What to Know Before Moving Abroad | How to Move to Another Country

February 7, 2019 by Emme

Hello everyone!

If you’re new here, welcome to my little corner of the internet – I’m SO happy to have you here.

So, you’re considering moving abroad but don’t know where to start or if it’s even possible? Maybe you hadn’t even thought about it but now I’ve put that little thought into your head…

Although I wouldn’t call myself an ‘expert’, after living in another country for 3 years now I’d hope I now have some valuable advice and knowledge I can share with you all! Here’s the three things you need to think about before moving abroad…

WHERE? The first thing to think about when you’re considering a move is where you want to go. This may seem like an obvious one, but your destination choice should reflect what kind of experience you want. Length of time you’re planning to move for, distance from your home country, visa eligibility, language and job prospects are all defining factors in the choice of location, so make sure you know what’s important to you. For example, Australia and New Zealand are popular locations for Brits, but the working holiday visa only lasts for 1-2 years and the amount of time you can work for 1 employer is restricted. In contrast, a Canadian Work Permit can last for up to 2 years and you can work for the same employer for the whole time, however you have to get invited to apply for this kind of visa which can take months (as opposed to a much shorter time period to obtain an Australian WHV).

WHEN? Planning a move is a BIG deal, no matter how long you’re going for. Make sure you plan with enough time to save up, as well as take into account your lease (if you rent), the notice period for your job and if you have any other responsibilities you need to think about (pets, student loans, cars, etc.) I would say a minimum of 6 months is a good amount of time to plan and save for your move.

WHO WITH? When I decided to move away I was going to go completely by myself. I didn’t know anyone in Canada and that’s what drew me to come here. I liked the idea of being about to go and do whatever I wanted without having to think about anyone else. Of course, that comes with a lot more planning (and stress!) as you have to factor in different things, like the increased cost of renting if you don’t want to have housemates. Moving alone also increases the pressure to get a job faster, as you’re relying on a single income.

Moving abroad is one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking things you can do, but if you truly want to do it, with a little thought and a lot of planning it’s very much achievable!

Stick around to see more of my tips for moving abroad or follow me on Instagram for travel inspiration @alohamily.

❤ Emily