Just moved back to US - and regret it!

I spent all summer (about four months) in Manchester with my DF.  I loved the first month, hated the middle two months, and after deciding to come to the US to try it here, spent the last month realizing how much I really liked the place. 


We've been in the states for a month and a half now, and I take back almost everything I said.  What is it about people (well, me) that makes us think the grass is always greener on the other side?  Now I miss everything British! 

Has anyone else ever felt like this?  Will I be unsatisfied forever no matter where we live, or was I just too prejudgemental on Britain? 

I think you probably didn't give it long enough to really know if you wanted to stay in the UK -- 4 months somewhere is not enough time.  It's takes at leats a year (all seasons, all aspects of life) to get the full 'taste' of a new place and know if it's for you or not . . .  When I moved to Europe, I remember the first year being incredibly tough (I'm single, so I went alone).  But then after five years, when I had to leave and go back to AMerica, it was so difficult to leave my home, my friends, my job . . . and so tough to adjust to life in the US.  Took a good year, but I kept missing it for much longer.

Now I'm feeling all that again in England -- and I'm counting on the fact that at least once a week I'll want to just buy a plane ticket and leave!  I miss everyone.  But no, I don't really want to go -- just difficult some days.  It all takes lots of time.

So, no, you're not going to be unsatisfied wherever you go -- you're just learning about how to go about this process.

I moved back to the US this past July (I am the USC, hubby UKC). Our home in the UK hasn't sold yet, so my husband hasn't moved over completely yet! Now 90% of his stuff is here...and I am wishing I could go back! I could apply for british citizenship in a year...seriously thinking I should keep things in storage here and the twins and I move back and then come back here in a year or so?!

I am torn...love the US because of my older children and extended family. Right now I am on the coast of Maine until my daughter graduates high school here and then I will sell this house. Love the UK for the stability of my husband's job, vacation time etc. Also, I am not impressed with the school here...my 6 year-olds are really stagnating compared to what they were doing in the UK.

Oh...but am being realistic. Once both houses sell and we can move where we want with jobs (looking at Virginia) then we can start to settle in. In both the UK and here I have been "in limbo".

I am definitely NOT looking forward to a winter of snow 

Been there, done that!!!

The first time I left  Canada to move to San Diego, I spent almost the entire time I lived there, pining for Canada, wanting to move back to Canada.  The grass was definitely greener.  DH finally accepted a job in Canada and even though my gut was saying "run away" my emotions obscured my judgement and 'getting back home' took priority over everything else.  The job turned out to be a disaster.  My gut was right (as always).

As well, there had been a lot of fundamental policy changes that had been implemented in Canada right before we left for San Diego and those changes had finally reared their ugly heads by the time we went back, it was awful.  It was not the same country I had left.  I HATED it.  I too, felt like an alien in my own country.  It didnt' help that many others saw  what I was seeing as well. 

We looked to get the hell out of there as soon as possible.  And that is why I live in the UK now.   In many ways, I wished I had never left the US. 

The big lesson I learned in that process was to live your life where you live.  Enjoy it, treasure it, and stop comparing.  I'm much happier living with that philosophy.

Well said, Mrs. Pink. 'Live your life where you live it.' I like that!