I miss football, the countryside, pubs and the NHS. Nostalgia mate. We all idealize places we used to live in. If i grew some balls, I could find people here who are into the same stuff. There are plenty of "liberal" Americans who share my views on healthcare and the poor, etc. The more I look at it, going back would solve nothing. I have to accept this former colony as my home, warts and all.

Well it sounds as though you can do what you want. So consider that seriously.

And if you stay here, I would seriously consider Portland, Oregon.

Sally, you are right - I have been struggling, but I have also been in a bad marriage for many years. I at least have to wait it out before I chuck in the towel and go running back to blighty with tail lodged between legs. This is a big country and perhaps I can be happy here. I left a lot of emotional baggage back in the UK, most of which didn't follow me over here.

The west coast seems very appealing. It seems that in the US, the further west you go, the warmer people are.

Yes that makes sense.
Bit nutty in LA. I hear it's better up north.

Seattle. I have a good feeling about the place. Home of grunge & all.

And they had a good riot there today, which is always a plus. Shows life signs.

So I heard. Actually the PNW has always appealed. I loved northern CA when I was there. I think it the part of America that I was *meant* to move to, rather than end up on various parts of the eastern seaboard.

I live in the Pacific North West and I love it here. My husband is a native of Washington state. I go to college in Portland and live just across the state line in Washington. Weather is similar to UK but, and it's a big but, it actually gets lovely and sunny and warm in the summer There is a Brits group here too, I've only been once and they went to a tea room, but they go to pubs as well. Still have the problem of having to drive home from pubs as opposed to jumping in cabs, they do have them, but you have to order them in advance. Public transit not too bad if you actually live in Portland.

Pending divorce? Was that hyperbole or is that actually on the cards? If so, I'm sorry it went in that direction. You may very well be able to find somewhere here you can fit in, though. There's elsewhere in Europe as well, if the UK isn't an option for you. Don't forget though, the UK isn't just one island - I can recommend a few nice corners of blighty for you to check out ...

Got me thinking though, if the straw ever breaks the camels back and my wife and I end up separated, it will be a case of 'I can't go back' for me to, lest I want to end up never seeing my children again. I'd not even be able to leave the state, it'd amount to the same thing in a place this big. Not that it's on the cards but it's not always all sunshine and kittens at home either.

Bollocks, that went all depressing there, it's nice to see you back. If you do decide to head west on I90, make a brief detour onto 94 and stop in for a pint ...

Isn't it a good job I'm not vindictive?

We all know you're a big soft bastard at heart

I think you can cut him a break on this one, though.

I think I just did.

I'm running half a step behind today, just to annoy everyone.

Why tax yourself, constantly coming up with different ways?