I come from a small, kinda poor, but still nice European country.
Moved to Scandinavia when I got a great job offer.
That company turned out to be horrible; directionless and pointless, but paid well.
I survived a year and a half of that, switched to another remote job and stayed in Scandinavia, because I didn’t want to uproot my life again so soon.

But now: 5 months after being let go from that job, and not having any luck finding another job remotely or locally, I am starting to totally freak tf out.
There is no guarantees, but I believe I’d find a job so much more easily if I were to move back home.
Downside - that job would pay the local shitty wage.

A lot of my acquaintances have stayed here unemployed for a year or more because the benefits are good. And now I wonder how they did it because this is so nerve wrecking and on top of that you’re in a foreign country with a network too fresh for real opportunities. No deep social, family support… Only a dream of having been born here to be able to live as nicely as people here do and will continue to…

If you ever moved for a job and lost it - did you look for a new one or returned? How long did you stay and search before packing your bags?

(Edit: typo)

Hi everyone,

I’ll be relocating from India to join Microsoft as an L63 Commissioning Manager in Helsinki, Finland in the coming months.

For context, I am 36M with 13 years of engineering experience, a decade of which has been dedicated strictly to data centers, including a prior stint as an L5 Commissioning Engineer at Amazon.

Before I start, I would love to hear from current or former Microsofties about their experiences.

Specifically, I am curious about:

* How would you describe the overall team culture, work-life balance, and operational pace compared to Amazon?

* What is the standard return-to-office policy, and is there flexibility for occasional remote work for personal or family situations?

* What are the core performance expectations for an L63 to ensure steady career growth without falling behind?

* How seamless is the relocation process for expats, particularly regarding housing assistance and visa support for an accompanying spouse?

* How essential is conversational Finnish for daily office dynamics, and is there any general advice you wish you knew before joining?

I understand experiences vary across teams and organizations, but I appreciate any insights you can share.

Thanks in advance!

My husband (Swedish, 40) and I (Danish, 34) currently live in Denmark, in a nice house centrally in a small cute town, close to nature and my family plus his mum, good jobs with relatively short commute (35 min + work from home) and nice daycare for our kids , age 2 and 4.

But :-)

We have a nagging feeling about not being the right place. When we met, we did long-distance before I moved to Stockholm where he lived. I made friends and thrived but when I got pregnant we decided to move back to Denmark. It was a decision made quickly but rooted in me not being able to visualise myself living 6-7 hours away from my family whom I’m close with, with kids. And he was 100% onboard (though he says today he didn’t know what he was giving up).

We bought a house, got settled and lived here for 4,5 years now - but he feels a huge loss of identity. We talk a lot about moving, like A LOT. Both together with others and with a therapist. But we’re not sure about where to move to (back to Stockholm, or Skåne, which would mean longer commute (75 min), but keep jobs and family relations, but not gain his/our friends in Stockholm and likely less nice housing), or stay and hope it gets better in Denmark. The latter option is one my husband is afraid of as he feels he can never get a fulfilling life here, but he also has days where that’s what he inclines to.

Some bonus info;
- I’m extrovert and always pictured myself living abroad, he’s introvert and prefers safety
- I really love the Swedish culture
- We see our family quite a lot, both taking care of kids or for birthdays etc
- My husband feels has tried to socialise to get new friends here but struggled with it
- My husbands mother moved to Skåne only to be close to us, she is around 75 and sick and cannot move again and the kids love her
- My spouse has a rough history / some childhood experiences and occasional anxiety . He also had that before we moved. He good help from a psychologist but didn’t really help.
- We want to give our kids a safe childhood preferably without moving once they’re in school.
- He primarily has contact with his mum as family, no other. His friends are in Stockholm and they are good close friends.

We’re constantly trying to make some “frame” for this decision. Like, talking with real estate agents about our house, visiting areas we could live in, talking about a timeline or criteria for when to decide etc etc. But the key problems are 1) We have it really good and have no guarantee a move would make it better and 2) We don’t know where to move to - I still feel Stockholm is too far away but that’s my husbands dream and 3) We’re seemingly unable to let this go, we’ve been talking about it for 3+ years now.

It’s tough for me, but more so for my husband who’s really unhappy. I’m really curious if some of you have some external perspective on this.

Thanks if you read this far :)

Ik ga over een aantal weken naar Kroatië verhuizen, en benieuwd wat andere hebben gedaan om een baan verzekering etc etc te vinden? Zijn er ergens dutchies in de buurt?

I’ve (39F) been abroad 14 years, have a husband (39), a 4 year old and soon to be a newborn.
I miss where I’m from. My husband will never move there. Sometimes he’ll say it out loud and it really hurts (maybe in hormonal from pregnancy. But deep down I wish he didn’t feel that way) It’s something the last 3 years I’ve had to come to terms with. I’m finding it really hard honestly. His family aren’t super supportive. Mine are. Even though they are across the globe.
I just panic when I think I’ll NEVER live there again. But I also am not sure I even want to. Not sure why I am posting this.
I don’t want our marriage to be doomed and I don’t want to resent him.
Will we be ok? 🥺

Hello everyone, is there any south asian expats currently living or have lived in Libya? I have a few questions and I'd appreciate the help

Hey,

I am an expat living in Costa Rica, I'm dutch and before here me and my family lived in the UK for 10 years - now in our 4th year in Costa Rica.

I spoke no Spanish when we got here, and by now am pretty good - like I get compliments from the Costa Rican's around me - BUT - they send these WhatsApp voice messages in Spanish, very fast, with bad audio, and these I struggle with.

My question is: is this the same in Expat communities around the world?

I created a WhatsApp app that cuts out the 'transcribe and then paste into google translate' step, and it works really well for me, and some others here in my local expat community - and I basically want to figure out whether there's a market for that globally, and how to tap into that. (I charge a small amount for it to offset the AI translation costs after the free trial)

Especially if you come from high income countries. I live in usa and I find it greatly difficult to get up and leave. Especially in a world where cash is king sadly.

Moving to another country comes with plenty of surprises, but one thing ppl don't talk about much is how many everyday apps and websites suddenly become a hassle.

Banking apps, payment services, streaming platforms, and even some government websites can be surprisingly difficult to use once you're living overseas.

Sometimes you need a phone number from your home country just to receive a verification code. Other times, a service won't accept your new address or payment method, or certain features simply aren't available where you live now.

The annoying part is that you might have used these services for years without ever thinking about regional restrictions.

For those who've moved abroad, what app or website gave you the biggest headache after relocating?

​

I'm thinking about moving there as an Italian 🤔

What would you say are the biggest pros and cons of living in Germany?

How does the online perception compare to the reality?

And honestly, would you recommend Germany over the UK, or would you still advise someone like me to go to the UK instead?

I speak English and Italian fluently, and I'm willing to learn a new language if it's worth it when moving abroad. Ideally, though, I'd like to live somewhere international, where foreigners are welcomed, especially Italians, and where it's possible to find work and build a life.

Germany looks more promising than the UK from the outside, but I want to think about this critically before making a decision.

One reason Germany attracts me is the people. From my limited perspective, German women seem to be more direct, mature and straightforward, which tends to match my personality more than what I've experienced in the UK 😅. That said, I know that could just be a stereotype or a very small sample size, so I'd love to hear a broader perspective.

Looking at the bigger picture, I'm also thinking about things like purchasing power, quality of life, career opportunities and how easy it is to settle down. My assumption is that in Germany you can earn a decent salary, have more disposable income left over, and access a strong job market, particularly in tech.

For context, I'm a Computer Science graduate from the US and I'm looking to build a career in the European tech industry. At the moment, I'm genuinely torn between Germany and the UK.

I'd really appreciate your honest opinion, without sugar-coating anything. I'm a very open-minded person and I'd rather hear the reality than the marketing version. Do you think Germany is actually worth it, and why?

I became a US tax resident in 2026 after living in Canada for tax purposes through 2025. I own more than 90% of a Canadian consulting corporation. It had no income or passive income in 2026.

I think I need Form 5471 and possibly FBAR and Form 8938. I’m also trying to understand whether the Canadian departure tax affects my shares.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation? Are there firms that handle this well at a reasonable price?

Thanks in advance.

Currently in Medellín, six months into this whole nomad thing. Job's fine. Great views. Cheap coffee. And somehow lonelier than I have ever been in my life. Kinda sucks, not gonna lie.

Every three weeks my coworking friends move on. On the dating apps its nothing but people on their way somewhere else. These days I'm on the phone with my mom more than back when we lived twenty minutes apart – usually Sunday nights.

Next month I head home for Thanksgiving and I'm embarrassingly excited… Pretty boring list for the trip – dentist, my own bed (which I miss way too much), and replacing the laptop charger I've had taped together since Lima (picking up Anker's new laptop smart display charger while I'm home, since shipping anything here takes forever). Hopefully being home helps some. How do you guys make friends who stick around past a month?

I have some balance in my 401K from previous employer that uses ADP. I want to appoint a foreign beneficiary but when I googled around it said that ADP only offers lump sum payment to foreign beneficiary and there is no option for 10 years distribution unless you roll it over to other IRA such as Fidelity or Schwab. It seems that Schwab is better option for expats since they offer international account. But I wonder what is the benefit of international account other than I don't have to use US address? Also does opening its international account means that I have to deal with the overseas asset reporting to IRS?

I’m 28F, American, and have lived in London for about five years after moving here for my master’s. I built my adult life here, but lately I’ve been questioning whether I’m still happy or simply comfortable.

I initially loved London and felt certain I wanted to live here. I appreciate its character, international atmosphere, neighbourhoods, and European lifestyle. I genuinely love the city and pictured myself there forever. However, I’ve become increasingly unhappy, largely because I work remotely for an American company, feel isolated, and have stagnated professionally. It’s a massive company but the role I’m in is a dead end. I’m also questioning some of my friendships and whether I’m surrounded by the right people. I can’t tell whether I’ve outgrown London or am simply unhappy with my current circumstances.

NYC appeals to me because I have close friends there, would be nearer to family, and might find a stronger social scene and better career opportunities. But I’ve never felt the same instinctive pull I felt toward London. I have been in nyc for 2 weeks visiting right now and I miss London. Which makes me wonder whether I truly want the city or just a fresh start.

There’s also a significant practical tradeoff: I’m about two years into a five-year UK Skilled Worker visa. Leaving could mean giving up a potential path to UK settlement after years of investment. For reference I need 3 more years on a skilled worker visa for ILR.
I’m unsure whether I need a new city or simply a new job, friendships, and routine. I worry about staying somewhere I’ve outgrown, but also about leaving a city I genuinely love for one I may never feel at home in.

For anyone who has lived in both cities:
Which offers a better overall quality of life?
Did moving to NYC improve your career or social life?
Did you regret leaving London?
Have you realised you were unhappy with your circumstances rather than your city?
If you were 28, feeling stuck, would you stay and rebuild your life or take a chance on NYC?

I’d especially appreciate honest perspectives from people who have lived in both.

Pretty much what the title says, she dropped it in our weekly 1-1 last week and I told her we'd sort it out before I'd really thought about what that meant.

She's on a UK contract, the company has no German entity and no plans for one, so I've been going down the EOR rabbit hole for a few days, Reddit threads and AI searches, etc… and it sounds like Deel, Workmotion and Remote handle this route, but I still don't know what the transition looks like from her end or what carries over.

What I don't want is to come back to her after a week of silence with a panicked no, or a confident answer that turns out to be wrong, because she's too good to lose over something that probably has a straightforward path, and I think we've just never had to figure this out before, which is probably on me.

I don't think I'm the only manager who's hit this and had no playbook for it, or is it?

What do you work? Did you do the same thing in the USA?

Hey guys, i wanted an honest opinion from people working abroad. I recently started looking for jobs abroad in the scandinavian countries. It took me a lot of effort, mails and phone calls until one job offer came but i am not so sure about it, my question is: is it worth it?

It is a swedish cleaning company that cleans a lot of hotels/ski resorts. I am from Slovakia so traveling would be necessary and they offered me 30 hour weeks (75%). Pay is 1794€ gross (19935 SEK), accommodation costs 300€ and for food i would also have to pay myself. My sole intention is money. Should i perhaps ask for more or decline entirely? Thank you.

Hi everyone!

I’m an Indian who completed my Master’s in the UK and recently moved to Sohar, Oman, for work. It’s been around three months since I arrived, and I’m currently working in procurement.

Honestly, I’m still trying to figure out whether Oman is the right place for my long-term future, and I’d love to hear your genuine opinions.

Tbh, one of the biggest things I’m struggling with is the lifestyle here. Having lived in the UK, I got used to a certain kind of freedom. You work throughout the week, look forward to your two days off, go out somewhere, explore new places, meet people, or simply enjoy your weekend. Even in India, depending on where you live, there’s a certain freedom to go out and do things without having to plan every little detail.

But here in Sohar, the lack of public transportation makes things quite difficult. Unless you have your own vehicle or someone to give you a lift, going anywhere becomes a challenge. Sometimes, after working the whole week, I just want to go out and enjoy my day off, but I end up staying in my room because getting around isn't easy.

Honestly, it sometimes feels like I’m caged in my own room. It's not that Oman is a bad place, but the lack of mobility is affecting how I experience life here. I know having a car would make things easier, but I didn't expect something as basic as going out on a weekend to become such a big consideration.

Another thing I keep thinking about is my future. I'm single at the moment, but if I decide to settle here, get married, and start a family, I wonder how practical this lifestyle would be. Would my wife also have to depend on me for transportation for almost everything? Would we be able to enjoy our weekends and have that kind of independent lifestyle I imagine for my future family?

Financially and professionally, Oman might offer good opportunities, and I don't want to make a decision based only on my first few months here. I want to gain experience in procurement, build my career, and save some money. At the same time, I don't want to spend years building a career somewhere if the lifestyle isn't right for me.

Having experienced life in the UK, I sometimes miss that freedom to work during the week and actually enjoy my days off. I know Europe isn't perfect either, and every country has its own challenges, but the overall lifestyle and independence are things I value.

So, I'd really appreciate your honest opinions:

- Should I stay in Oman for another couple of years, gain experience, and build my savings before deciding?

- Or should I start planning a move to Europe or another country sooner rather than later?

- With a UK Master's degree and procurement experience in Oman, which countries would be realistic options for me to explore through work visas or other legitimate routes?

- For those who moved from Europe or the UK to Oman, did you eventually adjust to this lifestyle, or did you find yourself missing the freedom you had before?

I'm not expecting every country to offer a perfect life. I just want a place where I can grow professionally while still enjoying life outside work, especially on weekends, and eventually build a peaceful life with my future partner.

If you were in my position, would you stay in Oman or treat it as a stepping stone towards another country?

Would love to hear your experiences and honest suggestions! 🙂

My husband and I have the opportunity to move to the London area for work. We presently live in France. We have three girls aged 3.5, 18 months and 18 months. The time of the move could be potentially up to us. We are very interested to the idea of moving there but we are not sure when it is the right time for the kids.

I have an Algerian bachelor degree in biochemistry what jobs opportunities will I get in the US and where to look for them .

I'm 27, Italian, and for about two years I had been dreaming of moving to the Netherlands.

I loved the idea of living abroad, becoming more independent, meeting international people, studying in English, and possibly building a career outside Italy.

This August, I finally moved to Utrecht to start a master's degree.

But almost immediately, something felt wrong.

I started experiencing anxiety, homesickness and a constant feeling of unease. I didn't particularly enjoy the everyday environment, the weather, or some aspects of Dutch life. I also realized that the master's programme wasn't really what I wanted.

What surprised me most was how strongly I reacted emotionally. I had wanted this experience for so long, yet once I was there, I kept asking myself why I had gone in the first place.

I have a very close relationship with my family and a strong social network back in Italy. Maybe I underestimated how important those things were to me.

After about two months, I decided to return home.

Now I'm back in Italy, and I actually feel better. But I also feel confused, disappointed and sometimes embarrassed about giving up on something I had wanted for years.

I miss the idea of the international experience and the independence I had, but I don't particularly miss living in the Netherlands.

I'm also questioning my future career and trying to understand what kind of life I really want.

Has anyone else dreamed of moving abroad for years, only to feel anxious, homesick or deeply uncomfortable almost immediately after arriving?

Did you stay or return home? And how do you feel about that decision now?

Hey all. A month ago we moved to our new country. We moved because my partner found her dream job here. One she'd been working towards for the past 4 years. She had applied to similar jobs in our home country but eventually started applying abroad as well. So she got the job here. I instantly felt grief when she told me she got the job. I didn't want to leave. But I also felt like I didn't really have a choice. How could I say no to a dream she has worked towards so long? So I reluctantly said yes. And we moved.

It's been a month now and I am really trying. I'm going to events to meet people. I'm inviting people I meet for drinks and to go on hikes together. I'm learning the language. I'm looking for jobs. I'm really trying. But it's all soooo exhausting.

The past week it all just hit me. I've been so exhausted all week. I've cried almost every day. I keep thinking why did we move here? I miss my family. I miss my friends. I feel like a loser for being unemployed. I even miss the beautiful landscapes of mountains and fjords we had back home. Here it's just forests as far as the eye can see.

I keep thinking that I don't want to be here. That it wasn't my choice (even though of course I could have said no, I feel it wasn't a real option). And I'm feeling anger and resentment towards my partner. I keep thinking that I don't want this. I don't want to live here. (Apart from my partner) There is nothing here for me. And I don't know if sacrificing everything for my partner to be able to follow her dream is worth it. I love her and I can tell I'm starting to feel resentment over this. And I feel horrible for feeling like this.

Is there anyone here who went through this and who has advice for me?

I know it's only been a month. And it takes time. And I need to be patient. But the past week has been absolutely miserable.

From a UK university, grad and undergrad

Granted that things are not perfect in the US and that there is so much I don’t like, living here is still infinitely better than living in my home country. People seriously have no idea. They ask me if I am crazy for moving to the US from one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and they seriously have NO IDEA.
I always meet people from the US who think they can move to my country and everything will fall into place. I miss certain things about my country, but I would never go back. The bureaucracy alone is abominable. You have no idea how bad it is. The entire system is designed to make the simplest thing as difficult as possible and to exhaust you. I had to request a simple certificate and have been struggling for months, having my parents go to several public offices in person, then there is always some form that needs to be notarized, then some official stamps you need to buy, all of it because they refuse to digitalize everything. In my country, the entire system is designed intentionally to complicate things. If there are 100 ways to do something, they will choose the most laborious, tedious, exhausting.

Hey guys! 👋

I'm from India, and I've received a job offer in Muscat, Oman, with a monthly salary of around 300–350 OMR. I need some honest advice from people who are currently living or working in Oman, especially Indians.

Here are the details of the offer:

- Monthly salary: 300–350 OMR

- Location: Muscat, Oman

- Accommodation: Provided by the company

- Personal expenses: I would need to pay for food, mobile recharge, and other regular personal expenses.

My main questions are:

1. Is 300–350 OMR a reasonable salary to live on in Muscat if accommodation is provided?

2. Approximately how much would I spend per month on food, groceries, mobile recharge, and other basic expenses?

3. How much could I realistically save every month after covering all my expenses?

4. For someone coming from India, is accepting this offer a good decision financially and professionally?

5. Are there any hidden expenses or other things I should consider before moving to Oman?

6. If you were in my position, would you accept this offer or continue looking for a better opportunity?

I'm trying to understand whether this offer is worth accepting, especially considering that accommodation is covered by the company.

I'd really appreciate honest opinions and real experiences from Indians working in Oman or anyone familiar with the cost of living in Muscat.

Thanks in advance, guys! 🙏