5 Things To Know Before Moving Abroad

If you have ever toyed with the idea of moving abroad you’ve probably imagined the cobbled stone streets, the old world architecture, sunsets looking over terraced mountains dotted with quaint homes. I know I did. But once the dreams settled in reality quickly showed up with a to do list longer than I could have imagined.  Here are 5 things to know before moving abroad.

The truth is preparing to live in another country takes patience, persistence and a willingness to learn as you go. The beauty of all of this is that there are no time limits(usually). What helped me most was breaking the big, overwhelming picture into smaller manageable steps.  So this can be done at a palatable pace, bit by bit. Once you start the process each step builds onto the other making the information make all the more sense.  Now that I am here,  I have found that the following five topics as below, I discovered are worth  really looking into early on. 

1. Cost of Living

 Before moving try to get a realistic picture of what everyday life will cost for example:

-How much is rent compared to your current budget?

-Is healthcare affordable and accessible?

-Will you be relying on public transportation and how much does that cost? Is the city bike friendly? I personally will be investing in a bike. There are well-defined bike paths available on the city roads. The cars are very respectful of cyclists and vice versa. All ages can be seen cycling. Also, the city I am in has a robust train and bus system as well, 7 days a week. Dogs can travel on trains, a larger  dog will need to have their own train ticket. 

2. Rental Availability and Requirements – 5 Things to Know Before Moving Abroad

This was a big one for me. Some countries have rental systems that are completely different from what we’re used to in the U.S. For example, in the Netherlands, finding an apartment can feel like winning the lottery. In France, there are more options, but you’ll still need to know the requirements and paperwork. For example you have to have a French bank account or have an International online Bank such as Wise or Revolut which will give you the required ( International Bank Account Number). The IBAN speeds up international money payments and transfers.  The IBAN ensures that you will be able to pay utilities and rent directly. 

3. Expat Population

A place may be gorgeous but will you feel connected there? Checking out the expat community may be important to you. It can be comforting to know that there are people who have already walked the road you are about to take. Social Media will usually have sites for example: Expat in ………… whichever community you are looking at. I really liked Barefoot Blogger for my journey to France. They strive to maintain a community which offers all sorts of information and it is also possible to ask questions on the site as well. They can offer advice, resources and sometimes just remind you that you’re not alone in figuring this out. 

4. Livability – 5 Things to Know Before Moving Abroad

Ask yourself, does this place fit the way I want to live day to day? For me, walkability was huge.  My New York driver’s license loses its reciprocity after the first year. I will have to take a French driving course and attain a French license. In addition, I want to become more familiar with the rules of the road here as well as their road signs. I wanted to be able to get around without a car,  so I will probably invest in a bike. This city is extremely bike friendly, most all roads have a designated good size bike lane. Both cyclists and drivers travel easily and respectfully on the roads. 

5. Taxes & Finances

Here’s the not so glamorous part, money, but maybe the most important of the 5 things to know before moving abroad. As an American citizen , you’re taxed  on your income no matter what country you live in. Each country has their own regulations, for example France has reciprocity with the U.S. to avoid double taxation. An individual will  only be taxed in the U.S. on their Social Security and their pensions. I would highly recommend finding a financial advisor who understands international tax rules pertaining to where you will settle. 

Moving abroad is exciting but it’s not without its challenges. The good news is that the knowledge you acquire makes each step closer to the life you imagine. I have written a few past posts that may help as well, Moving To Europe With Dogs– the requirements needed to go abroad. 

In addition, on the Retirementreawakening.com/blog website under the category of “Free Inspiration” The newsletter has  a more extensive checklist of ten items – “Top 10 things you need to know before you move overseas”. 

If you have any questions I have not addressed please feel free to ask in the comment box below. I will be more than happy to answer it if I am able or help direct you to find the answer. I hope you found these 5 things to know before moving abroad insightful.

The next post will have a checklist of what you may need shopping at the local Farmer’s Market  along with etiquette. 

Hope that you come along!

Thanks for being here,

-Soraya