Resolving Six Challenges Of Moving Overseas
Switching to a brand-new life in a different country can be overwhelming, especially if you are moving somewhere for the first time. However, many expats are lucky to enjoy a wonderful life with reduced living costs and an improved lifestyle. There would be many challenges that you will have to deal with when you plan to make the big move.
Here are six major hurdles that you will have to overcome before you start afresh in a foreign land:
1. Deciding Where to Live Abroad
One of the biggest challenges for potential expats moving overseas is figuring out where to relocate for a better lifestyle. If you are considering moving abroad in search of greener pastures, you will have to plan for months or even years in advance. Options are endless, but deciding on a city or country that would be ideal for you takes time. Detailed research on everything necessary to lead a comfortable life is vital before you make the final decision.
Always return to your native country if you discover that you are not happy in an expatriate haven. It is not necessary to make a lifetime commitment. Keep yourself mentally flexible as you can always return home to start life anew. Being a “half-pat” implies that you are spending half of your time in an adopted country, and this can be a great option if you don’t want to relocate to a foreign country permanently.
2. Choosing to Rent or Buy a New Home Abroad
It may be wise to go for rental accommodation initially instead of purchasing a house because you are not sure whether you would like to commit to long-term investment. When you move to a new country, the first couple of months would seem like a honeymoon period where everything about the host city would look rosy and nice. You will be able to know the drawbacks of living in a particular expat getaway once you are there for more than 6 months.
If you have a lot of savings and you are sure about staying in a destination for a long duration or permanently, purchasing a residential property can be a very good decision. If you know where you want to reside, investing in real estate can be a great idea because you know that their prices will only shoot up.
3. Managing Your Money and Monthly Income
It is important to manage your income when moving overseas. You can either deposit monthly paychecks at your existing bank or open a new account in your host country. Opening a bank account in most foreign countries is easy. You just have to make a modest deposit and show your passport to open an account.
Similar to the banks in your native land, a foreign bank will provide you the ATM cards and credit cards and you can also have access to online banking. If you want to continue using your old ATM card, you would be able to make purchases up to the limit set by your bank. Security may not be an issue, but being cautious with financial transactions always helps.
4. Leaving Loved Ones Behind
Most expats who ultimately return home say they missed their loved ones and friends a lot. Being homesick is a major issue among expats across the world because getting used to a completely new environment takes time. So, it is important that you add the expenses of annual or half-yearly family visits in your budget before you make the move. The number of family visits in a year can be more if your budget allows.
You can be in regular touch with all your folks back home through Skype, Whatsapp or various messenger services. You can also go for Facebook’s free video chat services whenever you want. Staying connected with those you love through video calls, phone calls, and periodic visits will help you to be comfortable even in a distant land.
5. Disposing of Unwanted Stuff
People planning for an expatriate life are often troubled by the thought of disposing of unwanted household stuff that got accumulated over the years. In such a situation, you can either shift all your belongings to your new home abroad or sell them off before you leave. Parting with things that have emotional value can be difficult at times. However, it is up to you to decide if you should move all the stuff or just the essentials.
Import of household goods can be an expensive affair in your host country and tariffs or fees may take a toll on your budget. If you are buying everything afresh in your new abode, you will end up saving a lot of money associated with the international transfer.
6. Learning the Language of Your Expat Destination
Learning a new language should be at the top of your priority list if you are going to a country that has a first language which is new for you. A new language can be quite challenging and stressful, especially if you have to learn it from scratch. It can get worse if you have very little time to get trained in a particular language.
Language plays an important part in almost every aspect of a person’s social life. So, at least knowing the basics or a few phrases of a new lingo will help you to communicate or respond in your host country. You may not be grammatically correct all the time, but you can get away with it during the initial months. Go for language classes as soon as you reach your adopted country. Regular training will help you to have a good grasp of a new language in a quick time.
Importance of International Health Insurance When Preparing to Move Abroad
As you get prepared to fly to your dream destination for a long-term stay, purchasing a global health insurance plan in advance would be ideal. For some countries, medical insurance is a must while applying for a visa. For a secure and healthy life abroad, you can always go for the Cigna plan offered by Expat Financial. The division of TFG Global also offers plans from other medical providers.
Get Prepared for a Wonderful Expat Life
You need to be practical rather than emotional when you plan for a new life overseas. Your Google search about a particular destination should include almost everything including weather, safety standards, public transport, healthcare facilities, customs, culture, etc. You will have to spend thousands of dollars if you want to try out different destinations and determine if a place is right for you.
You can plan for a two-week vacation at a potential expat destination to see if it would be an ideal choice. Remember, there is no place which can be called perfect, and each one of them will have its advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what is best for you and your future.
