8 Tips for a Successful Move Abroad
Here are some helpful tips on how to move abroad and what to keep in mind when living in another country from money to time and language
No oneās going to pretend that the modern world is perfect, but there are some advantages that we should all be thankful for. For instance, itās easier than ever to move to another country, even if itās a country on the other side of the world. Just think of how difficult it would be to move to, say, Spain in the 1800s. You could do it, but itād be a monumental ā not to mention potentially dangerous ā task.
Today, if you can dream it, you can do it, with comparatively less difficulty. Still, that doesnāt mean that moving abroad is a walk in the park. In this post, weāll run through some handy tips thatāll help to make the process more straightforward.
Visit First
This is a big one. Itās easy to have an idea of what a place is like based on what youāve heard from friends or seen in movies, but your mental image wonāt be the same as what itās actually like. So for certain, pay a visit before committing to any grand move (unless youāre moving for work, and donāt really have a say in the matter).
Itās also important to think of how youāll visit the place. Youāre visiting, but youāre not a tourist ā youāre scouting whether itās a place you could live. As such, itās recommended to act like a local as much as you can. After all, youāll be a local one day! Spend time in local neighborhoods, visit everyday places, and try to get a feel for the city. You can also book a long-term stay to get a feel of the place. For example, if you’d like to move from Germany to Florida, you can search for affordable long-term hotels in Orlando or Tampa, and spend a month living there to learn if the place is right for you or not.
Speak to a Local Real Estate Agent
Local knowledge is key, but unfortunately, as an outsider, you donāt possess that local knowledge. So youāll need to pay someone who does have that information, especially when it comes to the big decisions, such as buying a property.
First of all: only look at buying once youāre actually on the ground. Youāll need a temporary place until you find your long-term home. Whether youāre buying or looking to rent, working with a local real estate agent will help to make the process more straightforward ā and prevent problems from developing down the line.
Living Legally
Donāt assume that you can legally move to the place you have in mind. In all likelihood, you canāt ā there are only a few countries that are in effect visa-free, and even then thereāll be limitations as to what you can do. Most countries will have a rigorous visa process, so be sure to get started with that before you get too excited about making the move. The good news is that thereās nearly always a way to get a visa, especially if you hire a professional to help you.
Get a Storage Unit
Youāll take some of your items with you when you first make a move. But realistically, most of your possessions will be left behind, at least temporarily. Itās not worthwhile sending all your furniture ahead of you before youāve even found a place to live. If you have to move out of your current home (more on that later), then rent a storage unit to store your bulky possessions until you figure out what to do with them. You might decide to transport them to your new home, you may sell them, or you might keep them in your storage unit forever and ever. Having the unit gives you time to decide.
Take Care of the Essentials
Youāll be eager to sink into all that your new home country offers, but remember that there are some logistical things that youāll need to take care of. This wonāt only ensure that youāre fully set up for success, but will also allow you to save money. For instance, youāll need to set up a bank account to avoid costly transaction fees. Once you have the account, you can simply use a website that allows you to send money to Spain, Canada, the UK, or wherever else youāve moved. If for whatever reason you decide you want to use your home debit/credit card for transactions abroad, make sure you tell your bank that youāll be traveling ā they may block the card as a preventive measure if not.Ā
Maintain Your Home Base (If Possible)
This option wonāt be available to everyone, but if youāre in a position to retain your current home when you move abroad, then do so. You can rent the property while youāre not there, which can provide some welcome funds, and if for whatever reason your move doesnāt work out, youāll know you can just slip back into your old life.
Learn the Language
Thereās an assumption that they speak English everywhere, but this isnāt the case. In most cities, itās only in the tourist areas. For everything else, such as doctor appointments, youāll probably need to have at least some grasp of the local language. So whatās the solution? Learn! There are thousands of resources for learning a new language, many of them free, and you wonāt regret going through the awkward learning process.
Managing Your Business/Career
If youāre retired, then this wonāt count ā but if youāre moving to another country while still retaining a job or business back home, then youāll need to think about how youāll manage things. This will be especially crucial if youāre moving to a different timezone than the one back home. There are thousands of people running their business/working at a company from a different country, so itās definitely possible. Youāll just need to figure out how to manage it. Thereās always a way!
Give it Time
Finally, remember that a bit of patience can go a long way, especially when you move abroad. The beginning stages will be exciting, but thereāll invariably come a point when you feel homesick and wonder what youāre doing. The key here is to simply give it time. Everyone feels that way at some point or another, but slowly but surely youāll begin to feel that your new country really is your new home.
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