how do you decide which country to live in??

We made the decision because DH spent quite a bit of his childhood outside of the UK and since I spent my whole childhood in America, that he should have more time in his culture.  Also, I loved Britain while here on my study abroad, and always had the sneaky suspicion that I'd prefer to live here anyway (I was ready to move at  4).  I am a bit of a wanderer myself so living somewhere new with many interesting places to visit so close seemed an excellent side benefit to being with dh.  Also, my mother and I get along great when there's at least 1,000 miles between us as we learned over the last year and a half.  Also, dh doesn't feel that he'd fit in well in America (or as he says, too busy and not enough holiday or leisure time).  Bottom line:  we both felt more comfortable being here rather than in the states, and it made the most sense for us and how we wanted to live our lives. 

We decided to live in the UK because DH had a much better job than I did, and was much better off financially than I was in the US.  Clinched by the fact that I was willing to move & DH does not wish to live in the US (though he enjoys our annual visit & travels there).

The choice has made sense for us on many different levels, many of which others have already posted -- work/life balance (we both love taking holidays & traveling A LOT), national health care, immigration, my family is all spread out (through the US) & we didn't see each other often anyway, while we see his family at intervals throughout the year.  Neither of us favored the fast-paced 'car culture' (hours spent commuting in traffic jams) I experienced in the US, and that we have experienced together on holiday in the US.  (Last time we returned from our visit there, he said 'I am soooooo tired of sitting in the car'.)  But we live in northern England, in a city yet close to the country, quick trip on public transport to work & back, etc.

Probably a few overgeneralisations here, but...many things about the culture here just seem to fit better with our values & approach to life.  There's a sort of national sense (even despite Thatcherism having come & gone) of the 'common good'.  The culture isn't seized up with religious fanaticism.  There seems to be more consciousness (and conscientiousness), at least somewhat, that we are ruining the environment & need to make changes to turn that tide if we can.  I know others may disagree & that's fine, but that's just how we see it.

I've struggled a little over the last couple years (been here 2 years and approx 4 months) to settle -- it's a process that's taking time, but I'm ok with that.  I'm feeling better with the new job I started in June -- starting to feel more like I belong here & less like an outsider.

Things I miss about the US - my family & friends, the weather in Tampa Bay (where I was last living in the US) which I adored (warm, even hot, sunny weather year-round).  I don't imagine those things are going to change, but other than that - I'm happy to be here!