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Lithuania Expat Forum

life in Lithuania

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jasminekidwell
8/19/2015 16:59 EST

So...I'm new to this and dont really know where to start, so forgive me if I ramble or say something wrong! Il start with a bit of background on us :)

I met my Lithuanian now husband little over 3 years ago in my hometown (s.w of England) when we were both doing temp work together (he had worked there since moving to the UK 4 years before we met) he has never been bothered about moving back to Lithuania but recently there has been a bit of uncertainty in the company we work fors future so I again approached the idea of 're locating should we loose our jobs. Again he doesn't seem keen, (he's not really a planner, where as.I like to have a back up plan!) I have never moved out of the town I was born in and feel it is something I would like to try whilst we are both young enough to move back should it not work.(he is 29 I am 24) and before we start a family (which we are both keen to do) so I guess where I am going witht this is, would it be a good move? Obviously we would sort work/accommodation before packing up and leaving. I have various skills I could take, but my language is very limited. Also we don't have a great deal of savings. Would that be something to consider?

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smferguson
10/6/2015 09:38 EST

Hi, I would say 'take the chance while you can' but be warned that life in Lithuania is not always easy for western europeans, it's very different. Depending on where you settle, you may find that very few people speak English especially further away from Vilnius, and they are naturally reserved and shy - in fact if you're out in the country you can be viewed with suspicion when you smile at strangers! But try to learn a few key phrases, your efforst will be appreciated. Where I live the main language is Russian, but if you speak Russian in the west, especially around Kaunas, you won't be popular! Be aware of the difficult history of this country and respect the culture. The climate can be challenging - something like 45 degrees difference between mid summer and mid winter, and spring/autumn are very short seasons. If you suffer from bug bites, beware, they have some huge mossies out here. The countryside is very rural, beautiful and unspoiled, and it's very accessible. If you haven't been to an Eastern European country before you may find the housing very off-putting, some of it is like a run-down council estate in the UK BUT inside the apartments are usually warm and cosy, beautifully furnished, there is relatively little vandalism and nothing like the rubbish on the streets which we get in the UK. I have never felt less than safe here, and there's no Saturday night drunken parade like in British cities - unless they are Brits over here on a stag do.
Health services are basic unless you go semi-private, there are good clinics and these are not expensive compared with British private health care. Schools and pre-school care are good but the days are longer than in the UK and the kids are expected to work harder. It will be very difficult for you to find a job and unless your husband works for a company employing lots of Brits you're probably going to have to work hard to get to know other people. In Vilnius the international community is small and tends to centre around diplomats and business people, not ordinary folk. The cost of living is lower than in the UK, but Lithuanian salaries are also a lot lower. Apart from Marmite, there was practically nothing I wanted to buy which wasn't available, the fresh fruit and veg are amazing, and there is even a Marks & Spencer in Vilnius! If you want UK TV you will have to get some software called an IP blocker (cheap from expat network) as there is some sort of licensing problem stopping you getting Sky, BBC etc over the internet. IT services are great, internet speed, Skype etc is good, mobiles are cheap. Enjoy!!

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rikmo
10/7/2015 10:21 EST

Don't even consider moving here - Why: 1. Finding good employment here is hard enuf for the locals - with limited language skills, forget it. 2. Thinking of relying on the Lithuanian Public Healthcare System? - It's terrible compared to the UK, and imagine trying to talk to clinic and hospital staff where few can speak at an intelligent level. - beyond tourist level.... 3. Bureaucracy - inefficient, constantly changing, and mean-spirited. 4. Culture shock - if you haven't traveled outside your local area, then it may at first seem charming - but over time, boring and oppressively depressing.

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