razi55
10/23/2012 02:42 EST
Hi,
Just wanna share my thoughts with you guys for an appropriate and honest advice.
I am (45) working as an Architect in Dubai for past 17 years. Thinking to move in Lithuania for good as my native country (Pakistan) is under a great stress. Some Agents/ lawyers advised me to settle down in Vilnius under investor category.
What are my prospects of being well settled with my family?
Thanks
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richard9567
10/25/2012 03:26 EST
Hi Razi,
Moving to Lithuania....Could be problematic for several reasons. If I can speak in general terms, many lithuanians are quite xenophobic and intolerant of foreigners, espeically if you are culturally or religiously different. Following on from that, salaries here are low, ( third cheapest labour in the EU)welfare is poor and your opportunity of getting a job here would be minimal.
I have a couple of friends here who are colored and not a week goes by when either they or their children are in some situation or other.
Really would stronly recommend not moving here Razi, I would think Germany or France might be better. Certainly a better lifestyle and job opportunties.
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razi55
10/25/2012 05:29 EST
Thanks Richard for your practical advice. Generally people fancy a lot about a great weather and pros of moving else where but ground realities teach them a different story. I regard highly of your advice as we need to mingle with the locals every minute and if we are not accepted......whats the use.
Regards,
Razi
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nerka
2/1/2013 19:34 EST
Hmm... I think these statements apply mostly for rural territories of Lithuania. Habitants of capital Vilnius are very friendly - the fact that we don't have that much colored quests or habitants, may cause people "stare" at the "strangers", and that could be interpreted as xenophobia, but it isn't - as long as you do not avoid contact. However, everyone attending night clubs and places like that, where alcohol is consumed, raises his chances of getting into trouble - foregners just as natives. And chances of getting into trouble are not higher than in France or Germany. Average salaries are low, and the welfare is poor - touché. But low salaries don't apply high skilled specialists. When it comes to medical care - Lithuania has the best, highly educated and skilled doctors in Europe.
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rikmo
2/2/2013 00:45 EST
Do not move here unless you intend to learn to speak Lithuanian fairly fluently and live and work in Vilnius. Your skin color will draw unwanted attention in many ways. If you have children that will go to school here, they will suffer discrimination. After living here for a while, you will learn that the locals are very shallow, provincial individuals and often very pessimistic about just about anything. There are many reasons why many Lithuanians want to get away from their own country, and these are also reasons you don't want to come here - lack of opportunities, lack of tolerance, and fairly boring compared to many other cultures.
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smferguson
2/3/2013 01:40 EST
It's true - there are significant differences between Vilnius/Kaunas and the rest of the country which is very rural. It's true that there are many grim Lithuanians who are intolerant. History has made them very suspicious, and hard to win over - so you and your family will have to think about that. Outside Vilnius, few people speak any English, and it's rare to encounter any people of colour. Private health care is good and very reasonable priced compared with much of Europe, but state health care is patchy. Professional pay is poor compared with western Europe, but living costs are low. If you're devout, expect problems finding somewhere to worship and little tolerance for your beliefs. If you're vegetarian, food choices in restaurants are extremely limited. Don't move without a job, preferably with a Western European country, the bureaucracy and residence requirements are difficult to navigate unless you speak Lithuanian and have a demonstrated source of income. Think about your wife and children and how they will cope, they will almost certainly be stared at, I'm British white and I stand out as 'foreign' in our small town. It's taken more than two years to win acceptance and there have been many difficult times. Think about the climate - it can be 30+ in the summer and -30 in the winter, and the winters are long and dark. Snow is great to look at but hard to live with for four months if you're not used to it. If you come to stay for a couple of weeks in January or February and you still want to move, then make lots of plans. And find a job first. You will get no state support.
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Gediminas
2/13/2013 19:14 EST
Rico,perhaps you are the shallow or racist one,if things are so bad why are you there. Or needn't I ask.
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martizz
4/4/2013 03:19 EST
hello.your prospects are well, you can try do this.Certainly, it takes time for waiting temporary resident permit,but i ensure your choice lithuania to live and work is right
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soulman
4/25/2013 08:10 EST
Hello Razi55,
I am native and I am architect myself running small architect firm.I would suggest you that it wiill be extremally difficult for you to find a job and support yourself and your family here. It may be different if you can run international bussines as an architect based on foreign clientele using Lithuanian professionals.
Best regards.
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razi55
4/27/2013 02:49 EST
Thanks Soulman for your response and practical advice.
The best part of this forum is that people like to contribute their honest opinion which really helps to take a decision.
Lets be in touch, we can share our professional thoughts whenever needed.
At present, I run an Architectural Consultancy in Dubai. And things started picking up again after a long recession.
Hopefully things are fine and progressing at your place.
Best wishes,
Razi
email: razi55@eim.ae
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