How do you make the decision?

[Should1stayorshould1go]

Ive namechanged for this post but would love some advice from people who have made the decision to emigrate as Im really torn on what to do!
I have recently made a huge career step, but have failed to secure a permanent post, and am currently working in a short term role
I now have the opportunity to move to DHs country (under EU freedom of movement rules) and work in my role, with a supported language and relocation package, or continue to work in short term posts (reasonably secure choice but doesnt look good if you do it for too long) in the UK until I can secure a permanent position.
If it was just me and DH and we were 10 years younger we would be gone already, its a great offer: but I am struggling with how to make the decision for everyone (children) and the sheer practicality of house, mortgage, schools, etc
anyone had to make a similar decision? how did you come to your conclusions and how did you weigh up everyones needs?

How old are your children? That is probably the single most important factor in determining how realistic a move is, unless your job is well enough paid for private international schools to be an option.

I would be able to afford an International School (and there is a very good one within reasonable distance of the work area)
Children are 9 and 3 nearly 4
in Scotland so P5 and ready to start school in Aug 2019 respectively.
both have basic skills in the language of the new country although would need immersion in it to speak really well.
but if we decide to come back home eg in a year or two we would have lost 9 yr olds place at v good school just before they move up to secondary , and 3/4 year old would not have been registered at the appropriate time to start school
new country has a very different education system with a much later start into education (age 6-7) but nursery provision is excellent and overall has a famously good education system

I think your DC are a good age to move however moving is hard where ever and when ever you go so it is really important that you and DH are totally signed on to it. A second language is a great gift for DC but they are likely to find it hard at first so be prepared for tears. You can keep your house and rent it out if you think you may come back.

You would need to make a decision about whether you are dipping a toe in the water or are making a permanent move. International schools are generally better for temporary moves (ie where you want to keep kids in the UK education system to prepare for an eventual return) but may not give the same immersion opportunities.

With a 9 year old, you still have the time to take the plunge with schooling in the local language, but in two years' time it will be much harder.

Hi, as other have said to me when I was in your situation it ultimately is a choice that no one else but you can make. It can be hard but it's worth it. Our at least that is my experience, as in the end I went for it when in late 2013 I moved from Europe to UK.

And now I'm moving again, to another European country! (Not my own though)

Our kids were 4&3 when we moved the first time and they are 8&7 now. They are of an age when they can still take it in stride, it becomes harder when they are in their teen years, now it still is a big adventure
I don't know what's your age but unless you have health issues that's are ailing you it is feasible, we're almost 40 and still find it feasible. Moreover: you are not going to Australia in the XIX century, wherever you go you can always move again. For us it's becoming a silly joke in these weeks "what will be the next country, when hindsight hits in 2020?”

Just my two cents. Or pennies. Or cents again...

Thanks so much everyone for really helpful posts and advice, its really appreciated

I think I am struggling to make some parts of the leap: we have done big moves when it was just DH and I, and its always been exciting and reasonably easy for both of us, but having the children does complicate it. Its not age thats getting to me, Im young enough, and health wise I am alright, but moving and starting again just feels like a step back: we have only just bought a house after many years of rental and living out of boxes, I adore the place and as a family its been great for all of us: I think theres a bit of dread of the practical aspects of moving/renting etc again. Though the rental laws there are at least more protective of the tenant than the UK.
I think if we go I would be keen to try it for a few years but keep a toehold in our current city (rent the house) and contacts in UK so I would be able to apply to any interesting or desirable posts; mentally I am having to look at it as temporary 2-3 years rather than permanent at this stage.
We are planning to go out to visit the area and look around at amenities/schools/international school etc., and I will have a couple of days to visit the workplace and discuss the language support and practical aspects before we make any decision. DP has actually been quite enthused about the idea of moving, we have been here for many years and its just never been an option before, but he at least can give me a good idea of what day to day life might be like there, though its not an area he knows well.
The other issue is if we did decide to come back, Brexit etc might complicate things so I am having to look into getting DP to sort out dual citizenship (since he meets all the UK application criteria eg residence at the moment) before we leave, as we have no idea what will face us if we decide to return in a few years and any EU right of residence has changed. So thats a huge undertaking before we even start.

Good guess Brandnew notquite but close! We only speak our native languages to the kids and have done since they were born: I suspect it is me who needs to practice as they are pretty good at coping with the two languages atm. Misti,your thoughts about the international school etc are interesting and I will make visiting it part of our factfinding trip.

We are just about to come to the end of 3 years overseas with 2 children much older than yours. We kept them in a British school to make the move back easier. It is hard to move and proving even harder to move back (with now teenage children).
But I wouldn't change the experience for the world - we have all benefited from it.