Currently living in AUS/NZ with SO. We’re going to be trying for a kid soon, but we have no support network here and no family to help out. I think we should move back to the States, where I’m 100% certain family members would come to help us out for as long as we needed. Given the distance, that just wouldn’t happen if we stayed in AUS/NZ. SO thinks we can just handle it on our own.
We wouldn’t need to find new jobs, as we can just transfer internally. Would taking advantage of your home support network be enough of a reason to back to your home country?
I would definitely make sure your support network also plans on helping you as much as you expect them too. Compare the social support system you’d have in AUS/NZ with the social support system you’ll have in your state in the US. Compare the parental leaves. Compare the commutes. Don’t just look at how it will be when your kid is an infant and it’s tough - compare it long term as well.
Personally, very very little would make me consider moving back to the US to start a family.