Moving overseas with small children

My family is relocating to London with my husband's job and all of the logistics have been sorted out: renting out our home, what to do with cars, our belongings, etc... but now i'm starting to get anxious about being in a new place with small kids and few to no friends while my husband goes to work everyday.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has done a big move like this and how you adjusted.

Re: Moving overseas with small children

I don't have children (but have been in your situation), but there are many expat groups you can join. It seems it's easier to make friends abroad when you have kids .

Anyway, uk-yankee.com has a really good message board and I know a lot of people on an expat board I'm on have found that to be a big help.

Go to meet ups and you'll meet people. The first few weeks are tough, though. Keep in touch with friends and family back home, but also try to explore new things every day- even if it's just a new supermarket.

Message edited 2/24/2017 10:47:29 AM.

Re: Moving overseas with small children

Do you get a relocation package ($$)? If not I would sell everything. How long will you stay overseas?

Moving overseas with small children

FM me, my family moves overseas when I was 9

Re: Moving overseas with small children

Re: Moving overseas with small children

Omg! I have zero experience but I wanted to just say good luck! I've visited plenty of European countries and am Portuguese and have always said London is one of the few I could legit see myself moving too! It's just so beautiful! Best of luck! xo

Re: Moving overseas with small children

Moving overseas with small children

My sil moves every couple of years with the military. Besides the military people she meets she always meets mom's at the parks, zoos, etc.

Take advantage of all the family friendly activities and site see and enjoy.

I'm jealous.

Moving overseas with small children

I moved to the Caribbean when I was 7. I don't know how difficult it was on my mom, I'm sure it was to some extent. I'm sorry that I can't offer much from a parental POV; my mom and I don't have a relationship anymore so I can't ask her. What I do know is that I made friends very quickly and my mother befriended my friend's mothers. This was back in the 80's so there were no social meet ups. I agree with what Klingklang77 suggested, frequent the sites, go to meet ups no matter how intimidating it might be. Idk if your kids are school age or not but sign them up for play groups, etc. Good luck, this is such an outstanding opportunity for you and your family. I loved London and was actually planning to move there after college but a family tragedy made me change my plans. It's ok to be scared but remind yourself that you will only be "new" for a few wks and can totally handle that. Oh and make sure you travel. I definitely didn't travel enough while in London and am still kicking myself about it.

Re: Moving overseas with small children

A good friend of mine moved there last October. At the beginning she found it difficult to adapt, although she has 2 kids age 11 and 9. The problem was that she found playdates for the kids were not as easy as here, because the kids on their schools come from all over and where her kids go are not zone schools (they go to different schools and very traditional ones). She kind of wishes she has put her kids to an international school, so she could meet more people from everywhere, and not only English moms.

At the end, she got introduce to a mom that does fitness classes and she is meeting more moms by going to those fitness lessons. So maybe the suggestions would be to join a moms group, or join classes to meet more moms (that was even my way to meet moms when DS was little here)... and ask around... there is always a friend of a friend that lives there and has gone through what you will experience.

I want to add... have fun and enjoy what London and living in Europe has to offer, for you and your kids. It'll be an amazing experience!

Moving overseas with small children

I don't live out of the country, but I moved away from all of my family. I met people through work and then through 2 moms groups. At first, I felt isolated, but once I put myself out there, I started enjoying myself.

Re: Moving overseas with small children

We are actually moving overseas with kids (7 & 9) for my husband's job also. From what I've been told, much of the socializing revolves around school & school activities. Also, I'm not sure if this is also for UK, but where we're going (Middle East), the expats are all kind of clustered, living in the same area, so there will be neighbors going through the same experience. Definitely look into MeetUp type groups: I know where we'll be, there's an expat (from multiple countries) moms & wives "coffee club" every Tues. morning. Does your husband's company have a good amount of employees who have recently transferred to London? Maybe there are wives for you to reach out to before you go. Such an exciting adventure!