Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
If you've been married to your US citizen husband for 7 years you should qualify to be a US citizen by now, I'd look into what it takes to naturalise.
You say you moved to be closer to your family even though you've never been close and don't have much in common. What did you hope to achieve with your move? Have you really worked on trying to get what it was you wanted? Is it even a reasonable goal?
If you aren't close to your family and have nothing in common with them and your friends are going in a different direction then you and your family, I would think about coming back to the U.S. You have to go where you feel would be best for you. Look around Australia and think if it's the country for you and whether you could survive there financially. If the answers are no, then move back to the U.S. or look into another country. Good luck!
Basically you can't expect it to be the same living wit your folks. Doesn't seem to me that you have given it enoguh time. I eman I would weant to be back o my feet with so moeny before spending more moving back at the least.
Someone suggested I repost my story in the general moving issues forum for better feedback so here it is.......
Hello,
I am a AUS citizen and a permanent resident of the US. I have been living with my family (hubby is from US) for the past 7 years in Ohio. We recently relocated to Australia to be closer to my family. We've been here for 3 months now and are temporarily living with my parents until we get back on our feet.
I thought that I would be happy to be back in Australia but I'm not and of course everything that I had liked and remembered has changed. I don't remember real estate being so expensive!!! Overall, things are ok here but I honestly prefer the US. I don't know if I'm just homesick but I liked the lifestyle over there better. My family and I have never communicated that well and I don't feel much of a connection with them when I'm here. Their views are still very strict and traditional and mine are the complete opposite. Most of my friends are single and do not have kids so it's very difficult to bond with them. I don't have the same interests as them anymore and they are all very career orientated right now.
It seems like the products and services offered in Australia are less than that in the US. Of course the healthcare is free in Australia but only for certain things. You still have to pay to see a specialist etc. High school education is good here but I think the colleges in the US are better. I would like my son to be able to have white Christmases, experience Halloween etc.
I have lived in Australia for much longer than the US but I seem to like life in the US better. I'm worried that I'm being selfish if I want to move back. My hubby is ok with whatever decision we make. He just wants me to be happy.
I'm not sure what to do. I know it would break my family's heart if I told them that I wanted to move back to the US. Not to mention that they would think I am crazy to want to leave Australia. I will probably wait to see how the next 6mths turn out but I would like to plan out this year etc.
Does anyone have any advice? Am I just crazy to want to move back to the US? [LEFT]
[/LEFT]
Hi there - my life is very, very similar to yours! I'm glad to have read your post. I too have recently returned to Australia after a long time in the US. My hubby is also American and just wants me to be happy. I left when I was eleven and my family is here, and I left under very heartbreaking circumstances at age 11. My mother stayed here, my sister was in the US for a few years and then returned to Australia. Other than my husband, I have no family in the US whatsoever. I'm pretty much in the exact same position as you. Where in Australia are you? I'd love to chat with you about it all, if you're up for it.
I think that relocation should be for a combination of reasons. Sometimes it's the type of job or opportunities. Sometimes it's the lifestyle. If you think that moving to the US will be better for you as a family then that is your answer.
But you could be home sick. I have moved from the US twice. The first after my undergrad and then the second time after 7 years in the US. The second time it was harder and it took longer time to adjust. The first several months are harsh and it just feels like you have to go back to the US. But then after a while you will settle into a comfortable zone as you stand on your feet and find a place of your own.
For me it has been now more than 1.5 years since I moved back from the US. I become more comfortable because we have our own place now (renting an apt). But quickly I started to realize that job-wise I am not happy and considering a move very shortly (not to the US though).
So from my experience when you move from the US you experience a "reverse culture shock". Life in the US is amazing and once you go somewhere else you have to re-adjust and see how can you enjoy life in your new place. But if your work (financially), personal freedoms or your love for white Christmases is more important to you and you had it better when in the US, then a move back is not a bad idea.
Also to be fair to the importance of family, you should give it some time to re-connect with family and you might find value in having them close by.
In either case you will gain something by going to US and you will gain something else when you stay in AUS. it's never a 100% win-win situation but you have to make a rational judgement on your current and future plans and make a decision.
Wish you all the best.
BEST POST YET!!! I have moved so many times (originally from OH) Now in Melbourne, Aus....this quote always helps:"I think sometimes people desire a drastic change, and a freeing of all ties to one area until they get snared by the new ones in the future home. There is a brief moment of euphoria with the blank slate ahead, the untraveled road.........."
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
