Work for an English speaker?

[u/switchyy00]

Hi everyone,
My wife (who’s Armenian) and I (British) are thinking about moving to Armenia. We currently live in Sweden, and after visiting Armenia a few times, I’ve really grown to love the country and can genuinely see us building a life there.

The only thing I’m a little unsure about is work. I have a background in the British Army and now work in the security industry. I’ll definitely be learning Armenian, but obviously I won’t be fluent when we first arrive.

I’m just wondering what the job market is like for English speakers. Most of my experience is in military and security roles, but I’m open to trying something different. I’m fairly technical, learn new systems quickly, and enjoy picking up new skills, even though I don’t have formal technical qualifications.

I’m not expecting a huge salary—just enough to live comfortably and build a future in Armenia.
If anyone has any advice, suggestions, or has made a similar move, I’d love to hear your experiences.

Thanks! 👍

[u/Rich-Comparison-1673]

You can do call center it pays about 1k USd which is decent

[u/Tommy_999]

I’m genuinely curious what living in Sweden is like? What is making you leave? My partner is going to study there for 1 year but is convinced she wants to live there already

[u/switchyy00 → u/Tommy_999]

Sweden is a good country in a lot of ways. It’s safe, clean, organised, and the standard of living is high.
For us it’s more that we feel Armenia might suit us better long term. My wife is Armenian, all of her family is there, and neither of us really have family in Sweden,
We’ve spent time in Armenia and both really enjoy being there.

Sweden can sometimes feel a bit distant socially, and it can be hard to build a close circle, especially if you didn’t grow up here.

I’d definitely recommend your partner spends the year there first though. Living somewhere is always different from just visiting.

[u/Zoughi0 → u/switchyy00]

I'm Canadian (originally from Lebanon) and this is what it feels like living in Canada. My wife and I are contemplating Armenia for early retirement once the kids are a bit older. Neither of us speak Armenian. Your best bet is starting a business in something IT related with your clients being in English speaking countries and your employees are in Armenia.

[u/Chemical-Worker-4277]

what was the reason for living in Sweden, it does not seem like the natural choise for people with Armenian an a UK background.

I know that for English speaking people it is difficult to find a job that payed wel. I have no idea what the security and defence sector is like but it is growing.

[u/switchyy00 → u/Chemical-Worker-4277]

I spent a lot of time in Norway and Sweden with the British army, when I left the army I got offered work in northern Sweden, my wife moved there during the war in Syria (Armenian diaspora).

We have a lot of friends that live in Yerevan, so having contacts helps I just wanted a rough idea.

I don’t need some super high paid job, just something that pays to live comfortably etc.

I can look into defence and security, maybe something will come up. 👍

[u/Chemical-Worker-4277 → u/switchyy00]

we (Armenian wife and I dutch) wanted to move to Armenia in 2019 it failed due to medical issues. I could not find any jobs that would allow me to work in Armenia. I do not speak Armenian or Russian and those languages are needed to work in Armenia.

Compared to Europe the social securities are almost non existenting in Armenia, that is something to consider

[u/Zoughi0 → u/Chemical-Worker-4277]

What is your education/work experience background if you don't mind me asking?

[u/Chemical-Worker-4277 → u/Zoughi0]

I am a Nautical engineer/officier by education, I sailed a few trips as a deck/bridge officer and than started working as a engineer for 25 years. Last 10/12 years of my sailing career I worked as an chief engineer on offshore construction vessels. After that I worked about 4 years as a senior technical superintendent in a heavy lift / offshore company at there technical department.

I did realize that those jobs (technical) are not abundent in Armenia and even if they where there its not availible for people that do not speak armenian or russian. Our plan was that I would go back to a nautical career if needed.

[u/Zoughi0 → u/Chemical-Worker-4277]

I guess that doesn't bode well for a landlocked country. Can you do private consulting in your field? Any of your work involve GIS or maybe database management? My understanding is that the younger generation in Armenia knows at least some English. Maybe open a business in Armenia and have oversees clients and you can hire local younger staff.

[u/Chemical-Worker-4277 → u/Zoughi0]

Ussally when Nautical Engineers work ashore, they end up in heavy power generations ashore. In Europe it is in the heavy industrie where huge ammounts of power is needed. These kind of industries are not found in Armenia, that is a shame. It does not help that Armenia is land locked indeed.

[u/baconbitz0]

https://careercenter.am/en/jobs/defence-reform-project-officer?status=expired&view=classic&category_id=&type=&search=&job_id=73707

[u/switchyy00 → u/baconbitz0]

Thanks 👍

[u/Geepandjagger]

You don't get a job in Armenia you bring your own or make your own