Leave in MENA pls

[True Love at Last 15]

Salamu alaikum to all.....This is not my first journey on VJ (I am the USC)and I'm sure many will think I'm crazy to go through this process again but my MENA marriage ended due to personal issues on my ex's side (the non USC). Here is my current situation and plan for the future. Advice, expierence and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I was planning on going the K1 Fiance visa route again (1st K1 was a 6 year marriage that was not fraud and resulted in my ex becoming a US citizen.) I have recenlty decided that I want to start fresh and go to Egypt, marry my love and stay with him there. Does anyone have an expierence about marring there that they would mind sharing? I would like it to be formal and through the US embassy just incase we decide to go ther CR1 route one day.

I know there is alot going on there but I have been over 5 times and I know first hand that the news media blows things out of proportion. I'm sure I will receive many comments about this. I am thinking of gathering my finances through say April of 2013 and making the move with my daughter (5 years old) to Egypt(her father is also Egyptian so I see no problem there). We are both muslim and I'm excited at the thought of being with my love as soon as I can. I haven't seen him in life since June of this year.(Not complaining, I know others have waited much longer)

I am looking for women living in Egypt with their fiances or husbands. Specifically, if you have any small children and how they have adapted to the move, school and general life. I would like to find work there abviously quickly but I am confident that if not, my man is able to support us until I can find suitable work. I would be living in the Cairo area and would love to hear about others expierences living, working there and etc.

We may one day wish to return to the US together and any thoughts on that would be great as well.

Our other option is to continue with the K1 process (we havent sent our package in just yet)and wait our turn.

I look forward to any and all responses. Also, anyone who would like to share what part of Egypt they live and the cost of living would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Alot!

[why not1 5]

I can not really reply on living there. The media is not blowing things out proportion, for the most fact now, they are not reporting things that are really going on. For now avoiding areas, is helpful. It is predicted that it will be war among the people, but who really knows. The thing to think about is what kind of education do you want your daughter to have. To go to regular public schools, and learn/speak Arabic, if she don't already. IF you want her to focus on a more american type of schooling, that cost money. Next it is not so easy to find a job there, unless you become a teacher there. Visiting Egypt is a lot different then moving there and adjusting. In the group I am in on Facebook, they was talking about how hard it is to live in Egypt. One lady that was a Consular Officer at the American Embassy was talking it took her about 18 months to adjust. This is not including your daughter and her adjusting. The health care system needs a lot of improvement. Some things are still 3rd world conditions. You said your daughter is 5 and I am guessing she is the daughter from your previous marriage. Are you sure he will allow you to take our daughter to Egypt to live with another man. Because if your ex decides to move back to Egypt, he can take you to court there and take your daughter. Not saying any of those things will happen, but things to think about. You can private message me, and I can introduce you to some ladies that live in Egypt from Facebook.

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

As somebody who took a 4 year old to another country recently, I implore you to really think on this. It was an absolute nightmare for her and she went from being a happy and normal child to a fearful and depressed one. My daughter even went to an expensive English speaking school here to ease the transition. That went horribly awry. In hindsight, it would have been best for my daughter to remain in America and me and my husband to just have waited out the process. My selfishness has had very bad consequences on her and I am having trouble forgiving myself.

[Sarah Elle-Même 660]

You should have a look at the previous thread which was relating to traveling to Egypt but still gives you a pretty good idea of what is going on there.

If you want some hard honest truth you should PM ihavequestions. She is living in Egypt right now and probably is the best authority. Doesn't seem like any place I'd ever want to be living now, much less with a kid in tow.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Here are the requirements on a foreigner getting married to an Egyptian in Egypt. Link

Be sure the register with the US Embassy in Cairo when you travel there and also like their page on facebook and follow them on twitter. They update their social media much quicker than their webpage but they do keep it pretty updated with the latest messages.

Lots of us have lived there and have family there. It's in a period of unrest right now. This is to be expected in any revolutionary process as an unseasoned leader will be tested. This political process will go on for another 10-15 years until things settle down.

Foreigners living there have expressed concern about the situation. I've seen them post on here and on other expat websites, yahoo groups, facebook groups, ect - for those living in Egypt. I've even read from facebook posts about some family telling those in the States that the Muslim Brotherhood is killing Christians in Alexandria. I don't have anything to verify this. On the raw news I see it's the opposite happening with mob groups lighting Muslim Brotherhood offices on fire and attacking MB members.

This isn't happening everyday all over the place, but the protests are happening with a frequency of several times a week. The raw feed also shows periods of quietness and deserted streets that are mostly in the early morning hours. The majority go home, eat, drink tea and take breaks, go about their daily life, so it's not a constant barrage. In way you're correct that the media blows things out of proportion because showing the quiet periods and the people going about their daily life doesn't make for great visuals and story telling.

My in-laws in Egypt whom we're pretty close to don't seem too worried. The youngest is a teenager and she's the only one they worry about because they say she is like a restless cat in the house pacing and wanting to go out to the protests when they are happening and they want her to stay home. Sometimes she goes, sometimes she doesn't, mostly she should be focusing on her exams because she should start college in a year and these exams are a critical point in that process.

One of my in-laws new homes is right by the Presidential Palace. They aren't worried and they say they feel secure but I have to wonder if they are protecting my feelings. When I tell that to my husband he says he doesn't think so because they would tell him otherwise and be honest with him if they felt unsafe. This time it's different. It's not like when his two brothers were out in the streets all night participating in the neighborhood watch to protect their homes for looters like in the revolution during the period of mass chaos.

The family in Luxor also say they aren't affected by what's going on. So it's not reaching all of Egypt just certain hot spots and it's not going on all the time. Just on days when protests are called for and the US Embassy in Cairo typically alerts Citizens about known demonstrations. There aren't even that many people camping out in the square this time. Most of them go home during the down time. Looking at the video from this morning it's pretty desolate. Maybe five people sitting outside tents in the square right now.

[Mithra 1,185]

I have to commend you for being honest and recognizing that perhaps uprooting your child was a selfish move.

Whether or not the child has an Egyptian father, Egypt isn't and hasn't been her home. Personally, I don't believe pursuing yet another marriage is good enough reason to uproot a child. I would take Nola123's comments to heart and really think about how moving your child to a foreign environment could affect her well being.

As somebody who took a 4 year old to another country recently, I implore you to really think on this. It was an absolute nightmare for her and she went from being a happy and normal child to a fearful and depressed one. My daughter even went to an expensive English speaking school here to ease the transition. That went horribly awry. In hindsight, it would have been best for my daughter to remain in America and me and my husband to just have waited out the process. My selfishness has had very bad consequences on her and I am having trouble forgiving myself.

[Heba&Mando 1]

Here is the link to all the requirements for getting married in Egypt! My advice is to make sure you have ALL the documents you need with you...and you won't have any problems! Good luck!!!

http://egypt.usembas...ular/acs12.html

[NY_BX 397]

I have to commend you for being honest and recognizing that perhaps uprooting your child was a selfish move.

Whether or not the child has an Egyptian father, Egypt isn't and hasn't been her home. Personally, I don't believe pursuing yet another marriage is good enough reason to uproot a child. I would take Nola123's comments to heart and really think about how moving your child to a foreign environment could affect her well being.

Exactly my thoughts. There's a child involved. Dangerous situation, no matter where you're moving. A foreign environment could simply be a new school. Must of us know how traumatic it may be to a child. Imagine moving to another country, let alone- one in distress.

I "vote" for K-1.

[True Love at Last 15]

First thank you for all of your reply's. This is why I love VJ. I have only begun my thoughts and I have had some conversations with my daughter and other family members. There are other issues that have contributed to the thought of simply moving to Egypt to be with my fiance but he has also voiced some of these similiar concerns. I don't feel that I am going for selfish reasons and actually feel that my daughter being around her Egyptian family members would be a good expierence but it seems I have alot of things to consider and all input is appreciated.

[Roosha 51]

I might be coming late to the party but trust me, you do not want to move to the Middle East. I was born and raised in the states, got married in Qatar and have been living here for the last 7 years. I've hated every minute of it. I'm not saying to take my experience as law, not saying you're going to have the same experience, but I don't know of one person who made the move from the USA to the Middle East and liked it. They all pine for the day that they'll move back. And a lot of them are in different stages in their lives. Everyone from the married woman to the single party boy all want to move back after one year, most times less. And these are people who live in the Gulf, where there is no unrest, you're safe, and you have all the amenities and most of the technology of home. But you're still not home and there are HUGE differences that most simply can not adapt to. Human rights issues and etc.

I am SO glad that we're moving back, and you know the deal breaker? My son's schooling. He's 5 years old, will be starting first grade next year, and there is no way we'll be able to afford good schooling for him. So we're moving. Even if my husband (the non-US citizen) does not find the best job in the beginning it will still be better than living here. Not to mention I do NOT want to raise my child in this society, it's not Muslim no matter what anyone tries to tell you. You have a better chance of raising a well rounded and stable child in the USA.

This is all my opinion and I do apologize if I offended anyone, but this is my experience and what I've seen and learned during my expat years, and what I've seen and learned of others' expat experiences.

[True Love at Last 15]

I might be coming late to the party but trust me, you do not want to move to the Middle East. I was born and raised in the states, got married in Qatar and have been living here for the last 7 years. I've hated every minute of it. I'm not saying to take my experience as law, not saying you're going to have the same experience, but I don't know of one person who made the move from the USA to the Middle East and liked it. They all pine for the day that they'll move back. And a lot of them are in different stages in their lives. Everyone from the married woman to the single party boy all want to move back after one year, most times less. And these are people who live in the Gulf, where there is no unrest, you're safe, and you have all the amenities and most of the technology of home. But you're still not home and there are HUGE differences that most simply can not adapt to. Human rights issues and etc.

I am SO glad that we're moving back, and you know the deal breaker? My son's schooling. He's 5 years old, will be starting first grade next year, and there is no way we'll be able to afford good schooling for him. So we're moving. Even if my husband (the non-US citizen) does not find the best job in the beginning it will still be better than living here. Not to mention I do NOT want to raise my child in this society, it's not Muslim no matter what anyone tries to tell you. You have a better chance of raising a well rounded and stable child in the USA.

This is all my opinion and I do apologize if I offended anyone, but this is my experience and what I've seen and learned during my expat years, and what I've seen and learned of others' expat experiences.

Thank you for your reply and good advice is never too late. My fiance and I have talked about all of our concerns and weighed all the pros and cons. We have decided to continue as planned with the K1, as soon as I receive my final divorce decree. We both agree that our best chance at a good future for both my kids, my fiance and God willing our future kids, is here in the USA. As I've been through this before, I know it's hard at times but the end result is worth it. My last marriage may have failed after almost 7 years but it was in good faith and it ended due to reasons not related to immigration.

I appreciate all the honesty and this is exactly why I visit VJ everday. I dont post as much but I do read and take in advice of those who have the expierence that I may not have. Good or bad information/ expierences for me are all very educational and helpful. This communnity tells it like it is, gives excellent advice and sometimes a person needs insight from someone who is neutral to the situation. A fresh look from someone elses perspective is exactly what we needed to confirm our ideas/ options.

I think a visit after we file will help to keep us focused on our ultimategoal of raising a family together and providing the best future possible, inshaAllah (God Willing).

Again, Thank you all ;-)

[Ihavequestions 419]

Edit: I see you've chosen the K-1 option, so I've edited out my comments.

Edited December 13, 2012 by Ihavequestions

[shayy17 3]

Thank you for your reply and good advice is never too late. My fiance and I have talked about all of our concerns and weighed all the pros and cons. We have decided to continue as planned with the K1, as soon as I receive my final divorce decree. We both agree that our best chance at a good future for both my kids, my fiance and God willing our future kids, is here in the USA. As I've been through this before, I know it's hard at times but the end result is worth it. My last marriage may have failed after almost 7 years but it was in good faith and it ended due to reasons not related to immigration.

I appreciate all the honesty and this is exactly why I visit VJ everday. I dont post as much but I do read and take in advice of those who have the expierence that I may not have. Good or bad information/ expierences for me are all very educational and helpful. This communnity tells it like it is, gives excellent advice and sometimes a person needs insight from someone who is neutral to the situation. A fresh look from someone elses perspective is exactly what we needed to confirm our ideas/ options.

I think a visit after we file will help to keep us focused on our ultimategoal of raising a family together and providing the best future possible, inshaAllah (God Willing).

Again, Thank you all ;-)

I think it's totally a personal decision and depends a lot on ur child's personality but I was born and raised in the States and lived in Egypt for a number of years and I think it was great. It's a fun country and I think your daughter would be fine in the schools there... But thats just my experience (and yes I did live there recently... even through the entire Jan 25 revolution, I only came to the States again last March)

[sandinista! 1,816]

Raw news, FTW.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]