Would You Move to ME/NA?

[sereia 0]

ARGHHHH Ignore the poll! I didn't even finish the questions and thought I deleted it but it came up anyway! I'd rather just have a discussion...

I'm curious why you all chose to have your SO's come to the US versus you move to their countries...

Would you have moved to ME/NA? If so, why didn't you? If not, why not?

I don't really know why I didn't. I think it was for financial reasons/freedom. I thought by applying for my fiance to come to the US, we could achieve our goals faster if he came here, and if he came now rather than me going there for a year and waiting. I felt like we were postponing the inevitable in a way...

I definitely would have moved to Morocco (and still would) if the job situation was better there. I don't have anything holding me back other than that.

Just curious what your reasons were!

Edited October 16, 2008 by sereia

[Krissy! 0]

My reasons are mostly for disability protection reasons, and also I have no idea how my family would really react if I announced to them that I'm moving to ME/NA.

I'm *grateful* for the ADA here in the States. In other countries, I may be barred and limited, and perhaps looked down upon. I may have a harder time handling all that because of the language difference.

However, I WOULD move to another country if my SO establishes a very secure job that can cover everything we would possibly need (housing, transportation, food, utilities, clothing, child care, schooling, etc), and that I don't have to worry about working F/T (it would be very difficult, in my opinion, to obtain being who/what I am). Maybe in a few years or so....

[Nothing1234 2]

Honestly, we never had a back up plan....(maybe silly on my part) but I never doubted that he would be make it here.

If faced with that situation though; we would move no issues. I have stayed summers in the MENA region when I was younger and in school. However, we have my father to consider and the twins education in the future so the dynamics have changed a bit since we met.

Plus IMHO, I realize the best opportunities in education, healthcare and all around lifestyle are here in the good ole USA.

Maybe a vacation home in Alexandria down the road!

[sara535 15]

I would certainly have considered it. We talk quite often about buying a vacation home in Morocco or maybe even retire there way down the road, although looks like for the foreseeable future we are planning to stay here in the states.

[~Jess~ 0]

Im living in MENA.

Im here because Geo cant come back to the states for several years.

honestly if i had it to do all over again im not sure i would though.

[sereia 0]

I would certainly have considered it. We talk quite often about buying a vacation home in Morocco or maybe even retire there way down the road, although looks like for the foreseeable future we are planning to stay here in the states.

I would LOVE to buy a home in Morocco too. But all the places I love are far from yuckie Casablanca where his family lives! It seems to make more sense to own one near them but I'd rather have a home in Fes or Essaouira.

Im living in MENA.

Im here because Geo cant come back to the states for several years.

honestly if i had it to do all over again im not sure i would though.

Living in SA sounds tough. I definitely don't think I would move there most of all the ME/NA countries. (well they wouldn't even let me in anyway!) I hope it gets easier for you!

[Sandrila 1]

Well, I would have no problems living in Rabat, but my husband feels otherwise.

First of all, I have 3 kids. So even if my husband did not get his visa, I would worry about this.

If it were just me, NO PROBLEMS to up and move. I do think our life here is much better. Everything is just so much easier, accessible, comfortable, etc. It is easy for anyone to get a job here, even if it is mediocre.

If my husband had a decent job, making good money. (anyone can live good ANYWHERE, if they have money) If I had the opportunity to find work there myself, if we could support ourselves and send money back as needed...IF IF IF...

I like it there but I know WE would enjoy life more and be more prosperous HERE.

Yes, we talked about the future..having a home...I cant think that far....I dont like "what ifs"

If only we could go back in time, meet when I was young and free...well now...I guess I wouldnt be the person I am now and MAYBE it wouldnt have worked for one reason or another...there is a reason we came into each others life now. THIS TIME...why it has to be so hard, I dont know. I know one thing, I may miss my home in AMERICA after like 6mths - 1 year but I MISS MY BABY more.

I am so lucky to have a sweet soul who respects my responsibility to my kids and accepts and admires that.

However, I feel torn constantly.

I have spent alot of time from my kids already in short trips here and there...the most time spent was 2 months.

That took its toll on them. How can you ever say who is more important??? I mean they both are...but the kids.. they came from me

Someone once told me "you got to have a back up plan" what if???

I guess I am just firm HE IS COMING AND THAT'S IT!

[AlHayatZween 2]

yes, living in Morocco is always on the table for discussion.

we decided to have him come here to get the 10-year green card so he (we) can travel back and forth. if Morocco were on the VWP, then we might have chosen differently. it just stinks because it's so hard for Moroccans to get tourist visas... even if you are both married and living in Maghreb and just want to visit your family in US for a brief period, it's virtually impossible.

we also applied for the K1 before the economy completely tanked, so we didn't know how bad it was actually going to get. it's funny now, because his relatives are calling from the middle of the Sahara, asking if he's okay... if he needs work or $$, because they heard the economy is bad in the US.

[AlHayatZween 2]

I would LOVE to buy a home in Morocco too. But all the places I love are far from yuckie Casablanca where his family lives! It seems to make more sense to own one near them but I'd rather have a home in Fes or Essaouira.

Yes, but what about Mohammedia and those other petite cities along the coast between Casa and Rabat?

Close enough to either big city to commute... but not situated in nasty, ugly Casablanca (sorry... i don't like Casa )

[Leyla 0]

Tarik and I see ourselves eventually living in Casablanca. For now, living in the US is what is best for us. We want to raise our children here, build our marriage up here and then when we are both comfortable with our lives, eachother and our surroundings, we will move to Casablanca.

I am reluctant to move now. I am still in school, I want to develop a writing/lecturing career and spend more time with my family. I can see myself in my house (we already have one Alhamdulillah) in Morocco. I can imagine decorating, spending time with my family, writing from home and giving lectures (in Arabic!) around Casablanca. I am just not used to the shopping, the lifestyle etc. I'm used to Wal*Mart not the street market where you go to different kiosks to buy everything. But I would love to live in Casa eventually.

[sereia 0]

Where in Casa is your husband from/your house is? I can't imagine living in my husband's area of Casa. *shudders* Did they ever hear of a freaking tree once in a while? MAYBE Anfa or some other upscale area of Casa. But still... Casa is full of crime and pollution. Yuck! My nose is clogging just thinking about it! haha

[Nothing1234 2]

Where in Casa is your husband from/your house is? I can't imagine living in my husband's area of Casa. *shudders* Did they ever hear of a freaking tree once in a while? MAYBE Anfa or some other upscale area of Casa. But still... Casa is full of crime and pollution. Yuck! My nose is clogging just thinking about it! haha

That's the way I feel about Cairo...clogged nose!

[sereia 0]

Oh for sure! Cairo is even worse than Casablanca!

[Ahmed N Tina 2]

We decided we would have a better chance at a good life here, that's why we are going through this. If it had turned out that hubby got denied, I'd be in the process of moving over there. Or somewhere. We actually looked at other countries. Never know where God will put you!

[Nothing1234 2]

Oh for sure! Cairo is even worse than Casablanca!

So dirty but I do love the hustle and bustle like NYC Just can't stand the dirty air.