I agree with going with your gut feeling - I moved a fair distance about 9 years ago, and on paper it made lots of sense - better job for my OH, bigger house, near family - and yet I really didn't want to leave where we were, and I think that had a big effect on my subsequent depression; and then this move didn't make sense at all, it was first suggested when I was in hospital, but there was just enough of me still there that didn't want to just say no. I am glad we did it. And of course any move doesn't have to be forever - I knew I would regret more not doing it, than doing it and finding out it wasn't for us, I wanted to believe I was the sort of person who wouldn't pass on opportunities.

I lived abroad on two separate occasions in the past - on my own, before I had my own family - for an academic year each time, and really it was just starting to get really good when it was time to leave. So since then, I've had in my head the idea that I really have to see how it goes for two years before deciding. Of course if it was really terrible I wouldn't always make myself stick to that, I suppose, but it seems to work for me.

It's true that you still have to take you when you move! - but I have felt less under scrutiny here than back in the UK - I've not had to pretend that I was fine when I was having a crappy day or week, and that has been helpful - quite liberating really. I would suggest trying to set up some support for yourself pretty early on, though, as I really needed somewhere to offload and process what the last couple of years have held for me.

I have never lived anywhere better - every day I see the beauty of nature and, though I am not religious, it does my soul good. There was a time a few months ago that we thought we might not be able to stay and I was gutted - so that helped me to see it had been the right thing to take the risk.

So - yes, go for it! Good luck.