If you have spent time travelling you will no doubt find other countries that offer a better lifestyle and sometimes a better cost of living. Depending on where you live in the world some are more expensive to live than others. If you are fortunate to travel for any length of time you will no doubt come across places that are cheaper to live from rent to eating out. This is not to say that this is why many movers take the plunge and move lock, stock and barrel it I just one of the reasons. There are of course many more important issues to research when planning an overseas relocation. Here we look at some more major points to consider when considering moving abroad.
- Income and surviving financially
- Health care
Funding a move overseas
One of the first steps to moving abroad is working out how you are going to fund it. Some are able to fund a move from a pension, and often the money will go a lot further in the new location as opposed to the country it is dished out to. For others who are younger it will likely mean finding a new career path. Even if a country has a cheap cost of living it still means you need money and literally can’t survive on nothing! Some people are able to move their careers if they are online. Others take the plunge and set up a business from scratch. A number fall back in language skills and teach English, as well as writing and web site work. If you are fortunate and earning money in a richer country it will mean that your money will go much further in a less expensive country, giving you a better lifestyle.
Research an overseas removal
Most people move abroad for a better life. Many western countries are hectic, stressful and expensive and for most people that is what tips the scales for taking the plunge and moving abroad. A removal takes a lot of planning, so you will need to do plenty of research. Make a moving checklist to remind you of all you need to arrange for your move. It is essential that you do plenty of homework on where you intend to move to.
Visit the place at varying times of the year, so you get used to seeing it in good and bad weather.
Some countries that you visit for a holiday look completely different when the winter arrives. Most facilities and amenities are shut up for the winter and can make a place look very depressing.
- Rent for long term in a local neighbourhood
- Have a trial run shopping and living with the locals
Trial runs
Without a doubt one of the best solutions before packing up and moving house overseas is to trial it first. This will give you a good idea what is like to live among the locals and generally pay bills, shop, cook and eat out locally. It will also give you the chance to mix with others, join a local language class to meet with others. Or find out where the locals meet and what is going on in the local community. It can be very hard making new friends in a new country. Not everyone is accepting of foreigners so you do need to get out and about and introduce yourself and make new friends. If you don’t it can be very lonely in a different country miles from familiar faces, so make the effort and you will reap the rewards.
