Moving and Living Abroad Guide

Considering moving and living abroad? You’re in the right place!

Here, you will find everything that you need to know about living and moving abroad.

We often dream of living in some exotic place: Mexico, Spain, New Zealand, Thailand, Lebanon; anywhere but our home!

The reality of living and moving abroad is often quite different from our fantasies. It can be challenging, exciting, frustrating, and wonderful all at the same time.

Before you take the plunge into living in a foreign country, it’s important to do your research and understand what you are getting yourself into.

While it’s important to do research, it’s also vital that you don’t wait.

Everyone always thinks “one day I’ll get there.” Why can’t one day be today?

Stop putting off living your dreams! I’m under 30 and have already lived in 7 different countries and over a dozen cities.

There are no rules saying you have to wait until retirement to enjoy living abroad.

Keep reading to find updated guides and resources to help you achieve your dream of moving and living abroad!

Reasons to Live Abroad

There are a million and one reasons why living abroad is the most enriching, exciting experience that you can ever have!

Here are just a few reasons:

1. Learn a language – living in another country makes you focus on learning the local language. You want to be able to order your coffee at the cafe without struggling, right? It’s also so much easier when you’re immersed in the culture of the other language.
2. Experience another culture – when you live in another country, you are completely immersed in the culture. You’ll learn about the food, the customs, the way of life. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn more about the world and expand your horizons.
3. Make new friends – living abroad is a great opportunity to make new friends from all over the world. You’ll have so much in common with them and you’ll be able to create some lifelong memories together. Whether they’re locals or other expats, you’re sure to make lasting conenctions.
4. Travel – one of the best things about living abroad is that you have a base to travel from. You can explore your new home country and the surrounding countries with ease. I love to move to a new country every year or two, so I have a new home base with amazing things to do nearby.
5. Career growth – living abroad can also be great for your career. It’s a great opportunity to stand out in the job market and show that you’re adaptable and resourceful. Employers love candidates with international experience!
6. Earn more money – living abroad means living in a cheap country. If you’ve ever traveled to another country, you know how expensive living can be at home in Western countries. You can earn so much more living abroad and save up for future travels or purchases.
7. Different opportunities – living abroad means access to new opportunities. Some countries have better education opportunities, more equal roles for women in the workforce, and different work-life balances. If you’re looking for a change in your life, living abroad may be the perfect solution for you.
8. Better weather – moving abroad gives you the chance to choose your climate. Do you prefer cool temperatures? Beach weather? Snowy mountains? Take your pick!
9. Start over – living abroad gives you the chance to reinvent yourself. You can shake any painful memories that you have back home or free yourself from the expectations of your family. You can be whoever you want to be living in a new place with new people.

What is an Expat?

An expat is someone living abroad. It can be on a temporary basis or permanent, depending on your lifestyle and preferences.

Many people see “expat” and think of older British couples living in their retirement villa in Europe.

But that’s not entirely accurate.

An expat can be anyone, of any age or ethnicity, living abroad around the world.

I’ve been an expat for many years.

Unlike digital nomads, who move constantly and don’t set roots, expats tend to be more stationary. They set up a home base, such as renting a villa or an apartment. They may even work and get a tax number, depending on their situation.

But no two expats will look the same. It’s a flexible term that many adopt, even if their situations vary slightly.

Best Expat Countries

Every person’s needs and wants vary, so it’s hard to say definitively which are the best expat countries.

But there are a few that always come up on lists:

• Spain – this country offers an amazing quality of life, plenty of job opportunities, and great weather year-round. It’s no wonder why it’s one of the most popular expat destinations.
• France – France is known for its luxury and high living standards. If you’re looking to live a posh lifestyle, this is the country for you. But it also offers a rich culture and plenty of job opportunities.
• Australia – Australia is a great country for expats because it has such a diverse landscape. You can find everything from beaches to mountains to deserts in this country. And it has a strong economy, making it a great place to work.
• Thailand – Thailand is a great option for expats because it’s affordable. You can live a comfortable lifestyle on a budget here. It also has a rich culture and amazing food.
• Bali – living abroad doesn’t have to mean living in a big city. Bali is one of the most popular expat destinations because living here is easy. It’s affordable, you can live luxuriously on $1,500 per month, and there are plenty of job opportunities. It’s also a big digital nomad and remote work hot spot.
• New Zealand – New Zealand is a great place to raise a family. It has a strong economy, good education system, and plenty of job opportunities. It also offers stunning landscapes and a relaxed way of life.
• Mexico – Mexico is a great place for expats looking to save money. You can live comfortably on a budget here, and there are plenty of job opportunities. It’s also a culturally rich country with amazing food.
• Costa Rica – Costa Rica is one of the most popular expat destinations because it has a thriving economy, amazing education system, and good living standards. 9 in 10 expats describe it as a very friendly place to live.

Cost of Moving and Living Abroad

Moving and living abroad can be expensive.

The cost of living in your new country will depend on a variety of factors, such as the cost of living in your current country, the cost of living in your new country, shipping costs, and visa costs.

To calculate the cost of moving abroad, keep these factors in mind:

• Rent
• Utilities
• Transportation
• Food
• Health insurance or travel insurance
• Entertainment
• Cell phone plans
• Shipping fees

You will also need to calculate your cost of living based on the specific location. Use the city that you plan to live in as a guide.

When in doubt, budget based on the most expensive city, so you over budget and aren’t surprised by unexpected costs.

For example, living in New Zealand doesn’t cost as much if you live outside of Auckland or Wellington. However, it’s a good idea to budget based on these larger cities if you haven’t decided where you plan to live yet.

Similarly, in Canada, cost of living varies widely from Toronto to Ottawa, even though they are just 4 hours apart.

When moving your goods, really think about whether or not it is worth the cost of shipping your items.

You can always buy a new couch. So is the cost of shipping it overseas worth the expense?

You can save a lot by not shipping your household items.

What To Do Before You Move Abroad

There are a few things you should do before you move abroad:

1. Check visa requirements.
2. Ensure your passport is up to date.
3. Register with your local embassy or consulate.
4. Get travel insurance.
5. Open a bank account in your new country.
6. Bring enough money to cover living expenses for at least the first three months.
7. Make copies of important documents, such as your passport and your visa.
8. Sell or donate anything you won’t be bringing with you.
9. Tell someone where you’re moving.
10. Contact your home bank to inform them of your travel.
11. Cancel your utilities.
12. Start packing early.
13. Do your research on your new home.
14. Learn the tax requirements of your new country.
15. Find a place to stay in the new country, even if it’s only temporary.
16. Find work, or ensure your current job will allow you to work remotely.

Tips for Living Abroad

• Join expat groups and clubs. Make friends with locals. Find ways to meet new people so you don’t feel isolated.
• Take your time to learn the language, or at least enough to get by.
• Don’t jump right into work. Take the time to enjoy your new home with day trips and wandering your local centre.
• Be open to new experiences.
• Keep a journal of your experiences.
• Try the new food and do your best to embrace the culture. Get involved in local activities and celebrations.
• Be patient. The process of moving and living abroad can be daunting, but it’s worth it in the end.
• Be prepared to feel homesick or lonely for the first month or two. Embrace the feeling, but don’t give up on your dream of living abroad.
• Find ways to have familiar fun. Go to the movies, play a virtual game night with friends from your home country, or cook yourself a homemade dish you love. It will help comfort you amongst all the changes.
• Go slow. You don’t have to unpack everything on day 1. You don’t need to be the perfect expat (which doesn’t exist) in your first week. It takes time to get used to living abroad, especially if you’ve never done it before.

How to Choose the Right Country to Move to

It’s not an exact science finding a country to move to.

There are two easy ways to find your dream location.

The first way, is to think of the place you’ve always wanted to live in.

Then consider why you’ve always dreamed of living there.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted to live in a rural town in Italy. That might not actually work for you, if you need a strong internet connection and prefer eating out to cooking at home.

So, make a list of the reasons this is your dream ideal.

Maybe it’s because you love pizza and warm weather. Perhaps you want to live in a smaller home surrounded by greenery. Or maybe you want a tight-knit community.

Use those reasons to find a place that actually works for you.

In this case, it might be living in a larger Italian city in a suburb with a strong expat community. Or it could be living somewhere else around the world, like in Bali, where you can still find pizza.

The second way is to make a list of requirements.

This works best for expats looking to live and work abroad.

Start off by considering whether or not you speak another language. If not, then you may be limited to English-speaking countries for the sake of work.

What climate do you prefer? Rule out any English-speaking countries that don’t fall under this umbrella.

You can also consider cost of living, ease of visa requirements, and healthcare to help you make your choice.

Living Abroad Travel Insurance

When you live abroad, you don’t always get access to that country’s healthcare systems.

And when you do, they may be restrictive or more limited than yours back home.

Coming from Canada, no other country has had healthcare as beneficial (or as free) as my home country. That means I rely on travel insurance while I live abroad.

Safety Wing offers expat insurance for living and travelling abroad.

This includes health insurance, evacuation, baggage, and trip cancellation.

Plus, they have a great online platform that makes it easy to find what you need, when you need it.

I’ve been able to get regular checkups, as well as preventative care and prescriptions through Safety Wing’ excellent expat policies.

As one of the most reliable and most affordable travel insurance companies on the market, I know I can trust Safety Wing, no matter where I’m living.

You can too!

⛑️ Protect your time abroad with Safety Wing. Get a quote today!

How to Make Friends Living Abroad

I’ve lived in 7 countries and over 10 cities in the last decade.

That has meant I’ve had to make a lot of new friends as an adult.

People often don’t consider how hard it is to make adult friends, especially if you’re not working in large office.

After years of being a shy kid who hated meeting new people, I’ve finally learned how to make friends as an adult and be very social.

The best way to meet people abroad is to live communally.

Then you’re forced to socialize daily.

However, if, like me, you’re not a fan of living in smaller apartments or having to put on pants every time you want to refill your cuppa, this may not work for you.

And if you’re a digital worker, like I am, you can’t just pop into an office full of people.

That’s why I love Meetup.

Meetup is an online platform that allows you to post and find community-created groups that you can join.

These cover every type of interest, from board game cafes to hiking to painting nights!

I’ve joined Meetup around the world to make new friends.

In New Zealand, the expat group and hiking group were especially helpful for finding new friends who had similar experiences or interests as me.

Meetup exists across the globe and are very easy to join. It’s free to use!

Join Meetups Today for Free

Is Moving Abroad Worth It?

This is a question that goes through everyone’s mind when they’re considering a move abroad.

Although moving abroad isn’t easy, it is very rewarding.

I’ve moved abroad many times. A few of them didn’t go to plan and I wished I could come home. Others, I never wanted to leave.

Ultimately, moving abroad is what you make of it.

It’s up to you to find the right place, grow your community, and take the time to appreciate your new life.

In some cases, you may pick the wrong place or make a mistake along the way. That’s ok!

Just because one expat country didn’t work for you, doesn’t mean another won’t.

Dust yourself and try again.

Because living abroad is the best thing you’ll ever do!

FAQs About Moving and Living Abroad

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