Working in another country - Moving question

[rparmfamily]

As someone who has moved at the drop of a hat because of my husband's job (to Italy, and now Hawaii), LIFE IS SHORT. You bloom where you are planted!

The kids also get so much out of it, different cultures,etc. ENJOY!!


PS---I have 2 friends who have moved to China due to their spouses job. One was w/the embassy (they are since back to the US) and the other lives there because her DH is a pilot for a Chinese airline. Both of them LOVE it. The pilot family's girls model (they are 7 and 4) and generally enjoy life in China. I think they are over there 2-3 yrs.

 

[Kimberly]

Sorry, I should clarify it would be China.

Kids ages are 5 and 9.

It is still not definite, it's being considered but I am just not as excited as I think I should be - I work PT and while my job is nothing fancy I can't imagine moving that far away from my family and friends and everything I have here, and having the kids in 2 years of overseas schooling. I know some people would jump at the chance and never look back, but I think DH is more excited about it because he's there now on a long term assignment and really enjoys what he has been doing. My fear is that he has work and i'm going to be sort of floundering. It would most likely be a once in a lifetime opportunity for DH career-wise, something that obviously is a huge consideration.

Where in China? Hong Kong or Macao I would move to if I had the means to remain in the upper middle class or higher there. The lower class in both of those places, and mainland China isn't very good at the moment, and that's not even including the exorbitant costs to live in either city/state. Hong Kong and Macao though both have an agreement with mainland China in terms of free speech and economic freedoms that mainland China has never had. The internet, for instance, exists in Hong Kong as unscensored. On the mainland, the situation is far from that.

Mainland China? Too much censorship for me to ever exist happily.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

For me...it Depends on where it is and how close to what we can do at home can be done there. For example--could my daughters take dance or gymnastics or some kind of activity. Will my son have things to do for fun. I'm up for an adventure--but I would have to consider that. Also--I homeschool...is that even allowed in the country that is being considered? If not--is school at our expense or will the company foot the bill?

My husband has a relative (2nd cousin, maybe?) who has done this. Her husband is working in Japan. The company is paying for a comparable apartment. This means--they have large home in US...they have a large for Japan size apartment. It is as big if not bigger than our Florida house. The kids do attend school and the company also pays their tuition. I believe it is an international school..so their kids do learn in English. They return to the states every summer for about 8 weeks spending time
at their home and visiting with family. They do not rent out their home.

Some difficulities...when husband's grandfather died--the wife's uncle--logistics only allowed her to fly home. She did stay a week since it is a long flight. But if her children were younger, I am not certain. If she could have done that. Her kids are high school age though. For them--this seems to be a temporary-permanent thing...I think it has been almost 5 years.

It is definitely something I would consider.

Moving to Virginia was hard enough. But as long as I have time to research and get my bearings (sp?)...I am usually good to go. But if I don't like the area...I won't go along to live there. I treat it as though my husband is on a TDY. But for that long....I might have to do it anyway. I let him decide on whether to do an assignment or not. Sometimes the rewards are too great to allow a career opportunity to pass by. All of my husbands work assignments have made his current career position possible.

 

[wdwfan16]

It depends on the country and how it would be for my job.

 

[golfgal]

I did move, but it wasn't for my spouse. It was mostly for myself, and my own business. I sought greather growth than I would have ever had in the US, and I don't regret moving for even a second.

I would honestly sell your house, as having a US address while overseas is just more or less a liability.

Where overseas are you moving?

I know with my friend that is doing this right now if they sell their house here the company doesn't pick up their living expenses overseas and where they are at is is REALLY expensive and with the housing slump, they would have lost a lot of money on their house here.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I know with my friend that is doing this right now if they sell their house here the company doesn't pick up their living expenses overseas and where they are at is is REALLY expensive and with the housing slump, they would have lost a lot of money on their house here.

I am not an accounting person, but as I understand it....

If a person maintains a primary residence, then the work assingment is considered "temporary" even if it is long term. The employee can be provided "per diem" which allows any corporate covered expenses while on that assignment to be a business expense. So if they pay you $5000 extra to cover living expenses per month...that amount is not taxable income to the employee and is considered as part of business expenses for the company.

My husband did a 2 or 3 field assingments. He gets per diem as he would k. A business trip. These were on govt contracts, so in his case, the govt set the rates. Rates were determined by area...so traveling to a place like Jacksonville would have a lower per diem than DC or NYC. Short trips got a daily rate and longer "field assignments" would get a monthly rate that divided out would be lower per day than the daily per diem. The assumption is that you would rent a corporate apartment and thus living expenses would be lower than staying at a hotel.

Field assignment per diem could only be paid if you had a primary residence you were maintaining.

If you were relocating....relocation costs would be paid as a one time deal--a business expense for the company and I think tax free for the employee.

I *think* some of what an employer can do is dictated by the IRS....paying an employees living expenses I believe would be taxable of it were the employees only residence.

Sorry of that was a garbled explanation. Even on this relocation, my husband was paid per diem as part of his salary while the rest of us stayed behind for several months in Florida. That shut off once we transferred.

 

[Katy Belle]

We just returned from living in the middle east for 5 1/2 years. I'm still sad we left. It was awesome. We learned soooo much, traveled so much.

Your kids are perfect age. Usually the schools are very good, ours was. Before you commit, make sure there is room for your kids in the school.

We lived in a compound, with other expats, from the USA, Australia, Great Britain, holland, etc. They were my family. I had loads of things to do while DH was at work.

Another thing, make sure it is worth it money wise. Not all companies take good care of their employees. You should get compensated well for the hardship of living away.

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions. Good luck!
Katy

 

[Kimberly]

US Expat laws have changed dramatically after the passing of the US Hire Act was passed in this administration too. I don't know all the details of the act since it doesn't apply to me anymore, but reading it would be a good idea before you consider expatriating.

Edit: Link added, something interesting you may want to read. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1983238,00.html

 

[dimimi]

Sorry, I should clarify it would be China.

Kids ages are 5 and 9.

It is still not definite, it's being considered but I am just not as excited as I think I should be - I work PT and while my job is nothing fancy I can't imagine moving that far away from my family and friends and everything I have here, and having the kids in 2 years of overseas schooling. I know some people would jump at the chance and never look back, but I think DH is more excited about it because he's there now on a long term assignment and really enjoys what he has been doing. My fear is that he has work and i'm going to be sort of floundering. It would most likely be a great opportunity for DH career-wise, something that may be too good to pass up.

I would change my vote of other to, "yes." I know people living there and they are enjoying it. Your kids are at great ages. They will be educated with other Engish speaking kids and there are great schools. I am sure the company will help you find schools, etc. I know one person there that went for 2 years, they come home twice a year and they extended their assignment for another year.

 

[java]

I have a friend that moved with her dh to Singapore. For 3 years. She loved it. Everyone basically spoke English and she had very little transition. They traveled all over the place.
Then they transferred them to Shanghai. She thought - hey Singapore was easy I can do this.

Fast forward to China and she was miserable. It was a totally different world. Her experience was that they didn't want her there. "cabs" wouldn't pick her up. She hated it. They moved back within 3 months.So only you know if you could handle a total culture shock.

 

[castleview]

I'd be game. But it depends on where. I wouldn't look at it as "putting your lives or the kids' lives on hold." Think of it as an opportunity to enhance your kids' lives.

 

[aprilgail2]

I would if there were not kids involved. No way would I take my kids out of their school and put them in a strange school in a different country. I am not a fan of making kids leave their school to go to a new one in the same country so out of the country is out of the question for me.

 

[luvmy3]

No, but thats because it would to the Middle East. If there were other opportunities in other countries it would be maybe but with what dh is currently doing there are none.

 

[NHdisneylover]

So long as it was a safe country for us to be in YES. Actually we came to Germany a year and a half ago without nearly so lucrative a deal. Our housing is not paid, nor is private school for the kids. The company was going to pay half the tuition for 1 1/2 years but after one semester (and our half was still HUGE) we learned that our local international school was rife with bullying and had terrible academics. The kids are much happier in German schools even though they have had to learn the language. Besides, the language will really help them in the future.
We are here on a semi permanent basis too. We know several 2-3 year ex-pats (though SAP, BSAF and John Deere seem to be sending much fewer now and pulling many that are here early). Most of them love it (though many dislike the school).
One consideration--I had no serious career that i was giving up. After years as an at home mother I was working part time as a young adult librarian (a job I adored), but I did not have to leave something terrible hard to get back into which would have played into my decision.

 

[Tiana]

..........

 

[eliza61]

Would you be willing to move to another country for a 2-3 year assignment for your spouse? You'd still keep your house in the US and pay the mortgage, but the company would pay for your accommodations in the Host city, moving expenses, incidentals, lawn maintenance, private school for your kids, etc.

I'm just curious, may be facing this very thing and was just wondering if everyone else thought it was the adventure of a lifetime or just putting your and your kids lives on "hold" for 2-3 years.

As long as the country was safe and stable. Yes, in a New York second. It is an amazing adventure. An experience you're children would never, ever be able to buy.

Go for it and good luck!!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I would in a heartbeat and I wouldn't even care where it was.

I also don't have kids to worry about so that probably explains my answer.

 

[PaulaSB12]

We have friends who are moving to England in 2 months for his job for 2 years. Sad for us, but excited for them. They have both younger and older kids, but felt like it was a once in a lifetime opportunity they couldn't pass up.

Where about in England are they moving to? If you mention this on the UK community board I am sure the rest of us would be happy to give information and advise.

 

[Tinkermommy]

My husband and I have talked about this because it could be in my work future as my company is very global and loves to move people!

We would be all for it as long it was a financially good decision and not a war-torn country. DH thinks it would be exciting and would leave his job no problem.

I think our world is shrinking and countries like China, India, etc are becoming more and more global players. I can only think this would be great for your DH and your kids from that perspective.

 

[Longsx3]

In a heartbeat! We have lived in both Europe and Japan as a Military family and loved it...especially Germany. So much so that we hope to go back as civillans when my DH retires from the AF.