It’s never been easier to move overseas, especially when you compare the experience with what it must have been like in the olden days. Back then, you’d need a lot of faith and luck on your side. There was no internet to turn to when the going got tough, after all!
So, yes, it’s undeniably easier to move to a new country than it was in the past. Still, it’s not as if it’s a complete stroll in the park. It can be stressful moving to a new house in the same city; it’s even more difficult when you’re moving to a new country!
If you’re planning a move, then keep the tips we’ve outlined below in mind.
Be Brave
You only get one life on this planet, and we owe it to ourselves to do the things that we want to do. Many people dream of moving to a new country and starting afresh, but only a small number of people actually do it.
While there are logistical reasons why you may not move overseas, one thing that absolutely shouldn’t stop you is fear. No one has everything figured out when they decide to make the jump, and that’s OK. You’ll figure things out when you’re there! It won’t always be easy, but in the end, it’ll be worth it. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction that comes from knowing that you made your dreams come true.
Find the Right Place
It’s a big old world out there. So the question is, where are you going to move to? If you’ve always dreamed of moving to one specific place, then you’ll already have your answer. However, if you’re pretty open to adventure, then you’ll need to go through the process of selecting the right place.
There’s no shortage of options. Maybe you’ll move to the South of France, or perhaps Australia is more the type of place you’re looking for? You might decide to move to a place that’s very much off the beaten track, such as the south of Chile or Nepal.
Whatever you decide, make sure you have a passion for moving there. You’ll need it when you’re going through the frustrating aspects of moving.
Get Your Paperwork In Order
And talking of frustrating aspects, let’s talk about paperwork. While it is easier to move to a new country than ever before, there are still laws and rules you’ll need to follow. There are some countries that are relatively easy to move to and others that are basically impossible.
The best approach is to speak to an immigration lawyer who specializes in the country that you’re thinking of moving to. They’ll tell you exactly what you need to do to become a legal resident; from there, it’s just up to you to do it.
Keep in mind that the process of getting a visa can take time, so it’s best to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. You can still get started on the other things you’ll need to do before moving, but you’ll need to wait until your visa has arrived before you actually fly.
Find Temporary Accommodation
It’s essential to book temporary accommodation for when you land in your new chosen home country. Why? Because you absolutely shouldn’t book long-term accommodation from overseas.
For one thing, you won’t know the city you’re moving to well enough to know which neighborhood you want to live in. Second, even if you do know where you want to live, you’ll be at much greater risk of being scammed if you rent an apartment from overseas!
Booking a temporary place might not be ideal, but it’s important. It’ll allow you to find a permanent place while on the ground.
Learn the Language
This obviously won’t be relevant if you’re moving to a place where you already speak the language, but let’s assume you’re not. While you don’t need to be fluent in the language as soon as you arrive, it’ll be useful if you can at least speak the basics.
You’ll likely arrive in your new country a little tired and overwhelmed, and you’ll find it much easier to navigate the first few days if you’re not constantly confused about what’s being said. There are plenty of online resources that can help you quickly pick up the basics of a language.
Transport Your Belongings
Of all the logistics of moving to a new country, transporting belongings to their new home is usually the one that gives people the most headaches. In fact, it’s so headache-inducing that most people simply decide to leave their belongings in a storage unit. However, it’s best not to do that — you’ll find it much easier to settle in if you’re surrounded by all of your familiar belongings! Plus, it’s actually a lot easier to send items overseas than many people think, provided you don’t try to do it yourself. Companies such as Seven Seas Worldwide can handle the task for you, ensuring you can get your much-loved possessions without having to lift a finger. However, it’s best to wait until you’ve found permanent accommodations before transporting your belongings unless you know you can get a good deal on a storage unit near where you’re planning to move.
Find a Community
It might be easy to move to a new country, but you’ll still need to deal with some hardships, including loneliness. Unless you already know plenty of people in your new country, you’ll need to go through the process of making friends. Joining Meetup events, working in a coworking space, and playing team sports are good ways to meet like-minded people.
Give it Time
Finally, remember that even if you love your new country, it’ll take time to settle in! It’s best to avoid returning home for the first six months after you’ve moved, since you’ll need to go through the uncomfortable feelings (for instance: “why did I move here?”). Trust us, there’ll soon come a point when you feel fully settled in and happy!
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This post brought to you by Atif Sharif
Photo: iStock
