Are you happy you did/are going to?

I wouldn't miss a thing except the constant accent, and my in-laws, who've been so good to me.

There are a lot of things I'll miss:

the weather (call me crazy, but I like cool weather!)
the beauty
walking into town (maybe I'll be able to do that there, but don't know)
cozy villages

What I realize is that most things I'll miss are those that I loved being a tourist.  I've found living here very difficult myself - cost, health care, lack of family around with a baby.....  I'm really hoping my hubby likes the US....

I wouldn't miss a thing except the constant accent, and my in-laws, who've been so good to me.

Suzanne, I really don't know how you have dealt for over seven years +. That's a long time not to be happy. I say that because while I will miss a lot over here, I have certainly had my share of difficulties and when we weighed it all out we made the decision to move back.

Jules, it was our understanding at first that we'd live here only a few years, then move to the States. One of my brothers is even willing to sponsor my husband, given that we put enough money in a bank account to cover his sponsorship if we move. But given the limited income between us, and the fact that my husband's going back to college (university) for three years, I don't see us making much money, unless I can find something that pays decently in Norwich. So that's another three years here, at least. Heavy sigh. There's honestly not much I'd miss here.

I understand, things don't always go as planned. (I am one to talk!). That said, try to look at your move to Norwich as a fresh start while still living in England!

I'm very much looking forward to it, as well as terrified

I'm trying to make sure I'm doing all I want to do before I go (though time is now FLYING by), and making a point of writing everything down that infuriates me about living here (public transport is usually the topic)!  But I won't share that here because there's plenty already... it's mainly for me to pull out and look at when I'm wondering a year from now why I decided to go back (I'm thinking mainly when I'm sitting in traffic on the freeway - IN MY CAR, able to talk OUT LOUD, etc. - I'm keeping a copy of the list in my glove compartment!).

Contrary to popular belief, at least for me, going back is much more difficult than coming here.  I was under quite different circumstances than most, and just had an open mind about a new adventure.  Going back - I know what I have to deal with, and though I choose to, it will not all be easy... but hopefully, well worth it.

But I won't share that here because there's plenty already... it's mainly for me to pull out and look at when I'm wondering a year from now why I decided to go back (I'm thinking mainly when I'm sitting in traffic on the freeway - IN MY CAR, able to talk OUT LOUD, etc. - I'm keeping a copy of the list in my glove compartment!).

That's a good idea because I have a feeling there will be times that I think "lets go back" forgetting about the IA's that were at the top of my list. 

For me right now...I am completely freaked out because of the problems with my husband's visa (their huge mistake and no telling how long its going to take to correct it, another thread), because we are due to exchange contracts on our house any day now and if immigration doesn't get the visa sorted soon not only will we be homeless, but I won't have a job either as it ends soon. That said, I can't even tell how I feel about the move back as my mind is clouded with the above.

Needless to say, not a very happy time sitting in this holding pattern....so much is out of our control. 

This is the best thing journals and lists are for!  To look back and remind yourself of where your head was at at the time.
I wrote out a list of plusses and minuses about moving here, and still have it.  I would always pull it out whenever I got homesick or just depressed in general.
I haven't done a plus/minus list for going back, but every time a thought occurs to me about what I will miss and what I won't miss, I write it down.
Like when I'm stuck in-between King's X and Camden Town for 15 minutes, and not even the driver knows why! 
Or, on the positive side, I take more pictures of things, and realize how lucky I am to have had this time here, and also know that most of the things I enjoy about the U.K. are almost all things I loved as a tourist, and can again!
Next time I come back I'll just know how to get around better!

As for now, I'm very happy with the decision.  I haven't lived in the US since 2003 though and never had a place of my own since I joined the Navy when I was 19.  So, I haven't really lived there as an adult with all the responsabilities it brings but I'm very much looking forward to it.

In a few months I'll be able to tell you more!

June

DH just got an invitation to an interview in person in Texas! This job is almost in the bag! That means, by Christmas this year we could be in warm dallas, tx. I am just gobsmacked, happy, a bit sad and excited!

I am still happier at the thought of going than I am of staying. I have the potential to get my job back in a different location (government job) as well as private jobs that are available to me. I have not found anything in Leeds that truly pertains to what I did before moving here or anything that really interested me. I will still practice and teach pilates, but maybe not full time for a while. Anyway, I feel like the opportunities for both of us are better there, the weather is nicer, the houses are bigger for your money and I have heard the people are really friendly (they are here too, though).

I think i will have to write a pros cons list about living here so when I miss it after we move that I can get some perspective.

Oh and my family has admitted they will definitely visit me in Texas b/c they don't need passports! That made me fume 

Oh and my family has admitted they will definitely visit me in Texas b/c they don't need passports! That made me fume 

Apparently, people are soon going to need passports to fly anywhere in the US in the near future.

Apparently, people are soon going to need passports to fly anywhere in the US in the near future.

What  ?!?  Within the U.S.??
Shirley you jest.

Apparently, people are soon going to need passports to fly anywhere in the US in the near future.

One time, my mother (who was already on the crazy side to begin with & senility was setting in as well) turned up at the airport, having lost her driver's license, and showed the people at the airline check-in counter a photograph (snapshot) of herself as her 'ID'!

Fortunately, this was pre-9/11 & my brother (who is an airline pilot for the airline she was using) was there, traveling with her -- he managed to talk their way through.

One time, my mother (who was already on the crazy side to begin with & senility was setting in as well) turned up at the airport, having lost her driver's license, and showed the people at the airline check-in counter a photograph (snapshot) of herself as her 'ID'!

Fortunately, this was pre-9/11 & my brother (who is an airline pilot for the airline she was using) was there, traveling with her -- he managed to talk their way through.

But what would happen on the other side, when she landed?  What would any sort of Immigration Control stamp upon her entry?

But what would happen on the other side, when she landed?  What would any sort of Immigration Control stamp upon her entry?

She wasn't flying internationally - just domestically within the US.