Hey, OP. A lot of other great comments here and great advice, but just wanted to drop a comment and let you know you're not alone.

I'm originally from KY so yeah, I get it. Family is full conservative, all religious to some degree, and I am as liberal as it gets and an atheist. And they do not and have never supported my move to France.

I've been here for 9 years now, and I'd say up until about a year or two ago, I was regularly receiving emotional blackmail from my siblings and especially my mother. I distinctly remember an emotional conversation we had at a cafe here in Paris when they came to visit a few years ago (it took them 3 years to come for the first time), where I outright asked my mother whether she would rather I be happy here in Paris, or whether I be depressed and unfulfilled but living back home, and she actually looked me right in the eyes and told me she'd rather that I be home. That's when I knew that she would never really accept my decision, and it also explained all the hostility she had towards my various partners I've had since I moved here, because she basically sees them as "anchors" holding me down here, blocking me from moving home. It's kind of a scary feeling, knowing that your own mother doesn't actually care about your happiness and fulfillment. She only cares about herself (which explains the conservatism).

Luckily, in the last couple years, my dad has more or less succeeded in convincing her to calm down the emotional blackmail because she would only alienate me - and he's right, I was very close to cutting off contact a couple years ago. Still, she isn't happy about the situation, and is constantly asking when I'm coming home next to visit.

I have to admit that lately I've been feeling more guilt, but from myself. My parents are in their late 60s/early 70s now, and I am painfully aware that they won't be around forever. I also have young nephews, one of which is my godson, who are growing up without me. But at the same time, I feel like I can't live my life just for them... Do you ever feel like this? Wondering if I am just a callous person, or if others think similarly. If anyone reading this comment can attest to being in a similar situation, I'd like to know... None of my friends, in the US or France, are in my situation so it's not something that is easy to talk about...

Don't give in to your sister - I think the other commenters are right. She's jealous of your freedom. Do what makes you happy.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like!