Ever Dream of Living Abroad? Here's my story....

     It could be you're looking at Retirement, Relocation.....or you're just Ready to make a change in lifestyle.

     For years retirees have been flocking to Central America for the good weather, low cost of living and medical care.  After watching countless episodes of House Hunters International, I've cheered as young people (single, married, family and/or empty nesters) made the move to live abroad.  Whether it is for a year, a few years or a permanent move, the experience is enriching.  Many return back home, and quite possibly, just as many stay abroad embracing their "new" home.  As one who has tested the waters, one toe at a time, I can say it is exciting; exciting to learn a new culture, a new language, new recipes, a new way of looking at life.

     My first foray into living outside the continental US was St. Thomas in the USVI.  We bought a

St Thomas USVI

home there that needed renovating and furnishing.  I learned about shipping materials and furnishings by containers that arrived by sea from Miami; completing documents stateside, finalizing documents at the Customs Office in St Thomas.  And although I didn't need to learn a new language, I did have to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road!  Yes! on the other side of the road!!  The steering wheel is on the same side as it is here, but you drive on the other side - the reminder to stay on the "correct side" of the road was  "Keep your shoulder to the shoulder (of the road)".   With St. Thomas as a home base,  I travelled to Puerto Rico, St. Johns and to the BVIs.  Sometimes by plane, sometimes by boat and most often to St. Johns on a car barge!  And on St Johns I had to learn to wait for the free roaming donkeys to clear the road....I kid you not!

Antibes, France

     A few years after St. Thomas the next "toe in the water" went a little further - across the Atlantic to France!  It was always a bit of a dream "oh to live in France"....well, an opportunity presented itself and I wasn't passing it up.  Did I know French? No...I had only one semester of French 101 when in college - all those decades ago!  Did I know much about French culture?  Not really.  I did know that France had some great wines, cheeses, baked goods, fashion and perfumes.  But, I had a few lessons to learn, though: lunch is served/eaten/completed between 12noon and 2pm; yes, two hour lunches.  Everything closes down: shops, banks, offices etc. Only restaurants and cafes are open - that is when all of France eats lunch.  OK, easy lesson to learn.  Along the way there were a few other things to learned in order to assimilate into the culture and the lifestyle - and it was all worth it.  There is a reverence for family, food and friends.  Everyone has health care (quite excellent, rated #1 in the world), 5 weeks paid vacation to start and they take their work seriously (who wouldn't with such great benefits).  And as for living there, I was amazed at the costs:  car insurance was about $400 for the year (new car with great mileage of 62mpg), apartment insurance was a bit over $400 for the year.  Internet with voice-over-internet (free local and international calling) was $30 per month.  Food was also very very affordable; produce was abundant and great pride in marking items with country of origin, especially if it was produced, raised, made in France.  For almost 10 years, France was second "home"....I spent time there, but always came home to the USA for family and work.  What an incredible experience and so happy to have the opportunity.


     Want another idea? Consider Spain.  E-A-S-Y  That's all I can say about Spain.  First, English is

Valencia, Spain

widely spoken unless you go deep into the country and rural areas.  However, that being said, most young people speak English. Young people know that the world is getting smaller and smaller and movies, music and the internet have made it so.
Costs?  Unbelievable!  I've sourced out some costs:
Insurance? Car and apartment insurance are just over $700 total for both.
Health insurance? (including dental & eye care) about $2000 for the year - for the year for two!
Hi-Speed internet? $24 month.
Food?  If I thought France was very affordable, Spain is even more so!  Really!  (One would be hard pressed to spend over $10 on produce for the week whether at the giant supermarket or at the weekly market in town.
Dining out?  Weekdays a 4 course lunch (salad, starter, main, dessert including wine/beer/or bottled water, coffee, tax & tip) is about $10 (Sat & Sun it's just over $12!). (Always leave a little extra tip)
Service?  The Spanish have the lock on service.  They are helpful, courteous and friendly.

     Overall, there is a great opportunity to enjoy a very nice quality of life in quantity!  So just in case you're curious or tempted to see what housing prices are, here's the link (more options below): http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/in-Spain.html   Madrid is an international city and

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a young, hip international city.  So much to do, easy connections (via air or train) to all of Europe.
Weekends in Amsterdam?  Easy!  A getaway to Ireland?  Cheap!  Crave pasta?  Rome is so near!  Within an hour or two, you can be just about anywhere in western Europe.  Eastern Europe is a little over 3 hours and a gateway to whole other world!
            Think Prague!  Tallinn, Estonia   Riga, Latvia

There is so much to explore, taste and experience....put your toe in the water - 

you might be surprised how warm the water is!

Search to buy France properties: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/in-France.html
Search for rentals in France: https://www.french-property.com/find/rental/
Search for rentals in Spain:  https://www.justlanded.com/english/Spain/Housing-Rentals

Berlin: Helpful Links

Here are some links to the places referenced in the Berlin blog:

Berlin Hilton: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/berlin/hilton-berlin-BERHITW/index.html

Sanssouci Park: http://www.potsdam-tourism.com/detail/id/10215/theme/a-z.html

Museum Island (Pergamon): http://www.berlin.de/orte/sehenswuerdigkeiten/museumsinsel/index.en.php

Fassbender & rausch (chocolates!): https://www.fassbender-rausch.de/

KaDeWe (largest department store in Europe): http://www.kadewe.de/en/the_kadewe/

St. Nicholas Church: http://www.visitberlin.de/en/spot/nikolaikirche-stadtmuseum-berlin

Chicago Williams BBQ: http://chicagowilliamsbbq.de/galerie/

Berlin Parliament Building/Reichstag: http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/visits

CheckPoint Charlie Museum: http://www.mauermuseum.de/index.php/en/berlin-wall-exhibiton

Bridge of Spies: http://coldwarsites.net/country/germany/the-glienicke-bridge-or-bridge-of-spies-berlin

Fifi

HS Students & Graduates: Student Exchange in Germany! (Even Teachers!)

What an opportunity!  High school students have a chance to 'student-exchange' with a German student and family for a short period (16 days) or longer (up to one year after HS graduation).  The world is getting smaller, job market is increasingly competitive and knowing that opportunities to enrich one's education, life and work experience should be considered.  The following links offer more insight into the programs.

Helpful Hint: Teaching Asst Program in France

While at the French Consulate in Miami last week waiting for my annual 6month Tourist Visa, I picked up this little bit of information about teaching English in France.  I know a few weeks ago I posted 'If I was 30 years younger..." - well, guess what - this particular program, sponsored by the French Ministry of National Education is looking for young people (age 20-30) to teach in France!

Helpful Hints: If I Were 30 Years Younger....

I am a great fan of HGTV's House Hunters International.  As much as I enjoy seeing the different cities and countries, learning the housing costs to buy or rent, there is something far more appealing to me: it is the people who actually make the move!

I am fascinated that so many people (young,"mature", single, couples) some with families in tow, who take the step and move.  True, that some have job or a military transfer, but others just pack up and go.  I see many young single people accepting teaching jobs at International Schools.  If I had known the opportunity to teach at an International School was available to me, I would have given it some serious consideration.   Today's relocation candidates, with or without children, are looking for new opportunities to expand and enrich their lives, meet new poeple, try new food, experience a new way of life and travel.  Is it daunting?  Yes.  If it doesn't work out, can you always come back home?  Yes.  Is it exciting? Yes.  Am I still intrigued? Most Definitely!

Here are some links for International Schools:

http://www.goabroad.com/teach-abroad/search/italy/teach-abroad-1?gclid=CPrOlda8xLwCFWoV7AodJCoApg

https://www.iss.edu/school_list

Contracts are usually for a year - just enough time for you to fall in love or transfer to another city or country!  Think Italy, Spain, Germany, Ireland, France, Portugal, Great Britain...endless opportunities!  Search the earlier posts for working in Germany or the cost of living "over there".

And not everyone is a "certified" teacher that apply.  While taking French classes at a school in France, we met an American girl from Orlando who majored in theatre.  At an Orlando job fair, there was a table for teaching abroad and she inquired, signed up and received a teaching post (acting/theatre) in Brussels.  The school at which she was teaching offered to pay for her to learn French (they speak French in most of Belgium) and so she signed up and we met.  We had two things in common: we were the only Americans in the class and we both lived in Florida.  Difference in age?  She was in her early twenties and us...well, more than a couple of decades older!  During lunch one day, she shared her motivation for learning French:  she had fallen in love with a man in Brussels and since his native language was French (he did speak English), she wanted to learn French.  How romantic was that!  And I am telling this story on Valentines Day! ahhhh!

But if the prospect of moving across "the pond" is too big a first step how about moving across state lines?  Some states have lower costs of living than others, some have more temperate weather while others still offer a lifestyle that is either at a slower pace or never sleeps!  Take that road trip, take that leap of faith!

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Fifi

Helpful Hints: How Much Does it Cost "Over There"?

Ever wonder how much it costs to live in France...specifically on the French Riviera?

Cannes

Well, purchasing real estate is not cheap - think NYC prices.  However, rental for a 1 bedroom, unfurnished, could be about 600 Euros a month.  That would be for an upscale unit, gated community with pool and several bus lines stopping just down the driveway.

Running the household is NOT expensive; I live in a small 2 bedroom condo and my water bill is about 30 Euros a month (we water our huge garden frequently); my electric bill is about 100 Euros (we cook a lot!). I pay under 40 Euros a month for hi-speed internet that includes free international VOI calls.  Public broadcast TV is free (well, actually you pay for it with your real estate taxes) and we have satellite TV service from Great Britain.  We paid under 500 Euros for it (250 Euros for the box itself and 250 for the installation).  We pay no monthly or annual fee - just buy the satellite box once and you own it with no other fees.  We get over 100 free channels.  And because we own our condo, we have condo insurance for the contents and the garage: the condo insurance is just about 400 Euros a year!

Having a car...We bought our car brand new from the dealer.  It is a Mazda2, leather seats, CD, A/C and gets over 60 miles to the gallon!  The price was just under 14,000 Euros, but because we bought a fuel efficient car, the French government rebated 200 Euros directly into our bank account!  AND the dealer took car of registering the car and giving our insurance agent all the details!  My car insurance is under 400 Euros per year...yes, it's full coverage!

Food?  Well consider this:  fruits and veggies are sold by the kilo (2.2lbs) and are usually priced at 1Euro 50 for the kilo (less than 75 cents a pound!).  More often than not, there is an aisle with an assortment of produce at 99 "centimes" per kilo (less than 50 cents a pound).  And the cheeses?  Think 2 Euros for a variety of cheeses.  Of course there are some priced at double that, but chunk of cheese is huge!  I dare not even describe the butter...it is heavenly!  Fish abundant, as is chicken.  Beef, pork and lamb are all well priced as well.  Spices and herbs are everywhere and priced to sell.  And baguette?  Under 1Euro for a basic and maybe extra 20 centimes (cents) for a larger traditional baguette.  Uh huh....it's good....really really good! There is a bakery down the hill (one block) from our condo and they sell 5 croissants for 1 Euro...I am not kidding!

How much is the wine?  Well, we rarely pay more than 3 Euros ($4) for an excellent local rose' wine.  We do like to visit some of the wineries which are about 45 minutes from us...and from there another several hours in all directions you can sample and buy incredible wines that never make it to the large supermarkets.  They are usually sold locally and most often to the restaurants, bistros and cafes in the area.  Always an excuse for a "road trip" to the winery!

  Travel: Bus fare is 1 Euro.  Express bus to Nice 2Euro 50 centimes! With a little advance notice you can fly to many international cities in Europe for about 30 Euros each way - 60 Euros round trip!!!  Think Paris, London or Amsterdam for a get-away.  Travel is a big part of the European lifestyle.  Airlines such as Easy Jet make travel very affordable for everyone.  I've not traveled by train locally, however, several years ago we took the hi-speed train from Paris to Amsterdam and it was fantastic.  Recently, we've taken both local and hi-speed trains in Germany and it was very very reasonable (Munich to Salzburg was 30Euros total for up to five people!).

Dining Out  Want to have lunch out?  A very upscale restaurant (LeVauban) serves up a gourmet meal; they add in a pre-appetizer, a special little bread (besides the bread rolls), appetizer, main course and dessert - for 19 Euros 50 centimes ($26) AND IT INCLUDES TAX AND TIP.  If you order coffee, a little tray of chocolates will be brought out!  (We always leave a little extra "tip" for the service which is always outstanding.)  Another "local" favorite is hidden from the main street in Antibes.  We go there for couscous on Wednesdays and, if we miss it, we'll go for the pork tenderloin and mash potatoes.  Our lunch there usually costs about 12 Euros each and includes an appetizer & main meal or main meal & dessert - tax and tip included!  The choices are endless: gourmet, casual, crepes, French, Italian etc.

As a side note:  when you buy something in Europe (generally speaking) if the price says 10Euros, it is 10 Euros at checkout.  If the stove is 399 Euros, you pay 399 Euros at checkout.  We bought our car and paid the price that was on the car sticker - no haggling, no surprise "fees" and "taxes" when it was time to write the check.  Remember too, they registered the car for us and took care of contacting our insurance agent too!

We had no idea when we made the move what our living expenses would be.  Truth is, it is far less expensive to run a household on the French Riviera than here in Florida.  Housing prices and rentals outside of the Riviera are much, much lower.  We traveled to SW coast of France to an area called Languedoc where several writers have explained how affordable it is to live there.  Add to that the high quality and enjoyment of life and it is a win-win situation all the way around.  Health care is rated just about #1 in the world.  And health insurance is cheap!  If we lived there full time we could have private insurance (top notch level) for less than 1500 euros for the year!

What if you want to work?  If you do work full time, you will most likely start out with 6 weeks paid vacation - and no doubt you will enjoy your midday meal with a two hour lunch break.  Children go to school all day (8am - 5p) 5 days a week, but they get a 2 hour lunch break also - and they get several (5?) weeks off during the school year plus a a 2 month summer vacation.

So aside from the financial aspect of living there, the quality and enjoyment of life rates very highly.  Does it take a bit of determination to try it? Yes.  Is it worth it? Heck, yes!  So...what's holding you back?

And here is a REAL ESTATE LINK (in English) for rentals!  I selected rentals from 250 to 1000Euros per month.             http://www.nexthome.fr/location-appartement-maison-villa-06-alpes-maritimes-cote-d-azur-monaco+0#radio=4&min_prix=250&max_prix=1000&nature_id=1&start=1&order=3

Go have some fun!  You never know.....!

Helpful Hint: GETTING MARRIED IN ITALY!

A few years ago, my friends decided to marry...in Italy!  If getting married is a stressful event, imagine trying to organize it in a foreign country where one doesn't speak the language.  BUT, the romantic notion of getting married in Italy trumps any little glitches one would encounter along the way; they did it and so can you!   The information below is based on the premise that both parties are American born citizens who wish to marry in Florence, Italy...and it is only meant as a guide; consult both the Italian Consulate in your area and the American Consulate in the area of Italy where you wish to be married for current documentation and requirements.

Let’s Begin:

WEDDING DATE:  When do you want to get married?  Consider your flight costs along with hotels stays and meals.  Dates during the “shoulder” seasons of Spring or Autunm may offer favorable air and hotel rates and the weather is delightful with less crowds.

Palazzo Vecchio

WITNESSES: You must have two witnesses for the marriage ceremony - are you asking friends or family to witness and/or help in the celebration? You will need at least 7-10 days in Italy – and for this case scenario, Florence.  Marriages are performed by a government official of the City of Florence, at the Palazzo Vecchio.  Sounds wonderful, right?  It’s even more so in person!

TRANSLATOR: And if you are like my friends and do not speak Italian, you need an official interpreter when you register to marry and present at the civil ceremony.  Here is the link for Italian translators from the US Embassy in Florence, Italy. http://italy.usembassy.gov/acs/professionals/translators/translators-florence.html

ORGANIZE: If you are good with details and are organized, you could do this without a wedding planner.  You need to set up a calendar/chart with the items that need to get done and on what date.  If you are not that organized, there are plenty offering their services on line for Italian Weddings.

FIRST: Do you have a passport?  Is it current? Do your planned witnesses and/or guests have valid passports?  Ordering and renewing passports could take some time, so check on this a.s.a.p!

SECOND: Order your birth certificates (www.vitalchek.com) LONG FORM WITH AN APOSTILLE.  If you were born in NYC, you must order your certified long form birth certificate from NYC Vital Records, and then have NYS issue an Apostille.  Have the birth certificates, together with Apostilles, translated into Italian.

THIRD: If you’ve been divorced, you need a certified copy of the divorce decree with an Apostille.  Remember, both the divorce decree and Apostille must be translated into Italian.

NOTE:  THE APOSTILLE ON THESE DOCUMENTS CANNOT BE DATED MORE THAN 6 MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE WEDDING DATE.  (ex: Sept 15, 2014 wedding date, the Apostilles must be dated after March 15, 2014 )

Follow the Steps:

Once you have your documents, and valid passports, you will need to:

1.  Contact the appropriate Italian Consulate for your area to set up an appointment for the Atto Notario.  You must bring your birth certificates with Apostilles, all translated into Italian, and you need to bring two witnesses to the Italian Consulate with you.

Here is the link for the Italian Embassy to US.  It will list the Consulate locations and the areas they cover.  Once you locate the Italian Consulate that covers your area, check on the tab for Consular Services and there could be a link for translators.  Otherwise, you can find certified translators on line…but be very careful.

http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/Templates/PaginaInterna.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7bBC8DAF9A-2681-4ABD-9347-9FF4DD1C2A88%7d&NRORIGINALURL=%2fAmbasciata_Washington%2fMenu%2fInformazioni_e_servizi%2fLa_rete_consolare%2f&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest

2.   Set up communication with the translator/interpreter in Florence, Italy. http://italy.usembassy.gov/acs/professionals/translators/translators-florence.html

3.  Set up communication with the Stato Civile di Firenze.  In an email introduce yourself and your intended spouse, give the date of your planned wedding and ask for confirmation.  There is a form to be completed and a payment to be submitted (credit cards accepted).  Write your request in English; you may want to also include the “Google” or “Bing” translation as well.  It doesn’t always convert correctly, but any attempt at the Italian would be polite.  Here is the information:

Ufficio: Civil Status - Wedding office

Responsible of the procedure: Loretta Burdassi        Email: matrimoni@pec.comune.fi.it

Address: Palazzo Vecchio - Piazza Signoria

Telefono: +39 055 2768518 - 2768299 - 2768211 - 2768575

Fax: +39 055 2616715

Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. - Tue and Thur also 2,30 p.m. to 5,00 p.m.-

4.  You will also need to make an appointment with US Consulate in Florence.  There is a form to be completed at the US Consulate called the Nulla Osta.   You can schedule your appointment on line for a few days before your wedding date. https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.asp?postcode=FLR&appcode=1

 5.  You’ve arrived to Florence!  You need to do 4 things right away:

A.        Get to the American Consulate on your appointment date for the Nulla Osta document (see US Diplomatic Mission link below to print).  Bring all your documents (better safe to bring it all!) and your passports.  The fee is $50 as of this writing.

B.       Stop at a Tabacco Shop to purchase a stamp: Marca da Bollo. Cost is about 16Euros.  Hold onto this!

C.       Take your stamp and all your documents to the Prefettura (Police/Municpal Station) to have them stamped. Florence: Via Giacomini, 8 - open Monday through Friday from 09.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. On Thursday also open from 02.00 p.m. to 04.00 p.m. - Tel: 055/ 27 831

D.       Go to the Palazzo Vecchio to “register” for the marriage ceremony; make sure your witnesses are with you and you’ve arrange for your translator to be there also.  You must “register” a minimum of 4 days before the wedding date. M-F 8:30am-1p  and Tue/Thur 2:30p-5p

6. Relax as best you can….you’re registered for the wedding and met your translator….did you order flowers?  Is the camera charged?  Lunch/Dinner reservations?  Enjoy every minute…

7.  At the wedding ceremony, which is done in Italian and your interpreter translates, you will receive your official marriage certificate/license.  A day or two afterwards, but before you depart the area, go back to the Prefettura's office (where you surrendered your "stamp" (Marca da Bollo).  You need to do this in order to be absolutely sure that your marriage is recognized back in the USA.  Ask the Prefettura's office for an Apostille for the marriage license.  Once back in the USA, you can have the Apostille translated into English and keep for safekeeping...just in case you need to produce one day!

Wedding Room at Palazzo Vecchio

HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL SITES:

The City of Florence (Firenze) has a wonderful website, that has a page for Americans (who are NOT residents of Italy) and wishing to marry in Florence.  The site explains things very well. http://centroservizi.lineacomune.it/portal/page/portal/MULTIPORTALE/FIRENZE/TAB_5LETUEGUIDE?_piref_.tema=308&_piref_.sottotema=2110&_piref_.macrostruttura=servizi+demografici&_piref_.servizio=matrimonio&_piref_.idservizio=%2Fkbm_root%2Fcommondir_comune_di_firenze%2Fthematicgroup_organizzazione_tematica%2Fthematicdir_identita%2Fsubthematicgroup_stato_civile%2Fservdir_matrimonio%2Fservfiledir_1-Scheda_Servizio%2Fservfile_celebration_of_weddings_for_not_resident_american_citizens.html

The Italian Consulate, for Miami, also has a section dedicated for Americans wishing to marry in Italy.  http://www.consmiami.esteri.it/Consolato_Miami/Menu/I_Servizi/Per_i_cittadini/Notarile/    When you open the link, click on “US Citizens Wishing to Marry in Italy” for details. 

The US Diplomatic Mission to Italy also has a great website, providing the link to print the Nulla Osta that you need for the US Consulate in Italy where you appointment is scheduled.  There are US Consulate Offices in Milan, Florence, Rome and Naples.  Be sure to consider in which Italian city you wish to marry and the location of the US Consulate!     http://italy.usembassy.gov/acs/marriage/general-marriage.html

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOVE IS A ONLY A GUIDE AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSIDERED ABSOLUTE IN THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OR DOCUMENTATION NEEDED FOR MARRIAGE IN ITALY.  THOSE SEEKING TO MARRY IN ITALY SHOULD CONTACT THE ITALIAN CONSULATE IN THEIR DISTRICT TO OBTAIN THE LATEST REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS AMERICAN CONSULATE IN ITALY FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS BASED ON RESEARCH FEBRUARY 2014.  INFORMATION MAY HAVE BEEN CHANGED, UPDATED OR DELETED OR SUPPLEMENTED ON THE DATE YOU BEGIN YOUR RESEARCH.

Helpful Hints: Working/Studying in Germany

Germany's economy is doing well...in fact, it is doing very well. It seems to me, on the numerous visits made to Germany's cities, towns and villages, that it all runs very well. The transportation network is punctual, it is very very clean, there is great pride in their workmanship and craftsmanship, they have strong apprenticeship programs and excellent universities, the population embraces renewable energy (there have to be thousands of wind farms and solar panels seem to be a normal roof fixture), a demand for organic foods, and first rate healthcare.
LOOKING FOR WORK? If you ever thought of making a move, but were hesitant because language would be a barrier, think twice: Germany is a bi-lingual country, English is widely spoken. As US citizens we get a slight advantage when relocating to Germany. The link has job postings and lots of useful information. It doesn't hurt to look at your options! http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/home/
LOOKING TO STUDY? If you ever had the notion of studying in Europe, here is your chance. Meet other international students. http://www.studying-in-germany.org/

Look under the Real Estate tab to see the link for real estate in Germany!