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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Just exactly how scary/hard is it to move abroad?

3 replies

PinkIsMyFavouriteCrayon · 17/12/2010 09:53

DH and I have always dreamt of moving to Canada. But I'm a bit of a wimp and wanted people's HONEST oppinions of how hard and/or rewarding it can be? I am a registered nurse so am assuming I may have a better chance of getting in than some, but how does the standard and cost of living compare to England? We also have a DD, and would I ideally like another in a couple of years time, does anyone have experiences of having babies abroad?
Thanks in advance! Xmas Smile

OP posts:
gregssausageroll · 17/12/2010 12:53

I think it can be as scarey or as hard as you want to make it!

Join a forum like the British Expats one. It will have check lists of everything you need to do and organise. Print them off and work through them.

We never found it scarey, just very exciting.

Leaving family is hard but I just saw it as see you later rather than bye.

flyingcloud · 17/12/2010 13:23

I moved abroad in different circs - followed my French DH back to his native land. Obviously didn't go nearly as far as you either so my experience is probably irrelevant BUT as gregs says - it is as scary as you want to make it. If you can keep an open mind, feel that you can integrate well (NOT just that you are nice friendly people, which I am sure you are, but that you will be able to pick up on and understand local social niceties and adapt accordingly i.e. be willing to adopt the when in Rome approach) then you have nothing to fear.

The bigs things like missing family and your ability to call your new country 'home' are the deal-breakers. It is important not to get too wrapped up in the details, provided they meet your basic requirements, like customs, schools, healthcare, etc as most civilised societies should be able to accomodate your needs (but they may differ to those you are used to in the UK). I say that as someone who is constantly posting on these boards asking for help understanding the minutae of French life (or lurking on other people's threads).

Finding a job is important - or at least activity to keep you busy.

My personal experience is that I fell pregnant within six weeks of arriving here, felt ill for three months and then worked like a maniac up until the end of pregnancy. I went back to work early (took min mat leave) and to be honest, having a baby, being tired, stressed and having a very full-time job, means that I don't have a lot of time or energy to put into making friendships, which can be quite lonely at times. I have made about four really good friends (and obviously have DH's too, and he's got lovely friends). Obviously with an older DD you may find it easier to meet people, or at least be forced to, for her sake, which is no bad thing.

notrightnow · 17/12/2010 13:42

pinkismyfavouritecrayon, there are some old threads on here about Canada, if you do a search. It suits some people brilliantly but it isn't the promised land. Things vary greatly from province to province regarding work and income.

I found leaving the UK the most terrifying thing I'd ever done, but I'm a not a very adventurous person. Although we decided to come home in the end (we had gone with my DH's work on an open ended contract) it was a good experience and did our children a lot of good in terms of their maturity and social skills. We had a lot of fun.

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