You could ask Windsong

I don't get it

I felt unhappy in France for quite some time and for all sorts of reasons (kids) didn't do anything about it. Then a friend's wife died suddenly just as they were doing something that they had waited for many years to do. Life is precious. Don't stay where you are unhappy. Start making plans and see where they take you. Action is a good antidote to depression. Just start, one small step. get your passport, figure out how to get your cat home (through france?). Good luck and a huge hug. xxxx

Absolutely the dog must come!

You can get close to London without it being too horrendously expensive. For example Stevenage, Peterborough or Grantham. Fastest trains to London from Grantham (Hull Trains) is 1 hour to Kings Cross. There's another poster who knows these areas too, as well as Lincoln, sorry, can't recall who. But my mum lives in Grantham, not a bad place to live.

There was a poster a while back who lets just say had some serious trouble understanding how to renew her British passport despite it being explained in great detail or that it is strongly recommended she do so before returning home.

Best of luck to fulwood, it does look like a move home is in order. Just in case you ever want to return to the US, and for tax purposes, are you an American citizen with a US passport?

Thanks for all the responses thus far. Yes I am US citizen and have US passport.

So, what are you going to do, fulwood?

Downton Gabby, All I can say is scared of making decision and scared of not making a decision.

Do it.

Make the change. Make a change.

Thanks for the encouragement Bevs and Downtown Gabby (and others)..

This is for you fulwood - you can do it!

You're welcome! I sent you a PM

Hi Fulwood. I'm sorry you are dealing with loneliness and see no future here in the US. There is another alternative that you may try before making such a huge change. If it doesn't improve things, you can always move to the UK later.
There are some very good communities in the US for Over 55s. Many are in Florida and Arizona, but they are in most states. It seems that many people move there from another state, on their own, and make new friends. Several even have Brit clubs for expats, and dog parks. Housing is less than in most parts of the UK, or you could rent. Check out the Sun City communities by Del Webb to start. A lot of people still work. The best part is that you can take your dog!
Good luck to you, Annie

It's hotter than H-E-L-L in both of those states!