Orangepants

If your wife doesn't work, then could she go on her own with the children, if it's the In-laws that are the ones you have to see?
My OH and I never go to the UK together, that way when we do go, we spend quality time with who we want to see. I fly on a Friday night and back in 8 days later on a Sunday, so only one work week. My idea of holiday fun is NOT a Man City football match.

Yorkieabroad

Most people were passing through on their way to somewhere, Australia or wherever, rather than specifically just to visit us, but we also had quite a lot that would come for 3 weeks, and take a few short trips from there - up to Thailand, down to Indonesia, over to East Malaysia or wherever. It was perfect for that. It also made the visits easy on us, because people would be in and out. We were back there for 10 days last year, and we're going again this year for another 10 days - will probably take a side trip to Indonesia for 3-4 days, but there is just so much to do in Singapore, that we may skip that. As a place to live, I dont think I will ever recapture the standard of living I had there, and, if cash were no problem, I would move back there over any other city I've ever visited.

scrubbedexpat027

If mine visit too often, I'll move further, but 5500 miles seems to have done the trick for now.

kodokan

We used to get this a lot when we lived in Switzerland; people would stay, but be in and out touring locally and traveling around Europe on the trains. You're right, it's so much easier than people cluttering up the house all day, expecting to be 'entertained'.

Here in the US, my mum and stepdad are excellent - they borrow my car, and take themselves off for day trips and mini breaks. My dad and stepmum, however, don't like to drive in the US and we don't live anywhere with public transport. So they're a little harder work as visitors, as they need chaperoning/ taxi-ing everywhere, which can be challenging when people are staying for several weeks rather than just a few days, and you still have to live your normal work/ school daily life.

MsElui

5 of us - Dallas to UK. best we can see right now is just under 8k. and that doesnt include hotels, car hire or anything other than airfare.

scrubbedexpat099

Never paid anything like that much from Denver.

Yorkieabroad

We're about the same for Houston-Amsterdam-Teesside. Was out with a mate last week who reckoned he'd just got stuck for almost 2k/person for Houston- London on tight dates for June. Ouch.

Yorkieabroad

Quick look at travelocity for Denver-London mid week early June cheapest is $1400. Ok, digging around, booking at the right time, may get it down, but it's not a million miles off...

ETA just checking cos we have some $39 return tickets to Denver, so could have been a (very roundabout) option. Plus, Colorado is one of my picks for later on in life, versus wife's Florida!

SarahG

Yes, I made the decision to move to the US. However, me saying my parents never visit me here is not me being irritated and expecting them to come to me and me not go over there. 1. I cannot afford the flights to go with my kids on a regular basis. 2. My parents never visited me when I moved from Scotland to England so I had no expectations of them visiting me here in the US. My dad only came to visit once and that was for my wedding. My mum visited twice. Once was because it was on the way home from a Meatloaf concert she had been to in Nottingham. If I ever wanted to see my parents I needed to go to them. That included when I had my kids. If I wanted my parents to see their grandchildren I had to go to them. It would not matter where I lived. I would need to make the effort to go to them. I need to be the one to initiate contact with them. It has been that way since I turned 18 and first left Edinburgh, and I am almost 40. My brother may visit me in a few years when his kids are older but I will never see my parents here. They won't do it partly because of the expense and partly because they can't be bothered.

scrubbedexpat091

Sounds like my family. Unless I call or email or whatever first, nobody in the family ever makes contact with me. I could vanish and who knows how long it would take them to figure out I was gone.

I've had family visit 3 times in the 10 years, I have been in Canada. Dad came twice and mom once, and that was about 10 years ago.

I go for a visit every few years, but if we had kids, they would likely never see the California family, the cost to take more then 2 humans would be too great.

I cannot even imagine having to pay for trips to the UK and the cost involved.

ChocolateBabz

Yep, you seldom get a deal on Houston - UK, and I'm past doing 4 connections to save $100. The most frustrating are the relatives who can't come because flights to Houston are too expensive then ask in the same breath when we will be home this year

Yorkieabroad

We've just booked this summers trip out to Japan, Singapore, Taiwan near enough 26 hours flight time each way - total incl taxes $1300, $1100 for my 10 yo. That is an open jaw on UAL into Singapore and out of Taiwan, and a one-way Sing -Taipei, both of which I normally expect to be more expensive than regular round trip flights. For the same dates, Travelocity currently showing $1400 for the 10 hour flight IAH - London. I know you can't compare them like that, but still, makes our $/mile look good for Asia!

WJS

That is very sad and I don't blame you. It sounds like the relationship I have with my brother. After many years chasing him and contacting him I finally decided enough. I never hear from him at all and have no contact at all with him so totally sympathise with your situation.

Mrs Danvers

I must admit, I have had ideas to go to California National Parks for about five years and the idea has been put on the back burner again because I'm going to the UK this year.

However my parents are now getting into their late 70's and it's easier for me to go there than for them to visit me. Yosemite will likely be around in 10 or 20 years but I'm not sure my parents will.

RICH

I am going back in August. My sis and her family at the same time from Europe. Dad thinks we are all going to kip at his house - 2 bedrooms, a family of 4 and me and him for 2 weeks. Not looking forward to that living arrangement. Hotel might be on the cards.