Matt

I've lived in the southwestern part of Germany for almost 4 years now. It sure is a lot easier travelling around Europe when you're already living here.

PB

I live in Provence... have lived in Europe for years (over thirty). I find traveling here much easier than getting around the US. <BR><BR>PB

Jan

We have been living in Europe almost 5 years. 2 years in Budapest and 2+ in Lucerne, Switzerland. Getting around is easy, esp. when you can take advantage of the short term specials! No desire to move back yet...maybe some day in the distant future...Just gotta keep paying those taxes!

Florence

Not American, but I know many American expats who came to Switzerland expecting to spend 2, 3, maximum 5 years. Most have bought houses and are planning their retirement here, while complaining about those taxes ... ;-)

Jan

Flo, <BR>Have we met?! We actually are thinking of buying and we do contribute to that AHV! The taxes I mentioned, though, were the US ones! The US is one of the few countries that taxes worldwide income and Swiss taxes are lower (in general)...at least we get a credit! You have a wonderful country here!

Florence

Jan,<BR>I don't think so, but if you visit Geneva someday, ask for me at the Post Caf&eacute; near the station

heehaw

&lt;How many Americans are living in Europe like me?&gt;<BR><BR>Like you?? I don't even know you.<BR> <BR>

Matt

I am surprised to see that only a few Americans on this message board are living in Europe LIKE ME. I guess we are the lucky ones. Jan, my family travelled down to Lucerne in 2000. A very beautiful area of the world! If we come down again this summer I will contact you on this message board to see if we can get together.

Amy

I'm an American living in Latvia and love living over here! I am a newbie to this whole overseas/ex-pat living...I just arrived in Latvia last July. I don't think I will ever want to go back to living in the States again! It's so easy to travel from here and everything is so different and interesting to me! (Yeah, I know, I didn't get out of the house much when I lived in the US!)

Ann

I'm an American, and I split my time between the US and Ireland--6 months in each. Gives me the best of both worlds (I get to avoid the Irish winters).

Ann

And avoid Washington, D.C., summers.

Jan

Matt,<BR>That sounds great. Always interested in meeting fellow Ex Pats and making new friends. Amy, Latvia!! That is exciting. Was it a job that brought you there? What is Latvia like? We are always interested in places "off the beaten track"<BR>cheers,<BR>Jan

Steve

I'm still in the US of A, but if one of you offers me a job, My wife and I are on a plane tomorrow!!<BR>Seriously, finding a job in the EU is a catch 22: To live there, you have to have a job; to get a job there, you also have to live there. Anyone got any suggestions because I'm having very little luck...<BR>Thanks!!

Pierre

I live in Bucharest, for almost 2 years from Atlanta GA. Any others from US over here???

amy

Well, I don't know if native Londoners would argue about being a part of Europe or not, but I'll assume anything across the ocean counts. I've been living in London for a year and have one more to go, though I'd like to extend a bit if I can.<BR><BR>I try to travel once a month, even if just for a weekend. It's hard to keep up...the research alone gets exhausting, but I'm thrilled to be able to see so much from here.

Margaret

Ann, how do you do it? Do you have a home in both countries? I am originally from Belfast and when I retire – hopefully in a few years, I would love to spend 6 months in the North and 6 months in the USA.

Jan

Steve,<BR>Most of the Ex-Pats we know have come over with their companies. If you work with a multinational, it can be a great way to do it. Ex-pat packages definitely make life easier as they often pick up housing, airfares home etc. Companies have a high failure rate with personnel overseas b/c it is a tough transition (deceptively so), when they find a good fit, it is common to be moved to several different countries. They also have the clout to handle the work and residence permits much more easily than an individual. Some exceptions to this would be high demand jobs (IT etc.)So, depending on your career and/or company, that may be the best starting point. You may not get Western Europe, but there are wonderful things about almost everywhere. Start wherever you can!<BR>Good luck. It is a great adventure.

Steve

Thanks, Jan! I'm doing some research into a job change. I'll be focusing on alot of what you said.

Amy

Steve, <BR><BR>I think a fellow fodorite, Beth Anderson, has put a great deal of time and effort into the search to move overseas. You might want to look her up. I think she uses a real email address here. Does anyone know if she has gotten a job? I don't think I've seen her name crop up lately.<BR><BR>Amy

Ann

Margaret: my husband telecommutes for 4 months of the year from Belfast. He takes 2 months vacation while we're in Ireland, and works his butt off for the other 6 months back in the States. I temp on both sides of the pond. His firm was forced into because he would have quit if they didn't agree to the telecommuting, so we could keep a closer eye on his mother.<BR><BR>We live with my mother-in-law in Ireland, and rent a furnished apartment in the States. The apartment is expensive, but living virutally rent free for 6 months makes up for it. We plan to buy a small place in Northern Ireland sometime soon. Eventually, though, we will be full time in Northern Ireland.