Moving home is challenging for just about anyone, no matter where you’re moving to. It’s a big decision, and it gets even bigger when you decide to pack up and take everything to a new country. Here, we’re going to look at how you manage the overseas move without letting stress overtake the whole process.
Visit ahead of time
Culture shock is a very real and surprisingly profound experience and it can completely destroy your experience of a place if you’re unprepared for it. The best way to get around culture shock is to visit and stay at a location for an extended period to really get to experience it. You will also want to network a little and make some friends who can help you transition to life over there more easily.
Spend plenty of time finding the right home
Much of your quality of life is going to be determined by where, exactly, you live. This might be determined in part by where you get a job or where a spouse might live. However, look at house listings and apartment sales to get a thorough idea of what kind of property prices you can expect. Looking with a local estate agent is a good idea as well, as they can help you better navigate the market.
Get a good idea of the costs of living
Save, save, and save. Moving can be costly and moving overseas can be doubly so, so save as much money as you possibly can. However, you can plan a little by doing some research on the costs of living in the country that you’re moving to, as well, seeing how far you would be able to stretch your existing budget over there.
Get to know the health care system
Governments run things very differently in other countries, and the health care system of the country you’re moving to is likely to be drastically different. You may have to budget for a different kind of private insurance, or you might find yourself covered by the state, with optional insurance or even total coverage that’s taken out of your taxes instead. Just do your research because finding yourself suddenly without health care or paying more than you expected in taxes without knowing why can be quite the surprise.
Make some final touches
Once you’ve taken care of all of the essentials and know what you’re getting into, then it’s time to take a few final steps. For one, get in touch with your bank and phone provider. You may not want to get rid of your current account just yet as you may have some bills and outstanding loans to deal with. Make sure to make copies of essential documents like your passport, birth certificate, and driver’s license as you’re likely to need them.
Of course, the one thing that we’re not going into is what it takes to move overseas legally. Each country has its own approach to immigration law and getting a visa or permanent citizenship, so it’s important to do your research and know your way in. Otherwise, keep the tips above in mind.
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