4 Things To Do Before Moving Overseas
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Moving home is always a great way to make a fresh start, and emigrating to a different country is the ultimate way to start afresh. Every year, thousands of people decide to travel to another country and start over again, and figures show that around one in 30 people is a migrant. There are many reasons why people decide to leave their home countries and travel to a new location to start a new life. For some people, economic factors influence their decision to move abroad; others move to be with someone they love or for their work. There are undoubtedly many reasons why people decide to take up residence in a different country, and the number of people choosing to do this has increased in recent decades. But, before you start packing your bags, it is essential to plan your overseas move carefully. Moving abroad can be stressful for the entire family, so taking steps to prepare for your relocation as thoroughly as possible is a wise idea. Being as organized and prepared as possible is a great way to stay feeling in control of the situation and less stressed. Here are some of the things to consider (from a contributing writer) when planning a move overseas:
Choose Your Location Carefully
Deciding where to move to is a crucial consideration. Committing to moving to a different country is a big step, so selecting a location that offers you everything you are hoping for is vital. There are so many different considerations to keep in mind when deciding on the best place to live. Thinking about the type of setting you would prefer is a great place to start. Do you like the idea of living by the coast? Maybe you are keen to move to the country or are set on living in the city. Having a general idea of the setting that suits your lifestyle is a great place to begin. From this point, you can start narrowing down your location options to find the perfect town or city to live in. When choosing a neighborhood, it is essential to carry out further research. Gathering information on what the local schools are like, comparing the crime statistics, and assessing the different amenities available in the local area are all vital tasks. Ultimately, the more research you do at this stage, the less likely you will make an expensive mistake by buying a house in an area that does not offer everything you want and need. As well as carrying out research from home, it is also beneficial to travel to the location and view it first-hand. Nothing beats visiting a place in person, so if it is possible to visit, it is advisable to do so to make it much easier for you to settle on the perfect location.
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Compare Your Costs
While finding the right place to live is essential, you also need to balance finding your perfect home in the best location against your finances. Before you fully commit to moving to a new country, you need to be sure you are in the best position to make that happen. It is helpful to consider how much you can expect to earn in your new home country and whether jobs are widely available there that match your skillset. Some professions earn far more in one country than another, so how much you make will largely depend on how in-demand your skills are. Weighing up your potential earnings against the cost of living is vital to ensure that you can afford to live comfortably in your new home. You may find it helpful to put together a spreadsheet and assess your current living costs compared to your living costs in your new home. Comparing the monthly cost of renting or buying a home, the fuel price, grocery prices, tax rate, and cost of utility bills will help you build an accurate picture of how much your new life will cost you each month compared with your current financial situation. Working out your finances in detail like this is an excellent way to ensure that you will be able to afford to maintain your standard of living and avoid any nasty surprises when you arrive at your new home.
Research Visas and Citizenship
Carrying out thorough research is vital to understand the legal aspects of your move, such as gaining visas and citizenship. If you intend to make your move a long-term arrangement ensuring that you have the correct documentation is a must. Navigating your way through all the paperwork and forms that need to be filled in can be confusing and overwhelming, so seeking professional help with this is essential. Getting legal advice from an attorney that has specialist knowledge of migrant cases is a great way to give yourself the best possible chance of making a successful application. Your immigration lawyer will be able to guide you through your options, such as dual citizenship, to help you assess which is the best choice for you and how to go about obtaining it.
Build a Support Network
Moving to a new location hundreds or thousands of miles from where you grew up can be overwhelming and lonely. Finding ways to help you make the most of this exciting new chapter in your life is essential to ensure that you get the most from the experience. Building up a support network in your new location is a great way to feel at home more quickly. Meeting up with fellow ex-pats is an excellent way to keep the loneliness away and help you settle into your entirely new way of life. Being around people who have already been in the same situation as you is invaluable, and you should find that their guidance and support help smooth your transition. There are many ex-pat websites out there that connect people, so taking a look at these may be helpful and should help you to form your first friendships in your new country of residence.