I’ve received a bunch of questions, both here on the blog and in person, related to our decision to leave Switzerland for yet another expat adventure. Below are some of the most common. Think of this post as a serial expat FAQ.
Why do you keep moving? Don’t you want to settle down?
I always assumed I’d get the urge to settle down sooner or later, but so far that just hasn’t happened. If anything, the opposite has become true – each new city reinforces my love of living in new places. Daily life becomes an adventure when you’re somewhere new – new foods, shops, languages, restaurants, streets, and so on and so on. Yes, there are some negative aspects to a move (leaving behind friends, move logistics, etc.), but to me the stress is more than worth it for the chance to intimately get to know another new city and country. I’ve very, very lucky that my husband feels the same way.
Why leave? What’s wrong with Switzerland?
It’s not that there’s anything particularly wrong with Switzerland. Life here has its share of good points and bad points, just like anywhere else. We’re not leaving because of some intolerable situation, but more out of a desire to move on to something else. Overall we’ve really enjoyed our time in Switzerland, and it will always have a place in our heart. (Is that the sappiest thing I have ever said? I think it might be…)
How is it that you can work in Europe? Aren’t work permits hard to get?
Getting a job in a foreign country is not as hard as many people think, especially if you have certain qualifications (such as a degree in something useful – for example my husband is an engineer, and I have an MBA in international management) and are willing to be flexible. The legal process for an American looking to work in Europe is usually pretty painless*, as long as you can find a company that wants to hire you enough.
I could never live in a foreign country.** I have kids/ a gerbil/ rabies/ acute xenophobia/ lives to save/ asses to scratch/ something important going on in my life that you obviously don’t have.
Nobody’s asking you to move. You don’t have to tell me your reasons or excuses. Really, it’s perfectly fine for you to make different life choices than I do. [I know this one isn’t actually a question, but it’s something I hear all the time.]
So, any more questions?
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* With the exception of Italy. Anything involving Italian bureaucracy is by default extremely painful.
** If you really, really wanted to, I bet you could. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a legitimate excuse from someone as to why they can’t.
What are the three most useful pieces of advice you can give a Scot about to move to Zurich ? ;0)
India
Good question, MNK. Surely I have some sort of profoundly useful wisdom to pass on… I’ll see what I can think up and get back to you. 🙂
I’ve moved from one country to another, and if you can deal with the red tape and the inherent costs, you can manage it without lawyers or other (costly) specialists. But it take patience. A lot of it.
Cheers.
AV – I definitely agree with you in the case of Italy, but I have to say from personal experience that the legal process of moving to Switzerland was extremely easy and stress-free for us. When I moved to Germany, I also didn’t have any problems, nor did I have any specialists helping me out.
Same with the costs – sure, moving can be very expensive, but it can also be done on the cheap. Paperwork-related expenses were less than $100 when I moved to Germany, I moved there with nothing more than 2 suitcases full of stuff, and I lived in a furnished studio apartment that cost less than $200/month (granted, that rent would be hard to find these days).
Living in a foreign country with a baby isn’t difficult, especially if you’re leaving a crazy busy city for a more relaxed setting. I think it’s actually wonderful for them because they get so many experiences and new languages.
Good call on the asterisk. When I saw the statement about “usually pretty painless” I thought, uh oh… but of course, as a serial expat, you have the lowdown on Italy and I can only second what you said. Finding a job in Italy isn’t that hard if you want to teach English, but if you want a stay permit and aren’t from the EU, you’d have a better chance of getting a blessing from the Pope. Or maybe getting a Vatican City stay permit?? How does that work? 😉 Good luck planning the move… can’t wait to see where you end up!
So what are the two choices (or did I miss it)? Moving is fun, except for the actual moving event itself. Good luck!
I’m on my first expat move, with a second one starting to glitter on the horizon — but I’ve always been a mover from city to city. Some of us just aren’t meant to gather any moss!
My question is: if you had to say what your favorite city has been to live in Europe, which would it be & why? Sorry to give you a back-to-school essay question, but our criteria are quite similar so I’m interested to know.
May I add painful and endless Greek bureaucracy to the list alongside Italy?
Shelley – I love the idea of a Vatican permit of stay! It couldn’t be harder to get than an Italian one, could it? I mean, assuming you’re willing to become a nun for a couple years or something…
BB – that’s a hard question! I’ve liked everywhere I’ve lived so far… difficult to choose a favorite. I’ll think about it.
CK – somehow it doesn’t surprise me that Greece is similar to Italy in this regard… 🙂
I’m just catching up on your blog… goodness you are an inspiration, I’m excited to know where else you will go.
I had a very easy time getting a work permit in Switzerland 5 years ago, you’re right that it’s pretty painless.
Italy on the other hand is tough, but like that’s ever stopped any of us 😉