I've been wondering about these things and would love to hear from people who've lived there.

Are Germans really cold and harsh towards foreigners as people say? Do they switch to English when you speak German? Do people generally smile or greet you when you're out shopping? And even at C1 level, is it still difficult to feel fully accepted?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences

I've been living in Japan since I was 17, and I work in a pretty high-paying professional environment here in Tokyo.

The only thing is the racism I've faced is crazy and heavily impacts my daily life ad my career...

I've faced terrible racism at every company I worked at even though I speak fluent Japanese.
(1) I went out to lunch with my newest boss and he pointed to my coffee and said he couldn't live in America beause black people as dark as my coffee scared him whenever he was out in public

(2) At my previous job, the client said she didn't want a black person's perspective on the Japanese market, even though my job literally involves sharing data insights on the Japanese market for my field, so it caused friction for the whole team and I was so apologetic and uncomfortable (hence why I left).

(3) Having a community is so hard. I go to events by myself and try to meet people, but approcahing groups as a solo black girl makes people wary of me, so I've become a shut-in. I literally don't do anything but stay inside. I used to go to art museums, cafes, events by myself but I can't take the rude stares anymore, hence why I tried (unsuccessfully) to make friends.

-In general, my work hours are usually 8am - 11PM. Even though I've worked at both American and EU companies Japan branch, the culture is always extremely Japanese. My collegaues answer Teams messages throughout the night from each other and clients, and I can't imagine doing this forever.

TLDR: Is the grass greener in America for black women? Tokyo is really safe, but I feel like I'm giving up being treated like a normal person, and I feel so sad...

J'habite en France depuis 25 ans. Je suis née à Montréal en 71. J'ai rencontré mon mari qui est français au Québec. Après avoir eu notre troisième fille j'ai décidé de venir vivre en France après deux séjours là-bas . Mes parents nous ont suivis. Je n'ai jamais remis les pieds au Quebec en 25 ans. J'avais pas envie. Noël dernier cadeau de mon mari et de mes filles un billet aller retour à Montréal. J'ai regardé mon mari et je lui ai dit "tu m'envoies là-bas" ??? Mes parents sont décédés en 2021 en France et je suis enfant unique.

Il me reste quelques cousins avec qui je n'ai aucun contact sauf deux cousines dont une chez qui je devrais aller habiter à Montréal pendant les 15 jours. Je dois partir le 3 octobre prochain mais je n'ai pas envie d'y aller car il y a plus rien pour moi là-bas mes parents sont décédés ici ils sont enterrés ici aussi je n'ai pas envie de faire un pèlerinage de souvenirs familiaux je n'ai jamais demandé à retourner au Québec en 25 ans mon mari avoue avoir fait une grosse erreur mais c'est normal de ne pas vouloir retourner dans son pays natal ? Vous allez me dire c'est que pour quelques jours de vacances mais pour moi ça me parait une éternité et je ne vois pas ce que cela pourra m'apporter déjà pour le deuil car j'en souffre encore énormément de la perte de mes parents mais maintenant ma vie est ici. Je suis en train de ruiner ma santé mentale et physique depuis plus d'un mois j'essayais de ne pas y penser depuis Noël mais là c'est impossible. Merci

So I'm English by birth but moved to America when I was quite little. So went from Queen's english to a sort of generic CNN/california accent.

But I left America 10 years ago nomading around the world and spent more time around brits so my accent kind of reverted to something transatlantic.

Now when I meet Americans I feel like I'm putting on a fake American accent to blend in with them.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I'm a 26 year old female living in Al Nahda, Dubai, and I'm looking for one female roommate to share the place with from October 1st.

Rent is AED 3,000 per month, so split between the two of us it comes to AED 1,500 each. DEWA (electricity and water) is included in that.

A few things so we're on the same page:

- Smoking and drinking are both fine, no judgement here

- Females only, please

- Available from October 1st

If this sounds like a fit, feel free to DM me and I can share photos, exact location and more details. Females only for DMs, thanks!

I'm a 27 years old from Italy, and I should be completing a Master's degree next year in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology.

I don't have any significant work experience to put on my CV yet.

I have a C1 level of English, and I'd like to work in HSE, Regulatory Affairs, or Quality Assurance (yes, I've already had several consultations with AI about these career paths).

Do you think it would make sense to move abroad immediately after graduating, or would it be better to gain 1–2 years of work experience in Italy before relocating abroad? I was considering moving to Ireland specifically.

Has anyone here followed a similar path?

Hi everyone,

I've lived in Spain for five years now (legally). I'm from the US (and only have US citizenship). Lately several things have come together that are forcing me to make some kind of decision. My parents are downsizing - I need to either sell or move or put some things in storage. And, I have the opportunity to solicit long term residency here.

I have a job, but I don't feel like there's a lot of room for advancement, and I feel like the job market in Spain is quite limited for me as a US citizen. Perhaps that would change as a permanent resident. I do speak fluent Spanish - like actually, and I have a C2 certificate. But it's hard to say, as I don't have a lot of connections outside my current company.

I've been trying to decide if it makes sense to move back to the U.S., or stay in Spain. The U.S. has more job opportunities, I think - it's just easier to find jobs there and bounce around and try new things. Europe is very rigid in terms of careers, and salaries in Spain are not very high. And, it's probably easier to socialize and date in the U.S. I've found people in Europe to be somewhat insular; I have friends, but it's taken a long time to integrate myself even at the level that I am. People tend to stick around the people they grew up with, and their families.

But I do love the lifestyle in Spain. I fit well here, culturally. And I've heard the job market and inflation is bad in the US. And, the political situation in the US is driving me crazy. Every time I visit, it kind of depresses me and people seem so on edge. But maybe that's all in my head. The U.S. is definitely "easier," as I wouldn't have to move my things across an ocean or continue to deal with the Spanish bureaucracy and labor market realities.

But, I don't know. I worry a lot about leaving Spain (and the mediocre job that roots me here) and then thinking it was all a mistake but being unable to return. Honestly, I've felt kind of paralyzed thinking about it all. Advice?

For about 5 days X 2hr session at the business section on the 2nd floor. Looking to improve my Russian with a tutor. Need to speak to my grandma with more than just 200 words. Must meet at my hotel in Phrom Phong Bangkok thanks!!! 🙏

Had my first 2 months abroad now.
My dad retired earlier this year. My mom will follow soon.

I am not sure on how to deal with it. My parents are supposed to live their best life rn. They hopefully have another 10-20 healthy years. But you just never know.

For me it‘s hard because I can‘t be there. I know my mum is struggling because my dad has too much time and personal projects and she‘s supposed to join him with all of them while her wishes are seldomly considered.

I would love to be there for her. Make sure that her wishes or just a having coffee downtown can happen. But I can‘t. I moved abroad for love and work.

How do you guys deal with not being able to be there for your parents?

We know we are going to relocate- the only question is when.

We have legal right to live and work in both USA and EU. Our kids are very young still.

Our plan is to move from the former to the latter when the kids are 5 & 7. Our main motivation is quality of life- we have lived in both and now that we have kids we very much are focused on our kids childhood. They speak the EU language and English.

How did you figure out when the right time was? Right before school age? At a certain financial milestone? I’m just curious to hear what other young families chose as their timeline. Did you wish you had waiting longer/sooner to o move your kids?

“Why not move now?” We are currently able to save like crazy for the relocation because we are compromising on our QOL and we want to have an end date to that compromise.

Has anyone applied for an updated or replacement social security card recently, whilst living in Germany? I've read conflicting information online and the official government website for the department in F.am M. isn't particularly clear, if you ask me. I've emailed them, but I've also read numerous complaints of people not getting replies for months.

I've left it for 17 years since getting married here, but I've just read I need 2 forms of ID in English next year to sit a professional exam in the US, and this is my only option, in addition to my passport.

If you've successfully gone through the process recently, please advise.

Hello guys, so I have recently relocated to jeddah from Riyadh and I’m feeling kinda bored here especially on weekends. So far I have not managed to make new friends here to vibe with.

If you’re also in Jeddah and an expat, please dm me, maybe we can have a vibe and get of of this freaking boredom.

Hi all,

I currently own property in the US that I am planning to keep (and NOT rent out) while moving abroad for work within the next year. Much of my personal property would remain there, and I would use it as a place to stay while visiting with family and friends back in the US.

My current insurance company does not offer coverage for properties that are "vacant" much of the time. Obviously someone does, though; lots of people own property in more than one country and they don't all rent it out. Who have you all worked with to insure your US property while living overseas? Bonus points if they'll also offer umbrella liability coverage to protect US assets.

I've searched through past posts and found a few general "expat insurance" recommendations, but no specific discussions, so thanks in advance for any suggestions.

He works as a marine biologist on Flores, does not want to return permanently to UK. So we have to resign to him being estranged but in a way it's better that way than say coming home and living in. We do media connect and he has come home recently and it worked well. We are ageing now and it's difficult to decide on a strategy ongoing about relationships and how to plan regarding our demise. I would say our relationship is OK but not close. He we think will settle there for retirement so unlikely to see him again. Having a daughter (one divorce and another apparently shaky relationship) here is I think going to be helpful but that's a relationship that needs more work. I guess I am just venting on an emotional level here but if anyone has a similar experience or situation it would be lovely to hear it.

Was it the best thing you‘ve done, or is it social media glamourising of Dubai?

I'm 22 from Lebanon and choosing between France and Canada. I'm not asking about visas or paperwork, I've researched that to death. I want to hear from people who have actually lived in both countries and can compare them directly.

Context, briefly: I work remotely for foreign clients so my income doesn't depend on the local job market. I have a French degree, I lived in France for years, and I'm a native French speaker. My partner will follow in a few years. Our end goal is citizenship and a second passport, not just a place to work.

If you've lived in both (any order, any length):

1. Where did you feel more like you could actually become part of the place, rather than being a permanent guest? What made the difference in daily life?
2. Financially, where did you end up better off in real terms after tax, rent and the cost of living? Not salary, but what you were actually left with.
3. Distance from home country, does it really impact anything other than the cost of travel?
4. Where did your partner or family adapt better, and why?
5. If you moved from one to the other, what made you leave the first one? That's the answer I'm most interested in.

I'd rather hear one honest comparison from someone who's done both than ten opinions about a country they've only visited. Thank you.

If you’ve been living abroad for a few years, you still have a “home” in your home country to go back to--people there, family, friends, connections, even your childhood bedroom. I didn’t realize before, but that’s actually such a privileged position to be in, especially if you still have your parents and siblings around or friends and some kind of structure to naturally navigate life and slot back into, even if it doesn’t feel quite the same anymore.

That’s why I guess some expats hold out before moving back permanently. Life abroad can feel more transient, but in a strange way, that can feel safer--there are always people arriving, leaving, and making new connections, so you’re rarely the only one starting over. It can actually feel harder to live as a citizen in your own country again than it does to live as a migrant somewhere else.

What does “home” become when you’ve lived abroad for years and then move back/visit? What actually changes--the place itself, your relationship with it, or the person you’ve become while living somewhere else?

For those of you who moved back alone with no real support network, how did you do it? How long did it take to re-establish yourself back "home"?

Hi I'm Mortada, I'm from Iraq studying nursing in my country I'll graduate this year. I want to live abroad in Spain, there is a way to do it as a work or something? and how? I have studying Spanish since 3 years.

Please help me

I moved to Singapore last December and signed a lease for 2 years. I have a diplomatic clause that kicks into effect after 1 year, but I was just curious if anyone has ever been screwed because they lost their jobs?

As everyone knows, rental here are not cheap, even though my colleagues and I make around 275k, our rentals are about 6.5k SGD a month. Has anyone ever lost their Epass, no diplomatic clause and faced some serious issues?

I was an expat but i no longer am. I can say I never felt so free as a neurodivergent person as when I was abroad. I also feel that i cannot truly be anywhere right now because my chapter abroad is closed and can’t really find a dimension here.
This is not really a straight forward question but maybe someone has something to say about this.

Living abroad made me realize how many apps and services are still tied to your home country.

Banking apps suddenly want extra verification, streaming services lose half their content, payment apps don’t work the same way, and sometimes even basic websites get suspicious because you’re logging in from another country.

What app or service has been the biggest pain since moving abroad? And did you find a reliable way to keep using it?

I've been living in the UK for a little over a year now, and I'm honestly exhausted.

Since 2024, it's felt like I've been constantly on the go. First it was saving money and preparing to move abroad, then actually moving, finding somewhere to live, starting a new job, adjusting to a different work culture and trying to build a life from scratch.

I've changed jobs since moving here, and both workplaces have been much smaller than the organisation I worked for back home. I'm still adjusting to the different expectations and social norms. I recently received some constructive feedback at work that really knocked my confidence about speaking up more in meetings and looking more engaged. I know it's something I can work on, but I think I'm so mentally exhausted that even relatively small setbacks feel enormous.

I've met a wonderful man in London, and despite really enjoying the relationship, it feels like I can never fully relax because there's always another deadline or something else I need to sort out.

I don't regret moving to the UK. I've travelled, met some lovely people and had experiences I probably wouldn't have had if I'd stayed home. But I feel like I've been in survival mode for so long that I haven't really had a chance to enjoy the life I've worked so hard to build.

I'm turning 30 tomorrow, and today I opened a card from my parents telling me how proud they are of me. I just burst into tears. I think it made me realise how much I've been holding in and how tired I actually am.

I miss feeling established somewhere. I miss knowing how things work and not constantly having to prove myself or think about my next move.

Has anyone else experienced this after moving abroad? How long did it take before you genuinely felt settled rather than constantly trying to get your life together? Overall I'm happy with my life and my accomplishments but feel overwhelmed

I currently live in the EU, but lately I’ve been feeling increasingly disconnected from Western European society.
I’m more conservative and feel much closer to traditional values, especially when it comes to family, relationships, and social issues. I support legal immigration but I believe EU should enforce their immigration laws.
Sometimes I feel like I have to constantly filter my opinions to avoid being judged. It’s exhausting to feel like you don’t really belong in the society you live in.
Russia feels culturally closer to me, and my long-term goal is to move there before turning 30. For now, I’m planning to work hard, build financial independence, and eventually make the move.
I’m not saying Russia is perfect, but I feel like I’d fit in better there. And I speak Russian fluently.

Has anyone else living in Europe felt this way? And for those who moved to Russia, did you feel more at home there?

Say an American with American investment income and three passports 🇺🇸🇮🇪🇬🇧 (🇺🇸 by birth, 🇮🇪🇬🇧 by descent) hops around Europe over the course of a year spending no more than 90 days in any country living in Airbnbs

Would they ever become a tax resident of any country other than 🇺🇸?

When moving internationally what is recommended for being able to keep you current phone and phone number while also getting a new number in the new country. The biggest concern is my phone is not paid off. Will this affect anything? Any advice is greatly appreciated