I'm happy as an expat for the time being. Its been a wonderful way to bring up the family, outside the confines of the UK. That said, I am a proud Brit and its always been my intention to eventually settle back down in the UK, financially secure.
We have kept our family home in the UK over the past 8 years while we have been away and have had it rented out. When we return for the summer I take a local house on a short let or move into our own home if it is vacant. I would never be without bricks and mortar in the UK, one as an investment, and secondly it will always be home.
When we moved to Saudi our youngest son was only 2 months old so my wife was a full time mother and housewife. The older two went to school. For the first couple of years she was busy primarily with the baby but made friends through the school too. After that she had an 'iffy' year when she wasn't so happy as the 'baby' didn't take up all her time and she often felt homesick and went through bouts of loneliness and boredom at home by herself. She decided the answer was to get busy and keep herself occupied so the following summer she trained up as a beautician and since then has managed a couple of salons over here, which she enjoys and also keeps her busy meeting new friends. The key she will always tell any prospective expat mum is to keep a positive outlook and be busy. Work for her was a major godsend.
People out here also go out of their way to be friendly and social as we are all in the same boat, so to speak. Lots of creative home entertainment, dinner parties, BBQs etc as well as organised events by the British Embassy and Business Groups that you can join free of charge.
You need to keep an open mind but the social opportunities out here really are very good once you begin to get to know people. Like anywhere else, life is what you make it.
I'm happy as an expat for the time being. Its been a wonderful way to bring up the family, outside the confines of the UK. That said, I am a proud Brit and its always been my intention to eventually settle back down in the UK, financially secure.
We have kept our family home in the UK over the past 8 years while we have been away and have had it rented out. When we return for the summer I take a local house on a short let or move into our own home if it is vacant. I would never be without bricks and mortar in the UK, one as an investment, and secondly it will always be home.
When we moved to Saudi our youngest son was only 2 months old so my wife was a full time mother and housewife. The older two went to school. For the first couple of years she was busy primarily with the baby but made friends through the school too. After that she had an 'iffy' year when she wasn't so happy as the 'baby' didn't take up all her time and she often felt homesick and went through bouts of loneliness and boredom at home by herself. She decided the answer was to get busy and keep herself occupied so the following summer she trained up as a beautician and since then has managed a couple of salons over here, which she enjoys and also keeps her busy meeting new friends. The key she will always tell any prospective expat mum is to keep a positive outlook and be busy. Work for her was a major godsend.
People out here also go out of their way to be friendly and social as we are all in the same boat, so to speak. Lots of creative home entertainment, dinner parties, BBQs etc as well as organised events by the British Embassy and Business Groups that you can join free of charge.
You need to keep an open mind but the social opportunities out here really are very good once you begin to get to know people. Like anywhere else, life is what you make it.
Sheikky
I hope this helps a little.