anna

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.

Paige

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!!

Fran

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.

Paige

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.

xxx

ttt

Off to Paris?

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?

Statia

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>

Off to Paris?

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

xxx

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.

Alec

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.

Curious

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!

jeanne

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.

Book Chick

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!

Judy

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

PB

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

xxx

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>

Over Here

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;

Linda Susan

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

alison

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.

Santa Chiara

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