Would you still be with your SO if ...

[AlHayatZween 2]

In terms of medical care, i think it varies depending on the country, the region of the country, and the procedure being done. i had a surgery in Rabat and it went well. i was well taken care of, and it would have been a gazillion $$ in the US. i went to a private clinic though, in the capital city. Might have been different in another section of the country, i don't know. And of course, i think the more complex the procedure--someone mentioned heart surgery--i think i'd rather be in the US for something like that.

[Henia 11]

Personally, I cannot compare lasik and child birth to open heart surgery which my son has undergone. Even here in MN there is an Algerian family that had to seek treatment for spina bifida at Mayo Clinic bc the level care he needed was not available in Algeria. The Algerian community in the US and Europe paid $50k for him to be airlifted out of Algeria and for his familly's living expenses in the US while the medical treatment was done as charity by the hospital.

My husband believes wholeheartedely that if our son were born in Algeria that he would not have survived past infancy. I guess because I have very good health insurance in the US I can make that comparison.

I will say that my husband got very good very afforable dental work in Algeria that would have cost 3-4x more in the US.

Henia, it's funny that you mention the childbirth because even the Algerians know that the public clinics treat women like ####### during childbirth. He said some friends would prefer their wives to deliver at home rather than be treated so badly.

Well yes for something serious as heart operation ye I would go back to the US or Europe. Never here! As already mentioned I think it depends on the level medical you need!

But machallah it is good to hear that that family was able to find proper care.

For me, so far I gave birth here 2x, had lasik eye correction and gallstones removed. My husband has had while I have been operation on his back. All of these my first birth I was happy with, but we went private with all but the first birth!

You are not kidding about public hospitals; I am traumized what I experienced! Something you will never never find in the US of course! Home births are not allowed here, believe I tried to have one!

Thou I work all my adult life in the US, never even with higher paying jobs did I have good health care.

I also agree dental care here good and on the cheap! My daughter's braces only cost me about 100$ same type as she could get in the US!

But on another inmportant issue, I feel education is no where near as good as in the US. I doubt it will ever be! Reason, I supplement my child's education - I have to!

Kath, The mall in Monument of the Martyrs is like all well intended ventures here in Algeria - started but never fully finished or appreciated. They have since I think 2 years now built a hug 5 level mall in Cheraga which to this day has only a few shoppes open in it - all wedding dresses of course!

They also reopened the old park in Alger, that the French built, Jardin d'essai du Hamma - with a botanical garden, mini zoo, playrgound for children ;;;; but after some *stupid* teens vandalized the whole place it closed!

Even all the construction that the Emiratis and Saudis began here was hauled after they decided all the red tape was not worth their time!

You are right Algeria has so much to offer - if only the government would straightened out all the cruption! See how when they had that soccer match they were giving visas within a day? Normally out passes take months! Hell, my residency renewal has been sitting on someone's desk for 9m now collecting dust!

And I have to note, that Algeria has developed at record speed since 2003 the first time I came here ... and even more since the time of terrorism!

Yes Tipaza if they cleaned it up abit would wonderful tourtist and family spot! I love living by the sea thou! Never better for me!

Yes; I have been to all over Alger, east until Jijjel (throu Roubia, Boumerdes, Tizi ouzou, Bejaia) west until Tlemcen (Tenes, Chlef,Tiaret,Mostaganem) and south until Bechar from Tlemcen. And until Ghardaria from Medea (Blida, Chrea, Chiffa, Djelfa, Ain Defla, Laghouat and Ghadaria. Before I had my sons and my husband's new job, we used to travel alot within Algeria. Now we rarely go anywhere other then Alger for shopping! I am free to go as I please - but it is hard with 2 babies in tow on the bus!

Never been to Poulet Royale but then again do not go to Kouba alot either!

(sara535 @ Mar 2 2010, 04:55 PM) and a case of brownie mixes.

Case of brownies?LOL I had to learn how to cook here - everything from scratch LOL! They have some few years many convience foods like box mixes made here and aboard.

You are right Courtney, never would know you do for your loved one! I know I have put up with and been throu more then I ever would in the US!

Yes always better care inthe larger cities ... zip in the smaller countryside!

[DanielParul 50]

Life in India is not hard where I come from. Daniel and I have occasionally talked about it and he is ready to move to India if we ever had to, infact he had started planning a move before we got the visa because of the delays even though ours was an expedited case. I know it would be an adjustment for him because of language problem in day to day life but with my line of work, Daniel would fit in perfectly and we would actually have a very comfortable living. I don't know if we will move to India permanently ever but if there was a reason, it wouldn't hurt us at all.

[Nothing1234 2]

Honestly, I just prefer my "pampered" lifestyle here and FAST paced process the US provides me. I don't do well with "Tomorrow, insha'allah" at all!!! And the fact that NOTHING can be done online and processed quickly over seas drives me batty!!!

I do agree with Jenn, Kelz and Sara...I would go if necessary however, in Egypt (Cairo), I believe we would be fine provided I had a good job which is easier to come by than in a few other countries (for my career IMO). Also the DH has his connections there and would just get back into his work which is thriving there now.

We have a plan to buy a vacation home there in the future so who knows if we might just decide ... let's go. But of course w/ tons of money, getting the twins in a good American and/or private school there and in the areas we both like. I think that many parts of Cairo are "westernized" enough for my spoiled American butt to be able to survive. I'm not living in the lap of luxury but I do enjoy my lifestyle. Plus for those of you who know me...I'm not the "rough it" kinda girl! No blow dryer, no flat iron, no hot water, No heat, No A/C then NO ME! LOL I have spent summers of my life in middle east so I know I could do it, well matter of fact, as my mother used to say "you were born w/ a suitcase in your hand!" and that is so very true.

I think I would miss REAL bagels (those NY'ers on here good ole jewish bagels ROCK!) the most and my whipped cream cheese!!! LOL And if I can take all three of my crock pots...we would be golden!

[Henia 11]

Before coming here, I would have said that I would not deal well with enchallah either ... but afterall I am dealing with it daily ... some days it is fine others miserable!

[Ram&Tam 1]

Well here is my 2 piasters worth. Yes, I would move to Jordan in a heartbeat. I have a 13 yr old and 14 yr old from from previous marriage and would bring them. Their school issue wouldn't be a problem. I think living in a foreign country would be good for them learn another culture and life there would make them slow down a bit. Since I already work for two companies based in Amman I am not worried about employment.

Would life be easy? Yes and No! But my personal and spiritual belief is we must make the best of our situation because God has allowed us to be there for some reason. What you have today can be gone tomorrow. I live pretty simple here in the states so the adjustment wouldn't be to great in a material sense.

So any country you move to in the MENA regions if you expect to live like an American expect to pay big American bucks for it! Honestly would you pay 10-12 USD for a box of Fruit Loops? If you are willing to live more like a local it can be done without a LOT of money within reason. Even private medical care is cheaper then US care in Jordan. Alhumdollah I do have a good family to go back to and know many American women living in Jordan and through their experience and help it has helped me learn more about the GOOD, BAD, UGLY, and really UGLY.

When I chose to be with Rami I knew what I was getting into having been to Jordan before I ever met him and I knew it met that I might have to move to Jordan. I realise not everyone is in my situation having sole custody of my children, working for a Jordan based company, and been exposed to Arabic language and culture for more then 1/2 of my life.

Either way I am grateful to all of you for sharing your experience and opinions it helps.

[Nothing1234 2]

Before coming here, I would have said that I would not deal well with enchallah either ... but afterall I am dealing with it daily ... some days it is fine others miserable!

I totally agree. I don't mind the more relaxed lifestyle and getting a break at time from the "i need it YESTERDAY" attitude we sometimes have here in the US but mostly I prefer a set standard of rules, guidelines and applicable dates that an agency must go by. That would never fly there.

LMAO @ fruit loop comment. I don't believe I ate "american" food while living or visiting overseas unless it was an occasional fast food place. I would miss things but not require specific foods at all.

One thing I would still feel uncomfortable with is the medical care overseas...not that its horrible for the day to day issues but not what I would be used to having here (besides why would high ranking officials and royal families seek medical treatment in the UK and USA if medical was so terrific there...things that make ya go "hmmmm").

I would want to live the same standard I live here over there. I'm not saying the "same foods or exact same brands, etc." Because like you said, if you'd like to be paying 10 bucks for a box of fruit loops or 9 bucks for Oreos...all power to ya! I meant it more along the lines of if you are upper middle class or middle class here I need to live the upper middle class or middle class lifestyle (as defined) whereever I go. I hope I don't sound obnoxious; I'm just being honest.

There are tons of ways to survive if you have too...just like here in the US, if we were both jobless and I had to alter my lifestyle to survive, I would in the blink of an eye (minus giving up my flat iron! JK!!!). But at the same time, if given a choice, I'm going to make darn sure I can live comfy and happy here or there.

I do think our children would benefit from schooling overseas.

[Arun+Catie 1]

I lived in India with my husband for almost a year, six months of which were spent living in the village with his parents, brother, sister in law and their children...all in one house! But other than for a few climate and social adjustments, I really got used to life in India, and I kinda miss it sometimes.

We have talked about moving to India when we reach closer to retirement age - it's way cheaper to live and retire in India that in the USA, especially Florida. God only knows how things will be in 30 years. But for now, we are here. I don't want to birth our children in India, and I would not leave my widowed mother, so we'll at least be here until she's in heaven.

If for whatever reason, we could only be together in India, I'd move to India absolutely! Maybe kicking and screaming at times, lol...

[CasandraYounes 0]

I lived overseas as a child, well being a military brat it was very common for me to live overseas at various times. Granted that whenever I did have surgeries or medical procedures done overseas, they were at a US based hospital. In terms of Morocco, I have stayed there on and off for about a year and love it. Had a scare last year, well twice and had to go to the hospital. The public hospital scares me, the clinics are ok and sometimes the private doctors seem to be the best option. Although, I think too much medication gets prescribed for anything. IDK about giving birth though, my hubby has told me horrible horror stories about what he has witnessed.

I have asked the hubby his take on living there and he has simply stated no. If the decision were up to me, like Aya and others, I would want our children (whenever we do have them) to be raised in Morocco during their teen years. There is so much that I respect there about the culture. Living in Morocco is really different from traveling and being that my father lives there, I have a good understanding of the trails and greatness of it. The biggest issue for me is that I have spent so much money on going to school here (master's degree IP), it would be upsetting to me if I could not find a job there. Thankfully, Aziz got his visa this past November, but if he did not get it, I think I would have converted my studies to an online program and would have moved until he was granted his visa. Now if Aziz wanted to live there, as stated before, we both agree that we would have to be financially stable to live a certain way that we want. Granted in the city were Aziz is from, living comfortably comes at a cheap price, but if I want to live where Americans and more luxury are, that is where I need the savings and a job to come in. Cooking and caring for the home is not an issue for me because that is something I always did in Morocco. I'm sure if I were to stay there for several years, I would have a greater understanding of Arabic than I do now. If the hubby is still content on living here when we do have children, then having a vacation home is something we would really consider as an option.

Edited March 6, 2010 by CasandraYounes

[JeanneVictoria 55]

I too lived in many different countries being a military brat and also serving in the military. I simply LOVED living in the different countries (Europe and Asia). I lived in Egypt with Wael and loved this country. Perhaps it was living in Alexandria a much different city than Cairo. Altho I found Cairo to be fantastic, Alexandria was MY kind of city. I loved living by the sea and everything Alex had to offer. I was treated with kindness and respect. Our apartment had all the anemities that I have here. I have oftened talked with Wael about someday moving back to Egypt, but altho he misses his family he wants to stay in the states. He loves his life here. He has graduate school coming up so his life is very busy.

I had to go to the hospital twice while I was there and both times I had the very best care. I'm lucky to really have no health issues that I would be concerned about.

Perhaps someday.....

[Cheryl & Medo 3]

I could live in Egypt. But it would have to be in Cairo. There is no way I could live in the small village Medo is from. I dont know Arabic so I think it would be so lonely. But I do love Egypt. And I would have to come home every 2 years to see my grown kids. We have talked about getting a place there. But it cost so much for apartments there.

[childress_london 3]

No way. He leaves the U.S., he goes alone.

[Nothing1234 2]

No way. He leaves the U.S., he goes alone.

Bwahahah!

[Donna A 4]

I dont even want to go there to visit let alone live there. I just have no desire to leave the United States. Heck I'm praying he comes back to Ohio as I am not looking forward to moving to even Florida. I guess Im just too set in my ways.

We already have a house there so maybe when we retire I might change my mind but for now...my answer is NO!

Now if he said, lets go someplace tropical to live thats another story.

[attaya_girl 1]

Not MENA, but I think at some point we will move back to Senegal. I "lived" there for 5 months, and I loved it. Lately, though, my husband has had some dental problems and I cringe to think about what it would have been like in Senegal. I think medical issues would be extremely difficult to deal with. There are no emergency rooms, no 911 equivalent, no place to go for medical emergencies. I worry about that sometimes. Along with many others, though, I would still try to make it work.