https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 04:25:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2635401 Tue, 11 Oct 2016 20:48:56 +0000 DisneyBee 2635401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkelephant: I speak Japanese, and my DH and DS#1 are currently in Japanese school. I'm hoping that living there will just increase their love for Japan. First, we'll see if DH even gets the position.</p> <p>@sugarplumsmom: Since my DS#1 is 5 years old, I'm very much afraid of taking him out of his current school and taking him to another country. He's pretty social, but I do see him get nervous whenever he starts a new activity where he needs to meet new friends. However, he always tends to have fun in the end since everyone at his age is pretty nice. The only difficult part is returning to the States in a few years and getting back into a new school.</p> <p>@regberadaisy: Great questions. Yes, we do have a mortgage, but I'm assuming we would rent out our house since we're planning to return to the States. With regards to compensation and lifestyle, my DH will have to ask his work. I have extended family nearby, but I'm assuming both my parents and my DH's parents will be concerned. My parents can visit, but my DH's parents don't like to fly anymore. We'll see if DH even gets the position.</p> <p>@Mrs. Gumdrop: I love your last line, "BUT i think you'll never regret going! and you probably will somday regret not going...."</p> <p>@MrsBookworm: I hope you'll write your adventures somewhere, cuz I'd definitely follow. </p> <p>@MRS.PINECONE316, @moonmoon: Thanks for your optimism.</p> <p>@lilsprinkles: I hope you get to live abroad soon. I look forward to hearing your story when you do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634611 Mon, 10 Oct 2016 06:59:11 +0000 looch 2634611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbookworm: My son is in an IB program and I have to tell you, I am so impressed with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634457 Sun, 09 Oct 2016 17:34:59 +0000 mrsbookworm 2634457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: Thanks! You and the other Bees helped me to decide to go for it!</p> <p>@disneybee: We're still getting everything together. We need the final details of the relo package before we go on a house hunting trip. My kids are 3 and almost 2. Luckily, my husband's company is pretty generous. They'll be paying for the kids schooling so we will be sending them to an International Baccalaureate school. Since we'll only be there for 2-3 years I thought it would be easier to keep them in a school where they are taught in English. We're going to take Dutch lessons though!</p> <p>Our biggest decision now is whether to live in the city or the suburbs. I'm leaning towards the city but my husband thinks suburbs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634452 Sun, 09 Oct 2016 15:42:05 +0000 LilSprinkles 2634452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! We will most likely have a chance to move overseas in the future, and can't wait! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634449 Sun, 09 Oct 2016 15:10:35 +0000 MoonMoon 2634449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hell yes! Your kids will get so much out of it. One of the things that make me saddest is that neither of us have jobs that would allow us to take our kid abroad for a year or two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634424 Sun, 09 Oct 2016 13:15:28 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2634424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like an awesome opportunity. It would be a tough decision for myself too but I don't ever see you regretting it if you did go, only if you didn't. I have several friends who did this with their families temporarily and they loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634411 Sun, 09 Oct 2016 12:35:20 +0000 Mrs. Gumdrop 2634411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had my daughter in Thailand and we still live here but we're probably moving back next year to be near family. The cool thing about being an expat is that everyone groups together and makes friends really easily because everyone has something in common. The downside is that everyone knows the location is temporary and that turnover gets tiring. BUT i think you'll never regret going! and you probably will somday regret not going.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634361 Sun, 09 Oct 2016 07:47:24 +0000 regberadaisy 2634361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would! But things to consider:<br /> Do you have a mortgage? If so, will they pay for living expenses?<br /> Will they increase his pay to account for increase living expenses?<br /> Lifestyle? If you live in rural country and like that pace of living then going to Tokyo where things are congested and go go go can be a huge culture and life shock. It's not visiting for a week or two but living there for a few years.<br /> Family: how feasible will it be for you and your family to visit? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634320 Sun, 09 Oct 2016 03:01:34 +0000 lamariniere 2634320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbookworm: I had been wondering what you decided. Good luck with the move! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634318 Sun, 09 Oct 2016 01:45:52 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2634318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When LO was younger, I would have loved to. But now that she's a little older at 4 yrs old and anticipating school and has friends, I don't think we would. We already live in a foreign (for me) country and it's important for LO (that's mixed and doesn't look like everyone else) to develop the native identity. I think that these next few years is really important for her in that aspect. I haven't held this view for long -- it just got obvious the older she got. </p> <p>But if we lived in the States, and not Sweden, then I would definitely be more willing to just go, regardless of the headache with renting out a house and the early years of adjusting. It's an awesome opportunity, especially if you have family nearby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634304 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 23:20:13 +0000 PinkElephant 2634304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DisneyBee: I've also lived in Tokyo for 4 years (pre-kids), and would do it again in a heartbeat. But I agree with other posters - with children, especially children of school age, there are a lot more pieces that need to be in place and included as a part of DH's relocation package. You've gotten great advice on the right questions to ask already. Also, it's already been said, but your experience will be ten times richer if you can already speak (or are willing to learn to read and speak) Japanese. I got much further in my Japanese skills than DH did, and to this day I still think that's why my memories of Japan are much fonder than his! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634297 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 22:54:39 +0000 DisneyBee 2634297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pumuckl, @periwinkle, @autumnleaves, @abbydabbydoodlebug, @farawayyama, @jccovi, @808love, @menageriemama, @Truth Bombs, @AprilFool, @MrsBookworm, @MrsKoala, @Mrs. Monkey, @caterw, @honeybear - Thank you so much for the support and optimism. I think I overtalked it with my DH, but he said he's willing to apply for the position and see where it goes. He'll have to ask all of those questions about compensation for moving and schooling, too. </p> <p>@looch - I definitely have the same concerns as you, so I will definitely "chew" on those. My DS started kindergarten here, so it'll be hard to just "up and leave," too. </p> <p>@MrsBookworm - I definitely want to hear about your move from US to Belgium. Sounds so exciting! Good luck with everything. When are you moving? Also, can I ask how old your kids are? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634284 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 21:53:17 +0000 honeybear 2634284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have lived in Japan before, so I would go. Tokyo would not be my first choice of places to live there, but if that's the offer on the table, I'd take it. I would not choose an international school for elementary, I'd either homeschool or do the local schools, if possible. The local school system is fine for elementary in my opinion, but if you'll only be there a few years in preschool and early elementary, I'd homeschool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634282 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 21:48:06 +0000 caterw 2634282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would totally do it, but DH is absolutely against it. When I was little, we would travel with my dad ALL THE TIME and it was amazing (and then continued during the summers once we started school). He is a lawyer and took cases all over the US and also taught law internationally, so we got to go everywhere. It was an amazing opportunity for us and provided some of the best memories of my childhood! I say go for it- you can always spend a year or two there and come back if it's not working out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634279 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 21:43:20 +0000 Mrs. Monkey 2634279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you should go for it! I lived in Tokyo for five years and loved it. I agree with previous posters that it's important to find out what costs will be covered by his company as housing in the areas where most ex-pats live and international schools are not cheap in Tokyo. If both of those will be covered or subsidized, I would go for it! I actually found it pretty easy to meet friends there especially when you have kids (within the ex-pat community). You also make friends from around the world which is amazing too. You can definitely survive without learning Japanese, but life will be so much easier if you learn the basics. Your husband might not even miss driving there as the public transportation is so good. All in all I think if there's the right support, it sounds like an amazing chance for your family! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634269 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 21:18:50 +0000 MrsKoala 2634269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd do it but my husband would not be into it. My family lived abroad for two years when I was 4-6 and that experience profoundly affected my life. It influenced my major in college as well as my career. I think it is a great experience for kids to have and at a younger age, it is easier to do it since they can make friends more easily at this stage and adapt more readily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634264 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 20:55:33 +0000 mrsbookworm 2634264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're actually just making the move from the US to Belgium! I was a little apprehensive since I'm pretty comfortable here but now I'm really excited for the opportunity! It made sense for us timing wise as well as financially. We'all be sending our kids to an international school there. I think it will be a great experience for all of us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634259 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 20:39:12 +0000 AprilFool 2634259@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, absolutely. My DH just interviewed for a job in Silicon Valley and we live in Australia. The only thing holding us back was that our son was a week old when he went to the interview. We're really hoping the opportunity comes up again in a year or two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634254 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 20:36:30 +0000 Truth Bombs 2634254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I had family abroad I would love to do this!! Since you have family there I say go for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634208 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 17:20:37 +0000 MenagerieMama 2634208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like you have some family there so in that case I definitely would! For me right now I would hesitate because my mom could never afford to visit us which would be too sad. My ILs could and it would get awkward. I love travel though and we'd love to live in NZ for a few years if we can figure out the family situation. Or Italy... :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634205 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 17:04:03 +0000 808love 2634205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would live in Japan for a year or two or three. Love it there. Great for kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634185 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 14:49:46 +0000 looch 2634185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Now that I have a child in school, the decision isn't so easy. I would need to understand what the education options are (if there are any included in the relo, what the school is, how much is paid for, what the local school options are, etc). I lived abroad and my husband isn't American, so being abroad again is a real possibility and one that we are planning for at some point in the future.</p> <p>I would also need to consider the length and what re-entry to the home country is. I also work, so would I want to have the option to continue there, or could I not, because of the spousal visa situations. Are there requirements to return to the home country during the stay, who pays for them, what is the frequency? What is the health insurance coverage, home terms or host country?</p> <p>Just some things to chew on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634178 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 14:08:37 +0000 JCCovi 2634178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! Yes! Yes! We are actively looking for opportunities to move abroad. I'm apply to about a dozen jobs a day in various countries but it would make life so much easier if either of us could transfer within our current companies.</p> <p>I'm excited about the possibility of moving abroad because:<br /> (1) Adventure!<br /> (2) Cultural and language exposure for the children- they are such sponges right now and I'd love to widen their horizons through living abroad.<br /> (3) The countries we are looking at (Germany, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and some misc others) have slower paces of life. Somewhere along the way our work-life balance got jacked up and I think the children are suffering for. It's very difficult to make that changes from home though.<br /> (4) Most other countries are less materialistic. I'd like my children to grow up with less then they have now. Again, it's difficult to make that change from home though. We could do it but they would really stand out from their peers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634174 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 13:44:23 +0000 farawayyama 2634174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I met living in Japan, I lived there for three years but that was pre-DD. I'm now an expat in the US (from NZ originally - DH is American). If I were in your shoes I probably would. There are some pretty strong expat family groups in Tokyo that you can get involved in. I think that's really really important - there are times when living in Japan was exhausting and hard, and a community of expats was key for support. The best way my husband described it is that it's like never walking on flat ground, everything is uphill, but it means the views and pauses are spectacular. We have friends who had babies there and overall had a positive experience.</p> <p>Honestly, I found the US harder to move to than Japan. We plan on living abroad again in the future with DD, if it helps. We value our time in Japan and are both extremely happy we did it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634171 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 13:38:17 +0000 abbydabbydoodlebug 2634171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For Japan? I probably would. My sister has lived in Tokyo for more than 10 years, has given birth twice over there and loves living there. They do plan on moving back to the usa eventually, but they are saving up money since her job pays well over there. They love how safe it is for their boys, education for them. It used to be way more expensive to live there, but now she says the US has gotten pretty much the same for clothes and household stuff. The culture definitely took her a couple years to get used to on how they communicate differently and they're so polite to a fault that they won't tell you no. Most everyone can speak a little English and lots of Japanese love American holidays and stuff so they are becoming more Americanized. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634169 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 13:35:19 +0000 autumnleaves 2634169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes I would do it - I wish I had opportunities with work to move my family abroad. And that's great that you have extended opportunity near there that you'll be able to visit with more than you do now! Will he give up having a car or just the drive to work? I think changes like that are manageable when thinking about them being for a few years/not forever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634163 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 13:16:13 +0000 Periwinkle 2634163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What an amazing opportunity but I completely understand the hesitation. I work in international education and have always wanted to live overseas again (only did for a year in college, never professionally) and this is something my husband and I talk about frequently. My husband was raised overseas and originally was not interested in picking up and relocating (his memories of relocating as a child were not great), even if just for a temporary time frame, but he seems to be coming around to this a bit now. His company has many opportunities available internationally and when he started his position, we talked about this as a possibility. </p> <p>I feel like a temporary move to a new location (especially one in which the language and culture is different) is so valuable for small children. I don't know if I would want to move permanently, but imagine that the experiences for children could be rich. International schools, while pricey in some locations, can be wonderful and give your children a completely different educational experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634161 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 13:10:39 +0000 Pumuckl 2634161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely do it! </p> <p>I lived abroad with my parents when I was 10-13. I picked up the language easily. We went to an international school and my dad's company payed an extra allowance for our school fees.<br /> If you plan to go to an international school there is usually a big very welcoming community. Everyone is in the same boat so finding friends is usually pretty easy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634152 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 12:14:41 +0000 erinbaderin 2634152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DisneyBee: Well, my dad was teaching on an army base, so we went to school there and weren't in the Dutch school system. We came back to Canada in grade 5 and it was a bit difficult but I'd stayed in contact (through letters! The olden days!) with some of my friends so that helped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/opportunity-to-live-abroad-would-you-go#post-2634148 Sat, 08 Oct 2016 12:04:36 +0000 DisneyBee 2634148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere - I bet your kids are growing up to be so cultured, which is what I want for my boys. I want them to know that there's a whole new world out there besides America. I understand that there is a lot of inconvenience with moving abroad. We would need to rent out our home here, and his company does pay relocation costs. I'll have to ask about the other concerns you wrote about with regards to insurance, pay and education expenses. I know International Schools are expensive. Thanks for your response!</p> <p>@erinbaderin - I'm glad you remember your time in Holland, and I'm especially glad it was a positive one. Was it difficult to transition back to the States at 10 years old? How was schooling in Holland? </p> <p>@youboots - where have you lived so far? </p>