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Living overseas

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Original poster

Why are you where you are in the world?

48 replies

Rillyrillygoodlooking · 21/10/2011 12:37

As a follow on from the "where are you?" thread, which is interesting and varied, I was wondering how you ended up where you are at the moment?

In a rather banal fashion, we went to NZ from the UK last year for work reasons. Its been interesting!

And you?

OP posts:
TheBrideofFrankenstein · 21/10/2011 12:51

In Hong Kong. DH was promoted within his company to a role in Dubai in 2008, and then got a sideways move to Hong Kong in 2009. Love it here. I could stay a long time.

SeoraeMaeul · 21/10/2011 14:40

To counter The BrideofFrankenstein - we've just moved to Hong Kong and we're all miserable [shouldnt we have a sobbing emoticon]
Left London 3 years ago and were in Korea with DH job, now have shifted to HK. Would head back to Seoul tomorrow if we could

Caveat : I'm sure it will get better [can we also have a hopeful emoticon?]

fraktious · 21/10/2011 14:42

DH was posted here with the military Smile

TheBrideofFrankenstein · 21/10/2011 14:44

Oh Seorae- Sorry to hear that. What are you finding tough? Can I help with anything?

Mummysaysno · 21/10/2011 14:50

Hi HK ladies - I'm here as a trailing spouse. Cannot dispute the amazing scenery of HK, love the weather (even the T8 was exciting, if not a little disappointing?). I'm adjusting - we came from London, and have previously lived in NYC, so I'm comparing, which is really unhelpful.
Finding it tough to accept we're living in a smaller space, for a super-high rent. Still never too sure where to buy anything from. (Apart from International!).
Fancy a MN/HK meet up?

SeoraeMaeul · 21/10/2011 14:53

Thanks for asking!
Suspect its the usual culture shock, Korea was so unwesternised which we loved and also the expat community was tiny, inclusive and very chilled. So far here seems to be very british, very competitive parenting (is it actually possible to have a last minute playdate in between all these after school classes?) and very .. well just very... if you see what I mean!

We're only 6 weeks in to the move, so I'm pretty sure it will get better. [now I really need the sobbing emoticon!]

SeoraeMaeul · 21/10/2011 14:54

oh and Rillyrillygoodlooking sorry for the hijack!

ben5 · 21/10/2011 14:55

DH left the British Navy and joined the Australian Navy in June 09. We love it here in Western Australia and never want to go back. Even if I win the big $22million lottery tomorrow I would not move. DH can leave the Australian Navy in June 2012 and at this point in time he will, as jobs in the mines looks far to good. As far as I am concerned I live in the best part of the world and I'm HAPPY( or is that the wine talking!!)

TheBrideofFrankenstein · 22/10/2011 00:48

Seorae- Yes, it can be a bit like that. Kids do so much stuff after school. I think part of it is that because there is so little space, parents try to get the children out of the apartment as much as possible. I am a little guilty of that even with my 1 yr old as he has play dates or play school/Gymboree every afternoon.

I'm actually thinking about moving out to the NT next year so we can have a garden with a sandpit and a trampoline like normal people :-)

Shanghaidiva · 22/10/2011 01:19

I am in China and am a trailing spouse - been tailing for nearly 17 years now.

laptopwieldingharpy · 22/10/2011 02:11

In asia, As a trailing spouse although got my act together and worked 3 years in Singapore.
Now in HK too.
Hated my first 3 months. The school sitaution was just horrendous. Now loving it. Try Singapore, Sorae! Soooo british and cliquey, very "establishment", trying so hard to be posh.
Hk is much much better in that respect. Age groups and professions mix. And the cantonese are so feisty, in a very good way, singapore is so umbelievably dull for

frutilla · 22/10/2011 02:18

In Latin America. We would like to leave as these last few years crime has escalated, we had an armed robbery in the house when I was pregnant. Many other members of the expat forum there have also been victims of armed robbery...

laptopwieldingharpy · 22/10/2011 02:20

In asia, As a trailing spouse although got my act together and worked 3 years in Singapore.
Now in HK too.
Hated my first 3 months. The school sitaution was just horrendous. Now loving it. Try Singapore, Sorae! Soooo british and cliquey, very "establishment", trying so hard to be posh.
Hk is much much better in that respect. Age groups and professions mix. And the cantonese are so feisty, in a very good way, singapore is so umbelievably dull for

laptopwieldingharpy · 22/10/2011 02:22

Sorry for tye double post. Not fully awake yet

shreddedandnotatallsmug · 22/10/2011 02:22

I'm in New York. My job brought me here.

Seorae - I often talk about the "six week wall" - which can happen after three weeks or three months but IME is usually around 6 weeks. Sounds like you might have hit it - hope you get through it.

ComradeJing · 22/10/2011 02:44

In WEstern Australia visiting PIL at the moment but live in Beijing most of the time as a trailing spouse. I'll probably never live in the Uk again which I'm sad about. I'd love to move to Europe for a bit or hong kong or to Aus. I'm DONE in china.

BlameItOnTheBogey · 22/10/2011 05:41

I'm in Africa with my job. We move regularly for my work and I'm lucky that DH and his work are able to accommodate this.

DorcasGailen · 22/10/2011 05:56

In Zambia also as a trailing spouse, there are days when I hate it and days when I think its ok. I don't think I will ever love it here though. Been here for a year now, will probably be here for a couple more years and after that who knows?

natation · 22/10/2011 08:23

Compared to others, we are not exactly anywhere exotic, only Brussels! We originally moved here to avoid crap working conditions as UK civil servants in Calais, dh still working for UKG and I'm on a career break and working for a much nicer local employer, kids very settled and have a much nicer life here.

C0smos · 22/10/2011 08:28

In South Africa, married a South African in the UK, he got homesick so we moved here. I admire the trailing spouse ladies I would go nuts if I couldn't work. Been her over 4 years and haven't really made any friends beyond a few at baby groups, so this doesn't really feel like home yet - not sure it ever will

Eralc · 22/10/2011 08:41

In Sydney as a trailing spouse too, although I would be a SAHM in the UK, so not sure if it counts.

thanksamillion · 22/10/2011 12:10

In Moldova as a missionary (and no, I don't wear long flowery skirts and sandals with socks Grin). Been here 4 years, not sure how long we'll be here.

PetiteRaleuse · 22/10/2011 12:15

I moved to Paris years ago. Me and then DP wanted a change about 4 years ago and got jobs in Luxembourg, which is why we now live in France on the border with Lux and Germany.

PetiteRaleuse · 22/10/2011 12:15

Then DP as he is now DH

Thzumbazombiewitch · 22/10/2011 12:27

In Australia permanently with Aussie DH. Moved here because we had better opportunities for DS, and because DH missed his mum.Grin Seriously though, she is on her own and when we agreed to the whole marriage/baby and move to Australia thing, my parents were both still alive. Mum died when I was pg, sadly - so now my Dad is on his own - but at least he has my sister living nearby to help him out. MIL has no one else who can help her (DH's brother is a useless leech who is more of a burden than anything else). I delayed our move out here because of Dad's situation - but in the end we still came and are likely to stay here.

I do so miss the UK at times - and my family and friends - but here is also home now, after 2 years.