Moving to another country

mmstgr

My boyfriend and I have always wanted to move far away. We live in Canada, born and raised. But we just want to get away. Far away. We have 2 children as well.
I've looked into it just a bit, and sadly, for some places, it seems you can only move there if you have a skill in demand, etc.
Is it like this for anywhere to move?
I probably sound dumb. I've never been a traveler, so I don't know much about the subject.
Can anyone offer some advise?
Thanks

mmstgr

bump.

TylerJ76

Might help if you tell us what country you want to move to?

MaraDiaz

Every country is different, but yes, if you want first world, you probably need whatever skills they're looking for and it's a long involved process. I suggest you make a list of the countries you're interested in, then go to their immigration websites one by one, find out what they're looking for and what you need to do to get Visas/citizenship. With a husband and kids, you can't just show up, stay, and hope they don't notice, so be prepared for this to take awhile.

overit75

I lived in South Korea while my husband was stationed there and there were a lot of people that lived there and taught English. I'm not sure if that is something you would consider.

Bahet

You might want to look into contracting if you have a sought after skill. I do taxes for Americans living in other countries and they are all over but mostly Germany and the Middle East. We lived in Germany when my hubby worked as a contractor in IT for 1 1/2 years. (Totally screwed up situation but originally it was supposed to be up to 5 years) Most of the overseas work is in the computer, education, or security fields but there are other areas as well.

ETA, since you are unmarried you will both likely need to have sought after skills. Companies and countries will allow the spouse and kids of the primary worker t accompany then, not girlfriends/boyfriends though.

Ready2Rock206

My opinion only - but I don't think it's very fair to your kids to drag them to some foreign country just because you want to get away from reality. So in considering another country my advice would be to consider a place where your kids will speak the language, or will be able to be around other kids that speak English and will have as good as life as they would have if you had remained in Canada.

maria1113

^kids actually learn new language very quickly, I have seen plenty of examples near me about this. So that is nothing to worry about. It's actually very good for kids to learn more than one language (even though English is widely used) and can help them later on with getting job etc.

Take this from someone who is from country that requires kids to learn two other languages, apart from our mother tongue, at school. And I think it's good thing.

ihateroses

I lived in South Korea while my husband was stationed there and there were a lot of people that lived there and taught English. I'm not sure if that is something you would consider.

I am doing this right now. Usually the step for people that just graduated college and want to do some traveling/saving money first, but I think if you want to experience living in another country it would be a good idea.

I would say since moving to another country is a big step...work somewhere like South Korea teaching English for a year. You will have vacation time to travel somewhere else new....and see where you would feel like you could fit in as a family.

ihateroses

^kids actually learn new language very quickly, I have seen plenty of examples near me about this. So that is nothing to worry about. It's actually very good for kids to learn more than one language (even though English is widely used) and can help them later on with getting job etc.

Take this from someone who is from country that requires kids to learn two other languages, apart from our mother tongue, at school. And I think it's good thing.

YES. And honestly remembering when I moved to the U.S....it was one big adventure for me.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

But isn't it Canada a first world country & is far better than US? Initially my first thought when I read this post is why moving out when almost everybody from other countries would do anything to move or work there. Being in a third world country all my life where more than 70% of the population are living in poverty, there's no health care assistance from the government (means they don't care if you're dying, either pay the bill or die), very high unemployment rate, constantly seeing beggars, pickpocketers, robbers, drunk or drug influenced men in violence fighting each other or firing guns on the streets, I'm also dreaming of moving there but sadly I can't find a job vacancy there that suits my qualifications. Whenever I look for available jobs there, all I could find are either jobs for nurses, caregivers, skilled laborers, etc. while I work in the office as Marketing/Graphic Designer. I'm considering moving to my boyfriend's country, Spain, however there is still crisis there & unemployment rate there continues to grow.

EDIT: I think my advice is research about the country you want to move, everything especially on culture & language. Then browse online job ads overseas & see if that country have one that matches your qualifications.

melaniecheeks

It's a HUGE step. I think you need to start by examining your reasons for wanting to leave.

What ages are the children - do they have any health issues?

Is it the weather? How would you cope in very hot climates - with rainy seasons, mosquitos etc?

Can you speak any other languages? How quickly could you pick one up?

What skills do you have - what sort of work would you do?

i_love_vinegar

I think it would be easier to advise you if we knew which countries you were looking into and what credentials you have that might be applicable and what kind of jobs you are seeking.

I'm currently living in my 3rd country and hopefully in my 4th next year. The world is pretty globalized now so as long as it's one of the MANY developed countries, there really shouldn't be many problems. I lived in America (east and west coast...I'm American haha), Chile, and now Japan. Next year hopefully Hong Kong, China. I hardly spoke Spanish when I went to Chile and picked it up. I hardly spoke Japanese, and am picking it up and getting along fine now (for instance, had to go to the doctors for an eye infection today, and was able to communicate just fine). Will hardly speak Chinese when I *hopefully* go to China next year, etc.

If you have a college degree (even in something like art history or basket weaving), you should be able to apply for an English teaching job. You would apply for a work visa. After successfully receiving it, you would then be allowed to legally work in that country. As long as you have proof of legal (visa) residency, you can then go on to rent a home in that country. That's about it.

I don't know how old your children are, but if they are young I think this would be a great way for them to experience a new culture, learn a new language, and meet new friends. Even if they are teenagers, if they are open to it, I think it's great. Some countries have age limits, and require a deposit of a certain amount of money in order to move to that country etc. I do not know how old your husband is, but get in while you are young.

I think if you want to move to another country, you should go for it. It is a great experience and *surprise surprise* a lot of countries offer great (if not better) living conditions than America and Canada. Good luck!

Zangpakto

Screw you all seriously...

Being from a family that has moved has had its advantages, but it isn't the happy promise ANYONE is saying!

I have no friends in current country, I might have a good job, but that is because of passion since I was a small kid, not from school studies.

You can try justify moving to every country available, but for kids, it doesn't matter! Let them enjoy their life, don't ruin it for them!

melaniecheeks

Wow, did we hit a nerve there?

I've moved abroad (Ireland to Luxembourg) with kids (Aged 8 and 10) for 4 years.

It's tough.

It's not for everyone.

It can allow you to experience the most incredible highs. And indescribable lows.

And no-one prepares you for the reverse culture shock that you get going back home 4 years later.

Only the tough need apply.

But I'd do it all again, no question.

Margentine

I'm curretly living in my 3rd world country after living abroad in Australia and America.
Here there is no healthcare, We can't just go out for a jog for we could get mugged, Unemployment rate is high even if you graduate as are professional there are not many options. Most things are expensive , gas is through the roof and some people only make the minimum wage of $8 a day !

We - Fiance and two daughters are gathering information to move to Australia. As much as we want to be in a better country , we are mostly concerned about the girls future and the opportunities they will have in Australia.

When I was single and had no kids ..I did my travelling ..with kids they need to come first and have reasons as to why the move benefits them.

mmstgr

Sorry I haven't checked in on the thread in a bit.
We were really thinking Australia, or New Zealand.
I don't have any skills myself, but my boyfriend is a carpenter.
Thank you for all your suggestions.
I wouldn't move to a third world country. And I don't plan on escaping reality. Nor dragging my children on some crazy quest and making them learn a new language, etc, etc. I think a few of you are blowing this out of proportion. I was just looking to know what all is entailed when moving. Relax, lol. I'm not making any hasty decisions here
Thanks again everyone

Edit: The kids ages are 7 and 4

DannyMussels

Screw you all seriously...

Being from a family that has moved has had its advantages, but it isn't the happy promise ANYONE is saying!

I have no friends in current country...

Gee, I wonder why...

KaleidoscopeEyes1056

Ooo ooo ooo!! Go to Sweden and take me!!

-ahem- I actually have no advice, but Sweden is a pretty sweet country.

Marper8521

Nah, only most of the smart countries have requirements like that where you need to have a freakin skill to get in; Not like the sucky U.S. that just puts out the welcome mat. I mean, you do plan on working right ? raising your kids right ? maybe even buying a house, car or food, right ? so what's your skill ?

AZKristi

If you want to work, most countries require you to have a skill that is in demand so that you are filling an unmet need rather than displacing one of their citizen workers.

JanetLM73

The only advice I have is if you're going to do it, it's better to do it when the kids are young. I was born/raised in Canada but my husband was born in Wales, his parents brought him to Canada at 13 and he hated it. He was about to move back until he met me.

firesoforion

It's pretty hard to move to a lot of places without a highly in demand skill (I'm thinking computer/tech.). They don't want to take jobs away from their citizens for those of other countries. Plus it's hard for a lot of countries because even places where you qualify for employment won't let you work there without a visa, and they won't give you a visa if you don't have someone to sponsor you (meaning a place of employment). One exception is teaching English in a non English speaking country. I don't know many people who do that with a family, and some countries pay you way more than others, but that's a VERY in demand skill (you can get certificates both online and in person, and the best is the cambridge course I think), and you can go most places in the world (not so much Australia and New Zealand, or the UK, but anywhere else). Europe doesn't pay well at all (because there are more people who are willing/wanting to go there), but places like China, Korea, and Japan pay an amazing amount of money if you do it right (combination of teaching in the right place + doing some private teaching. I would think Russia also payed quite a bit.). You could definitely support a family with it, especially if you're both doing it. Plus people who go just love it there. That is probably the easiest way to move anywhere nowadays. Otherwise you'd need a special skill or program (And those programs are becoming more and more limited).

shadowkitty22

Sorry I haven't checked in on the thread in a bit.
We were really thinking Australia, or New Zealand.
I don't have any skills myself, but my boyfriend is a carpenter.
Thank you for all your suggestions.
I wouldn't move to a third world country. And I don't plan on escaping reality. Nor dragging my children on some crazy quest and making them learn a new language, etc, etc. I think a few of you are blowing this out of proportion. I was just looking to know what all is entailed when moving. Relax, lol. I'm not making any hasty decisions here
Thanks again everyone

Edit: The kids ages are 7 and 4

Well I currently live in South Korea because my husband is stationed here, and even though the military paid for everything to get us here it was still expensive on us to pay out of pocket for our hotel fees until we found a place to live (yes we eventually got reimbursed for that). But if you're just up and moving without a company paying for you to do it, then it's going to cost a crap ton of money for you. You're either going to have to save a lot of money to ship all of your personal belongings on a boat to get where you're going (which takes a few months to arrive) or sell all your heavy possessions (furniture and what not) and buy new stuff once you get there. Either way, you're spending money. Then of course there's getting the passports and Visas for everyone in the family which costs money as well. You also have to keep in mind that moving to the under side of the world means that your seasons (and consequently school years) have flipped. In Australia, summer is in the Nov-Jan range) and their school year runs Jan-Dec. Personally I think the school year going like that makes a lot of sense but I'm just too used to my school years running August - May.