[throwaway729]

I miss the small familiarities when abroad. Small things like the style of windows, houses, roads, smells. Also, national forests.

Bigger things: being a native speaker, knowing how all the institutions (schools, churches, etc.) work. Never having to learn subtle stuff about how to interact in this or that rare situation. Being a citizen of the place you live. Being near family.

Leaving your home country has a lot of drawbacks, no matter where you are from or where you are going to.

[mbesto]

> Small things like the style of windows,

German windows design and their obsession with fresh air is such a subtle but absolutely fantastic part of their culture IMHO.

[Broken_Hippo]

It is never a practical thing, and it happens even while you are happy where you land.

I really enjoy living in Norway. I miss the color of dirt and smell where I was in the US. I still find the color weird. It isn't to say that I don't like it or that one is better or worse, really, just one is more familiar. SImple as that.

[throwaway729]

Right, German windows are better in every way. I didn't say my nostalgia for home was at all rational :-)

[Tepix]

I love Japanese roofs!

[culturestate]

For me - aside from being far from my family - this is a list of benefits, not drawbacks. I love the process of getting to know my new environment.

In addition to being an intellectually interesting exercise, every little change makes me just that much better at being able to examine problems from different angles and reframe my perspective when necessary.

This isn't to say it's always a walk in the park, of course. My first move from the US to China was a little rough, but totally worth it in the end.

[floopidydoopidy]

All those little things you listed are precisely what's interesting about relocating. The broad strokes of life are defined by income level everywhere, the details not. The details are interesting (to me).

[davidw]

Having spent 15+ years in Europe, mostly in Italy, but also Austria, now I'm familiar with how two places work. I feel I'm better off for it, as it helps me think about what works and what doesn't in different places.

[wuschel]

> Leaving your home country has a lot of drawbacks, no matter where you are from or where you are going to.

So true. I emigrated three times. I learned a lot. But there was so much sacrifice that I ask myself now and then if it was worth it.