It’s at this time of the year every single year that enquiries from would-be expats go through the roof. It’s a case of a selection of factors all combining to push people to the point of making a very radical decision. For some it’s the whole ‘new year, new life’ thing: for others, as the clock strikes 12 on the 31st of December it’s a very clear marker that another year has past and time is ebbing away…
For some the Christmas holidays were a fantastic respite from a horrible job, and when it’s time to return to work they really want to make a change. The list of reasons people give for wanting to make a new life abroad is the same year-in, year-out. However, whilst for seasoned expats it can be really hard to remember what it was once like to be in a similar situation, it’s imperative that we at Shelter Offshore can keep that memory alive so that we can help people realise their dreams.
So, if you’re in the position of having decided you want to move abroad but you’ve yet to begin the planning and preparation because – quite frankly – you have no idea where to start, allow us to assist with an action plan that you can follow to ensure 2012 is the year you really start living the life you want.
Understand Your Reasons for Wanting to Move Abroad
Perhaps the most important part of preparing to move abroad is understanding why you want to relocate. It may be because you’re fed up with the economic constraints in the UK, it could be because you’ve lost your job and there are no prospects for you locally. It may be that you want better weather/a better work/life balance or to live in a nicer nation for your children to grow up in.
It could be because you believe the grass is greener abroad, you believe you can earn more, spend less, have better weather and a better lifestyle…or it may be because you believe your life is bad at the moment, and you’re convinced a dramatic change of scene will improve everything.
In all of the above there are some fantasies that most people have before they relocate: -
1) People believe that they can earn more/spend less in a new nation. Australia is a typical nation where some Britons realise they can earn more in their profession – but they fail to realise that the cost of living can be far higher. This means that any relative gains in income are 100% eroded by an increase in living costs.
2) People believe that better weather exists in many nations abroad. In Australia there are cyclones and floods. In New Zealand there are earthquakes. In the Mediterranean the winters are wet and cold…what’s more, better weather does little to improve fundamental elements of life. Yes, it’s nice when the sun shines – but sunny weather doesn’t cover your mortgage payment!
3) Things in the UK ARE bleak right now – but many, many other nations around the world have their own economic issues.
4) And finally – your life may not be what you wanted or planned…but could this have more to do with you, your attitude and outlook rather than external factors conspiring to make your life unhappy? I.e., you can never run away from yourself, no matter how many miles you put between your old life and your new life.
There are a million legitimate reasons to move abroad – but you need to make totally sure that you’re certain that a move is the right thing for your whole family, AND that you have realistic expectations of what your new life will be like.
No matter where you live you will face the usual challenges of life – from earning an income to making friends – so these inevitabilities will follow you wherever you go. Ensure you’re comfortable with these facts before you commit to a relocation - or else you may face disappointment when you realise your life is just the same, and only the scenery is different!
Be Realistic About Money Matters
The number one reason for expats failing to make a go of their new life abroad is money. They underestimate the cost of living, they underestimate how hard it can be to get a job, and/or they underestimate how much a job can earn them…
What’s more, moving country costs money! Even if you rent out your home in the UK fully furnished and don’t ship anything except yourself…it will still cost you money on travel and accommodation in your new nation.
Most people face significant set-up costs as they ship furniture, put deposits down on a home, get a car and pay for everything from new mobile phones to having utilities connected. Therefore you need to ensure you have enough money behind you to move yourself abroad – and then you absolutely HAVE to know how much your new life is going to cost you, and how you’re going to afford it.
Moving abroad is usually done to improve one’s life – therefore don’t fall into another typical expat trap where you discover you have to work longer and harder to afford your new life, so you never have time to enjoy your new life!
Think about relocation costs, set-up costs and the cost of living. Think about finding work, (or how much income you will derive from a pension if you’re retiring abroad), and ensure your sums add up to an affordable new life overseas.
It may be that you need to adjust your plans slightly – perhaps skilling up in your profession before you move so you can earn more, or changing your country or location choice so that it’s more affordable or there are more jobs available to you for example. Do this work in advance and you will save yourself from making any costly mistakes.
Which Countries Offer You the Lifestyle & the Income?
Whilst you may have holidayed in a given nation and fallen in love with it, does that nation offer you the real chance to have the life you want? Yes it may have beautiful beaches and a great climate – but does it have jobs, is the lifestyle affordable and can you make friends and a home there?
Rather than just following your heart, bring your head into the equation as well! You can enjoy an improved life abroad in a myriad of nations – so have a think about where in the world you can find work, earn a decent living, have a better work/life balance and enjoy fine weather and good friends.
Go online and read some forums and expat websites to get a feel for different countries and different cultures. Put your CV out to international recruiters and take their feedback about where in the world your skills are in demand. Then have a think about where you can and would like to live…
Pathways to Visas
Depending on the nation you choose, you may need to have a visa for relocation and employment. You will need to understand which visa class you can apply for, and how best to improve your chances of acceptance. For example, if your spouse has skills more in demand than your own, it may be best if they apply and sponsor your relocation.
In addition, you need to be realistic about how long the whole process can take. Once again, forums are great places to learn about visa processes from those who have been through it. You can ask advice about how to improve your prospects, and you can gain insight into the entire process.
Alternatively, you may choose to move to a nation where you don’t need a visa – ensure you still acquaint yourself with any registration process you will have to go through however. Even in EU nations you’re obliged to register your presence – and of course you then have to pay tax and become a fine upstanding member of your new community!
Make sure you know in advance what obligations are on you…ignorance is no excuse. Finally, don’t forget to factor in the translation of skills and qualifications abroad. You need to make sure you’re allowed to work in your profession in your chosen nation – you’d be surprised how many countries will want you to re-qualify and re-sit exams for certain professions.
Reconnaissance Mission
Having chosen your nation, ensured you’re making the move for the ‘right’ reasons and clarified your position when it comes to visas and your right to live and work in your chosen country, it’s time to go on a pre-relocation reconnaissance trip. Note: this is NOT a holiday!
The purpose of your visit is to look at the nation through the eyes of a new citizen rather than a tourist. So rather than sitting on the beach or visiting points of interest, you need to look at schools, banks, transportation infrastructure, the cost of rent, the suburbs where you could live and the opening times for all the critical services you will want to access when you first arrive.
You’ll need to scope the cost of living, and see what a destination is like out of tourism season or in the rainy season (if applicable), and you’ll need to visit the haunts of locals rather than holidaymakers.
Your mission – should you choose to accept it – is to ensure you could make a happy new life for yourself and your family in your chosen destination. Take your rose coloured glasses off and be as pessimistic as possible to ensure that even if the worst scenarios should stack up against you, your new life will bring you greater pleasure and satisfaction than your current one. Good luck!
Location, Rental Property & Fiddly Bits
And finally – congratulations if you’ve made it this far! You have done the critical groundwork to ensure your new life abroad will be a success. You will have embraced realism to the point of no return, and ensured your new life will give you everything you hope and plan for.
It’s now time to whittle down your final location choice in your chosen nation, to find a property to let for at least the short-term and make some lists!
Depending on whether you want to get a job before you move or find employment once you relocate, you will need to make sure this aspect of your move is absolutely secured.
You will then need to think about accommodation and what to do with your home in the UK. You will have to get planning and working hard…but the good news is we have 2 additional articles that assist you as your do your pre-relocation planning.
Moving Abroad Advice and Checklist to do Before Moving Abroad. Utilise these resources to take you to the final stage where you step foot on the plane and begin your new life with no regrets and no looking back.