A Scottish mother who packed her bags to move to Australia with her husband and two children and returned home less than two years later has found herself struggling once again.
Kimberley Lucas took to social media in December to controversially admit Australia wasn’t what they expected, saying it’s “not for everyone.”
She was disappointed by the long hours expected of blue-collar workers, the high costs of childcare, the distance from extended family, and the difficulty in making friends. As a result, her relationship with her husband also suffered.
Now, back in Scotland, after improving their lives once again, the family is struggling to find a routine.
“Coming home after living in another country is harder than leaving,” Kimberley wrote alongside a video of herself looking contemplatively into the distance.
‘The country I once felt comfortable in (Scotland) now feels foreign to me, but nothing has changed. I’m the one who grew up and experienced something different, and I’m not entirely sure where I fit.
“It’s been a month since we got that one-way ticket home and I’d like to share the honesty of it all, the good and the hard.”
Kimberley said it’s easy to ask “why did we do this?” regrets having entrenched, but is trying to focus on the clear reasons why they left Australia.
A Scottish mother who packed her bags to move to Australia with her husband and two children and returned home less than two years later has found herself struggling once again.
‘Both countries are very different and both can offer things that the other cannot. “The feeling of emptiness is definitely something I didn’t expect to feel as strongly as I currently do, but like everything…it takes time,” he continued.
After being peppered with questions about why she “hated” Australia, Kimberley said that wasn’t the case at all and that she actually missed many aspects of life there.
‘It would be strange if we didn’t miss living on the beach, with sunshine 90 per cent of the year and amazing coffee from 5am, BUT that’s not the full reality of life there as a young family and right now we’re taking decisions. that work for us and our children,” he explained.
‘Support is something we need and being at home allows us to have it. Our children are happy. Our minds are happy and although it may not be the ideal scenario for everyone, it works for us and at this time in our lives.’
Kimberley has not ruled out returning to Australia once the children are grown and extended family support is no longer required, and others have had similar experiences.
“Sorry about this, we’re actually considering returning now, after being home in the UK for 6 months, it just doesn’t feel right to be here anymore,” one woman wrote.
‘Feel your pain girl! I’ve been back for a year and I still feel the same! “We are currently applying for permanent residency and moving, fingers crossed, next year,” said another.
The Kimberley situation is becoming more common, and the term “ping pong Poms” was coined to describe those from the UK who find themselves going back and forth between home and Australia, trying to get the best of both worlds.
In 2024, Scottish high school sweethearts Ruthie Ellis and John spoke to FEMAIL about their own experience after leaving “horrible” Australia after 18 months… and then returning two years later.
Stunning beaches, extraordinary scenery and new places to explore attracted the couple, who have been together for 21 years and have three children: Brooke, 16, Alfie, 11, Jonah, four.
In 2024, Scottish high school sweethearts Ruthie Ellis and John spoke to FEMAIL about their own experience after leaving “horrible” Australia after 18 months… and then returning two years later.
The couple first backpacked to Australia in 2005 and dreamed of moving to Australia forever.
After settling down, buying a house and having children in Dunbar, they felt that dream was slipping away from them, so they decided to take the plunge.
The warm climate, sunny beaches, extraordinary landscapes and new places to explore attracted the couple, who have been together for 21 years and have three children: Brooke, 16, Alfie, 11, Jonah, four.
After returning to Scotland during the Covid lockdowns in 2021, the family returned to Australia in December 2023.
‘I have learned to never make assumptions. “You don’t know what’s going to happen,” Ruthie said.
“Before I always thought about not having mortgages at 50 or having a big car, but in recent years our vision of life and what wealth is has totally changed.”
He urges those who wish to follow in his footsteps to “seize the opportunity with both hands.”