Au revoir Australia….

When you make the decision to move to the other side of the world, the last thing you think about is the possibility of returning home again, yet here we are – approximately a year and a half later – back in the UK where we started….

It feels a little disconcerting to type it out. It’s been something we have discussed on and off for the past few months and whilst I never thought it would really come to this, here we are living out of suitcases again, pondering over schools, houses, jobs, our worldly possessions gradually winging their way back to where we started.

According to figures from Australia’s Immigration Department, around 30% of poms that make the big bold move down under end up returning to UK shores within 5 years. Why this happens is most likely down to a number of reasons. The sky high cost of living perhaps, the bad TV or cups of tea, or maybe – once the novelty of the pristine beaches, blue sky and sunshine wore off, they simply found life was still tainted with the usual moans and groans – just with less friends and family to moan and groan to.

It’s a funny thing, moving countries. There are so many considerations to ponder over, so many decisions to make and ultimately, all you really want to do is settle in as quickly as possible and make the transition as pain-free and seamless for everyone. 

Making friends, starting jobs, finding your way around, getting the kids settled and happy takes time, effort, money and patience. Add to that a ton of emotions, thoughts and feelings and it is by no means an easy thing to do in life. But I’m happy to report that we did it – we upped sticks and moved countries, we experienced life on the other side of the world. We swam in the Indian Ocean, saw dolphins, tasted some of the best wines on the planet, watched our kids grow and gain confidence and above all, spent some unforgettable time with our beloved family and friends – something that will always remain special to us wherever we reside in this world.

We have met tons of expats during our time here who are ultimate Perthites – true Aussie ambassadors who relish in the outdoorsy lifestyle, sunshine and strong economy (something which is particularly robust in Perth, thanks to the booming mining industry). Any discussion of returning to their native land is usually met with a slight curl of the lip and a long practiced response adhering to the shit weather, low wages and miserable people.

I guess what it really comes down to is personal preference and what works for you. After all, what is one person’s bugbear is another’s idea of heaven.

I believe that the real challenge is listening to your feelings, understanding them and doing what is right for your family – whether that is living on the other side of the world, going back to where you started or taking on that new job somewhere completely outside your comfort zone. That, in my opinion is what makes life colourful, vibrant and memorable for all. There’s no point in working at something if your gut is telling you otherwise.

Whilst I think we managed to achieve a good life for ourselves in Perth, there has always been this lingering element of doubt, something fundamental and soulful missing that ultimately needed to be addressed. 

Since starting this blog, I’ve received several emails from people thinking of making the move to Perth and my response is usually along the lines of - try it! If you don’t, you’ll never know.  It’s really only first-hand experience that can define that inevitable yay or nay. So gather all the advice and information you can get your mitts on and go into it with an open mind and a can-do attitude.

If there's one word of advice I could give it would be to think positively and say yes to everything. On arrival in Perth in December 2010, we officially declared 2011 our 'yes' year. Of course, this meant attendance at everything - the school's progressive dinner, after dinner drinks, zumba classes, jet ski-ing and surfing to name a few examples. Life was inevitably busy, but it helped us all adapt quickly - especially the kids who relished in this new level of social interaction.  

It goes without saying that Perth has some amazing attributes. The open spaces, beautiful beaches, great people, food, wine and relaxed vibe is pretty infectious and really can do great things for the soul. Then of course there is the weather. Never before have I experienced so much blue sky and I’m not talking about your average summer sky. These skies are a piercingly deep and dusky type of blue – a blue that begs you to come outside, a blue that seemingly goes on forever. Oh how I shall miss those skies!

Skies aside, there are certain things that you miss...  

For us it was European Culture; beautiful buildings; great museums; amazing sights, sounds and experiences (the type that in-bed themselves in the memory and shape who you are); architecture that has the ability to stir something deep in the soul; the opportunity to hop on a train or plane and be in another country within a couple of hours; driving to the French alps for a weekend of ski-ing; feeling like your part of the world rather than just an onlooker peering in from afar; English rose gardens; (Bex – I have to attribute this one to you!) rolling hills; (you again!) lush countryside; wellie boots! Just a few of the many merits of residing in Europe.

Probably a more serious consideration for anyone with kids is schools. Whilst the private sector of schooling in Perth is outstanding, the state school system is slow and tedious and, in our experience, doesn’t cater well for kids hitting different levels of academic achievement. It’s very much a ‘one size fits all’ approach and any attempt to challenge that often falls on deaf ears.

Arguably, this is just one perspective and no doubt there are kids out there in state education thriving. Nevertheless I would warn anyone bringing young children from other countries to check the curriculum and fight for them to go up a year or two if necessary. Believe me, it’ll be worth it.

I’m writing this a day after landing back in the UK and feel emotional and apprehensive, but quietly positive about what the future holds. We struggled to say goodbye to everyone over the past few days – the family who mean so much to us, our beautiful niece and nephew, the Perth posse, the family Cope, the gorgeous girls I’ve met at work who have become life-long friends to me, Shelly the dog, and so the list goes on….

The great Barry Humphries once famously quoted: ‘To live in Australia permanently is rather like going to a party and dancing all night with one’s mother’. In essence, it’s fun, beautiful and memorable, but there is I suppose, a point where you’d like to go and dance with everyone else.

Dancing aside, I truly hope the kids decide to travel and settle in Australia when they get older. It has something special that is unique and beautiful and I want them to understand and appreciate that again as young adults (and if it means we can retire near Cottesloe beach I’ll be happy).

Whatever happens in the future, I know that there will always be a little piece of Perth in our hearts.

Thanks to everyone who has followed our Aussie adventure J xx