Question for Ex-pat's residing overseas

1. 75

   Kangaroo_Jaseposted 13 years ago

   After some recent contact with a cousin living in England for the last 15 years who thinks I would love it over there, prompts me a question to ask.
   
   Are you living in a country not of your birth and have moved there because of finding love, better job prospects, visited the country on holidays and fell in love with the place, etc, what was your reason?

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      china manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      yes.
      bored shi+less with the same old same old.
      tired of difficult relationships with fractured females
      
      Now, can't leave because of finding the opposite of all the above.

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   2. 70

      thisisoliposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      i recently moved to Austin Texas from York, England.  I really enjoy it over here, and there are definitely more prospects in my field.  Unfortunately the Pubs are just not the same (and I can't find decent fish & chips anywhere).

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      1. 75

         Kangaroo_Jaseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I've often thought about that Oli, would a true fish and chip shop do well for ex pat English, Australian, New Zealanders in say California?

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         1. 68

            travelespressoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Or Vietnam! 

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         2. 70

            thisisoliposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Maybe, You can get 'fish and chips' over here, but they are restaurant style 'gormet'. I want thick slices of potato drenched in grease!

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   3. 63

      ceciliabeltranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The trend is global now. Why hire somebody you have to train when you can just import somebody who already knows how its done. Also, some people are just better suited in another country. Their soul's home...so to speak.

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   4. 0

      shazwellynposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Who is your cousin kidding?

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      1. 75

         Kangaroo_Jaseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         lol, she visited twice in her youth and ended up meeting someone and emigrating there, if it wasn't for the accent most folk would think she is English.

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2. 87

   IzzyMposted 13 years ago

   I visited this place on holiday and fell in love with it. Love the lazy laid back way of life, and the cafe bars that welcomed smokers.
   
   Now they have changed the law and I want to leave, but need to find a country where smokers are welcome.
   
   By the way its only been 4 days since the ban was introduced and well over 1000 people have been denounced already!

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      china manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Welcome to China Izzy !!  although they banned smoking in restaurants it will not extend to the mindless levels it has in the UK, Chinese much too sensible for that.  And, in the cities, nobody smokes in confined spaces as it offends others in that situation, you know, civilized behaviour that does not require legislation.

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      1. 87

         IzzyMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Do they have pubs in China? If so, how can they avoid smoking if there are a few in? They go outside?

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            china manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            No ban in pubs !!!   and people who go to them expect to find other people smoking there - or take a private room which is always available.  Mostly of course we sit outside anyway, it is one of the joys of Chinese life - eating and drinking outside.

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            kirstenblogposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            It might be Japan that I am thinking of but either way, they actually have signs with children with burnt eyes and faces saying that that is the average height a smoker holds their ciggys! The idea being that everything is so crowded that by smoking you risk burning children! It seems extreme to me but whatever.

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3. 87

   IzzyMposted 13 years ago

   I loved what you said about people having respect for each other and not smoking so as not to annoy in company.
   Tell us more about China and Chinese culture, or have you written a hub on it?

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      china manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Of course I have hubs on it - pretty much all my hubs are about what I see and experience here, help yourself

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4. 68

   travelespressoposted 13 years ago

   I'm living in Vietnam at the moment.  One of the many things that has amazed me is the extremely supportive, caring culture in the workplace.  I've never worked anywhere quite like it. 
   
   There doesn't appear to be any back stabbing.  I'm learning a lot about a different way to do business.  It's nice.

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   1. 68

      travelespressoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Huh!  Forgot your question!  I moved here because of the opportunity to live and work overseas.  I don't see it as anything other than a bit of an adventure.

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         china manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Hiya travelespresso  -  where are you in Vietnam ?  we are now in the south of China and going to escape the cold snap to the coast at Beihai in a couple of weeks.  They tell me there is a boat across to Hanoi just across the water, and a cheap fast train from here to Hanoi also.  Might just pop down and have a look around.

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         1. 68

            travelespressoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Hello China Man
            I was just north of Hanoi in HaiPhong in the middle of last year.  I've been to Hanoi many times and I LOVE it there.  I've written a couple of hubs about the Old Quarter if you are interested and decide to go there.  It's truly amazing.
            
            I escaped the north, chasing warmth and I'm now in a town near Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). 
            
            I recommend Hanoi to travelers and, if you've time, take a trip up to Sapa to see how the colorfully dressed tribes live.  Its an experience.
            
            It should be getting a bit warmer up there in a few weeks.  Are you going around Chinese New Year?   I'm going to Laos during that time!

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               china manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               If we go it will be in around a weeks time.  Still juggling with go travel - buy a laptop - go travel - buy a laptop !  Either way we will get a week or so in the warm end of China even if we don't get across the water. Have a good time in Laos.

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5. 79

   kirstenblogposted 13 years ago

   Me, I moved to the UK for love. We may move yet again for a better economy (haha, like that exists!)

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6. 64

   Mishaposted 13 years ago

   It is so much warmer here. I got a good job offer, and thought I'd give it a try. But now I am seriously thinking about even warmer pastures.

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   1. 78

      Sufidreamerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      See you in sunny Greece, then
      
      We had many reasons for moving here - escaping the stress, the history, the culture, the lower cost of living, the beautiful Greek mountains - just some of the reasons.
      
      Neither of us felt much loyalty or patriotism to England, so it was an easy choice

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      1. 0

         shazwellynposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Well, you wont see me much in England in a couple of years.  Im off - will just rape the business opportunities here, to provide a lifestyle and come back to when I am old and in need of the NHS.  The UK has very little to offer me to stay - most of all the blooming weather!
         
         First stop for me will be 6 months in New York in the summertime, then I am aroaming!

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         1. 75

            Kangaroo_Jaseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Yup,
            
            Thats what I told my cousin, there would be many aspects of the UK I'd like, especially the people, but, its too bloody cold!!!!

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            wavegirl22posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            did I read correctly . . New York . . .???
            
            

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         3. 64

            Mishaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Wow! Good luck Sharon, and lotsa fun!

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      2. 64

         Mishaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Not exactly Greece, but Cyprus seems to be the best destination for us at the moment, all things considered

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7. 60

   MarieOaksposted 13 years ago

   I'm an ex-pat living in Mexico. I've been here 3.5 years - and continue loving it! It just isn't the same when I visit the States...

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8. 95

   Sue Adamsposted 13 years ago

   From a perpetual foreigner:
   
   I was born in Hungary
   Primary school in France
   Secondary school Holland
   Higher education London
   Worked in Holland, Belgium, Italy, Germany, England, France, Portugal, the US, Japan.
   Currently living in Spain.
   I speak 5 languages fluently.
   
   Conclusions:
   1. I can't imagine an entire lifetime in one single country, let alone in a single town! How terribly boring that must be.
   2. Living in a new country is the best education (irreplaceable)
   3. The last country is always the best
   4. A good mild, sunny climate makes life so much easier and   happier.
   5. Tourism is a poor substitute for the real taste of a new country, you have to live and work there and learn the language and integrate.
   
   Downside if you can call it that:
   No roots, no sense of patriotism (which I think is a good thing)
   If anything I consider myself to be a "European".

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   1. 0

      Home Girlposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I was born in Latvia under USSR flag. I am in Canada since 1992. Too long. I am Canadian citizen, but I still feel like a Martian. I want to go somewhere but have some "chains" on my legs. And  even if I were free, I have no idea where. Mars?
      
      
      

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9. 60

   stefferposted 13 years ago

   I still live in Belgium, but i want to move to the US.
   This is a very nice country to live in, but i don't really feel home here.Don't know why, but am longing to the States, since i was 12 years old.
   
   How difficult, or easy was it to move, to get your citizenship, and all the rest?
   
   I was thinking, since i have been a head chef, for more then a decade, it shouldn't be so hard to find a job overseas, but i rather do something else,

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10. 70

    vaguesanposted 13 years ago

    I'm from the States originally but now live in Japan. I studied Japanese in high school and college and did a 1 year exchange at a university in Kyoto. Now that I've finished college in the states I'm back and living it up in Osaka. Recently got married to a local too so doubt I'll be heading back to the US any time soon.

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11. 79

    Bard of Elyposted 13 years ago

    Yes, I am from Wales in the UK but have been living in Tenerife for the last six years and want to stay here. For me it was the countryside and wildlife as well as the better weather.

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