< Return to Talk
07.10.08, 08:43 AM Toddler
40 replies
Dh has an opportunity in E Europe; we could save aruond 100-500K per year. Here we are eating into savings because business sucks. Problem is DCs are enrolled in great G&Ts, and we'd lose those spots and probably not be able to get back in. WWYD? Also, I'd hate to traumatize them with the move. [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
Toddler 07.10.08, 08:43 AM Flag
 

Dear UrbanBaby community,

Thank you so much for being a valued member of the UrbanBaby community. We wanted to inform you that we are shutting down the site on July 6th. We are grateful for your participation and support that has helped make UrbanBaby such an important resource to parents for many years.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can email us at urbanbaby-support@cbsinteractive.com.

Thanks so much,

UrbanBaby Support

»
How long would you be in Europe, and where? There are great schools there too [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:44 AM Flag
»
Moscow. Probably 5-7 years. I know there are great schools; DH attended some of them. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:46 AM Flag
»
Good lord, go. What an amazing life experience for them. Plus, thinking ahead, it will make great fodder for the eventual college applications. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:47 AM Flag
»
I would absolutely do it. How old are your kids now? It is such a fantastic opportunity to learn a language, experience a different culture (and Moscow isn't exactly a hick town), and when you return to the US they will have no problem finding a great place wherever you end up [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:47 AM Flag
»
Exactly & many better than NYC schools [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:46 AM Flag
»
how long a commitment to being in EE? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:45 AM Flag
»
How old are your dc's? How long would you be in Europe? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:45 AM Flag
»
7 and 5; youngest is entering citywide K. Figure on 5-7 years. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:46 AM Flag
»
GO GO GO! I would in a heartbeat. They will gain so much for the experience, and it will help them all-around for the rest of their lives [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:48 AM Flag
»
you just want our A spot, don't you? Joke. I appreciate the perspective. Don't you think that children inherently hate change, though? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:53 AM Flag
»
np: if it were for a year, I would say differently. but you will be fully living there for about a third of their childhoods. that is an amazing opporutnity. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:54 AM Flag
»
Not at all. My dh and I live in France with our dcs (who are not yet schoolaged), but I think it will be a great opportunity for your kids. Change is difficult but they will have such great opportunities there and it will be wonderful. My aunt & uncle moved with their 3 kids to England when they were the ages of yours, and it was great for them, after a small period of adjustment [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:55 AM Flag
»
Honestly, the fact that you would ask this question shows just how distorted our perspective about school options is here in NYC ;-) Go, silly woman, go. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:53 AM Flag
»
op: the process has messed with my head, it's true. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:57 AM Flag
»
I would not move to Moscow with my family now, but I grew up in Eastern Europe myself so I am biased obviously. Is DH Russian? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 08:59 AM Flag
»
He's a Russian Jew [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:00 AM Flag
»
How does he feel about it? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:02 AM Flag
»
he is similarly ambivalent. The professional side is tempting but he doesn't minimize the potential stress on the family. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 10:38 AM Flag
»
and the fact that he is Jewish contributes what to this discussion? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:03 AM Flag
»
np: A lot of Russians are Jews. Why does it bother you that she mentioned it? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:04 AM Flag
»
It matters if OP's family is Jewish, though I would imagine these days you can find good synagogues in Moscow. I asked if DH is from there because it will make it easier on them to live there if he is and speaks the language. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:05 AM Flag
»
np: Being Russian Jewish is very different from being ehtnically Russian in terms of fitting in there. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:06 AM Flag
»
op: ding ding ding. Antisemitism is real there. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 10:07 AM Flag
»
np: I'm russian and I would not go to live in Russia. Very expensive, materialistic, over the top. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:04 AM Flag
»
Ahhh, that explains A LOT about Brighton Beach. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:08 AM Flag
»
I think Russia itself is different than Brighton Beach. BB is kind of a caricature of what Soviet people thought was the good life back in the early 80s. Moscow today is actually way worse than BB b/c it takes itself very seriously. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:11 AM Flag
»
np: There is so much wealth in Moscow these days. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:23 AM Flag
»
DS's or DD's? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:04 AM Flag
»
The benefits of going outweigh the benefits of staying IMO. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:23 AM Flag
»
Are you really sure you are going to be able to save that much? Moscow is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and I think that there is a lot of corruption, so you may be paying more than you think you will for things. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:32 AM Flag
»
we're trying to figure according to the real cost of living there, and then build in 12% inflation per year. Certain costs (housing, food) are about double, as far as we can tell. But you're right that we should also budget for unexpected expenses. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 10:11 AM Flag
»
I would go, but I think the posters underestimate how challenging it'll be for the kids. You're right to worry about that! I was 8 when my family moved to Germany for two years, and it was hard and scary sometimes, and very very sad to be taken out of my school and away from my friends. It's a fantastic opportunity for your kids to learn a new language and culture, but they'll need a lot of support because they'll feel like outsiders for quite a while. I'm not saying not to do it -- just don't underestimate the challenges to your kids. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:42 AM Flag
»
this is exactly what makes me wonder if it's really worth the trauma. Thanks for sharing your experience. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 10:10 AM Flag
»
I would visit Moscow first and then decide. As far as great places to live abroad, I think it's pretty bad actually. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:49 AM Flag
»
^^^ My colleague lived there for 4 yrs, and has told me lots of stories.... [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:50 AM Flag
»
op: this is my impression, too. First world cost of living (more) with third world standards. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 10:09 AM Flag
»
I'm an American living in Europe. Although I enjoy living here, I miss having ready access to my friends and family back in the States in a way I did not anticipate before I moved here. Living abroad can have some fantastic advantages, but there are also many costs to consider. Definitely go visit and talk to other people who have lived in Moscow before you make a decision. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 09:55 AM Flag
»
thank you for sharing your experience. Do you have dcs, and how has it affected them? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 10:12 AM Flag
»
I have one dc who was born here. It breaks my heart on a daily basis that he can't see my parents more often. Other than that I enjoy living here, but I would rather have my children educated in the States although we're not there yet - he's too young. I think that the posters who say "go go go" can't have experience living abroad - if they did their responses would probably be more balanced. I wouldn't say not to do it -- it might overall be the best thing for your family in the end -- just think carefully about it and don't underestimate some of the tradeoffs you might have to make. On the other hand, some families who have lived abroad will not express the same hesitations that I am. Good luck whatever you decide. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 10:57 AM Flag
»
^^^and I wouldn't really worry about losing your NYC school places [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.10.08, 10:57 AM Flag
Refresh » New Post »
Select Category
close [X]

close [X]

Select a Category (only 1)

category
Stages
Regions