Expat to leave Dubai for another expat life in France... and fainting

yep, EU passport, phew.. thank you ladies helping to find the drop of light, need to find the big girl pants now :) if I can add, anyone living or leaving for Ferney or nearby, please please be my friend :) would be happy to help with what I can in return, jurgitarelyte at hotmail dot com edited by cibacibute on 02/09/2013 <em>edited by cibacibute on 02/09/2013</em>

I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that you will need to check out whether you need to get a specific permit to work in Geneva. It took 5 years for me as a British citizen to be allowed a work permit in Geneva. I think it varies from nationality to nationality, but if you have a French frontalier passport, you should be OK, I think. oh dear, good to know, dont have French passport yet, never honestly bothered, maybe should then.... Could you tell me please what is the authority issuing permissions?

When I was living there, it was estimated that 30% of the working population were foreigners working for the UN or international companies. Procter & Gamble has its European HQ in Geneva, for example. Lots of people came over the border from France to work in Geneva as salaries were so much better than in France. What field are you in? If worst came to worst, you could try to get a job in the secretariat of one of the English schools in the area, or as a teaching assistant or teacher if that appeals. The turnover of teachers in the English system is massive as most are trailing spouses. I knew a couple of people who had lived and worked in Geneva for 20 years and only spoke French when shopping, running to "Bonjour" and "Merci" if pressed. Simpleasabc, thank you!! Worked in retail leasing and administration, BA and unused primary & music school teachers degree, from what you say it sounds that at least admin or assistant job is possible. Not a career, but something to start. Making a list of multinationals over there too. Enlightenment! <em>edited by cibacibute on 02/09/2013</em>

When I was living there, it was estimated that 30% of the working population were foreigners working for the UN or international companies. Procter & Gamble has its European HQ in Geneva, for example. Lots of people came over the border from France to work in Geneva as salaries were so much better than in France. What field are you in? If worst came to worst, you could try to get a job in the secretariat of one of the English schools in the area, or as a teaching assistant or teacher if that appeals. The turnover of teachers in the English system is massive as most are trailing spouses. I knew a couple of people who had lived and worked in Geneva for 20 years and only spoke French when shopping, running to "Bonjour" and "Merci" if pressed.

How far from Geneva are we talking? There are many expats that live in France ( les frontaliers) and work in Geneva. If it's say within 10-20 Kilometers from Geveva, then it's likely that lots of expats will be living in the town and you may even enjoy it. I lived in France and worked in Geneva for years ( ok I am a French speaker) but it is very very international. You have many multinationals, ONG's and of course the banks which also hire expats. Ferney Voltaire, I think it is about 10-20km. Derien, you lived around there, what is your general advise on the arrival of the expat like me? Please please share...

There is a little hopeful point in my caboodle, the place in France is a small town with close proximity to Geneva, which is more international, and my husband suggest that it is possible to get away finding some job opportunities without fluent French. I could try to hold on to Dubai for couple of years, take intensive french classes and get back to work (already aching to leave my kids with babysitter...:((( with a french or swiss company branch here? If i coudn not get opportunity to be transferred at least I might have a company name on my CV familiar to french and hence making it more attractive employee? Or perhaps my own small business? Maybe online business? Is it possible to get a loan there? I know many of you have your own business, what do you think? <em>edited by cibacibute on 02/09/2013</em>

Every one is excited about the Franc Word, and none had read what the OP wanted to tell. She is in her 40s, out of work for 4 years, do not speak french, with young children, no place to live except the in laws apartment.... she is telling you it's a jump in the darkness. OP's DH wants to " find the meaning of his life" do really ring a very alerting bells. so what exactly his life means with her and the children? so your husband is driving you and the children to go to his turf so he can understand himself? what make him in the first place leave then? if he didn't found his life in the first place there, what make him *think* he will find it now there? as per the OP's post he did NOT have a house back in Franc... OP do know her DH, he will not be any kind of support for her when she arrive there, and expect from her to suck it up - like another poster said - and most of you talking about great food and shopping?!!! to enjoy great food and shopping you need first to know what you will be earning first and what you can save and what to spend on self indulgences, food and shopping IS luxuries, and I do not think life is all about food and shopping, plus if she is not happy, how could she enjoy the food and the shopping? OP, I believe you and your DH have to sit down and talk things throw, this weak reason for going back to his country and live in his family home....oh maybe it's a middle age crises? he is board with the life? maybe a nice vacation all of you as a family in france, make it 3 weeks with his family - and live as you are living there and see how things will go, as I recall if you do not have a nice amount of money to help you set up AND in your own home or even rented home NOT the in laws' it will be tough and living h*ll there. Crux, you feel me so right. I am afraid that few years later my husband will see how good we had, but it maybe too late. The time he joined me in Dubai, it was the same France to blame for everything. He started from zero here and now finally has an office and his own business while I take care of children. But often gives me remark how hard it is to be the only bread winner and I feel him. That is also the reason I fare going there and not have a decent job, as he will still be the only bread winner. Unless I would be Stewart I will not make a career in France while I still could so in Dubai. Without my income I would be in the weak position in case the marriage fails the stand than what would happen to my children? How would I earn my pension? While in same families woman may feel comfortable to be completely dependant on the husband, it is the most scariest thing for me. I also sometimes feel that my husband would love to join the life of Che Guevara to fight the injustices of the world and political events upsets him, but would not dare now because he loves his children completely. It is not a moaning, it is a reality check for me. I need a plan, a preparation, loads of information, and the real life experience and advise. Just where to start? The vacation. How I long for it Crux. But I will probably loose your support right here Crux :). We have 1 year old and 3 year old. 1 year old has to have someone watching over him all the time as in one second the disaster can strike. He already broke half oh his front teeth today. Forget about fine dining, it is impossible with kids of this age. Bottles, nappies, milk bottles, changing, running after, soothing, comforting not to mention the entertainment for kids, and referee role for non-sharing. I long for vacation, but this time in life I would not be able to see that I am in the beautiful place trying ti multitask and make everyone comfortable. I need a plan, a preparation, loads of information, and the real life experience and advise. Just where to start? What doesn't kill you make you stronger.. (?)

You married a French guy and never once thought that you might have to move to France? Honestly, you need to suck it up, learn french and get on with it. Had the same thought... so did I !! Sisters. I didn't miss this simple fact. Yet, not for one second I assumed that I WILL HAVE TO suck it up anything that feels like that, including the move to France. I would never follow blindly but instead would question and question and question like I do with you now till I am prepared. Have you thought to reverse the statement other way round (You married a Foreign girl and never once thought that you might NOT have to move to France?), as he had also married a foreigner.

BubblingCreek, you make me miss the times I had a sister, who would just hug me like you did with your words, and all will be fine. Hug you back.

Thank you ladies, I mean no moaning but probably sound like this through the mist of the anarchy in my head, I am trying to find motivation and all your opinions helps. Even the idea of husband swap doesn't sound so bad right now. Tell me mwashington what your husband thinks about it :). I did live in France, about 4 moths, day and night google translating from french the informational resources, even had a babysitting job and was learning french in return of teaching english. That is my real experience. I also lived in USA and Sweeden so I am not newbie in moving nor finding myself in place. But, I was free as a bird, and did not had children then, so if I needed a time to collect myself I was free to do so, get up and go fighting again. And maybe a part of my worries that I have to do it again with children, especially that its probably only two years since the life got into calm routine here which is absolutely comforting and is a meaning of my life right now with a 2 very young kids - who wants stress? Especially that we are not in situation that we HAVE to move. Even I married French, it does not automatically makes me love moving to France. I never seen it as a must and still don't, or whichever nationality he would be (we met in Dubai). I try to look realistically into the situation: Job - every resource tells me I need to speak fluently to have a job in France, and that is before I get decapitated for taking a job from a national keeping in mind the unemployment. Yes, I have an option for babysitting job with my BA degree. Just how much I would save for the retirement with such a job? I am least concern about the French vine and scenery. Money - Did some of you lived in France? With mid-income in France you can forget about dining, travelling and sceneries (except around your house) because the petrol is very expensive, as so is fruits and food. Its not my moaning, its a reality to so many in Europe, and I am about to join it. Every second person (almost in all Europe not only in France) is depressed and smiles are rare unless you are rich. Try talking to person that you don't know in the bus:) I will learn French, but I can not change that. I understand that one day we all have to move out, as Dubai will never be a home to get old, and better sooner then later, and that is the only motivation right now...