Being an expat?

[PossibleExpat]

DH and I are thinking of moving abroad for a potential job opportunity. It’s a place we adore and love. I wondered how those who move abroad took the big decision?

I just did it, without thinking too much about it. I’ve been living abroad for 28years now, In different countries. It doesn’t have to be forever. If you don’t like it, you can always come back. Go and have an adventure!

I love this!! How did you decide? Just took the plunge?

We lived overseas for 25 years in three countries. Key factors for us:

• healthcare
• whats included in the relocation package
• and later - schools and education

Wow! How did you find three countries? I’m writing a long list and healthcare wasn’t on it so thank you I am adding it!

Health care is really important!

Remember, no other country has an NHS i.e. free healthcare.

I pay a monthly insurance but the care I got was excellent.

Such a good point, thank you!

Moved with Dh’s job to Germany then Austria which was pretty similar and an easy move for ds who was 4 at the time. We then moved to mainland China for 12 years.
also check pension provision and tax returns in new country

I’m living in the Caribbean (from the UK). I think it depends on the package and finances. Do some research and otherwise go for it.

I emigrated last year to my dream city. It was an admin nightmare but I had a lot of support with this from my employer (I stayed with the same company, transferred to an overseas office).

I didn’t really worry about all the things people worry about such as healthcare and schools, because a) I knew enough people who had transferred before me to know that the health insurance is very good, and b) I don’t have children so don’t need to worry about schools.

I wasn’t concerned about the relocation package either (though it was generous) as the salary is much higher here than what I was earning in London.

Overall, it was a great decision for me. I have no idea how long I’ll stay (very impressed with PP living abroad for 25 years!), but I’m liking it so far and I’ve actually started dating a citizen of the country 😅 so I’ll see how it goes.

As cheesy as it sounds, I would say follow your heart. If it’s what you want, make it happen. Good luck!

Ahh thank you ladies. I’m really nervous about education, given my children are still nursery age and waiting lists etc. Do you think companies can help out in finding?

Are you moving with a company you already work for? If yes, then ime they will help with the process of applying for schools. My DCs were born overseas so I sorted the schools before we moved to China and then company supported us as dcs attended an international school and company paid the fees.
do you speak the language of the country you intend to move to?
makes things a lot easier if you do.

I had travelled quite a bit when younger, quite far afield. I ended up in London eventually never finding jobs that fulfilled me, and I decided to start looking abroad. I was offered an interview at an international organization in Europe, got the job and I was off! The benefits were great, pay was good, new country, new life…the decision was easy tbh. I missed my friends and family but stayed (stay) in touch. I studied languages at uni and spend some years abroad as a child, so I’ve perhaps always had more of an international outlook. I’ve never really viewed living in a different country as a barrier. You will soon make new friends, and the energy you will get from making such a big move we will revitalise you. Yes, there are always headaches when setting up a new life in a different country, but they’re never insurmountable, and there is so much out there to see and experience. I’ve lived in Australia, China , South America, all over Europe…I’ve made friends and brilliant memories everywhere I’ve lived, and met like-minded people. I’m lucky now to have a partner who is happy to do it all with me! If you are both up for it, that’s brilliant.

I moved from the UK to another European city, 5y ago, largely because I was in a fuck it mood and had a friend here. I had never travelled before then - my passport ran out 6m after I moved and had been used to visit the city with the friend and to move, that's it, it was big and scary but I have no regrets - I will be moving back to the UK in the next 12m because I feel like ive "done" living here - that is not to say its been bad at ALL but making friends has been HARD and that has played a huge part.

I have spent the last 12m supporting expat families who have moved here with finding schools or childcare, recommendations for things to do, finding the right doctors etc which has been fun so 100% there will be people who can help you with it - healthcare is, frankly, the most important thing. Schooling and education comes next.

If you do decide to move then it will be a fantastic oppurtunity!

It’s a good time to do it, as they’ll assimilate well at that age. Depending on where you go, you’ll need to ask yourself if you want them to go into the local school system, or an international school system. Some countries have brilliant international schools, or branches of the big UK public schools, others have a much better national education system. If you want to slot them back into the UK system, then you might need to start thinking about that when your oldest is eight If you want to get them into private schools in the UK, a little later if you want to get them into a good local state school. Or maybe you’ll just want to keep them in the local system abroad as many of my friends have in Europe (in Germany, France, Spain and Switzerland). A good company should offer a relocation package, often with a relocation company who can help you with questions to do with schools or childcare, help with applications etc. If the job doesn’t offer this, there are independent relocation companies. You may receive a relocation bonus, for example, from the company, to help you settle in which is always nice! As others have said, insurance is a must but in my case paid for by my company.

@Crushed23 what do you do for a living if you don’t mind me asking?

I’ve moved overseas twice, one on a short term (12 months) assignment to the US and then after 6 months back in the Uk I was ready to leave again and have been in Switzerland for the last 17 years.

I was early twenties so was feeling adventurous and when the offer came along I grabbed it. I can still remember the moment when my boss made the offer to go to the US. I was 24 and felt like I’d won the lottery! The package was amazing.

Now I’m a local hire rather than on an expat contract and that has both advantages (can buy a house) and disadvantage (no expense package :-)).

it’s amazing for the kids, my DS is six and is fluent in three languages. The schooling here is excellent, he goes to the local village school where they have 14 in a class (year group of 28). The school facilities are amazing.

DH and DS go skiing on the weekends in winter and we all go swimming in lakes in the summer and lots of hiking in the mountains. It’s wonderful.

The health care is amazing, we pay for health insurance but pay much lower taxes. I can always get a GP appointment and hospital referrals for most things are within the month.

Honestly if it’s a country you love, do your homework and go for it (unless it’s the US and I’d avoid it like the plague!).

I have lived in 3 different countries and two of those moves I did with two kids. I've also relocated within one of those countries, which was in itself a giant move.

I'm from what could be considered a rough part of the UK, single parent family (Dad died when I was young) and first in family to go to uni, with massive student loan. Emigrating changed my life. I've been able to give my children opportunities that I couldn't in my wildest dreams imagine.

One thing to remember though, it's not a holiday. It's your everyday life. You have bills to pay, you'll more than likely have zero support network to begin with and it's HARD to integrate and become included. If you need to learn another language, it takes time. A long time. Both of my children are fluent and attend a local school (not private English speaking international), so that they can feel part of the community, play out with other children etc. It's taken me 7 years to get a job outside of the expat, English speaking bubble, using the local language but I'm extremely proud of myself for doing it.

I actually work now for local government managing settlement and inclusion, so am happy to help with any advice.

I’ve lived in three countries. With young children; childcare, healthcare and the language you would like them to learn. It’s incredibly valuable to have a second, desirable language. And they acquire language so quickly at that age.

And a little bugbear of mine, I’m always in immigrant, not an expat. Helps to destigmatise it and own immigration. It’s typically expat = white. I know people will say it’s the temporary nature. It’s not, though, not really.

I hate the term “expat”. See here for why: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/mar/13/white-people-expats-immigrants-migration?

Anyone who travels to a country other than their own for work is a migrant worker. It’s high time we let go of colonialism.

Amazing guidance and advice on here, and such reassuring stories. Given me a lot to think about ❤️

I can’t speak for everyone on the thread, but the non-white expats where I work are absolutely referred to as expats and not as immigrants. We have expats from Japan, China, Singapore, South America, Middle East, India.

I agree with @MrsTerryPratchett and @LoserWinner — it’s not a word I’ve ever used about myself, and I’ve lived in four countries outside my home country for almost 30 years. Integrate.

I have lived in the U.K. for 30 years. I moved for live and had children here. I hate it here really and I feel homesick every single day for 30 years and
that’s pretty sad I guess.

Moved “for love”
sorry