I went into Engineering here in the US after several sh-t jobs and a nice spell of unemployment. Consequently, I have US credentials which apparantly are just shy of a HND (from what I've heard). Its understood that experience is king in reality, but so often the first words out of a headhunters mouth are "you have a BS right?". I have considered becoming a PE, especially with my type of degree (not a proper Engineer...a techie), but have yet to find any company which truly values it. Nevertheless, in this business, it is so rare to find an Engineer without the "sheepskin". Should have been a Nurse.!!!

Living out in the country, they are right?
Aren't most of them in the cities paid?

Exactly, also for me I have 10 nieces and nephews who I do not know. They are polite when I visit but I know little about their lives or personalities, one of the prices you pay.

And it sucks as my youngest would say. The kids growing up without their cousins/aunts/uncles, etc, has been extremely hard.

SOoooo true, me too. My nephew is a stranger to me really, when you don't have the everyday involvement it's hard.
His mum my middle sister, has also become a stranger we struggle with conversation even... when I go home....it's mad.

My other sister has visited so that helps so there is a form of being able to relate to life here but in general, Uk friends and family think I live in a Friends episode or something..... there is no way for them to grasp how insane life away from the UK is sometimes.

It has to be tough. Probably my real reason for not having kids.
I don't think I could handle it without having my parents and family around.
My brother has a two year old and my parents see him maybe once a year if they are lucky. My brother is tied up in the American dream money mill and doesn't have time for visits
I hear the crack in my mums voice when she talks about missing time with him

I'm glad my parents have another grandchild close by that helps the pining

I don't have children so it makes it quite easy for me being here. Though I am missing out on my nephew and neice growing up.
Culturally - depends on your belief system to how you will fit in. Then on top of that know you're con. but it does depend where you live.
Being con. quite independent thinkers.
If I was a left-wing or liberal don't think I would like down south in 'the bible-belt'. But people moving here should do their homework, you know US is generally more right than the UK and a lot more christian emphasis so if you can't tolerate that or live and let live then you shouldn't come here and then complain about it!

Until November of last year we had been apart from our parents for the last 7 years. My folks just moved out here to be closer to us and they have started a relationship with my kids which grows all the time. The only family I miss in UK are some cousins and aunts and uncles. We've lost touch now though. Harder than losing touch with family is the realisation that your childhood friends are now having families also and you don't get to share times and kids.

I wanted to send some EB3 karma from a fellow victim of the retrogression... but I have to spread.

So true Hello there mate ....... You know my mum would move out here in a heartbeat but my dad is a very English man of simple things, which is lovely, but drives my mum mad. He likes to travel once at his final destination, but if you didn't make him he would never leave the village!

Sometimes I envy people like him.

Most people here left their families. We all came over at once. Then in true septic style, split up and went all over. There just doesn't seem to be an environment here that fosters families. The other day, I was talking to someone who told me that in order for her to get her kids to play with other kids they had to plan it a week ahead and arrange it like a party.

My heart goes out to both of you. Being an H4 sucks big time. Quite frankly, I think it is obscene - particularly considering the fact that this country places such a high value on work ethic and "live to work"...

You know your experience (splitting up after you all settled) I've noticed is quite common here. Hubby lived in California for 8 years and maybe saw his folks once or twice in that time...... in our 12 years of marriage we have only lived close to family recently here in the US.

Kids and play dates? I guess the days of playing in the cul de sac are over?
I know it's a different world now than the one we grew up in, here and the Uk
Some innocence lost unfortunately, but every generation must experience that i suppose.

We live in a cul de sac. There are about 8 kids in our immediate area between 5 and 10. Every weekend it is an endless procession from one house to the next. It is a really positive thing about our new home in VA that the kids have a "neighborhood" gang to play with.