Has the move improved your life?

Hiya ~
I've been reading the topics and responses on here like mad since I found this site, and have learned a tremendous amount of really valuable information.  Some of it encouraging, and some rather discouraging.  My husband and I have (I think) settled on moving to Bristol (friends and family reasons) and I have been really looking forward to it, but then I have recently read some things which have alarmed me about moving there. 
Anyway, with my new uncertainty, I am wondering from those of you who have made the jaunt over, do you think you are a better person for the move? Better as in, you feel richer for the experience, your vision of life is broader/fuller?  Are you happier to have made such a courageous change?
TMac

I moved to England to be with my English husband, and we have recently moved back to the US after a few years of living there together. I'm definitely a better person for it and have Zero regrets. We both ar ekeeping open moinds and know we may wind up in England again - and we can be happy in both places. Circusmtances (namely my husband's job) has moved us here.

Making such a big move is stressful and hard. Some people cope quickly and never look back, some people love it all the time, some people have a love hate relationship with the experience, and some people are completely miserable over it. I think it is fair to say that you'll get that kind of response with almost anything in life, and moving overseas is no exception. I, for one, am the kind of person who thinks that even Horrible, Horrible things make one a better person - and I can't imagine many people who have had the chance to lead a multi-cultural life don't walk away with it a better person. My opinion, anyway!

I am soooo happy I moved over here.  I love city living and London is an easy city to live in compared to some.  I am enjoying the ability to travel more easily and more cheaply in Europe.  The job, which is what brought me to London, is absolutely great and I've never enjoyed myself or had as much responsibility as I do here.  And I have met a wonderful man.  I can't say enough in how much better my life is here than anywhere else I've lived - it's much more well rounded...I DO more than I ever did (playing sports, going out, etc).  I love it.

I'm happy too! It was the best (and probably biggest?) decision I've ever made. I came over because I needed a change from the US, and I've found the UK to be everything I expected and more. The countryside is gorgeous and green and people walk places and the whole way of life is healthier. People aren't as hung up on jobs, careers and income. In spite of what you've heard, British food is great -- lots of farm shops, local markets, etc. with really great local produce. If you're willing to make the effort, it's not that hard to meet people -- I've been here less than 2 years, but I already have a fantastic little circle of close female friends. Where I live, there's virtually no crime, and I never felt this safe living in the US. Plus ... like onetiger ... I've met a wonderful man since moving over here, so that hasn't hurt either! I hope your experience is as successful as mine! Best of luck to you, TMac! 

People aren't as hung up on jobs, careers and income. In spite of what you've heard, British food is great -- lots of farm shops, local markets, etc. with really great local produce. If you're willing to make the effort, it's not that hard to meet people -- I've been here less than 2 years, but I already have a fantastic little circle of close female friends.

Took the words right out of my mouth, Belindaloo!  I agree 100%. 

In Scotland, I found the happiness that eluded me in the US.  It's our home and we'll never leave it. 

Took the words right out of my mouth, Belindaloo! I agree 100%.

In Scotland, I found the happiness that eluded me in the US. It's our home and we'll never leave it.

Me, too - only it's England for me. 

Yep, exactly what Belindaloo said. Exactly. I feel like a better, stronger, more broad-minded person for the experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. And like Onetiger said, the ability to travel so easily and cheaply is something I could never give up now that I have it.

I've had my moments of home-sickness but phone calls and emails and the occaisional trip back or receiving visitors from the US usually cures it. And I've had the occaisional down periods, but I just remind myself that I had those in the US too - it's easy to have rose-colo(u)red glasses about things!

I'm gonna give a different perspective...

I'm not having such a great time  :\\\'(  In fact, there are days when I am really, really, really homesick and hate living here.  I'm a "trailing spouse" and I've had nothing but trouble trying to get established in clinical practice.  I've got a newly minted Ph.D. that I worked very hard for in the U.S. and I can't seem to use it over here.   Making friends has been extrememly difficult, the financial costs have been exorbitant, and I have a hard time feeling "Welcome" or like I "Fit In" anywhere.

THAT BEING SAID...
There are many days that I DO enjoy living here.  I've seen things and had experiences that a lot of people are not fortunate enough to have.  I enjoy the cultural differences and try to make the most of my interactions within them.  I've gotten the experience to travel throughout europe and go back to my parents home town in Germany.  I get milk delivered to my doorstep two days a week.  There are a lot of positives of living here! 

The choice I make on a daily basis is what to focus on.  Do I focus on the difficulties I've experienced and how much I'd rather be living by the beach in North Carolina?  Or do I focus on making the most of each day...looking for new opportunities, trying to do different things, staying busy, traveling to new places...etc.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that location doesn't determine happiness, and to a large extent experience doesn't either - attitude about those two determines it. 

Has the move improved my life? Financially - No, Employment Wise - No, Experientially - Yes, Educationally - Yes, Relationship wise - yes.  I'm here for two years (wife's contract) and am determined to make the most out of those two years...I understand however, that I don't have to enjoy it to make the most of it.

do you think you are a better person for the move? Better as in, you feel richer for the experience, your vision of life is broader/fuller?  Are you happier to have made such a courageous change?

It's just my life. 
Nothing to do with being better or richer or broader or fuller or courageous.
I dont see life in those sort of terms... you just do what you have to do, and i've chosen to do it in Scotland. 

I'm gonna give a different perspective...

I'm not having such a great time :\\\'( In fact, there are days when I am really, really, really homesick and hate living here. I'm a "trailing spouse" and I've had nothing but trouble trying to get established in clinical practice. I've got a newly minted Ph.D. that I worked very hard for in the U.S. and I can't seem to use it over here. Making friends has been extrememly difficult, the financial costs have been exorbitant, and I have a hard time feeling "Welcome" or like I "Fit In" anywhere.

I'm sorry you're not happy Steve.  Is there anywhere you can volunteer-maybe meet people and use your brain/PHD?  Maybe Relate or the Citizens' Advise Bureau or some mental health project?  Maybe contact Mind or some other body?  What about the Universities?

Sending good thoughts. 

I sold my house when I moved, small to no chance of owning one here with the prices the way they are and exchange rate so bad. Had a very nice job in the US, working contract work here on what I find rather small wages yet they are better than most of the permanent jobs I've applied for here. My qualifications don't transfer well, and I've been told on the few interviews that I have had that my management experience and university degree are not sellers for me, quite the opposite.

I knew these things were likely when I made the decision to move, and as such I'm not hung up on the disappointment of it although some days I wonder why I gave up a job I loved for the one I'm doing now.  I gave it up so I could be with the man I love. And even though I have to remind myself of that from time to time, I have no regrets. I'm much worse off financially, but I'm glad I've done it anyway. 

In short, the move has definitely improved my life, but not how you're probably assuming. Despite getting a large pay increase to come here, my quality of life and standard of living have PLUMMETED and will never recover. Still, I would never consider moving back to the U.S.

However, I hasten to add that the cultural enrichment etc. I value so highly comes exclusively from OUTSIDE the UK. Thankfully when one lives in or near London, it can be very affordable indeed to escape the UK on a regular basis (Ryan Air has become one of my...closest friends ), which is perfect for me because I really love my job and have a contract which requires me to stay in it for another two years anyway. It's just too bad they can't move it to another part of Europe!