The idea of living in a different country sounds great on the face of it. You have an opportunity to explore a new place, get your bearings and experience a totally new type of culture. But as you might expect, it’s not something that you should rush into doing. It’s critical that you ask yourself the right questions before you make the move. This post is intended as an aid to anyone looking to relocate overseas. Here are some of the questions that you should be asking yourself. I love the idea of going to live in another country, but these tips help to stop you from making a rash decision.
Have You Visited The Country?
You might have an idea in your mind that you would like to live somewhere. But you can’t really get a feel for a location without actually putting feet on the ground. Committing to a location you’ve seen online isn’t a good idea.
If possible, spend at least a month in the location you’d like to move to. This length of time will give you a sense for what it’s like to live there. You can do the touristy things, but also try to experience what it’s like to get around the cities and just do basics, like grocery shopping. If you’re moving to a wealthy country, like the US, you may face additional costs that you did not expect.
Are You Going To Be Okay Without A Support Network?
People who move abroad tend to be intrepid explorers. They’re happy to be by themselves. They’re independent. This type of person frequently applies for US citizenship.
However, you may not be like that. You may wish to be around your friends and family. If that’s the case, then perhaps going abroad to live isn’t something you should choose.
Are You Just Trying To Run Away?
Many people live in foreign countries because they are trying to run away from their problems back home. They want to escape bad relationships or certain situations. Often moving to a new country is a fantasy about going away and never coming back.
This approach to moving, however, isn’t always the best. Yes – getting a fresh start in life can be a positive thing. But unless you have a concrete plan for how it is going to work, it remains a fantasy. It can be nice to imagine yourself having a different kind of lifestyle, but you need a robust plan in place ahead of time to make it happen.
Are Your Goals Realistic?
Having hopes and dreams to move to a different country feels good, but it’s not always realistic. Most great countries have high entry requirements. You need to be somebody who has specific skills, a job or a lot of money. It can be challenging for regular people to get a ticket into a great country.
A lot of people also move abroad because they want to experience unlimited travel. They believe that if they move overseas, life will be one big long adventure. Unfortunately, that’s not always how it works either. Expats don’t necessarily travel more than people who stay home. Have you ever considered going to live in another country? I would love to know in the comments below.
