Considering Emigrating..but ...

rainbows7

I'm concerned over feeling nostalgic for the rest of my life living overseas should I leave home again.. I don't have much going on for me here, in my 30's, recession not helping.

I've been overseas before, came back due to home sickness and more. Looking back I don't feel I tried hard enough to make myself happy there. I was in an unhappy relationship and did mostly everything ex wanted. My mistake. I see that now.

Having lived overseas before, I feel I will have better opportunities in life, but I can't shake off my concern over feeling nostalic for the rest of my life and just missing everyone, growing old feeling this way....scares me.

Should it not work out, I don't really want the option to return home again.
It isn't appealing as I really long to settle and commit for good. Running is not the answer. Feels like been there, done that.

Maybe visiting yearly will help keep homesickness at bay and more. The very expensive flights could be worth every penny.

Any advice, suggestions greatly appreciated.

fits

Maybe dont move so far away? You might not come home much more often but having the option of a cheap flight home is always a comfort I think.

Reesy

My humble advice: This time it'll probably be different & better, just because it's not like last time.

Throw yourself into your new country - not just the Irish you meet but the locals too. Try new things, mix with new people. Seek out new experiences, I think having a great time & learning new things is a super antidote to loneliness, most of the time. Also, maybe give yourself x months - say, 9 months - after which you'll come back if you want. They you'd be under less pressure?

Good luck.

Holsten

Good advice there, I lived abroad for a while and never once had any form of homesickness at all. I threw myself into the culture, and met tons of new people, not one other Irish person.

I had to come back for business reasons, and regret it.

If you are going to have a better quality of life, which you probably will, you should at least give it an extended try, and really put yourself forward to be open to everything new.

Technology like Skype can help with the homesickness part, you'll miss your family sure, but you can contact them everyday if you like.

kiva989

I don't really have advice but just an observation. OP, are you sure it isn't a case of the grass is always greener? You were away, you wanted to come home. You're home a while now, you want to go away again? Who is to say when you're away again that you wont want to come home again?

I lived away for nearly 3 years and a big part of my decision to come home was home sickness. I was missing my family, Irish way of life, felt I was missing out on things with family and friends. I would imagine being in Ireland with these romantic eyes - curled up in front of fire on a wintry night, great nights out in the pub with friends, crisp winter mornings, long summer evenings.

Once I got home, I soon realised most of friends weren't on for mad nights out anymore and it seemed like a chore for people to come out at weekends, the winter wasn't "cosy," just f*cking freezing and those "long summer evenings" were a washout!! Cue me harking back to Sydney and the "fantastic weather", the "great social life", the "job opportunities" etc etc. I snapped myself out of it cause I realised I was doing the same thing again - imagining the other place as being better.

I'm not saying don't go, I'm just saying don't go for the wrong reasons. The main thing I've learnt from travelling is that no matter how many places you travel to or live in, there is one thing that stays the same - you. If you have unresolved issues about yourself, they will be with you when you disembark off the plane. If you are unhappy here, its important to identify why you are unhappy. An sense of nostalgia would not be a good enough reason for me to up sticks and leave.

Best of luck

Roisy7

I'm exactly the same as kiva989. I've lived in several places in Ireland and once abroad and I found that no matter how awful I found something at the time, as soon as I've moved on I look back on it with nostalgic eyes.

In that case is it more a matter of a restlessness within yourself you need to address rather than the place you've moved to?

Things will be different this time... You're not with the ex, you have learned from your mistakes. You will know different this time.

It is hard to be away from family and friends. But no-one's saying you have to move far away or stay away forever. If you want to come home you're not a failure.

As far as I can see you have little to lose by going and a lot to gain. Good luck OP x

tony81

Look closer to home. Flights in europe can be cheap and quick... i know id prefer to pay €100 for flights home perhaps twice a year and possibly emergencies... that 700 each for transatlantic flights. Europe can also be more generous for annual leave.
try posting in work and jobs for an idea of where your experience and skills are in demand.