Moving back to the US

Great! Thanks, WebyJ.

Thank you soo much Weby! I was confused on that! Next year I go to Liverpool to get my ILR and for some reason I thought that's when I was also eligible for naturalization...Boy was I wrong! Current prices for the ILR  holy crap on a cracker! I'm scared to know what it will be next year April time!

So, do you take the life in UK test when you go for your citizenship then??

So, do you take the life in UK test when you go for your citizenship then??

You have to pass your LiUK before applying for ILR.

You have to pass your LiUK before applying for ILR.

Oh right! LOL! Well, I guess it's good that it's not till April next year! (started looking at study books already though! LOL! I HATE tests!)

So confusing and expensive! LOL! I told my husband after all of this work, divorce was not an option, but death was! Ha! Oh life! 

Mrs. Robinson shared this link with me.  (Maybe you've all seen it already?)  Interesting if you're moving back to the states.
http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/usa/ultimate-checklist-returning-us-expats-919371?hpt=hp_bn8

Mrs. Robinson shared this link with me.  (Maybe you've all seen it already?)  Interesting if you're moving back to the states.
http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/usa/ultimate-checklist-returning-us-expats-919371?hpt=hp_bn8

Oh I love this, Mrs. Cleaver!  Especially the bits about no one in America liking a Carmen Sandiego.  And how everyone in America hates their job.....

Mrs. Robinson shared this link with me.  (Maybe you've all seen it already?)  Interesting if you're moving back to the states.
http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/usa/ultimate-checklist-returning-us-expats-919371?hpt=hp_bn8

That rings so true. I do feel like a stranger in my own home sometimes and learned not to talk about missing Derby and everything...just shows that, at least for me, I can never be completely happy no matter where I am because part of me will always miss the other place. Oh well.

Everyone everywhere hates their job.  I haven't noticed a big difference in that respect between people in the US and the UK.

That rings so true. I do feel like a stranger in my own home sometimes and learned not to talk about missing Derby and everything...just shows that, at least for me, I can never be completely happy no matter where I am because part of me will always miss the other place. Oh well.

I can already see this with me. I missed the US the whole time I was here, although I LOVE it here. Now, with a few months to go before heading back to the US, I am already realizing how much I am going to miss the UK. I suppose part of international marriage/working for a company that bounces you back and forth/just wanting to live somewhere else for a while is learning to cope with wanting to be in two places at once. If only we had the technology to be able to do that. 

That rings so true. I do feel like a stranger in my own home sometimes and learned not to talk about missing Derby and everything...just shows that, at least for me, I can never be completely happy no matter where I am because part of me will always miss the other place. Oh well.

I know my US friends and family are probably tired of my complaining about the cost of health care, big stupid trucks, annoying politics, lack of public transport, only 10 days of vacation, etc.  Sometimes I want to shout at them, "There's a whole big world out there beyond these borders.  Learn from it!" 
When I'm in England I miss my family.  When I'm in the US I miss England.  I don't know where I belong.

I know my US friends and family are probably tired of my complaining about the cost of health care, big stupid trucks, annoying politics, lack of public transport, only 10 days of vacation, etc.  Sometimes I want to shout at them, "There's a whole big world out there beyond these borders.  Learn from it!" 
When I'm in England I miss my family.  When I'm in the US I miss England.  I don't know where I belong.

I've learned to just stop talking about England...even to my husband. No one wants to hear about it...I loved it there, part of me really really regrets leaving. I was at work today listening to Take That on my iPod watching the rain fall outside my office window and I burst into tears...maybe I'm a bit post partum  , but it really hits me sometimes, I miss the only place where I could really be just myself with no expectations...I really don't know how to explain it.

Tomorrow marks 1 year since we've been back in the US. 

To all those moving back to the US:

I know it's just another expense, however PLEASE consider becoming Naturalised British Citizen if you have met the 3 year residence requirement and you hold ILR, you never know what the future holds and it will make your life easier if your life leads you back to the UK.

I couldn't agree more! When we left England in 2008, we had NO idea we would be back in less than 4 years. It was a struggle getting the visa this time around and I know its just going to get harder. I am NOT leaving until I naturalize. Its one of the things I regret not doing last time!

I know my US friends and family are probably tired of my complaining about the cost of health care, big stupid trucks, annoying politics, lack of public transport, only 10 days of vacation, etc.  Sometimes I want to shout at them, "There's a whole big world out there beyond these borders.  Learn from it!" 
When I'm in England I miss my family.  When I'm in the US I miss England.  I don't know where I belong.

My hubby and I are the same. He came back to England in September of last year while my daughter and I stayed behind while he got a job, place to live, etc. By Christmas he kept saying he missed the States and New Hampshire so much he thought he made the wrong move coming back. I know I will get homesick and miss NH soon, but I also know that I love it here...and would miss England if we went back.

I miss the only place where I could really be just myself with no expectations...I really don't know how to explain it.

You explained it perfectly. 

It's sad that we feel this way but I'm also glad to know I'm not alone. 
If I could just win that Mega-Million I could live wherever I want.   

It's sad that we feel this way but I'm also glad to know I'm not alone. 
If I could just win that Mega-Million I could live wherever I want.   

I agree, too.  I moved back (double the income in the US).  But wish I could live in both places.  I, too, don't feel like I fit there or here.  But am lucky to have wonderful family and friends in both places.