Anybody moving abroad soon and fancy a hand holding thread?

[KD0706]

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?

Ha. £100 is probably about right for two coffees and a cake to share!!

We're due to move to Singapore early June. DH is from there and just wants us to try it. He's currently working in Zurich for 3 months before transferring to Asia.

TBH I'm hiding from it a bit. Clueless2727 reading your post made me think I must pull up socks and get things organised.

Well we are finally here!! DH, DD, DS and I arrived in Muscat on Friday 29th March. We are staying in a 2 bed apartment until our container arrives. We did a bit of house hunting the other day and found a villa that we love, planning to move in early May. I got a mobile last night so feeling a bit more connected to the outside world now. It's very early days but I really like it so far. Have met quite a few lovely expat Mums and will be starting to drive soon, as soon as we get a sat nav!!!

Makingmama, have you tried one of the Expat woman coffee mornings? The one in Festival city is really nice (where Ikea is).

I managed my first 18 months here without driving but as so glad to have my own transport now! Are you scared of driving or has your resident permit not come through? You can rent a car as well, but as soon as you have your residents permit you will have to get your UAE licence (very easy!)

The Palm is quite an isolated area. Marina is lovely but just remember that parking for guests is horrid. Especially during the weekend. There are some lovely small compounds around Safa too.

am I too late to join this thread? we are moving to Beijing in a few months (yikes) and its just started sinking in, which is probably why I have been awake since 3am! I wanted to ask how you told the kids, friends etc. we are on the verge if doing this, hopefully over the weekend. the head at school knows but not the teachers. do I let the head tell them or let the kids? and do I let the kids tell their friends or do i tell the parents first? or am I worrying too much? I just want the least amount of upset and the max chance of friends keeping friendly!

Know the feeling, dh signed contract for move to singapore beg july today. We told dc over easter weekend, dd who is 7 is very excited. She wants to tell her friends so i haven't said anything to my friends, the mums as not really my place to tell them not to tell their kids so just haven't been out with them over hols. Guess i will tell them in playground monday. Very strange as been big secret for over 6 months. Also told family over easter, quite a few tears but everyone really supportive and planning visits. I know i'm awake thinking about it most nights, our to-do list is over 2 a4 pages long already

Sorry answering your questionflowerpowergirl we sat dc down and sold idea of living somewhere international, wonderful school, etc. she reacted well. Very excited but also sad at leaving family which i was pleased about shows she fully understands . Her teacher knows as had to do stuff for new school but going to wait until get final confirmation and flights booked before i tell them. Although need to tell ds preschool as they need a terms notice.

clueless, how's it going? we now have draft contract so provided all OK we will tell DC this weekend. fingers crossed! I am bogged down with paperwork - school applications etc. did your DH get legal advice about his employment contract?

I know, we spent all night last night filling out visa forms. Dd was telling someone about her new school today and her face lit up. How old are your dc? Could telling them that they will get tablet so can facetime / skype friends and family back home help sell it. No he didn't, seemed pretty standard, clause about having to pay back some relocation costs if leave within 2 years, but tbh just happy to get contract as took months to sort it out.

i need some hold handing - moving to singapore june 30!

still waiting for dh work to finalise contract but flights are booked, i've resigned and notice has been given on flat so we're off regardless

just need to do about a billion things before we go . have been avidly reading all the brilliant tips on here and so appreciative of everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge.

I agree, some great tips do you have children? how have your family taken the news? I just want to get to the stage of contracts sorted so we can tell friends, kids, schools etc and start the proper preparations. clueless, good idea about tablets. thanks. am going to put together a photo collage for each of them with friends etc and get a 'special' notebook with friends email addresses etc.

my dd is 13 months so not too much to worry about there, our family is very very happy as they are all in Australia so we will be much closer.

am worried about the massive change but very excited at the same time

I agree with the just wanting contracts sorted, bit of a joke really.

Dh got employment pass through today so nothing can stop us going now. Posted on facebook which has definitely made it seem more real. Now really got to get my skates on to do everything. Downloaded a countdown app onto ipad. 74 days until we go

We are off to Malawi! Sort of looking forward to it but won't be able to settle happily until I see children settled happily. DD1 will be going in to Year 2 and loves school at the moment, so I am holding my breath and hope it will be an easy transition for her...
Would be great to see how others are settling in to their various postings as the months unfold!

telling the children about the move tomorrow morning. yikes! after that I guess word will soon get out. wish me luck!

Germany for 2 years. It was fab. Went over intending to work for a week and ended up being there for a good while.

Enjoy.

Just discovered this thread! DH is moving to Dubai in June and Dd and I will be following at the end of August! Excited but petrified!

We have been in Perth two and a half months now, moving into a long term rental next week, loving it so far, especially my son who hated school in Ireland but loves it here. :)

Guerillacrochet - poor you that sounds pretty awful. where are you living? we come out in September and I def see my job as making friends for us all but how to do it? why not post a new thread on living oversees as I know there are other MN'ers in Beijing. maybe they can give you some tips. have you tried any of the expat websites for clubs/meeting up opportunities? good luck, I hope it all improves for you.

Thanks flowerpowergirl for the words of support :-). I feel a bit better today, less hassle from the big boss so far this week. I think because I'm here for work it is the big support network for me, and when it is bad at work I feel really lost at sea! I think I need to get my UK office involved a bit in terms of support as I haven't had any HR stuff here, haven't had language training etc etc. I think I needed to get to that point of feeling low to pull my socks up and work out a plan for coping. Your idea of another thread is a good one, thanks I'll put something out there. I haven't lived abroad before so
I'm in Central Park, which is in the CBD.

duh accidentally posted there!
Anyway I was saying I haven't lived abroad before so maybe that's why I'm finding it hard to make new friends- lots of the women I've spoken to have been on multiple postings and seem used to the upheaval and more adaptable than me. Or maybe it is the usual front that people put on until they get to know you and the barriers come down. We're going to a newcomers network meeting next week so maybe that will help.
Good luck with all the preparation! If you have any questions about the stuff you need feel free to ask or PM me.. I know I sounded a bit needy and neurotic in my last email but I am normally quite sane

I posted upthread. We are in the process of planning a move, but I accidentally got shortlisted for a job which we would stay for - IF I get it. So feeling all a bit on hold at the moment.

somuchtosortout Malawi! I love Malawi. Whereabouts are you going? We are thinking about a move to South Africa & the ability to travel around the region is a big pull for us. Are your DC excited about the move?

Guerrillacrochet good luck settling in, it's always hard at first. I know it's a challenge but you have to seize every opportunity to make friends with both hands - most other expats have been in your situation & will be open & friendly. I hope you feel more settled soon.

Hi all
moving to Brunei in August with DH and ds 15 months old - scary but very exciting, have so much to think about don't know where to start!

KD, how's the move going?