what do all reckon?

medic7 · #1 (**permalink**) 5th October 2007, 06:46 AM

Good afternoon.

I am looking for some advice. For the last 12 years or so I have been an expat everywhere from the middle east to the far east. I am also a single mother of a four year old. I really want to settle down somewhere and give my son a more settled life. I really don't want to go back to the UK as that is also no the life I want for him. My question is...where would be the best place to settle in your opinion. Bearing in mind that I would have to get work and would need a decent school etc. I am considering Portugal and Greece but haven't a clue how to go about finding a job.
I am really fed up and want to start getting a plan together but seem to just go round in circles.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Stravinsky · #2 (**permalink**) 5th October 2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medic7

Good afternoon.

I am looking for some advice. For the last 12 years or so I have been an expat everywhere from the middle east to the far east. I am also a single mother of a four year old. I really want to settle down somewhere and give my son a more settled life. I really don't want to go back to the UK as that is also no the life I want for him. My question is...where would be the best place to settle in your opinion. Bearing in mind that I would have to get work and would need a decent school etc. I am considering Portugal and Greece but haven't a clue how to go about finding a job.
I am really fed up and want to start getting a plan together but seem to just go round in circles.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Well the problem is, especially in Portugal, that you are going to need to speak the language to be able to increase your chances of getting employment. There are loads of Brit Expats that move to Spain and Portugal hoping to find a job easily and it often doesnt work out.

I know that aint much help, but its something to importantly consider.

medic7 · #3 (**permalink**) 6th October 2007, 02:46 AM

Thanks for the reply, I agree the language is always going to be a problem, I have however worken in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and am now in China, all in English - speaking positions, just looking for advice on what areas You guys think there is a possibility of finding work without having to live at the ends of the earth and so far from my family

synthia · #4 (**permalink**) 7th October 2007, 03:37 PM

Welcome to the expat forum, medic7. You have worked in countries where English is the language of business because the businesses are very internationally oriented.

Are you expecting to learn the language, and send your child to a local school?

Big Pete · #5 (**permalink**) 9th October 2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medic7

Good afternoon.

I am looking for some advice. For the last 12 years or so I have been an expat everywhere from the middle east to the far east. I am also a single mother of a four year old. I really want to settle down somewhere and give my son a more settled life. I really don't want to go back to the UK as that is also no the life I want for him. My question is...where would be the best place to settle in your opinion. Bearing in mind that I would have to get work and would need a decent school etc. I am considering Portugal and Greece but haven't a clue how to go about finding a job.
I am really fed up and want to start getting a plan together but seem to just go round in circles.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hmmmmmm advice time , let me think ..

Few options possible ;

1/ Find a wealthy single bloke
2/ Go back to the Uk as being a single mum you will get free housing child benefits and a host of other extras , then learn a trade or skill still keep my first option open , then i would head for Portugal or Greece armed with a trade under your belt .

You didnt say if you had any profession so hard to give better advice ..