Comments on: Is Moving Overseas a Bad Idea?

By: Blake

Blake — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 01:33:17 +0000

I’m sorry but this list has only a couple of good reasons; the rest are just weak excuses! I am not really bothered if I don’t get the “in-jokes” at dinner parties – I’d rather take some time to learn the in jokes and discover new culture and society than be stuck in a society that makes me want to leave and try life in another country. And if you really believed that the country you lived in was “the best in the world” then why would you consider leaving? Cultural isolation doesn’t just occur when you travel – it can happen right in your own home country as well. If you are lucky enough to live in a place rich with culture and a strong sense of community, and you feel it is the best place in the world, then good luck to you – stay where you are and you’ll have no issues. What makes this article carry the least weight is the very first number one listed reason – you may stay longer than you intended. Really?! It can’t be that bad if you’re not working out ways in which you can move on. As someone commented before, this article was written for people who are too scared to make such a big change in their lives and actually experience something outside of their own routine.

By: Star

Star — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:32:58 +0000

What a good list and it is worse, let me tell you, when you are older and have a life behind you. Much as I like the ‘new’ country, it is not the same as the ‘old’ one and there are so many things that I miss. I am surprised at how patriotic I am, more so than when I was at home! I don’t really know where home is anymore, that’s the problem.

By: Dubya (yes, that one)

Dubya (yes, that one) — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:04:06 +0000

I think that all good Americans should be scared of the world outside of the safe borders of the continental United States. The rest of the world just ain’t got as many MacDonalds as we do. You may encounter communists open minded people and realize that they ain’t so bad if you leave your home town. I think more people that have never left America should publish lists like this on the Internet.

By: Naomi

Naomi — Mon, 24 May 2010 03:51:07 +0000

Loved this! Blogged about it at http://delhibound.blogspot.com/2010/05/moving-overseas.html

By: olivia duval

olivia duval — Wed, 19 May 2010 08:05:16 +0000

Good list. I have to agree with Stephanie that this applies to moving across a country as well. However… I think it really REALLY applies to moving overseas. All those things are true moving across a country but hugely magnified if moving to another country. So, I dont agree with Stephanie in that respect. I would also add that its more expensive to move overseas than to move across country and psychologically it is harder to move to another country–for you and your family. I bet I would get more visitors if I lived in the same country as my family–they could at least drive to see me.

Another item I would add to the list is language–if you dont like learning new languages theres no point (unless you’re moving to another English speaking nation, of course!!).

Nice to see a list focusing on the negatives rather than glowing all the positives!! Becoming an expat isnt all fabulousness.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 18 May 2010 13:52:38 +0000

I feel like a lot of these apply to relocating to another city in the US. To me, if that’s the case, then might as well relocate abroad rather than just to another city.

By: Vix

Vix — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:19:19 +0000

An excellent list. I particularly like the comment about culture shock. I know I didn’t expect it and yet almost two years in to living in Britain,I still experience culture shock every week. It’s the little things that really jar. I thought that coming from New Zealand I would be immune, after all NZ was settled by the Brits we should have lots in common, right? Er no.