Expat - nervous

[Burton2D]

Looking for some guidance/advice please and a bit of a hand hold. We currently live in London with two small children and over the last few years have been talking about moving to a European country where my husband grew up. We visit there often and love it and have many friends there. DH now has an amazing job offer and is about to accept (but we wouldn’t move until August) and suddenly I am having second thoughts which haven’t crossed my mind throughout the whole process!

I suddenly am very nervous at the thought of leaving London, leaving my day to day life, moving, settling the children into nurseries etc. But this is something I have wanted for so long and I should be really happy but instead I just feel a tonne of emotion.

Not too sure what the point of this post is but I suppose wondering if anyone else moving abroad felt the same? it’s as if the initial excitement has turned to dread.

Im an expat. Felt exactly the same once plans were solidified and received my visa. Freaked out most of the flight when I moved to the UK and took a while before I didn't feel homesickness. But now I feel more at home here than my birth country.

I say go for it and remember all the reasons you've made this decision. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't have to be permanent x

Thank you so much for this!! I really needed to hear I’m not the only one. I’m nervous to even submit the kindergarten acceptance form as it means it’s real - but it’s a country I really want to live in.

We moved to Switzerland for a couple of years, over twenty years ago, when our children were 5 & 7. It was the best thing we ever did. We came back regularly to keep in contact with friends and family here. We all absolutely loved it. My grown up daughters still have fond memories and we’ve been back many times. My only regret is we weren’t there longer(due to my husband’s change of job). You have the added bonus of already having a network there. I’m excited for you :)

I’ve just moved to Ireland with my husband and three children.
big changes for everyone. And stressful aswell. But worth it. My husband who is British is settling in very well too.
write down all the reasons you made this decision to move. And look through it when you are having doubts. I would say it’s normal to have doubts.

I've been an expat many times in different countries it always took me 6 months to really settle. But you have friends to help so it will be easier.

Hey @Burton2D I’m in exactly the same position as you. We move to my husbands home country of Hungary in 8 weeks. We have been planning it for 2 years and now we have booked flights etc I have been having panic attacks. It’s just so scary now it’s real. I love it there, my children love it there and we will be fine, I know that. But it’s a big life change and it’s daunting. I keep reading that it’s completely natural to panic nearer the move. I am happy Iv found others who feel the same way.