I have been job hunting since January 2009. I have been (very) under-employed since January 2010. I guess that is better than unemployed though. At least my wife had a job that helped us make ends meet for our family.
I finally found a job. Not just a job, but a great job. The job that I have been training so long to get. The only scary part about this job is that it is overseas.
This diary doesn't really add anything to any discussions. I am mainly hoping to get a few ex-pats telling me that it will be okay.
It isn't that I have never been out of the country before. I spent 5 weeks working in Ecuador, and I have spent many a week traveling around England and Ireland. Granted, it isn't much international experience, but it is more than some.
It isn't that I am not looking forward to the move. We are moving from east Texas to Southampton, UK. Sure there will be a bit of a culture shock, but it is an adventure I am greatly looking forward to. In fact, in many ways I am desperately looking forward to it. While I am sure British politics will infuriate me just as American politics do, but can it possibly be worse than it is for a liberal living in an R+20 district (I actually miss Chet Edwards)?
It is the sense of uncertainty. Duplexes are called semi-detached houses. Retirement plans are called schemes (a term I think should apply in this country too). My daughter will be starting school immediately rather than waiting the additional year she would in the US. I am awaiting my paperwork from Asylum and Immigration office to allow me to work in the country. What if I messed up the paperwork? What if I mess up the paperwork for my dog's quarantine and they keep him for an additional quarantine?
At least in the US I understand how to find good places to live in any city I would be moving to. I don't know how to find the good and bad parts around Southampton. I plan on finding a place in one of the small towns outside the city and taking the train in, but I have never used a train for anything other than vacation trips. Is this even a viable option?
Is there anybody who has expatriated to that area of the world who can give me some advice on dealing with all of this? Especially anyone who can suggest good little towns around Southampton with good schools, yet close enough to the city that I can spend less than 45 minutes each way on the train.