About JimmyM

Status:

Preparing to Move Abroad 

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Oxford, United Kingdom

Citizen Of:

United Kingdom

Some Forum Posts:

Lithuania: Considering move from Chicago to LT:

I stumbled across this topic when searching for expats in Lithuania and thought I would contribute. I'm a 25 year old English guy who has spent a few months in Klaipeda, Lithuania earlier this year. Some of the points mentioned here I have some experience of and some I don't. Firstly, about the language... I know probably 5 Lithuanian words and only had problems a couple of times. Young people there speak English with the majority being able to hold a full-blown conversation. I'm thinking of returning in September for a year (we're in the EU making it easier to stay there) and renting another apartment but next time I will make an effort to learn the language. I had my fair share of problems/hassle when I was there. Being and looking English can sometimes cause problems. I often had people coming up to me begging for money (they assume that we're wealthy - I'm not!), this was awkward sometimes but I tried to ignore it. Other problems were things like being short-changed in restaurants and also nearly being run over because of the terrible driving style that most drivers have. Here in the UK, drivers have to give way to pedestrians, in Lithuania they don't care resulting in someone nearly running me over. There are some positives though, accommodation (I had an apartment) was quite cheap, as was food. Internet there is very good (I need it for my work) and if you have a problem the cable company come out within a day or so. A lot of people are quite friendly if you make the effort to talk to them (even in English). Being English I found it hard to deal with 'manners' there. For example, a few times I went out of my way to hold a door for someone (something we do here all the time) and most Lithuanians don't say thank you. I also witnessed women spitting in the street - I was shocked. I often got quite bored in Klaipeda, although different to Vilnius (I visited there as well) there isn't a lot to do. Working, going to the gym, shopping, karaoke, bars and cinema were about all I could find. I knew a few students from the University so often spoke with them but there are very few Americans/Brits there. There are lots of places to visit, public transport is quite good also and very cheap. Most people take the bus or walk although there is still quite heavy traffic in places. As mentioned earlier I'm thinking of going back there in September for a few reasons but it's a culture shock and the experience is 'what you make of it'. On the whole, not somewhere I would settle permanently but a place that I could live for maybe a few years. During the last few days of living there I was quite glad I was leaving, but now I'm looking forward to going back and leaving England - which quite frankly has gone down the pan! If anyone fancies meeting up in Lithuania later in the year drop me a message, it would be nice to meet some expats!

Date Joined:

6/19/2010

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