I quit q job to move to another city with my husband for his job. By the time we moved back, the economic crisis was in full swing and mupy old company wasn't hiring. When people left they simply weren't refilling the positions. They did hire me on a short term contract but could not afford to rehire me with benefits at my old salary (and this was five years later). Eventually I found a government job and have been doing that ever since.

I did it. Went back and stayed three more years.

My husband did that. He had to wait a couple of months for authorization I believe (also a federal job). Someone in my previous federal office also left and came back. I think that was pretty easy though because there were constant openings.