Not really a subtle way to segway into this topic. We have decided to move back to the US this spring. It's a combination of things. We find ourselves at a crossroads. We need to dig in and invest in living in Sweden - meaning new jobs, living closer in to Stockholm and most likely changing the boys' schools (not something we really want to do) - or consider the option of moving back to the US a little early.
With the idea of all that to stay in Sweden and knowing we wanted to return to the US within five years anyway, returning to the US early becomes a very reasonable prospect. On average since we've been married we have moved about every two years, with the exception of our last house in Cincinnati where we lived for five years and remodeled it for four. That's a lot of picking up and moving and settling. And our family has doubled during that time which only makes it more burdensome every time we move. Needless to say we are ready to settle down for a while.
Sweden makes a strong case for staying: free college, free healthcare, 6 weeks paid vacation, kid, parental and sick money. Quality of life is pretty good. The US also makes a strong case for returning now: cheap housing market and low interest rates, cheap goods and gas, warmer climate, private health insurance. There are advantages to both. There are disadvantages to both. Overall we win if we stay. We win if we return. We have family we love in both places. And now friends and memories in both places too. When we live in one place our hearts feel tugged toward those in the other. While the collective feelings even in our own family are mixed, bottom line, as a unit we have decided to move back to the US. And as a unit we will make a new start.
Having said that, and maybe this reveals this topic has been in the works for some time, we have purchased tickets for late May. Mon has a tentative offer of employment, family in the US has offered to house us when we 'land' and we're hoping to have our own place by July 1 or sooner. We are starting from scratch, jack. If you followed the start of this adventure you know that we sold everything to come here. We don't even have pillows for our heads back home. Our work is cut out for us.With the idea of all that to stay in Sweden and knowing we wanted to return to the US within five years anyway, returning to the US early becomes a very reasonable prospect. On average since we've been married we have moved about every two years, with the exception of our last house in Cincinnati where we lived for five years and remodeled it for four. That's a lot of picking up and moving and settling. And our family has doubled during that time which only makes it more burdensome every time we move. Needless to say we are ready to settle down for a while.
Sweden makes a strong case for staying: free college, free healthcare, 6 weeks paid vacation, kid, parental and sick money. Quality of life is pretty good. The US also makes a strong case for returning now: cheap housing market and low interest rates, cheap goods and gas, warmer climate, private health insurance. There are advantages to both. There are disadvantages to both. Overall we win if we stay. We win if we return. We have family we love in both places. And now friends and memories in both places too. When we live in one place our hearts feel tugged toward those in the other. While the collective feelings even in our own family are mixed, bottom line, as a unit we have decided to move back to the US. And as a unit we will make a new start.
The prep work to leave has shown signs of beginning but also the starting of goodbyes.
Here we go again.
3 comments:
I know you'll miss a lot about being there, but we are sooooooo excited to have you all HERE!!!
It's a shame that you've decided to move back to the US so soon. We would have loved to have you so close a bit longer. The US is so far away. Who knows when we will be able to visit you ...
Hugs, Roswitha
We too are very excited about have the Elliots back in the US again! Adam is super excited to have his bff back, and frankly... I am sure Kyle and I can use more good Christian date night friends :)
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