coloradoram
Introduction
I joined expat.com on 25 May 2024.
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coloradoramposted on the thread Moving Back to the UK from the US
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coloradoramposted on the thread Moving Back to the UK from the US
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coloradoramcreated the thread Moving Back to the UK from the US forum on the England forum
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coloradoramposted on the thread Moving Back to the UK from the US
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coloradoramposted on the thread New members of the England forum, introduce yourselves here - 2024
Expat experience
I've lived in this location only 4 years, but in 20 years I've lived in several states, i.e. Colorado, Massachusetts, New Mexico, California, Alabama, Florida, Oregon. I met my American born wife in Evergreen CO in 2005. We currently live a very rural life on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay in a 200-year-old farmhouse on several acres. Life is good. My wife works as an Integrative Health Coach and is keen to continue that after moving to the UK. On my return to the UK I will retire, but plan to start up a new business to work on part-time.
There is a lot to like about the US. Each state is different, but each offers something unique and amazing. I've been lucky to choose where to locate and I'm often asked which is my favorite and that is difficult. The California Coast is beautiful, but at risk from constant erosion. The Cape Cod shore is wonderful, and Provincetown is one of my favorite places in the US. If I was forced to choose one location to return to, it would be the Redwood forests in northern CA, southern OR. A magical place and needs to be protected at all costs. I have met a lot of wonderful people wherever we've travelled with many life-long friends made, who we will both miss very much, but the world is small these days, so they are not lost.
The US has become a crazy place in the last few years, and I only see it getting worse. The country is totally divided, politically and in other related ways and it's not a healthy situation. My US born wife is very unhappy at the decline in her country. The gun violence is out of control and despite good intentions from those with a sense of what is right and wrong, I don't see anything changing, probably never. That said, and perhaps strangely, I've never felt unsafe in any place we've lived or travelled to or through. This and other oppressive signals, is the reason we intend to move to the UK. That is not to say the UK doesn't have its own problems, but not with the same extremes or outlook.
Born and grew up in Derbyshire and worked for Rolls-Royce for 30 years. Moved south to Oxfordshire 1996 and worked for US software company before moving with them to Denver, CO in 2003.
After living in the US for 20 years I find I still miss many things, e.g. a proper pint, English countryside and gardens, hiking, friends, family, history.
On reflection, I can't think of anything, but once I move back to the UK, that may change.
