To relocate

[Jourdain11]

We (as in my family and I) have been talking about moving from the UK for a while but it's seemed unrealistic because DH and work. But now he has an interview in Brussels which, if he were to get it, would be a late August start.

Would it be absolutely insane to move ourselves and the kids (who have never lived outside the UK) to Belgium? They are 10, 9 and 7, so this is probably the last practical chance.

Obviously I don't have any job lined up, but I'm fairly confident that I'd be able to find something.

I'm very taken by the idea, but I'm also quite conscious that we might be getting 'carried away'. And DH hasn't got the job yet anyway!

Sounds like a great adventure, and like a good opportunity for the kids as well. They’ll be immersed in another language and that can only be of benefit later on. I’d go for it if the chance came up.

when will you know if he’s got the job? Maybe get a language tutor for the kids before the move so they have a little confidence.

I visit Belgium almost every year for various reasons, including for a while when a friend worked for the European Commission. I cannot offer any advice re accommodation, taxes or work matters, but climate and culture seem one easy to fit in, other than always remembering which language applies where.

Belgians get very funny if you speak French in a Flemish/Dutch speaking area- stayed once in a Flemish speaking area and the hotel receptionist realised my knowledge was limited, asked if I spoke another language, and 'je parle francais' brought a long face!

Good luck if you decide to go there.

Thanks for the positivity! It's a final interview, so he should know fairly quickly. I imagine within a week or so, but possibly even sooner.

I am French, so the children can speak French decently well, although their reading and writing is a bit basic. I think with tutoring they could get up to scratch quite quickly, especially if I speak more French with them at home!

Are you planning on sending kids to French school? International school following British curriculum?

French-speaking school.

Lived in Brussels for years, love it there, loads for children, go look at local Belgian expat sites for info about schools etc etc. There are European schools but hard to get into if you don't work I the institutions.

PP is right about Flanders but in Brussels most people speak English and are delighted if you break out french/Flemish, so don't worry about that.

Thanks for this! It's good to hear about what the city is like to live in. Will definitely take a look at the sites you've mentioned re schools etc. I would be hopeful that the kids would be able to follow general French-speaking curriculum, but it's definitely helpful to know about the different options.

Definitely do it! Head for Brussels or Wallonië if you're french speaking though. Sounds like a great idea! Just be aware that the Belgian market is quite saturated if you don't speak the national languages but with french you'd have a leg up on the other expats

It would need to be Brussels if DH gets this job. I'm perhaps a bit too relaxed about the probability of finding myself a job easily. Ideally I'd like to do the work I'm trained in, but I'm open to looking at other things- especially short- to medium-term. I'd like to think that I have good English and could potentially find roles where this would make me a strong candidate. I also speak decent Spanish and Italian, but no Dutch at all unfortunately!

He got the job, so we're going to go! Planning to relocate in July/August. So any expat hints and tips very welcome, although DH's workplace will also provide a lot of support.

I've just signed DC up for some French tuition next term to try to get language skills up to scratch. We are planning to take a visit on the coronation weekend as well, since the DC have never been to Brussels (DD2 says "on the TV it looks really boring, full of those grey parliaments"). We also need to look into medical arrangements, particularly for DD1 who has T1 diabetes and some associated issues. And I need to find a job, although there's a possibility that I can transfer to another team at my current work which does remote working with 2 (consecutive) days a month attendance in person, although I'm not mad keen on remote working and the tax arrangements might be tricky. So, a lot to think about!

Mind you, I'm madly relieved that we hopefully won't have to continue with the negotiations about DD1's secondary school place, since that was stressful for everyone. The school she has a place at is an academy school which seems to simultaneously have massive behavioural issues and military-style discipline and although DD1 is very law-abiding, she was consumed with anxiety about all the rules she might accidentally break!

BTW, if you have any pointers for the expat sites I'd be very grateful! I've been looking but there's such a lot out there that it's difficult to filter.

Also, if anyone who lives/has lived in Brussels is able to give any area recommendations, I'd be super grateful. DH's job is in Ixelles.

@OP - did you make the move at the end? I am considering moving to Belgium and would be curious to hear your experience.