I lived in Europe for 7 years before returning to the US. Here are 3 things I did right and 3 I wish I'd done differently.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author posing at a fountain in Lisbon.
I did some things right and wrong when I moved back to the US from Europe.

Denae McGaha

I moved to a small beach town in another country. My new home felt like paradise, but I struggled to belong.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Author Kiersten Brown smiling on beach
For part of my time in Panama, I struggled to make friends and find community.

Kiersten Brown

We spent 2 years living on the road, with no plans to settle down. Then, a Texas beach town changed our minds.

Tech Insider : Business
A downtown area in Galveston, Texas, with buildings and trees.
captiontk

peeterv/Getty Images

Relocating for a new job was never a big deal. Having kids changed things; we're not moving now, even for a big opportunity.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her family pose inside a home.
The author and her husband decided to put down roots once they had children.

Courtesy of Candy Mickels Mejia

After living in Europe for 7 years, I brought 4 new habits back to the US — but there's one American trait I never lost

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
The writer standing in front of a red door in Budapest, Hungary.
captiontk

Denae McGaha

I sold my house and moved my kid across the US to live with my parents. I'm not sure the benefits are worth all I gave up.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Style
Woman smiling with coffee
Though I grew up in Maryland, it doesn't feel like home anymore and I miss the life I built for myself in Washington.

Emma Woodward

I worried I'd hate living in Portland — but just 5 years later, I've completely fallen in love with the Oregon city

Tech Insider : Business, Style, Travel
Author Elizabeth Aldrich smiling at a waterfall
I thought I'd always hate living in Portland, where I grew up. After five years of living here as an adult, it's become my favorite city.

Elizabeth Aldrich

My family and I are moving back to my hometown to be closer to my parents. We're giving it a year to see how it goes.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
The author with her parents, smiling on a sunny day.
The author wants to move back to her hometown to be closer to her parents.

Courtesy of Melissa Noble

I thought Washington, DC, would be my perfect home, but it wasn't. I found exactly what I needed in San Diego.

Tech Insider : Business
The writer posing in her new neighborhood, North Park, in San Diego.
caption

Julia Atkinson

I moved from the US to Spain. Instead of going home for Christmas, I ditched my family for my dream trip to Ireland.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A view down a street of the Temple Bar in Dublin decorated for Christmas.
I'm glad I skipped Christmas in the US and traveled to Ireland instead.

Goncharovaia/Shutterstock

Subscribe to Moving