Lifestyle / Travel

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

Nov 06, 2023 | By Florence Sutton

No oneā€™s going to pretend that the modern world is perfect, but there are some advantages that we should all be thankful for. For instance, itā€™s easier than ever to move to another country, even if itā€™s 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 itā€™d 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 doesnā€™t mean that moving abroad is a walk in the park. In this post, weā€™ll run through some handy tips thatā€™ll help to make the process more straightforward.

Visit First

This is a big one. Itā€™s easy to have an idea of what a place is like based on what youā€™ve heard from friends or seen in movies, but your mental image wonā€™t be the same as what itā€™s actually like. So for certain, pay a visit before committing to any grand move (unless youā€™re moving for work, and donā€™t really have a say in the matter). 

Itā€™s also important to think of how youā€™ll visit the place. Youā€™re visiting, but youā€™re not a tourist ā€” youā€™re scouting whether itā€™s a place you could live. As such, itā€™s recommended to act like a local as much as you can. After all, youā€™ll 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 donā€™t possess that local knowledge. So youā€™ll 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 youā€™re actually on the ground. Youā€™ll need a temporary place until you find your long-term home. Whether youā€™re 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 

Donā€™t assume that you can legally move to the place you have in mind. In all likelihood, you canā€™t ā€” there are only a few countries that are in effect visa-free, and even then thereā€™ll 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 thereā€™s nearly always a way to get a visa, especially if you hire a professional to help you. 

Get a Storage Unit

Youā€™ll 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. Itā€™s not worthwhile sending all your furniture ahead of you before youā€™ve 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

Youā€™ll be eager to sink into all that your new home country offers, but remember that there are some logistical things that youā€™ll need to take care of. This wonā€™t only ensure that youā€™re fully set up for success, but will also allow you to save money. For instance, youā€™ll 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 youā€™ve 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 youā€™ll be traveling ā€” they may block the card as a preventive measure if not.Ā 

Maintain Your Home Base (If Possible)

This option wonā€™t be available to everyone, but if youā€™re in a position to retain your current home when you move abroad, then do so. You can rent the property while youā€™re not there, which can provide some welcome funds, and if for whatever reason your move doesnā€™t work out, youā€™ll know you can just slip back into your old life. 

Learn the Language

Thereā€™s an assumption that they speak English everywhere, but this isnā€™t the case. In most cities, itā€™s only in the tourist areas. For everything else, such as doctor appointments, youā€™ll probably need to have at least some grasp of the local language. So whatā€™s the solution? Learn! There are thousands of resources for learning a new language, many of them free, and you wonā€™t regret going through the awkward learning process. 

Managing Your Business/Career

If youā€™re retired, then this wonā€™t count ā€” but if youā€™re moving to another country while still retaining a job or business back home, then youā€™ll need to think about how youā€™ll manage things. This will be especially crucial if youā€™re 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 itā€™s definitely possible. Youā€™ll just need to figure out how to manage it. Thereā€™s 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 thereā€™ll invariably come a point when you feel homesick and wonder what youā€™re doing. The key here is to simply give it time. Everyone feels that way at some point or another, but slowly but surely youā€™ll begin to feel that your new country really is your new home. 

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