Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of living abroad and I knew that one day I would make an international house move. The thought of living in a new country with a different culture, different traditions and a whole new language always got me super excited. Having studied French and German at University and Spanish at school, I knew that my future had foreign travel written all over it. I assumed I’d move to France and end up living a fabulously Mediterranean lifestyle. But then I met my Polish husband and since then my dreams of making an international house move have focused predominantly on Poland.
Whether you’re moving to be closer to family, because your career requires you to move or purely for the adventure of living abroad, the decision to make an international house move is always daunting. But, if your heart is set and you’re excited for the new chapter in your life, it’s important to do it right. Here, we’re going to look at a series of steps you should take to make sure that your international move is planned, thought out, and primed for success.
Research the Area First
This may seem obvious but it is so important to do your research before you up and leave the country. Obviously.
Obviously, the easiest way to do this is to go in person to the area you want to move to and explore it yourself so you get first-hand experience.
Some people take it upon themselves to actually move out to the new country they want to live in and to rent a place to stay so that they can better house hunt while there. This approach certainly has its advantages, but it’s also somewhat risky. You may find that the money you have saved to buy a house can easily start to dwindle once you have to take into account paying rent to stay in a temporary place.
Take the time to scout out a place to move into ahead of time. You might want to visit in advance to confirm that the places you look at meet your standards, but it’s becoming easier and easier to do more of this online.
Work Out the Legal Process of Making an International House Move
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Regardless of which country you are moving from and which you are moving to, it’s never quite as easy as simply packing your bags and going. In most cases, you will need a visa to show that you have the legal right and permission to stay in the country for an extended period of time.
There are visa services that can help you with the application process for whatever country you’re trying to move to, but many overseas employers also offer help in setting up their new hires. If you’re looking for a longer-term move, such as to apply for citizenship, then you should start planning and studying for that, too.
Look into International Removals
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If you’re travelling light, you might not need anything other than the luggage you bring to the airport. So long as you’re ready to put the work in on the other side to get yourself situated with everything you need.
If you do have furniture and other belongings that you plan to bring with you, however, then you’re likely to need the help of an overseas moving team to ensure that everything gets to the other side in good condition. Movers can be very high in demand so it’s a good idea to book their services as soon as you know the date and time you’re moving into your new place.
Write a Budget for Your International House Move
Aside from being organizationally demanding, no one should be surprised that moving from one country to another can be expensive. Aside from the costs of getting yourself housed and situated, and the moving costs, you also have legal fees to help you cover your visa application process and to get any other paperwork you might need. Beyond budgeting for the move itself, you should research the job market and the cost of living, so you can better create a household budget for the future.
Prepare for the Culture Shock of an International House Move
Even if you get all of the practical side taken care of, there’s still the fact that moving to a new country can be a very different living experience. Culture shock is one of the big dangers, with a lot of people not realizing just how different life can be after an international house move.
Even relatively small changes can add up, making you feel frustrated, homesick, and alien to your new environment. Connecting with that environment and integrating as best as possible is one of the best pieces of advice you can take. Making a trip to visit the area ahead of time, making local friends, and trying to steep yourself in the culture and norms of the place can make the transition a little less bumpy.
Join some social groups, find a community and build a network that can help you feel more at home and less isolated. Definitely learn the local language. You may want to consider a skill swap with a local who wants to learn your language. That way you can brush up on your language skills and make a new friend at the same time.
Connect With Other Ex-Pats
Aside from the culture shock, which in itself can be overwhelming, there are likely to be specific challenges that you might face when you’re new in a country. New labour laws, social norms and legal demands can add their fair share of stress.
While you might have already visited in the past to get a better idea of the region and what to expect from it, you should still do your research as best as possible. Connecting with other expatriates can help with that a great deal. People who have made the same trip as you are more likely to have faced the same challenges and might have some information on how you can get over them.
Build New Support Systems
Depending on your situation, you might find that when you move abroad, you’re not as close to the support systems and the people you have come to rely on over the years. It can be an exercise in independence, but it’s a good idea to build up a support system as quickly as possible.
You need to find friends and people you can rely on, but be sure to do it slowly and smartly. Keep your wits about you because new arrivals are common targets for fraud in many countries across the globe.
Any move can come with its fair share of unexpected challenges, so be sure to stay flexible and equipped to deal with whatever comes your way. With the tips above, you can hopefully cut out at least some of the uncertainties.
Have you moved to another country? If so what are your best tips to make an international house move as smooth as possible? Please share in the comments below.