Are you moving overseas?
Relocating with some strategic tips under your belt can make the transition smoother and more successful.
Whether you’re moving for business, pleasure, or a combination of both, these twelve practical relocation tips for first-time expats will help you get off on the right foot when packing up and starting anew in a foreign country.
From researching visas and finding the right living arrangements, to obtaining health insurance coverage and adapting to local cultures – this comprehensive guide for moving overseas has got you covered!
Don’t let navigating a potentially unfamiliar terrain overwhelm you. I’ve moved abroad several times, and am happy to share my tips!
12 Tips for Moving Overseas
1. Do Your Research and Understand Your Visa Requirements
Knowing what visa you need and how to obtain it should be the first thing to look into once you know which country you want to move to.
Every country is different when it comes to visa and residency requirements, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into before committing to moving overseas.
Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to obtain all necessary documentation and paperwork.
By doing your research and taking the necessary steps before you leave, you can make your move to a new country smoother and less overwhelming.
I go into more detail about getting the right visa and things you should consider in this article.
2. Consider Shipping Your Car
If you’re moving overseas and have a car, shipping your car may be the most cost-effective and convenient choice.
Not only can this save money compared with purchasing a new car abroad, but it also eliminates potential stress related to figuring out where to buy a new car, who to trust, etc.
Depending on the country you’re relocating to, all that’s required to ship your car is filling in some forms, and driving your car from your current location to a port of export. There, it will be securely loaded onto a vessel and sent overseas.
Once it arrives at the destination port, all that’s left to do is unload it and drive away.
Shipping your car does take some time, so don’t forget to arrange this well before moving overseas.
3. Secure a Home
Finding the perfect place to live can be one of the most intimidating relocation tasks.
You’ll want to make sure you do plenty of research when choosing your new home. Choose a location that is safe and secure, and in an area that is convenient for work and leisure activities.
In most places, I’ve found Facebook groups very helpful. Just search for ‘expats in [place you are moving to]‘ and you’ll most likely find one or more groups to join.
Use those groups to ask any questions you have.
‘What are the best areas to live in?’ ‘What platforms or agencies should I use to find a place to live?’ ‘Are there any areas to avoid?’
These are all great questions to ask, and I’ve generally found the expats in those groups very friendly and happy to share information.
If you are able, consider staying in a hotel or Airbnb when you first arrive. This way, you can get a feel for the area and find a place that best meets your needs.
Renting a place without seeing it in person is always a risk. So especially if you’re not too familiar with the city or town you are moving to, spending a few weeks in a hotel or Airbnb is a good way to start.
But again, ask those Facebook Groups for advice. In some places it can take months to find accommodation, so if that’s the case, you might want to rent something before you leave home.
4. Talk to Your Loved Ones Before Making Your Decision
Leaving your home and starting a new life in a foreign country can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience.
Before making the final decision to move, make sure to talk it through with your close family and friends. They may be able to give you a better perspective on the big picture and ensure that you’re making the right decision for both yourself and those closest to you.
Plus, having the support of your loved ones can make the transition much easier.
Also Read: Living & Working Abroad – What You Thought vs What It’s Really Like
5. Learn the Language
Before you leave for your new country, it’s wise to learn at least the basics of the language.
Not only will this give you a better understanding of the culture, but it will also make day-to-day life much easier.
While English is widely spoken in many countries, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to learn the local language.
Most locals will appreciate your effort and it can make all the difference in helping you integrate into the community.
There are free apps such as Duolingo that are a good way to start learning a new language. Or, for a better result, take (online) language classes before you relocate overseas.
6. Open a Bank Account
Assuming you are moving overseas with the plan of staying there for at least a year, and with local bills to pay, you’ll want to get a local bank account.
But, from experience, I know that it can take time to open a bank account.
The Facebook Groups I mentioned before are a great place to ask for information about which banks are best and what documents you will need.
For example, in most countries, you need a local address to open a bank account. You might not have a local address yet.
What I’d therefore also recommend is to get a good international account.
Wise and Revolut are the two best-known ones, and I personally use Wise.
Both are online banks that will give you a debit or credit card and charge MUCH lower fees for foreign currency transactions and withdrawing money abroad.
They make it very easy and cheap to transfer money from your local bank into your Wise or Revolut account, which you can then use for all your day-to-day spending abroad.
7. Look Into Health Insurance Options Before Moving
An important thing to research before relocating is health insurance.
The way health insurance works and how many different options are available really differs per country, which can make it quite confusing!
Again, the Facebook groups are a good place to start, to get an idea of how the local health insurance works, and what other expats are using.
Look into various health insurance plans to find one that fits your needs, taking into account any pre-existing conditions you may have.
It’s also important to keep in mind that health insurance policies may not cover certain medical expenses abroad, so make sure to read the fine print before signing up for a plan.
And once you are overseas, make sure you have a written prescription with you for any important medication you take so that you can show that to your new doctor.
Tip: if you’re not ready yet to get local insurance or you think you might only stay in the country temporarily, then Safety Wing is a good international health insurance option covering you worldwide.
8. Connect With Other Expats in the Area
A great way to make the transition easier is by connecting with other expats in your new home.
You can easily find a local expat group to join or even create your own.
Besides Facebook groups, Meetup.com and Internations.org are good platforms to connect with other expats.
Or simply do a Google search for ‘Expat groups in [place you are moving to]’ to see if there are any other popular expat groups.
Talking with fellow expats can help you get acclimated to the area and make new friends who understand what you’re going through. This can be especially helpful if you’re feeling homesick or need advice from someone who has been through the same experience.
9. Embrace the Culture
When relocating to a new country, it’s important to try to embrace the culture.
Try new foods, attend local events, and learn about the history of your new home.
Doing so will help you become more familiar with the area and make it easier to adjust to the new lifestyle.
Don’t be surprised if some differences irritate or frustrate you. Believe me, getting used to a new life abroad, and getting your life organized when certain systems don’t make sense to you, can be incredibly frustrating!
Give yourself time, you’ll get used to local customs and quirks eventually.
10. Stock up on Your Favorite Supplies Before You Move
It’s a good idea to stock up on some of your favorite supplies before you leave. This could be anything from clothing to toiletries, or even specialty food items.
In this globalizing world, it has become a lot easier to get almost any product anywhere in the world. But, when moving overseas you’ll most likely find there are some things you can’t buy, or are incredibly expensive, in the place you are moving to.
Ask other expats what products they miss or would recommend you to bring from home.
It may surprise you, something you thought was very basic, might be impossible to get abroad!
11. Be Prepared for Culture Shock
Although relocating to a new country can be exciting, it’s important to be prepared for culture shock.
Culture shock is the feeling of being overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and customs of your new home.
This can be a difficult experience, but it will eventually pass as you become more familiar with the area.
Until then, try to take it one day at a time and remind yourself that this is a new adventure.
Also Read: Things You Should Consider Before You Move to Another Country
12. Be Patient With Yourself
Above all, it’s important to be patient with yourself as you adjust to your new home.
Moving to a foreign country is no easy task, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed or out of place.
It can take time to adjust, so try your best to be kind to yourself and take it one day at a time.
With enough patience, you’ll eventually find your footing and make your new home a place you can truly call your own.
Moving Overseas – Final Thoughts
Moving to a new country can be daunting, but with the right preparation, it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience.
The 12 tips listed in this article have hopefully given you something to think about and will help your relocation overseas go as smoothly as possible.
I’ve also written an article to help you create a moving abroad checklist. Check it out and use it to make a list of all the things you should do before you relocate overseas.
And please, no matter how stressful it may feel at times, believe me that moving overseas is an incredible and very rewarding experience!
Also Read:
- 5 Great Reasons to Move Overseas
- How to Retire Early and Go Overseas
- 5 Types of Expats You Will Meet When Living and Working Abroad
- How to Find a Job Abroad & Make It Work
- How to Work Remotely From Anywhere in the World
- Why Moving to a New Place Alone is a Great Experience
Some Useful Articles About Moving to a Specific Country:
- Things to Know Before Moving to Germany
- Moving to the UK from the US – What I Wish I’d Known
- Things to Know Before Moving to the Czech Republic
- Moving to Spain as an American – What I Wish I Knew
- What You Should Know Before Moving to Cuba
- Things to Know About Living in Japan
- Things to Know Before Moving to Mauritius
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