Have you always dreamed of living in another country, immersing yourself in the culture, learning the language? Maybe you’ve dreamed of becoming a true Parisian, or you’re considering moving to the warmer weather in Australia – whatever the reason, relocating can be fantastic, but will also require lots of organisation!
There are quite a number of things for you to consider when it comes to relocating. We’ve had a close look at some of the considerations that need to be taken into account before making the leap – and shared eight of our top tips below.
Check it all out to make sure you’ve thought everything through before making the move.
Work and money
Probably one of the most important things to think about before relocating abroad is how you will fund your move. A lot of people end up relocating for work, meaning they already have a job in their new home country, but if you’re moving without a job in place, consider where you will work.
You could think of the things that you can do and the skills you have and see where they fit in in your destination country. Check out whether your qualifications mean the same thing over there too and try to find places you could fit in.
It is worth noting that some countries only allow you to move if you can prove you have a way of funding yourself while there.
Visa
The type of visa or travel authorisation you need to make a new home will depend entirely on where you’re coming from and where you’re going to. There are some places, for example in the EU, where countries have agreements meaning citizens can move abroad without any kind of authorisation, but this isn’t the case everywhere.
Check out what kind of visa you’re eligible for in your chosen country and make sure you can work while using that visa too!
Language
Language is one of the biggest barriers to settling in a new country. there are many different languages from all over the world, and not knowing the native language of a country can make it difficult when relocating there. Some countries, like Australia, Canada and the England will require a standard leave of English before granting some visa, only the permanent or long-term ones. PTE or the Pearson Test of English is a common test potential visa applicants in Australia and Canada may take to prove their English proficiency. However, there are schools like Englishfirm in Sydney that can help learn and improve your language skills to the required level. This will ensure there won’t be too big a language barrier in the place you’re moving to.
Cost and time to travel home
When moving abroad, it is worth noting that you’re probably leaving behind lots of friends and family that you may still want to see in the future. Factor in the price of tickets for a plane ride home as well as the time it will take you to get home.
Can you travel home for the weekend when you want to, or will you need to book time off work to get back?
Cultural and religious rules
Moving abroad might mean moving into a new culture, one you haven’t experienced before. You should check this out beforehand to ensure it’s a culture you will be able to fit in with. You may also want to look up cultural cues and differences to see how you will need to behave.
Along with culture comes religion and, depending on where you move, you may find that religion means a lot more in your new country than it did at home.
Cost to move
This is a big one and can be the make or break between moving and not for most people. Do a quick round up of all the costs of relocating to make sure you can get out there before committing.
Furniture and luggage
As part of the costs, you will need to factor in how much stuff you want to take. You may leave some things in storage, or you may take it all out there. You will also need to consider moving your car abroad, using companies like a1autotransport.com to get it there.
Food
And finally, what kind of food will you be eating when you move? If the national cuisine of your new place is heavy in some foods you don’t really like, you will need to consider whether this is the right option. Can you find food you’re more comfortable with or are you going to find eating difficult while there?