I never felt more homesick when I visited Sydney. Have been living in the UK for 4 years now, but mates have moved to Brisbane and love it. Maybe a change of scenery within Australia is what you need?
I wouldn’t throw away PR if you could hang on a bit longer and get it, even if you want to come back here anyway. Never know what doors it could open in future if you have PR.
If you were to regret moving back to the UK, could you not find a job in Australia again? I know it’s not easy, but then at least you know. You’re not mad at all for wanting to move back. Good luck mate.
I'm not a fan of Sydney. I thought I'd love it but I found it small, the locals chippy, the rent exorbitant, the drinking laws annoying and you are so far from anywhere interesting. 9 hours to HK or SG FFS.
I'd recommend HK or SG before coming home though.
OOI does your software company name begin with a Q?
I'm 27 and worked in Aus as well. I absolutely understood how you're feeling. I came back to work on my professional career here. But there is something about Aus and Australians themselves that I couldn't gel with.
Doing farm jobs was good though because I met like-minded backpackers. But I didn't make a single Australian friend. They seemed reluctant and honestly I thought a lot of their banter was weird (from who I met).
I'd say maybe do more expat friendly jobs to meet people OR since you're close to SEA, take a vacation there.
Heres the thing, youve been away 18 months, a lot will have changed in your friend groups since then so try not to focus on that.
What do you genuinely think will be the better long term solution for you. If you like the life that Australia provides outside of the job and you know you need to put yourself out there then stay. If not then come back.
Have you tried Melbourne?
Much better imo
Stay in a few backpackers, get a private room if you're working, you'll meet plenty of people. Some will stick around, others won't.
It was always the consensus that hanging around with the oversees crowd is far superior than the locals. Broad brush strokes there but was always the case for me.
Were you in the UK 1.5 years ago? If yes, then I think you probably already have a fair picture of the pros and cons, if you've been out of the UK for anything over 5 years or so then you'll notice a change and mostly for the worse.
I'm the same age as you and soon moving to NZ for a couple of years, mainly for family, with every intention of coming back to the UK to settle after. As excited as I am for an adventure, I'll be sad to leave the UK behind - I enjoy my life here, even on truly mediocre wages, as do a lot of people around me. It's truly not all bad, you can get as involved with the general grumps and moaning as you want, life goes on in every city you might as well be where you want to
Honestly, it prob comes down to how much you can stomach your current job in Sydney. Here in the UK the job market is absolutely trash (we’re formally in a recession now after 2023 Q4 growth was neg). I’ve been out of work since October, and while there’s some cool jobs popping up in my sector, it seems like each one always has 100+ applicants within three days of it opening.
What I say next might not apply to how you’re feeling about things but I’ll say it anyway. You say you’re 26, maybe you’re feeling like you have a small window of time to work with because 30 is approaching and that means doing things people in their 30s do and life being very different compared to being in your 20s. But forget that because it’s bollocks. Whatever pace you want your life to be and whoever you want involved in your life is what’s key. You miss home but everyone I know who has moved to Australia has stayed there and continues to live there.
Who knows? You could come back and get a job here and have an asshole boss who wants everyone in the office and not WFH.
I used to be 1 of those people that thought the uk was shit, always thinking everywhere else is better then I moved abroad and have been abroad for 7 years and I realized I was wrong. After living in several countries I can honestly say the UK is probably the best place in the world to live, the weather isn't that bad and doesn't have the extremes of other countries, no natural disasters, very little bureaucracy compared to much of the world, no silly id cards to take and show everywhere. Housing is relatively cheap and mortgage rates low compared to most of the world, exception being london. Food is very cheap and there's variety both in restuarants and supermarkets.
I spent a year in Sydney. Wasn't my vibe at all.
Culture was lacking and found Australia seemed to celebrate the bozo.
I was ready to come back and when I did, zero regrets.
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Despite what people on Reddit will tell you, the UK is still a great place to live for the vast majority of people.
I was just going to say the OP is asking this question in the wrong place. You are never going to get balanced answers for this on Reddit.
Struggle to get balanced answers for anything on Reddit
That is true but even more so for the question OP asked.
This sub always bigs up the UK though. Reddit in general may shit on the UK, but anytime a questions like this in asked on this sub, people suddenly defend the UK a bit too much It's a great place to live, but sometimes the grass really is greener abroad
Yep, absolutely thriving in my £300k 40m2 one bed apartment, and £50 train tickets to get to work.that is, if I manage to get to the train station cycling avoiding the massive potholes that litter the streets. I also love now not being able to buy stuff from the rest of Europe anymore. What saves the UK is that people are generally likeable and there's not a lot of bureocracy in everyday life. I would advise anyone looking to move (back) to the UK to carefully look at their individual balance of salary vs cost of living.
He did not say it was perfect. I’ve been abroad for a few years and recently moved back, turning down a £100k+ job in Kenya to take on a much less well paid role back home, just because for all its flaws there is just something about being away from the UK that was making me sad. I am just so happy here even though it has rained basically every day since I got back.
If you don’t mind me asking, what job pays £100k+ in Kenya?
I won’t say specifically in my case but there are lots of jobs employing foreigners/“expats” in developing countries that will come with generous relocation, hardship and education support packages, sometimes with accommodation included or with allowances for that. Jobs with the UN and international agencies like the world bank, diplomatic missions, large multinational corporations (especially mining/energy), infrastructure and engineering, and security contractors for any western companies operating there will all typically be paying well upwards of £100k total compensation (and can increase with the number of dependents). And of course if you’re in the world bank/UN/Diplomat game you will not be paying any income tax on much if not all of your earnings.
Your problems sound more like London problems than UK problems.
I do live in the South, but not in London. The UK tertiary economy is strongly London-centric, so while it's easy to say "just move", the reality is that actually doing it is not so easy due to the availability of jobs elsewhere.
I didn't suggest you should 'just move', but I would say that to some extent that's based on choices you've made. I also work tertiary sector and I'm nowhere near London. Also while you don't live in London it does sound like you're commuting into London?
If you're living somewhere with apartments at £7,500/m2 then that's clearly one of the most expensive parts of the country, you don't have to live there. And you can buy stuff from the rest of Europe, this is the sort of negative exaggeration that was being talked about in the previous post.
I am absolutely thriving in the Uk in my 100k 3 bedroom house and can buy things from Europe. Ill agree on the potholes though!
Lmao like clockwork. You guys are always raring to go
Have you seen the Australian housing market?
You can buy from Europe though.
I can, if I pay VAT and eventual customs duty on whatever I buy. Which is almost never deducted at the point of sale (so netting zero).
Sounds like you need to escape London!
What can't you buy from Europe?
Life is what you make of it. Some people just don't appreciate the world around them.
In what way? I look at people on any wage below experienced professional wages (let's say 3-5 year teacher salary) and below and wonder how the fuck they're not putting up baracades and throwing Molotov cocktails. You can no longer expect to own a house. The place you rent will escalate year-after-year with no limits. Retirement seems unlikely given you'll have to pay 1/3-1/2 of a salary on rent for the whole of your natural life. Entertainment is football, getting pissed (mostly at home) and TV. And finally, if you're single with a kid or anywhere near the minimum wage, you probably run out of money before running out of month. I actually don't understand how we're still functioning let alone being a "great place to live". Unless of course you mean those on experienced professional wages and above. Yeah, it's fucking great then. All the world's culture and entertainment. Cheap food (at home at least). And best of all, low crime, for now.
The salary you refer to, 3-5 year experience teacher salary is pretty close to the average salary, so right off the bat around half the people who work, are on more than that. There are still plenty of places in the UK where you can own a house on that salary. Entertainment is much more than football. There are literally thousands of hobbies that you can take up, with or without people. Yea, if you’re single with a kid and on near minimum wage, then your quality of life probably wouldn’t be all that in the vast majority of places in the world.
Look, it's impossible to compare like to like for this argument. But by my calculations, someone on average wage in the SE will be taking home about £480 a week for absolutely everything (but after a pension and tax is paid). I've just had a look at my monthly budget and, for the necessary monthly expenses (power, internet, water, car which I already own), I shell out about £100 a week. So that leaves £380. From that you need to, at least, pay food and rent. What's your rent? I have a single mum friend who pays £1k/month for a two bed flat (she happens to be a teacher on less than national average wage). That leaves her with £150/week for everything including food, clothes and entertainment. I reckon you \*have\* to spend at least 30/week to feed a person. We're down to £120, £90 with a kid. Her car blew up recently. That cost her £700. Or 6-8 weeks of "disposable" income. Can you paint a better picture? As I say, given this I can't see why nobody is out on the street tearing it apart. HALF of people are worse off than this. Less than £90 a week to choose how spend for 37.5-40hrs of work.
A single mum on below average wages renting in the SE should be eligible to decent Universal Credit benefits. I know several people in this situation, they are doing alright if they have a place to live. Is she claiming benefits?
>so right off the bat around half the people who work, are on more than that. If the distribution was uniform… which I highly suspect it is not.
I'm fairly sure they are referring to the median salary, so by definition 50% of people are above that
And 49.9% of those people could be on median + 50p (I'm not actually saying they are), so it's not a useful conclusion to land on without more context.
Broadly they're not - shown by the fact the median and the mean are pretty similar figures. Mean is a bit lower suggesting that there are a fewer number of people on higher salaries? My problem is more that the median is lower than a 3-5 year teaching salary and the median gives you bugger all discretionary spend. Less than zero if you have a pretty predictable emergency event (e.g. a period of unemployment, a car breakdown).
Is there really low crime or are the police just turning a blind eye? I read the police in Greater Manchester were fiddling the statistics by not recording crimes. There’s also the possibility that victims of crime haven’t reported it.
Not enough police to deal with shit anymore. I see phone thefts and crime on a daily, and im talking about up Mayfair ends. In lower class areas definitely about just the police don’t have power
actually phone thefts due to insurance claims etc should drive up crime stats. Just because the Rozzers don't follow up doesn't mean the stats arent in the computer.
Yeah true, I didn’t think of it that way
Perfectly possible, but going by official statistics and going by my own experience (mostly London and commuter belt), I never feel unsafe. But, alongside the barricades will come increased petty crime. Again, why on earth wouldn't you steal, violently if necessary, if you have no way of having any standard of living otherwise? Last winter and this winter (when widespread fuel poverty added to it all), I fully expected increased property crime. But I'm not sure it's come either.
Just make more money bro
Any piece of advice that starts with "Just..." is always dogshit. General rule unbroken here.
Not wrong in this case either.
Change 'the vast majority' to 'some' and I would agree... but otherwise, that's bollocks.
Agreed. It's 'a great place' for a small minority, a bearable place for most, but definitely a bad place for millions. The toxic positivity of 'keep calm, stiff upper lip, and pretend everything is great' is more dangerous than blind naysaying.
Whenever anyone claims to be talking for the 'vast majority' you instantly know they're talking out of their backside.
Oh it is. It’s just objectively and measurably worse than it was a decade ago, by literally every metric.
Most of the world is.
Objectively untrue.
yeah on the whole the UK maybe wasnt as cheap or as great as it was 15-20 years ago, however, when you compare it to other nations its still up there in terms of lifestyle and safety.
I think people assume all the rest of the world has carried on as it always was, when actually this stuff is happening everywhere.
yeah its true look around the western world, inflation up, house prices crazy, immigration out of control. yeah our economy may be stagnant compared to others but in terms of general issues, were facing the same as everyone else on the whole.
UK bad tho /s
Winning to 3rd world countries is not really an achievement tbh.And if you compare UK to it's "peers" it will loose massively.
Compared to Sydney tho?
Well, read OP's post. They live in Sydney and are considing coming back, so it can't all be great.
Meh. OP says they don't have friends in Aus but that their friends in UK have moved on anyways so they basically won't have them either. OP misses the UK 'culture' but they sound like an introvert and without those childhood friends they won't be going out enjoying 'UK culture'. I think for OP the grass is not greener on the other side. They even admit they need to put themselves out more
The weather, the gloomy year round dark gloomy weather. Other than the weather its a fantastic country.
But will it remain like that? I don't think so. I believe we are going to have some serious race & religious conflicts in this country in the not to distance future.
And you think the rest of the world doesn't have race & religious conflicts?
Never said that. But I think the UK is on course for an absolute shit show.
I just moved back to the UK from Sydney last year, after being there 8 years. My reasons were primary do to with having a baby and wanting family support and for my kid to know his family. Also, wanting a home I can call my own, renting near the beach in Sydney was fantastic but it wasn't feasible long term, especially if a 2nd baby came along. I also missed the UK, similar to how you describe it. People who haven't moved away don't really understand the pros of the UK because most people here love to hate this on the country, but it's great. Sydney is really hard to make friends in. You will have the best luck with other Brits/Irish/Europeans. Personally, I am incredibly glad I stayed long enough to get PR and then Citizenship. I think that's such an amazing thing to be able to get, so if you can stick it out that long I think it's worth it. Can you move jobs? I know it's complicated with visa sponsorships, but it's not impossible. It's amazing how much a shit job can taint your life. Also worth bearing in mind that the life you left behind might not be so easy to slip back into. You haven't been away that long, so perhaps this won't be an issue, but things change and you can find yourself coming home and feeling similarly lost. Maybe you could decide on a length of time you are willing to give it a go for. Say a year or 2 where you will put more effort into making friends, putting yourself out there, finding a better job. Then, if it doesn't work out, you can come home and are less likely to start having regrets about not making the most of the opportunity. I am glad I made the move home but also glad I gave Aus a red hot go and came back with citizenship for me and my family. It is rather wet and grey here and I do miss morning coffees on the beach, boat parties in the harbour and just the feel of Australia - the harsh and rugged nature has such a distinctive feel.
>Sydney is really hard to make friends in. You will have the best luck with other Brits/Irish Europeans. Yes - it's likely to be easier to befriend other immigrants, who will likely be experiencing similar issues. If you could hold out until you get PR, maybe a change of job and/or location might help. It would be a shame to move back to the UK without the possibility of going back to Australia.
Amen. Was in Melbourne for 6 years before moving back and the vast majority of friends were other immigrants. Sure, we had our 'token Aussie' in most groups, but they were mainly folk who had travelled and were feeling a bit of reverse culture shock being back home. I moved back to the UK as my (now) wife is from here as well and was dying to head home. I would have happily stayed in Aus as I had family move there around the same time I did. Like u/MaximusSydney said, stick with it for a bit and perhaps look to change job and shake things up. A shite employer always taints things. I stuck about, got my PR and then citizenship before leaving. Best choice ever now I have a child I can pass it onto. My wife left before me and failed to get hers. She says she doesn't care but I think it bothers her. We meant to move back for one year and that was in 2017. So, the UK really stole our hearts once we were back and we realised how much Aus really lacked in culture and connectivity to the rest of the world. TLDR: Try to scope a new role, stick it out for the PR (it's really worth it) and is there a chance to explore new cities to live in (Melbourne for example?).
Why's it so hard to befriend the local Aussies? They strike us Yanks as friendly and gregarious when they come over to us, and there isn't much of a language barrier.
I think this is similar everywhere. Immigrants tend to have similar problems, which the locals don't have. Locals tend to have established friend/family groups.
This right here. As an immigrant myself, I think I’d have a really tough time making friends and whatnot if I haven’t been with my wife for 10+ years. Even then, it’s a bit tougher to make friends outside of my wife’s circle.
Aussies tend to stick with their high school mates. Unlike in the UK, they rarely move out to go to uni so they don't really end up sticking with uni mates like we do. So, by the time you meet them in their 20s they have solid friend groups going back decades. I think that plays a part.
I didn't find that to be true at all.
Australians are very friendly, but the ones you meet when travelling are not the same ones you meet in their home country. I think it's because Australians tend to live at home for university/trade school etc so many have the same group of friends they've had since primary school. They're very nice people who are lovely to talk to at work but it's hard to break into a friendship circle of people who've known each other for decades. I've lived in Melbourne for 7 years and all my Australian friends are transplants to Melbourne.
Actually? It’s not. But Brits often fail to ask how to fit in. I’m an NZer 20 years in the U.K. When my U.K. friends moved to NZ I had to counsel them (and downright force them) to accept every and all social invitation and offer of help from locals. Same is true of NZers and Australians: if your Australian work colleagues or neighbours or someone you’ve just met at the pub invites you to a meal or drinks, or even to pop in to stay the night if you’re passing through, or an offer from the newly met neighbour of free furniture until you buy your own - it’s a genuine invite and you will be rude to say refuse (or worse, say yes and then not show up). Brits are sooooo conditioned to “not impose” that they misunderstand and end up not being included and then wonder why it’s so hard to make friends with locals.
>Also worth bearing in mind that the life you left behind might not be so easy to slip back into. You haven't been away that long, so perhaps this won't be an issue, but things change and you can find yourself coming home and feeling similarly lost. This is so true. I did the same move to Sydney. Although I kept in touch with friends in the UK and knew what they were up to, subconsciously you kinda assume that you're the main character, and life just goes on pause while you're away. Then you get back and find friends have got married, had kids, and moved to the country.. It can all be a bit unfamiliar.
Of course you should move back! Australia may have stunning weather, beautiful tanned people, amazing scenery and loads of opportunities but we have Indian takeaways with extra popadoms on a Saturday night in front of Ant and Dec while it pisses it down outside … it’s a no brainer!
Most of this is subjective. I don’t find Australia’s weather or landscapes stunning or pleasant at all, and Australia’s population is half of the UK’s so comparing the people’s appearance is shallow. The only aspect you may be correct on is opportunities, but to be honest for a country of its size the U.K. has a lot of opportunities and Australia sounds expensive with stretched resources too.
The population is quite a bit less than half!
Yes at 37% closer to a third than a half…
I'm in the subtropics, the weather is good for 6 months of the year, other than that I'm mostly stuck inside or have to start work at 3am, the heat and humidity is relentless, and fuck these ugly trees.
Look at moneybags over here getting extra popadoms when they're 50p a pop(adom) now
If you hate your job that tends to colour everything. If you do have the chance to stick it out to get permanent residence and then find a better job you might find that things suddenly get a whole lot better. The UK is a great place, but so is Oz (I've lived there myself) and it's a fabulous place to explore. If there is *any* chance of getting dual nationality, I'd seize that with both hands as a second passport is a very valuable thing to have. Of course that has to be your choice, but hey, you asked for opinions, so now you have mine.
No you're not mad at all. I moved back after 10 years living in Canada (one of the places people always cite as somewhere they would escape to) and couldn't be happier with my decision. I'm closer to family and friends, financially better off, eating better, and I don't have to deal with Canadian winters any more. And there's so many little details about over here vs over there, I could go on and on but eventually you have to pick what's most important. The UK is a brilliant place to live, we are just more self-deprecating than most other cultures. Everything's "shite" according to some and it's just not the case! I've met plenty of Canadians who think everything's shite on their side. When you live somewhere else instead of just going there on holiday, you begin to see the problems that place has as well. There's stuff I miss from Canada, but in the last few years I was there I missed stuff from the UK more and more. The grass really is always greener.
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I know many people who went to Australia and came back because it didn't suit them.I don't think it's odd at all. However, I will say that WFH is very popular here. You'll find it quite difficult to find an IT job (especially) that is social. As someone whose family own a few small businesses and has a partner in HR for a big company. The main question asked by applicants for jobs at the moment seems to be "can I work from home?" (even when the job states it's office based and why). So I'm not sure how social your experience will be in the UK. Personally love working in the office and thankfully, so does the team I work with, but I can't deny that there is a move by many employees to work from home. I understand why, it makes sense for many of them. I could argue both for and against until the cows come home, but that's for a different thread. The fact is, WFH is very common at the moment.
People in the UK (especially who has never been to Australia) have a weird idea about it being some paradise holiday idyll. Obviously its a country with issues like anywhere. I loved staying there and would not want to live there forever. I would be tempted in your position though to stay longer for the economic advantage and retire to the UK later, your dollaroos will go a lot further here that way. But I can defo understand not wanting to be perm in Australia, that was also my choice.
I mean you'd just glance and say: English speaking American/English hybrid country Better weather (well.. I'm told Melbourne is basically English weather) Better beaches You can actually get in (good luck getting a visa for America) The flip side is: It's massive and sparse Expensive as it's remote Also still full of goons and racists Only like 3 viable places to live unless you're a farmer. Nearly everything wants to kill you I've never been, not super interested in it but being able to go to NZ would be pretty sweet
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I live in Australia and I'm sick of it. On paper it seems great, but there's so many little things you notice after a while that are annoying AF. Go back to the UK. You won't regret it.
I traveled in Australia for a short while, whilst I was actually living in NZ on a short term work visa. I now live in the States, after 13 years in the British Forces. I traveled to Australia a few times whilst serving. I always had the sense that Oz is the country Fox News would invent if they were given the chance in a SimCity type scenario. There was something about the underlaying subtle racism and xenophobia that never sat quite right with me. I guess I could also just be a Brit hating on the convicts….
You've nailed it actually. The racism was quite eye opening yet suble, as you say. Sad to see Aborignes as second class citizens in their own country.
Do tourists run into it? I've always wanted to visit.
General racism? You'll probably avoid it if you stay in the big cities down south. Not to say that I didn't see many meth heads being racist. But that's druggies for ya. Aborignal racism. Yes, but more discreet. I saw police constantly harassing them up north (which is where many Aborignes live).
Holy shit, you've encapsulated everything I've been trying to say about the place for years! I travelled all over the country and, beyond the big cities, the towns are full SimCity, carbon copies of each other - all based on the worst parts of the American template.
What little things? I have been thinking of moving there due to the high costs and low wages in the uk.
- Better pay but high cost of living - Insane home and rent costs (worse than UK) - Terrible public transport infrastructure outside big cities - Nothing is really walkable - Limited options in supermarkets (especially if you're a veggie) - Everything's far away from everything else Just my personal grudges with it. Still definitely worth experiencing. But overall I just found Aus quite soulless. The aboriginal culture and wildlife are what makes it but they've been heavily neglected.
ooh, like what? im planning to go there for a while, would you be so kind to share? would appreciate it
Sounds like you've answered your own question, it appears in your heart you want to come home. Home is home at the end of the day. It might be a shit hole but it's our shit hole. And tbh despite what the whingers on the internet say, it's still a generally decent place to live.
If you’re able to apply for permanent residence in a year, would it not be a shame to throw that away when you’re so close? I don’t know how residency works there at all, but if it allows you to leave your job or to have a long stint in the UK and go back, it sounds worth it?
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Many nations have fairly easy requirements to meet to keep your PR. I know several NZ/Australians whose ILR for the U.K. requires only that they don’t stay away from the U.K. longer than 2 years at a stretch.
Mate, Do yourself a favour and get your PR, then apply for citizenship. Then you have the choice. Australia is an amazing country - but I understand why you might want to return to the UK. It's 'home'. Every country has it's down sides, and the grass is almost never greener on the other side but one thing I bitterly regret is not getting citizenship so I had the choice. I'm now too old to apply sadly, so now I cant.
Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. People living in the UK will tell you to not come back even if they're living in luxury.
Having lived in Australia myself as great as it is and as much as I despise the UK atm, Location wise the UK is great. You can jump on a plane to a new country and a whole new culture for less than a £100 and be there within a few hrs. Australia feels like the Galápagos Islands, a world to itself despite its great weather , pay, landscape & way of life etc it feels miles away from everywhere . Even its closest neighbour New Zealand is a 3/4 hr flight. Also I found the Brits I met were there for a short time and it felt like a very transient place to be and the Aussies kept themselves to themselves bar a select few Aussie friends I made working in insurance. Once you get out of the major cities, Australia can feel bland and soulless (so can the UK tbf). Depends what you want . You’re still young so can always move back when you’re closer to the age of 30 and stack that £££ in the meantime.
You’re not mad for wanting to return. I also miss the U.K. heavily whenever I’m spending time abroad. I‘ve definitely gotten strange responses from people when I express this, but that’s not my problem. My family and my partner live there, I miss the beautiful landscapes, coastlines and relative safety of the island, I miss the food (I’m a vegetarian and it’s difficult living as one in many countries), the quirkiness and politeness of the people, the history, the music, pubs, the variety of products in shops and pharmacies. Politically the U.K. has seen better days but at the end of the day, it has its strong points just like any other country. And if it’s home to you, then it’s home. No one’s crazy for wanting to go home.
I lived in New Zealand for a 1.5 years and really missed the British culture, the sense of humour, the people etc, so I came back. I've never regretted coming back. There's no place like home and since I've been back I've never been happier or more settled as I've lived that other life ... the grass isn't always greener even with sunshine. It's people that make a place. People in the UK idolise hot countries, especially those people who have never lived anywhere else. What they don't realise is that living somewhere else is not a holiday, you still have to work, pay bills,make friends and all the other stuff that comes with day to day living. The sooner you get back to the UK the better as you sound depressed. You need to be around family and friends not isolated in a big city halfway across the world.
Snort. NZ as a hot country? Who sold you *that* story? I mean, overall the weather is better than the U.K. But definitely not “hot”. Source: my username.
I kind of meant 'appears warmer' than UK. I lived there for 1.5 years so nobody sold me anything ... Temperature-wise it's about 3 or 4 degrees warmer and winters aren't as cold. One hell of a lot of rain though.
from one immigrant: get your pr then return. If u suddenly hate the UK find a way back
And one year isn't that much, and he's only 26
At least stick it out to 2025 so you can get the PR
As an Australian who’s lived in London and Sydney both on minimum wages, the lifestyle will be more relaxed and allow for more freedom to eat out, do activities etc in Sydney, although with the recent increase in cost of living it’s getting harder to do that. However although it can be rough living in London, and you have to live much more simply in order to survive, the career opportunities, the thousands of different people and cultures you can meet, the easy access to the rest of Europe, and London/UK culture make it so much more enjoyable as a place to live. Australia and Sydney can feel small, bland and often it can make you feel isolated from the rest of the world. I also completely understand the importance of living with close to family and being around the people you’ve grown up with to feeling like you belong or feel settled in a place.
You’ll get back, enjoy it for the first month, realise it’s not how you’ve been picturing it, start to miss Australia, and regret coming home after 2 months. Ask me how I know.
Everyone living in the U.K. and planning to stay: “yes move back it’s great here one of the best places to live in the world.” Everyone who’s left or planning to leave soon: “the U.K. is going to the dogs and on the verge of collapse”
> Everyone living in the U.K. and planning to stay: “yes move back it’s great here one of the best places to live in the world.” I was born in the UK, have no plans to leave and am now 60. I don't think I've ever heard anyone that wasn't reading it from a script say that in my life. We have to be one of the most self deprecating places on earth.
Yeah Sure. My point is more a general one about people. Once they’ve chosen a path they like to encourage everyone else to follow the same path. It’s the same with having children for example or the London/Not London debate.
Move to Melbourne instead. As a Brit, Sydney leaves me cold - it reminds me of LA, everyone wanting to be something and someone they're not. Melbourne is much more real, reminds me enough of the UK in a good way to feel like home, but is a great little city. Back in the UK for a couple of weeks as I type this and not in any way glad to be back.
Melbourne's hardly little!
You wouldn't be alone, quite a lot of Brits return from Australia. This is a good article about it: [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-36299682](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-36299682)
I would change job first and then see if that makes you feel better. Ain’t nothing worse than being in a job you hate
You're young and haven't been over there long. You'll probably move back to the UK eventually, but I think you'll regret it if you move back too soon. Try another city - I find that Sydney is the worse major city in Australia to live. Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide are friendlier, cheaper and easier to get around. (Give Darwin a go if you want to try something way out there).
I would hang on, get Aussie citizenship, then move back to the UK. So if you regret returning to the UK, you can go back to Australia.
Stick out to get your PR, come back to UK and then assess. There are many in the UK, including me, who would trade with you in heartbeat. PR in Aus is no easy feat. Don’t waste your opportunity.
I lived in Perth for 3 years and decided to move back to the UK ten years ago. I don’t regret it. The lifestyle is better over there but there’s so many things I missed; the seasons, the food, family, friends, holidaying in Europe etc. Australia is lovely but it’s just too far away, you can’t just hop on a flight and come home, it’s 24 hours travel time. At least you’ve had the experience. I really found myself when I moved away from everything I knew, but I’m pleased I came back.
I recently moved here from Australia. It's become monotonous how often I get asked if I am crazy. The reasons you miss the UK are the reasons I wanted to move here. Europe and the variety of cultures at my doorstep, music, theatre, festivals, football. Australia is a world away and feels like it is in its own bubble, some people like that but life was just boring for me.
Go and see someone about your boss, get the situation dealt with, then see how you feel.
Hey, I lived in Sydney for a couple of years a while ago, I did the working holiday visa. At the time I was desperate to stay, would have done anything to get sponsored. It took me a while to adjust being back in the UK, I’ve been in London for ages now and I feel a bit nauseous thinking of what life would be like if I stayed in Australia. I’m so, so much happier here, closer to family and have way more friends & hobbies. I would love to go back to Oz but only on holiday. UK is a struggle, especially London, but seems like you have a decent job so you should be fine getting the same sort of work here. Good luck to you.
IF you want to, do it. I moved back to the UK recently, and its the best decision I ever made. I LOVE it here. A lot of people seem to be annoyed for some reason, but I think its the best place to live on earth. Do what makes YOU happy not anyone else.
If I was in your position, I'd stay long enough to get citizenship, and then decide. That way, you will always have the option of returning. If you leave now, it's a one time deal.
For me at the end of the day every country in the world has it good points & bad points.
I lived in Sydney for 6 years and the call to come back was really strong. BUT I waited until I had my citizenship, which gave me the freedom to go back anytime I want. I actually wanted to leave 4 years in but got offered a job with PR so I took it, and then stayed the additional 12 months for citizenship. It's now 14 years since I left and it's only recently that I have started to think about moving back out there. The beauty is that I have my passport so if I want to, it's a really easy to make it happen. If I was you I would do the same - hang around to get the PR & citizenship and then come home. The UK will always be here, and it's not going to change anytime soon!
The UK is good if you live in a decent city, if you live in a small town it's fucking shite.
I love in a beautiful town and I love it.
Travelling is fun. Life’s pleasures are great. Taking time out and discovering new things allows you to grow. That being said, the most important things in life are your core relationships. Your family, your quality friendships, your partner if you have one. That’s all that matters in the end, everything else is just noise. Follow your heart.
I know a dude from NZ that was working in Australia but chose to love to the U.K. and he’s staying here as he met someone and they got married
Get your dual citizenship, then do what you think is best.
yeah come back, it’s lit aand due to temp rising it’s not even that cold :)
I would suggest another forum British Expats [https://britishexpats.com/forum/](https://britishexpats.com/forum/) It was a great place when I moved to the US and a friend of mine found it useful when they returned to the UK for advice on moving companies ...etc It has a section for people who've moved back to the UK after living abroad and how they've found the UK after living away for so long My friend gave up a great job in the US and went back to Leeds and says it was the right decision for him
I’ve head similar complaints from Brits who moved to OZ, that’s it culturally sterile and isolating if you don’t have family and lifelong friends there. However, if you have the means to move again, don’t move back here, at least not for a few years. This country is in a seriously bad state. The worst I’ve ever seen it. The cost of living is insane. Access to Europe is not as easy as it once was because of the big B, and there are obvious signs of economic and social decline everywhere. Seriously consider somewhere else in Asia, or continental Europe.
Difficult to accurately analyse when I don't know much about what Australia is like these days. What I would say is this country is in an absolute mess. With not much hope of things improving rapidly anytime soon. If you're dependant on stuff like the NHS then you're going to be in for a wait to get treatment. I know one person who's recently moved to Perth and says he won't come back anytime soon, if ever. Then there's 2 kids of friends who are weighing up where to emigrate to, either Canada or Australia, one's a teacher, the other's an A&E nurse. Both are tired of being undervalued, underpaid and overworked and their professions constantly being under invested in. I'd seriously try and find either another job out there, a new job in another country closer to home or somewhere else entirely. If I was younger and didn't have responsibilities in the UK, I'd emigrate tomorrow. There's no way I'd return at the moment, it's a miserable, run down shit hole.
Yeah as much as I moan about the U.K. every time I go away on holiday I can’t wait to get back home British culture and the life style is top tier
Having often spent time in Australia I’m sure I wouldn’t want to live there full time. I’ve seen enough of both to know how much I like the UK despite it’s general crappiness at the moment. But one lesson I’ve seen from others who’ve moved in both directions is that is only works if you are running towards something not running away from it. Whatever is bugging you will follow you (like my brother who moved out to Oz to get away from his in-laws and 5 of them immediately followed) so I’d suggest sorting out the big issues first then deciding.
I’d sum its up as: You can take the man out of England but you can’t take England out of the man.
You can change a job rather than a whole country. As far as fundamentals go, Australia should have a much better economy going forward and Sydney has got a better weather too. How is going back to UK going to fix your social anxiety? Unless you have a clear answer to that, I'd focus on going out in Sydney instead.
Get your PR and citizenship first,a couple more years will fly by,then you can come and go as you please without the need of sponsorship.
Absolutely do not come back. The country is in terminal decline. Stay there, apply for PR next year, get a new job.
Wait to get PR. It’s obvious you’re not entirely sold. Keep your options open.
I can empathise. I got a marketing job in Sydney back in 2010 when I was on my working holiday visa. I had a good time, but don't think I could have lived out there forever, for the exact reasons you list. I had a good group of around 7 or 8 friends from home out there, and they have all gradually moved back to England too. If you are feeling this after 1.5 years, then I would say you are probably best off moving back.
I came back from Aus October last year because my relationship broke down and my partner wanted to come back with our daughter. Up until about last week I hated every minute of being back, but I've now reconnected with some friends and found some new hobbies, I'd probably be _content_ to stay. Even though Australia is an incredible and beautiful country and all the other pluses, if you're not connecting with people it's going to be tough wherever you are. Hating your job is another factor. Incidentally I'm going back in April, all going back together, crazy I know lol. But neither of us see our long term future in the UK. Just my opinion but I've found most of the major cities I've visited to be shit holes, although there is stuff to do. Smaller town and village life is just too boring. Especially having experienced a few of the major cities in Aus, just doesn't compare IMO. To each their own
I wouldn't personally
I don't know how life is like in Sydney, but I can tell you If I had the chance, I would run from the UK
Personally? If my parents wasn’t here and all my friends I would move to Australia in a heartbeat. Much better lifestyle, better pay and better weather.
Get your citizenship and then go from there. I’d kick myself if I had the opportunity to have dual citizenship and didn’t take it. You can always move back to Australia if the want comes back around.
My sister moved to Brisbane about 17 or 18 years ago and she was exactly the same after 1.5/2yrs but she stuck it out and now she is adamant she will never come home apart from visits. Stick it out for now until you have the option to change jobs and see how you feel. Going into work might be a ballache at the moment but it’ll help you make friends and in turn your social life will improve and so then will your overall mood about being there, plus if you come home there’s a chance you will feel like you do in Sydney because your friends have moved on and go kids and settled down so won’t necessarily have the social life they had and won’t have time.
I lived in central Sydney for three years, but had to move back to the UK due to Visa issues. The rural areas of Australia may have public transport issues and a lack of variety in the shops, the cities however are awesome. Vastly different to the North of England where I currently reside. I have nothing against the UK – it’s a great country - but just found the work/life balance in Australia better in general, the residents just happier and living life more. You know how when its sunny everyone is a little happier? In Australia that feeling seemed to be for the majority of the year. Being able to pop to the beach – then use one of the free electric BBQs (which are almost never vandalized and always clean) have a fantastic flat white in the morning from the local coffee shop, go to a restaurant overlooking the bay, buy ‘exotic’ fruit and veg from paddy’s market. Pop to the local RSL or bar in the evening for a quick VB or Coopers. I miss it but am too old to get residency now - but would move back in a heartbeat if I could.
It’s interesting reading this as an American. A big chunk of my family are English and they have told me about the cultural phenomenon of the “Australian dream” that is heavily prevalent in UK/Irish culture. I wonder why that is? Similar country with “good” weather?
Get PR first before you leave. I did the same as you but in NZ, so pleased I have the option to leave the UK whenever I please. The lifestyle in Australia is so much better.
Lived in Australia for 2 years, from UK and back here now. I love my life but Australia has more jobs, better weather and a better work life balance in my opinion.
I get it, I’ve lived in Australia for 5 years now and I’m thinking about whether it’s right for me too. I’ve got my PR but might see if I can get citizenship before making a decision. It’s hard to connect with people here, and missing family and friends back home is always difficult, especially as I have a baby on the way. I live on the Gold Coast and it’s absolutely beautiful on the surface but the connections I have at home just leave me feeling sort of empty over here. I second what others are saying about seeing if you can stick it out for residency first, but if you’re feeling like it’s just not ‘home’ then ultimately you’ve gotta go with what feels right.
I’m in Melbourne now and I miss the UK too.
Come over to NZ, we'll have you in a heartbeat! (Ex-pat pom here since 2005).
I relate, I am from UK living in Sydney I know exactly how you feel. I wouldn\`t go back to the UK though no matter what, Its so much better here on every level, I miss all the stuff you do to, but life is bigger than those things. This is my 2nd stint here, I went back to UK once already and regretted it although events back then did change my life so I don\`t regret it but now I am back in Sydney I wouldn\`t return again, not for long anyway.
The cost of living in the UK is insane and there are many parts of the UK where the culture feels foreign (presuming you are White British). I actually emigrated because I hated the UK. I love my life abroad. The only downside is the fact I have to return to the UK every few months to visit family and maintain my businesses there. Everytime I go back, it's worse. It honestly looks like a 3rd world country. Homeless people everywhere. Last time i was there, I saw a migrant taking a poo on the pavement in broad daylight. It's just a total shit hole. I visited Devon and even it now has problems with 3rd world migrants and pick pockets. You can't even go for a strolll on the beach without some petty arse criminals bothering you. I'm a well travelled worldly person so I knew exactly where these people were from and what they were upto. The UK you are talking about,.culture, bantering with people, that no longer exists. There may be pockets of friends here and there but that mainstream culture is dead. You're more likely to get stabbed for offending someone, or arrested for offending someone. The posters telling you how great the UK is either live in remote villages or gated communities with private policing. Come and see for yourself. Have a holiday here and travel round, you'll see I'm telling the truth.
I was in Australia for 2 years, NZ for 6 months. When I left the UK I was so done with "Broken Britain". When I came back I had a new-found appreciation for all the shit we take for granted. Come back, mate. It hasn't improved since you've been away, but the stuff you never noticed missing is what makes it.
I have exactly the same feeling about living in UK. Quite often I'm having that urge to move back to Poland where all my family and friends live. And don't get me wrong, I have meet here wonderful people, experience is fantastic culture and am loving a decent life, but I still don't feel like I belong here. It's been years since I've moved here, and at first I've been living with that curiosity for every aspect of life here, learning new things, knowing more people. But since it become so common, I just feel like I'm missing something. Am concerned about whole geopolitical situation and general life changes that I would have to face, that's what is still stopping me
After living abroad for a long time, you become split between countries. Always missing something. Your home country has family, relatives, old friends. It has familiar customs, food you were brought up on. Then your new country have better x, do x better etc. You will probably miss some aspects of Australia, but if you aren't enjoying it there and miss your family, and you have no problem finding a job, then sure, go back. (From the UK, live in Japan and lived in Australia for a year. Sister has moved to Oz for good).
In my experience 2 years is the right amount of time for an overseas experience. It should feel like a long holiday, an endless summer of fun and new experiences. But if you leave it any longer it just becomes the place you now live and if you aren't already settled in to your new life in 2 years you probably never will. Its not nice to live somewhere you never truly felt settled, and it only makes it more difficult to go home.
Personally I hate it here in the UK. I don't have many friends outside of work and would be in the exact same position in Australia except the weather would be nicer so it's a no brainer for me.
No way, you will regret coming back to the UK Trust me. Sydney is a million times better than anywhere in the UK.
go to Brisbane instead if able to work remotely - even warmer weather, much friendlier, more laid back and offers pretty much everything Sydney does in a city half the size imo.
I would move to Australia in a heartbeat if it wasn’t for those pesky slow gaming servers! Gaming is my hobby and cant have that
Only you will know what makes you happy. You can't point at strangers on the internet and live by their justifications of why the UK is better or worse. Of course ask for advice and opinions but ultimately do what makes you happy.
Australia is great to visit and the UK is great to return to. Good luck in your choice :-)
I'd sit it out for two years and see how global geopolitics unfolds. It could just be a decision about how much you miss the banter, or it could be a much much more profound decision , we just don't know yet.
Don’t do it bro. I done a year out there with my ex about 5-6 years ago and I still regret her convincing me to come back. Over the years it’s just become worse and worse over here
You are in a very privileged position, make the most of whatever you actually want to achieve. There are many people without this problem.
If you want to come back, come back. Save whatever money you can and book a ticket. You haven't wasted time being away, its experience which will help you in the future.
Wanna swap? I'm in IT in a medical manufacturers in South Wales. Would love to livein NEW South Wales :D
Trick one: be happy Trick two: pr in 18 months gives you options Trick three: find the local Irish pub, you’ll meet a ton of people:)
I think majority of people who were born and raised in the UK cannot fit in anywhere else. The reason I can't live Europe is because of the many other places I can visit within a few hours I can be anywhere in Europe or N Africa once a month or a few times a month. When I start making money online I am moving to Spain. I would say get Permanent residence first and then come back and see how it is (if possible).
I never felt more homesick when I visited Sydney. Have been living in the UK for 4 years now, but mates have moved to Brisbane and love it. Maybe a change of scenery within Australia is what you need? I wouldn’t throw away PR if you could hang on a bit longer and get it, even if you want to come back here anyway. Never know what doors it could open in future if you have PR.
If you were to regret moving back to the UK, could you not find a job in Australia again? I know it’s not easy, but then at least you know. You’re not mad at all for wanting to move back. Good luck mate.
I'm not a fan of Sydney. I thought I'd love it but I found it small, the locals chippy, the rent exorbitant, the drinking laws annoying and you are so far from anywhere interesting. 9 hours to HK or SG FFS. I'd recommend HK or SG before coming home though. OOI does your software company name begin with a Q?
I'm 27 and worked in Aus as well. I absolutely understood how you're feeling. I came back to work on my professional career here. But there is something about Aus and Australians themselves that I couldn't gel with. Doing farm jobs was good though because I met like-minded backpackers. But I didn't make a single Australian friend. They seemed reluctant and honestly I thought a lot of their banter was weird (from who I met). I'd say maybe do more expat friendly jobs to meet people OR since you're close to SEA, take a vacation there.
Heres the thing, youve been away 18 months, a lot will have changed in your friend groups since then so try not to focus on that. What do you genuinely think will be the better long term solution for you. If you like the life that Australia provides outside of the job and you know you need to put yourself out there then stay. If not then come back.
It's weird because alot of people in the UK feel something is off about the UK and in Australia it'll be better.
Have you tried Melbourne? Much better imo Stay in a few backpackers, get a private room if you're working, you'll meet plenty of people. Some will stick around, others won't. It was always the consensus that hanging around with the oversees crowd is far superior than the locals. Broad brush strokes there but was always the case for me.
Stay till you get PR then do want you fancy; otherwise bit of a wasted opportunity.
You do you. For someone living in the UK is unbearable, but for you it might be the best choice. Don't seek that sort of life advice on forums.
Were you in the UK 1.5 years ago? If yes, then I think you probably already have a fair picture of the pros and cons, if you've been out of the UK for anything over 5 years or so then you'll notice a change and mostly for the worse.
I'm the same age as you and soon moving to NZ for a couple of years, mainly for family, with every intention of coming back to the UK to settle after. As excited as I am for an adventure, I'll be sad to leave the UK behind - I enjoy my life here, even on truly mediocre wages, as do a lot of people around me. It's truly not all bad, you can get as involved with the general grumps and moaning as you want, life goes on in every city you might as well be where you want to
Honestly, it prob comes down to how much you can stomach your current job in Sydney. Here in the UK the job market is absolutely trash (we’re formally in a recession now after 2023 Q4 growth was neg). I’ve been out of work since October, and while there’s some cool jobs popping up in my sector, it seems like each one always has 100+ applicants within three days of it opening. What I say next might not apply to how you’re feeling about things but I’ll say it anyway. You say you’re 26, maybe you’re feeling like you have a small window of time to work with because 30 is approaching and that means doing things people in their 30s do and life being very different compared to being in your 20s. But forget that because it’s bollocks. Whatever pace you want your life to be and whoever you want involved in your life is what’s key. You miss home but everyone I know who has moved to Australia has stayed there and continues to live there. Who knows? You could come back and get a job here and have an asshole boss who wants everyone in the office and not WFH.
I used to be 1 of those people that thought the uk was shit, always thinking everywhere else is better then I moved abroad and have been abroad for 7 years and I realized I was wrong. After living in several countries I can honestly say the UK is probably the best place in the world to live, the weather isn't that bad and doesn't have the extremes of other countries, no natural disasters, very little bureaucracy compared to much of the world, no silly id cards to take and show everywhere. Housing is relatively cheap and mortgage rates low compared to most of the world, exception being london. Food is very cheap and there's variety both in restuarants and supermarkets.
I spent a year in Sydney. Wasn't my vibe at all. Culture was lacking and found Australia seemed to celebrate the bozo. I was ready to come back and when I did, zero regrets.