Job Discussion Forums

[loerzel]

After over three years in Saigon and almost nine abroad, I'm heading back to California.

Any retired esl crusaders or ex-expats out there with tales from the wheel of horror or stories of the fruits of success? Thoughts? Lamentations?

[loerzel]

To clarify after a complaint: I'm curious about the experiences of anyone who has moved back to the United States after living abroad for a long period.

[mark_in_saigon]

So you are wanting to know about what it is like moving back, but without the foreign fiance/wife as part of the discussion? A valid question, but the partner becomes a very big part of the experience, which would be quite different without her. Maybe better to edit your original question and remove those references, as it seems like a different discussion that way. Going back alone will yield a very different life compared to what you get bringing back a VN wife, but you can edit out the wife for discussion purposes.

[loerzel]

Mark, your attention to the structure of my posts is bordering on obsessive compulsive, but seeing as I have fewer posts than the combined fingers of the ninja turtle clan, and the fact that you seem to be an unofficial rooster of this hen house, I'm going to take that advice to heart.

[kurtz]

You're going back to what, exactly? A home paid for by the sweat and toil of concept checking the 3rd conditional to a stunned audience? A meagre pension? A life in your parents' basement?

I often speculate on life back home, wherever that is.To quote Neil Diamond " LA is fine but it ain't home, New York's home but it ain't mine no more".

A return "home" is out of the question. Most of us have to suck it up and say, well, that's a fine mess you've got yourself into. Returning home means cruching out EFL for at least two and a half decades.

In answer to your questions, no, I haven't headed back and nor do I aim to. Being Joe Average, fighting tooth and nail for a rental property and watching all my hard earned savings go down the toilet isn't an option.

Regardless, good luck with your Asian bride, and I must say; it's a pity you didn't post more often, as I like your style.

[loerzel]

Kurtz, my cohorts share your sentiments and have questioned my sanity. Vietnam does feel like just as good a home as any, and leaving the land of iced Saigon Reds and perpetual summer is not a choice I take lightly.

I suppose we just want to give it a shot. I’m young (compared to the average life expectancy) and I think it will be a great experience. We can always find comfort in the hot bosom of Saigon should all else fail. Some time with family, old friends, enormous taco truck burritos, craft beer, and motorcycling through Klamath Mountain air couldn’t do too much harm…I hope.

It’s true that most of my time on Dave’s has been strictly utilitarian. I once spent a whole day fuming over an argument I had on these forums over the merits of eBooks compared to iPads. I then realized that perhaps I’m not ready for virtual debate.

[GreatApe]

Good Luck, and keep us posted!

Hope you do well, and Happy Returns to The Golden State!

I'm from Cali., and man, I just can't go back! The states are so messed up and depressing for me now. I get sad just thinking about returning! It's a giant Wal-Mart!

--GA

[tideout]

At the risk of stating the obvious, I think your experience will vary depending on a number circumstances. I'd worked overseas doing ESL for approximately 6 years (did some country jumping) and I'm what some would consider an "older" worker.

I felt like coming back to the US was the "responsible" or "mature" decision. On the whole, I'd have to say I think it's been a big mistake after about 7 months and I'm prepping some paperwork for a possible return.

Some issues that will come up will be dependent on your resources here - do you have family, friends or a place where you can stay long term? Transportation is a huge issue. I've been happily without a car for 6+ years. This either means slugging it through here in one of the worst public transportation systems I've seen or going into debt for a vehicle.

Employment prospects will vary obviously but if you're going back to any of the post industrial rustbelts in the US - think Cleveland, western Mass. etc.. then you may be in for a very rough haul. I'd think other cities that are loaded with young, degreed hipsters could also be very tough in terms of competition (Seattle, Portland etc..)

I came back to do some light vocational training for 6 months and it has not worked out well due to local economic issues. I was trying to prepare for something different here but without longer term help, I think I may have made a mistake.

Also, employers in less enlightened places might consider being overseas hard to decipher to put it mildly.

I got tired of the bar/social scene in places like VTN and thought I'd get away from some of the elements of it which had really worn on me. First dating experience back here I found out the woman was an ex-stripper. Very nice woman but I had to say I had the thought that I may have done as well staying on Vui Bien.

I thought I'd missed some of the media and culture here in the States but to tell the truth a lot of that wore thin very quickly.....

I'd be interested in hearing what others think on this though.

[mark_in_saigon]

Certainly it depends on each individual's situation. In my case, I would be okay financially in the states, have adequate passive incomes, cars, places I could live (but would then get less rental income). For me, it is not mostly about the money, but it is a big factor regardless, as I figure that the things I do in my life are like 1/3rd the cost here, and the most important part of my life is not expensive here and more or less unobtainable there. So to me, it is what you can have here that you cannot have there. But for sure, things like a clean environment and a normal life outside where you can walk are things you cannot really have here. It really depends on what is most important to each of us. I have added it all up many times. It would be nice to be able to go back for a week here and a month there, but it is not that easy or cheap either. I'm staying as long as it keeps working.

Yeah, on the employment scene, you can be a star here and maybe not able to get a job sacking groceries over there, especially if you are a bit older. For some of us, the financial aspect is really favorable. If you have a positive cash flow, your excess cash is worth A LOT more here. If you are just getting by here or there, the equation is totally different. I think it might be better to just scrape by there than here. I would hate to depend on the goodwill of the local population for my survival.

[tideout]

[mark_in_saigon]

[tideout]

[mark_in_saigon]

[JoeKing]

[LPKSA]

Yes, if you want to continue teaching ESL,

... get used to working split shifts part time here and there.

... get used to not having enough to get by.

... get a job in LA if you want to actually make a living ESL but again, part time split shifts here and there....

Good luck.

-Fellow returnee who left again.