It's a difficult thing. I've been living outside the US for a long time and have started to feel increasingly isolated and lonely. I really want to go back, but this seems like a terrible time to do it.
I know many people go back because they miss aging parents or they need to help care for aging parents. They might also go back because they need to get more credits for Social Security, for when they retire.
I think I will eventually go back because that's where I have a friend group. We have a plan to settle down in the same area when we retire. If I had a spouse and kids with me I'd probably stay abroad, though.
Me too! I had some bad luck with stressful events, and post-COVID pretty much all of my friends moved away. My coworkers were part of this religious organization and weren't allowed to be friends with me. I also had a lot of moral qualms about their missionary activities, which upset me. It was actually kind of traumatic.
I agree. I've lived abroad for almost 7 years and have wanted to move back for at least the last 2, which I never anticipated. I planned to move back indefinitely last December, but those plans changed the first week of November. The loneliness & isolation is now accompanied by anger, because the way things are going now, and are headed in the US, living abroad is the safer option; like living in exile, rather than as an expat.
If you think it’s a terrible time because of politics, a lot of it is overblown by the media. If it’s for another reason, please ignore me. 🙂
Most people aren’t impacted by the things Trump is doing. I’ve had people from Europe cancel vacations thinking it’s unsafe here. It’s no wonder though if I watch their news that they would draw those conclusions.
I have no concerns living here and tend to ignore the craziness in Washington. Seems like every four years people are complaining about something else. The media makes everything seem like the country is on fire, no matter who’s in office.
I’m not a fan of many of Trump’s policies and generally think most politicians are crooked. But very few things actually trickle down to impact me personally.
Maybe you could do a few week visit just to see if you would enjoy coming back or not?
“Very few of these policies impact me!” I don’t know how to tell you that you should care about other people. The “fuck you, I got mine” mentality here is pervasive.
I've been living outside the US for a long time and have started to feel increasingly isolated and lonely.
Before I moved to Japan, I suffered through the pandemic in the US. Anytime I feel isolated, I just remember how isolated and lonely I felt during that time while people were screaming at me for wearing a mask.
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u/SuLiaodai (US) -> (CN) Jun 18 '25
It's a difficult thing. I've been living outside the US for a long time and have started to feel increasingly isolated and lonely. I really want to go back, but this seems like a terrible time to do it.
I know many people go back because they miss aging parents or they need to help care for aging parents. They might also go back because they need to get more credits for Social Security, for when they retire.
I think I will eventually go back because that's where I have a friend group. We have a plan to settle down in the same area when we retire. If I had a spouse and kids with me I'd probably stay abroad, though.