Moving back to Ireland with 2 under 3 after 6 years in Australia

Morshlac · 21-09-2015 4:12am

An bothar abhaile wrote: »

Hi all,

My husband and I are pretty much set on our decision of moving back to Galway sometime toward the end of this year with our two children (both under 3). We have lived in Perth for over 5 years at this stage and have come to the point where we feel guilty having our children miss out on their grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and vice versa - and of course our country, the friendly people, history and culture which is pretty much non existent here.

Australia has been great since day one and we have never said the words "I hate this place" or anything of a sort. At the end of the day, we have done our travelling, had our nights out, met lovely people along the way but now that we have our children we are more than ready to move home. We could never call Perth home - it is, for us, very difficult to get a sense of community - not knowing neighbours, postman, seeing familiar faces when out for a walk or at the shops. It's the small things that we miss greatly. Sure, the lifestyle and weather are great here but you work hard to get money in each week and the cost of living is through the roof. For us to be able to keep a mortgage paid and the bills paid, I would have to work full time and my husband would have to work FIFO (which he is currently doing on 28 days away and 5 days home with me and the kids). That is no life for a family but it is the reality of Perth.

So after my long life story above, has anyone been in a similar situation and done the move? Anyone know anyone who has done it or thinking of doing it? We would like to hear if anyone had a complete change of mind once they moved back home because once we move thats it, there will be no coming back for us!
Thanks everyone

how did the move home go?

in quite smilar situation so interested to hear from OP or others who did the move with young kids.. debating going back next year and see how it goes for a year or 2..

Rathnew · 27-12-2016 12:45pm

I've just seen this forum, I'm in this position now so just wondering if any of you did move home and how it went?

catbear · 27-12-2016 3:26pm

Rathnew wrote: »

I've just seen this forum, I'm in this position now so just wondering if any of you did move home and how it went?

Here's some good stories from people with kids who made the move back.
http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/returning-to-ireland

Don't have kids but my wife and I moved back two years ago after three years there and there hasn't been a day we've missed it. On our facebook feed pictures will pop up from our time there and they only reaffirm out decision to quit. It's not that I disliked australia but despite the money it did absolutely nothing for us other than provide a bolt hole when my wife lost her job in Ireland.

Jamie2k9 · 27-12-2016 3:29pm

Might also be an idea to post in the Jobs section and Area where you plan to live on this site to get some info as well.

d.pop · 27-12-2016 7:02pm

Moved back to Ireland 18 months ago with 2 under 7.
I work in construction, lots of work in Dublin, to a lesser extent cork and secondary cities.
OH only went looking for work a few weeks ago for first time and got 2 job offers in first week after looking in call centre type roles.
I was on ridiculously good money in aus so it took a while to get head around the reduced wages here again but that said we are doing ok, we will never have the boat and the jet skis etc that every second person had in aus but we are ok with that.
Will never be 'rich' but being within walking distance of 2 grannies and a heap of cousins is immeasurable for my 2 kids who struggled to make friends in aus despite my OH breaking her arse with play dates etc, just bad luck I think as lots of non English speakers in the kids school.
Was best move we made going home. We have Aussie passports if needed again but for now no plans to move, biggest issue is finding a house to buy...

Rathnew · 28-12-2016 1:19pm

I don't have any kids yet but it's on the cards soon. I never thought I'd live in oz forever but my fiancé is Australian and wants us to stay there. So I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard stone. I have the urge to go home not sure how I feel if I have kids away from my family. Great lifestyle in Australia and it is an amazing place to have a family then why do I feel the pull to go home. Arghhhhhhh help!!

catbear · 28-12-2016 3:04pm

Rathnew wrote: »

I don't have any kids yet but it's on the cards soon. I never thought I'd live in oz forever but my fiancé is Australian and wants us to stay there. So I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard stone. I have the urge to go home not sure how I feel if I have kids away from my family. Great lifestyle in Australia and it is an amazing place to have a family then why do I feel the pull to go home. Arghhhhhhh help!!

That's a tough one.

Do you want you kids to be little Bretts and Kylies with Australian self assuredness or Conors and Aoifes who are globally and culturally outlooking and aware?

Aside from the relationship what do you actually think personally about Australia? Is it a place you want to grow old in?

That was one thing we really couldn't look beyond, we could not see ourselves growing old there, tipping around the continent in our RV in our twilight years, dropping into identikit RSLs and lawn bowl clubs etc.. We missed the variety of Europe. The party is definitely in the northern hemisphere. What can I say, I'm aboriginal of Ireland.

amtc · 28-12-2016 6:23pm

I have cousins in Dublin I barely see. My grandparents emigrated to Perth in 1970 and I have six aunts and uncles and seven cousins there. I would be in touch with them most days. So it's mindset not geography as you get older.

Personally I could never live there...if you're not coupled up or as a female have a good job...

Tigerandahalf · 28-12-2016 11:04pm

catbear wrote: »

Is it a place you want to grow old in?

That was one thing we really couldn't look beyond, we could not see ourselves growing old there, tipping around the continent in our RV in our twilight years, dropping into identikit RSLs and lawn bowl clubs etc.. We missed the variety of Europe. The party is definitely in the northern hemisphere. What can I say, I'm aboriginal of Ireland.

When I was there I met a Croatian expat retired couple who were driving around the perimeter of Australia in their camper van. They sold their house and travel full time spending the winter in the northern half of the continent and then coming down south for their summer.

I thought it was a pretty cool thing to do.

Doing the same in Ireland wouldn't have the same appeal!

catbear · 28-12-2016 11:17pm

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Doing the same in Ireland wouldn't have the same appeal!

But traveling around Europe does! I done the road trip thing, east coast Oz, west coast and route 66 in north america and those long driving holidays get boring fast.

Chocolate fiend · 29-12-2016 1:06am

catbear wrote: »

Do you want you kids to be little Bretts and Kylies with Australian self assuredness or Conors and Aoifes who are globally and culturally outlooking and aware?

Plenty of both traits in my children who are Irish growing up in Australia. My children go to a very multicultural school though so by default I think this makes them more culturally aware.

catbear · 29-12-2016 1:10am

Chocolate fiend wrote: »

Plenty of both traits in my children who are Irish growing up in Australia. My children go to a very multicultural school though so by default I think this makes them more culturally aware.

Good that it's working for you. The irish couples that sprogged while I was in australia were all of a mind to keep stashing the cash but move back to start the kids in school in Ireland. I guess they weren't impressed with the schools where we were.

Chocolate fiend · 29-12-2016 1:21am

Our kids go to the local public school, it is however one of the top schools in the state so we were lucky in that regard. The standard of education is excellent. My children are doing things in primary school that their cousins in Ireland are not doing, they have so many opportunities. In a lot of ways I guess it is swapping Cricket for GAA and Surfing for something else, I would not say any one way is better, but, we are very happy that our children are getting a high standard of eduction and are very well rounded with everything that is available to them.

catbear · 29-12-2016 1:57am

Chocolate fiend wrote: »

Our kids go to the local public school, it is however one of the top schools in the state so we were lucky in that regard. The standard of education is excellent. My children are doing things in primary school that their cousins in Ireland are not doing, they have so many opportunities. In a lot of ways I guess it is swapping Cricket for GAA and Surfing for something else, I would not say any one way is better, but, we are very happy that our children are getting a high standard of eduction and are very well rounded with everything that is available to them.

well I hope that keeps up for your kids.

I had to work with a lot Aussie uni grads and to be honest I found their basic levels of numeracy and literacy to be poor. They'd get by alright but the really basic skills that you'd expect weren't there.

You're right about the cricket, it was a surprise to see the likes of the CBS being big into cricket.

Tigerandahalf · 29-12-2016 2:00am

Chocolate fiend wrote: »

Our kids go to the local public school, it is however one of the top schools in the state so we were lucky in that regard. The standard of education is excellent. My children are doing things in primary school that their cousins in Ireland are not doing, they have so many opportunities. In a lot of ways I guess it is swapping Cricket for GAA and Surfing for something else, I would not say any one way is better, but, we are very happy that our children are getting a high standard of eduction and are very well rounded with everything that is available to them.

Good stuff. So how does your life differ over there from what you could do here. I'd imagine with kids and work time is pretty limited.

What sort of stuff would you do at the weekend?

I find the spring/autum/winter time in Ireland pretty good. It is the summer that is really poor. Too many heavy cloud days with rain and high humidity.

I guess if you are into the outdoors the climate there suits though work colleagues in Oz didn't like the summer and generally looked forward to the spring/autumn weather.

I guess after a while you acclimatise.

aido79 · 29-12-2016 2:11am

catbear wrote: »

well I hope that keeps up for your kids.

I had to work with a lot Aussie uni grads and to be honest I found their basic levels of numeracy and literacy to be poor. They'd get by alright but the really basic skills that you'd expect weren't there.

You're right about the cricket, it was a surprise to see the likes of the CBS being big into cricket.

In fairness catbear you are making generalisations there. There are people of all levels of intelligence in all countries. I have met some extremely intelligent Australians, some with above average intelligence, plenty with average intelligence, some that looked like they needed an app on their phone to remind them to breathe but the same goes for Irish people. Some of the absolute dumbest people I have ever met in my life have been Irish.

Chocolate fiend · 29-12-2016 2:29am

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Good stuff. So how does your life differ over there from what you could do here. I'd imagine with kids and work time is pretty limited.

What sort of stuff would you do at the weekend?

I find the spring/autum/winter time in Ireland pretty good. It is the summer that is really poor. Too many heavy cloud days with rain and high humidity.

I guess if you are into the outdoors the climate there suits though work colleagues in Oz didn't like the summer and generally looked forward to the spring/autumn weather.

I guess after a while you acclimatise.

I am a stay at home parent, my husband works in the city and yes he starts pretty early but, we only live 5km from the CBD so his commute is very short. He is home between 5 and 7pm every day depending on his workload.

We do so much at the weekends, we do bushwalking (all year round, easier in winter though) we go to the beach a lot, we are spoilt for choice with beaches, we never go to Bondi etc, but, the more family friendly beaches up the coast are amazing. There are beautiful day trips we take and we do try to see as much of NSW as we can while we are here, because I am pretty sure we will return home some day. Of course there are the usual sports, Cricket at the moment, and soccer in winter. There are BBQ's and school fete's and all that sort of thing as well. We often head into the city on Sunday and walk around the Opera house and the botanic gardens, it is beautiful and because we are not "tourists" we don't feel any great need to do and see it all so we can take our time and sit and relax with an ice-cream.

I think the big difference is the amount of comfortable time we spend outdoors. We were always outdoors people back in Ireland anyway but, here it is just easier and there are far less layers needed. I don't love the summer. It is 37 degrees here today and hence we are inside and taking it easy until the late afternoon and then we will head to the beach for a swim.

I would not say it is better as such, but, it is good and we are happy. Two of the children were born in Ireland but, have no real memories of it apart from Christmas 2 years ago when we went home and they were amazed at the fact that there was one day where it did not even get bright :-)

I think with 3 children we would be out and about all the time if we were in Ireland as well, there is a lot of energy that needs to be burned off.

Chocolate fiend · 29-12-2016 2:38am

catbear wrote: »

well I hope that keeps up for your kids.

I had to work with a lot Aussie uni grads and to be honest I found their basic levels of numeracy and literacy to be poor. They'd get by alright but the really basic skills that you'd expect weren't there.

You're right about the cricket, it was a surprise to see the likes of the CBS being big into cricket.

My husband works with mostly Australian's and there is a variance within them like there is in any group. I think education has improved greatly in the last 20 or 30 years, the primary education here is world class now, I don't think that used to be the case. There is also a HUGE amount of tutoring going on, we live in an area that has a lot of one child families, and the amount of work that the parents put in to ensure that their child WILL become a doctor is mind boggling. Those children have no time off, no holidays, no breaks at all. They are of course being tutored into how to be well rounded, so there are languages, instruments and sports. You will know those kids when you meet them, have no doubt!

Morshlac · 29-12-2016 2:42am

remember scouring this thread for posts back in Oz...

me and wife (australian) back in Ireland under a year but already planning timescales to go back both miss our home and lifestyle in perth..
feel its the place for us and the kids.

Peoples situations are all different though and realise both countries are what you make of it..

Tigerandahalf · 29-12-2016 3:05am

Chocolate fiend wrote: »

I am a stay at home parent, my husband works in the city and yes he starts pretty early but, we only live 5km from the CBD so his commute is very short. He is home between 5 and 7pm every day depending on his workload.

We do so much at the weekends, we do bushwalking (all year round, easier in winter though) we go to the beach a lot, we are spoilt for choice with beaches, we never go to Bondi etc, but, the more family friendly beaches up the coast are amazing. There are beautiful day trips we take and we do try to see as much of NSW as we can while we are here, because I am pretty sure we will return home some day. Of course there are the usual sports, Cricket at the moment, and soccer in winter. There are BBQ's and school fete's and all that sort of thing as well. We often head into the city on Sunday and walk around the Opera house and the botanic gardens, it is beautiful and because we are not "tourists" we don't feel any great need to do and see it all so we can take our time and sit and relax with an ice-cream.

I think the big difference is the amount of comfortable time we spend outdoors. We were always outdoors people back in Ireland anyway but, here it is just easier and there are far less layers needed. I don't love the summer. It is 37 degrees here today and hence we are inside and taking it easy until the late afternoon and then we will head to the beach for a swim.

I would not say it is better as such, but, it is good and we are happy. Two of the children were born in Ireland but, have no real memories of it apart from Christmas 2 years ago when we went home and they were amazed at the fact that there was one day where it did not even get bright :-)

I think with 3 children we would be out and about all the time if we were in Ireland as well, there is a lot of energy that needs to be burned off.

As much as I hate the wet summers in Ireland I found the heat in the summer to be too uncomfortable. Fine if you have aircon but otherwise sleeping is a struggle. It can be hard to do stuff outside for any length of time. Granted I am not a heat person and coming from work in a trousers, shirt and shoes I was sweating trying to grab the next train.

The outdoors is lovely over there. So much fantastic coastline, beaches and blue skies. I think for a stay at home parent it must be ideal.

aido79 · 29-12-2016 1:59pm

Morshlac wrote: »

remember scouring this thread for posts back in Oz...

me and wife (australian) back in Ireland under a year but already planning timescales to go back both miss our home and lifestyle in perth..
feel its the place for us and the kids.

Peoples situations are all different though and realise both countries are what you make of it..

That's true. Everyone will have different experiences. I have 2 sets of friends who returned to Ireland from Australia, one from Sydney and one from Brisbane, fully intending on staying in Ireland for good. They both had 2 kids. They both returned to Australia this year. One set stayed for 2 years before moving back to Sydney and the other set stayed for a year before moving back to Brisbane.
Both couples found it very hard to settle in Ireland citing numerous reasons such as weather, boredom, lack of activities for children, high cost of living compared to wages, the health system, ridiculous cost of car insurance. The only thing they seemed to like was being close to family.

GreenFolder2 · 29-12-2016 2:10pm

Chocolate fiend wrote: »

My husband works with mostly Australian's and there is a variance within them like there is in any group. I think education has improved greatly in the last 20 or 30 years, the primary education here is world class now, I don't think that used to be the case. There is also a HUGE amount of tutoring going on, we live in an area that has a lot of one child families, and the amount of work that the parents put in to ensure that their child WILL become a doctor is mind boggling. Those children have no time off, no holidays, no breaks at all. They are of course being tutored into how to be well rounded, so there are languages, instruments and sports. You will know those kids when you meet them, have no doubt!

Happens in Ireland too - stuffed into expensive "grind schools" after school or full time.
I encountered a mother of a 5 year old talking about CAO points. By the time her daughter goes to university the CAO might not even exist...

It's all private or public school of music style music lessons, sports, etc etc etc

You just don't notice it as much when you're younger. I think it's when you hit the age when your friends are suddenly parents that you start to see how education obsessed both countries are.

Morshlac · 09-01-2017 10:58am

aido79 wrote: »

. They both had 2 kids. They both returned to Australia this year. One set stayed for 2 years before moving back to Sydney and the other set stayed for a year before moving back to Brisbane.
Both couples found it very hard to settle in Ireland citing numerous reasons such as weather, boredom, lack of activities for children, high cost of living compared to wages, the health system, ridiculous cost of car insurance. The only thing they seemed to like was being close to family.

interesting post...you'd swear reading the Irish Times Abroad pages everyone returing for good in there droves...and anyone who hasn't yet has a deep longing to every 5 minutes...if only for a packet of cheese and onion taytos!
this is all u read online and makes sense people that e.g. end up leaving ireland a 2nd time would be more quiet about it..
but if u look through this thread there's some negative views on Australia and how can't replace Ireland. but read the actual people stories that are recounted mostly people who tried ireland and move back, or want to move back!

We have 2 young kids and were in Oz and now Ireland, so can speak from both sides of coin.
We always planned and wife always wanted to go back to Perth, but surprised at how quickly I'm feeling happy to go back there tbh.
and yup u've mentioned a lot of the reasons above among others.......find myself already looking forward to life back over

The family thing is a big one largely for people wherre both partners are irish, and i think in this case in can make up for other things

but if u reading this from abroad like i was remember that a lot of what you've built up your missing out on may be in your head or the past......the grass is always greener..

Chocolate fiend · 11-01-2017 1:21am

I just wish it wasn't so expensive for 5 of us travel home for a holiday. It's almost cheaper to move home than it is to holiday for a month there.

catbear · 11-01-2017 1:48am

Morshlac wrote: »

......the grass is always greener..

Well that's a fact, the grass is greener in Ireland. Some serious bushfires break out in Perth suburbs. I remember 60 homes gone in an hour up near mundaring! An average day in Ireland killed no one but an average day in Perth is has a extensive menu of ways to go!

amandakeaveney · 02-03-2017 12:30pm

Hi there,

Just wondering if you moved back to Ireland? Me and my fiancé moved back from Cairns last year, we have two kids under 3. I'm interested to see how ye are getting on. ðŸ˜€

Moving back to Ireland with 2 under 3 after 6 years in Australia

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