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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To move to the Falkland Islands?

40 replies

PortiaFinis · 01/09/2016 21:38

I'm sorry, I'm mainly posting in AIBU for traffic as there doesn't seem to be much on Falkland Islands living on the ex-pat forums.

Does anyone have experience of living there with children?

DH would be working with the government, we have three children, 8,6 and 3. It would be for 2 years, we have a dog - I've heard that's difficult.

We're comfortable here but have itchy feet - FI just seems slightly extreme but it is exciting. DH reckons we'd have great quality time with the children, I like penguins. But I know it's not a win-win....

OP posts:

x2boys · 01/09/2016 21:50

Sorry no help but there was another thread a few months ago about a possible move to the falkland islands i,m sure theres a mumsnetter that lives there hopefully she will be along soon.

FoxesSitOnBoxes · 01/09/2016 21:52

That was a lovely thread! Sort of made me want to move there!

Deux · 01/09/2016 22:03

No advice but it's so left field that I'd be seriously tempted to go.

I did work with someone who was born there.

If you haven't already, watch on I player the 2 series of An Island Parish set in the FI. It was my guilty pleasure.

sparechange · 01/09/2016 22:05

There is a MNer who lives there and another who used to (one is forces, IIRC?)

Hopefully they will see this and come and give you their wisdom

pontificationcentral · 01/09/2016 22:09

Ooo I haven't seen that thread for ages. I loved it when I was there, and would def live there with small children - probably not teens though. Would you be in Stanley?

TheFairyCaravan · 01/09/2016 22:10

DH has been a few times with the Forces. He absolutely loves it down there. He's mad about wildlife, loves a simple life, and would move there in a heart beat. I'm not well though, so it's not possible.

In your shoes I'd be seriously tempted because I'd always be wondering "what if"

wigglybeezer · 01/09/2016 22:11

My Dad almost took a GP post there when I was a toddler but did a post- grad instead. I would love to find out what it would have been like.

ZippyNeedsFeeding · 01/09/2016 22:13

We nearly went about 5 years ago, and would have if the contract DH would have been working on hadn't been cancelled.

From the research I did at the time, it seemed like it would be a brilliant experience- it's much less basic than it used to be but still different enough to make it worthwhile.

The weather is usually described as being like the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides) which is where I live now, so lots of wind. I would check the political situation though, I'm sure I read that there have been rumblings again but that might just be something that happens periodically.

I can't help with the dogs I'm afraid. We would have rehomed ours since they were working sheepdogs and a working dog with no work to do will usually find mischief.

Roseformeplease · 01/09/2016 22:17

There was a brilliant "Island Parish" series about it which might give you an idea of what to expect. BBC last year, I think.

Original poster

PortiaFinis · 01/09/2016 22:18

Thank you so much for responding!

It would be Stanley, I am getting a bit excited by it all - I know it's far and there would be challenges but it's only two years.

My main concern is the children's education.

Thank you, I do feel even more enthused now!

OP posts:

pontificationcentral · 01/09/2016 22:23

It is absolutely like the Hebs. Massive peat bog in the middle of nowhere lol. My day to day knowledge of current conveniences is out of date though. But suffice to say I am very jealous! The wildlife is astonishing. Out on the islands you'd walk through the sand dunes and come face to face with fucking enormous elephant seals. As big as a truck. And back off slowly. I watched them rip flesh off each other fighting on the beaches. Mad to be that close to such huge powerful wildlife.
Is Island Parish on I player? I didn't see it...

pontificationcentral · 01/09/2016 22:24

How old are your little ones? Unless they are in the exam years I would grab it for two years like a shot. What a great experience!

ZippyNeedsFeeding · 01/09/2016 22:26

I'm wildly jealous!

pontificationcentral · 01/09/2016 22:27

I loved the penguins. Completely crazy to be on a beautiful sandy beach, dunes, brilliant sunshine, and crazy arse penguins everywhere. I camped on the edge of a beach for a couple of nights, and every time we turned the torches on, the penguins would all run towards the light. Freaky.

LuluJakey1 · 01/09/2016 22:27

Not unreasonable but mad.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 01/09/2016 22:28

I would totally do it. What an adventure and life experience for your DC!

Disclaimer - I have no knowledge of the Falklands and have never even been to South America.

pontificationcentral · 01/09/2016 22:28

Are you forces Portia? Or is it a civilian contract?

bestofbothhovis · 01/09/2016 22:29

Relative moved out there ages ago. Just came back as he hated it (and the move made the marriage end in divorce). Think he said there was a bit for the kids to do but absolutely nothing for adults

Deux · 01/09/2016 22:30

IIrc, on An Island Parish, the islands were getting a new Governor and they filmed the Governor's wife going to pick up the dog from the airport and take it to the vet. I think the vet had a dual occupation as many do.

pontificationcentral · 01/09/2016 22:32

I didn't take my dog. At the time you could take dogs TO the islands, but not bring them back (can't remember why). That has probably changed with better routes etc. Ddog stayed with my parents and didn't want to live with me when I got back as he had been spoiled rotten...

Original poster

PortiaFinis · 01/09/2016 22:35

Not in forces. DH would be working for government.

Children would be in primary school throughout (smallest starting while we were over there).

I'm from a forces family so do suddenly get the yearning to change it up and move but I worry that this is my fickleness and not a reason to throw away what we've built up here.

Thank you again, it is so handy having your views, I will look for the old thread

OP posts:

PenguinPoo4 · 01/09/2016 23:43

Hi, Falkland islander here, sat on my sofa in Stanley as we speak. Fire any questions at me! The junior school is good, secondary school not as great but that wouldn't affect you.

PenguinPoo4 · 01/09/2016 23:44

You'd probably have to send your dog on the boat which takes a few weeks, but they get very spoiled by the crew and your husband would get a relocation fund which would cover the cost of that sort of thing.

PenguinPoo4 · 01/09/2016 23:46

What's your field of work? Jobs are plentiful here so there would be something you could do if you wanted. Juggling kids and work is easy here as no commuting time plus childcare is cheap.

lamprey42 · 01/09/2016 23:53

Sounds like penguin poo has got this covered but I think it would be a great place to live with kids. Stanley is obviously small but so much going on. The wildlife is amazing - penguins, seals etc and definitely adventure potential as you can do trips out to camp and the outlying islands. I've done quite a few short bits of work down there but couldn't persuade dh to move for a job as he was worried about getting work - you have to get a permit if from uk and first dibs to locals - although from what penguin poo says might not be a problem.

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