Four Things To Think About When Moving Abroad

Whenever we introduce great change into our lives or look for a fresh start – be that moving abroad or searching for a new job – it’s important that we do not rush the process, and make careful, informed decisions ahead of time to protect ourselves in the future. Therefore, if you are considering moving abroad, here are four important things you should think about ahead of time. 

Photo by Eva Darron on Unsplash

1: Think about what you are leaving behind. When we are looking to move home, we often focus on the positive aspects that come with entering a new environment. For example, moving abroad could present you with new and exciting job opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.  However, it’s also important to ensure that you are moving for the right reasons and won’t be leaving any significant opportunities behind either. For example, if you have already been offered a job with an attractive salary, it may be worthwhile to delay the move and take the job for a year or two. This can help boost your savings.  

Furthermore, moving abroad often means moving away from your family, which many people will find difficult as time goes on. 

2: Think about the legalities of moving. Moving abroad is a lot of fun, but it also requires a great deal of paperwork. For example, you’ll need to ensure that you obtain the appropriate Visa so that you can legally live and work in your chosen country. In this case, it is worthwhile to work with an immigration lawyer, as they will be able to guide you through the complicated application process and ensure that you don’t make any mistakes. After all, there are many different Visas available. For example, if appropriate, you could apply for indefinite leave to remain for asylum seekers instead of a more traditional Visa. 

3: Think about the realities of moving abroad. Moving abroad, even to a country that neighbours your own, will likely be a bit of a culture shock – as life is different in every area you visit. Furthermore, you may move to a place where you do not speak their language, meaning you may find it hard to communicate with those around you. As a result, you should ensure that you are fully prepared for any changes thrown your way and choose to move to an area where you can see yourself settling comfortably. If necessary, you should also try to give yourself a head start when it comes to learning a new language, as this will make the move seem a little less scary. 

4: Your finances. Though there is reason to believe that moving abroad could save you money in the long run, moving abroad comes with a significant price tag. This is due to the simple fact that you have to pay for so many different things, including: 

  • Your Visa/Visa application fee.
  • Lawyers. 
  • Realtors. 
  • Your new home/mortgage. 
  • Transport costs.
  • Removal companies.

As a result, you should ensure that you know exactly how much you need to save and spend during the move – especially as you may need to have a safety net of funds set aside to support you when looking for work in the early stages of your relocation. 

Flush the Fashion

Editor of Flush the Fashion and Flush Magazine. I love music, art, film, travel, food, tech and cars. Basically, everything this site is about.