Guest Blogger: Considering Moving Abroad? Tips to Consider First

Guest Blog #151, Entry #623, August 19, 2011

In the new global movement that the world is participating in, there is less need for fear of moving abroad as in past years. The world has become much smaller with the use of the internet and global communication to research, explore, and seek out information about every country in the world, without leaving your living room.

Today, our Guest Blogger gives tips for deciding if moving abroad is for you. Deciding the reasons why you want to move can be an important factor as well. Look at these tips to consider first before making your airline ticket reservation.

____________________________

The grass is always greener on the other side and even if the grass isn’t going to be greener the chances are it’s going to be warmer or closer to the sea or just offer a more desirable way of life. Whatever your reason is for moving abroad you’re bound to have a list of things to do as long as your arm. Here’s a few tips for you to bear in mind if you are thinking of emigrating.

Don’t Burn Your Bridges

Leaving the country is not a free pass to tell your neighbor exactly what you think of them nor is it an excuse to tell your boss where he can stick his job. Even if you have no intention of returning right now, leaving the country does not mean you can say what you like to those you’re leaving behind. You never know what the future is going to hold and you can’t guarantee you’ll never going to need to have anything to do with these people again.

You Can’t Run Away From Your Problems

Many people decide to move abroad after coming out of a bad relationship or suddenly finding themselves out of a job but you need to recognize the difference between starting anew and running away. If you have debt problems or relationship problems moving away won’t make them go away, they’ll catch up with you either literally or emotionally and leave you feeling just as scared or worried.

Plan Your Cash

Whether you’re planning on living off a pension, an inheritance or you plan to get a job you need to make sure you’re not only planning how and where you’ll have access to money but also that you understand the legalities and banking in the country you’re moving to. There are going to be several factors to consider if you’re planning on working abroad, things like any language barriers, is there a call for your skill in your new country? You need to make sure you’ve got enough to get by on for at least a few months even if you do already have something lined up.

Put Your Health First

It’s vital that you understand the local health authorities before you need them. Waiting until you’re ill to sort out insurance is going to be leaving it too late. British expats who are used to a free NHS service often forget that most other countries don’t offer free health care and the rules are often different for non native residents. Health insurance might not seem like a high priority especially when you’re faced with so many expenses when relocating but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Try Before You Buy

It’s very common for people to choose a new country because they’ve been there several times on holiday. A country you’re visiting on holiday is a lot different when you’re living there full time so it’s always advisable to rent before you buy and if you  can make sure you’ve got a plan in place in case you do need to go back home.

Be Brave

Before you leave make a physical note of why you’re leaving because no matter how hard you plan there is going to be a point when you feel it would just be easier to go back home. Starting anew is never easy regardless of whether you’re moving with family or you’re going by yourself and when things do get hard you’re going to look back at your old life with rose tinted glasses so try and have something physical to remind yourself of why you’re doing this.

Jessica works for Live in Portugal who offer Portuguese mortgages to UK residents.

For more ideas for moving abroad on Stagetecture, click here.