Yeah, groucho, it was hard for me to leave China as well. I loved so many things about living there, but I could never find an ESL employment situation I could endure long-term (and I was rapidly reaching the cut-off age). I think private school ESL employers prefer younger, less experienced expat teachers because they tend to be less opinionated (probably from not having been a teacher back home).

I miss China a lot -- friends/students, food, basic insanity -- but not ESL employers!

Good luck with your future endeavors!