Want To Move Abroad? Tips On Figuring Out Where To Go

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Want To Move Abroad? Tips On Figuring Out Where To Go

Finding a place you want to live long-term is a big decision. While many people are happy to stay in their current living situation, others want to move somewhere new where they can learn about new cultures. Moving abroad requires proper planning and ensuring you’re making the right decision. The first step to moving abroad is determining where you want to live.

Deciding where to move isn’t easy, but we’ve put together this list of tips to help you decide where you should go.

Learn the Visa Situation

The Visa situation of the country you want to move to will determine whether or not you can move somewhere. Unfortunately, moving abroad isn’t as easy as taking a vacation in a new country. If you want to live somewhere new, you have to do your research to determine if it’s possible. There are a few options regarding Visas, but you may not be eligible for any of them. A few common visas you can obtain are:

Student visas: obtained for studying abroad
Work-sponsored visas: when a workplace sponsors your move abroad
Family lineage visa: when you have a family member who is a permanent resident
Marriage visa: obtained when you marry someone from another country

As mentioned, you might not be eligible for any of these visas, so you might not be able to move where you want to. Every country has its options, so make sure you do your research before you make any other plans.

Find Job Opportunities

You should never move anywhere where you don’t know the job situation. You never know what opportunities will be available to you if you move to a new country, so make sure you research employment options. If a local company is sponsoring you, then you have already obtained your job. However, if you don’t have a job lined up, moving to a new country can be difficult.

If you’re moving somewhere where you don’t speak their language, you’ll have an even more difficult time finding work. While many countries do have jobs for English-only speakers, nothing is guaranteed. If you’re planning to find a local job, make sure you either speak the language or do your research to see if you’ll be able to work in your field.

Keep in mind you may also need additional qualifications to work in the same field as your existing qualifications may not be recognised or my not be sufficient, depending on the country you move to.

Determine the Cost of Living

When you decide to move abroad, you’ll need to know if you can afford to live there for an extended time. Finding the cost of living information about any country is easy with a quick Google search.

If you choose an expensive country, you may have to give up some of the luxuries you’re used to. No matter what you decide, make sure you have an idea of the cost of living before you move so you can determine your budget, work on your savings, and comfortably determine the job level you’ll need to live.

You should aim to determine your housing cost so you can look for a rental or home knowing what you’ll be able to spend.

Understand the Language

While you may see influencers moving to beautiful cities on Instagram, you should consider the language spoken in the country where you want to live. When you move abroad, you may not speak the language. If you only speak English, you should consider moving to a country where you can easily get by with English. If the country where you want to live isn’t known for speaking English well, then you will struggle to find a job and hold conversations, which can make moving abroad very lonely or frustrating at times.

Consider Climate

For a lot of people, the weather isn’t an issue, but if you’re used to living in a cold climate, moving somewhere tropical can be disastrous. Many travelers prefer to go places where it’s warm, while others would be happy living in a cold climate. No matter what your preferences are, make sure you choose to live in a country where you’ll be comfortable.

Ensure You Can Get Around

Once you move, you’ll need to be able to get around your new neighborhood and city. If you’re someone who doesn’t have a license because you grew up in the city, then living in a place that requires driving won’t be your best option. Consider how you feel about driving, walking, and using public transportation before you determine where you should move.

Determine the Difficulty of Moving

Moving to another country isn’t easy. You’ll likely have to store your stuff and purchase new furniture and belongings in the new country. While it might be easier to move to a country that’s nearby, it still will be more difficult and expensive than a local move, especially if you want to bring all of your belongings with you.

Pet Friendliness

If you want a pet or are thinking about moving with your pet, then make sure you choose to live in a pet-friendly place. While almost any country you move to will have pet-friendly areas, make sure you choose a place your pet will enjoy, too. For example, if you have a dog, make sure you live in a neighborhood with parks so your pet can still have their daily walk.

Is Moving Abroad the Right Decision?

Before you make any plans to move, you should determine if moving abroad is right for you. The truth is moving abroad isn’t for everyone. If you don’t like the idea of being thousands of miles away from your family, then now is your chance to reconsider. Or, if you cannot find a place to settle on, take some time to research so you can make a confident decision on your move. However, if you’re someone with a sense of adventure who wants to challenge themselves while experiencing different cultures, make sure you do proper research to make the right decision on where to move.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.