I find myself at one of those divergent moments in life there is seemingly no way back from. I've read these boards for well over 2 years, seen people come and go as they have settled in the US or back in the UK and I think I have taken the comments both postitive and negative on board. Without boring you or embarrassing myself with undue personal details, I'd really like to know ....

Whatever the reason you came out to the States, would you have flown out on a one way ticket when you first came, and knowing what you know now would you do it with that knowledge?

Ah, but I did fly out here on a one-way! (Rare occasion when the one-way was cheaper.)

Yes, and yes.

One way Airmiles tickets for all the family, and no going back!

We knew at the outset that we would come back one day.

But I hadn't anticipated that I would be counting the days and trying to think of ways of bringing this forward.

I sort of did.

A return ticket originating in the US.

Just wondered - you obviously hate just about everything about the US. Everyone has a right to be happy - why do you stay?

Not wishing to answer for Elvira, but I dont think its a case of that. People get trapped by circumstance. All over the place, nothing to do with the USA. Once you get caught in that trap, its pretty difficult living.

Tbh that was the essence of my post. If you felt you would never be able to get back, would you go.

Oh I'm sure Elvira has some valid reason. I just wondered why, since she seems so unhappy here.

I'm the USC, but I wouldn't move to another country, unless I knew I could come back if I wanted.

And that's the very problem, with marriages and families and moving abroad. All too often, the best interests of everyone else involved, or the financial implications of decisions end up over riding your personal happiness.

I dont think many people would, but I thought I'd ask. Maybe some people are able to sign up regardless.

this sounds like my life .i have given up personal happiness for the good of my girls.iam stuck in a job i hate but its not about me its about them so i just have to suck it up .but if i could turn the clock back i would still be in london

I must admit the one way ticket thing was very daunting for me, moving to a new country leaving the town I was born in and had lived in all my life and bringing our four year old too.
Sounds a bit cheesy but I know there'll always be a ticket home and a place to stay should I need it. That's a comfort to me knowing that if I ever can't take it here a minute longer then all I need to do is make a phone call and I'll be on the next available flight home.
All the same though I hope that day never comes and that if and when we decide to go back it's because it's time and not due to any financial or any other circumstances.
We won't be in Texas forever but I think we'll see a bit more of the world first before going home. We're happy here for now so I can live with that.

Where did I say I hate everything about the US? Do you really think I would have moved here if this were the case?

We spent several sabbaticals here and loved it. My husband was offered a wonderful position in his very specialised field at a top uni. The reasons why find life difficult here are manifold, and include the fact that the country has gone nuts since 9/11, our endless, completely unpredictable and ongoing hassles with USCIS, the fact that one of our sons found it impossible to settle here (very long story). There is much else, but this is as much as I am prepared to disclose.

And I do so wish that people would think before they come out with 'if you don't like it here why don't you go back' line. It is never as simple as that.

I did think about it. Please don't assume what I'm thinking. I never thought it was necessarily simple. I simply wondered, because if I was so unhappy (as you appear to be) I would be attempting to leave if possible.

You've referred to it as "your sentence" so I would think that means you don't care for the U.S.

And of course, no problem, I certainly wouldn't think anyone should discuss anything here they don't want to.

Snap! British Airways, I seem to remember, VIE->LGW->PHX.