TruBrit

omg it's corrected

Jerseygirl

After going back every 6 mths or so, I had a gap of 6.5 yrs. As soon as I stepped outside the airport it was as though I'd never been away. OK somethings had changed but nothing too dramatic. Its a weird feeling, like stepping out of one life into another. The worst part is saying goodbye to elderly relatives, knowing that you might not see them again. Go book your trip and enjoy yourself.

gruffbrown

Just pulling your leg, I don't care really

woodsey

I know exactly what you mean and its horrid. I wasn't loooking forward to the laast one but I assumed I'd be fine once I got there and it was crap, I got that unsettled feeling for practically the whole trip back last time, then just as you start to get used to things you come back here and get that unsettled feeling all over again, all in all had a pretty crap time... unless you're going back for a wedding or some other do, I'd stay here, seriously. After the last trip I have no intention of going back for a very long time.

TruBrit

nope i don't have a problem, maybe coz we have a home there...change my money and c/cards over on the plane and just slot in as if i've never been away...great!

TruBrit

well come on english teacher and pull my leg......i'm waiting

Jerseygirl

What you just said got me thinking. 18mths ago was our first trip back in 6.5 yrs, wet, cold, small cars, lot of traffic, small houses with tiny rooms. We were glad to get back. Last November I went back on my own for 2 weeks, the weather was quite pleasant and I enjoyed myself. Went back with hubby for Christmas and couldn't wait to get back, too much family pressure over the holidays for my liking.

CaliforniaBride

At last someone who understands exactly what I mean.

I've got this trip and then I'm going for a week at xmas. Then that is going to be it for a good long time. I'm stressed out just thinking about it.

Xmas isn't too bad cus that's just plain weird anyway. But I really don't want to spend my whole summer back there feeling like crap. Then coming back here and having to re-adjust all over again. I was really thinking about cutting this trip short and I'm definitely leaning towards that.

The sprog can come back later with my mother as planned. Plus it gives me a couple of childless weeks here.

Thanks Woodsey.

Sally

It's so weird. We came over last July and I was just totally shell-shocked, all I wanted was to go back.

Slowly I settled in and started to like it.

Now we have a visit to England booked which uses up all our holiday money and husband's vacation time. To be honest, I'm not really looking forward to it. Elderly relatives are not easy, esp the in-laws who are going to be nothing short of a total nightmare. I'm not excitedly getting ready, just putting it out of my mind.

Wildandcrazy0525

But Coronation street still probably sucks and Eastenders sucks just about the same probably.

They do have some new inventions there though, they got electricity now LOL

Jerseygirl

After a while you start to think why should I spend all this money going back to rainy old England and moaning rellies, when I could go elsewhere.

cpf

I've lived here 12 yrs and I am going home this summer for the first time in a year or so. Yes, I get the willies about going back, but mostly because I have such a wonderful time that I don't want to come back here. The whole getting used to being back home just as you have to leave is heartwrenching, so I can see why you would be nervous about it. I think one of the weirdest feelings you have to get used to as an expat is belonging nowhere anymore. You don't truly belong in your adopted country because you're not a native and you don't feel really at home in your native land because you've been away too long. All that hits you when you shift from one country to another. But, I can't imagine not visiting because I always feel the need to reconnect, see friends and family and, as my husband says, get a recharge on my accent.

Good Luck, C

kingfisher241049

Very little changes in the UK. The people are pretty much always the same. Only the politicians change, and the political policies. Soon as you get back onto British soil it will like you were never away.

blaze

A year is not long at all to feel that way about going to Britain but no-one can tell you how to feel, that's all up to you. I always feel like it's some kind of adventure when I go home, I don't know why. But for me, the hardest thing in the world is the last day when I'm packing up and getting ready to leave, I get sick to my stomach even after all these years. I can't stand being seperated from my friends and family, absolutely hate it!

ladygwennie

Hey, I have been over here for more than a year and i honestly have not had a serious compulsion to go back (apart from certain food cravings ) I have found myself pretty well integrated into american life (apart from the whole having to drive thing ) I am happy and i dont really see myself going back for some time, probably not for at least six months, but thats partly because of hubbys job and that ive started up school again. I could see myself getting pretty anxious myself when we actually make a trip to london.