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

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

Living overseas

Anybody moving abroad soon and fancy a hand holding thread?

91 replies

KD0706 · 03/03/2013 18:25

DH starts a job in Switzerland on 1st may. So we intend to move over there (currently in uk) around the end of april.

I'm looking forward to it but also v daunted. Anybody else on the move soon?

OP posts:

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casperthefriendlyghost · 15/03/2013 10:34

making mama - sounds tough at the moment, but I'm sure given a couple of months down the line you will have settled in well - certainly having a place of your own will help with this. DH did look at a position in Riyadh and I remember seeing that I wouldn't be able to drive at all and thinking how strange that would be, so I can imagine that no car is a pain. I won't have a car in Jordan - too expensive to take one or buy one, so relying on local taxis as apparently are very good & cheap too, but will see how this pans out

Grutsei · 18/03/2013 20:33

Hi, we moved to Switzerland in January so I know how much hand holding is needed before and after the move. Happy to help with my albeit limited knowledge.

tazmo · 20/03/2013 16:24

I have applied for a job in Switzerland but must admit I don't know what I am doing - not sure if romantic notion or really a good move. I'm interested in knowing all about it as i would be moving 3 young children, 2 dogs and dh would have to pack his job in (he works at a university with 2 part time jobs- one finishes in aug and the other next mar).

I have a house to sell, hear people generally rent, salary if got job would be up to £108,000 pa (Swiss equiv. is this enough to live on?). Place would be Basel so hear living in France an option - what r the taxes? How much is rent? Currently live in the country so would want to find a safe place to live which is fairly rural? How much is childcare? Would my children have a 'better' lifestyle (we live in Scotland?). Relocation is given with job. We do like skiing, can speak a bit of French and would get great experience from the job! Downside is ageing parents, no support network and again a house to sell so not sure it would be easy to get back. Only want to do it for a couple of years. Kids 4, 2 and 8 months. Any advice appreciated!!!

AndMiffyWentToSleep · 21/03/2013 06:23

I'm supposed to be moving to Germany in the summer with my 1yr old - but DP is going next week!
Also need to learn German at home as evening classes clash with bedtime.
I agree with whoever said it feels quite abstract - but during moments when it feels real, I get scared!

BertieBotts · 21/03/2013 08:29

Miffy I'm just at the other end of where you are now :) DP went out to Germany last June and with one thing and another (long distance can be tough on relationships too) we're gearing up to move out this summer, so it's been 14 months apart in total.

How long ago did you decide to move to Germany? I felt quite scared at first but now I'm really feeling excited and positive about it. It takes a long time to get your head around something so big, I think. I'm trying to pick some german up at home and will do some beginner's classes but I think it will be easier to learn when I get there (I just want some basic language to help me get a job) - most people seem to speak English over there anyway so it's not completely isolating if you don't speak it straight away.

(Which part of Germany are you moving to?)

KatherineKrupnik · 21/03/2013 12:09

We are thinking about a move to South Africa within the next 12 months. DP has started the application process. My main concern is making it work financially & whether it is a terrible thing to do to the kids (age 4 and 1).

FifromN12 · 21/03/2013 13:18

Katherine where are you guys going? We moving to Cape Town (hubby from there with a 3year old)

KatherineKrupnik · 21/03/2013 13:43

don't know... probably rural KZN. We are both British - although I am entitled to SA citizenship through my dad, so am looking at applying for that. It's a temporary (1/2 years) move, not a permanent one.

Are you moving permanently? Where are you going to live? My cousin recently moved back to CT from London with her husband & DC, & she is loving it.

FifromN12 · 21/03/2013 13:45

It's nice to hear she loves it. Do you know where in C? Sorry I'm being curious? (in a way need some reassurance). We will be in the southern suburbs. For the moment not time limit but things do change

FifromN12 · 21/03/2013 13:46

Ps we are in London also

KatherineKrupnik · 21/03/2013 13:50

Don't know where in CT she is, think it is probably southern suburbs actually! I have family in the Gardens too who are very happy, & family out in Kommetje who like it there too... Have you spent time in CT? It's a beautiful city. We won't be going there as DP is unlikely to get a job there & we fancy a bit more of a challenge & I don't want to live that close to my family

FifromN12 · 21/03/2013 13:57

Do you mind if I PM you?

KatherineKrupnik · 21/03/2013 13:59

not at all

AndMiffyWentToSleep · 21/03/2013 17:39

Hi Bertie, that's a long time to be apart - especially when you've got kids!
DP found out about the job last summer. It's in Berlin. Where will you be?
I've just realised my son will start speaking German - that's motivated me to learn as I don't want them to have chats that I can't understand!

BertieBotts · 21/03/2013 17:49

Well we've seen each other about every 2-3 months but currently it's been nearly 4 months which is hard. Berlin is quite far away from where we'll be living - Karlsruhe. It's about 5 hours even on the fast bullet trains. (I have friends in Berlin! :)) I haven't done a Karlsruhe - Berlin trip yet.

AndMiffyWentToSleep · 21/03/2013 19:23

Wow congratulations for lasting!
I'm not sure I/we would or will

BertieBotts · 21/03/2013 21:15

It's been massively up and down TBH. We nearly split up at one point and because I was so conflicted about whether I really wanted to go or not we put off the move for a while. But it all came together in the end. It helps that we're both quite independent and also have a lot of trust. I also decided to do this English teaching course so it's not like I'm only going out there for him - I now have three reasons, to be with him, because I've always wanted to live in another country and travel with children, and also to teach English which is something I'm now really excited about.

It will be hard figuring out what you want - when DP first went for the job (Back in January of last year!) we had a big talk about it and decided that if we split up over it, then it obviously wasn't meant to be, (probably made it easier that DP is step-dad rather than birth dad) but that we were both excited about the possibility. I think you have to be open minded but also honest with yourself, but it is totally normal to have doubts too. Good luck anyway! :)

WhinyCrabbyPeople · 21/03/2013 21:49

DH has just been offered his dream job in Dubai. Very exciting...but daunting. I know absolutely nothing about it, except that it's very, very hot! Feeling a little overwhelmed with all the information about schools and various areas. Any advice?

WallyBantersJunkBox · 22/03/2013 16:44

Hello KD!

It's Binfull here, I've namechanged!

Are you all set for your move? Hope you are excited and happy?

Let me know if you want a little meet-up when you are settled!

WallyBantersJunkBox · 22/03/2013 16:47

Sorry a big wave & Grüezi to all the other "Swissies" too!

I've been in Basel for 2.5 years now, and I'm a working mum. So PM me if you have any questions you think I can help with!

x

KD0706 · 22/03/2013 20:49

Hello wally/binfull
We have an apartment and will be over there start of may. I would love a meet up. I'll pm you.

My general thread chat is that we are in the process of de-cluttering our house and are having a boot sale tomorrow. I must be mad!!

OP posts:

WallyBantersJunkBox · 23/03/2013 07:31

A very good idea! Wish I could have persuaded DH to do the same with his shed, instead of bringing all the rusty stuff he has to our cellar!

Clear out your belongings there, as you can dispose of stuff for free - here it's going to cost you. As I'm sure you've read.

It's a lovely time to be coming, there are plenty of bank holidays coming up, it feels like Spring is trying it's hardest to get here, and I for one, can't wait for the open air pools to open!

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HeartOfDixie · 23/03/2013 08:14

Hello. My Dsis is moving to Kuala Lumpa in August - waves at TeddyMummy - as her husband has got a job at an international school. So marking my place for her.

KD0706 · 23/03/2013 13:44

Well, the boot sale was worth it. It was just a couple of hours and we made £100. Which will probably pay for one macdonalds in Switzerland!

How's everybody's plans going?

We've got our packers booked. Not booked flights out to Switzerland yet, but I have booked a trip home from Switzerland this summer!

Everything which didn't sell today is going to charity tomorrow so that's a fab amount of stuff cleared out.

OP posts:

WallyBantersJunkBox · 23/03/2013 14:05

Ah the Starbucks is on you then!

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