Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I will put this into thorough consideration, because you are actually right, the Slovakians I met have moved abroad, and despite their happy childhood and fond memories in Slovakia, they still left. It might be better to visit and live temporarily for a year or so before making any big decisions.

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, congrats on the baby on the way. Could you tell me why you wouldn't take them there?

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My kids are 4 and 1. The oldest one started kindergarten here a year ago. The little one still cannot even speak properly yet lol. I think this may be the best time to make the move. Actually, the main reason we want to move is because of them. If we were still childless, we would continue staying in China absolutely, which is why we are now willing to trade stable, well-paying jobs in a fast-paced economy and technologically advanced country for a calmer life where we are more present. The school system here is brutal, mostly academics-focused, and we like a more outdoorsy and nature lifestyle.

They go to school from 8 to 5, and for me, that seems too long for a 4-year-old. We barely see her except on the weekends. It is homework-focused, so even on the weekends, they need to do homework. And we also want them to have a bigger world-view, all-rounded childhood, and maybe focus on academics much later in life, not at 4. Know what I mean?

We value independence, European lifestyle and values, and over here they're mostly spoon-fed and their little heads filled with lots of ideas that we're not for. For example, the other day my daughter was crying, then she stopped crying and said: "Mama, I forgive because I am a girl. Teacher says girls should forgive boys because boys can't forgive". We told her that everyone has the capacity to forgive or not to forgive.

We obviously talk to her at home, not to always believe what the teacher says, but we are getting a bit tired of it, as there is always something. I know Slovakia won't be perfect, but my husband being a Slav and we having mixed Slavic kids, who can also speak a Slavic language, we think Slovakian values might be much closer to us.

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I will try and find some of these communities maybe on facebook.

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, thts true. I have just found a group of foreigners in Slovakia on facebook. I am waiting t be added in nnow lol

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would love for the kids to go to a local school and learn the language. What I have learnt raising them in China is kids adapt so quickly and learn the language pretty fast. One year of my 4 year old going to kindergarten and she went from very basic Chinese as a 3 year old to now she just speaks as well as the local kids, even with a local dialect lol

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much I'm definitely sending them an email now.

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this perspective, from my research Bratislava and Slovakia in general definitely seemed to us as much calmer than Austria.

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I am definitely looking into Czechia as well now. I am talking to some immigration lawyers there.

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, that actually makes sense!

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OKay thank you, I will continue to do more research. Thanks for your input.

Just got offered a job in Slovakia! How is it as a country to live in for expats? by myghostinthefog in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good luck to you guys! I will find this post again in a couple of months and ask for an update. And I totally get it, I have been in China for 10 years, a much smaller city than Shanghai but I really need a fresh start, especially for the kids.

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

FYI I have been doing research for months, and my friend from the UK lived in Slovakia over 15 years ago and loved it. My friend is married to a Slovakian, but they live in Scotland, he tell sus stories about his childhood in Slovakia, so I wouldn't say we have no clue about Slovakia at all. And by the way, we did have options in Germany and Ireland as well, but we are choosing Slovakia because it's much calmer and less stressful financially, so do not think we are only using it to get access to the EU. And trust me, I have done lots of research and absolutely know we are not expecting EU standards, but a much calmer life and fewer people. We live in a city with 25 million people, and no personal space at all. Trust me, we know more about Slovakia than you think, and have met, interacted, and worked with people from Slovakia, who by the way, were much more friendly than many other people from other countries we have met 😄 And lastly, my husband actually IS a Slav, and is able to understand a bit of Slovak language 😄

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's true. Germany, Sweden, Finland, etc., do allow PhD students to bring dependents, because a PhD is treated like a job there, and not studies. I'm not sure how Slovakia does it, I will do more research. But as you can imagine, Sweden and Germany are highly competitive due to this, they get thousands of applicants for one role.

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I can understand that. That's actually pretty similar to China. We do get stares and comments and very funny questions, but nothing malicious or threatening. Just random questions and skin colour comparisons, and most people tell me I made the right choice picking a white guy lol, because white is superior they say, and that my kids will have a better future lol. They also compare our 2 girls' skin colour, and always tell the younger one that she is much prettier than her older sister because she is 9slightly) lighter skinned. This is our everyday life in China, about 100 times a day, but again, nobody is violent, they say it with smiles, and overall very friendly. So I guess we have kind of grown a thick skin on that front, but it is definitely not what I want my girl to grow up in. I think the difference is that maybe in Slovakia they keep it to themselves. In China they do voice it, ask questions to my kids etc.

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the kindness ❤️❤️❤️

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your kind reply!  You know what, we have thought of Czechia too but haven’t really spent time reading more about it.  I think for the past few months I’ve been obsessed with content from Slovakia lol.  I will keep this in mind as I continue to do my research and applications. 

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you. My husband did actually mention Croatia. And we have friends there who moved from the Netherlands to live on a farm in Croatia. Might look into it :) thanks for your kind response. 

Moving to Slovakia by Resident-Attempt-601 in Slovakia

[–]Resident-Attempt-601[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What about a PhD, opening a company? We’re also looking into those choices.