Skyhigh,

I think you view overseas living much as you view aviation.... the underlying issue isn't that you think that it's impossible to build a stable family atmosphere overseas- it's that you feel that somebody that is "transient" in nature can't have what you have as a stay at home/hometown businessman.

Your arguements always come back to laying down roots and "settling in". IE Building friends, long lasting relationships, real estate ties, etc.

The truth is that each person in this industry does it for whatever personal reasons they see fit. Each has their own goals and aspirations and tolerances. It doens't seem to me like you feel that is possible for you family and your personal situation and that might be perfectly true.

However you also need to realize that many families do THRIVE in such conditions. As a child I lived in 16 different houses by the time that I graduated high school. Does that mean that I had a less stable home atmosphere or fewer friends? Quite the contrary- I now have people that I keep in close contact with around the country and many that live overseas.

The person that I fly with is always kidding me who I know at our overnights. I never fail to amaze him when I whip out my phone and invite a friend or two to join us for dinner. Doesn't matter where, it seems that there's always somebody to call.

I don't feel that I sacrificed for my family/parents when I moved. It was just a way of life... and when I meet people that have stayed in one place their entire lives, I wonder how they can do it without going stir crazy... for me I look forward to change every couple of years... so does my wife and the rest of my family.

There is no right or wrong... only what you're comfortable with and enjoy.