anybody out their living an expat life. has this been the right decision for you or hav e you regreted it?

Answer 1

4 yrs in Spain, back to UK,hated it so sold up and now live SW France 3 yrs, no regrets whatsoever! I read the UK news every day to remind me what I am missing!!!!! The fact that very few people ever return is an indication that they made the right choice to get the hell out. The government should take note of this.

Answer 2

I lived in China for three years, and I never once regretted the decision. That said, though, choosing that lifestyle isn't always easy.

Many expats find themselves only developing friendships with other foreigners. While it can be important to your mental well-being to bond with people from your own culture, it is a shame to not develop relationships in the local culture. I recommend making efforts to learn the language, eat the food, and become involved in activities that do not involve other expats. Otherwise, you will miss out on so much.

My only other advice is to return home from time to time. I found reverse culture shock to be much more hard to recover from than culture shock. If/when you do move back home, this will help to make it a much easier adjustment.

Best of luck!

Answer 3

t moved to Spain 8 years ago and am still here. I don't think that I would move back to Britain, but you never can say what's going to happen in the future, can you?
The decision to move needs to be thought a bout a lot and you must give it at least 12 months, (these are the hardest!), and if it doesn't work out you can always go back.
I think that the most important thing to remember is that you MUST integrate. I have seen people over here who only mix with other Brits and always speak English. What's the point in that?
Also nowadays with he low cost flights it's almost like catching a bus if you do fancy some 'fish and chips'!

Answer 4

Been living the expat life for 10 years. My only regret is waiting so long to make the move abroad. It has different problems and challenges, but the benfits far outweigh the costs.

Answer 5

After retiring from the US Government, I got a job with a company which sent me to Taipei. Loved it, and when contract ran out, married a filipina and moved to the Philippines. Then got another offer for Taiwan and jumped at it. It is such a wonderful country and if I was allowed, would stay there forever. Well, Philippines is nice too and so friendly. I intended to spend 6 months in Philippines and 6 months in the Czech republic (dual citizenship), but my wife could only last 3 months in Europe.

Now, with another outlook on world affairs, I am glad that I am here.

Answer 6

Left England to come to Italy 5 years ago. I'm basically happy with the decision, I have a nice life, although I might go back in a few years. But try it! You can't lose, because if you do it for six months, don't like it and go home, you've just lost 6 short months, learnt a few foreign words, at least tried and so won't spend the rest of your life wondering what it's like and you can always exaggerate it when you tell your grandchildren about it!

But if you like it, you might even stay forever!

Good luck!

Answer 7

I've lived as an expat most of my adult life. You see your old home in a different light. It's hard to return.

Answer 8

Moved from U.S.A. about 25 years ago to the Bay Islands in Honduras, Central America. Now living in the town of LaCeiba on the north coast of Honduras. Wouldn't change my decision at all.

Answer 9

I live in Cebu Philippines, and never once have I regretted my decision. I love it here, friendly people, and a beautiful climate.
No I don't wish to return to UK, it certainly isn't the country I was born into.

Answer 10

Four years in Asia. Financial difficulties regarding my son's schooling were a factor in my return. Don't regret it at all and long for the day when I can be off again.