Living Outside the US

When my children were 6 months and 2 years old my husband and I decided that we wanted to live outside the US. He got a job in Belgium and off we went. We lived there for 2 1/2 years and absolutely loved it. We traveled all over Europe with a kid on each of our backs in back packs. We have been to the U.K, France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Luxemburg,Italy etc. We had a wonderful time and this was during terrorist threats against Americans. You just have to be smart and blend in (no white sneakers, no sweatshirts, etc). We would definitely do it again. In fact, my husbands company was just looking for voluteers to move to India for a overseas project. We were the first that volunteered. Unfortunately, a single person volunteered as well and it is cheaper to relocate one person instead of a whole family. My children have some great memories of living in Belgium and they love to travel.
Hope this helps - don't let people scare you. Just be smart about your travels.
Tam

I have friends that just moved to Japan due to her husbands work. They love it there. It is very much a pro education place and lot's of things to do.
Also my neighbor lived with her two young girls in Austrailia for a while and loved it.
I would not live in Europe or any countries that seem to be targets of terrorism, disease or those that don't have govt guidelines on certain things like food and so on, otherwise there are many places to go. Scotland, Switzerland, Japan, Austrailia, Canada, even some cool place in the Carribiean!!
It is great to expose yourself to new places. Your two year old will adapt. I would worry more about wars, violence, health care issues abroad then anything else.

We're moving permanently to Italy the end of next year and can't wait! We've been over there a few times and it's great. The best part of living in Europe is that you can expose yourselves to many other cultures beside the one you're currently living in very cheaply. Ex. This last time we flew to Paris for about $40 a person round trip. Also, you can sleep in the train and travel that way without having to pay for hotels. We've traveled short term with the kids 4 1/2 and 1 1/2 and the language barrier is not a barrier for them. Our older son can't wait for our next trip. The best part, is that the kids learn to accept everyone, regardless of differences. They love meeting the new people and living in their world. (Last trip was living in very poor Mexico with no electricity or water. The kids didn't even seem to notice, although it was upsetting to not wash hands with water in the bathroom.) I really think it's a great idea!

ITALY!!!!! For sure!!! The Italians have such a shortage of children that they love people with kids and will do anything to keep the kids safe and unharmed. We lived only an hours drive from Venice and went there almost monthly (just for the day or sometimes for the afternoon and the evening). We spent 18 months in Italy (due to my husband being active duty military and the war in Jugoslavia) and 9 of those I was pregnant. I had Italians (moms, dads, grandmas grandpas etc.) come up to me and ask if they could touch my belly. This was a little weird and awkward in the beginning but they were so kind and considerate to not offend me, that I soon saw their sincerety and got used to it.

I don't know for sure, but I would not be surprised if they all love children more than the Pope and this country is very Catholic. Besides Italy has a very nice climate even in the winter. They have Saturday markets in most villages and towns. When we were there they truly loved Americans and with just a little Italian in the back pocket and trying to use it, the Italians would do anything to help and assist you. I would use a English /Italian dictionary and try to put sentences together before going out for the day to the store or wherever and sometimes they would in a kind way correct what I said by repeating the sentence to me correctly, at other times they just asked more questions to find out exactly what I needed. A few times they went to find store workers that spoke English just to be able to assist me.

The pizza and pasta in restaurants is to die for, but I don't care for the little "fast food" pizza places. I learned how to make an authentic Spaghetti Carbonara (spaghetti with bacon and a creamy sauce made with eggs, parmesan cheese, black pepper, olive oil and bacon grease(from the fried bacon)) and that is my family's favorite pasta. The Italian ice cream is another thing to die for. My favorite was Noccioli, which is a hazelnut ice cream, but I don't think I tried an ice cream that I didn't like.

Back to Italy....(dreamy eyed)......my husband and I are thinking hard about moving back when the kids are grown and we are retired or when our online business will sustain us so we don't need to work on the Italian economy (we don't speak Italian yet). We would love it!!!! North, South, East or West Italy would make no difference to us, but we will not be in a huge city, but rather a village or town with all the necessities of stores and restaurants that we need and with a bigger town/city within an hours drive. In the villages and towns the people are friendlier and that's were we would like to live.
Sorry for being lengthy, but at least you can tell that we loved it and highly recommend it.

Hi KJ,
I am a mother of two boys, 2 1/2, and 9 mo. We are currently living in South America and have been for several years ( a bit of back and forth).
There are both challenges and blessings to raising kids overseas. You realize that you and they do not need all the gadgets etc. and can live a simpler life. You also, though, have to be a little more cautious- about food, water, diseases etc- depending where you go. Most places now days if you are not too rural should have some decent health care- so it is possible to raise your children well. You will have to be a bit more creative depending on where you live- may have to use cloth diapers and make homemade baby food- but it is all doable and a great experience. You have to be sensitive to the changes and effects on your children as well. Even if they are young, they WILL experience culture shock and the change will effect them although they will may not be able to express it clearly. Just be extra sensitive to their needs, especially if another language is involved.(For example after 3 months in the states, upon returning, my 2 yr. old only recognized our house and was afraid to leave for a few weeks.) I would recommend first deciding on a place, then looking on the US Embassy web site of that country for info on health care etc. and then look for an ex-pat community to get in touch with to help you with the transition and any questions you have: safe areas to live, doctors, etc.
Wish you the best! Enjoy

I am an american living in australia, and have been almost 10 years. there is nothing like living overseas for a short or long time...it has been just wonderful, and i am a australian citizen now as well. (dual with U.S.) my partner and i (hes an aussie) have a little boy about to turn one. this is a great place to raise a family. i couldnt reccomend it enough. we all travel a couple times a year, as we are isolated a bit, but usually we got to italy, other parts of europe, or the U.S. to teach..we're glassblowers. you can at least travel down here on a 3 month tourist visa and see how you like it. anyways, wherever you choose will be the right place. go for it!