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Living overseas

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

Original poster

DH has been offered a transfer to america - HELP

28 replies

lovelymoo · 02/08/2007 15:57

DH has been offered the transfer to help run their new florida office. It will take effect in the next 3-6 mths. I encouraged him to go for the job but now he has been offered it not sure if i can actually go. Have two DC's of three and two, the eldest is due to start preschool in sept.
I always wanted to leave the UK but now it may actually happen i'm beginning to have doubts. Where do we start with
schooling DH's firm will rent us a place to srart with but then we have to find somewhere if we want to stay.
*I need to find info about the area who do i contact.

Is there anyone who has done this and not regretted it and those that have why?
Any info will be great only found out yesterday and my head is buzzing got to let them know next week

OP posts:
PhoenixSongbird · 02/08/2007 16:00

I'd be inclined to go for it. DCs are young enough not to be too affected by the upheaval. How long will it be for? Because coming back may affect them more if it?s a few years.

NotQuiteCockney · 02/08/2007 16:02

Have you been to Florida? Which bit is it?

Do you have a good network here, that you will miss? Have you ever lived in a foreign country?

Depending on where you are in FL, there may be a private English school, dunno. (Maybe not, though, thinking about it, they've got one in NYC, but that's not the same ...)

expatinscotland · 02/08/2007 16:05

Where in Florida?

Some bits are really nice.

KTeePee · 02/08/2007 16:06

They tend to start school later in the US - I know someone who moved when her dd had just started in Reception here (was about 4.5) and when they moved her dd went into PRE-kindergarden. I think school starts at about 6 so kindergarden is a year or so earlier.

If it was me and my kids were pre-schoolers I would definitely be tempted to go!

nailpolish · 02/08/2007 16:07

you wont regret it

you always regret what you havent done and not what you have done, IME

have fun! itll be hard work but an adventure

expatinscotland · 02/08/2007 16:08

Yes, school starts later. Also, they don't get the holidays in term time. Hardly any at all unless it's a church school - they're private there. But a longer summer holiday - school ends at the end of May and recommences in mid to late August.

Original poster
lovelymoo · 02/08/2007 16:08

Been to florida a few times but only to miami and disney. The job is near clearwater i think wasn't really taking it all in last night DH has left me a load of stuff to read.
I have a great network where i LIve BF lives just round the corner my mum lives 5mins and DH family about 30mins away. The school my DD is going to is about a 3min walk.
Never lived abroad before but always wanted to, there is a part of me that is worried it will be awful and i will want to come home.
DH says the move could be good if we wanted

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 02/08/2007 16:09

Why not try it and see how you get on?

nailpolish · 02/08/2007 16:11

i fyou hate it you just come home

no harm done

Original poster
lovelymoo · 02/08/2007 16:13

looking on the internet to see how much info i can find on the area but its taking ages

OP posts:
RGPargy · 02/08/2007 16:13

Go for it, or you'll forever be wondering what it would have been like......

GO!!!!

expatinscotland · 02/08/2007 16:14

You'll get to live in a really lovely house, most likely!

alipiggie · 02/08/2007 16:14

Well I for one say "go for it". I came reluctantly to Colorado and I'm having the time of my life. In fact awaiting my work permit, have a job lined up and about five months from a Green Card.

Pre-schools are great, can highly recommend Montessori ones. People in Florida are very friendly, weather is fabbie, although very hot in the summer but everything is air-conditioned.

Find the Living in the USA thread and post on there, there is a Mnetter who lives in Florida and I'm sure she'll help with more specifics.

alipiggie · 02/08/2007 16:15

"Look at this page"

ladymac · 02/08/2007 16:26

Went to LA for a year when dd1 was 3 and I was pregnant with ds. Had always lived just round the corner from my parents so was worried. However, I really enjoyed my year for a number of reasons. The sunshine for one thing, it's wonderful to lead more of an 'outdoors' life with your children. Dd1 went to a pre school, she got invited to play just like here. Loads of family and friends came to visit, which was a great opportunity for them as many of them would not have been able to afford that kind of trip if they'd had to pay for hotels etc.

Will the company pay for any flights? My ex husband had a couple of return flights built into his contract for me and dd1.

I think the best time to do something like this is when your kids are young. When they get a bit older it's nigh on impossible to get permission to take them out of school, and many schools won't hold your child's place if you take them out for longer periods of time.

Original poster
lovelymoo · 02/08/2007 16:51

We were planning for baby number three next year, how did you find it having your second in the States

OP posts:
forsale · 02/08/2007 16:53

my friend moved hers at the same age as you only he'd actually sgtarted preschool and was about to go into school when she moved. She's been there 7 years and really doesnt want to come back. your dh's company should gbe able to help

ladymac · 02/08/2007 17:46

lovelymoo, sorry not to reply sooner.

Ds has actually just turned 19, so I am going back a bit. It was a great time to be pregnant as I couldn't work of course, and I got to spend lovely time with dd1. She was at a montesorri pre school and when I picked her up we would have a swim or go to the beach (am looking at a grey London sky right now!)

I found a wonderful birth centre run by midwives which I think is quite unusual. Though there are probably many more of them around now. My ex's work colleagues thought I was bonkers, as giving birth is extremely high tech in the states. Will your dh's company pay for your health insurance? Otherwise it will be v expensive to have a baby.

scienceteacher · 02/08/2007 23:21

Schooling is a lot easier than the UK, ime. Basically, kids go to their local school - they key thing is to get a house in the right school district. For that, you probably need a bit of inside info.

Kindergarter takes rising 5s, so your little ones will be in preschool, from the August/September after their third birthdays (probably).

DH should ask his company to provide a relocation agent, so that you can find a place in the right school district, and also sort out leccy/gas, etc.; also hire car ready for you when you arrive.

We've spent many years in the US on expat assignments and really enjoyed the experience - wouldn't want to stay though, so happy to be transferred back. One good thing is that with the internet, you can plan ahead really well, so when you arrive you can really hit the ground running and make the most of the opportunity.

There really are a lot more positives than negatives.

twinsetandpearls · 02/08/2007 23:24

I would go in a flash.

themoon66 · 02/08/2007 23:57

Clearwater is fab.... we had a week's holiday there about 5 years ago. I'd be off like a shot if I were you. Like another poster said.... you will only regret what you don't do, not what you do do...IYSWIM.

NurseyJo · 03/08/2007 00:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Califrau · 03/08/2007 00:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

3andnomore · 03/08/2007 00:37

Never been over there, but Florida sounds fab...
however, due to dh being english (me german) and in the army we have moved around...met him whilest he was out in germany, then went to england with him, then cyprus, then border of wales then Northern Ireland and then back to england.
Family should always be important, however, teh life you make as your own family usnit shoud be most important...
Kids are so adaptable and as long as you give a place a chance you will come to love it....or at least come to love some things...
Obviously it is a good move for your dh, therefore, to me personally, there wouldn't be a question if we stay or if we go, tbh....

Leati · 03/08/2007 00:41

lovelymoo,

Finding a place will be a breeze. It is not hard at all. Find a good neighborhood and check out the schools performance in that area. Here I found the official website for you

www.myclearwater.com/

GOOD LUCK!!!