Marilyn, It's been 6 years since I've been to the US. I can't really say that I miss it. I don't have bad feelings about it but my life is here now and there isn't much calling me north. There are some things that aren't available here but they are fewer and fewer. I used to have a long list of things to bring back when i still returned to the US every year. The list got shorter and shorter and now I occasionally have friends bring me things that I order online but not often. My list these days includes bras, finding anything larger than a 34B is nigh on impossible, and occasionally electronic stuff that is cheaper in the US. I got an Apple TV the other day that a friend brought down. The other thing is that I don't see many of the commercials and I'm not in the stores up there so I don't develop a longing for stuff that I might if I saw it all the time. I do have Canadian TV that carries the US networks and I see some commercials but I think just not being in the stores all the time looking at stuff keeps me from thinking I have to have it. I do wish there were a Linen's and Things or similar sheet and towel store with low prices and good quality. I have my clothes made for me, cheaper than buying them at a store, and I occasionally wish for a larger selection of fabric. That illustrates some of the changes that make living here easy and comfortable for me. Labor is cheaper than imports so once you rearrange how you acquire things and realize that almost anything can be built for you or repaired inexpensively, you just do things differently and there isn't a lack. Other than stuff, I really enjoy the cultural life and the social life here. It's a city with lots of music and art and interesting places to go. I'm not a stickler for efficiency so the laid back attitude about time doesn't bother me, in fact I joke that I finally found a place with my kind of 'on time'. I work on my spanish all the time but I'm at a level where I can handle most situations and I am not limited by a lack of language anymore. Medical care is world class and much more patient centered than in the US, the care is incredible and the time spent with you by your doctor is unheard of in the north. Living here is not for everyone of course, but for me it is a joy.
