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RedHeadDuck 
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Joined: 20 May 2010
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 Topic: Moving overseas
Posted: 05 April 2011 at 9:30am |
Has anyone here moved to Europe with a kid?
DH and I are considering it.... Or are we completely nuts 
Would it be a complete logistical nightmare? Basically I just want to hear your stories-where you moved to, how long for, and how it worked...... To know we're not insane 
ETA: if you know me, please keep this off my facebook, its obviously still only in the thought stages 
Edited by MooCow
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Emmi_
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Posted: 05 April 2011 at 5:57pm |
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Cant help with Europe, but we are going to the states!!
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Jaxnz1
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Posted: 05 April 2011 at 7:43pm |
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When we moved to the UK, my SIL also moved with their 6yr son and 4yr old twins. They had jobs, a house and everything set up before they left, so all they had to do was move in. The boys went to kindy and school and adjusted fine.
I don't think it would be a nightmare if you have everything sorted before you leave. I say go for it! A good idea too is if you get there and find it hard adjusting, just give yourself a date, eg 6 months from when you move there and agree with your DH that if you're not enjoying it then you'll move back home after that time.
Good luck, it's a big decision to make.
Edited by Jaxnz1
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yermasyada
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Posted: 05 April 2011 at 9:28pm |
Hey MC 
It doesn't have to be a nightmare, but you have to be very VERY organised Lots of research needed and lots of preparation to ensure the move goes as smoothly as possible.
It will be exciting and stressful at the same time. I think it helps to have a 'never say never' attitude, so if things don't go to plan and you want to move back, or move somewhere else, you don't feel like you've 'failed' or made a mistake. Just take each day as it comes and have a great adventure.
I've never done it with a kid in tow, but know LOTS of people who have
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caliandjack
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Posted: 06 April 2011 at 7:58am |
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Are you moving to live or for an extended holiday? I know of a few families that have done the campervan trip round europe for a couple of months and the kids have loved it.
They adapt more easily then we do.
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  [/url] Angel June 2012
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RedHeadDuck
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Posted: 06 April 2011 at 9:02am |
At *this* stage we will move over for a year or two. It's still in the very early stages of planning though
DH will most likely have a job when we get there, he's already talked to a guy he used to work for-where he could possibly get a job again....
Was there any unexpected problems you come across that you *never* would have thought about???
It will be interesting going as I don't speak the language, but will try learning before then (DH is fluent but obviously won't be with me all the time!)
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Red
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Posted: 06 April 2011 at 10:01am |
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Sounds awesome MC, you guys should go for it!
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Plushie
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Posted: 06 April 2011 at 10:11am |
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You'd be living my dream.
My ex/ex boss moved to portugal with his wife and >1 year old baby, they were VERY organized and he went a month earlier with the bulk of their stuff and organized a house, unpacked, and started work so when his wife and baby flew over everything was set up and he was settled into his new job. They spoke german but no portugese
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kiwisj
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Posted: 06 April 2011 at 4:59pm |
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We aren't in Europe but have friends who lived in the Netherlands for a couple of years. Their kids were both under 3yo when they moved over too. I think they would say it was an awesome experience! Personally, I totally recommend it! We haven't done an international move since having the kids but would consider one if it came up. We're in Asia, so different from NZ and feels far from home but it's a great experience for us and for the kids.
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SJ
Callum - Dec 2008
Daniel - Oct 2010
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Rackhell
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Posted: 06 April 2011 at 5:05pm |
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Sort out a bank account before you go.
When we moved overseas we had a national bank account and assumed as they were owned by lloyds that we could set up an account over there. Nope, this was may 2002 and they were worried about terrorists laundering money.
We got about four months worth of paychecks paid into our nz account before we could get a credit card/ lloyds worldwide account.
And we moved to England!!! So no language hassles to factor in, but still...
Sort everything out before you go.
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caliandjack
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Posted: 06 April 2011 at 6:45pm |
Your kids will be fluent before you will 
I've travelled and stayed with friends in Germany, only knew basic language and was able to get around and communicate with people easily enough, after 1 week I was able to get the gist of what people were saying.
What a fantastic opportunity I'd love to do something like this. 
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[/url] Angel June 2012
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jazzy
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Posted: 06 April 2011 at 7:05pm |
I would love to do something like this.
DH came here when he was young & could not speak English went to school not knowing what was going on, but he is fluent in 2 languages still. His family came here & stayed with friends of friends, did not have much when they got here & had to wait for their stuff to arrive by ship. His parents had great skill sets so work was not an issue, don't think either of them had jobs to come to though. But have done very well for themselves.
We were looking at moving to Oz (yip not far, lol) but it was a hassle as DH is not a NZ citizen & would have to become one to live in Oz, which I was not happy about..so we stayed put & Europe is always on the cards for us.
I say go for it
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Moving overseas
