Anyone moved or thinking of moving abroad?

grey_lady

There was a credit crunch type of program on TV last week featuring amongst others a couple moving to Dubai, as he was a surveyor who'd been hit by the property downturn. This is something that, this evening my other half suggested that one day we might like to do. This suggestion has come as a bit of a suprise - it's not something that i'd thought about, but there's no doubt that in our industry things are very tough.

Just wanted to get some other people's thoughts?

lostinrates

DH and I both lived in several differnt countries as childrn as our parnts movd for work, and he has travlled for work both while single in an unprdicatble career, and w have lived in Italy with his present job in law.

There are useful expat forums and almost wherever you moved their would b an expat group. (English speaking women's group was useful to me while I was in Italy) HOWEVER, these groups also make you very homesick at times, a lot of it is about what you miss, ot what you hav gained. Its very important to join something, anything, local, or mak sure you use local shops to build up a LOCAL support network. For example, if you need a plumbr the expat groups will know someone, but your local baker will know someone good, cheap and trustworthy

DH and I have always felt our future was in England, (DH is only half British though, and had most of his education in Italy, so it was by no means a foregone conclusion) and DH moved, with the same employer, back to London in Spring. However, we are fling very jittery about the financial future and hav both agreed with immense reluctance, that ther must be a limit to the financial price (i.e. standard of living) we would pay to live in UK rather than lsewhre in Europe or US of A (where DH can also work). We plan to wait and se what happens during th course of DH's current contract and will b making th big decision this time nxt year. In reality, w both hop its here, but w also know wherever we go their are both btter aspects and less good.


Why don't you see wher your work would give you options and look into it. But if ou do it, do it wholeheartedly and it will b a great experince: halfhearted and you'll be miserable.

Filey

One of the MOST important things you must consider before moving abroad it the need to speak the local language. After all, when foreigners come to live in the UK we expect them to speak English. It is only polite to speak the host country's language and follow their laws and customs. Dubai might be different of course, but to benefit in full from working abroad you really do need to mix with people other than UK expats. Some people never really try which I think is sad.

lostinrates

Filey wrote: »

One of the MOST important things you must consider before moving abroad it the need to speak the local language. After all, when foreigners come to live in the UK we expect them to speak English. It is only polite to speak the host country's language and follow their laws and customs. Dubai might be different of course, but to benefit in full from working abroad you really do need to mix with people other than UK expats. Some people never really try which I think is sad.

I agree , BUT I would say that language learning when you are immersed in it is incomparable to, say, learning French at school - and shouldn't put anyone off, if they have the desire to wok at it. It is possible to get buy in a surprisingly few number of words, which you can build on almost without noticing. If a company offer a good rlocation package reading and writing the language won't be such an issue. Speaking cabn be started here as soon as the decision is made, but really built on in situ if you plan starting your time with a short crash course.

Triggles

I moved a number of years ago from the states to England, and I would agree with the language thing. There was enough of a culture shock - but I cannot imagine doing it and then not knowing the language as well. Thank God I didn't have to learn a new language!! If you plan on moving somewhere where there is a prevalent different language - learn it! Be prepared to feel completely weirded out for awhile - everyday things that you don't normally have to think about now require thought - like crossing the street - I kept looking the wrong way first as I was used to the cars being on the other side of the street! Talk about feeling stupid! It can get a little disheartening sometimes as you always feel offstep. After a bit it gets better though, as you start picking up on the slang, little differences, and believe it or not - the current/pop references - things that EVERYONE knows as common knowledge were things that I didn't know - it does take awhile.

I would say that an expat forum is great for the preparation to move - but once you've moved, it becomes less helpful - I've found that a few are simply people bemoaning how different the country is from your home country - which doesn't help you, it just makes you homesick and slows down your adjusting. Just throw yourself into the new country, and instead of looking at ways it's different from your country, enjoy and appreciate the ways it's different. Sounds cheesy, but honestly, it's made all the difference for me. I don't miss the states at all - love it here and would never move back. I only miss particular people - family/friends. I also don't make any effort to search out people from the states here - if I run in to some, great - but I don't go to the "expat get-togethers" as they tend to be (again) people spending all their time talking about the things they miss - I'd rather enjoy what I have here.

Good luck - I'm sure you'll do fine!

glitterycloud

Im in the planning stages to move to St Lucia next year, dh is St Lucian and all his family and friends are over there. We made the decision to move as we are both sick of this country and the struggles we have. We are both in good jobs earning enough to get by - but thats it we just get by, moving abroad we will be able to get away from red tape, awful weather and the working to pay the bills feeling. We want to "live" our lives and together feel that we will have a better quality of life.
Dh is in St Lucia as we speak sorting and researching jobs, shipping ect.

We have done alot of research and this is something I would advise before leaving.

Savvy_Sue

Triggles, you still think we speak the same language? :rotfl: I think you've gone native!

We do have a 'Living Abroad' thread over on the Silver Savers board, and don't ask for a birth certificate before you join in. Some useful tips there for those considering making the big move.

itsarichmansworld

Hi all

I lived in Abu Dhabi last year which is about a hours drive from Dubai its more arabic than Dubai as Dubai is very western.

I did plan in moving there for a good few years but I only lasted 3 months, The homesickness was so horrible, whenever friends came to visit I yearned for home (which is Glasgow)

It was a major culture shock! Living in 47 degree heat and having to cover up arms legs etc was hard but I felt I had respect the host country. I didnt need to learn arabic as 95% of the people speak english but I still made a point of learning basic words.
Its very difficult to get used to the way of life from a western country however just because I couldnt do it doesnt mean it would be the same for you just make 100% sure you want to go.

A lot of tv and movies are censored as in the cut kissing scenes or anything they see as derogatory out.
During Ramadan its not allowed to eat drink or smoke in public. Can be hard as ramadan last year was sept and it was hot! So I couldnt drink water in public!
Offices run to there own time if someone says inshallah that means god willing or whenever I get round to it!

The cost of living is so cheap compared to the UK but the house/rental prices especially in Dubai are outrageous ! Make sure your company provides accomandation. And best move in the winter to get used to the heat.

Heres a little thing I got emailed to me.....

You know you've been in the middle east too long when....

You are not surprised to see a goat in the passenger seat

You think the uncut version of "Little House on the Prairie" is provocative

You expect the confirmation on your airline ticket to read "insha'allah"

You do not expect to eat dinner before 10:30 pm

You need a sweater when it is 80 degrees (~27) out

Your ideal vacation is anywhere you can eat pork

Your idea of housework is leaving a list for the maid

You believe the speed limits are only advisory

You have no problem with tractors driving 40 kph on the highway

You think all police drive BMWs and Mercedes Benz'

You know whether or not you are within missile range of Iran

You get excited and spread the news when "Oreo" cookies or chocolate chips show up at the grocery store

You fully expect to go to jail when a local national hits the back of your car at a stop sign

You know which end of a shawarma to unwrap first

You think that the further you inch into the middle of an intersection, the faster the light will turn green

You consider it normal for the same section of the road to be dug up three times by contractors in the space of a few weeks

You understand that the true definition of a nanosecond is the time interval between the light turning green and the guy behind you honking his horn

You can receive ever TV station crystal clear except the local one

You get used to using the cold tap to get hot water during the summer

You make left turns from the far right lane without a second thought

You expect gold for every birthday

You drive out of the Emirates and into Oman to get cheaper gas even though gas costs nothing pretty much the same

You get in heated arguments about your favourite Sheikh, Emir or King , Zayed

You think Pepsi begins with a "B"

You think it is perfectly normal that your neighbour has 2 Ferraris and a Hummer and never works

You did the calculations and you could have that Ferrari except your water bill from your garden, yard, just got raised again

You think that a box of Kleenex belongs on every dinner table

You think water comes in bottles

You understand that when someone says "burka, insha'allah" to you it really means "sometime during this calendar year…if you are lucky"

If you want any more info private mail me</B></I></EM></STRONG></U>

catkins

I lived in France for several years but was so homesick and missed my family so much I came back. A lot of other english people I met there also said that the worst thing was missing their families. It was mainly the women but some men as well said they missed their children/grandchildren etc. A lot of them were planning to come back but quite a lot could not afford to.

I got so miserable in the end that I just got down about everything - not being able to speak french fluently (I could get by but missed the chats in shops etc - I never realised how much I speak to shop assistants, people at bus stops etc), the lack of decent indian restaurants and shops like M&S, Boots, lack of a really good library, attitude of the French towards animals and their awful racism.

Also although things seem cheaper in places like France (i.e. the equivalent of council tax was only £120 A YEAR on a 5 bedroomed house whereas I pay £130 a MONTH on a 3 bed house here) overall we were no better off. Medical costs can be high - you have to pay to see a doctor and a prescription just for some antibiotics cost me £75!!!! If you are self employed you pay a fortune in tax and private health which you have no choice about. Also tax is paid upfront so you can end up really struggling if you hit lean times.

This country may not be perfect but I don't intend leaving again - the grass is certainly not greener!

Softstuff

I live in Australia now, and have done for more than 2 years. You couldn't pay me enough to make me move back to the UK.

Crime here is significantly lower - where I live we can still leave doors open or a key in a car.
Healthcare is marvellous - yes you pay, but it isn't that much and at my surgery they apologise if I can't see *my* GP on that day if I walk in.
The weather - it can be hot, damned hot, but it never gets frosty here so I'm good.
Eating out - hugely cheaper than the UK, I can get a takeaway large dominos pizza for less than 3 quid, or a steak in a pub for about 4.
Downside really would be work. It's hard to find, and when you do the pay isn't great. Also here the work ethic is a lot stronger..... I'm contracted for 40 hours a week, and paid for 40.... I'm expected to work at least 50.... sometimes up to 80 for the same money.

I bought an apartment in a tropical resort with 4 swimming pools, a sauna, a full sized tennis court and spas. My 1 bed apartment here cost less than a flat in a bad area in a terraced house in England.

Shopping here can suck. I miss Asda and boots!!