Move to dublin, rotterdam or brussels?

Old Nov 11th, 2002, 09:01 AM
  #1  
elizabeth
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Move to dublin, rotterdam or brussels?

If you had the choice, where would you live(with two children) for two years, and why? We've been to Europe, but never these cities. This forum has helped in our past travels, but I've never needed to ask anything until now. Major decision here...please be kind. Thanks!
 
Old Nov 11th, 2002, 10:32 AM
  #2  
xxx
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Just curious, but why are you considering moving to three cities that you've never been to before?

Do you speak any languages other than English? If not, it seems as though Dublin would be the easiest choice.

What European cities have you been to that you've liked and which ones would you not care to go back to? This might help us make comparison to your choices.
 
Old Nov 11th, 2002, 10:37 AM
  #3  
barb
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If I was taking my family and assuming that learning a new language is an added barrier, I'd take Dublin. The city has changed so much in recent years. Its clean, a bit crowded in terms of driving but there is still solid housing to be found plus a lively cultural life. Brussels to me is quite dull and only if my job forced me to go there would I move. I cannot speak for Rotterdam. I'm assuming your family is up for some posting due to a job offer in one of these cities. Good luck living abroad is an amazing experience and I trust you and your family will enjoy your time abroad.
 
Old Nov 11th, 2002, 04:27 PM
  #4  
elizabeth
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to xxx,
Good questions. It's a work related move. We've visited (and loved) England and France with and without kids and are ready for a new adventure, but not quite ready to dive head first into speaking a new language. The Dutch and Belgians we've met were wonderful and enjoyed speaking English. Exploring our Irish heritage would be great, but being within driving distance to other countries sounds apppealing, too. We're going to take a whirlwind tour to check things out, but nobody I know has actually "been there done that", so I thought I'd see who's out there...Thanks for asking.
 
Old Nov 12th, 2002, 04:09 AM
  #5  
PB
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Elizabeth,

Although I love Dublin, I don't think I'd like to live there. Rotterdam is a port city with not much to recommend it.

I have lived in Brussels off and on since 1964 and still keep an apartment there, although I spend most of my time here in Provence (better weather). I know a lot of people 'passing through' as tourists don't find much to attract them, but it's a very nice place to live. There are excellent schools (International School of Brussels, St. John's in Waterloo, British School in Terveuren, etc.) if you opt not to put your children in local schools.
The language barrier has become rather non-existent in Brussels - everyone speaks English. But it would be a good opportunity for you to learn French or Flemish if you wished.
Travel from Brussels is easy - the Thalys train gets you to Paris in a little over an hour, for example. A drive to Luxembourg or into the Ardennes for a weekend is short.
If I can answer any specific questions, just email me.
Patricia
 
Old Nov 12th, 2002, 04:24 AM
  #6  
jen
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Rotterdam has much to recommend it besides being the largest (or second-largest on alternate years) port city in the world. The public transportation system is terrific and there are lots of cultural activities going on all the time. It's well-situated for exploring the rest of the Netherlands, Belgium, France, (but so is Brussels). I live in Delft and my kids love going to Rotterdam. My biggest question would be: do you want your kids to be immersed in another language? How old are they? Would you put them in an international or local school? If you choose the former, you will miss out on Dutch/Flemish/French contacts. French would probably be more useful in later life than Dutch/Flemish. The kids can probably learn either language before the end of the first year if they are in a local school. Feel free to write to me if you have any questions about Rotterdam.
 
Old Nov 12th, 2002, 05:40 AM
  #7  
Siobhan
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What age are the children? My parents went throught the dilemma whether to return to Ireland when I was 5. We ended up staying in the U.S. but I think it would have been a great experience for a few years. Needless to say I came back to live here.

Here's my 2 cents...Ireland - has an excellent education system. But on the agenda will be irish which I think is mandatory and a heave catholic influence. i.e. you get you first communion instruction in school not outside oit but there are non denominational schools as well and you can request they are exempt from religious instruction classes. Dublin is VERY expensive to live and not as materialistic as the U.S.(Maybe this is just my take as we are catching up!) the traffic is a nightmare to get into the city so most people use the bus or dart. There are some lovely suburbs that would be great for the kids and a lot to see on holidays in the countryside. Ireland is very child friendly and a relatively safe country for kids. As well people are pretty helpful and friendly. Lastly, no language barrier.

Brussels would be another excellent place. It is such an international community with the EU headquarters and I think it's a nice place for a fmily. Also your kids will have the opportunity to learn a new languages (flemish or french). You will be close to so many countries and would see a lot of europe as well. Belgium isn't just Brussels! You can take trips to Bruge, Antwerp etc. It would be a good place to station yourself in Europe.

Asfor Rotterdam...I havent't a clue! never been there and I have never met anyone from there. Doesn't seem to be much of a buzz about it??
 
Old Nov 12th, 2002, 06:27 AM
  #8  
Clare
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As a non-european who has lived in Continental Europe for some years I would vote Brussels. Yes it is harder to get around, buy food, travel etc than what it would be in your native language. But again poses some excellent opportunities to learn a new language or culture. Also being in Brussels is a gateway to so many different places. I have non european friends living in brussels and they love the place and the opportunities. Whatever your choice, I'm sure it will be a huge adventure. Enjoy.
 
Old Nov 13th, 2002, 06:19 AM
  #9  
elizabeth
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Thanks for taking the time to pass along your thoughts. Our girls will be 7 and 10 and are great travelers. Just to help ease the comfort zone, I think international schools will be the way we'll go as long as they get foreign language lessons. Being Catholic, we're open to the ways the schools are run if we end up in Ireland. My husband will be happy and busy working no matter where he is. But as for me, I'm an open, look you in the eye, smiling kind of person- so judging from my Irish relatives, socializing shouldn't pose a problem in Dublin. What about in Brussels or Rotterdam? I'm in a "welcome to the neighborhood, here are some cookies and my phone number" area now- What should I expect...a sarcastic "Oh great, more Americans" attitude or more like "Oh boy, let's go meet the new people." Any impressions ?
 
Old Nov 13th, 2002, 07:12 AM
  #10  
Siobhan
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My personal feeling is that Brussels is a bit more of a "city" than Dublin and there will be different attitudes from different people as they percieve you and or Americans.

Dublin people would be more like relaxed in their approach with people and many people here have relations in the U.S. or travelled to the states themselves so they will have a good idea where you are coming from. ALmost everyone has a sister, cousin, uncle that lives in the States.

Schools - I know there are international schools in Brussels but I don't think there are any in Dublin. There are 1 or 2 schools in Ballsbridge/Sandymount that many of the foreign embassy kids go to and they are more "exclusive". As well there is one I see in town every day that is meant to be excellent and I believe private. The U.S. Embassy in Dublin would be a good start with helping you.
 
Old Nov 14th, 2002, 01:24 AM
  #11  
jen
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Hi Elizabeth,
You sound like you have a very practical approach to the move and your concerns are valid but difficult to address because no neighborhood is the same, nor are the neighbors! I can only tell you a bit about Rotterdam; hope you'll get lots of tips about Brussels & Dublin.
Speaking very generally, most neighbors in the western part of the Netherlands will be friendly, but not overly welcoming until they get to know you. You will have to make the major effort. Don't expect anyone to come over with cookies, but invite neighbors over for coffee as soon as you move in. People will be curious but generally won't make the first move. Most kids speak a little English but don't have English in elementary school until age 10 or 11, so contacts with your daughters - and you - will have that disadvantage. There are certainly not an overwhelming number of Americans in Rotterdam; the greatest concentration is in The Hague & the nearby suburb of Wassenaar. Here are some websites you may find useful:

The American School in Rotterdam:
www.aisr.nl/future_families/brochure/insert_welcome.html

www.outpostexpat.nl/netherlands.html

www.mibiza.nl/english

Pickwick Women's Club of Rotterdam:
http://members.rott.cello.nl/ldejager2/Pickwick/index.pickwickclub.htm

Finally, you should know that bicycles are a major form of transportation here, even in a big city like Rotterdam, and many people ride bikes to school, to sports and clubs, to work,
and use them for shopping and errands. It's important to be aware of this aspect of Dutch life since if you moved here your daughters would probably be biking around the neighborhood faster than you could say 'Scheveningsescheepsbeschuitjes'!
 
Old Nov 14th, 2002, 07:27 AM
  #12  
Kathy
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Can't speak for Rotterdam or Brussels, but housing in Dublin is incredibly expensive. If your company is taking care of it, then no worries. But otherwise, if you want to live moderately close in to the city, it's going to cost you.
 
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