Significant Things to Consider Before Moving Abroad

If you’re considering moving to another country, that’s awesome! You’re making a big step in personal development. It can be hard to move far away when family and friends are so close, but it can also be an exciting journey. However, if you’re looking to move abroad, there are some significant factors to take into account.

How will you commute?

This is probably one of the most important aspects to consider prior to making the decision to move abroad. How are you going to get from point A to point B everyday? Most people typically don’t want to invest the finances in transporting a car across nations, so it’s something you need to consider. Is there public transit available? Have you allotted funds in order to balance the costs of transportation in your budget? Make sure you’ve answered these questions prior to establishing your decision.

Transportation of your belongings

Chances are you are flying to your far away destination, and most flights won’t be able to accommodate moving all of your belongings on the plane. You are going to need to come up with a plan in order to move your personal things from your country of origin to where you will be staying. Using removal services is one way of ensuring that professionals are handling your possessions and that they’ll be taken care of appropriately. This is one of the cheapest ways to get this job done, and have it done correctly.

Place of residence

You’ll need to decide where you’ll be staying where you’re going to be travelling, and how large the accommodations will be. If they’re significantly smaller than what you’re accustomed to, you may need to reduce what you own now so you don’t cramp up your living space. You can sell larger pieces of furniture or donate them to charity if you need. You might also want to inquire about what the lease laws are in the country, and if you need to pay utilities just like renting in your country of origin. Weather is also a key factor to take into consideration. If you’re a fan of the sunny Mediterranean climate, consider moving to Spain or Cyprus. There are plenty of properties for sale in Limassol (Cyprus) so you can find accommodations that fit your budget and lifestyle. If you love the colder months, consider buying a home in Scandinavia or Finland where winter sports are popular and temperatures drop drastically. Whatever your preference is, do research beforehand to make sure it’s the right environment for you.

Research job security

You might be tempted to accept a big gig in another country that sounds attractive. Make sure you do your homework on the security of the position that you will be accepting and the company’s history working with residents out of the country. You don’t want to be left stranded without a source of income in another country.

Languages spoken in the area

Research what languages are spoken in the country, but also what languages will be spoken in that region as well. Canada is an example where most people speak English, but in Quebec there are portions of the province that predominantly speak French. You don’t want to spend time learning the language of the country only to find out that particular region uses a different language. Spend some time getting to know the area so you will be adequately prepared when it’s time to move.

Understand the laws

Different countries abide by different laws, and you don’t want to be breaking any by accident. Motorcycles in Thailand for instance, should remain in the right hand lane, which may be something that every visitor doesn’t know. Sometimes you can’t possibly learn all the laws that come with growing up somewhere, but make sure you have the big ones down. There may be a different standard for social etiquette where you wish to travel, and that is also something you may want to learn more about.

Health care options

Not every country is lucky enough to have affordable healthcare for every individual, or even have accessible healthcare in every community. Find out where the nearest healthcare provider will be given the location of your residence. This may play a role if you have any chronic conditions that require frequent visits. Before you travel, make sure to make a good health insurance.Also, do some research on the costs of medical help or if you’ll be covered by the national healthcare plan if there is one. Health problems are something that can affect anyone in the blink of an eye and it’s something you’ll want to be prepared for. 

Make sure you plan for a method of transportation once you arrive in the country, and you have a means of transportation your possessions. Develop an understanding of the region and its local laws, as well as language, and your ability to access healthcare services. Review your employers history of employment standards and make sure you will have a safe amount of job security. It can seem like an overwhelming task, but with a bit of preparation it’s a completely achievable goal.