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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

wwyd: taking family to africa?

59 replies

StataLover · 04/02/2011 19:17

if you had the opportunity to spend a couple of years living in not the nicest part of Africa, would you do it? Generous package means we could save £30k/year (current situation in UK = zero savings). The actual city we'd be living in is quite decent with good international schools and relatively safe - but country as a whole is a basketcase.

I'm thinking that if it's safe and there are good schools for the kids, £60k is a huge amount of money to be able to put aside in two years so worth it. Kids are primary school age so still young enough to move. DH is against it nagging I'm trying to gently persuade

WWYD?

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Original poster
StataLover · 04/02/2011 21:16

No, not SL. It was a possibility but dh would have had to have gone without us as company policy is no children there. All the money in the world wouldn't make that happen!

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Original poster
StataLover · 04/02/2011 21:17

Guess I should stop worrying about someone from company happening to guess who I am! It's Nigeria.

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steppemum · 04/02/2011 21:29

Definitely go.

We have lived abroad with kids, and it is such a life opening chance. Even if it is a tough 2 years, you won't regret the experience

One tip though, if you do it, you really should read some stuff about culture shock before you go in order to prepare yourself.

And make sure that mergency evacuation medical insureanc eis part of the deal!!

Strictly · 04/02/2011 21:32

Not with the kidnap risk in Nigeria. No.

Ragwort · 04/02/2011 21:36

I wouldn't go to Nigeria - my DH has to go there for work and wouldn't even consider taking us there for a short holiday. It is incredibly dangerous.

Original poster
StataLover · 04/02/2011 21:36

What part of Nigeria ragwort?

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fairtradefloozy · 04/02/2011 21:42

Depends where in Nigeria. And its expensive....

Original poster
StataLover · 04/02/2011 21:45

Abuja

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podsquash · 04/02/2011 21:47

so interesting. I work in development and often wonder if i would take kids to live overseas as expats. I think i've realised that i'm just not that confident so wouldn't really get on in a situation where i had to manage staff, plus i hate change generally. Worries about sickness are also very big...i hate it when the kids get run of the mill tummy bugs here. Not for me, at least for now.

Original poster
StataLover · 04/02/2011 21:48

You sound like my dh podsquash. More than anything he worries about dc's health - getting sick, poor roads, poor hospitals etc

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podsquash · 04/02/2011 21:50

My husband is much much more cautious than me. He is horrified at the prospect. I happily traipsed around ethiopia staying in horrible 'hotels' and eating in local restaurants in the sticks, but when you have to manage kids it is just a whole different ballgame, as we all know!

FabbyChic · 04/02/2011 21:51

Don't be using your eBay account when you are out there if you go, no one posts to Nigeria it is scam land.

podsquash · 04/02/2011 21:52

having said all that, ex pats do not generally use horrible hospitals.

Original poster
StataLover · 04/02/2011 21:52

I was in Ethiopia too! When were you there?

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GloriaSmut · 04/02/2011 21:52

I wouldn't choose Nigeria. My dsd has been posted there and reckons it was actually more dangerous than the DRC! She's not any sort of wuss or wouldn't be able to do the job she does but she recognises genuine risks when she encounters them.

Original poster
StataLover · 04/02/2011 21:53

Won't be using my credit card either Fabby

Although I may try and track down that lovely person who knew how worthy I am and wants me to help him access the $15 million his late uncle left in a bank account when he was killed in a plane crash. :)

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podsquash · 04/02/2011 21:55

i was only there for a couple of weeks in 2001, i think. Research. Would love love love to go back. Dh reluctant to even go there on holiday but when the kids are bigger i'll get my way cackles maniacally

fairtradefloozy · 04/02/2011 21:56

Abuja doesn't have the best safety record, but you have to weigh up the hype with the reality.

Big decision, I would suggest a visit if at all possible. Let us know how you go.

I would go, personally, but me, I am bonkers me!

Ragwort · 04/02/2011 21:56

DH works in Lagos - he has to have armed guards escort him around when he is over there, (he is not in any dodgy business Grin) I have just asked him again about working there and he is definately of the opinion that he would not live there, whatever the financial rewards were.

Original poster
StataLover · 04/02/2011 21:58

I'd love to go back to Ethiopia too. I was there for 3 months (pre kids and pre husband). Mostly in Addis though but got an opportunity to go to Harar, Gondar and Lalibela. Absolutely fab but hard-going! Love the food as well - especially that weird multi-layered fruit juice with avocado on top!

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Original poster
StataLover · 04/02/2011 22:00

Ragwort So the people I met this week who are really encouraging us to do this live in Abuja. They said it's completely different to Lagos. That it's relatively safe, manageable size, electricity/water stay on etc. I wouldn't do Lagos but they made Abuja sound quite appealing.

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podsquash · 04/02/2011 22:06

just be careful because they may have incentives to recruit him.

gysela · 04/02/2011 22:09

Abuja is nothing comapared to Lagos. I wouldnt live in Lagos, but my sister lived in Abuja for three years, we went to visit a couple of times and it felt relatively safe. I stayed for at least six weeks each time.

Original poster
StataLover · 04/02/2011 22:09

It's OK podsquash they're leaving after 3 years there so wouldn't even be living there if we decided to do this (and we have time, we don't have to decide for a few months and dh may have a chance to visit)

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Original poster
StataLover · 04/02/2011 22:10

That's what I've heard gysela - but all the financial incentives still exist because no-one wnats to touch Nigeria with a bargepole so it's difficult to get the right staff!

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