Yes, but living as an expat is not solely about QOL. It’s about experiencing a new culture.

I’m American & have been living in Switzerland for 5 years. I do think living abroad is something worth trying— and you can always come back. I think the question is when to do it? Maybe now is not the right time.

I think going back to CA sounds like a great idea! You’ve got all the big items sorted: you have the US passport and you have a place to stay. I recommend going back, getting a job to save up some money, and exploring community college options. Community colleges in CA are free or very low cost for residents but I’m not sure how long you’ll have to live in CA to establish residency.

Early 40s, married to a SAHD, twins in early elementary school. We’d always talked about living abroad and then a job came up in my MNC that I knew I could get. Moved from San Francisco to Switzerland. I’ve been here for 5 years now but considering going back soon; my kids did not manage to learn the local language fluently and the option is stay here and pay 60K / year for the next 6 years of private school, or go back to the states where I will make more money and school will be free. It’s been a lovely, grand adventure but I don’t think Switzerland is our “forever home.” We might move back for retirement but not CH— somewhere a little more lively like Spain, Portugal, or Italy.