Should You Move Abroad?
Posted on 21/03/2014
The idea of moving into a new home can be exciting, but the idea of moving to an entirely new country can be an absolute adventure! Unfortunately, there are a lot of practical aspects to consider if you’re thinking about moving abroad on a permanent basis. Moving into a new country isn’t easy. Moving abroad can be a massive culture shock, especially if you haven’t prepared yourself for the move. If it’s something that you’re considering then have a look at this guide of useful information to help you with your decision.1) Make sure you’re fully aware of the decision you’re making.Moving to a new country shouldn’t be a decision that you make on a whim. You’ll be sacrificing a lot! Not only will the process be very expensive, but you’ll have to say goodbye to your friends, your family, your work colleagues, your job and perhaps even your pets! Think this decision through carefully – this should take you at least a few months! Don’t forget that you’ll be giving up the life that you know for something that might not work out as well as you hope. 2) Thoroughly research the country you’re moving to.Take the time to learn everything you can about the country you’re moving to. It’s a good idea to read news stories and newspapers from the town, village or city that you’re thinking of moving to so that you can get a good idea of things such as house prices, crime rates and political opinions. 3) Visit the country.Before you move to a new country you should visit it, not as a tourist, but as a local. People often decide they want to move to a new country based on their holiday experience there, but living somewhere and holidaying somewhere are very different! Try staying in your country of choice for at least a month before committing to buying a place as it may turn out to be the wrong decision for you! 4) Learn the laws, language and any other information.If you’re still interested in moving to your new home then you should learn everything you can about the language, the culture and the way that the country is run. If you’re moving to a country then you’re going to need to learn the language, so why not take an online course or an adult learning course to get you started? You should also be aware of the laws in the country that you’re thinking about moving to – especially those surrounding immigration! 5) Consider your finances.If you’re moving to a new country then you need to be financially stable. It’s inadvisable to move anywhere if you don’t already have a job lined up, as it could take you months to get one and to start making money. Even if you’re moving at a good time for currency exchange rates, you need to be aware of the costs of flying all of your belongings out, purchasing or renting a property and you need to be prepared to not make any money for a while. 6) Consider what you’re giving up.Moving abroad can be stressful, worrying and upsetting, and if you move abroad you’re going to need a support network. Do you have people in the country who you can lean on when you feel pressure or stress? Remember that your friends and family will no longer be up the street when you need them, and this should play a part in your decision to move abroad.