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Living in another country is way, way different from going on a vacation in another country. You're removed from the tourist infrastructure that caters to forei

Living in another country is way, way different from going on a vacation in another country. You're removed from the tourist infrastructure that caters to foreigners and you've got to deal with all of the country's bureaucratic procedures and regulations (even simple things like renting an apartment vary ridiculously from country to country). The same places that are fascinating and fun for foreigners to visit are often stressful and annoying for foreigners to live in. Not speaking the native language makes this all the more stressful and bringing people with you that speak your language makes it a lot less likely you'll learn the native language well. I'm not saying it can't be done, but there's a reason packing off to a completely different country and successfully 'going native' is usually done by single people right out of college who haven't yet experienced a lot of success in their own country. Yes, plenty of older, more-established people do migrate for economic or political reasons, but they usually end up living in ethnic and linguistic enclaves. My advice? Pick another country that uses English as their primary language, so you don't have that stress going for you, and pick one that's economically developed, so you don't have that stress going for you. You'll still have to adapt to the local bureaucracy, but at least you'll have a fighting chance to understand it. Many English-speaking countries use a points-based system for immigration that favors skilled workers, so you'll also have a much better chance of getting permanent residency.

jameshart 12y ago
"Living in another country is way, way different from going on a vacation in another country" Can't emphasize this enough. If you love traveling, emigrating somewhere may not be a great idea. Moved to the US from the UK a few years ago, and when I get vacation time I tend to use it to go back to visit friends and family. That said, I made the move with a wife and child in tow, so it can be done - but obviously needs considerable thought and a strong partnership to make it work.
- simonrobb 12y ago
  Conversely, I'm tightly tied to having a home and people I know - so I don't particularly enjoy travelling but love living elsewhere. That way I can get to know the culture and people more deeply, but have my own space and home.
rahimnathwani 12y ago
Yes. Very few people have the motivation to learn a language when they lack both free time (e.g. by virtue of being single) and the motivation (e.g. economic necessity or being single). I've lived in China for 4 years. I know one married person who studies Chinese regularly and seriously. I know others who have come here to work, and are even married to Chinese people, who can barely say their own address. The good news is, you can do it!!! You just need to be realistic about the time and effort involved. Also, if you're mid-way through your career, you may find the best job in terms of providing for your family is the worst job in terms of improving your language skills and learning the local culture. Whichever country you choose, find expats who went before you, talk with them and understand where you can do better and/or where you will have the same problems as they did.
jonbishop 12y ago
Great advice. I moved to Thailand last year by myself (and moved back in March). I absolutely loved Thailand, but there many stressful times trying to get things set up. I had a good friend already there (American who spoke some Thai), which helped immensely, but he was around only so much to help. One of my funnier memories was getting set up for Internet. After I waited for a rep who could speak English well enough to help, I sat down and got her pitch for a 6 month up front payment deal. I listened politely and when she was finished talking about the extras I'd get, I thanked her and declined the offer. Then she said that they require all foreigners to pay 6 months up front. "Oh, well in that case I'll take the 6 month deal"
mercer 12y ago
> My advice? Pick another country that uses English as their primary language While that's definitely easier, and not a bad idea especially if this is your first experience as an expat, going to a country where the main language is not English can be very educational. Furthermore, if you do it right your kids could end up fluent in two languages, which is very, very useful for them down the road! (ideally most people in this country will be proficient in English though)

jameshart 12y ago

"Living in another country is way, way different from going on a vacation in another country" Can't emphasize this enough. If you love traveling, emigrating somewhere may not be a great idea. Moved to the US from the UK a few years ago, and when I get vacation time I tend to use it to go back to visit friends and family. That said, I made the move with a wife and child in tow, so it can be done - but obviously needs considerable thought and a strong partnership to make it work.

simonrobb 12y ago
Conversely, I'm tightly tied to having a home and people I know - so I don't particularly enjoy travelling but love living elsewhere. That way I can get to know the culture and people more deeply, but have my own space and home.

rahimnathwani 12y ago

Yes. Very few people have the motivation to learn a language when they lack both free time (e.g. by virtue of being single) and the motivation (e.g. economic necessity or being single). I've lived in China for 4 years. I know one married person who studies Chinese regularly and seriously. I know others who have come here to work, and are even married to Chinese people, who can barely say their own address. The good news is, you can do it!!! You just need to be realistic about the time and effort involved. Also, if you're mid-way through your career, you may find the best job in terms of providing for your family is the worst job in terms of improving your language skills and learning the local culture. Whichever country you choose, find expats who went before you, talk with them and understand where you can do better and/or where you will have the same problems as they did.

jonbishop 12y ago

Great advice. I moved to Thailand last year by myself (and moved back in March). I absolutely loved Thailand, but there many stressful times trying to get things set up. I had a good friend already there (American who spoke some Thai), which helped immensely, but he was around only so much to help. One of my funnier memories was getting set up for Internet. After I waited for a rep who could speak English well enough to help, I sat down and got her pitch for a 6 month up front payment deal. I listened politely and when she was finished talking about the extras I'd get, I thanked her and declined the offer. Then she said that they require all foreigners to pay 6 months up front. "Oh, well in that case I'll take the 6 month deal"

mercer 12y ago

> My advice? Pick another country that uses English as their primary language While that's definitely easier, and not a bad idea especially if this is your first experience as an expat, going to a country where the main language is not English can be very educational. Furthermore, if you do it right your kids could end up fluent in two languages, which is very, very useful for them down the road! (ideally most people in this country will be proficient in English though)