Morocco as an expat?

[sleat]

DH and I are considering a move (not permanent, but probably for around 2 years) to Morocco, as an oppotunity has come up there through DH's work. We would be based in Rabat. We have a 3 year old and a 1 year old (the 3 year old would be starting school while we were there). My french is not that great (A level, but since then I've only used in on the occasional holiday); DH's is bettter, and his work would arrange for an intensive course for us.

Does anyone have any advice? How hard is this likely to be? I am not the most adventurous person in the world: we were keen to try an international secondment, but I was thinking more in terms of Europe / North America. That said, I spent around a month in Morocco while backpacking and absolutely loved it. Most of that time was in the more touristy places though (Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira), and I think we only spent a night or two in Rabat - not enough to get any sort of feel for how it would be to live there. The children and I are very, very fair so I'm slightly worried about the heat!

Hi,

I have an expat friend living there with her dh and junior school age daughter. They seem to be loving it by all accounts. I have asked her to pop on here and answer any questions you have. Sorry I can't help more.

Thanks Idont, really appreciate it. I'm not really at the point of having specific questions, more just considering whether it looks like a feasible option with 2 very small children. I'd be really interested to know what life as an expat is like out there. I'm quite sociable and concerned that I might be stuck on my own with 2 small children and no adult company all day. The children are so small that things like schools aren't really an issue - at most DS1 would be doing the equivalent of reception and yr1 there. We're definitely up for a bit of an adventure though, and I have been raving about Morocco ever since I visited (over 10 years ago now, though), but I'm finding it hard to get much info on how things actually work over there and how it would be to be a resident rather than a tourist.

We moved to Rabat in January and have a daughter at the Rabat American School. I have friends (English speaking) who have younger children at a great nursery in Rabat and we are all enjoying our experience here. We found it easy to make friends- through our daughter mainly, but the mums are lovely and sociable and it never gets too hot for the children to play outdoors (but pools are great for the summer). It does however get very cool in winter (don't really have heating anywhere!)
If you have A level French you will be fine- my husband has and manages quite well, we are both taking French lessons- but I am finding conversing harder as I don't get to practise very much- and of course the first language is Darija Arabic.
We love getting out and about around Morocco- there is so much to see and Rabat is great for travelling to many nice areas. Rabat is quite small, but friendly and Casa is not far away- we live just outside by the sea and have lovely views and a nice villa. Clothes shopping and rental properties are quite expensive but the local fresh fruit and veg are cheap and very tasty!
Let me know if I can help you with anything else- it is a bit of a culture shock at first but I'd say a fantastic experience!

hi all
We are moving to Casablanca this summer, a really late decision (company led, of course!) and I just wondered if anyone in can help me with school choice? There seems to be a heck of a lot of international/French schools. My children, 8 and 6, are at the French school in Moscow at the moment (we're on an expat posting here), I'm English, my husband French so we have a wider choice. A long shot anyway, but any help would be very much appreciated! I'm very excited about moving to Morocco after a few long winters in Moscow! Thanks very much!