Expats

[subtona]

...

[Rondineli]

Originally Posted by ref1655

perhaps the key question is to ask...what prompts an individual to forsake their native country & permanently move to another?

economic opportunities, tax relief, access to vices, ethnic acceptance, artistic freedom, fleeing law authorities, political asylum, retirement costs, marriage et al?

Of course this is a personal question that will vary from person to person, but because I did this at the age of 29 in coming to Texas I can answer it. In my case the first and foremost reason was:

The absolute lack of integrity in my native country in basically all aspects of life, from private employment lack of respect to youngsters, to bribery required to renew my own drivers license, to corruption in government, to lack of security in general

The second (distant and intangible at the time):
Potential economic opportunities, which at that juncture in time was just a uncertain dream.

[keylargotime]

Originally Posted by Tony64

While I respect your views on watches, as a proud American I couldn't disagree more with this statement.

This^

I've had the good fortune to travel around the world....including 4 years in the Middle East in the Army (Iraq/Kuwait). This traveling abroad has only deepened my respect and love for America- I am mostly frustrated with Americans who don't appreciate what we have at home.

If given three lives, I could not give enough back to America for the life and opportunity it has given me and my family.

[dalip]

Born in Delhi , India. Grew up in London , UK. Lived there for 36 years - included 1 year in NYC , US. Migrated to Perth , Australia. Lived there for 14 years. Now live in Mumbai , India since Feb this year.

British & Australian citizen / Overseas Citizen of India. My first big move to Australia was as a result of being contacted for a senior position and left London on a whim and as a single man. It was a huge thing in retrospect but I made the decision impulsively and although the first 6 months were very tough (didn't know a soul) I dug in and loved it.

Met my wife there and had a child. We all came to India after the business I started took off and again this was something we had never really considered until a year before we came. Loving Mumbai ... Couldn't get much more of a contrast to Perth .... Feels amazing to be back with my culture and origin ( I am Indian) and working and growing here is a hell of a challenge but the people are extraordinary. My son who is 7 years old is loving it and has already made friends I know he will have for life. He's learning Hindi as am I.

I work in the film industry so this is a pretty intense place for that.

My wife is from Perth and I think it's the toughest for her as its her first move.

I grew up through the extreme racist times through the 70's and 80's UK. My working life began as a met police officer so I got a solid taste of institutional racism also as well as the incredible organisation the Met is. Outstanding times.

But to be back in India is something very special and I am reconnecting with so much within myself that I would never have really engaged without being here. Being Indian in inner city London growing up was tough and I wanted to deny my origin to fit in. London is still closest to my heart and where I feel most connected as it was where I grew up and have spent most of my life. The 90's were extraordinary times of change. But I can't see myself going back to live there.

I feel we will keep moving. I'm still very connected through my work with Australia as well as London ... My sense is we will most likely head to Melbourne or Sydney from here in time.

One big adventure.

[Rondineli]

Originally Posted by keylargotime

This^

I've had the good fortune to travel around the world....including 4 years in the Middle East in the Army (Iraq/Kuwait). This traveling abroad has only deepened my respect and love for America- I am mostly frustrated with Americans who don't appreciate what we have at home.

If given three lives, I could not give enough back to America for the life and opportunity it has given me and my family.

Well, it seems to me that you are actually agreeing with Abdullah71601...

[Rondineli]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Maybe I am simply young, dumb, naive, or a combination of all three, but the idea of being an expat is something that has always appealed to me.

(...)

So, expats... 1. Where are you originally from? 2. Where do you live now? 3. How old were you when you left and how long have you been living in your new location? 4. Do you ever plan on going home? 5. Do you plan on going somewhere else?

So, WC, here are the answers to your first post above:
1. Given my reasons for leaving my original country (see a couple of posts above), I am not going to say where publicly for running the risk of offending my own countrymen.
2. Texas
3. I left as 29 yr old, just shy of my 30th birthday. I have been living in Texas for 25 years
4. I don't believe I am ever go back to my original country permanently
5. Maybe I could move if a good opportunity develops in the future.

[Old Expat Beast]

I've lived all over the world, mostly in Hong Kong. When I left home (with little money, a backpack and one-way ticket) for the last time, Margaret Thatcher was prime minister, there was no channel tunnel, and only four TV stations.

Confidence, imagination, and a little luck will take you a long way. Getting back can be more difficult.

[dalip]

Originally Posted by Hollister

What is the point of an internet forum in which posting an "opinionated" viewpoint makes you at risk of a banning?

What you might be left with is "I've just got a new watch", followed by several pages of people saying "congrats". That's not very interesting to read, IMO.

You'll notice that this forum has plenty of healthy, open, opinionated discussion. Opinion is one thing ... Insulting is another. Take some time & look closely at those comments/posts that have needed moderation. Other issues have concerned the rules and guidelines regarding religious or gun topics.

[locutus49]

This is a very interesting thread. I've learned a lot about TRFers' stories.

[Dr. Prunesquallor]

Originally Posted by Rondineli

So, WC, here are the answers to your first post above:
1. Given my reasons for leaving my original country (see a couple of posts above), I am not going to say where publicly for running the risk of offending my own countrymen.
2. Texas
3. I left as 29 yr old, just shy of my 30th birthday. I have been living in Texas for 25 years
4. I don't believe I am ever go back to my original country permanently
5. Maybe I could move if a good opportunity develops in the future.

Hope Texas has been good to you, sir. As we say, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could." It certainly can provide opportunities.

[Rondineli]

Originally Posted by Dr. Prunesquallor

Hope Texas has been good for you, sir. As we say, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could." It certainly can provide opportunities.

I can say unequivocally that I love Texas and the USA. At this point in my life, more than my original country: two degrees from The University of Texas, two beautiful kids born in Texas, wonderful work opportunities.

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by dalip

Born in Delhi , India. Grew up in London , UK. Lived there for 36 years - included 1 year in NYC , US. Migrated to Perth , Australia. Lived there for 14 years. Now live in Mumbai , India since Feb this year.

British & Australian citizen / Overseas Citizen of India. My first big move to Australia was as a result of being contacted for a senior position and left London on a whim and as a single man. It was a huge thing in retrospect but I made the decision impulsively and although the first 6 months were very tough (didn't know a soul) I dug in and loved it.

Met my wife there and had a child. We all came to India after the business I started took off and again this was something we had never really considered until a year before we came. Loving Mumbai ... Couldn't get much more of a contrast to Perth .... Feels amazing to be back with my culture and origin ( I am Indian) and working and growing here is a hell of a challenge but the people are extraordinary. My son who is 7 years old is loving it and has already made friends I know he will have for life. He's learning Hindi as am I.

I work in the film industry so this is a pretty intense place for that.

My wife is from Perth and I think it's the toughest for her as its her first move.

I grew up through the extreme racist times through the 70's and 80's UK. My working life began as a met police officer so I got a solid taste of institutional racism also as well as the incredible organisation the Met is. Outstanding times.

But to be back in India is something very special and I am reconnecting with so much within myself that I would never have really engaged without being here. Being Indian in inner city London growing up was tough and I wanted to deny my origin to fit in. London is still closest to my heart and where I feel most connected as it was where I grew up and have spent most of my life. The 90's were extraordinary times of change. But I can't see myself going back to live there.

I feel we will keep moving. I'm still very connected through my work with Australia as well as London ... My sense is we will most likely head to Melbourne or Sydney from here in time.

One big adventure.

That's really interesting. At least, I think so. Thanks for sharing.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Thanks for sharing. I've always been impressed by Singapore. It seems like a wonderful melting pot. How do you like living there?

Singapore is a very easy place to live. It's safe; in fact, I think it's the safest place in the world to live. If you misbehave here, punishment is swift and brutal. I hope I'm not over-stepping the mark here but one of my local friends told me that if you're caught with a kilo of weed here, then you could well end up facing the death penalty. I'm talking possession here, not smuggling.

It's also very clean; you could drop your sandwich on the street, pick it up and carry on and not get sick afterwards. Flies are very rare except at my bus stop and in over three years I've only ever seen dog dirt on the street once, which I find unbelievable.

The public transport infrastructure is probably the best I've encountered anywhere in the world. The buses and trains (subway) are clean, frequent, efficient and hilariously cheap. Taxis are plentiful (except when it rains) and are also very inexpensive. It's a distinct possibility that someone could argue Japan is better. Well, travel between cities via and train or plane doesn't count. Singapore is an island state; more or less a big city, so it's not a like-for-like comparison. HK has quite a similar set up.

Don't even think about buying a car here. They are eye-wateringly expensive with 100% import duty plus the need for a Certificate of Entitlement to keep it on the road. The amount of CoEs dished out a year is limited and they start at around S$50,000 (£25,000 US$36,500) for a ten year stint. Apart from that, you really don't need a car because the public transport system is so good. You can even get an app on your iPhone to tell you when the next two buses are due at every stop on the island. It also tells you where your nearest bus stop is to where you are, which buses stop there and where they run to.

Property is also nut-squeezing expensive. Forget buying, just rent but it's still a horror story.

Alcohol and cigarettes are very expensive although you can get bladdered quite cheaply if you know how to go about it. It's legal and above board. Afternoon teas with free flow champagne are a must on weekends ).

Eating out in restaurants can also be expensive but food centres, known locally as hawker centres, are plentiful. At the hawker centres, the food is varied to cater for practically every Asian cuisine and quite a few western palates. Prices are dirt cheap and the food is excellent.

Cinemas are annoying because the films here, just like programmes on TV, are heavily censored. Also, it's like watching a movie in a refrigerator because the aircon is revved up and they're bloody freezing!

Prices for general stuff like food, clothes, toys, watches () are hit and miss. Some things are surprisingly cheap and others are expensive. For example, Apple products are cheaper here than the US but Oakley sunglasses are more expensive than the UK.

One thing to keep in mind is that are no real seasons here. It's hot most of the year round and the humidity can be unbearable; it's one of the reasons Adam (Old Expat Beast) wouldn't live here.

I hope the above helps

[daveathall]

I think that to be an expat, one needs to embrace the culture of one's new adopted country, I see many English expats in Spain trying to establish a "little England," this, (to me) defeats the object and is more a lesson in just living in a warmer climate.

I have thought quite hard about this, at first I thought that I would have some experience to pass on, I was in the army for a long time and lived in many other countries with (and without) my family for varying degrees of time. What I have realised is that my army experience was basically the same as the thing I deplored in my first paragraph. We were taking England with us, we shopped in English shops, hung around in English groups, talked in English and annoyingly, expected everyone else too, we had our own little island.

Don't get me wrong, I did see some of the culture and tried to integrate as far as possible, but it was never to the extent of some of the posters before me. I believe that I appreciate and accept (even embrace) other countries and their cultures better than if I had never travelled outside my home country. I certainly don't think that they are wrong because some of their customs/practices/laws/religions etc are different, they're just different, nothing wrong with that.

Would I do it? Although there are countries that I would love to move too, I'm not sure that I have the courage. Also, the thing is, I am actually very, very happy where I live.

[Gaijin]

Great thread.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

Singapore is a very easy place to live. It's safe; in fact, I think it's the safest place in the world to live. If you misbehave here, punishment is swift and brutal. I hope I'm not over-stepping the mark here but one of my local friends told me that if you're caught with a kilo of weed here, then you could well end up facing the death penalty. I'm talking possession here, not smuggling.

It's also very clean; you could drop your sandwich on the street, pick it up and carry on and not get sick afterwards. Flies are very rare except at my bus stop and in over three years I've only ever seen dog dirt on the street once, which I find unbelievable.

The public transport infrastructure is probably the best I've encountered anywhere in the world. The buses and trains (subway) are clean, frequent, efficient and hilariously cheap. Taxis are plentiful (except when it rains) and are also very inexpensive. It's a distinct possibility that someone could argue Japan is better. Well, travel between cities via and train or plane doesn't count. Singapore is an island state; more or less a big city, so it's not a like-for-like comparison. HK has quite a similar set up.

Don't even think about buying a car here. They are eye-wateringly expensive with 100% import duty plus the need for a Certificate of Entitlement to keep it on the road. The amount of CoEs dished out a year is limited and they start at around S$50,000 (£25,000 US$36,500) for a ten year stint. Apart from that, you really don't need a car because the public transport system is so good. You can even get an app on your iPhone to tell you when the next two buses are due at every stop on the island. It also tells you where your nearest bus stop is to where you are, which buses stop there and where they run to.

Property is also nut-squeezing expensive. Forget buying, just rent but it's still a horror story.

Alcohol and cigarettes are very expensive although you can get bladdered quite cheaply if you know how to go about it. It's legal and above board. Afternoon teas with free flow champagne are a must on weekends ).

Eating out in restaurants can also be expensive but food centres, known locally as hawker centres, are plentiful. At the hawker centres, the food is varied to cater for practically every Asian cuisine and quite a few western palates. Prices are dirt cheap and the food is excellent.

Cinemas are annoying because the films here, just like programmes on TV, are heavily censored. Also, it's like watching a movie in a refrigerator because the aircon is revved up and they're bloody freezing!

Prices for general stuff like food, clothes, toys, watches () are hit and miss. Some things are surprisingly cheap and others are expensive. For example, Apple products are cheaper here than the US but Oakley sunglasses are more expensive than the UK.

One thing to keep in mind is that are no real seasons here. It's hot most of the year round and the humidity can be unbearable; it's one of the reasons Adam (Old Expat Beast) wouldn't live here.

I hope the above helps

I can see why you've stayed. The place seems like an ideal big city. It might be worth looking into for my next career move.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I can see why you've stayed. The place seems like an ideal big city. It might be worth looking into for my next career move.

There are far worse places that you could go than here, my friend If Mrs Van D came out here to live I don't think I'd ever go home. As it is, seeing her for a week once a month is manageable but not something we can do for ever.

Another mahoooooosive plus point, and I can't believe I forgot it when I answered Wes in my post above, is the low taxation on salaries. My tax bill this year was one third of what it would have been if I was living and paying tax in the UK. That makes a significant difference to the amount of watches you can buy in a year, I can tell you, oh yes. Oh yes indeed

I hope I'm not crossing any lines here but this place is about as close to racial/cultural/religious harmony as we're ever likely to see. Discrimination against race, creed, colour, religion, gender and/or sexual preference is not tolerated. In the HDB housing blocks (similar to council flats in the UK; in the US, I think they're called 'projects' but I'm gonna need help on that one), the units/flats/apartments are allocated to residents on a percentage basis. In other words, each block has to have a certain percentage of each of the main ethnicities (Chinese, Indian, Malay, etc.) to encourage and promote that harmony.

Like I said above, it's a great place to live. Even if you don't want to live here, it's not a bad place to come visit for a city break either

[218225]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I think that to be an expat, one needs to embrace the culture of one's new adopted country, I see many English expats in Spain trying to establish a "little England," this, (to me) defeats the object and is more a lesson in just living in a warmer climate.

I have thought quite hard about this, at first I thought that I would have some experience to pass on, I was in the army for a long time and lived in many other countries with (and without) my family for varying degrees of time. What I have realised is that my army experience was basically the same as the thing I deplored in my first paragraph. We were taking England with us, we shopped in English shops, hung around in English groups, talked in English and annoyingly, expected everyone else too, we had our own little island.

Don't get me wrong, I did see some of the culture and tried to integrate as far as possible, but it was never to the extent of some of the posters before me. I believe that I appreciate and accept (even embrace) other countries and their cultures better than if I had never travelled outside my home country.

Would I do it? Although there are countries that I would love to move too, I'm not sure that I have the courage. Also, the thing is, I am actually very, very happy where I live.

+1

In my work and in privat life I've encountered expats and they are just like normal people.
You've got the "mercenary" kind who are in it for the money or entry on their resume and know they'll only be staying a short time. They wouldn't even interact with their colleagues other then to get ahead. They'd do the job and run:)
and on the other side there are the ones who learn the language, interact with colleagues and try to build up a normal life where they sort of blend in and get to know the culture.

I'm fluent in three languages and working on two more - I think it's absolutely essential that you learn the language of your new country. Otherwise get a lonely planet and do the tourist thing:) when you're there.
I work for a German construcion company in Germany. My collaegues have at least ten nationalities, what connects us is a common language (German and secondly English) and the firm we chose to work for.

My wife is Ukranian, we raise our son bilingually. What helped my wife to adapt in Holland was, getting a job after she moved to the Netherlands (before we met) and now that our son is old enough for school she became involved in the school activities. But after 10 years she still has difficulties understanding all the small or subtle rules that I don't even notice as a native.
And I (still) have trouble understanding her temperament or her modesty in some things or when understanding "why" she doesn't understand things that are normal to me. Then it again comes down to communication and that you want to understand the differences.

So decide beforehand what you want to do, stay for short periods and stay in your "native buble" or invest in yourselve. And I honestly think there are no bad people, they just react to how culture and the prevailing system works out.

Regards

[greggsiam]

Originally Posted by TheBluePrince

Just through browsing some Thai sites this weekend I've found somewhere awesome to go in Bangkok in a couple of weeks that I cannot believe I've not been to or heard of before and it's not rare that this happens not just there but in every city in that corner of the planet every time I go

Exactly. This place changes all the time and I constantly find new places I have never seen before. It's photographers dream. It's a great city for foodies and we constantly find new places to eat that are just simple in nature, but have amazing food.

Originally Posted by Dr. Prunesquallor

Very interesting story and a great analogy (one of the few truly great TNG episodes). How did you overcome the written/spoken language challenge? I have no talent at languages, which is very disappointing to me as I feel it very much limits any expat experiences I could enjoy.

I laugh when I think I am a functional illiterate, but it's not too bad. The writing is VERY hard to get and has a steep learning curve. Speaking is easier, but with 5 tones, you can say the word perfectly, but not get the tone right, and they listener has no idea what was said. I am a bit lazy and have only learned enough Thai to get around and ordering food.

I wouldn't worry about language. You will get along fine and many Thais can speak English well enough. All the signs and things that matter are in English as well. I travel all over and drive daily, so the language is not much of a barrier for me.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Tony64

While I respect your views on watches, as a proud American I couldn't disagree more with this statement.

And as an American, I couldn't disagree more with your disagreement. Most Americans are oblivious to other cultures, shun most ethnic foods, and most have never stepped foot outside of this country. 64% of Americans don't even have a passport!

As much as this country has to offer, America is not the most cultured

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Shall we just agree that travel broadens the mind?

Absolutely.

[bbhewee]

1. Where are you originally from? 2. Where do you live now? 3. How old were you when you left and how long have you been living in your new location? 4. Do you ever plan on going home? 5. Do you plan on going somewhere else?

1. I was born in Paris, and grew up mostly there, with Seoul thrown into the mix (that's where my mother is from and lives)
2. I now live in Amsterdam.
3. I left right after Grad School at 23, to live in London. I spent 8 years there, then moved to Amsterdam 3 years ago.
4. No. I don't. But I also hadn't planned on being away in the first place.
5. I don't plan on moving anywhere, it's usually more opportunity-driven. Fact is, once you've done it once, you realise it's not that big a deal, and considering opportunities outside of your normal comfort zone isn't a challenge.

[m1911a1]

I've been to dozens of countries all over the world during the past 35 years and I always ask myself "Would or could I live there?" .....wherever I went.

The answer is usually NO....given the choice....

These days I have LESS interest in simply traveling just anywhere.....let alone LIVE there permanently.

For example, I've been to Switzerland well over 100 times, but wouldn't want to live there.....even though I really like it.

If I HAD to pick from a handful of choices it would be places like North Wales, Norway, New Zealand, or Israel.

I usually love the people and food wherever I travel and would recommend starting early to open one's mind.

In the meantime....I'll be at home in Maine, USA.

[Michael N Q8]

I am also a South African (Johannesburg) and work in Petrochemical engineering. I came to Kuwait firstly in 2005/2006 and then again in 2009 (46 years old) to present.

I also spent a year living in Seoul in 2010/2011. When I was younger I never envisioned living / working elsewhere as life was very good then. Well things change and I have really enjoyed seeing new places and interacting with all the different cultures.

Not sure if I will go back to SA due to the continually deteriorating situation there, but hoping it turns around. Where to go next probably depends on where I can find a project that wants me!

[mapalfa]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

Singapore is a very easy place to live. It's safe; in fact, I think it's the safest place in the world to live. If you misbehave here, punishment is swift and brutal. I hope I'm not over-stepping the mark here but one of my local friends told me that if you're caught with a kilo of weed here, then you could well end up facing the death penalty. I'm talking possession here, not smuggling.

It's also very clean; you could drop your sandwich on the street, pick it up and carry on and not get sick afterwards. Flies are very rare except at my bus stop and in over three years I've only ever seen dog dirt on the street once, which I find unbelievable.

The public transport infrastructure is probably the best I've encountered anywhere in the world. The buses and trains (subway) are clean, frequent, efficient and hilariously cheap. Taxis are plentiful (except when it rains) and are also very inexpensive. It's a distinct possibility that someone could argue Japan is better. Well, travel between cities via and train or plane doesn't count. Singapore is an island state; more or less a big city, so it's not a like-for-like comparison. HK has quite a similar set up.

Don't even think about buying a car here. They are eye-wateringly expensive with 100% import duty plus the need for a Certificate of Entitlement to keep it on the road. The amount of CoEs dished out a year is limited and they start at around S$50,000 (£25,000 US$36,500) for a ten year stint. Apart from that, you really don't need a car because the public transport system is so good. You can even get an app on your iPhone to tell you when the next two buses are due at every stop on the island. It also tells you where your nearest bus stop is to where you are, which buses stop there and where they run to.

Property is also nut-squeezing expensive. Forget buying, just rent but it's still a horror story.

Alcohol and cigarettes are very expensive although you can get bladdered quite cheaply if you know how to go about it. It's legal and above board. Afternoon teas with free flow champagne are a must on weekends ).

Eating out in restaurants can also be expensive but food centres, known locally as hawker centres, are plentiful. At the hawker centres, the food is varied to cater for practically every Asian cuisine and quite a few western palates. Prices are dirt cheap and the food is excellent.

Cinemas are annoying because the films here, just like programmes on TV, are heavily censored. Also, it's like watching a movie in a refrigerator because the aircon is revved up and they're bloody freezing!

Prices for general stuff like food, clothes, toys, watches () are hit and miss. Some things are surprisingly cheap and others are expensive. For example, Apple products are cheaper here than the US but Oakley sunglasses are more expensive than the UK.

One thing to keep in mind is that are no real seasons here. It's hot most of the year round and the humidity can be unbearable; it's one of the reasons Adam (Old Expat Beast) wouldn't live here.

I hope the above helps

I've only spent a couple of days there, but I commented to my wife that it seemed like Dubai's more tolerant cousin. Just as clean and safe feeling, but nobody bats an eyelid about what/who other people are and what they're doing as long as they play by society's rules.

I'm English, my wife is Portuguese, and we live in Wales. We moved here because she got a job offer she'd have been mad to decline. She earns the most so it makes sense for her job to be the priority one.

She has a small farm in the mountains is Portugal, which her great aunt left her, that her mum and dad use as a weekend place. We're really not sure if that's where we will go when we retire as, by then, there really won't be anyone else to hold us in one place. We're both only children, don't have any kids, no grandparents etc. I'd guess that if her parents are still with us when we give up work we'll move there, but if not I've got a big vote in for Dubai. I love the cleanliness and security of the place.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

There are far worse places that you could go than here, my friend If Mrs Van D came out here to live I don't think I'd ever go home. As it is, seeing her for a week once a month is manageable but not something we can do for ever.

Another mahoooooosive plus point, and I can't believe I forgot it when I answered Wes in my post above, is the low taxation on salaries. My tax bill this year was one third of what it would have been if I was living and paying tax in the UK. That makes a significant difference to the amount of watches you can buy in a year, I can tell you, oh yes. Oh yes indeed

I hope I'm not crossing any lines here but this place is about as close to racial/cultural/religious harmony as we're ever likely to see. Discrimination against race, creed, colour, religion, gender and/or sexual preference is not tolerated. In the HDB housing blocks (similar to council flats in the UK; in the US, I think they're called 'projects' but I'm gonna need help on that one), the units/flats/apartments are allocated to residents on a percentage basis. In other words, each block has to have a certain percentage of each of the main ethnicities (Chinese, Indian, Malay, etc.) to encourage and promote that harmony.

Like I said above, it's a great place to live. Even if you don't want to live here, it's not a bad place to come visit for a city break either

The tax structure is one of the allures of the GCC countries. There is no income tax here, and the US tax system provides a $92K tax exemption for expats. And while housing and cars are more expensive here than in most of the US, most companies provide them as a benefit or pay for all or most of that expense through salary subsidies.

I think people in the US or Europe are surprised how cosmopolitan the UAE is when they arrive here. The place is easy to get around. Signs, menus, and media are in English. Pretty much anything you would find in a city in the US is available here (except bars are only found in hotels and pork is hard to find). The beaches are full of bikini clad women. And sports are quite popular (especially cricket).

[ct.matt]

I've been living in the US going on 5 years now. Been a permanent resident for 2.5 years now and eligible to apply for naturalization by the end of this year. Born and raised in Germany, typical middle class upbringing. 98% of my friends still live in my hometown and while some of them have traveled extensively, they seem perfectly content where they are.
While being an expat can be very hard (living away from family and friends, missing birthdays and holidays, losing loved ones unexpectedly, being out of your comfort zone/having no safety net) I want to believe that the upsides outweigh the negatives. I do hope that I don't wake up some day with regrets. So far, the US has provided me with a lot of opportunities. My SO has made me a more cultured, more tolerant, more liberal, and more adventurous person and I've definitely bought into the sometimes hedonistic life is too short to ___ / YOLO attitude. It was hard at first to get away from being a frugal European and morph into a self-indulging individual with a partner that likes to splurge (all in moderation of course).
After she finishes up law school, we might live in London for a while but I'm in no rush to leave the US. Pretty awesome country all things considered. Now every time I go to Europe, I get a complete reverse culture shock and can't even deal for the first week or so, ha!

[mrricks]

In 1965, along with 60 other students, I got on the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth (NOT QE2} bound for Cherbourg, France on my way to a junior year abroad in Austria. We traveled extensively in Europe, visiting Museums, Cathedrals and other cultural icons. This whetted my appetite for a lifetime of international travel and working abroad. In 1968, traveled to Peru where my brother was a Peace Corps volunteer, and toured South American. In 1970, I sold everything I had and bought a ticket on a Yugoslavian freighter bound for Tangier, Morocco. I spent the next five years traveling overland in North Africa, and across Asia five times, buses, trucks, even horseback in Afghanistan which didn’t have a lot of roads at the time. Spent a few years in India on the beaches in Goa, and the mountain hill stations. Eventually made it to Japan where I worked as a host in a nightclub in Kyoto for a year. On a trip westward, ran out of money in Tehran, Iran and got a job with the Iranian Air Force training pilots and warrant officers. Then moved on to Bell Helicopter in Esfahan in another training position there. The Iranian revolution exploded and things got really interesting. Stayed and watched the Shah fall and Khomeini take over. Things were a little dicey, and then when the US Embassy was over run, it was time to get out. That’s a whole story in itself. Returned to the States briefly, then got a job working for Lockheed International, AG on their C-130 program in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Did a couple of contracts with them and then moved onto a job with the Saudi “Presidency of Civil Aviation”, like our FAA. Then a good job in Abu Dhabi, UAE with their Air Defense division of their Air Force came along. Then the subcontractor I was working for lost their contract for defrauding the government. Fortunately a good job at a technical college came along and I stayed with them for 12 years.

I enjoyed traveling, living and working abroad for 30+ years. The expat life is definitely exciting and very mind expanding. Of course there were problems here and there, but you learn if you are patient, (and never lose your temper), things always seem to work out.

Here’s an example: Flew from Amsterdam to Amman, Jordan, and then traveled to Iraq, heading to Iran. Exited Iraq and walked the half mile to the Iranian border. The Iranians told us that the border was closed due to poor relations with Iraq, even though we had proper visas, issued by the Iranian Embassy in New York. We walked back to the Iraqi border where we were told our Iraqi visa was cancelled and we could not enter. We were well and truly in “no man’s land”. Since I speak some Farsi, we went back to the Iranian border and camped out on the veranda of the Iranian customs house. The Iranians were very friendly and gave us food and lots of tea. Problem was, winter was coming on and every morning the snow line on the surrounding mountains was getting lower, and soon we would be covered in snow. Now, in the middle east there is an expression: “Allah Karim”, which literally means God is generous. Practically it means that if you are patient things will work out. So, after a couple of weeks, along comes a busload of Pakistanis returning from the Hajj, (Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca). Because of the religious implications, the border was open to them. After the Iranians processed their passports etc., the Iranians winked at us and allowed us to board the bus and enter Iran. Things like this happened often and they always worked out.

If you have the proper skills and a bit of the spirit of adventure, I highly recommend working abroad. It is a life changing experience, and if it doesn’t work out, you can always go home.

I also found that people everywhere are friendly and hospitable, even to Americans in places where they are burning our flag. On a one to one basis, people are basically friendly. So many times I’ve heard this: “Oh you come from NYC, I have a brother there, his name is Mohammed, do you know him? I can’t the number of times I’ve given a meal, shelter and endless cigarettes by perfect strangers I’ve met in my travels. Once in the Sahara Desert in Algeria, in August, (HOT!), was waiting for transportation, sitting under the one thin palm tree in the town center trying to catch some shade. After an hour or so, a woman came out of her house and invited us into her house to cool off and have a cold drink. “Allah Karim”.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I think that to be an expat, one needs to embrace the culture of one's new adopted country, I see many English expats in Spain trying to establish a "little England," this, (to me) defeats the object and is more a lesson in just living in a warmer climate.

I have thought quite hard about this, at first I thought that I would have some experience to pass on, I was in the army for a long time and lived in many other countries with (and without) my family for varying degrees of time. What I have realised is that my army experience was basically the same as the thing I deplored in my first paragraph. We were taking England with us, we shopped in English shops, hung around in English groups, talked in English and annoyingly, expected everyone else too, we had our own little island.

Don't get me wrong, I did see some of the culture and tried to integrate as far as possible, but it was never to the extent of some of the posters before me. I believe that I appreciate and accept (even embrace) other countries and their cultures better than if I had never travelled outside my home country. I certainly don't think that they are wrong because some of their customs/practices/laws/religions etc are different, they're just different, nothing wrong with that.

Would I do it? Although there are countries that I would love to move too, I'm not sure that I have the courage. Also, the thing is, I am actually very, very happy where I live.

Completely agree.

While it's important to know and befriend those of a similar culture in a foreign land, it's more important to assimilate. Otherwise, I just don't see the point of leaving your home country.

In NYC, we have an area called Brighton Beach, which is made up of mostly Russians. When my wife moved here, it would have been the easiest place for her to settle since it's her native tongue but she avoided it like the plague and forced herself to learn American English and culture. Her friends that arrived before she did chose to go straight to Brighton Beach. My wife has assimilated very well and has a very successful career all while maintaining firm to her roots. Her friends, on the other hand, work at local Russian businesses and can barely speak a full sentence in English.

Most major cities have their "Chinatown", "Little Italy", etc. but those were created as a result of segregation and discrimination. In today's world, they've mostly evolved into a gimicky and unauthentic part of town.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by rr-nyc

And as an American, I couldn't disagree more with your disagreement. Most Americans are oblivious to other cultures, shun most ethnic foods, and most have never stepped foot outside of this country. 64% of Americans don't even have a passport!

As much as this country has to offer, America is not the most cultured


Absolutely.

Wow, generalize much?
Sorry that you have that view, I truly am.

Curious what it is that you find offensive about being a proud American? Are you similarly offended by a proud Irishman? Or a proud Asian? Or a proud African?
I don't equate pride in one's country with jingoistic ideology, do you?

Whether you accept it or not, generalizing Americans in such dismissive terms is offensive, and not the purpose of this thread. I would be equally offended by such comments about any nationality. Perhaps a close look in the mirror is in order?

FWIW, and to ensure proper context for those who might not have read this thread from the beginning, my comment disagreeing with Abdullah was in regard to his comment that most Americans were flawed and arrogant. I found this generalization to be offensive, and I would find it offensive regardless of the nationality. Isn't the point of this thread to demonstrate the positive experiences of being an expat? Denegrating another's nationality in such general terms seems innappropriate and counterproductive to cultural exchange.

My view. You are of course entitled to disagree.

[TheBluePrince]

Originally Posted by mrricks

In 1965, along with 60 other students, I got on the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth (NOT QE2} bound for Cherbourg, France.....snip to keep the thread tidy....

Fantastic adventures, thanks for sharing, I love meeting people who have travelled like yourself when I'm on my very much less exciting trips.

It's a terrible shame that the current world political and social situations mean that such trips like you made just aren't possible for young people who want to travel now.

Saying that though, most young travellers now are more concerned about how they look on Insta and fb than what by they're actually doing and learning about where they are.