I am the least adventerous person ever, but I would do it in a minute! Your kids are young, you don't have to worrk about schools, and you can SAH with them? Yes! What a great opportunity to live somewhere tropical and save some money. Win win!
I would talk to the people in his company who have done the same gig. Talk to them about your fears and concerns- I think first-hand testimonials will really help.
+1 on this suggestion.
You also mention 3 to 5 people go each year - do you know who else might be going? Do they have family too? Realistically, these would be your support network while you were so far away from family. They will become your "family".
I would talk to the people in his company who have done the same gig. Talk to them about your fears and concerns- I think first-hand testimonials will really help.
+1 on this suggestion.
You also mention 3 to 5 people go each year - do you know who else might be going? Do they have family too? Realistically, these would be your support network while you were so far away from family. They will become your "family".
Personally, I'd do it for 2 years.
Definitely. I think that's our next step. A lot of the people from his lab that go do have families.
I think @supergreen said that she has worked with people who did something similar in Guam...and yeah, that's part of my hesitation. There are a lot of blogs from people who are on Kwaj, detailing their experience, and some of them seem to love it and some hate it. I think it really depends on who is out there at the time and whether or not you can really embrace the experience...several people say it's a lot like small town America, but on an island (so even smaller town America!)
Post by scribellesam on Mar 28, 2014 15:49:33 GMT -5
This sounds like a great adventure and good timing for your family. I'd say go for it!
I actually think I have a friend that was stationed there for a year or so. She was single at the time so different situation but she loved it! The photos she posted of her year there were pretty amazing.
Post by DarcyLongfellow on Mar 28, 2014 16:07:40 GMT -5
I think I would.
My biggest hesitation would be medical care and what sort of schooling would be available (if you leave when your oldest is 6, she'd have been in school for at least 3 years by that point, right?).
I grew up in the military. I think if your family is welcomed into the military community there, then you will be fine. On isolated bases, the families really tend to bond. But if you'd be an outsider, then it would be really hard.
As far as what to do with your time, if there are other families with young kids that you can hang out with, I think you'll find that there are plenty of activities. I'm sure there is a moms club or something. There will probably be opportunities to volunteer so you could do that too.
One thing you might look into is whether you can have stuff shipped to you. I lived in Japan in the late 80's and we LIVED for the Sears and JC Penny catalogs (LOL). If you'll have an APO or FPO address, then I *think* most places (like Amazon) will ship to you. Definitely something to look into.
I would do it. It seems like an excellent opportunity to save some real money that will make a difference in your lives. It's only 2 years. Even if you dislike it, it's only 2 years. Plus, with all there is to learn and do, I bet the time will fly by.
Post by ilikedonuts on Mar 28, 2014 18:00:18 GMT -5
Nope. I would definitely not. I SAH and I need to be kept busy. I could not be isolated on an island with nothing, but stuff like snorkeling and hiking to do. Unless you were traveling somewhere every single weekend, it sounds extremely boring to me.
Post by gibbinator on Mar 28, 2014 18:23:42 GMT -5
If you're ever going to, now is the time. It sounds like it's something your dh really wants to do (if he's been talking about it for years) so realistically it is his last chance to go without you having to do a long distance relationship. I would definitely see if you can meet some of the other families that might be heading out, I think having friends out there would be important. Even if there's "nothing" to do, at least you can go visit someone else and do nothing in their backyard while your kids play.
The not having much to do would get old, but it depends on how little stuff there is. I live in a small community but we have some restaurants, bowling alley, walking/biking trails, parks, a theatre that plays one movie a week etc. It's enough for me to be quite happy, I don't even make use of most of those, but even being a hermit I'd get bored if there were fewer options than that.
While he's at work it's not like you can take your one year old snorkeling. I'd find out more about just what exactly spouses and kids do all day.
First, I think your husband and I work at the same place. We should PM about this!
Second, from what I've heard of the place, it can be great, but you really need to be an outdoors type person to enjoy it. Most people bike everywhere, swim, surf, etc. I think as long as you are willing to commit to be "the wife and mother" while you are there, you should be fine. I'm also guessing you'll be able to meet people to hang with because of the girls. Banking 120% of your husband's salary for 2 years will put you in SUCH a great financial position when you get back. Also, most people from the lab who go there get promoted within 1-2 years of their return, so it will likely have residual benefits for your husband's career.
No. Before I left my job as a military contractor, a LOT of my coworkers got sent to Guam regularly. Which is a larger island that Kwaj, but certainly not civilization by any means. Every single one of them was miserable. They said there was nothing to do, the military personnel AND locals treated them like outsiders, there was no access to even modest comforts of living (like one brand of toilet paper, which everyone complained about). Have you been to a military base before? It's loud and boring. The aircraft and ships are incredibly loud, louder than you ever though possible. It just wouldn't be worth it to me.
Guam has a mall, Gap, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Michael Kores Louis Vuitton, Kmart, Michael Kors, Mexican and Italian restaurants, the works! I would live there in a heartbeat!
Yes. My dh is in the military and two years isn't that long.
Ask yourself if you would regret it in five or ten years if you don't go. I would do more research into the medical and other things you worry about but really keep your mind open. Living in different places is the best part of our lifestyle to me.
Also please don't assume that the medical services are sub par because they are military. I have had great care over the last ten years. That is a stereotype I get all bristly about especially bc dh is a medical provider.
Post by karinothing on Mar 28, 2014 18:47:08 GMT -5
I am mixed on this. It sounds nice but I get kind of claustrophobic when I am trapped places. Depending on the size of the island I might feel too trapped and panicky. But that is my own crazy
Post by dancingirl21 on Mar 28, 2014 18:49:21 GMT -5
It would be scary picking up and moving from everyone and everything you know but I would definitely do it for a few reasons.
1. It's only 2 years. 2. He has been talking about it since you have known him. Obviously he thinks it would be a great opportunity. 3. The money would be really nice. 4. It sounds like there may be other families on base that you would get to know. Hopefully your kids would make some good friends and gain culture as well.
I love that so many of you think it's a good idea The reaction from my BFF and sister was mostly horror, so I feel slightly less insane for entertaining the idea!
dcn--you bring up a really good point. I do wonder if we would regret it if we don't do it...but I don't think we'd regret it if we do go for it. Even if it ends up being terrible, it's only two years, and I think it's one of those things that you just have to make your own adventure--it'll be great if that's what we want it to be. And I definitely didn't mean to insinuate that the medical facilities would be sub par. I have to imagine that the military puts a great amount of effort into keeping the folks on military bases healthy, so I'm confident that a base hospital/medical facility would serve our purposes perfectly well and provide quality medical care.
I have lived overseas (in a place totally different than this) and would do it again - but I do think that while everything is saying the travel sounds awesome how realistic is it to be able to travel affordably from this island to places like Asia and Australia? I would still probably do it.