Italy or Belgium?

[Fuerza]

So you think that I would not be able to find a job in Brussels? I've read of people who found a job in there without speaking Dutch, but I didn't think it was rare.

 

I think you would, but it would be difficult... Especially in these times where everyone is fighting for a job. Depending on what job you want to do and the company, Dutch might not be a requirement. But honestly Brussels is still a part of Belgium where they talk Dutch so I personally would find it a bit strange if they would hire a non-Dutch speaking person. You also have to take in consideration that there are tons of other people applying with you, who probably do speak Dutch. An employer is always going to take that person that is the biggest catch for their company.

 

I can take a look for you in the job database if you want or perhaps ask your bf and see if there are jobs available where Dutch isn't a requirement!

[Rossie]

I think you would, but it would be difficult... Especially in these times where everyone is fighting for a job. Depending on what job you want to do and the company, Dutch might not be a requirement. But honestly Brussels is still a part of Belgium where they talk Dutch so I personally would find it a bit strange if they would hire a non-Dutch speaking person. You also have to take in consideration that there are tons of other people applying with you, who probably do speak Dutch. An employer is always going to take that person that is the biggest catch for their company.

 

I can take a look for you in the job database if you want or perhaps ask your bf and see if there are jobs available where Dutch isn't a requirement!

 

We have looked and indeed most of the jobs require it too, but anyway I've decided that I'm going to take a Dutch course there, so to have at least a decent level. Then I hope I will have a bit of luck too! Thanks for your help

[craw]

Belgium is not known for excitement. Beers good mind.

 

But it's a safer bet for employment. Mind you Milan has it's moments.

 

That's funny, I came here to post that Belgium is so boring!

 

Good luck to OP. I think you should definitely job hunt and see what the prospects are like.

 

I think you two would do better in Holland.

[Rossie]

That's funny, I came here to post that Belgium is so boring!

 

Good luck to OP. I think you should definitely job hunt and see what the prospects are like.

 

I think you two would do better in Holland.

 

Thank you

 

I don't think Holland could be an option for us, because my boyfriend doesn't really like Dutch people and apart from that, we want to stay in one of our native countries so to have at least one part of the family, because travelling to see both it would be too much, imo. I would like to use my holidays also for the two of us!

 

May I ask you why is Belgium boring? When I stayed there for my exchange program, I didn't really find it different from where I'm actually living now, or maybe I'm just a boring person too!

[justwhoiam]

Compare Belgium to Italy

 

Anyway, I think choosing between these two countries is not easy.

 

In Italy you'll have: better food, more sunny days, more entertainment, less crime, lower suicide rate (unless you don't pick Palermo or something like that...), longer life expectancy. The language, once learned, is spoken by at least 85 million people vs 27 million people who speak Dutch. Also, children would grow up breathing art all over the place.

 

In Belgium you'll have: a better income, maybe a better school system and probably less taxes (not sure about that).

 

That said, your boyfriend doesn't speak Italian and has zero work experience, all that makes working in Italy quite difficult. By the way, what kind of social worker would he be? Working with children, old people... or?

 

So all in all, if Belgium is going to be the chosen country just because of work opportunity, at that point, I would pick Switzerland. And I'll tell you why:

- it is inbetween the two countries, not too far from either of them, so that you can be rather close to both grandparents, not preferring his to yours and viceversa (balance in this case is the best way to go)

- children can grow up in a multilingual environment (they usually learn French, German, Italian and English)

- better job opportunities

- income can be twice that of Belgium

- you might make the right connections for your careers or your children's careers

 

That said, Switzerland is not part of the EU, despite there's been talk about it. Maybe you can dig a bit further. I know some guy who's been working there for years, although he doesn't live there.

 

Good luck.

[craw]

Thank you

 

I don't think Holland could be an option for us, because my boyfriend doesn't really like Dutch people and apart from that, we want to stay in one of our native countries so to have at least one part of the family, because travelling to see both it would be too much, imo. I would like to use my holidays also for the two of us!

 

May I ask you why is Belgium boring? When I stayed there for my exchange program, I didn't really find it different from where I'm actually living now, or maybe I'm just a boring person too!

 

ahh the nice thing is you guys in Europe have so much vacation compared to us in North America!

 

Don't listen to me about Belgium! Just make sure you try to make your own girlfriends, so you're not always stuck being with your boyfriend.

[madjac74]

Thank you

 

, we want to stay in one of our native countries so to have at least one part of the family, because travelling to see both it would be too much, imo. I would like to use my holidays also for the two of us!

 

 

It all sounds like fun and games so far deciding to pick a country to live in. But you said you want to pick the country that is best for kids and yet one of your native countries to be close to one of your families. What happens if you pick his country and start to resent him because your kids don't get to experience your family as much as his or even worse your family resents you for that fact?

[Rossie]

Compare Belgium to Italy

 

Anyway, I think choosing between these two countries is not easy.

 

In Italy you'll have: better food, more sunny days, more entertainment, less crime, lower suicide rate (unless you don't pick Palermo or something like that...), longer life expectancy. The language, once learned, is spoken by at least 85 million people vs 27 million people who speak Dutch. Also, children would grow up breathing art all over the place.

 

In Belgium you'll have: a better income, maybe a better school system and probably less taxes (not sure about that).

 

That said, your boyfriend doesn't speak Italian and has zero work experience, all that makes working in Italy quite difficult. By the way, what kind of social worker would he be? Working with children, old people... or?

 

So all in all, if Belgium is going to be the chosen country just because of work opportunity, at that point, I would pick Switzerland. And I'll tell you why:

- it is inbetween the two countries, not too far from either of them, so that you can be rather close to both grandparents, not preferring his to yours and viceversa (balance in this case is the best way to go)

- children can grow up in a multilingual environment (they usually learn French, German, Italian and English)

- better job opportunities

- income can be twice that of Belgium

- you might make the right connections for your careers or your children's careers

 

That said, Switzerland is not part of the EU, despite there's been talk about it. Maybe you can dig a bit further. I know some guy who's been working there for years, although he doesn't live there.

 

Good luck.

 

Thanks for your answer!

 

Now I feel kinda undecided again. Your answer makes me think that Italy is better, but when I think we probably would struggle to find a job here, especially him, I feel like Belgium would be a better choice. But it's also true that the things you highlighted make me rethink again if whether I'm choosing right.

 

As for the type of social worker he would be, he told me that he would work in a company more in the part of recruiting people, if you understand what I mean.

 

I thought about Switzerland, but wouldn't be more difficult for the both of us to start our life in a completely different country? I don't think it would be that easy.

[Rossie]

What happens if you pick his country and start to resent him because your kids don't get to experience your family as much as his or even worse your family resents you for that fact?

 

I've been thinking about that for a long time and I know myself that I wouldn't like the fact they cannot see my parents as often as his, but what else can we do? One of us has to move eventually and I think many couples that once were in a long distance have to struggle with that kind of problem. I wouldn't know how to manage that right now.

 

What would you do if you were me?

[craw]

I can't wait till I can move to Europe.

[Rossie]

I can't wait till I can move to Europe.

 

Where are you going to move? I'm curios

[craw]

If its to work - Spain or Germany or Holland.

 

If its to study, France or Germany. I am not that fond of France, but I would be applying for my MBA to be more employable.

 

Either way I will have to learn two languages!

 

I really miss Europe everyday. I live in Canada.

 

Soooo fed up of being here. Need another one or two years before I can move.

 

How's it going with you? Did you two get closer to a decision?

[Rossie]

If its to work - Spain or Germany or Holland.

 

If its to study, France or Germany. I am not that fond of France, but I would be applying for my MBA to be more employable.

 

Either way I will have to learn two languages!

 

I really miss Europe everyday. I live in Canada.

 

Soooo fed up of being here. Need another one or two years before I can move.

 

How's it going with you? Did you two get closer to a decision?

 

I would choose between Holland and Germany maybe, also if to me Canada seems a nice place to live in.

 

As for me, we didn't really talk about that anymore, but I still think I want to move there for now. I would like to apply for a master and meanwhile to follow Dutch classes, so to eventually have a better chance to find a job. Anyway, I've already told him that it could not be definitive and that I may change idea.

 

The only thing that bothers me about moving is that my parents won't be able to see our future children as much as his and I don't know how I will cope with it. I need advices or others experience.

[craw]

Canada is a nice place to live, but I am looking for change. It's always been my dream to wake up in Europe. Even if.its short term.

 

My parents raised my sister and I away from our grandparents. About a two hour flight away. We would go there for summers. Now we live really far our grandparents . it really sucks, but you just get used to it.

[ufo8mycat]

I have lived in flanders and I can't say it is boring at all.

 

But I found that few people actually spoke conversational english.

 

The weather is rubbish

 

But the italian economy has tanked.

 

so unemployed and enjoying the good weather?

 

Or live in flanders until the situation improves employment wise and you get bit more experience?

 

(or come to Australia on a 457 and have good weather and good employment prospects!)

[Rossie]

My parents raised my sister and I away from our grandparents. About a two hour flight away. We would go there for summers. Now we live really far our grandparents . it really sucks, but you just get used to it.

 

And how do you feel about them? When you were younger, did you feel like they were strangers to you since you were able to see them only during summer time?

[Rossie]

I have lived in flanders and I can't say it is boring at all.

 

But I found that few people actually spoke conversational english.

 

The weather is rubbish

 

But the italian economy has tanked.

 

so unemployed and enjoying the good weather?

 

Or live in flanders until the situation improves employment wise and you get bit more experience?

 

(or come to Australia on a 457 and have good weather and good employment prospects!)

 

I think I will definitely go for Flanders. Australia was my dream country when I was little, but I've realised it's maybe too far away from here