Moving abroad is a big decision, yet it’s one that thousands of people make each year. There’s no denying that the pandemic has had an impact on this – with more and more people working remotely, it has become easier for people to move abroad and continue doing their jobs.
That being said, you shouldn’t rush into moving abroad. While it may sound like a dream (and it certainly can be), it is also one of the hardest things a person can do, so it’s definitely not something to be taken lightly.
So, how do you know if you’re ready to move abroad? While this will look different for everyone, we’ll be guiding you through a few questions you can ask yourself to determine whether you think you’re ready or not.
Can you handle the stress?
If you’ve ever moved, you know how stressful it can be. The same can be said of a trip overseas. So, combining the two by moving abroad is sure to raise your stress levels in a way that very few other things can.
You will be stressed out before, during, and after the move. While some people can handle this, other people’s mental health can be severely affected by such a big change.
Having to arrange so many different things also doesn’t help. You will need to keep track of all kinds of different things, as well as make arrangements for a place to live and expat medical insurance.
Can you afford it?
Moving abroad is a big commitment in terms of your life, but also in terms of finances. You will need to spend a lot of money if you want to move abroad, so you need to ensure that it’s something you can afford.
After all, you don’t want to take this huge step only to get to your new country and realize that you don’t have enough money to sustain yourself.
As tempting as it may be to hop on the next flight and start your new life, this is one situation where you need to be responsible. Rather wait a few years and start increasing your savings so that you can start your new life on the right foot.
Are you prepared?
As mentioned, moving abroad entails a lot. It can be a hard process, and you will need to fill out a lot of paperwork. It’s also not something that happens overnight.
You can’t move overseas on a whim; it requires a lot of thinking, planning, and preparing. So, you need to be sure that you can do that. You should set up a list of things that you need to do so that you can see if moving abroad is a realistic goal for you or not. Of course, you also need to make sure to take proper care of yourself during this massive change.
Do you have a job?
Most countries will require that you have a job before they allow you to move there. Even if it isn’t required, and you’re moving there because you have family there or you want to study, it’s a good idea to have a job anyway.
Many people move abroad with the idea that they will get a job once they are there, but then they end up struggling to find a job. So, revamp your CV and start applying for jobs before you commit to moving.
Even if you don’t get a job immediately, it will be a good way for you to test the waters and see what kinds of opportunities there are for you.
Is your family on board?
In some cases, it’s okay to do what is right for you. As hard as it may be to leave your loved ones behind, if moving abroad is what you need in order to secure a better future for yourself, you should do it.
That being said, if you have a partner or children, their lives will also be severely impacted by a move abroad, so it’s important that you take their feelings into consideration.
This may mean that you will need to sit down and have a difficult conversation. If you’re not sure how to tackle that, you can follow these tips.
In conclusion
While moving abroad can be terrifying, it can also be a rewarding experience. In fact, many people claim that it’s the best decision they’ve ever made.
However, to make your move overseas a success, you will need to wait until you’re ready for it. Trust us, waiting a few years until you’re ready will be much better than rushing into it when you’re not prepared.
Take some time to truly think about whether you feel like this is the right time for you to tackle such a big move before you decide to do it.