10 Things That Change Once You've Lived Overseas

[origami]

I'm new to expat life still but I'll add #11 (for me at least): The things you love and hate about your home country may change completely. I had no idea the thing I would miss the most about the US was being able to buy out of season fruits and veggies all year round. And garbage disposals. I miss my garbage disposal more than I miss my parents. On the flip side I now will be really annoyed at the shitty public transit in my home city (which I never cared about before), and the non-existent drop-off play centers in grocery stores.

[UnderProtest]

I agree with origami on the garbage disposal thing. Although today isn't a good day anyway, I'm endlessly frustrated with the lack of garbage disposal, stupid heating system and the crappy washer and dryers here.

[potatopie]

This is a great list. Someone who actually gets it.

[mrsukyankee]

I think for a long-term expat who wants to continue to live in the country they moved to, the list is a bit different. And especially if you didn't move over with a large expat company that paid for everything (or perhaps you are someone who moved to a new country for love) - I haven't been one who has traveled all over and I definitely have a routine. But I can see how it would speak to someone who moves often for work/husband.

The things that did hit me:
- even though I am in an English speaking country, I still forget the American words for things as I only use the British. Or I'm embarrassed to use the American...ex. pants. I can't say that word to mean I want to wear/buy trousers as 'pants' means underwear in my mind now.
- I don't miss much of anything from the US (I never had a garbage disposal) other than family & friends
- I am less afraid of taking risks now.

[pittpurple]

I agree with UK, the list definitely changes if you're a long-term permanent move. I've only lived in 2 countries (well 3 but one as a baby!) so I've actually established my entire life here!

I agree also that I forget American English words or they sound stupid!

The last time I was in the US I had an amazingly stupid moment. I bought a soda which was $1. I then pulled out 2 quarters and handed them over. And we stared at each other for a minute. I honestly forgot that quarters aren't the same as .50 pence coins here as they're roughly the same size. And with an American accent, no one was being super helpful with me figuring that out! That's the moment I realised that I don't live in the US anymore.

I miss random things from the US but now when I'm back I miss things from here too. I actually am bringing tea bags with me when we go to California next month as what they have just isn't the same and I'm thoroughly indoctrinated into the several cups of tea a day lifestyle!

[origami]

Sept 23, 2014 9:47:22 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

I agree with origami on the garbage disposal thing. Although today isn't a good day anyway, I'm endlessly frustrated with the lack of garbage disposal, stupid heating system and the crappy washer and dryers here.

are your clothes turning gray?

[UnderProtest]

Sept 24, 2014 5:37:16 GMT -5 origami said:

Sept 23, 2014 9:47:22 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

I agree with origami on the garbage disposal thing. Although today isn't a good day anyway, I'm endlessly frustrated with the lack of garbage disposal, stupid heating system and the crappy washer and dryers here.

are your clothes turning gray?

No, they are pilling like crazy and I've had a duvet and a sheet that have been shredded.

[origami]

Sept 24, 2014 5:39:51 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Sept 24, 2014 5:37:16 GMT -5 origami said:

are your clothes turning gray?

No, they are pilling like crazy and I've had a duvet and a sheet that have been shredded.

that's (not) awesome. I turn all of our clothes inside out and wash them on the gentle cycle. We have mostly escaped the pilling but the color is slowly but surely being drained out of our lives. On the plus side, eventually every top will match every bottom.

[UnderProtest]

Sept 24, 2014 5:42:45 GMT -5 origami said:

Sept 24, 2014 5:39:51 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

No, they are pilling like crazy and I've had a duvet and a sheet that have been shredded.

that's (not) awesome. I turn all of our clothes inside out and wash them on the gentle cycle. We have mostly escaped the pilling but the color is slowly but surely being drained out of our lives. On the plus side, eventually every top will match every bottom.

Yeah, I've started putting all of my stuff inside out, but I don't think the gentle cycle is enough to clean the kids clothes.  I really don't want to have to do separate loads.  Not sure how to avoid shredded sheets.  Its a mystery since its a front load washer without an agitator.

[origami]

Sept 24, 2014 5:48:54 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Sept 24, 2014 5:42:45 GMT -5 origami said:

that's (not) awesome. I turn all of our clothes inside out and wash them on the gentle cycle. We have mostly escaped the pilling but the color is slowly but surely being drained out of our lives. On the plus side, eventually every top will match every bottom.

Yeah, I've started putting all of my stuff inside out, but I don't think the gentle cycle is enough to clean the kids clothes.  I really don't want to have to do separate loads.  Not sure how to avoid shredded sheets.  Its a mystery since its a front load washer without an agitator.

you have a crocodile living in your washer. HTH.

(I'm drunk. I should confess that now.)

[UnderProtest]

Sept 24, 2014 5:52:49 GMT -5 origami said:

Sept 24, 2014 5:48:54 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

Yeah, I've started putting all of my stuff inside out, but I don't think the gentle cycle is enough to clean the kids clothes.  I really don't want to have to do separate loads.  Not sure how to avoid shredded sheets.  Its a mystery since its a front load washer without an agitator.

you have a crocodile living in your washer. HTH.

(I'm drunk. I should confess that now.)

And here I thought it was a piranha!  

LOVE that you are drunk posting (in the morning for me)!

[Deleted]

Sept 23, 2014 9:47:22 GMT -5 UnderProtest said:

I agree with origami on the garbage disposal thing. Although today isn't a good day anyway, I'm endlessly frustrated with the lack of garbage disposal, stupid heating system and the crappy washer and dryers here.

After three years with no dryer we moved into a place with a vented (not condenser) dryer. And the washer is way faster than my old one.

It's been life changing. I am so in love with it!!!

[Deleted]

Good list and yes, I moved because DH got a job over here. We are pretty sure we are not in the British Isles forever.

DH used the term 'torch' (flashlight) on me the other day. I gave him an eye roll. He said he is trying to speak more local. I guess I am too but it's mostly for our kids. Keep forgetting to call pants trousers and I don't want DS1 getting confused.

[rupertpenny]

I really identify with 4, 8, and 9. I don't think I'll ever stop thinking in USD. I've always been one to pack up and move so I've never had a ton of stuff, but I have even less now. And I definitely feel like anything is possible. If I can pull off an international move surely I can do anything, right?

I do think a lot of this is more geared towards people with expat packages though. We were both hired on local terms and have pretty normal lives. Were certainly not living out of our suitcases due to our jetsetting lifestyle.

[loira]

I'd agree with the material possessions thing, but I would still prefer to live somewhere with a lower cost of living so we could have a slightly higher quality of life. I'd love to move back to France, but it would be a big adjustment for H. I'd call myself a Londoner at this point though. And in fact, when I go back to Canada to visit and people ask where I live, I often answer 'London - the real one, not London, Ontario'.

I'd add another: You've spent more money on visas (and visa renewals) than you ever thought possible. I guess it doesn't apply to those who've relocated for jobs, but man it seems like ever year we give more money to the Home Office.

[MauMau]

The language was a big one for me. Being in a non English country and trying to learn their language made it difficult for me to recall quickly some English words.