Moving is often touted as one of the most stressful life events you can go through. In fact, one study showed that 6 in 10 people believe it’s the most stressful thing you can do, even ahead of going through a divorce!
While there are things you can do to make moving easier on yourself, it becomes a completely different ballgame when you’re thinking about moving to a completely different country. There are so many things to consider, and before you decide to take the plunge, you have to ask yourself a few important questions.
The more you prepare before you decide to move, the more confident you’ll be in your decision.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at five important things you should ask yourself before moving to a different country.
Why Made You Decide on Moving to a Different Country?
Perhaps the most important question to ask yourself is why you’re thinking about leaving, in the first place. Is it for a job opportunity? Do you want your children to attend a different school environment? Or, do you just need a change of pace?
Because moving to a new country is such a big decision, you should have a pretty concrete “why” when it comes to packing up and leaving. Think through your reasons and what they would give you to look forward to. Are the risks of those potential opportunities worth leaving behind everything you know?
Where Are You Going to Live?
It can be hard to browse homes when you’re considering moving to a different country. Most of your research will probably be done online. So, it’s essential to narrow down where you’re actually going to live and line up a place before you make the move.
One of the biggest moving day mistakes you can make is choosing the wrong moving company. You should do your research about who is going to help you. But, no matter who is packing up your things and shipping them, the best thing you can do is to make sure they have clear instructions on where your new home is and how to get there. In order to achieve that, you have to have that place locked down and ready to move in.
What Will You Do for a Living?
If you’re planning on moving to a different country for work, this is an easy question to answer. But, if you have another reason for moving, you need to ask yourself what you’re going to do for a living.
With that being said, you should have a basic understanding of which industries are popular in that country. How can the skills you already possess be put to good use where you’re planning on going? Just like finding a place to live, it’s a good idea to have a job lined up ahead of time before you make a move. That way, there won’t be any lapse of time before you’re able to find work, so you can breathe easily and find comfort in your new location.
Additionally, if you have been offered a job in a new place, you don’t automatically have to accept. Think about how secure that job is before you pack up your entire life and move somewhere new. Remember, you’ll be uprooting everything, so that job has to provide you and your family with your basic needs for a long period of time.
How Much Will it Cost You to Live There?
When you’re considering both a job and where you want to live, take a look at the general cost of living. You could be used to a certain economy, but that doesn’t mean the country of your choosing has the same one.
You need to ask yourself how much it will cost to live on a daily basis. That doesn’t just include things like a house payment or utilities. Instead, try to break down the cost of living one day. How much will it cost to eat for a day? How much will transportation cost? What else will you need to purchase on a day-to-day basis? When you break down your day, you can determine what it will cost to live in that country for a month, a year, etc.
Do You Have the Necessary Paperwork?
Every country is different when it comes to the work permits or visas you need to live there. Whether you’re just thinking about moving to a place like Paris, England, or even vista alam for a few months, a year or you’re making it your permanent home, you probably won’t hear about what’s required until you start doing your own research.
It’s important to have your visa and any other necessary documentation in place before you leave. You should know what the country requires in order for you to have a job and to live, so you won’t miss a beat when it comes to handing over the required paperwork. It will make the whole transition much smoother for you.
Consider What You’re Leaving
While this question isn’t “officially” on the list, it’s a good idea to ask yourself what and who you’ll be leaving behind if you decide to move to a different country. Wherever you live right now, you’ve undoubtedly made some incredible memories. You might live close to your family or friends, and the idea of leaving them can be overwhelming. You will ultimately have to ask yourself if leaving them and traveling somewhere new is worth it or if it’s just too big of a risk.
That isn’t meant to deter you from moving somewhere new. For some people, moving abroad is a fantastic solution and it can be an incredibly positive life-changing experience. But, it’s also not something to be taken lightly. If you’re considering a move for any reason, keep these questions in mind as you work through the process. Take the time to really think about your answers, and how moving would not only impact you but how it would affect your entire family.
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