Chance of a lifetime or?

[chunkfunk]

Dh is in the forces and has been given the chance of a posting in either Canada or Cyprus (house is included and would be payed extra whilst over there)
Our children are currently 9/7/4
It's once in a lifetime opportunity but on the other hand I worry about the kids education. DH thinks we should go for it whilst the children are still primary age. Of course it's a decision only myself an my DH can make but just wondering what other people's views are?

I grew up abroad and it was fantastic, I loved it. Something I'd absolutely love to do with my own children. I personally lived in the Middle East, a close friend of mine lived in Cyprus but I'd take Canada in a heartbeat!

@thegcatsmother the LOA rate is quite generous, and you don't pay CILOCT anymore abroad, can't speak for Canada but Cyprus is very cost effective with some good housing.

Wow what an amazing opportunity! There will never be a perfect time but agree that while the kids are primary age it's the best time to give it a go. I lived there a year and a half and would love to live there permanently.

You only live once and the kids will probably have an awesome time that they'll remember forever.

Sorry forgot to say, I was referring to Canada

I think it's a great age to move them.

How long would the posting be for?

I'd be packing my bag for Canada already! Love the scenery and outdoor life.

As an 'army brat' I'd do it in an instant. Unfortunately DH is firmly rooted to where he grew up.

2 year postings were quite usual when I was a kid and most kids in in international schools were in the same boat.

Yep I would go x

Wow thanks for all the responses everyone! It's a 2 year posting, I'm definitely swaying to Canada after reading here , lots to think about indeed ☺️ xx

Ex-forces wife here - I would go to Canada in a shot.

The only posting we regret are the ones we didn't take, but we did manage to go abroad once and loved it.

I've got family in 4 different areas of Canada. If I had the chance to move there I would be off like a shot.

If you're on FB, it might be worth getting on one of the spouse pages and having a chat with people who are based there already. Canada is a good posting but, as with Cyprus, it's not without its downsides

Additionally, these posting don't come up very often!

My family and I moved overseas with the forces when I was 13. I was pretty upset when I first found out, but once settled in I absolutely loved it. I had an absolutely amazing experience and, whilst the schooling was very different to the UK, it did not hold me back when we returned. I’d say go for it, especially Canada.

Canada in a heartbeat! We moved countries when I was 5, I had an incredible childhood and wish we could do the same for my child.

Go for it!! We are Canadian but temporarily in U.K. now for my husbands work and have had the best time. I def miss Canada though. You can rent out your house here and have all of your living expenses covered there so you will be able to save $$ or spend some on traveling. Plus it is only a 2 hour flight to Florida from Toronto if you are in that area so you can do some fun trips with the kids :) Also the education system in Canada is amazing so you might not need to go private unless you prefer an international school.

Canada. Your children will adjust well, you'll get to experience a taste of a different life for 2 years and know that even if it's not as great as you imagine (unlikely), you know in 2 years you can be back here. You'll regret not going, I'm sure. Your kids will have amazing memories of a big adventure in a new country, and will spend a really interesting stage of their lives in a new place. Also canada is lovely to visit for holidays, and in the future you can go back with your children and talk about your memories of it.

the LOA rate is quite generous, and you don't pay CILOCT anymore abroad We paid CILOCT the whole time - and it costs more than it did for my 4 bed detached band E in Cornwall! The LOA was slashed to the bone; we lost a couple of hundred a month; folks we knew in Naples were out of pocket, and the ratings were asking to go back to UK as they couldn't afford to stay in Naples.

No CILOCT is because the MoD couldn't get people to take the foreign jobs as it began to cost the individual serving too much. Easier and cheaper than giving a pay rise, or playing with LOA, my Logistics Officer brother tells me.

Brussels was and is bloody expensive, and the LOA just about covered the increase in cost of food and petrol.

My brother really enjoyed Cyprus, and friends had an exchange job with the Canadian Navy and we went out to stay with them in Victoria. They loved it.

Child of a forces dad, my sister went to 4 primary schools and 3 secondary. Didn't do her any harm she says.

I'd jump at the chance.

Hundreds of thousands of scaly brats ( i know but it is what they are called) have moved many times and they have been just fine, why don't you think yours will be ?

I've travelled a lot and Canada is the only place I would actually move to tomorrow. It's an incredible place to live and grow up!

My suitcases would be packed and I'd have all my loonies and toonies ready for Tim Hortons.

Team Canada here!

I’d have started packing before he finished talking.

I prefer heat so would go for Cyprus. If you are concerned about your kids’ education, I’d choose Canada.

It will be a great experience for you and for them.

If you're on FB, it might be worth getting on one of the spouse pages and having a chat with people who are based there already
yes definitely do this.

It really depends where in Canada. A very good friend was posted out there for theee years thinking it would be great but it went from bad to worse. Almost universality French speaking, non inclusive amd prohibitively cold for much of the winter. Can you ask to talk to other families who have been posted there?