How to plan your first move abroad

Author: Gabrielle D, Staff Writer

Ready to take the leap abroad? Well, there’s no time to waste! We’ve got plenty to organise, even if you’re the ‘off-grid’ who loves to go with the flow. It sounds lovely, I don’t blame you, but hey – if you get mauled by a bear during your travels because you didn’t plan you’re route properly, don’t blame me. A bit of planning here and there doesn’t hurt, if anything, it’ll help you have a smoother moving experience – and improve your chances of avoiding a Leo DiCaprio moment. If I’ve convinced you, then you’ll love reading all the tips, tricks and advice we’ve laid out to ensure you arrive in one piece! Shall we?

Find accommodation

Chances are, you’ll need somewhere to sleep. Unless you’re the totally rogue, ‘off-grid’ type who already has their camper-van kitted out. Decide whether you want to rent, bounce between Airbnb’s, or even buy a home. Research the areas carefully to decide where exactly you want to stay and compare prices in the area. You may find that the nomadic life suits you best, it’s fairly low cost and forces you to really explore the country. Although, living out of a van in a foreign country would require a lot of confidence, quick thinking and travel experience.

Alternatively, rent a place if you need a solid base to work with good internet connection and phone service. You can use Property-International to find your perfect rental for the time being. Airbnb is great to use if you need places on an ad-hoc basis, looking to move around the area without being fixed to a property. Although, it can get pretty expensive depending on where you’re going and the time of year, so make sure to plan ahead to avoid getting caught out by huge spikes in Airbnb costs.

It’s visa and document time

You thought you were let off this time, but unfortunately not pal. Getting that visa can be a realllllllll slog, but chances are you’re going to need one if you plan on staying anywhere longer than three months. Everything you need to know about visa requirements in your chosen country can be found here at Handy-visas. You’ll also need to make sure that your passport is completely up to date, and that you’ve applied for a work permit in your country. Also, consider registering with your country’s embassy to notify them of your travels before leaving. This will offer you some work protection and other benefits. You can read more about that here.

Top Tip: keep a list of important contacts with you at all times. This should include; name, phone number, email address, social media handle and home address.

Make sure your finances are in order

To be honest, there are many people who live nomadic lives with very little money. They take the approach of ‘earning as they go’, doing odd jobs here and there whilst living way below their means. This could work for you. Although, if you’re looking to have a stable, long-term base when you move, you might want a financial plan and some savings. Each online source suggests differing amounts, ranging anywhere from £500 - £15,000, depending on the source.

Obviously, if you are traveling on your own, you’ll need far fewer savings than if you were moving in with a partner or bringing children with you. Knowing where you’re going will also have a great impact. Jessica Drucker tells a story of a woman she knew who only needed $500 to move to China, but $7000 to move into an apartment in Germany. Use Numbeo.com to work out the cost of living in your new country, it will be vital as you start to calculate savings.

Essentials you’ll need to budget for:

Transport
Rent & deposit
Health insurance
Relevant vaccinations
Food
Visa applications
Internet
Medicine
Basic toiletries

Non- Essentials could include:

Street / restaurant food
Fancy swimwear and clothes
leisure activities
Beauty products
Netflix / entertainment subscription
Organic food
etc, etc, etc

All the essential costs will vary drastically depending on your chosen location. So, make sure you research the cost-of-living in the area, and speak to locals about what you can expect. Figure out what you’re willing to live without during your move, and budget for the items you genuinely need. You’ll have to do your own research on this one, as everybody’s situation is hugely different.

Sort the stuff you're leaving behind

Unless you can fit your coffee table in your overhead compartment, you’re likely going to need some storage. You’ll want to keep great furniture for when you return, to save money in the long run. At LOVESPACE, we’ll collect your furniture and household items from your door, store them for as long as you need, and we’ll deliver them back when you're back in the country. You can store your large furniture and household items in our storage units, or store as little as one box with our by-the-box service.

Get embedded in the culture

After you’ve sorted the logistics and you’ve landed in your country, you’ll naturally need time to rest and recuperate. Give yourself a few days to veg out and wipe the sweat off your brow, you made it, alive and in one piece! Start laying out your belongings throughout your space. This new home doesn’t have to be perfect, but just good enough to get you on your feet. After you’ve made your base comfy and cosy, get those cowboy boots on, whip out the skimpy swimsuit, shush up the hair, and get out there - be a peacock and shake your feathers. Now, now…Don’t draw too much attention to yourself, being new and all, but just absorb the culture and speak to everyone you see. Say “yes!” to new experiences and embrace this new and youthful energy.

Moving abroad does take a lot of preparation, but it doesn’t have to be as hard as you may think. So long as you have good street-smarts, some savings, and an ability to think on your feet, you’ll be able to have a great time abroad. You don’t need loads of money or stuff to have a great experience, nor do you need to eat in fancy restaurants and wear Instagram-able clothes. Prioritise making strong connections, memories and know that you’ll gain so much life experience from this new adventure.