Welcome to the expat life!

I'm going on my second international relocation as a wife. We moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil, about 3 years ago and now we're moving to Mexico City, Mexico.
As I know very well relocating is not easy but it is a choice. So, even with all the issues we have I'll try to make the best out of it!

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Monday, April 29, 2013

Super Commuter, Not!

I was recently hired by a couple to assess whether  they should move or opt for the super commute.

It is so funny how the exact same reasons why one decides to move are the same as another decides to commute.

There is no rule to help us make this kind of decision. Relocations always take people out of their comfort zone and no one can predict whether it is going to work out or not in so many different levels. In a sense, it is a leap of faith. Yes, there are many aspects that can make the transition easier but there are no guarantees.

You already know why my family decided not to go to Mexico and how well it worked out for us. The couple I was working with decided to move to Mexico. How could they not?! They are a young couple, she is not working anymore because they are trying to start a family and they are both fluent in spanish. This is a great opportunity for them to live an adventure, mature as a couple - they are going to live away from their family for the first time in their lives - and advance his career. They are now very committed to make things work and to take full advantage of this opportunity. It is also easier to commit to a relocation once you realize it is temporary and that it can - and will - be an amazing move. Knowing it will only be for 2 years helps take some of the pressure off. Not having kids also makes the relocation so much easier. I remember my time before having kids when all we thought about was pack and go have fun on our new adventure. We loved it. 

I wish F & S the best of luck on this new phase of their lives! They are a lovely couple and I'm sure they will be very happy. 

I love working with relocations, it opened a few new doors for me. It's funny because I loved being a corporate lawyer and never thought of doing anything else. Then my husband and I decided on our first relocation and my life was turned upside down. We had fun moving, I became a mom and dedicated my life to my family. Now my kids are older and don't need me that much anymore. We're moving to New York and we'll likely stay there for a while. And I really want  to start working again. Working with all these couples made me realize how much I love working on relationships. I come from a divorced family. Having a happy marriage and a happy family has always been my main goal. I live for it. I am also the confident of must of my friends and the one thy come to when they need relationship advice. So it is only natural that I decided to educate myself more on this subject. I am now on my way to become a Relationship Coach.  Wish me luck and let me know if you need any help.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Safety and Dogs

A question I get asked a lot is this: "Is it safe to walk your pets on the streets of Sao Paulo or Mexico City"?

Well, it depends on what neighborhood you live in and most important on what time you're going out to walk your dog. If you don't live in a gated community I would walk them no earlier than 7:30 am and no later than 6:30 pm. The darker it it and the less people on the streets there are, the more dangerous it is for you to walk your dog.

The safety in neighborhoods vary greatly. You should always ask your doorman, neighbors and friends if and when it is safe to walk your pet. Also ask them what is the best route to take and how far you should go. 

Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. And always bring a bag to pick-up after your dog.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Aging Pets and Relocation

This is a very sensitive subject to me. My pets are getting old. Recently I lost 2 of my cats. It has been very tough on us. We're all extremely sad and trying to cope with our losses. We feel very lucky we are here in the U.S. and we had enough help from our vets during this very difficult times. Having old pets is a huge reason for us not to consider any international relocation for a while. My dog is now 14 and my remaining cat is 12. How can anyone consider flying them in cargo?? 

We're flying my cat and the kids to New York as the cat can fly in cabin. We'll leave them with my sister-in-law for a week as we fly back to Florida and drive our dog to NY. He loves car rides and we already found dog friendly hotels to stay along the way. We will take our time to get to NY and do as much driving per day as our "old man" can handle. His well being is our main concern.

And what to do when they die? Here in the U.S. we had some options. I cremated both of my cats and I want their ashes to be with me when I get cremated. We could have chosen to bury them as well, but we wanted to have them with us. If you're overseas and disaster strikes, what are your options?

Every country has its own rules and you should discuss it with your vet when you have a chance. I know it is not easy to find a crematory in Brazil. And if I remember correctly there is only one pet cemetery in Sao Paulo. I didn't do my research while I was in Mexico City. I asked some friends who live in Mexico and they didn't have an answer either. So ask your new vet at your new country. Trust me, you will be too upset to ask any question when tragedy strikes. So prepare yourself as best as you can. When I come to think about it, there is just no way to prepare. It is way too painful to lose someone who always gave you unconditional love and shared your life with you. 

God bless our amazing pets.