International Schools in Europe?

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

I am possibly considering a few international schools in Europe (Eastern+Western).

What are people's thoughts on this?
Is it really a money pit--and thus avoided overall due to lack of savings and difficulty in having a comfortable lifestyle?
Is there is a big difference in quality of life and savings potential between Eastern, Central, and Western Europe?

Here are the schools that I am considering:

The American School of Warsaw
St. John's International School
International School of Belgrade
International School of Zug and Luzern
The American School of Paris


Any thoughts, advice, wisdom, commentary, opinions would be highly appreciated!

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

Any info (quality of life, savings potential) on these schools?

The American School of Warsaw
St. John's International School
International School of Belgrade
International School of Zug and Luzern
The American School of Paris


Any help is, like, so appreciated!

[PsyGuy]

Im sorry, i dont think anyones avoiding you, its just your asking such a huge question, and those schools dont have a lot in common.

Western Europe is for the most part really is the money pit everyone talks about for mostly 3 reasons: 1) Almost all the schools dont include housing allowances, 2) Really high taxes, 3) High cost of living. People are lucky to break even their first year, most go into debt. By the time youve set up a home, your tax break is ending and your seeing your income cut in half. Most people just cant take that kind of cut. Dual income couples without kids tend to be the most successful. In Italy (where I taught last year) its not uncommon at all for people to live with their parents into their 30s.

You can live comfortably but not lavishly. It really depends on your expectations. Most people dont have a lot of savings, as they contribute to large pension (social security) plans. Many people dont own houses either. Its too expensive in the city to even consider. Fuel is VERY expensive, about 1.5€ - 2€ a liter and there are 3.78 (or about 4 liters) to a gallon. So multiply 1.5 by 4 and you get 6€ a gallon or $8USD/gallon. This alone makes car ownership prohibitive.

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

Psy--

Thank you so much for your reply! Very helpful.

So...

1. You explained about Western Europe--but is it the same in Eastern Europe? Would the quality of life/savings potential be much better in Warsaw and/or Belgrade?


2. Now--is there any int'l school in Western Europe that can offer decent quality of life and decent savings potential? The reason I am asking is that St. John's and Paris (listed above) promote a good savings potential. Plus, the salary for both is listed at USD 70,000-USD 90,000. What gives?

[wrldtrvlr123]

[quote="Rhaegar Targaryen"]Any info (quality of life, savings potential) on these schools?

The American School of Warsaw
St. John's International School
International School of Belgrade
International School of Zug and Luzern
The American School of Paris


Any help is, like, so appreciated![/quote]

Actually, Warsaw is one of the few places you can supposedly save a reasonable amount of money ($20K for a single teacher), probably because they actually give you a housing allowance. The big schools in Eastern Europe also will be comparatively better than Europe (Bucharest, Budapest, Sofia).

St. John's says $10K ,Paris $5K and Z and L $15K.

I think the savings potential number is fairly subjective and you should really try and do rearch on expat boards specific to those countries. Housing is going to be the major expense and you should be able to get an objective estimate on how big a bite that will take out of your salary for a decent place. Taxes can also be a big factor .so try and get a handle on any short term exemptions etc

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

Thanks for the info--very helpful.

It seems it might be wise to focus/consider schools that have a housing allowance as part of the package--maybe this makes the difference in quality of life and savings potential.

[PsyGuy]

Yeah the salary at places like AS Paris is 70+K. Ok so take 70K and divide by 12 (to get your monthly salary) thats 5,800 a month. At that salary your in the 30% tax bracket. Paris also has a 2%-4% municipal tax. So figure 32% off the top is $1856, leaving you $3,944 (THATS A THIRD OF YOUR INCOME GONE). Rent in Paris for a 2 bedroom is about $2,500, utilities another $200. That leaves you with $1,200 left over for EVERYTHING else.

Yes it would be to your benefit to choose a school with housing, the problem is there arent very many. Really its just a couple schools in Western Europe.

I'm not really knowledgeable enough about eastern europe. Ive visited those places but never lived/worked there.

Saving potential depends on you more then anything. There isnt a magic school in Western Europe that pays everything and lets you bank anywhere close to somewhere like China, Thailand or Indonesia where you can bank half your salary and still live nice. You go to Europe for the culture, the pension, and the experience. Money isnt it.

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

Thanks again for the info, Psy--very helpful.

*Rhae