No matter how exciting life abroad can be, the comfort of home is hard to replace. The familiarity of one’s hometown, the streets, the local customs, and even the mundane daily routines can evoke a sense of nostalgia. 

For each immigrant, there will be that one taste or smell that will be missed and during difficult times will compound the feeling. 

Career growth is a common motivator. Some find that their professional advancement is better supported in their home country, where they have established networks and understand the job market better.

The financial implications of living abroad can be complex. Differences in cost of living, job opportunities, and salary structures can make staying abroad unsustainable for some, pushing them to return home where they can better manage their finances.

The absence of a strong social support network can make life abroad lonely. The informal support from friends, family, and community back home often becomes a compelling reason to return.

The support and companionship of close friends and family are irreplaceable. Many expatriates find that the distance from their loved ones becomes too challenging over time, prompting a move back to reconnect and rekindle those vital relationships.

Communication is key to feeling settled in any place. For those who struggle to master the local language, the daily challenge of being misunderstood or not understanding others can be exhausting and frustrating.

In some countries' there are sterotypes based on each country as to how open and willing their citizens are to speak English or their native language. Sometimes it's due to the limitation of the citizens secondary language ability but usually it's your lack of language that can cause frustration while setting up your wifi or going to get a health check up, etc..

Legal challenges and bureaucratic hurdles in the host country can be overwhelming. Whether it's dealing with local laws, business regulations, or everyday bureaucracy, these issues can drive expatriates back home.

Navigating immigration laws and residency requirements can be daunting. Visa complications, residency renewals, and the uncertainty of legal status can be significant stressors that lead people back to their home country. This doesn't mean it doesn't also happen in your hoem ocuntry but instead that you don't have to participate to live there. 

Personal safety and political stability are paramount. Concerns about crime, political unrest, or natural disasters can make staying abroad untenable, prompting a move back to a safer environment.

I can now hike solo anywhere and not have to worry about getting home before it gets too late. The safety outside of the your country may be much worse than you think or know. It took me at least a year to lower my guard a little in public. I became more comfortable moving through the country late at night while I was traveling from Lisbon to Coimbra twice a week for my language classes. 

Also moving to a country that has instability for their political organization can also cause unneeded stress and concerns.

Access to quality healthcare is a crucial consideration. Differences in healthcare systems, availability of services, and costs can drive expatriates to return home where they feel more secure about their health needs being met.

Other thoughts such as car free areas, public transportation and prices of monthly or yearly passes when compared to owning a car. 

Weather plays a surprisingly significant role in quality of life. Some expatriates miss the climate they grew up with or find it hard to adapt to the weather in their new location, influencing their decision to move back.

Moving to a country that you haven't been to in every season can be the #1 reason for being ill prepared. The summer humidity is different in London than it is in Chicago and the rain is very frequent in Northern Portugal when compared to only 200 kms south in Lisbon and even more so as you get to the Algarve. 

For me it was the food I wanted and couldn't get. Call me a "normal" American but not having the chance to buy Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing started to grate on me and I tried making it but it wasn't the same. Now I have a friend in Lisbon that is ex-military and can get me the packets that I can mix with some Greek yogurt and get me through.  

Food is a central part of cultural identity and daily pleasure. The lack of familiar foods or the difficulty in adapting to a new diet can drive people back to where they can enjoy their favorite dishes.

A sense of belonging is crucial for emotional well-being. The close-knit community ties that many people have at home are often irreplaceable and can be a powerful draw to return.

I moved from Coimbra to Lisbon and found a lot more groups to be part of but before that I was actually thinking about leaving Portugal all together. It was that isolating and frustrating not being able to connect with people. 

Life changes such as marriage, divorce, or the need to care for aging parents can necessitate a move back home. These personal reasons often outweigh the desire to stay abroad.

It's critical to have very open conversations before, during and after the move. Usually one partner is more excited to make the move and might have even been pushing the move for a long time. Each partner will adjust themselves as well as a couple. And that can cause some friction. 

The housing market can be a decisive factor. Whether it's the high cost of housing, difficulties in finding suitable accommodation, or the desire to own property, these issues can prompt a return home.

It's recommended to move to the country and rent first as your idea of the neighborhood, city or even country might change and it might be difficult to sell based on visa requirements or country standards.

If you must purchase for your visa then it's important to make decisions based on seeing the neighborhood throughout the year including festival seasons, holidays and winter or quiet times of the year. 

Tax situations can change and cause countries to change their laws or regulations. This could cause a move based on financial needs and concerns. Alway check before you move of your move but also make sure to stay connected to your home country tax changes as well as have a financial advisor in your new country who is up to date with any new changes that might concern you. 

Cultural adaptation is a significant challenge. Despite efforts to assimilate, some individuals find it hard to fully integrate into a new culture. The customs, social norms, and even humor can be difficult to navigate, leading to a sense of isolation. Always be aware that even if the country "looks" like your home country but could be very different. 

This happens quite frequently in Portugal where citizens went from a socialist community to a dictator and back to a socialism supported community with some right wing support increasing. It is not like the US and things that would be unsploken in the US are foreign to Portuguese. For example, expediated work is not usually an option in Portugal. You can't throw money at a problem to get a solution faster. Coming from the US where capitalism is king, this can be misunderstood as laziness or lack of  willingness to help. 

This can also be connected to language learning as well since you can't really know a culture without learning the language. People will support you more when they see a dedication to learning and speakikng in their language. 

Parents often prioritize their children’s education when deciding where to live. If the local educational system doesn't meet their expectations or needs, moving back home to ensure better educational opportunities becomes a priority.