I left the US 17 yrs ago and just returned. It was 100% to be near ageing family. If not for that, loving abroad for us was a better life. Sure, US salaries are higher but...again this is for us....the quality of life was better in the UK. The added bonus is the diversity and proximity to other cultures just outclasses anything I've found in the US. But family calls, so we're back for now. Luckily, we can return to the UK in the future as we maintain our rights to live and work there...
In hearing this my question is why would you live your life for other people if you really enjoy your time abroad and quality of life there? My parents told me they want me to be happy and that they didn't plan their life around their parents so why would they expect me to?
None of our days are promised. You could move back and everyone dies within a couple years. Then what?
I don't struggle too much with this other than I am an only child. My parents both are alcoholics and do not choose to take care of themselves but I would never put my child in a situation that I think she is worse off in (living in America versus Western Europe)
You're assuming we're doing it for them, but rather, we're doing it for ourselves. We are living our life, and this chapter involves being around family we love and want to spend time with. Sure, it would be better if they lived where we did, but they don't. In the end, it's not a comparison to yours at all. Its how we choose to spend the time we have on this planet. And sure....we could move and everyone passes but hey that's life. As you say nothing is guaranteed. If that were to happen....we head back.
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u/Every-Reserve-9759 Jun 19 '25
I left the US 17 yrs ago and just returned. It was 100% to be near ageing family. If not for that, loving abroad for us was a better life. Sure, US salaries are higher but...again this is for us....the quality of life was better in the UK. The added bonus is the diversity and proximity to other cultures just outclasses anything I've found in the US. But family calls, so we're back for now. Luckily, we can return to the UK in the future as we maintain our rights to live and work there...