How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
Oct 7th 2009, 3:30 pm
#1
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 1,544
How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
We've been here for a little over year, we have two small boys who are the only grandchildren on both sides. So far we've planned to go back to visit once per year. My parents are not able to come here (they are looking after elderly relatives) for the forseeable future so If I want to see them I'll have to go there.
I'm just wondering if many of you found that as the years have gone by you've been more or less inclined to make regular trips back to the UK?
I'm just wondering if many of you found that as the years have gone by you've been more or less inclined to make regular trips back to the UK?
Oct 7th 2009, 4:22 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Toasty in Texas
Posts: 4,240
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
We've been here for a little over year, we have two small boys who are the only grandchildren on both sides. So far we've planned to go back to visit once per year. My parents are not able to come here (they are looking after elderly relatives) for the forseeable future so If I want to see them I'll have to go there.
I'm just wondering if many of you found that as the years have gone by you've been more or less inclined to make regular trips back to the UK?
I'm just wondering if many of you found that as the years have gone by you've been more or less inclined to make regular trips back to the UK?
I find going over a real pain the the backside as everyone wants to see you and so it isn't a relaxing trip....the best thing we've found is to rent a house/cottage and tell everyone where we are and invite them to come and see us rather than dragging the kids all over staying here and there.
Oct 7th 2009, 4:23 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: North Charleston,SC. born in Stockport,UK.
Posts: 10,109
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
We've been here for a little over year, we have two small boys who are the only grandchildren on both sides. So far we've planned to go back to visit once per year. My parents are not able to come here (they are looking after elderly relatives) for the forseeable future so If I want to see them I'll have to go there.
I'm just wondering if many of you found that as the years have gone by you've been more or less inclined to make regular trips back to the UK?
I'm just wondering if many of you found that as the years have gone by you've been more or less inclined to make regular trips back to the UK?
Since being in the US, my family (Sister) has been here twice and met us in FL for a vacation once.
I have been back there once, for Nephew's wedding, in about 8 years (altogether) I'm hoping that once my youngest is in college, I will be able to go visit more often
Oct 7th 2009, 4:45 pm
#4
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
Not often enough.
We lapsed over the year with visits, but now my Mom is alone, she comes to us annually and I try to go back every other year.
We lapsed over the year with visits, but now my Mom is alone, she comes to us annually and I try to go back every other year.
Oct 7th 2009, 5:27 pm
#5
Sleepless In Chicago
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Chicago.
Posts: 3,601
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
I've been here 16 months and haven't been back to England since.
I would like to though.
At the moment I feel trapped.
I would like to though.
At the moment I feel trapped.
Oct 7th 2009, 5:50 pm
#6
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
The first few years after we moved I went back twice a year...but I found it too unsettling. So I decided to pull up all the UK roots and try to put them down here...so I didn't go for 7 years. When I eventually made a trip back I loved it...so I decided to buy a place there. Now I go back several times a year.
Oct 7th 2009, 5:55 pm
#8
Sleepless In Chicago
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Chicago.
Posts: 3,601
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
Because I can't go back to the UK for quite a while.
That's why I'm trying to find good wings, so I can fly...
That's why I'm trying to find good wings, so I can fly...
Oct 7th 2009, 5:57 pm
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
I have been back twice in 4 years. It doesn't always feel like a holiday when you have to travel around to see various people. I loved it when I went back last year and was really down for a long time when I got back. The children seem to have fun and reconnect over there.
Oct 7th 2009, 6:01 pm
#10
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
I'm thinking that the idea of renting a place in the UK for a week would indeed be cheaper than our last visit over, staying in hotels and eating out 3 meals a day. 
Plus the cost of taxis/buses back and forth.
Plus the cost of taxis/buses back and forth.
Oct 7th 2009, 7:58 pm
#11
Who?
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Stepford
Posts: 3,098
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
We have been here four years and haven't been back
The first year we had lots of visitors which was really nice.
The second year we decided to see something of the US as we really didn't know how long we would be here.
The third year we were doing green card stuff and it just didn't work out that we could get back .
Now we have two kids in college here and we just can't afford it. We don't have family in the area we call home and we have different groups of friends who don't know each other and the whole thing just becaomes fraught. Plus OH only gets two weeks holiday a year and can't take them together so we can only go for a week.
Perhaps next year
The first year we had lots of visitors which was really nice.
The second year we decided to see something of the US as we really didn't know how long we would be here.
The third year we were doing green card stuff and it just didn't work out that we could get back .
Now we have two kids in college here and we just can't afford it. We don't have family in the area we call home and we have different groups of friends who don't know each other and the whole thing just becaomes fraught. Plus OH only gets two weeks holiday a year and can't take them together so we can only go for a week.
Perhaps next year
Oct 7th 2009, 8:23 pm
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 4,525
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
I have an aunt in the uk who said she is 'done with' me (meaning she wants nothing to do with me) because the last time I went over with my girls (then 18 months and 3 year old) I did not go visit her. Yeap I travelled 4000 miles with 2 kids and she could not bring herself 6 miles to visit me at my dads house. Family's are a funny thing!
Oct 7th 2009, 8:31 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
I have an aunt in the uk who said she is 'done with' me (meaning she wants nothing to do with me) because the last time I went over with my girls (then 18 months and 3 year old) I did not go visit her. Yeap I travelled 4000 miles with 2 kids and she could not bring herself 6 miles to visit me at my dads house. Family's are a funny thing!
Oct 7th 2009, 9:02 pm
#14
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
Not been back since I got here....realised my passport has been expired for a couple of years, I knew it was expired but I didn't realise it had been a couple of years.
Sending it over to my mother to renew for me, sod these US rates.
Anyway, my mother has been over a couple of times since my daughter was born which was nice. Sister has had a few flights into Boston and has visited a couple times.
Sending it over to my mother to renew for me, sod these US rates.
Anyway, my mother has been over a couple of times since my daughter was born which was nice. Sister has had a few flights into Boston and has visited a couple times.
Oct 8th 2009, 12:11 am
#15
lush
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Maine - the "Deep South" of the Northeast
Posts: 5,004
Re: How often do you go back to visit UK relatives?
I would like to go back every year, but this year I just couldnt afford it.
So fingers crossed for next year
My Mum comes over at least twice a year, sometimes 3 times, and brings either my Dad or one of my Brothers with her each time, so i see most of my family fairly regularly
So fingers crossed for next year
My Mum comes over at least twice a year, sometimes 3 times, and brings either my Dad or one of my Brothers with her each time, so i see most of my family fairly regularly