Originally Posted by trottytrue (Post 10491988)

Another problem is the Social atmosphere has changed. I find that many people have an attitude of I am owed that money.

Originally Posted by trottytrue (Post 10492014)

Now my rant is over. I will start my Diary on Life of an Ex-pats return to the UK or not:)

Just to fill in briefly for those who were not on this forum in the beginning.

I married a US Citizen in 1972. Came to the US did not like it returned to the UK stayed 7 years then returned to the US. Reseason for returning were when I look back stupid but to late to moan.
We lived in Florida first way too hot and sticky then moved to California to crowded in the area we lived. Moved to Rhode Island were we stayed for 19 years. I made the decision to become part of the life if not for my sake but for my childrens. I was happy but never completely. It was always my goal to return back to the UK one day.

We had 3 children born in the UK but by the 80's all American. Couldnt take them back to UK. They all went off to University then I really began to get homesick. My Mother got ill but like many of you will understand with three teenagers in College I could not afford to go back for holidays.

My husband was made redundant in the late 90's and after a year he managed to get another job in NH we moved up here to get some money together to build up that nest egg again.

We finally thought we could make it in the UK so we put the house on the Market just prior to the housing slump. I got all our 3 dogs fitted with chips and all had their rabies updated. We were on our way. As soon as the house sold my husband would retire. 6 years later we were still here. My 3 beautiful dogs had passed away my Mother had died and my brother.

We finally sold the house and as most of you know shortly after we moved into a rental and were waiting for our return to the UK furniture in international storage ready for the UK. But fate took a hand. We had been in the rental for just 1 month when I was diagnosed with cancer. I had my op and then 6 months of chemo. That ended back in July of last year. Since then my husband became sick and is not well. I am doing fine. We now have one dog and are staying with our daughter till we decide what to do. My husband is having Coronary angioplasty and stents next Friday. My hope is they find nothing too bad.

So now we are up to date and I will fill you in the next chapters which I am sure will be the hardest. But I think the one lesson learned is do not wait too long to return home as there never is a right time. The next few weeks will be interesting. I wonder which side of me will win. One point for those returning it is much easier to return home if you leave no one behind but leaving behind children and grandchildren is hard. For me its leaving behind my daughter that is the hardest. Jasper123....Yes we do pay $140 per month from our Social Security. I cannot complain about any of the medical care we have had. My cancer care was the best and my husband only went to his doctor last week for a check up and talked about the mild pain in his chest. An appointment was made to see a specialist which was today and the proceedure is being done next Friday. Today when he went to see the doctor I was suprised how organized my husbands file was. The doctor had everything in the file for the past 10 years from all the operations he had and all the tests and results he had had.

Originally Posted by sallysimmons (Post 10494255)

All good points Trotty and things more people need to think about. I've said before that I think money and family/friends are the two key factors in whether you can be happy with the move. If we were all in ours 20s, neither would matter all that much, but now as we gracefully age (!), they become more important.

If I may be honest, I also think that you may find the UK a challenge culturally. I say that because you've been clear about your political views and the truth is that the British conservatives are generally on the same page as the US Democrats - sometimes even slightly to the left of them (for example, on gay marriage and healthcare). The conservatives have also made many of the financial industry reforms that American Republicans fight, private citizens are not allowed guns period, religion is rarely mentioned in public life, taxes are higher on wealthy people, and abortion is freely available. Finally of course there's the welfare state and supposed 'benefits scroungers.'

As someone who found America far too right-wing, this has all been a welcome change for me, but how would you feel about it? It might not bother you, but I think it's worth taking into account.

Originally Posted by perthhomeschool (Post 10494467)

Cultural and political acclimatisation are huge considerations to mention and not often seen in discussions about whether to return or not. Or maybe I am just as political as you sally so therefore it is as much on my priority list as healthcare and ditching the car. Fortunately for us, we are of the same persuasion as you and see us fittingu in just fine :thumbsup:

PS: Don't let the fact that we home schooled fool you. We were secular liberal homeschoolers. And yes there are many of us...even in Florida

Originally Posted by trottytrue (Post 10495461)

Sallysimmons and Perthhomeschool....Politics and Cultural views are the least of my concerns. My views on politics really dont enter into my returning home. Its one thing answering a post on this forum but when in company of those who differ from me I am not in the habit of making my politics known. Each to their own. As for it being a challenge for me moving home I think I will be far more concerned about getting good Dr's and finding a home in the right part of the country so I may get the treatment I might need.

If we were all of the same persuasion that would be really boring. I have great pride in my parents they brought up 6 children who thought for themselves and all had different political 'persuasions'.

As for gay marriage thats up to the Church not me to make the decisions whether they will allow it or not and abortion is a choice made just as easy here in the US, yes in some States its 20 weeks not 24. Do I agree with it no but then its the law and that should not be altered only peoples mindset. When at great expense doctors fight to save the life of a 6month old foetus and then in another faciity someone is aborting a 6month old foetus that seems cruel and stupid unless the Mother is sick or has been raped. As for " so called benefit scoungers" please remember I have always thought that those most in need should receive benefits but when some lazy do nothing is sitting at home with no intention of looking for a job then I say thats wrong and there are plenty of them. That money could be better spent in other areas. My views in this paragraph are shared by most of my friends back home. Labour or Conservative. People I know really dont take politics very serious in the UK. They moan about all parties.

Here in the US I find that in the part of the country I live politics and religion are rarely spoken about maybe in New York and the Bible belt but not here in New England i . Perhaps you didnt know but here in NH we have a gay Bishop and our local rector is Gay. I woundnt have a hissy fit if I were to think about it which I dont.

So even though I am not of the same politcal persuasion as Sally or Perth I know given the chance to go home I would fit in perfectally well just as easy as two very vocal liberals:eek:.

As I have said before my main concerns are money.. money.. money and Healthcare and leaving behind my children.

Originally Posted by trottytrue (Post 10495461)

As I have said before my main concerns are money.. money.. money and Healthcare and leaving behind my children.

Originally Posted by trottytrue (Post 10495681)

Bud the Wiser...I've been on this roller coaster as I put it for quite a few years and it does not get better as the years roll by. One day I am all for going home and the next I am hesitating again. I should just bite the bullet like many have done before me and go. I think once my husband is over his latest problem I shall have to decide once and for all. :confused:

I remind myself of the scales of justice in one hand I hold healthcare in the other I hold income. They change day to day......

I have known quite a few ex-pats on here who have had real trouble with money matters. If they had more money none of the problems they encountered would have turned up. For some its been quite upsetting and I know its made a few ill. Even when they followed their dream home the dream just wasnt enough. Its that darned money.......The root of all evil.....

perthhomeschool...Dont slip into lurkdom we can disagree on subjects doesnt mean we cannot be forum friends. I did say it would be awful dull if we all thought the same way. I am not offended. Just putting another point of view.:) My dear friend Rodney I know is a libby well I think he is but thats fine by me he is a lovely person. My brother and I were at opposite ends of the poles on politics but I loved him dearly and still miss him we had some really lively debates.

Originally Posted by fulwood (Post 10495754)

Trottytrue, I am not making any big decisions about my future.. but I believe healthcare as I grow older will draw me back to UK but then when there I wonder how I will survive financially - kind of a catch 22. Financially I am totally dependent upon myself and so as I age but do not at this time feel the draw of England I ponder such things at times..

Originally Posted by trottytrue (Post 10495461)

Sallysimmons and Perthhomeschool....Politics and Cultural views are the least of my concerns. My views on politics really dont enter into my returning home. Its one thing answering a post on this forum but when in company of those who differ from me I am not in the habit of making my politics known. Each to their own.