paigedateacher

We are considering moving to Suzhou and residing somewhere in Suzhou Industrial Park for a least 3 yrs. I have never been outside of the USA. We would be moving with our 8 yr old too. Any tips or advice for our relocation package?

rkkwan

Have you visited China in recent years? Do you mean you've never lived outside the US or really haven't been?

The first thing that comes to mind is air quality. It may not be a big deal for adults living there for 3 years, but since you have a fairly young child, that'd be my number one concern.

It has nothing to do with Suzhou per se, but basically all over eastern China.

Shanghainese

The Suzhou Industrial Park is vast and nice area for western expats to live.

Your question is way to broad and vague to be answered, by relocation package do you mean salary, moving stipend, housing, ayi/nanny, etc.? Please google Expats in China, Expats in Shanghai, China Expats, etc., there are dozens of websites with a wealth of tips/advice on everything you need to know for an american family relocating to China for work. Good luck!

paigedateacher

I have never been to China or traveled outside of the United States. I am excited but nervous at the possibility of living in China.
Thanks for the info about the air quality. i will research this more.
Have you been to Suzhou?

Shanghainese

Dozen of times on day or overnight trips from Shanghai, the most recent was 7 months ago on a hairy crab feast trip. Drove thru the industrial park in 04 when we took a wrong exit in our search for a small and pretty watertown.

If you are being courted to relocate by an american company and you are quite serious about it, it is not unreasonable to ask for a trip to visit Suzhou.

LisaG

Paige,

I grew up in Asia as an expat my whole life prior to college. It was fantastic!

Here's the "however"....the #1 reason I saw that American families had to be re-patriated was that they had unrealistic expectations. In that category were expectations about food availability, infrastucture in the country (example: how reliable is electricity), medical availability, household help (and what it is like to have someone living in your home or in close quarters), education for their children, and the loneliness of living for an extended time in a country where you can't read the signs or communicate readily with other people.

I strongly recommend that you go to Suzhou prior to making this decision. In that trip, I'd also recommend that you have access to speaking with expats on the ground who have been there at least a year. They will be extraordinarily helpful. Expats are a different breed, and one of the pleasures of living abroad.

If you cannot go there, then at least make the request that you have pictures emailed to you of your living space and the surrounding area. I would also recommend that you be put in touch via phone or email with expats in the area.

This could be your greatest opportunity, and also your greatest nightmare! Preparation and information will serve you well!

I envy your 8 year old! This could be such a wonderful thing if given the right support structure. A book I would recommend is "Third Culture Kids" (available on Amazon) that describes what it is like to grow up in another culture, and then be-repatriated back to your birth-culture. It may give you some insight into what your child will experience (in a good way).

Keep up posted on your decision!

LisaG