Would you ever move abroad?

[Londonalf]

I'm just curious how many people would consider moving abroad, or how many actually do live abroad - I am always thinking (dreaming) about living in Thailand. We try to go once a year or every other year which I know is a huge privilege and feel lucky to be able to visit, but still feels a little sad knowing that we always have to return after such a short amount of time there when we love it so much.

Also aware that maybe living in a place isn't as exciting as visiting for a holiday (would be nice to live there half the year!!) but even so, the way of life really appeals, although not sure what jobs we could do out there.

Has anyone lived that far abroad and what was/is it like?

:)

No. I love where I live. It’s a beautiful part of the country. Also, I am very close to my parents and especially my sister and her kids. We go on holiday together three or four times a year. The hardest part of this pandemic for me has been the separation from my parents, sister and nieces and nephew. (We don’t live locally, so we only see each other in the holidays, but we do that every holiday and mostly we go away together, for self catering breaks).
DH is from New Zealand. The poster who said about them all looking out for each other - I don’t find that any more than over here. There are some lovely people and some arseholes. People are people. I did find that there was a certain sector of the community over there who divide everything into men and women. So I went to some parties where all the blokes went outside and all the women sat in the kitchen, and there was no cross over. It was weird.
I don’t assume that’s representative of all of New Zealand but it certainly goes on where DH is from. I’m not moving to a place where I go out with my husband, he disappears off with his mates, and I jump to attention to make his sandwich if he deigns to enter the house! And if we don’t move near his family then what is the point of me giving up my family?

I used to live in Singapore. My parents lived in Thailand. It's kind of the same as living anywhere, just becomes very normal. I remember coming back to the UK and people were asking me where my tan was... um, I work in an office! My mum found Thailand (Bangkok) particularly stressful because of the poverty and high levels of crime. Fortunately she had a driver so she was pretty lucky. My parents were there a few years and whilst my Dad is fluent in Spanish and Japanese never learnt Thai. Again not a problem but it becomes and expat bubble. Even in Singapore where everyone speaks English the expat bubble exists. They have a saying in Singapore "if you're white, you're all right". I loved living abroad. I was in my early twenties and travelled around Asia a lot. I probably would have enjoyed in more in my late twenties when I had a bit more money! And whilst I want to travel again raising children is expensive, though I did consider it with my ex at the time. Even state schools in Singapore cost money. And it's expensive to get healthcare to cover maternity care etc.

I lived in Australia for 3 years then travelled Thailand for half a year. I came home as i was so homesick and wanted to start a family, just couldn't see myself having kids with no family around me. Dont regret my decision at all

I lived in Canada for a bit as a kid. It was so hard as a family. My Mum fell into deep depression and my dad took a big pay cut but it was the right thing for him to do for his career (doctor). We also had a few negative experiences of being told to “go home” - Most people were nice and welcoming though.

The lifestyle out there was amazing. We could walk to the beach and ski at the weekends. School was a great experience and I was allowed to be a kid. No year 6 exams or pressure.

I often think if I would do it again and I’d like to think I could but would have to move for a purpose like an amazing job opportunity.

I moved to England from North America for 8 years when I was 19. Since then, I have lived in North Africa, 4 Asian countries and am in my 4th year of living in Thailand ( not in Bangkok) .
Dh and I are teachers in international schools. Amazing lifestyle with loads of travel opportunities and our dcs are growing up with an incredible outlook on life.
Our employees deal with visas, but the days of renewing a 30 day Thai visa repeatedly are long over. Immigration has been tightened up a lot in the last few years. I wouldn't come here without the proper paperwork.
Check out the Living Overseas board. Lots of useful information there if you are serious about moving.

I have and currently do live in a different country. I've also lived in Thailand briefly. As a pale white person who goes lobster red when hot I never felt I was a part of the community. It was lovely. Food, culture, beaches etc, but wouldn't live there long term. Just felt too different. I was even banned from entering a few local festivals because I wasn't 'local' which made me feel pretty crap..

I find this thread really interesting! I always had itchy feet even as a teenager and we never traveled that much. As soon as I graduated I moved to South Korea and I’ve lived in 7 different countries over the past 9 years between six months and one year in each place.

I have had an amazing time and I’ve learnt so much but now that I’m approaching my 30s I’ve also realized that family is everything to me and I appreciate things in the UK so much more now. There are many things we take for granted like the quality of our education system, health care, housing, access to culture, a mild climate and employment opportunities but when you don’t have them you are willing to risk everything for them.

I would recommend living abroad even for a short time as an experience as long as people do their research and try to learn about the culture and language otherwise it can be a frustrating and superficial experience. For example, it’s nice to have a hot summer holiday but living in a place where seasons don’t change at all and every day is 32 to 35 degrees is horrible for me and I can’t wait for some wind and rain!

This summer was supposed to be my big homecoming to the UK and my family were all so happy but for now I’m stuck unfortunately and have no idea when flights will start again

If I could wake up speaking French and being registered for my Profession in France, I’d move to the Alps tomorrow.

I lived in Germany for many years from childhood till my early twenties so haven't always been in the UK. I'd move abroad in a heartbeat - Canada preferably.

I’ve lived in a few countries and had really positive experiences. What I have realised is that every place has it’s good and bad but no matter where you live you still need to put the bins out! I’m now back in my hometown and will never leave!

I lived in France for a year post-university as an au pair, it was amazing! Now I have a child though the only place I'd move to is DH's home country (temporarily.- 2 years max) because to pull DS away from his grandparents would be cruel to all.

I have lived abroad (Spain) for a few years. I absolutely loved it. There was lots I missed about the UK though and in an ideal world I'd spend 4 months there per year. I live in a city where many Spanish have settled permanently. I ask them why and they rattle off a long list of reasons (usually the economy) why they prefer it here. The UK can't be that bad...

I've lived in Italy almost longer than I've lived in the UK (where I was born and brought up). I didn't really plan it and it hasn't all been great but overall I think I made the right decision.

I lived and worked in an a African country after qualifying. We’ve considered a few overseas moves since children but there was always something to prevent it. Mainly ageing parents or public exam periods. Last time was a few years back when we nearly moved to UAE for a very good offer but couldn’t reconcile it with our views on equality and human rights.

I’m planning to just keep travelling once the kids have left home. Live in different countries for short periods of time. Return to UK when I want to see them, or get too homesick.

Funded by buying a sailboat, or van. Hopefully my pension can help a bit there. Or maybe it won’t.

I’ve lived in over 48 different addresses already, I don’t even know where ‘home’ is anymore !

@NeneValley how do your DC feel about moving so often? The adults I know who had to do this as children absolutely hated it, including DH.

I spent much of my 20s living in a couple of other continents where I didn’t speak the language fluently. Great experience but I wouldn’t want to do it permanently. I would love to go abroad for up to a decade when the kids are older though if the opportunity arose.

The key thing for me is family. Once you put down roots somewhere it becomes hard to leave, especially for kids. If I was elderly and abroad then what would I do if I got to my 80s or needed care? How would I visit family if I was sick or they were? I guess that doesn’t affect everyone, but for me people are more important than places.

I wouldn't permanently as my family is too important to me. I know people who moved abroad and although they have some family contact it's not the same. They don't seem bothered though so I guess it depends on how close you are to family in the first place.

We plan to move to Belgium, ideally as close to Bruges as possible. Just need to brush up on our Dutch and French first.

Yes, @alittlerespectgoesalongway, whereas those of us who move abroad are chilly bastards who don’t think our families are remotely important.

Lunchbox No need for French in that part of Belgium, Flemish and English will suffice. French will get you ignored. Moved back after 13 years in Flanders last year. Between Brussels and Leuven is good. Easy access to either place, but live in a strung out village, where it is quiet and relaxed.

thegcatsmother that is helpful, thank you.

Moved to Dubai when I was 29 with three kids under two. Hated it.

Moved from U.K. to country I’m in now then moved back to U.K. and hated it so came back here.