I decided to write this blog since I am a Native New Yorker now living as an Expat in Sweden. Throughout my years, I learned a few tough lessons that I truly wish I had prepared for just a little better, so I share this blog in hopes I can help you navigate your relocation adventures should you decide to take a chance on foreign land.
Many individuals wish to relocate for several reasons, from feeling stifled to wanting a better lifestyle. However, many have unrealistic ideas about foreign countries, often laced with romantic adventures, luxurious living, and endless opportunities for career advancement that are not always easily obtained.
Moving can be problematic initially if you are family-oriented, close to your friends back home, and have few contacts in the new location. When living abroad, you may sometimes experience isolation, homesickness, and doubts about your choices. And not having close relationships with people who know you well can truly amplify loneliness and homesickness. In the beginning, forging new relationships may be challenging to establish if there are language or cultural differences; even if someone speaks your language, their use of jargon may create confusion. I live with a Swede who speaks English, and in the beginning, we were constantly bickering because we would misunderstand each other due to our usage of certain English words.
Regardless of your reasons for wanting to relocate, it is always better to prepare yourself as best as possible. You don’t necessarily need a ton of money to move. Still, you need to be aware of what to do when you relocate because every country is different, not only in terms of culture and regulations but also in terms of relocation procedures. For starters, there are some specific areas you need to consider:
- Residential visas requirements
- Housing options
- How to earn Income
- Health care in the event you get ill.
It’s okay to take a risk, but since things are constantly changing globally, it is vital to be prepared. Here are some practical things to do prior to moving:
- Visit the place – Take time to visit the area you plan on moving to, at least once or twice, if it’s within your budget. When visiting, try to go to non-tourist areas, eat with the locals, and network.
- Research – find out about the economy, health care, taxes, and housing options using a cross reference of sites devoted to the country you wish to relocate to.
- Get Visa Information – look into the country’s government website for details on their specific relocation procedures. Remember that every country has different entry requirements, fees, and waiting periods. Some countries are incredibly lengthy and expensive to relocate to.
- Living expenses- Create a living budget that includes housing expenses such as rent, utilities, food, and transportation. In the meantime, if you are able to, buy a cheap bike to use as a form of transportation since it will save you money in the long run.
- Explore the Job Market – Look into job options based on your experience and credentials. Find out if your degrees, credentials, or certifications are valid in the country you are going to. If not, find out how long it will take to update your degrees or credentials to meet the specific requirements.
- Job hunting -look into online work or job boards before you leave; if possible, try to land a job to secure some income. If you obtain a working visa, make sure to find out if you can extend your visa on your own should you leave the job.
- Survival Budget – Whether you land a job or not, try to save for six months’ worth of expenses before moving. The budget should only be used if you don’t have a start-up job. This budget is designed to keep you afloat in the event you lose your job or things don’t work out with original housing plans.
- Connect to Expats – Join online expat groups with members living in the country you wish to relocate to ask about their experiences, how they navigate their way around, and things that will impact you, such as work, school, etc.
- Connect to Locals – one mistake many immigrants make is that they stay within the safety net of other expats. Keeping connected only to foreigners will prevent you from fully diving into the culture.
- Native language – if you are moving into a new country that mostly speaks another language, begin to take language courses before you move. Find out about the language schools you can attend. Some countries offer free language courses for foreigners.
- Sign up for local information – Join the sites pertaining to the new country you plan to move into. Many countries have valuable online resources for individuals who plan to relocate, such as housing, local employment, school systems, and health care information.
- Embassy information – Obtain information for the closest embassy to your country of origin. Get the address, hours, and phone number should you ever need to replace your passport or other vital records.
- Take Mad Money – Regardless of what lies ahead, always make sure you have money for a return ticket and at least four months’ worth of rent, which will include at least one month’s deposit. If you need to return home, you may need to look into a roommate option until you can afford to live independently. If you are concerned about having too much money on your person, keep it in the bank back home so you can access it if needed.
Living aboard will vary from country to country and your ability to adjust. Remember that if you do your research before moving, your ability to adjust will be smoother and less of a shock.
Copyright 2024 R. Castro
Useful Relocation Resources
The resources will provide some valuable ideas about the relocation process. However, remember that regulations change often and quickly, so you should obtain government links to each country you are interested in researching. Whatever you do, avoid settling for just one link since not everyone updates their sites regularly.
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