A lot of people dream about moving to another country, living another life, and finding the room they need to grow as a person.
While the dream is attractive, the reality can be quite a challenge. To make sure your dream doesn’t die, it’s important to keep an objective mindset.
Here’s what you need to know to make sure you have thought about before you start planning your big move.
What’s it Really Like Where You Want to Move to?
If you have only ever been to your chosen destination on vacation or for a short trip, then it’s likely you don’t don’t really have a good idea of the realities of living there. You can try and organise a longer trip ahead of your immigration application process, even working while you’re over there if possible, to get a taste for the daily realities of life abroad.
However, it’s also a good idea to get in touch with some other expatriates, who will often be happy to talk in online forums. There’s nothing like lived experience to help you see a perspective that you might not yet have fully considered.
How Will You Go Through the Immigration Process?
Moving abroad is rarely as simple as getting on a plane and finding a new place to live when you touch down. Before that happens, you often need to go through a lengthy immigration process that can take even longer if you’re not prepared.
Know what kind of visas and immigration options the country you’re moving to offers and make sure that you take the time to prepare your paperwork in advance as best as possible. Furthermore, take the time to find a good team of immigration solicitors who know the process inside and out. They can help you avoid any snags that might hold the process back, forcing you to wait even longer.
How Are You Going to Live?
Once you have figured out how you’re going to move there, you need to think about how you’re actually going to live once you get there. Actually, you should really think about these two at the same time, since they will influence each other.
For instance, you might not be able to go through the immigration process unless you have already thought about and secured how you’re going to make money. You need to research the specific area that you’re planning on living in, any amenities you might need, and even your social life abroad. You should also consider your budget and how you’re going to pay for the move, to begin with.
Some people find that the reality of living abroad is so different from what they expected that it can ruin the move for them. However, it’s important to find out if that’s the case now, rather than late. If you do your research and still find that you’re still just as enthusiastic, it could be a sign it’s meant to be.
