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Long, but for fun: Where should we go?
We can't share our list of posts on the interwebs, so I'm speaking in broad terms, but just for fun, tell me which option sounds better than the other:
Option A: We'll call this "Africa"
Climate: Average temperatures in the 90s throughout most of the year but gets hotter in the summer. Mostly dry but has a short very very rainy season. Community: A big city, but has a small close-knit diplomatic community, a decent school, lots of activities for young kids. Housing: Every house is large and has a pool and many also have swing sets, trampolines, and sand boxes. Internet service is slow and expensive and electricity service is spotty but every house has a backup generator to at least window AC units running when this happens. Jobs: There are some job opportunities for me there. Health/Safety: Malaria is indemic there, but we'd all be one anti-malarials. Other than that, the dry season can bring mild respirtory issues and occasional stomach issues are to be expected. All feedback from those posted there is that they feel safe there though travel outside the capitol is not recommended b/c of criminal activity. Rare incidents of kidnapping of westerners have happened outside the capitol, but not inside the city. Houses have armed guards 24/7. Lifestyle: Household help is very very cheap. We could have a nanny six days a week for about $150/month and someone to cook and clean for about $120/month. We would be able to save a lot of money and live very comfortably. Vacation: We get two vacations during the two year tour and would have the choice of flying (free to us) to either Paris or Florida for them. As for potential for friends and family to come visit us, adventurous friends will definitely visit but the less adventurous will probably pass.
Option B: We'll call this "Urban Siberia"
Climate: Long, brutal winter and very short summer that can be unexpectedly very hot. Community: A very big city and has a bit less cohesive and close-knit of a diplomatic community as the post is a lot bigger. Plenty of excellent school options. Housing: Either urban apartment or suburban house with long commute. Obviously no pool. Jobs: There are also possible opportunities here. Healthy/Safety: Long cold miserable winter and all of the colds and things that come with that. Xenophobia and racism supposedly fuels occasional random violence against foreigners and big urban area means public transit attacks are a risk (probably akin to my current risk level in DC). Lifestyle: Very very very expensive. Though jobs are possible, daycare costs may make my working cost prohibitive. We will definitely not have a cook, nanny, or housekeeper. We will most likely not be able to save much money while there. Vacation: We get one vacation paid for during the two year tour where we could fly to Florida for free. As for the chances of friends and family coming to us, pretty much anyone who can afford to will consider visiting if they can.
ETA: Because I didn't really say anything positive about Option B, I'll add that it's got a lot of fascinating culture and history and would be a great jumping off point for travel around the region surrounding it if we actually had any money left at the end of the month to actually do any travel. It's definitely somewhere I want to go someday.
These are not the only two possibilities, but they are both starting to look like likely possibilities. We get to rank our preferences so that's what this exercise is for. However, we don't get the final say- our preferences are just taken into consideration.
Re: Long, but for fun: Where should we go?
So so far hot year-long summer with mosquitoes, spotty electricity, and marginal risk of kidnapping is winning out over year-long winter with a crippling cost of living and the occasional hate crime? Hmmm, interesting. This one really is tough so it's good to see how other people weigh the relative good against the relative bad.
Ironically, a certain other city on our list is one that most people probably think of as being this amazing place to live and a dream come true but everyone we have talked to says it is one of the worst posts to be assigned to.
Haha- I did think that asking the opinions of WCF just might sway it a little bit in favor of warmer weather. Although Jen is in MA and she said Option A too. I really do hate winter, but I am also ridiculously fair-skinned and have a kid that swells up like crazy with every single mosquito bite she gets. We've got both ends of the spectrum here.
Haha. I HATE the winter. HATE IT! You should hear me curse everytime it snows. I hate driving in it, dressing in 5000 layers, shoveling, warming up the car before you leave, ice, other people driving in the snow, plow trucks, sanders, dirty brown snow, having to bring my dog out in the snow, shoveling her a little path so she can pee, rock salt, slush. Everything about it.
I tell my H everyday what the temperature is in FL. Anytime he complains about the weather, I remind him how we could move south. All I get is, 'maybe in a couple years'.
I think it is a tougher decision. I like A for the weather and cost of living. But B sounds like schools are better, which is obviously important to you - and if it is only for 2 years, even if you don't get to save much, if it would give you more opportunities for travel/experiences, I might say 2.
I can't believe I said that. I hate the cold more than anything. But I guess there is more to life than just good weather:)
I really am excited to hear about where you end up and your travels - such an exciting time for you guys!
Yeah, it's a lot of stuff to weigh. And all but 2 of DH's classmates also have small kids so their concerns are very similar to ours. I sort of feel like if we go to a high cost of living area though that it will pretty much guarantee that we stop considering having a third kid (we're pretty up in the air about it right now). Having a full-time nanny would make it a lot easier if we did decide to have one.
Based on climate alone I would go with B (I hate being hot, sweaty, and all around yucky! Hurrah for being KU in summer for me
)
But I would think A would be a better idea all around. Despite the Upper Resp. issue and tummy problems, it sounds safer. If you found a job, daycare for E wouldn't be expensive. If you didn't find a job, well, then save your money!!
Also, depending on flights to "Africa" and the what the risk of being eaten by a lion is, I might come visit, lol.