(ThySistas.com) Ready for a new adventure in your life? Then why not move abroad?
There are many reasons why families choose to relocate across the world. Most of the time it is because of work. If someone is offered an extremely attractive package with their current company in a foreign office, it can sometimes be hard to resist! The only thing is that the whole family will have to relocate to enjoy all the financial benefits.
But some families move just because they want a change of scenery or a better lifestyle. That is why many UK and American families choose to leave their home country and move to Australia or New Zealand. These two antipodean countries are regularly associated with a fantastic lifestyle. Thanks to their weather. The good weather means that there is a great opportunity to lead an outdoor lifestyle. Which is a big appeal to a lot of people.
But whether you move abroad because of work or pleasure, it won’t be an easy feat. After all, you need to take all of your belongings with you! Did you think that moving home in your home country could be stressful? Well, you need to really think hard about whether moving to a foreign country is right for you. However, there are ways that 
you can make the transition a lot easier for your whole family. And there are even ways you can reduce the stress of the move! Here is everything you need to know to make it a smooth transition for your family.
Research Your Destination Fully
You will have no doubt researched your destination fully if you are moving out of your own choice. However, if you are moving because of work, you may not be too familiar with the destination given to you. So it is necessary to put in plenty of time to find out as much as you can about the location. Make sure you have a basic understanding and knowledge of the country’s culture and lifestyle. It is also a good idea to get a good idea of the day-to-day practicalities of living the country. If daily life will be a lot different from in your current country, you will need to prepare the children before you go. Make sure that you sit them down and explain anything that could be different. You should also be well-prepared to answer all of their questions.
Visit Before Moving Permanently
If you are able to, you should try and visit your destination before you pack up and move there for good. This will give your family a chance to get familiar with the way of life in their new country. When you do visit this time, you should try and see things from an expat’s viewpoint. Don’t just go for a holiday, as you might only see the things that tourists see. And that can be very far from what life in the area is like! If possible, you should also take your kids to their new schools so that they can get a feeling for what life will be like. If you speak to the schools about this, they may let your kids visit for a taster day.
Research Costs
You will also need to have an idea of the cost of living in your new country. Many people fail to look into this, which leaves them very shocked when they move and find that the cost of living is more expensive! But that isn’t always the case. You may be moving to a country where things are actually cheaper! Once you know how much you will need to spend on a daily and monthly basis, you can then work out how much you need to earn in order to cover all of the costs. Don’t forget about working out the overall cost of moving either. If you are relocating for work, then your company should offer some money to cover the costs. If not, you need to make sure that you can really afford it.
Think About Work
Obviously, if your company is relocating you, then this point won’t apply. But if you are moving abroad just for a better lifestyle, you will need to figure out what you are going to do for money when you are over there. One thing to bear in mind is that if you are moving for your job, there could be immigration regulations that prevent your partner from working. If this is the case for you, you need to figure out if you can afford this reduced income. You should also bear in mind that some occupations are paid quite a bit different in some countries. So even if you are on a good wage package in your home country, you may have to take a pay cut in order to get a job in your new destination. Another thing to remember is that some countries do not recognize foreign qualifications. If this is the case with your qualifications, you may be expected to study again for your career. Alternatively, you could try and find a job that you do not need to requalify for.
What About Your Belongings?
Once you have an idea of what you will do once you are living in your new country, you need to plan what you are going to do with all of your belongings. Do you want to take them with you? It can be expensive moving furniture and bulky items between countries, but it won’t be totally out of your price range. And if you move in bulk using Port Shipping Containers, you will find that things can work out quite reasonably priced. Most families choose to ship all their big bulky possessions this way. Clothes can be taken in your luggage. You can post special documents and contracts by special delivery to ensure that they don’t go lost in the mail. But when you start packing up your things, you need to ask whether you really need to take everything. After all, you could earn some extra money by selling some valuable items. It could also be worth clearing out your wardrobes and selling clothes that you rarely wear. This can save space in your luggage and gives you an excuse to hit the shops once you arrive at your new destination!
Consider The Different Housing Options
Do you own your current house? Then you might have to move it once you move. Otherwise, you could rent it out if you are only in your new country for a limited amount of time. If you aren’t moving permanently, you might also find it better to rent a place in your new destination. Starting with a rental, whether you’re looking for houses for rent in berlin Germany or a small apartment somewhere more local, it can give you the flexibility to get familiar with your surroundings before making any long-term decisions. This approach allows you to explore different neighborhoods and find the one that truly suits your lifestyle.
However, if it is a permanent move, then you will probably be better off selling your current house. You can use the funds to help pay for the move. But even if you are moving permanently, you will still have to figure out if it is best to rent or buy. Remember that every country has a different culture, and in some countries, it may be much more common to rent a home. This is especially the case in central Europe. If you want to eventually buy a place, you may prefer to start off renting. This will help you settle in, and it also gives you time to figure out which is the best neighborhood to buy in.
Let Your Family And Friends Know
Once you have decided that you will definitely move abroad, you need to break the news to all your friends and family. This can be difficult for everyone involved, especially family and friends who may feel like you are deserting them. However, you can all be happy knowing that it is very easy to keep in touch these days. And that is all thanks to social media, Skype, and emails. Invite all of your friends and family to come and stay with you. But remember that you should encourage them to arrange their travel plans around you. After all, you don’t run a hotel! It is a good idea not to let people visit you too early on. This can make homesickness even harder to deal with, and you might not have had chance to settle in yet.
Enjoy Your New Country
Once you are all moved in, you need to start embracing and enjoying your new country! But first, you need to give yourselves plenty of time to settle in. It could take a few months to get used to your new home, jobs, and school. But after a while, you will all feel right at home! Make sure you live every day as if the move is non-negotiable. Otherwise, you may start wishing you had never moved in the first place! But as long as you all give yourselves plenty of time to settle in, your family will start to really love its new home!
Relocating abroad can be tough at times. Hopefully, this helpful blog post makes it easier for you!
Staff Writer; Sherry Ross