I think there are certainly a lot of rose tinted spectacles here. I moved to NYC from London 2 years ago and met my girlfriend (a Brit!!). She has been here for 3.5 years and is keen to return. She misses her family and feels worried that all her friends have moved on. Perhaps it's me but there are a few fundamental differences with the UK that nobody has pointed out yet. Does anyone find it hard to save in NYC?? With such a vibrant lifestyle and everyone going to restaurants and living the high-life we find it very hard to save. I know that comes down to personal will-power, but when all your friends are out enjoying themselves it can be hard. One thing i found in the UK was that everyone was in the same situation so found cheaper ways to entertain themselves. That doesn't mean worse ... just cheaper (going to each other's houses for dinner, going to parks in the summer etc). The US saps any available money we seem to have!!

We've now decided to return to the UK not because we hate the US - far from it. We miss family, friends and yet know we will always have places to stay here in the US. What's more NYC is so diverse that we now have friends all over the country we can visit. We'll be back here once a year if not more (if we can). I think the most important word is 'reality' ... yes, the UK has a lot of the benefits people people see through their spectacles but is that a replacement for better day-to-day living? I think it's a personal decision and there's no correct post - but the world isn't as big as everyone makes out - you can always travel back to US/Aus with your 5 weeks UK holiday and who knows, some of your friends may want to visit you in the UK! Remember, they have rose tinted spectacles too! And yes, we all wear Beefeater outfits and ride routemaster buses as you all rightly know!

Oh, and by the way, ALL Scotsmen wear kilts daily

Yes, I am conflicted on a daily basis here in the MidWest US. I really want to go back home, but will miss here, meaning mainly my friends and people who have become family to me, but I really want to live in Scotland my homeland. I find that the only one excited about me going home is ME. My friends here don't want me to go, and my family back home question why on earth I would want to move back to Scotland. Oh well, I guess it is my decision ultimately. It's not easy

Saving money ~ I am trying to save money right now so I can actually afford to move back home, but it isn't easy. Too many bills and not enough money, and I am quite frugal with day-to-day things. I used to live on Long Island for a while and visit New York often, so I totally understand how you aren't able to save over there. Very expensive

We find saving in the UK a lot harder than US. We try to do cheaper alternatives. We don't eat out anywhere near as much here. When the weather is good, parks etc are great, but we can't always rely on the weather. Trying to keep the kids entertained is expensive. Just yesterday, we had a day out at Southport, very nice day but spent around 100 pounds. Everywhere is expensive. As for being able to visit US once a year, that's proving difficult too. Yes, it's great having all the holidays but when you have to take trips during school holidays, it's hard to find the money. We're hoping to go back for our first visit this summer but prices are over 600 pounds each so not sure it's gonna happen.

It's all so dependent on one's own particular circumstances though. I have guilt more than conflict, but that's not because I feel we would be worse off in the UK in the long run but purely due to the exchange issue we face currently. If things were different I would just wait, but im 33 and want to start family, and I sure as hell dont want to do it in the US.

just my thoughts

Absolutely couldn't have put it better certainly helps when you are having doubts or feel you are on your own with your thoughts