I would LOVE to, and I have dual citizenship Australia/UK, but my long time partner is not interested in living over there, even though he is also entitled to a British passport (and therefore residency). The best I can do is go for long trips (usually 6 weeks/2 months) with my girlfriend. My sister is lucky, as she is living in London with her husband who DID want to live over there. My top choice would be UK, as its where my roots are, but would also love to live almost anywhere in Italy!

Krisin, <BR>You only go around once!! <BR>nancy

Like Luigi, it took me a litle while to post on this one. First of all, Kristin, if you have the opportunity, I say do it! If nothing else, it will be a life experience you will never forget. <BR> <BR>My experience was frustrating and disheartening - however, in saying that, I also have to say I wouldn't change a thing. I had spent the summer in London and decided that I needed to live there. Six months later I came back for what was supposed to be a two week vacation and stayed on for several months. While I immediately found an agency (I'm an actor), got a throw-away job at the Gap and quickly got cast in a movie, I was not able to get a work permit. Without one, I couldn't work. Finally I ran out of money and had to come home. <BR> <BR>I would live there again in a heartbeat - only this time I will wait to be invited first! <BR>-Heather

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Sù.

Hi - <BR> <BR>I just had to start this post going again. I returned two weeks ago from a 10 day trip to Austria and Switzerland with my mother and grandmother. The whole trip I was constantly reminded of all the little things my husband and I have done on our previous adventures to Europe. I also could not stop the overwhelming desire that I have to just live there. It has been a year since this idea enter my husband's head and he has finally updated his resume and has started sending it out to some US companies with locations in the Netherlands and Belgium. Unfortunately he is not in the IT field(where there is an overwhelming demand) so no one has been to anxious to hire him. <BR> We have also had another idea of how we could live there and was hoping to get some feedback from those of you who have study abroad. We are thinking of taking out a home equity loan, renting our house and sending my husband to a university in the Netherlands to get his MBA. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? <BR>I would also be interested in learning more about getting the CELTA?

Living abroad can be a great experience, as long as you go in with your eyes open. <BR> <BR>Please remember that you fell in love with that particular country while you were on VACATION! Detroit probably isn't too bad when you're not working (okay, maybe not a good example!) Everything's wonderful when you're on vacation. Life in another country is very different when you're working and dealing with reality. That's not to say life can't be great, but there are problems. For example, that quaint French town with narrow streets was so romantic and charming while you were there for four days. It's not so charming when you're trying to manunveur through traffic, or attempting, without success, to get phone service.

It's taken me awhile to respond to this thread because I wasn't sure where to start! As a kid, I lived all over the US as well as in Mexico City and Guatemala City. About 3 yrs ago I quit my job of 10yrs (travel agent, go figure!) sold everything, and moved with my boyfriend to Lisbon for a year. He'd worked Expo in Seville and had arrangements to hook up with a couple buddies to create a construction contracting business for Expo '98. Although that did occur, It took up until right before Expo to get any contracts, so meanwhile, I'd maxed out my credit cards and when they were gone, so was I (not necessarily my choice)... So, anyway, the circumstances certainly could've been better relationship-wise...and, as someone mentioned, the red tape was a big hassle and I didn't really have many friends to hang around with, or extra money to travel as much as I'd planned on, but all in all, I love living in another country and, under better circumstances, would certainly do it again! It's a totally different experience from vacationing in so many ways, but also wonderful in that you learn so much about the country, the people and the culture. If you have an opportunity, DO IT!!!

Great thread folks- <BR> <BR>I am in the middle of an acupuncture program in the states and my current obsession is how to move abroad to practice and teach. A great way to procrastinate from real studying is trying to explore the ins-and-outs of the alternative medical establishment in Belgium or Nederlands and whether I am qualified to practice in either country! I don't have any real advice to offer since I am in the process of trying to fix my own addiction but I have begun correspondence over the net with officials and secretariaats of different organizations - the net is the way to go in this regard. (Also helps to keep my french and dutch in trim) Since it will take about 6 months for a CA license to go in effect after I graduate, I may have the chance to practice in Portugal for a few months. Maybe this would allow me to get my fix without having to totally emigrate. Does anybody know portugal well? Thanks all...a toute a l'huere.

Well, Jennifer...as I mentioned, I was in Lisbon for a year. Traveled around Portugal a bit when living there...

I lived in Germany (1993) near Stuttgart and in Paris (1994). I was sent there for my US company that had offices in those countries. I also got to visit/work at our offices in Italy for several weeks at a time. Many if not all US companies with European offices offer international assignments. Assignments in my company are usually for a 3 yr duration. There are many advantages accepting a European assignment from a US company. All necessary work visas and other paperwork is taken care of; no need to search for a job; assistance with everything .... finding housing, language lessons, insurance requirements, travel expenses to and from; supplementary living allowance, etc. Of course, allowances and amount of and type of assistance vary from company to company, but are typically fairly generous. As pointed out by many others, living there is somewhat different than typical vacation or business trips. I had travelled to Europe approximately 50 times prior to my one year assignments and thought I knew the areas fairly well and felt comfortable there. I was surprised how different living there was and realized I didn't really "know" these places. I really only knew the tourist side and discovered a much more rewarding side of both places. The non-tourist side of Paris is quite amazing and different. I found it very enriching and only increased my desire to live there. I thoroughly enjoyed each day I was there and I thought my one year was too short and could have easily stayed for several more. The downside is that after having the benefit and luxury of living there for some extended time, it made future travel visits of a week or few seem like nothing at all. Of course, a week or two is better than nothing, but I find myself thinking in terms of months rather than weeks for an adequate visit to explore an area. Living in Europe or any place for a year or more is very enlightening and changes one's life forever. I wouldn't trade my years there for anything and encourage anyone to do the same.

The last few posts have offered great insight. <BR> <BR>John - <BR>Do you still work for the same company? <BR>Do they have any need for a Sales/marketing rep/manager in Europe? <BR>If so, feel free to e-mail me directly. My husband would be more than happy to send you his resume. Although he is not fluent in any one language. He has an astonishing aptitude for learning, and has a working knowledge of Spanish, German, French and is teaching himself Dutch. <BR> <BR>Jennifer- <BR>Do you want an assistant to travel with you? I am a registered nurse and throughly believe in alternative medicine. Last year I attended a seminar in Berkeley offered by Alta Bates entitled "Complementary Medicine: Integrating Mind, Body and Spirit." It was quite interesting. So, if you ever decide to open your own practice/business in Belgium or the Netherlands, a good way to get around a work permit, please let me know. <BR>By the way, are you studying at UC Davis? <BR> <BR>Okay, enough said. I apologize to the rest of you for taking up space with my relentless efforts to find a way to my European dream. <BR> Thanks for the thoughts. I can so I have spent a while thinking about the downside of living abroad, and can still say I would at least like the opportunity that many of you have had to experience it myself.

Hi again, <BR> <BR>Sorry - Jennifer, make that, do you attend UC San Diego?

Elizabeth: <BR> <BR>Yes, I still work for the same company. I don't know if they have a need for a Sales/Marketing Mgr in Europe, but suspect if they do, they would want a local rather than an American. I would also think that for such a job they would want someone fluent in the local language. I was not fluent in either German or French, but didn't need to be. My work did not require any communication with local customers. I was working at one of our facilities and dealt with our managers. All the executive and high level managers as well as most of the lower managers were fluent in English and were required to speak English if one American manager was present. So I did not have a language problem at work. Outside of work was a different matter, but managed just fine. <BR> <BR>If I come across anything I will email it to you.

I lived and worked in Northern Ireland for about 2 years. My husband's from there, so there were no visa problems. <BR> <BR>Life outside of work was wonderful. Life inside the office was a living hell, for both of us. At first I thought it was just me, the American having to adapt to a new type of workplace. Then my husband started voicing the thoughts I'd been having. It was such a strange situation. The people we supervised were great--knew their jobs, did them well when given the opportunity, worked hard, but knew how to have fun. Our bosses, on the other hand, knew so little about managing people, and seemed to operate on the theory that a good manager was someone who belittled and oppressed people. People (men and women) cried in my hubsand's office when he left, because he was the only one that treated them with any dignity and respect. He also was the only manager who knew what he was doing. <BR> <BR>I spent the vast majority of my time unproductively. Basically sitting in meetings where nothing was accomplished and no decisions were made, other than when to meet next. Any projects I did get to work on were never used by anyone. <BR> <BR>We'd like to move back there, because we loved everything else (okay, and except for the weather). But it probably won't be until we retire, or can support ourselves with consulting work or something. <BR> <BR>Like an earlier poster said, living in a foreign country isn't all esspresso, loads of wine, and cobbled streets.

Fran, I hate to disillusion you but mgmt there sounds like the greatest percentage of management here. I was an IT manager for many years and spent more of my efforts protecting my staff from senior mgmt than anything else. <BR>

Wow, what a great thread. I pray that one day I will be able to move to Europe or back to if Israel if things ever settle. I was there for six months in my early twenties and loved it. Although I have a pretty good life here in the States, as someone said earlier -- for all we know, we only go around once -- so why not. I am a high school guidance counselor and hope to find a job in an American School. many Has anyone done this, please let me know. I have done my research and there are companies that help Americans get jobs in schools abroad. Would be interested in knowing if anyone has employed this method. I am taking my boyfriend for his first trip to Europe next summer. I hope he loves it as much as I do. I have been putting notions in his head that its possible for us to do in another year or so. He's a huge cyclist, so I know that part already grabs him -- cycling being so huge in Europe. He also works for a large internet company which has offices around the world. They have insisted that they will allow their employees to transfer overseas. I know this is mostly babble, but universality is a crucial key to mental health. Thanks for reading.

Great advice in the above postings! I am an expat in London and spent 3 years in Asia as well. The best piece of advise....remember that visiting a place and living there are 2 different things! I laugh when people say how "reliable" the Tube is and know that they are tourists! A great way to live overseas is to get a job with a US based company with overseas offices. The bigger the company, the more opportunities available. That way, most expenses are covered. That is how my husband and I arrived in London. He let them know he wanted to go overseas and here we are. You would be surprised at how many people DON'T want to move. It is a lot to deal with...you leave family, friends, a culture you are comfortable with. But the rewards are tremendous! We have seen more than most people will in a lifetime! So I say go for it!

Y'know what I think would be a cool thing to do...live in some country that isn't really *special* to you but you like, and that's close to places you DO like... <BR>For me, I'd like to live in Switzerland or Belgium

Art--I hate to disillusion you, but I've worked in the U.S. for a long long time, as has my husband (I've been with 9 different companies, he's been with 2), and neither of us has ever run into the kind of imcompetence at the management level that we did while living in Northern Ireland.

My husband and I have been offered jobs with the Army in Gemany. We would be civilian employees, but would be given military perks such as shopping on base, fuel coupons, and a living quarters allowance. We think it is a great opportunity for us to live abroad; has anyone worked as a civilian with the Army and what was your experience? We'd probably live in Amberg in eastern Bavaria.

Fran, I work in Germany and know exactly what you're talking about. This is NOT like working in the U.S. The problem here is not that management belittles staff (I've heard that about the Brits and Irish), but I completely agree with other stuff you said. I would rather not say too much as I still work here! We find it very frustrating. We have a lot of fun outside of work but work is a big part of life and it's not easy to overlook it. The perfect situation would be if we were independently wealthy and didn't have to work while we live here. Duh!!

Ah, Paige, finally someone who understands me! People always nod their heads when I try to explain what life was like over there, but I know they don't truly get it. They REALLY don't understand when I say that 60 hour work weeks here are preferable to 40 work weeks there. <BR> <BR>We now have plans to retire early and move back to N.Ireland when we're 50, so we can enjoy the good without the bad of work.

Anna: go for it! Working for the U.S. gov't over here sounds great! Some people might say you won't really experience living abroad, but I think you'll have the best of both worlds. You can travel and see Europe but won't have to deal with all the major annoyances of working for a foreign company and all the problems associated with not being fluent in the local language (assuming you aren't). <BR>After living in Germany for 2 years, I am firmly of the opinion that if you aren't fluent in the local language (and I mean REALLY fluent), living and especially working abroad can often really be a pain. I speak enough German to get by, but many Bavarians choose to ignore high German and only acknowledge the local dialect (but that's another story). Working for the U.S. gov't everything related to work and home will be in English which will make your life considerably easier.

ttt

I'm travelling to Paris for 2 weeks (first time) in the fall...intend to check out apartments, neighborhoods, etc...also towns nearby. I'm retiring in a couple of years and I'm dying to find out whether I could afford to live in (or near) Paris. <BR><BR>There are soooo many questions: what do you do about health insurance? Take some of my furniture or sell all and buy new over there? Leave my bank accounts in the states? Do y'all know of any websites where one can get answers to such q's?

I, too, have always wanted to live in Europe since my first trip at age 15. I was fortunate enough to marry a man who landed a job in the Dutch West Indies, which is a step in the right direction. We've been here for many years now.<BR><BR>I have to admit though, after living 1/3 of my life overseas now, I would probably give just about any country (within reason) a try for one year. I absolutely love the idea of experiencing various cultures for an extended time.<BR><BR>

How does one go about investigating rent costs in Paris, nearby cities? I have no idea if I can afford this.

I have always loved Europe, so when my husband was offered the opportunity to work in Southern France we jumped at it. We move to the Cannes area next month, so I feel like I'm living a dream.

Before you start looking for rental property etc, find out about your immigration status (as a US citizen in France, I presume). You need a visa and a financial guarantee (including medical costs), so that you won't become a burden of their welfare system. In the UK, I think you need a minimum income of 25,000 pounds a year, plus suitable housing provisions.

Ed, what do you mean by this seemingly arrogant post, "Here (NYC) there are few of the things that annoy me about the rest of the US"? Perhaps you can explain why someone from the Midwest might annoy you. Thanks!

To Alec: Oh my. That may squash my plans. Since I'll be retired, I won't have "income"...I'll be living off my savings. And I'm not sure I'd want to disclose to the gendarmes all my finacial assets...? Obviously, I've a lot to investigate.

I attended school (university) in Europe for a year. IMO, has only made things worse! I have a trip-planning habit that I promise you would rival a heroin addiction in intensity!

Jeanne: Alec is correct about non-EU citizens needing residents visas, private health insurance and income guarantees. You would have to disclose your financial status to govt officials to get the necessary visas.<BR> <BR>You as a non-EU citizen cannot just up and move to Europe like moving to another state in the US. You must obtain a resident's visa or no one will rent you and apt let alone sell you property. (I know plenty of posters will say that lots of "undocumented" people live in Europe, but I don't think that is the life you are aiming for.)<BR><BR>As a non citizen you would not qualify for the national health plans etc and would have to make private arrangements for this. You would also have to show adequate income (varies from country to country) salaried or investment incomes will do, since you would not qualify for any social services and cannot become a charge on society. After all you have not paid any taxes in the past to support these services there, you paid your taxes in the US and you qualify for them at home only. <BR><BR>That said, contact the French embassy in Washington and ask them what you would need to take up residence in the France, and ask them if you would qualify for a resident's permit..they can give you a lot of info in advance. You may qualify for a temporary residence visa or somthing we just don't know about.<BR><BR>Buying or renting in France can be extremly complex and expensive. There are a great many legal issues and fees (such as Notar's fees) that are unknown is the US. A good source of info is FRANCE magazine, available in the US, although aimed to UK citizens moving to and living in France. They have articles covering all these subjects: health, property and auto insurance abroad, what to look for when buy or renting, how to get any pensions/retirement paid to them in France, how to cope with exchange rate flucuations, how to open a bank account etc.<BR><BR>We take for granted that the things we do and have in daily life at home: banking, social services, telecommunications etc will be available equally easily abroad. I most EU countries, for example, if you do not have a local bank account to debit you will not get a phone...and banks do not always open accounts for non residents.<BR><BR>This is a lot to think about, but it is do-able. Just read, read,read..asks LOTS of questions, pester anyone who has lived where you want to live. Paris will be expensive, like living in NYC. Think of smaller but well located towns to cut costs.<BR><BR>Another way to go about it: Most EU countries allow tourists to stay from 3-6 months without additional documents. You might just want to seek out a good long term pension or furnished flat arrangement and stay for the max time allowed on the normal tourist stay. This will save all the problems of setting up house abroad and you then just go home at the end of the stay. <BR><BR>As someone who has lived off and on in europe for the last 25 years, I will say that many vastly underestimate the frustration of living in a totaly alien culture plus the loneliness and isolation they feel from all that is familiar once the novelty has worn off, especially retirees, who do not have the obligation of jobs to keep them "occupied" during the work week. <BR><BR>Enough said, i hope this gives you a basis from which to start.<BR><BR>Judy from Munster, Germany

Jeanne,<BR><BR>France has different requirements for retirees coming to France. Contact the French Embassy for the details.<BR><BR>So your dream needn't be quashed ! I've lived in Europe for over thirty years and I don't think I could ever live back in the US again....<BR><BR>PB

Message to Jeanne: If you contact the American Embassy Office of American Services. 2, Rue Saint Florentin, 75382 Paris Cedex. or email: [email protected]<BR>They will send you The Blue Book guide to U.S. citizens residing in France. This guide has all the information you will need to proceed, I'm moving next month and I found it very helpful. It answers every question you may have and gives you contact addresses and phone numbers of various agencies to help.<BR><BR>Don't give up on your dream just yet.<BR>

go to America's Job Board.com and look up all the government jobs available. They're always looking. And, no it's not just military jobs, any teachers want to come over&gt;

Oh, what a wealth of info this page has been !<BR>Can anyone tell me a good/informative <BR>web site for Expats living in Italy?<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Linda Susan

I would really like to do that. Unfortunately, I'm not wealthy and need to work for a pittance, so I can go only when I save for one trip every so often.

Linda Susan: Here's a site I have recently discovered. I think it gives a good balance because there are a lot of complaints about living in Italy too, not just la-la-love Italy stuff. It's got some good, funny writers, too. You can sign up to receive the chat forum, which I get in daily digest form. Enjoy.<BR><BR>http://communities.msn.com/expatsinItaly/homepage.msnw