Kids make it difficult if you are changing educational systems, personally I feel guilty about putting my kids though a lot of stress as we are not committed to staying here long-term.

I can see that being single could be very daunting as well. It gets harder as you grow older - as dunroving mentioned, so easy when you go to University or your first job and meet loads of like-minded people. It seems to get progressively harder to do that.

I moved to Queensland to marry an Aussie. I thought it would be easier than people moving as a family unit, but it didn't quite work that way.
If you move as a unit you explore and discover together. But if you move in with someone who knows the place, whatevere country it is, they will assume you know things.
I don't want to be unfair to my ex, so lets try and do this both ways. When he came to the UKfor the first time it was the summer of 2003, efffffffing hot! And he couldn't understand why we didn't have ceiling fans and air con. He wanted to buy a ceiling fan and nail it in place. NO!! I could almost near the plaster coming off the ceiling Equally when I got to Brisbane I remember asking stuf like "where do i buy lightbulbs?" "why are there ants everywhere?" and "its a thunderstom, why should I unplug my computer? What's a brownout anyway, "

I honestly don't knw which is easier, I guess at least if you move as a unit, you are all in it together. If you dont, be prepared for frustration, and try and see the point of view of those who don't know any different.

A brownout sounds like something you do after a spicy curry. I fell victim to the 'root' and 'box' in one sentence last year and have never lived it down.

Oh the language barriers.....

Don't they have lightbulbs in Brisbane, then?

Polly have I missed something?

Oh, its defintely less complicated if you are either single or married with no kids, in my opinion. Especially if they are of a certain age that you really need to 'stay put' for a few years in one place so they can have a stable education. Mine are 10 and 12 right now, so its just not that easy to decide to move back and forth. We have done our fair share of moving around but now my eldest is about to enter secondary school we just cannot do that anymore.
I guess thats why some families who are always on the move (eg diplomats) place their children in boarding schools. At least its less disruptive for the kids, though I would miss mine way too much. But I can see why people do it.
Never dwelt on the alone bit of being single I guess, but I have to admit sometimes the notion of just having myself to please and worry about seems really, really appealing.I guess though the grass is always greener on the other side,,,

I first got a job overseas in 2001 as a 40 something divorcee (male) with 2 children aged 17 and 15 who I generally looked after.

The decision to go overseas was left to fate. I sent in an application and let things happen and went with the flow, once I got the job.

However leaving them behind (I was going to Saudi so as a single Dad couldn't take them) was not easy at all and hasnt been easy since.

Settling in was pretty easy due to the people I worked with and the setup I was in. There was a great support system.

I have since remarried (7 years since in fact!), still overseas having moved countries twice. Again the decisions were fairly easy, and the preparation and settling in was shared, so easier again.

Now it is getting near the time to 'return home' and the difficulties come in reverse. Should I go home to uncertainty, or stay overseas, earning a better salary, yet away from family and friends.

I dont think there is a definitive answer to the OP question. There are too many variables (age, destination, job, duration of stay, salary, size and closeness of immediate family, relationship with spouse/partner).

With reference to the advantage of having 'me time' when you are single, if you have the right relationship with a partner, 'me time' is as achievable as you (both) want it to be.