Are you planning on moving abroad this year?
Lucky you!
Moving to a new country can be one of the most exciting decisions you ever make. However, it also requires some careful planning to ensure the transition goes smoothly.
From packing up your current home to settling into a new culture, there is so much you have to consider before you take that big step – and we can help.
Below, we’ve put together a list of eight of our top tips for moving abroad in 2023, to help you make the journey and transition as effortless and enjoyable as possible.
Check them out below.
1. Do your research
The most important thing you need to do before committing to a big move like this is to do your research.
Once you know which country you want to live in, you can begin to prepare for your new life. Start by running a couple of internet searches and getting clued up on the local area.
This will help you when the time comes to find a new home and job, deciding what to pack and knowing what to expect when you arrive. We suggest that you do some in-depth research into the following areas of life:
- Weather and how this changes throughout the year
- Important customs and culture
- Local laws
- The history and politics of the area
- The type of work available in the country (if you don’t already have a job lined up)
- The average cost of living
- Local healthcare and what you’re entitled to
This will give you some helpful insights into what life will be like in your new home, your finances and any important rules, regulations or customs that you should be aware of upon arrival.
2. Plan your finances
Another vital step you must take before you move is managing your finances and making sure you can actually afford to take the leap. Your research will come in very handy at this stage, though you might wish to look at certain living costs in more detail.
You should add up the average cost of renting or buying a house; food bills, utilities and transport should also factor in. If you’re looking for a job, it’s also a good idea to check out the average salary for your position and whether you can comfortably live off this.
Then you need to calculate the actual cost of moving. This might be renting a moving van, transport such as flights, temporary accommodation and buying new furniture.
The final stage of managing your finances is to look at your savings and work out if you’ll have any big cash injections before you go. For example, will you be selling your current home in order to buy a new one in your chosen country?
We suggest setting up a budget spreadsheet to ensure that you can safely get through the first six to twelve months of your new adventure. This gives you time to settle in and find a new job if that’s what you need to do.
3. Ask yourself the important questions
When you get the ball rolling, you need to make sure you have an action plan in place. There are several important decisions you have to make, so ask yourself the following questions:
- How will you get there – can you drive, or do you have to fly?
- How are you going to move your stuff? For example, will you use a professional shipping provider, or will you drive yourself?
- Do you have pets, and will they be coming with you?
- If so, how are they making the journey?
- What date do you want to make the move? Is this feasible in terms of finding accommodation, budgeting, etc.?
- Will you be taking furniture with you or starting fresh at your new home?
- If you can’t take too much with you, will you sell your belongings or put them in storage?
Once you have the answers to these questions, you can start getting down to the finer details and make your moving day feel within reach.
4. Start your visa application as early as possible
There are lots of different visas available, and which you need will depend on where you’re moving to and your employment status. Be sure to do your research and only apply for the correct or most relevant visa. Do this as early as possible to avoid any hiccups or delays.
If you’re feeling unsure, it might be wise to seek some professional advice on this front, as getting your visa application wrong can have a huge impact on your move.
5. Learn the local lingo
If you don’t already speak the local language, then you should get practising right away. One of the best ways to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in it, so it’s likely you’ll pick up more once you’ve made the move.
However, it’s a good idea to know the basics before you go. This will help you if you need to ask questions upon arrival. It will also help you to settle into the local area quicker as you can start to converse with the locals.
So start by practising the basics like hello, goodbye, please and thank you, and work your way up. Nowadays, there are plenty of apps and online resources that make learning a language easy and enjoyable.
6. Declutter your life
Even if you’re driving and you’re able to take many of your belongings with you, it’s still a good idea to take the opportunity to declutter your life.
But this is going to be particularly important if you can only travel with a couple of suitcases.
This will require that you go through your clothes and belongings and sell or get rid of anything that you no longer need. You might also need to do the same with your furniture, car, and other large items that you cannot take with you.
7. Make sure you have all the important documents
Your passport is a no-brainer, but there are lots of other important documents that you need to gather and keep on hand when moving abroad.
Make sure you have details of your successful visa application, as well as your accommodation and any information about employment or studies that you are taking if these are already pre-arranged.
If your pet is moving with you, make sure you have their passport or any documents they need to enter the country. Having all these accessible can make your journey far easier.
8. Join local groups
Finally, either before you go or upon your arrival, it’s a good idea to join local groups to help you meet new people. These could be groups on social media platforms like Facebook, created especially for ex-pats. Alternatively, you could join the local gym, sports team or follow your hobbies and meet like-minded people that way.