Amsterdam, Belgium and England

[fsunole025]

I have an opportunity to temporarily relocate with my family for 3-6 months with the potential to stay for an additional 2-3 years. This includes my wife and one year old daughter. It's a bit overwhelming to think about but we are excited about the opportunity.

I'm thinking we will find someone to live in our house rent free if they will care for our animals until we make a decision about staying the additional 2-3 years.

Career opportunity aside, what would you do? What are the variables in play we need to consider?

 

[F4Gary]

You named a city and 2 countries. Where in Belgium and England?
I lived in Holland for 2 years back in the 70's when the exchange rate was fantastic. Loved it. The Dutch are nice people.
Living in Holland or Belgium, you don't have to cross the channel to go see more of Europe on a weekend or holiday.

 

[fsunole025]

That's all of the details I have as of today. I'm not certain of the specific locations in Belgium and England. It Is possible we would live in Amsterdam since that it where the corporate HQ is located for the organization but I would travel to multiple cities within those countries.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Amsterdam and London are really cool. Brussels isn't my favorite city but has some pretty areas. The weather in those three cities isn't the greatest compared to many parts of the US, if that's a factor.

One advantage of London is that your wife might appreciate not having to deal with the language barrier while at home with a 1yo and you traveling for work.

 

[LesClaypool]

Do it!

DO IT!

 

[RunRonnieRun]

Amsterdam and London are really cool. Brussels isn't my favorite city but has some pretty areas. The weather in those three cities isn't the greatest compared to many parts of the US, if that's a factor.

One advantage of London is that your wife might appreciate not having to deal with the language barrier while at home with a 1yo and you traveling for work.

I wouldn’t worry about the language barrier in Amsterdam or Brussels either. 90%+ of the population speaks English.

I’d go for it. Sounds like quite an adventure!

 

[daveynole]

You might want to consider whether Brexit will have any impact on your company, or on you if you were to live in England.

 

[OrlandNole]

cman is licking his chops over the potential for a crash pad.

 

[DFSNOLE]

I wouldn’t worry about the language barrier in Amsterdam or Brussels either. 90%+ of the population speaks English.

I’d go for it. Sounds like quite an adventure!

I'm with Ronnie. Decline an opportunity like that and you may regret it for years to come.

 

[321Nole]

 

[kooterridesagain]

I agree with others id need to know which cities in Belgium or England before deciding where, but overall definitely should go.

for a family with a young child, Amsterdam i could see being a positive experience, biking culture, art scene, Keukenhoff, history gallore.

For Language immersion schooling id put Netherlands first.

Belgium, i love Brussels as a traveling adult but for a family id want to live in a smaller Belgian city like Leuven or Bruges thats a bit sleepier and safer. Outside of Brussels not everyone speaks English in Belgium, to say the least.

England, id want to be in Liverpool or a smaller city outside London.
London, imho, is just USA east and not as exciting as those two in Benelux.
Great history in England but also farther for holiday trips around europe.

Good luck!

 

[ReliableOstrich]

a) DO IT. Obviously.
b) Amsterdam
Belgium, esp BRU, is a bit sterile. AMS is a vibrant, active city, have friends raising kids there and they love it. As others have mentioned, english is VERY common.
Also, you mentioned having to travel for work, that'll be easiest from AMS and RTM, BRU doesn't have as many options.

As Jaboo says, if you gon do it then, do it big then.

 

[funksouljon]

Agree with the above.

Do it no matter the city or location of those options. Europe is so small, you can travel almost anywhere for weekend trips. If your wife is willing or considering, jump on the opportunity. Esp if it doesn't impact her employment / career. Mine really wouldn't want the impact to her career so it isn't something we can do but I would love the opportunity.

I've found language barrier in Europe isn't much of an issue if you can pick up a little of a second language (think Spanish) plus English.

My brother is 6 months into a 2 year stint in Sydney Australia with his family. I am jealous; he loves it.

Don't sell yourself short on your home here. If you can get someone to pay rent, it will help offset any unplanned abuse. That would be a lot of lost money for 2-3 years if you went that long, but even for 6 months it would be a chunk of cash to offset. Definitely determine how long you are gone, 6 mo vs 2 years changes a lot. Sell cars, salary and perks to be offshored, evaluate stuff you have and could live without.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I wouldn’t worry about the language barrier in Amsterdam or Brussels either. 90%+ of the population speaks English.

I’d go for it. Sounds like quite an adventure!

Very true, particularly in Brussels. But as Kooter said above if you're outside the cities not as easy. In Belgium you could be speaking Dutch or French depending on location. Just depends on how flexible and adaptable OP's spouse is.

To the OP, if you're there for 3 months are you going to be in a hotel? That would suck. If I was going to do it I would go for 6 mos at least and get temp housing.

Sounds fun!

 

[F4Gary]

I lived in Holland in the '70's and never had to learn the language. All but the very old speak English.

Dag.

 

[LesClaypool]

I lived in Holland in the '70's and never had to learn the language. All but the very old speak English.

Dag.

The Dutch are renowned, as a country, for being the best English speakers (non-native) in the world. There’s some test that they do every year and the Netherlands wins it each time. The Scandinavian nations are always up there too.

English will not be a problem at all.

 

[fsunole025]

You might want to consider whether Brexit will have any impact on your company, or on you if you were to live in England.

I work for a large consulting firm. The "company" reference should have stated "client" instead. One multi billion dollar company acquired another multi billion dollar company. I am relocating to perform an assessment, propose a service solution and possibly lead a long-term engagement with a team of consultants. We have been considered a trusted advisor of the parent company for almost a decade so I don't foresee any issues.

 

[fsunole025]

Very true, particularly in Brussels. But as Kooter said above if you're outside the cities not as easy. In Belgium you could be speaking Dutch or French depending on location. Just depends on how flexible and adaptable OP's spouse is.

To the OP, if you're there for 3 months are you going to be in a hotel? That would suck. If I was going to do it I would go for 6 mos at least and get temp housing.

Sounds fun!

I live in hotels 4 nights a week but that's different with a family. We're still working through the details but I'm cool either way. No cleaning and countless points. Or living in a space provided by the client.

 

[Noleguy06]

I have an opportunity to temporarily relocate with my family for 3-6 months with the potential to stay for an additional 2-3 years. This includes my wife and one year old daughter. It's a bit overwhelming to think about but we are excited about the opportunity.

I'm thinking we will find someone to live in our house rent free if they will care for our animals until we make a decision about staying the additional 2-3 years.

Career opportunity aside, what would you do? What are the variables in play we need to consider?

Do it. Find a way. You only live once.

 

[F4Gary]

The Dutch are renowned, as a country, for being the best English speakers (non-native) in the world. There’s some test that they do every year and the Netherlands wins it each time. The Scandinavian nations are always up there too.

English will not be a problem at all.

They are required to take 2 foreign languages in high school, one of which has to be English. At least that's the way it was when I live there.

 

[Gonolz]

Do it. Just warn the wife if you move to Amsterdam that the coffee houses there are a little different than Starbucks.

 

[fsunole025]

Do it. Just warn the wife if you move to Amsterdam that the coffee houses there are a little different than Starbucks.

Are you referring to the actual coffee or other items that can be purchased with the coffee?

 

[funksouljon]

Are you referring to the actual coffee or other items that can be purchased with the coffee?

It's weed man!

don't confuse a coffee shop and a cafe.