Repatriation and re-entry shock

I am wondering what other people's experiences have been with repatriation and re-entry shock, particularly the psychological side of things. This is one of the hardest parts for me, as the longer I am way, the harder I feel it would be to return.

But I would like to return one day. So I am looking to benefit from the plethora of repat experience on here! Specifically,

1. how did you deal with expectations and reality, especially if they did not add up?
2. what was the most difficult thing to deal with upon return?
3. what do you wish you had known that you didn't before reurning?
4. what was the best thing about returning?
5. how did you prepare for repatriation and re-entry shock?
6. how long did it take you to re-settle, why and how long were you away?
7. anything else that you would pass on to prepare people for repatriation and re-entry shock that I haven't covered?

Thanks everybody! 

Hello!

I returned to the US after eight years in England!   September will be three years since we returned!  

Just like living in the UK is different for everybody, so is returning to the US. 

You raise a lot of good questions and concerns.  All of the answers are not so clear cut - many of the experiences are a whole process over time.

There's a forum, Dive Into America that is specifically geared towards folks moving to the US from the UK.  The founding members are also UKY members.  I suggest you have a peek as many of issues in your questions are dealt with in detail on this board.  It's a very friendly and helpful community  whose members are all in various stages of moving and completing the process.

Good luck!

http://forum.diveintoamerica.com/

 

Thanks for this. I'll have a look....

Hi Kellie,
I lived in UK for 3 years & returned to US and have been going back and forth for a while.
Answer to your questions:

1)I started to read a lot on the web about things that I needed to do prior to arrival in US; driver license, insurance, housing, etc. I had the great expectations as to coming back home & being close to family, friends, being able to shop at Target (my obsession), having stores open for 7 days, less cost of living, lower taxes but they were realistic within reason. As I knew I had to pay for healthcare insurance, minimum vacation time from work, not being able to travel anytime for fun, being chained to work that expects everyone 60 hrs a week, (even on 40 hr weeks). But as with everything, it is what one makes of it, so it was a good return, but I am the sort of person that can be happy any place.

2)Driving licence renewal, getting health insurance prior to getting a job, establishing credit to buy a car, house anything as not being a resident for 3 years with no history made it challenging. So I suggest you use your US credit cards in UK, and pay monthly.

3)I wish I had someone lay all this out for me from choosing the best moving company, (I had some weird people), to steps to take to obtain a place to live, job, insurance, etc.

4)Being able be close to people I know & care, it was the same in UK though I was blessed to have great friends & neighbors.

5)I read a LOT, I mean anything from US magazines (asked my relatives & friends to sent it, and online), to any type US related news, and asked to belong to groups,organizations in my prospective area of move.

6)It took about 3 months, a month to get the stuff, find a place to live, and unpack.

7)I suggest to check the area you are moving to on the web, regards to rent/mortgage, banks in the area, car insurance, cost of vehicle, health insurance, register with job agencies, network way before with friends/relatives about your needs, and take a vacation even a short one to a place that is not by your new home. It helps a great deal.