Latest column for Expat Focus
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When you get the call to uproot your life and relocate to a new, foreign country, the shellshock of packing up your ‘life as you know it’ and heading into the unknown abyss, is more often than not followed by a fast and furious ‘Google’ of the new ‘home’ in question.
First things first:
Location: Check! (Yes it is right where you thought on the map; or Surprise! who knew it was so close to Timbuktu!?)
Population: Check! (Mighty important to know what you’re dealing with here – are you one of hundreds, thousands or millions?)
Language: Check! (Just how much brainpower is this assignment going to require?)
So, with the basics ticked off – you’re in business.
Next on the relocation agenda, the things that make your world turn – jobs, real estate, schools, medical facilities and supermarkets.
If you’re a couple making the move into the expat world, usually one of you gets the job of heading into uncharted waters first and it’s usually the one with the new job.
For us, it was my Hotelier husband, who arrived cold turkey in Asia’s World City. We’d both had a brief taste of the city that never sleeps in a past life but for all intents and purposes, those trips (for me) were about shopping, eating and sightseeing, not so much focused on the unknown fact that my future might involve living amongst the madness that is Asia’s Manhattan. For more click here >>>
Related Posts
It Takes a Small Village to Raise a Child in a Big City
Stop the Press: We’re Moving to China!
Relocating to Hong Kong: What You Need to Know
The Skyscraper Bubble – Living in Hong Kong, the Only Way is Up
Living Overseas as an Expat: Do you adopt the local customs?
8 Lessons Learned: 3 Years as an Expat in Hong Kong
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Nicole,
Thanks so much for stopping by my admittedly quirky blog http://www.travelbyterry.com. I would love to hear how you found me wandering aimlessly through cyberspace. I love your blog. Besides the clever writing, I particularly appreciate the clean look and appealing graphics. Nice job! Feel free to stop by again and we will share a virtual mint mocha although I confess a preference for French vanilla lattes.
Best regards,
Terry
Hi Terry,
Thanks so much for popping over. Love your feedback! Can you believe I stumbled across your blog via the Linked In, Travel bloggers group? Glad I did, it’s a great blog and beautifully written, which in truth made me think I’d better lift my game! 😉
Love to stop by for a virtual Mint Mocha (you are free to have a French vanilla latte)!
Cheers, Nicole
Thank you Nicole for the kind words. I signed up to follow your blog and look forward to reading more! I have only been to Hong Kong once and that very briefly but found it a fascinating place. I hope to return one of these days.
I have finished the posts on my blog about the Dubai leg of my recent trip and will soon be turning my attention to the Mediterranean cruise portion.
Let’s keep in touch. If you have any interest, at some juncture we might want to consider trading guest posts one each others blogs to expand our audience. (I seem to be followed largely by bored Botswana hunter/gatherers and a handful of Tibetan monks in case that happens to fit in with your target market. )
Best regards,
Terry
Terry Denton recently posted…Should I Dubai Before I Die?
Thanks Terry, sounds like a great idea! Let’s keep in touch. I look forward to following your blog, quirkiness and all! 😉 Nicole