I'm sick of the US. Should I go back home to my home country, France?

Question

I have been living here for 8 years now and I have to say that the American dream is a joke. I'm sick of the precarity, anything is secure and you never know what the futur is gonna be: poor, broke, unemployed, bankrupt, in debt, vacation?, no time off, next job with benefits or not, 401k big enough for retirement, will I have the next weekend off or will my boss will ASK me to do some FEW hours to help.... I mean, this is insane in america, work, work, work, money and no benefits of it. I'm sick of it. I guess I'm burning out. I want to go back to FRANCE!

Answer 1

If you are unhappy living in the United States and think you would be happier in France then I say go with your heart. You have lived in both countries so you know which lifestyle is better suited to your wants and needs. If you are not sure that you want to return to France perhaps you could do some research on Canada. Canada is officially a bilingual country, Quebec being predominately French with a strong French representation in the Maritime provinces as well. Some of the top paying jobs ( government, large companies etc.) require that you be fluent in both languages. Canada has very strict labour laws regarding vacation time, working conditions,overtime, etc. which are strictly enforced. The pace of life is much more relaxed, the people are very friendly and we have have an excellent medical care and education system. Our economy is healthy and our unemployment rate is lower than it's been in several years. We live hard in Canada both in work and leisure. It's an option you may want to consider. By all means though, your peace of mind and being happy with whats happening in your life should be foremost in making your decision. If you would be happier in France then that's where you should be. Just do what's going to be best for you. Good luck to you in whatever it is you decide to do.

Answer 2

...oh, my... i just read the above posts... your observations are accurate and your points are valid; but, just as well, your post does not warrant such hateful & hostile replies. you bring up some hard-to-accept truths:

- americans are work-a-holics.
living the good life - cars, homes, vacations, clothes, food, etc. - takes money and yes, that means a long work week and long work hours. it creates a fast-paced, stressful, often disconnected life. it is as though 3/4 of life is focused on "getting ready for retirement"!

- job security no longer exist.
working for the same company til retirement is a thing of the past. an american worker averages 5 "professions" in a lifetime.

- americans do have a distorted view of "the good life".
the u.s. is a consumer-driven, status conscious society. it shows by the average consumer's income-debt ratio, the "toys" american children consider "essentials", number of bankruptcy filed, number of children receiving government assistance for food and still going hungry, ...

- too many americans do go without benefits.
health insurance is something the average american does without - either it is not offered through employers or a household just can't afford it. not every worker is gauranteed sick and vacation leave. those that are get a fraction of what is commonly had by other workers from westernized/ industrialized countries.

- and yes, you are exhibiting signs of burn out.
the american lifestyle will cause burn out to it's own ...and everyone else. and just like every worker caught up in the rat race, you deserve and NEED to take time out from work, schedule yourself for a vacation. though the duration is nothing like european holidays, take one.


yes, the american life can seem insane; but, it gives anyone who wants the chance for a "better" life the best chance to achieve it than any other country thus far. it requires an incredible amount of hard work and tenacity.

Answer 3

I have some friends that were homesick for Germany. They had moved to the U.S. about 7 years ago. They are brother and sister. The brother has decided to stay in U.S. because the jobs are better, and the sister is going to live in Germany because she just misses her friends. So, when it comes to your situation, know that work is work. Things will never be perfect and you need to learn to enjoy what you have instead of wanted something else. It'll be the same if you return to France. However, if you will feel more comfortable there, then you should go. It's good to surround yourself in an atmosphere that you like. I just don't think that you should return to France just because of work, because I'm sure that you will not find much difference. Like they say, it's called "work" for a reason. Good luck to you.

Answer 4

i find it interesting that allot of Americans came to the u.s. from europe and knew it was a play you had to work hard, thats what made this country so great in just over 200 years somthing france couldnt do in how many years? france is living in a social structure that has collapsed so many countries.. what does france supply to the world???? OK maybe an easier question then what benefit does france offer the world?? nah that's probably to hard as well .... hell just go back to your back stabbing useless country. England is right when then hear the word France and they spit in the direction of your barely above third world status wasteland... we will see you in France sometime in the future because I'm guessing will have to bail your lousy country out of yet another war.....

ps i hope you people learn actually having bathrooms is a good thing and you can even bathe in them.

Answer 5

Yes and do the US a favour and take all the people that feel the same you with you. People like you make me sick. Poor thing it didn't work out for you cos you probably didn't want to work for it.
It ain't a silver spoon. Good things are worth working for. Why ask JUST GO!

Answer 6

Newsflash I'm an natural born American and I understad the way you feel and I know a thing a two about France and language so if you want to leave the "Bon voyage,salut"

Answer 7

The great thing about being in the US is that we are free. So if you want to go back to France, by a ticket and go. Have a great life.

Answer 8

Then go. That's the great thing about America. You can come here, you can leave.

If you don't like to work, and you don't think your pay and security should be commensurate with your effort, then this isn't the place for you.

Answer 9

Well if you don't want to work for those things you describe then yeah go back to France where in 30 years they won't be able to take care of you because they won't be able to afford their socialist programs.

Answer 10

Uh, if you aren't happy go home. Why would you want someone else to tell you anyway?

Just felt like complaining and bragging about France?