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Living overseas

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

Original poster

Where do you live now?

40 replies

englishgirlintaipei · 09/02/2011 20:47

I live in Taiwan and i'm new to mumsnet (thanks to my dear sister, and the fact that i am home for a holiday).
I've been living in Taiwan for well about 5 years now and was wondering where every one else is living that is on here.
Any one in Taiwan??

OP posts:
Geocentric · 09/02/2011 20:58

Welcome to Mumsnet!
I live in Brazil, although technically not really "living away" as I moved here as a child. My family has kept in touch with the UK over the years though, so I have a foot firmly in each culture.

thanksamillion · 11/02/2011 13:50

Welcome! I'm in Moldova so not very exotic (and not in Taiwan) I'm afraid. I've been here for about 3 years and right now am looking forward to spring and some warmer weather Smile

exexpat · 11/02/2011 13:57

I used to live in Taiwan, many years ago. Have also lived in Germany, Japan and Australia, but now back in UK.

I haven't been back to Taiwan for nine or ten years, but I still miss all the self-service vegetarian cafeterias and the night markets... And the papaya milkshakes - the cartons you can sometimes find in Chinese supermarkets just aren't the same....

Lollypolly · 12/02/2011 06:04

Singapore - third posting here, been here nearly 3 years this time round.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 12/02/2011 06:13

Belgium. Following Oman, Thailand and Switzerland. Going back to the UK in July.

Original poster
englishgirlintaipei · 12/02/2011 10:03

just Taiwan's vegi buffets are wonderful, i love all the drinks that they have like pearl tea..mmm.
Exexpat, how do you find living back in the UK?

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MmeLindt · 12/02/2011 10:05

Hello welcome to MN.

I am in Switzerland after long stint in Germany.

Are you stocking ip on UK stuff while you are over?

strandednomore · 12/02/2011 19:29

I have lived all over the world but latest was St Lucia. Now I am back in the UK and very happy to be here.

Kendodd · 12/02/2011 19:37

I wish I lived somewhere exotic...I live in Devon.

gilbonzothesecretpsychoduck · 12/02/2011 19:40

I braved the treacherous waters known as the English Channel and made it all the way to Brittany...here for 5 years now and wishing I was back in the UK.

lavenderbongo · 12/02/2011 19:47

Hi.I'm in New Zealand. Not quite as exotic as some people but a godd vdistance from the uk!

exexpat · 12/02/2011 20:24

englishgirl - being back in the UK is better than expected - I didn't really come back by choice, and in other circumstances would rather still be in Japan or Australia (probably not Taipei or most bits of mainland China by choice with children).

But we've all settled back here OK, and compared to when I was last living in my home city, things have become much more international. There are plenty of Japanese and Chinese parents at the DCs schools, Japanese restaurants, huge Chinese/Asian supermarket, little Korean grocery shops etc, and with the internet and services like LoveFilm (online DVD rental) which has lots of Asian films, I don't feel as out of touch as I had feared. We also head back East for a couple of weeks every year, which helps. And I suppose that in many ways it is good for the children to spend most of their childhood here since they are technically British, though not born here.

Are you in Taipei long term? How is the pollution and traffic these days?

Original poster
englishgirlintaipei · 12/02/2011 21:32

I am here long term i am guessing...but really i don't know for sure.
I'm back in the UK for 5 weeks for a holiday and yes i am stocking up on tons of British things, food/books/toys ect.
As for pollution i am told it's a lot better than it was but really it's still pretty terrible. We cycle and sometimes i'm shocked at what comes out the back of scooters there!
I've been there 5 years nows and my daughter is Taiwanese (i adopted here there), so i really want her to learn to read and write Chinese (she's perfectly good at speaking both currently she's just 4)
So i want to hang on there a little longer i think.
I miss lots of things here but i don't miss how much it costs to live/eat/travel here! I was really shocked when i came back this time.
Devon...well that's very cool i here! :)

OP posts:
rumbletum · 12/02/2011 21:50

Hi, we are in Germany now. Before that, singapore.

Kendodd · 13/02/2011 17:29

"Devon...well that's very cool i here"

Do you mean cold?

whiteflame · 13/02/2011 19:38

i am currently in Seattle, after UK, Switzerland and NZ. Love it here!

Original poster
englishgirlintaipei · 13/02/2011 22:29

cool/cold :)

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hermitcrab · 14/02/2011 18:00

Currently in Oman, looking forward to spending the summer holidays in Devon. Is lovely here, but not home.

Kiwinyc · 14/02/2011 21:41

Currently in London, but originally from NZ, via the USA, Australia, and now here for the last 10 yrs where i got married and had two kids. About to move to Qatar later this yr.

I have enjoyed living here for the most part, but 'home' for me is not the UK.

fridakahlo · 14/02/2011 22:06

I moved over to New Jersey in the USA with my husband and children last April. Really enjoying it, though it is not hugely different from the UK in lots of ways!

Original poster
englishgirlintaipei · 15/02/2011 22:35

kiwinyc where would you say is home then? as for me the UK isn't really home either anymore.
Hermitcrab, Oman, wow how's that?

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Binfullofmaggotsonthe45 · 16/02/2011 07:06

Hi, I live in Basel, Switzerland. I am on a permanent contract so have the possibility of staying as long as I want the job or the company wants me!

We've been here since august 2010 and we are coming back to blighty for the first time since the move, in a few weeks! Am sooo excited about eating fish and chips and a creme egg!

international jet setter that I am....

Shanghai · 16/02/2011 13:51

I'm in Shanghai (hence the name!) - not too far from Taiwan! been here nearly 4 years. Am off to UK next week for a lightening quick visit and the best thing I've got planned is a trick to tesco to stock up on cadbury's creme eggs... droooool!... Grin (and baking supplies and books but they're not quite so droolsome)

fridakahlo · 16/02/2011 15:33

mmmm fish and chips!

Original poster
englishgirlintaipei · 16/02/2011 21:10

shanghai, bring an empty suitcase!! oh and more cash than you think...thinks cost SO much here. (i head back to Taipei on Sunday, and plan on taking back food ..shame baked beans are so heavy!)

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