I am just killing myself here. I have been trying to decide whether to move back to the UK for the last twelve months and I am still no closer to making the decision. I can't go on for the next few years trying to decide, otherwise its just going to be to late when I finally make a decision.

My dilemmas are:

1) I have a great job - how could I be so irresponsible to leave?
2) I know it sounds silly, but I have a cat and it would break my heart to leave her (I cant take her to the uk with me)
3) I live in a really beautiful part of the states, weather is perfect - would be hard to give up
4) Last but not least, my possessions are hard to give up - I rent a great apartment, have a nice car etc etc.

There are pluses of course, to moving back to the UK which are :-

1) Ample vacation - it would suit the travelling lifestyle I want
2) Guaranteed medical care
3) Being close to family

There are valid pluses for living in both countries, so how do I decide? I am so scared of giving everything up to move to the UK, and then regreting it.

Would welcome your advice!!

Hi Sder

Really understand your dilemma but why do you think another few years would be too late?

I think if you are not born of that country wherever you go in the world you may always have a pull to your "roots". Have you considered just coming back for holidays now and again to really see how life back here is?

It sounds like you have alot going for you in the States? Alot to give up? are you very unhappy?

Sorry I don't mean to sound cold and blunt but I do believe you can't always have everything in life you just have to decide what is truly important and contributes to making you happy and "you".

If you have the freedom to travel back and forth then why not? Don't make any hard choices in case you do regret...anyway maybe this is the rambles of a woman who has had too much summer sun in the UK today plus a nice white cold wine.!!

I wish you luck SDER I know this must be hard for you.

Cheers

P

Apart from #2 (and why can't you take your cat - is it sick/elderly?) it sounds just like the life we enjoyed when we were on an expat posting in Singapore - plus with so many neighouring countries there was a vast variety of places to visit! We're in New Jersey on an expat posting and as hard as I try, I still can't say that I love it here.... We will probably leave here in a couple of years when our visas have maxed out and son has left High School, maybe to return to England or possibly Geneva.

SDER; is it possible for you to perhaps work in another country with a warm climate in say, southern Europe? Gibraltar? You would then be closer to family, get ample vacation (yes I know how it sucks getting just 2-3 weeks max in many US companies) and presumably good healthcare coverage?

How long have you been living in the US? Twelve months in total? Just in New Orleans?

You haven't stated any reasons why you don't like the US so is it that you do like the US but think you like the UK better?

If you're single with no children it would be far easier to return to the UK. Also, if you're not tied down to a mortgage, this would make moving back a lot easier too.




NC Penguin