Thoughts on going home?

[IJumpedAboardAPirateShip]

Pointless right now while there’s 2 weeks of quarantine and then you can’t really see much of your friends and family but anyone else feeling really far away right now and wondering if this goes on for a year or more whether it might just be better to go home? FWIW we’re US Permanent Residents so under current rules would be able to come back

[IJumpedAboardAPirateShip]

Also I’ve been trying to push for us going home permanently anyway, now it kind of feels we may as well, seeing as schools are up in the air etc? We have friends moving back this week....

[BritWifeinUSA]

Wfat do you mean by “under current rules we would be able to come back”? If you leave got good you abandon your LPR status. Or do you mean just go for a visit? I’d love to go for a visit but I’m not going without my husband and he can never travel to the UK. I did go once without him but I didn’t enjoy it so I’m not doing that again. My mum was supposed to come here on Monday for 2 weeks. Hoping she can reschedule for later in the year.

[habibihabibi]

I've lived away for 23 years in 5 different locations, adding husband and children along rhe way. Never have I felt the pull to go home until now. The joy of travel has gone, I am worried about not seeing my family for years and it could just be time now. Trouble is DH does not have residency and couldn't work.
If he was a kiwi too we'd have taken the first flight we could.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Both DH and I have dual nationality. No way that I will consider flying anywhere until it's safer.

DM and DF have said 'don't come home for funerals'. Which breaks my heart.

[IJumpedAboardAPirateShip]

I know there’s no point in going right now but it has made feel less like I want to chase adventures far and wide and make a commitment to going home. We could just jack it all in and just go but would be sensible and get citizenship first (about to start the process) and I’ve been homesick for quite a while and I know the U.K. is in a bit of a shambles but I just feel like what’s the point in being so far away, and I feel very very far away now

[habibihabibi]

MrsTerryPratchett
That's heartbreaking.

[Ploughingthrough]

I feel the same as you op, about wanting to forget the adventures and go home. But, I don't think now is a good time. We're going to wait it out for another 6 months to a year - this depends on whether our host country allows us back in after Christmas (assuming we can visit home then). If they don't, then we will stay in the UK as I cannot wait to see my parents for longer than that.
If they will let us back in we will do another 6 months as prefer to return to UK in the summer ideally. The schools in the UK are unsure about opening with varied response in different regions, the economy isn't in great shape and the next few months are uncertain. If you have jobs in the US and your kids are in school I would just stay there for a bit, and plan to return when things are a bit more settled.
I really strongy empathise though. Everything is okay when you're 'just a flight away'. But when you're not anymore, it puts everything into perspective. One thing is certain for us - this is the last year of our expat journey and the rest of lives will be in the UK (apart from holidays I hope!)

[IJumpedAboardAPirateShip]

Our expat journey was supposed to be 3-4yrs, it’s been double that and I want to go home

[MJane3]

I'm an American living in the UK. I'm having a baby on this week. My parents (US citizens) are coming for three weeks in June. They'll just quarantine at my house for the 14 days. It's still possible to come for a trip. It might not be the safest option, but you could get the virus at the grocery store, or work, or wherever. Airports are taking major precautions and they'll distance, wear mask, clean their hands. Mental health is important just like physical. Look after and worry about both xx

[Iflyaway]

My parents (US citizens) are coming for three weeks in June. Airports are taking major precautions and they'll distance

I hope so for you. I live in a major EU airport hub and have heard nothing about them opening other than getting locals home. I also have family working for airlines - pilots, crew - and they are out of work at the moment and have been since this shit went down.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but it is what it is.

[OnSilverStars]

You've not burst anything. They've been in contact with the airport they're leaving from, the airport they're arriving to. The airline which reassured them the flight they're taking hasn't been cancelled even once since lockdown started. The tickets are booked and paid for. If the can't come, then they can't come, but we've done everything to insure it's as likely as possible.

[OnSilverStars]

And sorry, I've just changed my name. Im Jane

[Iflyaway]

Hey Jane, no problem, really hope it all works out.

Of course, the airline industry has to get up and running, I'm a dedicated traveller myself. Can't wait for all this to be over too..... have so many family and friends in foreign lands.....

[IJumpedAboardAPirateShip]

Good luck with the birth @OnSilverStars and really glad your parents can go. It’s just not feasible for us really, paying mega bucks to have to quarantine for 2 weeks, still not being able to see anyone properly after that (we could move in with my parents but then can’t see other friends and family), not be able to go into London and do any of the things we love to do and have to quarantine again on our return.

It’s more that it’s made me feel so far from home and much as the U.K. are not doing the most amazing job at the moment it does make me think we should all be travelling a lot less anyway and I’m which case I’m just done being an 11hour flight away

[OnSilverStars]

Yes I feel the same really. The US, where I still call home after 10 years of living in the UK, seems so far away. I would love to move home. However my husband works in his family business here and my qualifications wouldn't be valid in the US. We'd be starting our careers from scratch. Good luck to you