Homesickness

KungPao

Hey guys.

Here's my problem:

I live in South America, I'm Irish and married to a foreigner and I am HOMESICK.

I know all the economic problems etc, but my question to you is; Would we be crazy to go back?

Here's more info....both late 20s, I have permanent residence here, my wife is entitled to live and work in Ireland....we have no ties here....or in Ireland - so we can move back and forth quite freely.

But the homesickness is ridiculous, and my wife really wants to back to Ireland too......in fact it's my concern over finances that's keeping us here - she'd be on the next plane if it wasn't for my worries.

Would you recommend an 'extended holiday' to check things out? or just wait till the recession is over (could be quite a wait!)

I know a lot of people want to get the hell out of there, but I really want to return. And seriously, I really, really miss Ireland - the people, people speaking English and even the weather!

So, What do you think?

All advice welcomed.

(Not sure if it's the right forum)

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Personally I think you would be nuts to come back here at the moment. Unfortuantly I am not in South America, I cannot empathise 100% with your plight.

I suggest looking for jobs on the net, see what's available. Even apply for some, see if anything pops up.

I wouldn't move back here without anything set up. No idea how social welfare would work for you.

Is the weather good where you are now? Odd question, but if it is, stay there

Terpsichore

If you both agree, then make the move and give it a try.

I don't know where you are based exactly in SA. My colleague from Argentina is not ready to go back to South America anytime soon. Things might be bad in Ireland, but still far from the political instability of some south american countries.

I am French myself, have been living in Ireland for 10 years, and I am in no hurry to go back to France. I find Ireland easy going and relatively stress free, compared to the Gallic madness...

Well you know what they say... the grass is always greener...

Some people who have never left Ireland might have a very tired and angry outlook about it, but really: it's far from being horrible. It's your way of seeing it that makes all the difference. If your happy in your own shoes, you should be happy anywhere in the world!

LegacyUser

ive been away and back and imo i think its a great wee country!
all joking aside this recession has only one good thing about it its bringing the people back together, we might not have as much money as we used to but were communicating more and the old ways are slowly comming back and people are pulling together to make things happen i sound vague here but most will know what im saying.
lately ive been to so many community based and local events than ever in the days of the celtic tiger. its just a nice place to be, but then its home.

KungPao

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.

Got a lot of thinking to do!

Cheers.

Doc

I think you really need to look at what it is you are really missing and see if you can find that where you are. I’m currently in Australia and I miss friends and family but other than that at the moment I’m not too homesick. Also think about what you would miss about the country you are in at the moment. If I was in your position I would take a holiday back to Ireland and see if that cures your homesickness and if not set the goal for returning to Ireland and a date when you want to do it but work and save money where you are so that you have the security of not having to find work for some time when you do go. Having a date set for your return to Ireland can often stop homesickness as you know it’s not permanent.

Latchy

OP I can relate to what you are saying about the homesickness and as mentioned in another similar thread a few months back (about homesickness amoung Irish people abroad ) I said that there was not one day when I wasn't thinking of Dublin / Ireland .But in my case I am only in UK and not as far away as you are .I have being here over 15 years and the reality is that it is not possible for me to go back ( at the present time ) .The downturn in the economy doesn't make the choice any easier but there are other factors ,personall , practical reasons as well as financial as to why it's not possible for me to do so .However , I am happy in other ways and it's not like I cant get hop on a boat or plane to get home for a few days .Just to say that those feelings are felt and shared by many Irish abroad and you're not alone .

kind regards

KungPao

Latchy wrote: »

in my case I am only in UK and not as far away as you are

I think it's the distance that kills me. If like you, I lived close, or even anywhere in europe, it wouldn't be so bad. In fact, because of the problems in Ireland, i'd even consider moving to the UK or Portugal to 'cure' my homesickness.....only a few hours travel, and home.

From where I am, it's pretty much a whole day to get back. And not to mention the cost, it's not very practical to go from South America to Ireland for a holiday (expensive when your earning in the local currency).

The things you miss when away from home are strange. I miss things like actually speaking English, getting the bus!, having a few beers in Eamonn Dorans, watching football on RTE, and the cold and gloomy weather (here, today it was about 32 degrees! still miss the cold).

'You don't know what ya got till it's gone' as they say.

If it wasn't for Bertie and Cowen, I could go home

LegacyUser

I would definitely come home. I've lived in Argentina and have experienced some other South American countries too, they're great but not for living in. And as you already know the salaries are far, far behind what we have in Ireland.

My gf is from South America and we have lived in both Ireland and South America, there is no doubt in my mind that Ireland offers better prospects, security, peace of mind and future than South America. With what we earn (and it isn't much) in Ireland we can travel back to South America every year for a month or two.

Things are tough in Ireland at the moment, but that doesn't mean you're not going to get a job. Buen suerte con tu decision.

Latchy

KungPao wrote: »

I think it's the distance that kills me. If like you, I lived close, or even anywhere in europe, it wouldn't be so bad. In fact, because of the problems in Ireland, i'd even consider moving to the UK or Portugal to 'cure' my homesickness.....only a few hours travel, and home.

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That's the difference ,lit wouldn't be to bad if there was an Irish community were you are , like there are spread out over here in the UK .You might not always want to be with Irish people 'all of the time ' (with Irish people being so diverse in their likes / dislikes etc ) but at least you know you can join in the local scene and go to the Irish centres to have a chat ,watch the football ,listen to some music and have the craic .It's strange to think that before the days of cheap airline travel ,moblie / text messages and the internetz ,Irish people in Britain would have felt as you do now , far from home even though it was only a hundred miles or so away .I just tell myself I am just living in another neighbourhood instead of another country ,cos with the above mentioned ie, rte radio ,rte on the internetz , texts , that's what it feels like , although quite understandable KungPao you feel isolated as you do .I think you're best bet would be to seriously consider moving home or at least much nearer to it .

Ickle Magoo

If you both want to move back and work wouldn't be an issue despite the current climate then what's stopping you? If the worry is getting a job then start applying & see if you can get something, even if just an interview or two, lined up for your next visit? If you are really homesick then the only cure is getting home. You have my sympathies, I'm really homesick too.

wylo

come back OP youve only one life you may as well be happy. My only concern would be will your wife get homesick after a few years.

R.D. aka MR.D

i would definitly look into an extended holiday if i was you.

I've just moved to SA myself and I'm finding it vry difficult, especially the speaking english thing! every interaction is effort.

but ireland may not be what you rememeber either.

good luck with everything