Hello everyone! My company, a very large one, has offered to transfer me to Europe for my work territory. I originally thought the company would be specific about where I should work (Paris) but now I am being told I have some choice in where to go as long as I live next to a major airport for travel within Europe. Does anyone have any strong opinions on where to go?

About me: I'm early 30's, American, only speak English but will need to develop 2nd language skills of some kind, single but my UK girlfriend will probably be joining me. For her, London would be ideal but I would like to move somewhere continental Europe (I've lived in UK before for 3 yrs - would like to live somewhere else). I had a thought of Amsterdam but would pick Paris over all of these. Though I would imagine that Paris will be a huge learning curve for culture, language, etc.

More on what I want: I'd like to be in a moderate climate that isn't too gloomy but not boiling hot, somewhere that has a strong city identity and the city must have established research universities (for the girlfriend). I will be traveling quite a bit for work so that may factor into this decision. Looks as if I will be working at home/on the road and may not need to be next to corporate headquarters at all!

Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. If I had to make a split decision I would choose Paris - but I'm afraid it would be too difficult for my girlfriend (particularly since I would be away so much) and for both of us getting over the culture shock hurdle. The safety location would be London simply b/c I'm familiar with UK. But that seems dull!

Thanks!

I'm with you about London. For a job where you'll be travelling around Europe, the only way to travel from London is by plane. On the continent, the train is a much more efficient way to travel - and often takes no more time than flying, when you consider all the check-in nonsense these days.

Paris isn't really what you seem to want in a "moderate climate." It's not boiling hot, but winters are dark and gloomy and I've read somewhere that London actually has more days of sun each year than Paris. The big advantage to Paris is the TGV (fast train) network within France and with connections to most other high speed trains throughout Europe. There is definitely a research university cluster in the area, depending on your girlfriend's area of specialty.

I love Amsterdam, but the weather is definitely on the wet side nearly all seasons of the year. Or think about some of the major cities in Germany. Frankfurt is a possibility (then again, the weather leaves something to be desired.). Munich might do, or even Berlin, depending on where your travels might take you. (Handier to the Eastern part of Europe.) But just about anywhere on the continent, you will need to put in the effort to learn the local language.
Cheers,
Bev

Thanks Bev.

I'm in a strange situation. It's fantastic that i have so much leeway on choosing a spot; but I'm essentially spoiled for choice.

I should say that my weather preferences are bracketed by the last two places I've lived: Glasgow and L.A. I can't think of two more diverse climates! So rainy days aren't so bad (in fact I miss the rain a bit) but I hate that gloomy grey cover that always was around in Scotland.

So, in respect to assimilating into a local culture, which location would be easiest and hardest for an American? I'm probably more adaptable than the average American but it would still take quite alot of effort on my part.

Thanks

You miss the rain? Wow, I spent two years at the edge of the desert in South Africa, during a drought, and it only rained five times. Didn't miss it a bit.

How are your girlfriend's language skills? Does she need a university to study, or is she doing research, or is she hoping to teach? I don't know what the situation is in other European countries, but I do know that a lot of university level classes in the Netherlands are taught in English, and there are some workplaces where everyone just speaks English even if the only people there are Dutch (or so a guy that used to work for me said).

What about Geneva?

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Assimilation is a big question - even for people who consider themselves reasonably flex. I know I did just fine living first in Reading (in the UK) and then in Germany as far as assimilation goes. (OK, I speak pretty reasonable German, having majored in it in college. Makes a HUGE difference.) When I hit France, I went through 7 years of hell - though that had quite a bit to do with some other things going on in my life at the same time.

The language is a big deal, even in countries like the Netherlands, where "most" people speak better English than most Americans. The company I worked for had a divisional hq in the Netherlands and, while the "official company language" was English, there was a clear divide between the folks in the office (and their family members living in the area) who could speak Dutch and those who couldn't.

France can be a tough country to integrate yourself into. (The word "assimilate" reminds me too much of the Borg... though sometimes I think that's deliberate and that the Borg may have been modeled on the French. ) You need to make the effort, as the French expect you to want to become like them. (How much different is that from the Americans?) Depending on her field, your girlfriend could be in fat city, as there are numerous research facilities in and around Paris. The other advantage is that she can always hop a train for a quick visit back to the UK.

If your company is willing to post you to France (with all the employer fees and employee protections) you should certainly give it a go. French is a useful language to have, and Paris is a great base for getting out and seeing the rest of Europe.
Cheers,
Bev

Well, I don't miss ALL the rain!

My girlfriend speaks English, of course, and only broken French. Not enough for daily life but enough to order off a menu, etc. We would both be doing alot of catchup. I'm hoping to speak to my work about language classes, etc.
Her background is a PhD with 3 yrs postdoc bench work on tissue research (skin development, stem cells, more) so a teaching/research hospital or large university would need to be nearby. Really, any major city would have some sort of research activity she could investigate for work. And since she's EU I don't think she'll have too many paperwork headaches to get started.

Like Bev was discussing, I'm more concerned about 'integration' into the French life more than anything. The French are very interesting and it would be a great experience but I'm sure the stress level would be elevated to points I have yet to fathom when I factor in: setting up an apartment, making sure the girlfriend has a job she likes, finding my way around town, discovering the weird new brand names of food at the grocery store, learning the language to a sufficient degree, making new friends, etc. etc. The entire thing is daunting.

Sorry, most of this is just me putting my thoughts in writing.

Geneva is a good idea. I should investigate this. Zurich always pops up on the Best Euro Cities list. Any opinion on it?

If you settle of France, and your girlfriend starts looking for work, will she be able to communicate enough to work? Probably most of her colleagues will speak English well, but will they switch languages to accommodate her?

Could she put out some feelers and see where she is most likely to find work, and maybe get some idea of the work environment?

Much as you might want to settle elsewhere in Europe, for your girlfriend the UK might be the only good option.

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In the research area, it's considerably more likely your girlfriend will be able to get by with English - certainly until she has had a chance to work on her French. She has to be willing to make the effort, but many research facilities in the Paris area use English as their working language.
Cheers,
Bev

Sounds like I have a good handle on things. Your suggestions are the same thoughts I had myself. Glad I'm not missing anything obvious.

Yep, it will take a lot of coordinating to make sure everyone is accomodated. I'm sure it will work out in the end. thanks!

It will be a great opportunity for both of you. Be sure to let us know where you finally settle.

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