I moved back to the US after 6 years abroad, but the comforts of home feel more isolating than ever

14.11.2024 - 14:33 / insider.com

I knew early on that I wanted to front-load my travels — to see the world while I had the freedom and energy instead of waiting until retirement.

I spent my 20s chasing adventure across the globe — motorcycling through Vietnam's rugged north, trekking to remote ruins in Nepal, and camping under the stars in the Sahara Desert.

Every new destination brought fresh experiences, deep friendships, and plenty of self-discovery.

But after six years of living out of a backpack, it dawned on me that although my life felt very wide, it also felt rather shallow. Just as I'd start to settle into one place, I'd pick up and move again.

I realized I was craving something more rooted — a life that wasn't just full of new experiences but grounded in something lasting.

The decision to return to the US came naturally. My partner was starting law school in the fall of 2023, and with my 30th birthday on the horizon, I figured it was time to plant some roots.

Now, a year later, the transition hasn't been as seamless as I expected. Although I chalked up the initial adjustment to the usual post-move struggles, there are still parts of life back home that feel out of sync.

Here are the biggest challenges I've faced since returning to the US after living abroad.

While I was abroad, daily life often felt simpler, more connected, and easier to navigate without a car. I walked nearly everywhere I went or hopped on public transportation to get around.

Running errands wasn't just a chore but a sensory experience — whether I was picking up freshly caught fish at a seafood market in Morocco or chatting with my tortilla supplier in Mexico.

Even when I lived outside a small town on the side of a volcano in Guatemala, just a short walk took me to local produce stands, cozy cafés, and scenic hiking trails.

In contrast, life in the US feels more segmented and car-dependent. Here in St. Louis, I have to drive everywhere. Even walking home with more than a few bags of groceries feels odd — ​​like I'm stepping outside the norm in a culture where people prefer to drive, stock up, and keep their routines streamlined.

Abroad, trips to local markets felt like an everyday rhythm, a quick stop woven into the day's flow.

Here, buying in bulk is the norm, and even farmers' markets often feel more like expensive weekend activities than a true source of daily sustenance, adding to the feeling that something's missing from the simple pleasures of everyday life.

One of the biggest differences I've noticed since moving back to the US is the relentless grind. Everyone here is always busy — always working, as if being a good person means being chained to your to-do list.

I've been self-employed since my second year of traveling, but abroad, the pace felt