House Hunters International

Does it matter what country we move to?


I am watching House Hunters International now and this episode is about a family relocating to Shanghai. I couldn't help but notice that it doesn't matter what country we move to it will always feel like we're moving to another planet. It is not only the language barrier or the distance from home. It is the cultural chock. No matter how open you are and how much of the other culture you want to experience this is the common ground.  


I have friends who moves to other english speaking countries - England and Australia - and they still went thru the cultural shock. We need to adapt to a lot more then people give us credit for. And we also need to change our expectations on lots of things.


Like the couple on the tv show we also had to sell our dream home. We had moved in a year before we got the job offer and we all loved it. Perfect size, perfect lot, perfect neighborhood. And what were we getting into? We had no idea.


So it's funny to see how the look and see trip can be so bitter sweet. We're taking a job opportunity too good to pass, visiting a new school, looking for a new house and also getting ready to leave behind our lives. Home, school, family, friends... And the current job too. 


While house hunting the couples usually have different expectations and desires. Women tend to like certain things - like amenities, well equipped kitchens and nice bathrooms. Men, on the other hand like to stay close to work and to have room for a huge tv. And girls, we have to give it to the guys. A shorter commute is a good thing for all of us. 


But finding the perfect house for our families is just the first step. Adapting to the country - language, food and habits - can be a lot more challenging. Now this would be a good tv show.