we emigrated to the USA in 1979 when I was 11 years old. I am very glad that we went, and I had some fantastic experiences, but I don't think I would like to live there now.
The US does some things VERY well, physical quality of life is superb - you can have a lovely house, nice location, good car, beautiful scenery etc. My school was incredible, just the local public school, but we had a swimming pool, football stadium to rival many division 1 teams, theatre, etc etc, everything you could possibly imagine from that point of view.
BUT - We never took a proper vacation in the 12 years we lived there, my dad worked all the time, the longest vacation I can remember would be a long weekend. We came back to England once to visit my grandparents, but I think that was only for a week. Vacation time is ridiculously low, I got 5 days a year when I worked there - my university friends work very long hours, I have stayed with one who was working 8am till 10pm every day and this was while she has guests (well me), she was an accountant, it was a busy time, and she was expected to work or else.
My other friend from University is currently expecting a baby - she will work until the birth, and then is only taking 6 weeks off - YUP, 6 weeks! As she has been out of work recently, and not been long in her job, has been told if she takes off any longer she will lose her job - if she loses her job, then she loses her medical insurance, a risk she is not prepared to take.
The NHS has many flaws, but it is always there, for free, and while they may make you wait, they will never turn you away, or send you into debt for treatment. That's a benefit I would find hard to give up. After university I lived in the States for a year without a proper job, or consequently any medical insurance - not a situation I would recommend - I have to say I was terrified of getting ill all year.
Oh yes, and I mentioned University - I had a fantastic time at University, loved every minute of it, again we had all the facilities money could buy - and it took a lot of money to pay for them, I have just paid of my student loans this year (I am 34), and I only managed that by selling my house and buying a smaller one.
Please don't get me wrong - I loved living in the USA, I lived there from age 11 to 22, and other than the last year, (the only one where I had to support myself), I had a fantastic time, I honestly can't complain. But, that last year taught me an awful lot about the realities of life in the USA, and it's a tough place to live.
Sorry this is a bit of an essay - but it's a topic that I have lots of feelings on , so many people go to Orlando on vacation and then think they would like to spend there life there and they just have no idea.
It sounds like with your American connections, you have a bit more of an idea of what you are letting yourself in for - and I think your kids would love it (but don't forget those University fees), but it's a big ole' decision to make.
Bev