Thinking About Moving Abroad? Here are Steps To Get You Started
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Dreaming about a fresh start in a new country? Moving abroad can be an incredible adventure filled with new experiences and endless opportunities. But most importantly, personal growth.
While it’s natural to feel uncertain, the journey is as rewarding as it is transformative—offering a chance to discover the world and yourself.
Everyone should live abroad at some point in their life. It gives you time to learn about yourself and evolve as a person. It also promotes gaining a new perspective on life and makes you appreciate what you have and what is important to you.
There are many reasons to move abroad, and the idea can be daunting. Where to start, how to go about it, will it change my future positively or negatively, what about the language, how do I fund it…..and the list goes on.
I find there are straightforward, manageable steps to take to make your idea a reality. I say this as someone who has lived abroad for many years and seen foreigners come and go.
Here’s What I Recommend:
What is Your Why?
If you are even starting to read this article, you probably already have established your “why” of why you are moving abroad.
Some people start traveling at a younger age and then naturally just stay abroad (yours truly for 30 years.)
Others work remote or have an online business that allows them to travel while they work.
Some families want to provide a new environment and experiences for their children.
People who are retiring also look towards the move abroad for a change or a place to live more economically.
There are a plethora of reasons and each is valid.
Before you sell everything you own, keep in mind that this move might not be a forever moment. It could be if you fall in love with living abroad, the people, a new culture, and all that it offers. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DO NOT SELL EVERYTHING YOU OWN JUST YET.
Where To Go?
Choosing a destination is one of the most exciting parts of this journey. The opportunities are endless.
Think about if there is anywhere you especially have an interest in. Have you traveled somewhere that you could picture yourself living there? What are important aspects of your lifestyle that you could adapt to in a different culture?
This can be really fun to look into, as you may have more options than you ever realized. There are amazing countries to see, with dynamic cities or pristine countrysides to live in. Use all the resources you have to explore the possibilities!
Research: What to Look For
Visa and Immigration Laws
What kind of visa will you be looking for and what can you do under that visa?
For example, a tourist visa only lasts so long. Sometimes you can stay 90 days in a country, but extend that to 180 days.
Getting a Digital Nomad Visa is a more recent visa in the last few years. You can live in another country for a few years (depending on the visa offered) and you can work remote. Your salary comes from a different country, different from the one you reside in.
For example, if you are from the USA and your employer or your business is in the USA, but you are residing in Colombia and working from there, you could apply for this visa. Your income is coming from the USA. This gives many people who work online the possibility to stay in a country longer.
Cost of Living
What do you need to live on now?
Compare your cost of living with the cities you are interested in relocating to. Most likely you will be pleasantly surprised!
What is the currency of the country you want to move to? Look into how the US Dollar or Euro compares to the currency. It is fascinating to dive into topics that you have never had much need to understand before.
Try using an online site such as Numbeo for reference, which can help you calculate and compare the cost of living between cities.
Language
While it is one of the most important things to do when moving abroad, it is also easier to access resources to help you do so nowadays.
The best advice I can about this is to be open. Try at least. It shows great respect for the people of the culture you will be adapting to.
Are you familiar with the language of where you will move to? Is English or your native language spoken there as a second or third language?
Do you have an interest in the language? Does a particular language sound better to you when spoken moreso than others? The language will surround you so it is important that you at least enjoy hearing it!
Start working on your language skills daily with a language app such as Duolingo or a tutor with italki.
You can do this! Don’t get overwhelmed and don’t think it is impossible. Languages have been hard for me to learn, and I can still use three languages in one sentence. Luckily for me everyone around me understands what I am trying to say! But locals often appreciate the effort you put into speaking their language, no matter how imperfect.
The most rewarding part of learning a language is that one day when you finally understand something. Then, even better when you can answer. The achievement you can feel is yours. You can be so proud of yourself!
I have some great tips and ideas to set you on your journey for studying a language. Also, in many countries there are English newspapers to let you know what is happening until you improve your communication skills!
Job Markets
This greatly depends on the country you move to. Can you get a transfer if you presently work in an international company? Or do your skills include something that is needed and not found in the country you are going to?
The minimum salary in some countries is between $300 – $500 a month. It is important to be realistic.
With that being said, can you work remote from another country? Do you have an online business that you can work on from anywhere?
Political Environment
Has there recently been political instability in the country you are considering? I’ve experienced it firsthand—at one point, we had three presidents in a single day!
Do the politics align with your values? How will you be affected by the laws? This is of utmost importance presently today.
Citizens in many countries are divided politically, and you will find that once you leave your home. What may be important to you, might be different from your neighbor.
As a citizen of the USA, I have experienced discrimination while being abroad. A lot of that stems from the political tone going on in the States. Other times it has come from the color of my skin. I have been targeted and taken advantage of. Many people experience that in their home country. Unfortunately it is a sad part of life.
When living abroad, you are a foreigner. You need to respect the laws of the country you are living in. And you will learn to be grateful for the Embassy of your home country that can help you if you need it.
Health Care
You need some sort of health insurance, whether for an emergency only or a a complete package.
While health care services can be cheaper in many countries, especially compared to where you presently live, it also can overwhelm you if you have an emergency or are faced with an illness.
Some plans are good for traveling, and there are plans locally that are good for basic coverage. Look into both and see which meets your needs.
Education
If you are moving abroad with children, where will they study? Will you homeschool them, or will they attend local public schools or private schools?
Many private schools are “international schools” that have internationally recognized curriculum. Usually the staff and students are both locals and foreigners.
I believe that having children experience different cultures at a younger age is a gift that can form a child into a well-rounded person in the future. They will learn appreciation and empathy, on top of life skills and communication.
Driving
I have driven a car and motorcycle every day now for years. It can be crazy and dangerous, but it depends on the country and your situation. If anything, it will make you a better driver!
There are some cities where the traffic is very congested, and others, where most people are on scooters or motorcycles.
Depending on the country you go to, driving at night is not recommended, especially for security. Neither is going on back roads where there isn’t another person in sight.
Sometimes what you have taken for granted in your home country could seem like a luxury in other countries.
You don’t always need to drive as public transportation, taxis, or other drivers are always available.
You can decide on this once you arrive and see what you need.
Yes, adjusting to all these details in a new way of life can be a challenge, but it’s also where the magic happens. Navigating a foreign language and understanding (adapting to) local customs are all different parts of the picture that will come together and help you grow in ways you never imagined. Each challenge is a chance to build resilience and find joy in unexpected places.
Go On an Exploratory Trip
Where could you see yourself living? Do you speak another language? Where can you stay financially and live comfortably? Will you be working remote? What is going on in other countries that should be taken into consideration?
Do you have recommendations? This is the best way to go. If you know someone personally, that you give you great advice or personal experiences from living there, it will help you get answers quicker.
It would be ideal if you could take a few weeks and travel to where you are interested in residing for a few years. Buy a ticket and stay at a few different hotels or Airbnbs in the area to get a feeling of what living there will be like.
What will the weather be like? Do you want to live on the coast or in the mountains? Are you okay with living in an altitude?
Join a few Facebook groups for expats in the city and country of the place where you are interested in going. There will probably be a few hundred posts with the same questions that you have. You can find lots of resources and answers to common questions that you may have.
As you have already done your research before your trip, take the list of questions you have and look for the answers. This can lead to many incredible options of what neighborhood to live in, what transportation is like, if there are schools nearby, what you need to bring, etc.
Getting Ready for the Move At Home:
So you researched, found a place you heard great things about, and went to explore. You came back and are ready to make the move. What now?
This is the fun part! Years ago, you could travel with two bags of 75lb (33 kilos). They were heavy, and I filled them to the brim with not an ounce to spare!
Why? Because I could not get many things in the places I was traveling to. I had to bring what I needed to last until my next trip home. I am speaking about basic things.
Presently, you can get most things you need wherever you go. Buy locally. I wrote a post, 29 Best Gifts for Travelers: My Tried-and-True Recommendations, about all the practical and favorite things I have used that make my life so much easier.
Also, now for the exciting news for some and annoying news for others, Amazon.com and Temu are starting to ship internationally with economical pricing, and I can order many things that I could not access before. (Some things you do have to pay higher taxes or tariffs on.)
Also, some people who travel a lot offer their services by bringingg you what you need from your home country, for a price of course.
Since the luggage restrictions have changed and usually you can bring two 50lb bags (23 kilos) suitcases, you need to pack accordingly.
Going back to a point I made earlier, don’t sell everything you have at home or plan immediately to ship a container full of your things to where you are moving. It is best to make sure this move is the right one. What if you don’t like it? What if you need to go back to your home country for personal reasons of a close one? What if living abroad is not for you?
Moving back to your home country can be financially overwhelming if you need to start over from scratch.
Here are a few options to think about:
Rent out your house for another income while you are gone.
Put things in storage, but take advantage of it and go through all your things to start downsizing what you have.
What to do with your mail? There are Virtual Mailboxes.
Keep or sell your car, depending on whether you have a place to store it or if during your trips back you can rent one instead.
Have suitcases of your things that you need to be brought to you ready so if someone comes to visit, they can bring them.
Getting Ready for the Move To Your New Home:
Apply for your visa in advance. You can get the visa in your home country or when you arrive where you are moving to.
There are usually documents that need to be apostilled. You can do this in your home country, but sometimes it takes time. Having the requirements ready (you can find them on the government website of the country you will move to).
Where will you live? Just rent to start or stay in an Airbnb. How safe is the neighborhood? Do you want to live in a gated community or in an apartment building or in the counrtryside?
You probably got the answers to a lot of this on your exploratory trip.
Arriving and Adjusting
You are on the plane, now just rest. You are probably exhausted at this point! Excitement and uncertainty can be mixed at this moment. Seems like a risk, but look how far you have come!
Once you arrive and get settled in, take time to explore and discover your surroundings. Be a tourist but in your new city. Enjoy the food and take time to meet people.
While seeing the sights, also take a look at the culture. Where do people find happiness in their daily lives? Why is going to the food court at the mall with the whole family a thing? What are the traditions around meals or food that are actually very cool and you can implement into your life?
You will need to do a lot to adapt, but if you have ever moved before, it will be similar while adding some extra layers.
You will experience culture shock, but you will not be the first. Everyone goes through it. There is a honeymoon stage, and then it ends. But, you will deal with it, and grow from it.
More research: My Disclaimer
Get up-to-date on current events in the country you’re considering moving to. No place is perfect, but can your basic needs be met?
While significant global challenges are happening everywhere, I’ve personally been facing some in Ecuador. For example, right now, there’s a severe drought across Latin America, leading to electricity cuts that can last up to 14 hours a day. If you work online, it’s necessary to either live in a building with a generator or invest in one yourself, along with a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies) for backup.
Also, there are some cities where narco-trafficking is picking up. Not to live in fear, but it is important to know what is going on and not sugar-coat it. Most likely you will be fine, but not acknowledging it is irresponsible. You can learn to take steps to be secure.
Ignorance can be bliss. And I do not believe it is healthy to live in fear. That is why I am for making educated and informed decisions. Like any country, there are areas to stay away from, as well as calmer areas.
Some believe the place they’re leaving is unbearable, while the destination is paradise. That can be a truthful perspective for many. But the reality is that you could also be traveling to a developing country so your comfort level may be challenged.
Just Do It!
Remember, moving abroad isn’t just about logistics, it’s about creating a life filled with adventure and connections. Take it step by step, and trust that this journey will not only transform where you live but also who you are.
Through curiosity, living abroad can open the horizons that you didn’t even know existed. Whether you stay for a few years or the rest of your life, you will learn about other cultures, but ironically, you will learn more about yourself. It is a time to challenge yourself and see it as an opportunity to create new experiences and friendships.
Leaving your comfort zone will allow you to evolve. What you learn about yourself while living in a new culture can be empowering. I cannot recommend it enough! Give it a shot and your future self might thank you!
FAQs:
Q: Can I move abroad alone?
A: Yes, you can move abroad alone and to a country where you don’t know anyone. I have done it. It may seem daunting but many others have done the same thing, and you will meet many new people along the way. Once you arrive, check out the events happening in that area and take a language or cooking class, for example.
Q: What if I move abroad and realize I don’t like it?
A: Nothing has to be forever. Whether you decide that where you moved to is not for you, or you feel after a short time you have had enough, you can always move to another country (rinse and repeat the same process) or head back home. What you will take away from the experience, no matter how long, can be rewarding. (That is why you shouldn’t sell everything just yet!)
Q: How can I find a place to live before I arrive?
A: It’s best to book a short-term rental like an Airbnb or hotel when you first arrive. Take the time to explore different neighborhoods and take advice from the locals and other foreigners on where could be the perfect fit for you to live. You can easily find recommendations in expat groups online and local forums to get you started.
If you enjoyed this, please save one of these pins to your favorite travel boards on Pinterest. It’s a great way to keep the tips handy for when you’re ready to make your move!
