Moving abroad is something many of us dream of, but it’s often fear that holds us back from actually doing it. It could be fear of the unknown or fear of pushing outside of our comfort zone: going somewhere new and unfamiliar is no small task. If it’s been on your mind for a while, you’re likely wondering what it’s really like to move abroad. Here are some major points to bear in mind before you commit yourself or your family to a big move overseas.
Consider the financial details.
Of course, everyone needs to plan a move of any kind carefully. When it comes to moving abroad, however, costs can get out of control quickly. It’s never been more important to try and plan for every eventuality, especially because things will likely work differently from what you’re used to.
For example, when finding somewhere to live, you need to make sure that all the associated costs are also within your budget. Some countries in Europe will include electricity, water, and even internet bills within the rent cost. In other places, you’ll need to work out your own bills. It’s a good idea to compare electricity costs in advance, so you know what you can expect and whether it fits with your costs.
Search local.
Finding somewhere to live should be top of your to-do list, and no one knows the area better than locals. Try to find an English-speaking, local rental portal, like Lamudi Pakistan in Pakistan. They will often have resources and experience from helping ex-pats find a home in the past, so they’re well-suited to help you with your search. No matter where you’re moving, there will always be some kind of system in place to help new arrivals if you look hard enough.
Get creative with work.
2020 showed us all that working remotely is a real possibility for many. Make the most of that, and see if there is work that you can do from anywhere. This will help you make the move abroad far easier, as your income won’t be dependent on location. Finding work overseas is much harder than it sounds, especially if you don’t speak the language. Having full freedom to move around, irrespective of your work is a true blessing and can help you go much further.
Even if working remotely isn’t in the cards, moving abroad is still a great opportunity to pursue new career paths that you’ve always dreamed about. Have you been working in a corporate role for years and are looking for a lighter workload? Have you been stuck in customer-facing roles and are keen for a break? Whatever the change you need is, now is the chance to go out and grab it.
Roll with the punches.
For anyone moving abroad, there will always be a lot to do. The most important point to remember before committing to the move is that you need to go with the flow. Things may well go wrong, and you’ll probably have to come up with new plans of action on the go, but that’s all part of the excitement of moving abroad. Be prepared for the unexpected as much as you can. This might sound like an impossible task, but the less committed you are to your plans, the better the whole process will go for you.
Read up on other people’s experiences in the country that you want to move to, and follow people on social media who live there. You’ll likely pick up a lot more information from bloggers and influencers that you might expect. The more you know, the better your move will be.
